I’m sufficiently old to recollect musicians getting offended over Guitar Hero. However they at all times gave the impression to be lacking the purpose. No person was severely suggesting {that a} online game controller would change 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 technology to select up the actual factor, it was a web constructive for the universe.
An identical 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.
Studying devices is tough, time-consuming, and could 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 (apart from, the emergence of non-guitar pop music did a lot of the heavy lifting there).
There’s one thing gratifying about an instrument you may merely choose up and play. In reality, in a wierd approach, being a guitar participant might need labored in opposition to me with the C1. You must reorient your mind to embrace the instrument’s simplicity.
There are a sequence of chord names related to buttons on the aspect of the instrument’s neck. Holding certainly one of these whereas “strumming” the paddle on the C1’s physique performs a chord. And that’s actually all there may be to it. There’s no taking part in particular person notes and nothing approximating shredding. You may, nevertheless, strum and sing together with songs on the app. It’s successfully karaoke with an added dimension.
It’s enjoyable, it’s moveable, it’s $699, it lasts six hours on a cost. And it received’t be changing guitars any time quickly.
Take a look at extra CES 2025 protection, together with…
