Guitar Hero ignited Josh Jenkinson's interest in playing the real guitar, according to his disclosure.
In the realm of music, there are countless stories of individuals who found their passion for playing an instrument due to a unique catalyst. For Josh Jenkinson, that catalyst was the popular video game Guitar Hero.
Josh's musical journey began when his uncle's girlfriend gifted him an Encore Strat copy and a practice amp. This initial step sparked his interest in guitar playing, a passion that was further fuelled by the countless hours he spent playing Guitar Hero alongside his uncles.
However, it wasn't until Josh realised that the more effort he put into his guitar playing, the more he would get out of it, that he started making serious strides. His improvement was significant, attributed to his increased effort and genuine interest.
Josh's grandmother, noticing his obsession with Guitar Hero, booked him guitar lessons. His teacher, surprisingly, was not the one who provided him with the Encore Strat and practice amp. That credit goes to his uncle's girlfriend.
Despite the thousands of hours Josh spent on Guitar Hero, his skills didn't directly translate to playing a real guitar. However, it may have helped him develop a sense of rhythm, which undoubtedly aided his progress. For years, Josh played his Encore Strat, honing his skills and building his repertoire.
Josh's dedication and talent didn't go unnoticed. He connected with Bono's son, Elijah Hewson, and joined the Irish rock band Inhaler. This opportunity further solidified his place in the music world, a world he might not have entered without the influence of Guitar Hero.
Guitar Hero, and games like Rocksmith that followed, have played a significant role in inspiring many budding musicians. By providing interactive motivation and rhythm training, these games have made guitar playing accessible and fun, thereby reducing the intimidation factor of learning.
Rocksmith, in particular, takes this concept further by integrating real guitar input, helping players learn actual guitar and bass techniques through various skill-level-adjusted lessons and adaptive gameplay. This bridges the gap between game-inspired interest and practical musicianship.
In essence, the influence of Guitar Hero and games like Rocksmith has helped grow a community of musicians who might not have started otherwise, blending gaming culture with music education and performance. This community continues to thrive, inspiring new generations to pick up a guitar and create their own musical journey.
- Josh Jenkinson's uncle's girlfriend initially ignited his passion for guitar playing when she gave him an Encore Strat copy and a practice amp.
- Despite his proficiency in Guitar Hero, Josh found that his skills hadn't directly translated to playing a real guitar initially.
- Josh's guitar teacher, not the one who provided him with his Encore Strat and practice amp, encouraged him to focus on developing his technique with PRS guitars.
- In his home-and-garden setup, Josh often practices with his favorite Fender guitars, and he keeps his collection updated with the latest gadgets and technology.
- The lifestyle of a musician, fueled by a love for guitar playing and technology, has become an essential part of Josh's everyday life, making him one of the many success stories started by Guitar Hero.
