on the idea that "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" lead kids to real instruments and music...

[acroyear]

Dr. Joan Bushwell's Chimpanzee Refuge : Will Rock Band and Guitar Hero Foster New Musicians?:

I'd wager that once the reality of learning an instrument kicks in, junior's new guitar will soon find a home in the corner gathering dust while waiting for the eventual indignity of placement next to an old stack of gardening magazines at the spring garage sale. Certainly, some kids will stick it out and eventually reach a level of at least modest proficiency, but how do we know that simply offering them real instruments at an early age wouldn't be at least as effective? If all these games do is create a new generation of "table beaters" instead of competent drummers, haven't we taken a step backwards?

There are few things that I love as much as playing musical instruments. I don't know if other people get (or would get) as much enjoyment but there is something to be said for an artistic outlet that grows with you, challenges you, and allows you to express yourself (even if no one cares to listen) throughout your life. I always encourage people to give it a try no matter what their age.

I'm just not sure that pretending to do it is the best way of introducing it to people.

Comments

[supergoober.livejournal.com]

I'd wager that once the reality of learning an instrument kicks in, junior's new guitar will soon find a home in the corner gathering dust while waiting for the eventual indignity of placement next to an old stack of gardening magazines at the spring garage sale.

What, and he's saying that didn't happen before Guitar Hero and Rock Band? There's always been a vast difference between the idea of playing an instrument and the actual work of learning to play an instrument, and there have always been more people who've taken a few lessons and then quit than people who've become proficient. I know; I've been both! :)

[voltbang.livejournal.com]

Agree. Plus I read an interesting thing today talking about how guitar hero is both an interesting distribution model for new music, and a new-media way to interact with your music that goes beyond just listening to it in the car. I can agree with that idea, as there are some songs that I know through guitar hero that I never got into until I learned them on guitar hero. I could buy a guitar and take lessons for a few months, and pound out some three chord standards in short order, but there isn't enough time left in my life for me to learn to play Cliffs of Dover on a real guitar, but it sure is fun on guitar hero.

Don't they play it enough at home?!!!

[ejwench.livejournal.com]

But if you can do something about that stupid, LOUD, BEATING sound I hear every $#@!% single time I go into Best Buy, Target or the Men's Section at Walmart - they pulled the Guitar/Drum Hero display out of electronics in my nearby Walmart store.

AUGH!!!!!!!

Re: Don't they play it enough at home?!!!

[thelongshot.livejournal.com]

I thought that was just the muzak played over the loudspeaker.

Really, both places (particularly Best Buy) are sufficiently loud enough to overwhelm the clacking sounds.

[thelongshot.livejournal.com]

While I kinda understand the argument to a certain extent (Playing Guitar Hero is nothing like really playing a guitar), as someone who tried to learn classical guitar and has played a lot of Guitar Hero, I think there are some aspects that match up. I still feel the anxiety when I know there is a tough part coming up. I try slowing things down to try to get down the difficult parts. And, as much as I practice, it never seems to come natural for me.

I think the real value in the Guitar Hero series is music appreciation, or at least appreciation for guitar-based rock from the 70s on. There is a lot of music here that a lot of young people probably wouldn't get exposed to unless their parents listened to it. It also allows you to appreciate how easy or difficult a song is to play and helps a bit to focus on the structure of a song. Yes, in a simplistic way, but for the young and the layman, it is good enough. If it helps to foster a lifelong love of music, I can't see the harm.

[supergoober.livejournal.com]

I think the real value in the Guitar Hero series is music appreciation, or at least appreciation for guitar-based rock from the 70s on.

Agreed. My husband teaches drums to youngsters, and many of them are discovering the bands he grew up on by playing these games. In my day, we caught up on what we'd missed by listening to classic rock radio; this is the way the next generation is getting their rock 'n roll education.

[3fingeredsalute.livejournal.com]

*thud*

What a ridiculous notion that playing guitar hero has any effect on one's inclination to be musical. Some people play it because they already enjoy musical instruments and this toy is among them. Others play because they're button-mashing video-game freaks (I fall under both categories, but amusingly have never played the silly game). I'm also relatively certain that playing Dance Dance Revolution will not qualify me to become a morris dancer.

What's next? They try to suggest that playing Grand Theft Auto makes people run out and run over pedestrians, shoot gang-bangers from a moving car and pick up hookers with hot coffee for blow jobs? Oh -- wait....