A Humbling Experience

     I have played Guitar Hero and Rock Band, since Guitar Hero 2 came out.  I've always been a day one buyer of these games.  I gave up Guitar Hero after World Tour, as I didn't like the charting any longer.  I've played all the Rock Band games except the country track packs (not my cup of tea).  I recently began playing Expert level guitar, but I am still learning the skills, and have not mastered anything over two star songs, but I'm getting there.  I think I'm pretty good (at least in my mind).  Well..........

    That brings me to my humbling experience.  Last night, spur of the moment, I bought the Mustang PRO Guitar.  This is mind blowing!!!!!  To start with..................If your RB or GH player, remember that first time you played one of these games for like 8 hours because it was brilliant and then realized you may have injured your wrist or fingers the next day, because you were in major pain.  That's what I am experiencing right now as I type this.  After clawing my way through the initial trainer, and completing my first song, "The Hardest Button to Button" by The White Stripes at 80% on easy PRO guitar, I think I am ready to rock out!!!!!   WRONG!!!!!   I jumped into the next song at Medium, figuring better to learn at that level than easy, as I want to work my way up as quickly as possible.  I choose "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett, and then realize I know zero about chords as they stream down the screen.  Finished at 20%.  OUCH!!!!!  My pride is hurt.  OK,  I go back to tutorials to take a look at chords.  I am now 3 to 4 hours into chords, and don't know shit except, that I know how people have carpel tunnel syndrome, and crippled hands.  It is very daunting but totally worth it to learn the skill.  It is a euphoric high when you learn to slide from one chord to another....................And not fuck it up!!!!!!  This is going to be a very long learning curve.

      I wanted to get the Squire guitar when it's released but didn't want to spend the $300 for it if I was going to hate it.  I will be buying the Squire and giving the Mustang to my 10 year old son, who wants to play it as well.  It will be some time before I choose to play PRO Guitar over RB Guitar with other people to keep it fun and entertaining.  In the meantime, I'm going to ice my wrist.