There are plenty of tips and tricks out there for how someone can get better at playing guitar. But one idea that's easy to overlook is playing video games. On the surface, video games aren't the most obvious teaching tool for aspiring guitar players. But there are skills gained from playing video games that can translate to the guitar, and vice versa. There is a fascinating relationship between the two that's worth exploring.
Guitar Games
The most obvious connection between video games and guitars is games like Rock Band or Guitar Hero that mimic playing the guitar. Obviously, pushing buttons is a lot different from moving your fingers along the frets of a guitar. However, there have been studies showing that those who play games like Rock Band or Guitar Hero have a better understanding of things like tempo, rhythm, and tuning, all of which can make the learning curve less steep for novice guitar players.
Coordination
Part of what makes playing guitar so tricky is being able to do two separate functions with your hands at the same time. One hand is on the frets while the other is strumming. But these actions aren't all that different from playing video games. Countless games require using a directional pad with one hand while simultaneously pressing a combination of buttons with the other hand. For gamers, this develops quick finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination, both of which are key when it comes to playing guitar.
Muscle Memory
Unlike other instruments, guitar players don't have sheet music in front of them while playing. The instrument is all about repetition and muscle memory. It's a similar process in video games, where players often have to repeat the same actions again and again. Either games follow a similar pattern or players need a few tries to complete a level. These are the same skills that make guitar players better. By improving muscle memory from playing video games, training your body to repeat the same motions while playing guitar can become a little easier.
Guitar Quickness and Game Quickness
While playing video games helps with playing guitar, the benefits go the other way, too. Experienced guitar players are often better at video games. This is true whether you enjoy classic console video games or prefer the wide variety of slot games available at modern online casinos. Guitar players excel when it comes to rhythm and timing, two key ingredients in video games. The quicker your reaction time, whether you're hitting the button on an online slot or timing your turn on a racing game, the better you'll be at playing games. Those who have mastered the guitar can process information faster and react quicker than the average person, which can pay big dividends with most video games.
