My observations as an instructor of guitar. Contrary to popular belief, Guitar Hero doesn't help the real thing.

The controller trains the hands not to co-ordinate, ie the pick is trained not to follow the fretting hand. There is no intervalic recognition. Though it may help in exercising the left hand it does nothing for the dexterity (ie finger placement) and may in fact hurt the established dexterity of real players. The player is not even required to play strings or use a transferable technique. The ear/hand training to recognize interval distances on a real guitar is not replicated in the game, and is in fact very inaccurate and inconsistent.

Sure, folks are introduced to classic rock standards, but do I want to hear Freebird again?

Many seem to give up the game after the novelty wears off because there's no art and creativity.

The game seems to be meant to train wankers, posers, and pretenders, and that's fine if that's the shallow life one wants. But if you want real guitar hero, practice the real thing, listen to the real thing, study the real thing, and pay your dues instead of wasting your time.

Oh yeah, Pierre Bensusuan, Joscho Stephan, Danny Gatton, Rory Gallagher, Roy Buchanan, Don Ross, Peter Finger, Jeff Beck, Joe Pass...

Peace, Mooh.