Column: Just Add Water

Once upon a time -- about a year ago -- I encountered the electronic video game, "Guitar Hero." The guitar and game were displayed in a local big-box store and I thought, "Why not try it?" I had started with the beginner level, which only involved strumming through a song with my right hand. I recall that it seemed really, really easy -- almost too easy.

A few weeks ago, Santa left my family "Guitar Hero" under the Christmas tree, and I thought: "Oh good, a game I can actually play well."

You should know that I don't naturally excel at video games. Ever since "Pong" hit the stores in 1976, I've been all thumbs while playing. But I considered this game different. It's about music, not shooting or driving or knocking a tiny white ball over a computer-generated net.

On Christmas Day, I plugged the guitar into our Wii. Impatience took hold. I chose "Quickplay" and clicked on the medium level of play, which requires you to strum with your right hand and push colored buttons with your left. I don't remember which song I started with, but I learned "Guitar Hero" lesson No. 1: The medium level doesn't feel like medium, it feels more like really very hard.

During the next song, I tried easy and learned "Guitar Hero" lesson No. 2: The easy level doesn't feel easy. It's still very difficult.

Retreating to the beginning level of play -- the lowest level -- I tried again. At this level, only the right hand is used to strum in time with the music. And despite my presumed musical inclinations, I struggled. How embarrassing.

After about an hour of horrendous strumming, I reluctantly handed the black-and-red plastic guitar over to my kids. It was then that I took an unnatural joy as they faced the same struggles. After a few hours, my kids had advanced to the easy level. I was horrified, but I was determined to join them.

This is how I spent my entire holiday weekend -- practicing songs by Billy Idol, Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams. It took three days of hard work and determination to make it through an entire song without begin booed off the stage. But it was worth it.

Which brings me to "Guitar Hero" lesson No. 3: A rigorous training schedule can end iin sore and stiff fingers. Stretching your fingers before and after playing will make a difference.

Over the past few weeks, I found that I'm not the only struggling game mom. While attending my daughter's basketball practice, I overheard other mothers sharing their "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" (another musical video game) woes.

After sharing my own tales of frustration and embarrassment, I learned "Guitar Hero" lesson No. 4: It doesn't matter how old you are or how fast you learn, everyone is capable of making beautiful music.