Of Guitar Heroes and Rocksmiths

Abstract

Abstract Marc Duby uses J. J. Gibson’s theories of ecological psychology and his concept of affordances to explore the links between electric guitar-playing and music video games such as Guitar Hero and Rocksmith. The chapter uses this framework to probe aspects of guitar heroism, networks of technology used to create signature sounds, and questions of authenticity and play in the chosen music video games. Throughout, Duby questions the valorization of the music played on actual instruments over the music produced by players of guitar games, suggesting instead that, while such games have in some cases inspired players to turn to real electric guitars, guitar games hold the promise of an “as yet unexplored musicality.”