Rock Band 3 introduces a real guitar

For the latest incarnation of Rock Band, the popular video game by Harmonix, Fender has developed a fully functional version of their Squier Strat, that also functions as a Rock Band 3 controller. Built with sensors in every fret on the fingerboard, the guitar can provide immediate feedback on how accurate your finger positions are when fretting the guitar, as well as your strumming accuracy. Click here for more information on this innovative guitar from Fender.

The guitar, however, is not cheap at $280. Particularly for a guitar that can be bought for less than half that price, it may seem a bit steep, although the technology that's built into it to make it compatible with Rock Band 3 certainly help to justify the price increase. These concerns were echoed by a group of students at Dixie State College, so it will be interesting if that price makes it a non-starter. But when you factor in what guitar lessons, books or DVDs cost, Rock Band 3 and the compatible Fender Squier Strat are a bargain. As with Rocksmith, I think the potential is tremendous. These games could actually make learning guitar fun, which is no easy feat. I find it hard to imagine that it would completely negate the need for real guitar instruction, since I'm assuming they're not bundling guitar theory in with the game. But I bet these games can give you a very solid start.