I’m sufficiently old to recollect musicians getting offended over Guitar Hero. But they at all times appeared to be lacking the purpose. Nobody was significantly suggesting {that a} online game controller would exchange an instrument that’s been going sturdy for the reason that fifteenth century. Guitar Hero was a enjoyable recreation, and if it persuaded a brand new era to choose up the true factor, it was a internet constructive for the universe.
The same feeling washed over me seeing the LiberLive C1 on the bottom at CES 2025. If the guitar’s future is in peril, it has nothing to do with the existence of the self-proclaimed “first-ever stringless sensible guitar.” And actually, referring to the factor as a guitar in any respect appears to be lacking the purpose.
Learning devices is troublesome, time-consuming, and will be extremely irritating. Take it from me, a decades-long horrible guitar participant. Like Guitar Hero earlier than it, it could be unserious to recommend a product like this poses any method of existential risk to the guitar (in addition to, the emergence of non-guitar pop music did a lot of the heavy lifting there).
There’s one thing gratifying about an instrument you’ll be able to merely decide up and play. In reality, in a wierd manner, being a guitar participant might need labored towards me with the C1. You must reorient your mind to embrace the instrument’s simplicity.
There are a collection of chord names related to buttons on the facet of the instrument’s neck. Holding one among these whereas “strumming” the paddle on the C1’s physique performs a chord. And that’s actually all there’s to it. There’s no taking part in particular person notes and nothing approximating shredding. You can, nevertheless, strum and sing together with songs on the app. It’s successfully karaoke with an added dimension.
It’s enjoyable, it’s transportable, it’s $699, it lasts six hours on a cost. And it gained’t be changing guitars any time quickly.
Check out extra CES 2025 protection, together with…
