God help us, every single one, if this gets funded...

[organworthyplayer337]

It could allow someone with a disability to take part in something as wonderful as music. I'm 100% all for that.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Wow.... and to think this actually has funding. By the time I'm an old man musicians will be fully replaced by computers and real music will just be some obscure thing.....

Who cares. It's not like it could replace a real player.

You're right, DJ's already did that.....

 

[rogerbmiller]

It let's you play music- as long as the whole song is 1 chord shape. Ridonkeylous.

 

[brianrost]

I went to a Bad Company show many years ago, and when they played "Shooting Star" the lead singer came out with an open tuned righty-worn-lefty white Strat that he whanged away on during the song.

I guess that was after Paul Rodgers quit, because he could play guitar OK.

 

[Fat Steve]

It could allow someone with a disability to take part in something as wonderful as music. I'm 100% all for that.

So much this^. With all the snark and edginess on this forum, I was beginning to think we'd all lost our humanity.

 

[electracoyote]

Yeah...but how to you transition from a major to minor chord with open tuning? This thing allows you to do that.

There are open tunings that allow major and minor triads, but I see your point.

 

[Stewie26]

It let's you play music- as long as the whole song is 1 chord shape. Ridonkeylous.

True....but for a person who has never have played an instrument before, I am sure that they will be stoked with this. I might even buy one of these for my wife if they ever come out. With that said, this product is not intended for the professional musician. Seems like real musicians fell threatened every time some new technology comes along and like to bash and find fault with it. Anyone remember when the first drum machines came out? Hey, we still have real drummers.

 

[Neveragain55]

Don’t slam me but I do think it’s great for people with “true” disabilities that only before dreamed about being able to someday possibly play an instrument.

Honestly I think it should only be marketed & sold to people with severe hand or finger disabilities that want to play an instrument.

I absolutely agree with all the other comments however about it being just another device to add to the dumbing down of America and such.

I know everybody in here sat with either a guitar or a bass for weeks, months and years practicing & learning to get to where we all are today.

I started when I was 7 for Christ sake!!!!!!!

The best thing in the world in repetition & practice, anything else is cheating, and it’s really lame.

 

[PimasterPearson]

To sum up this entire thread:

 

[Geekydad]

.... Time for the Autoharp.

That was my exact thought when I saw it. At least you get minor and 7th chords.

(My mom, as a music teacher in the public school system, hauled an autoharp around with her as she visited classes. Of course, she also played the flute and the piano, so there's no shame in that.)

 

[RJHall]

Ugh. Nuke it from orbit!

 

[JimmyM]

First thing, this is obviously not for people who really want to learn how to play the guitar. Second, if it allows people with music inside them and no way to get it out to get it out a little easier, or if it helps folks with disabilities to play a little guitar, then I am all for it. I don't need it, therefore I wouldn't buy it, but I'm not such a snob where I couldn't see where it could be a cool little gimmick for some people. Sheesh, the world is not going to blow up because of it.

 

[wpc1996]

I saw this earlier on facebook and thought it was a joke......

 

[David Jayne]

Wow.... and to think this actually has funding. By the time I'm an old man musicians will be fully replaced by computers and real music will just be some obscure thing......

People have been saying that(substitute machines for computers) for more than 100 years.

 

[JimmyM]

Yeah, I remember 100 years ago when the player piano was going to put real musicians out of work. We were really sweating it back then. Still waiting, though.

 

[fishdreams]

I like it, actually. The slide / fretting combi is pretty cool. Also would be fun tool to create all kinds of crazy tunings and start writing tunes, each based on its own tuning. Sorta new version of Joni Mitchell.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

What happens when you move up the fretboard? Instead of a 1-P5-1-M3-P5-1, you're playing a 1-m6-m2-P4-P5-1. That's not going to sound good.

I'm all in favor of good ideas that help more people express themselves artistically. This has serious problems and it costs more than just tuning the strings to achieve the same results.

 

[BadJazz]

Yeah, I remember 100 years ago when the player piano was going to put real musicians out of work. We were really sweating it back then. Still waiting, though.

Yup. Back in the talkcontrabassoon days. And then came the Mellotron, which permanently obliterated all symphony orchestras.

 

[wintremute]

I would use it. I have no problem playing chords on a bass, but on a guitar I just can't get my big fingers to twist the right way. So if I was writing a song or wanted to hear how a certain chord sounds I could use this as a fill-in if my one of my guitar playing friends was not around.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Unless you're disabled, this thing is nothing more than a gimmick.