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In a recent article in the Bakersfield Californian by columnist Robert Price, entitled: Guitar Hero is a blast, but does it foster learning?, Price wonders whether the popular video game will help kids learn music. I just wanted to weigh in with my own 2 cents on the matter.

I recently saw that Slash, the top-hatted guitarist formerly of Guns & Roses, and now Velvet Revolver, was featured in the new version. He was also an avid player, but felt that his own extensive guitar chops didn't necessarily give him any advantage. Even when he was playing songs he himself wrote and played on.

So, I guess that Guitar Hero would be a way to get a little better coordination, improve your manual dexterity, and maybe even get you more physically involved, which would be good exercise, but to really master a musical instrument, you would have to go beyond. But if it gets kids interested in music, I am all for it.

The other interesting story about Guitar Hero was that they were being sued by The Romantics because they thought the version of "What I Like About You" sounded TOO much like them. One can only wonder how that case will play out.

Speaking of musical toys, I saw one the other day in Albertson's grocery store that was a digital drum set, game where you had to hit the pads in rhythm with flashing lights. I was tempted to buy it myself, if only it had MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) output. It was only $14.95! It is right over the frozen food thingie.

Finally, on TV I saw an infomercial that had this piano that rolled out like a little black and white red carpet. The keyboard could be rolled up like a carpet, and there was a small box containing the electronics. It could be hooked up to speakers (sold seperately) or else you could listen on headphones. It was touted as an excellent instrument to enable kids to practice piano, and was reasonably priced. Don't think it will replace real instruments in all situations, but for a learning tool, it looked like it had a lot of potential. It's called the roll-out piano. It is one of those, not sold in stores, as seen on TV, kind of things, but still, at the risk of being accused of shilling for Giovanni, you can check it on the web at www.buythepiano.com

Caveat Emptor!!!