What all do I need to get started for Guitar Hero, i.e hardware, ?

There’s not much a book could teach you that you can’t learn by playing. Get the game and start playing easy songs on easy mode, they’re so easy you’ll learn quickly how you like to hold the guitar. Then, when you find it TOO easy, try harder songs, or try easy songs on harder difficulties. Some of the games have tutorials inside, I know Rock Band 2 has a drum trainer that helps you learn drums so I’m sure there’s something for guitars too. You can also learn by watching friends. And if you are stuck on a really hard solo, go into practice mode and learn the note pattern on a slower BPM, then just keep at it. Nothing beats practice, even with fake plastic guitars :)

48model, I’ve chosen to answer your question to me here so that the knowledge can be shared to anyone else who has your question :)

The question was, what exact hardware does one need to get going.

Here is what you need to play Guitar Hero:
– A video game console. Many versions of the game have been made on many console versions. I would recommend you get it on a current generation console if you want to buy other songs and play online with a lot of people. This means either Xbox360, PlayStation3, or Wii. I play Rock Band (not Guitar Hero, but a very similar game) on my Xbox360 and I find it is the 100% perfect ideal scenario – it looks great on my big screen, which a lot of Wii games do not, and I prefer an Xbox console over PlayStation3 because I have other games for it, but also because I don’t care to play Blu-ray movies. If you want to have a Blu-ray player, buy the PlayStation3 as it can play them.
– The Game and The Equipment. Here is where you have lots of options. I recommend buying a new guitar, used ones may be damaged. You can buy used games with no problems, it’s a great way to play the wide catalog of songs found in the series. Look around, there is often a bundle deal where you get the game and a guitar for a discounted price. I’ll let other GH fans tell you what they feel is the best game in terms of song selection, but you can also find the song lists on Wikipedia, here’s one for Guitar Hero 2. Any game will do though, you’ll find a song you love. You can buy World Tour if you’d like, it is a Rock Band like game so it has the ability to play it with drums, mic, and second guitar, but I’m pretty sure you can play it solo (you can play Rock Band solo).

One last point, if the Rock Band idea appeals to you (maybe you have a girlfriend or buddy who likes singing or playing drums), I highly recommend going with Rock Band 2, it is a godly game that far surpasses Guitar Hero World Tour. Although GHWT does have a built in music maker that’s super fun to play with, I find Rock Band in general to have better song layouts. And I love the makers of the game, Harmonix, they made the original Guitar Hero before leaving to make RB.

* Pro Tip! * It’s holiday time which means there could be a wonderful deal for you to save money! There are bundle deals that include a console and bonuses. Look in your local ads for electronics and game stores as well as Walmart, look everywhere you can buy video games and you’ll probably be able to find a deal similar to this I see that one was from Sam’s Club, so like I said look everywhere for a deal. Even if you don’t find a Guitar Hero and Console deal, you can get great console deals and/or free bundled games this time of year, now is the time to buy indeed.

So a quick recap: buy a video game console and the game and equipment, try to find a holiday bundle for super savings (side note, if you have an HDTV and want the game looking great you might need to buy component [Red White, Blue Red Green] cables for the console, I think they still bundle them with composite [Red White Yellow] cables), hook it up, and ROCK OUT!

they have a no fail mode in either one of the two.. turn it on an practice! youll be on expert in no time!