Rock Band / Guitar Hero

[drummer]

We had a fiery discussion/debate about Rock Band in here awhile back, esp. how it relates to drums, drummers and drumming in general. One of the guys over at Drum Bum just wrote an article about Rock Band and Guitar Hero both along the same lines. I thought some of you might be interested in it:

http://store.drumbum.com/drums/rock-...hero-drums.htm

[Reverend D.]

Interesting article.

[Larrysperf]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. Im still on the fence with both games

[drum_chick]

Anyone can get on the Rock Band drum kit and play, all it takes is a short amount of time to get the rhythm to be able to play along with the music..... However, an individual just can't get on a real drum kit and play them in a short amount of time. Rock band has "false sense" written all over it. It's a game, its fun, yahooooo, but shouldn't be taken seriously for anyone that wants to play the drums seriously. Actually, I tried the rock Band drums before and hated it because the timing is off LOL

[clhonu05]

I have been playing Rock Band drums for about a year. I don't play a lot - maybe 3-4hrs a week at most.

I recently started taking lessons and have stopped playing Rock Band so I can focus 100% on my technique.

So far, Rock Band has kind of hurt my ability to play real drums because I never had the proper stick technique, so I have some bad habits to break. I knew I didn't have great technique but Rock Band drums were as close to the real thing I could get at the time, and it is a fun game to play.

I hope some of the hand/foot coordination I learned from Rock Band helps me when I progress to a real set.

I'll have to give my thoughts on this subject some more in a few months as I learn to play real drums.

[Dawgkikker]

I tend to agree with DC and 05. I don't consider myself a great drummer by any means but I played the RB drums and it is so far from the real thing. 05 said it right when he talked about focusing on his technique. I was playing RB with my technique and I failed miserably. I remember getting up as my friends were laughing and told them anytime they want to come over and try the song on a kit that wasn't color coded there were more than welcome. So far there have been no takers.

[Russ]

its great to see the video game industry is paying so much needed attention to musicians everywhere, in these times when just about any song can be downloaded off the internet for free, its good to call attention to what we all do and help the younger demographic at least somewhat understand what its like to play, while not a complete understanding of the drum world, its a welcome start into it, and it's bringing fresh blood and talent into the industry as well, it's effectively getting kids who would otherwise pass up or just buy drums to bang on and never learn correctly, but at least the game will teach them the basic rhythms and how they relate to songs

[zebra]

I actually like rock band very much in terms of drums, because I cant play the guitar hero one very well. When it comes to watching a screen, Im used to hitin a pad in that spot.

[crazymanwithaplunger]

Gotta disagree about the timing issue - in fact it's timing requirement on hard/expert is pretty much exact. If your having issues you may need to calibrate lag.

Overall I think these games do benefit drumers as I have explained in the past. No it's not like playing the song on a realy drumkit - but fact is you still have to coordinate your hands and feet, you need to hit when it's telling you to (which on expert is pretty mnuch spot on, stroke for stroke) etc... Of course on rockband in particular, WHERE your hitting is alla bout the screen,. not an acurate placement of cymbals, toms etc... and open hi-hat stuff isn't required, neither is double kick, ofcourse a double kick option would make some of it easier - those pedals feel nothing like the real thing, so getting the foot speed for something like Dammit by Blink 182 is damn near impossible. anyways...i love these games and will continue to buy and play them as much as I physically can.....and sometimes in my dreams.

[topdog63]

I think rock band/guitar hero games are benificial although not a replacement for lessons and proper technique. They will help with some independance. I could keep a basic beat with my hands but i couldn't get the bass pedal timed. After playing rock band I was able to use the bass pedal too.

[concrete Building]

I hated rock band drums cuz it doesnt fit AT ALL with real drums, but im kinda gettin the hang of it.

[Fades Away]

Originally Posted by crazymanwithaplunger

Gotta disagree about the timing issue - in fact it's timing requirement on hard/expert is pretty much exact. If your having issues you may need to calibrate lag.

Overall I think these games do benefit drumers as I have explained in the past. No it's not like playing the song on a realy drumkit - but fact is you still have to coordinate your hands and feet, you need to hit when it's telling you to (which on expert is pretty mnuch spot on, stroke for stroke) etc... Of course on rockband in particular, WHERE your hitting is alla bout the screen,. not an acurate placement of cymbals, toms etc... and open hi-hat stuff isn't required, neither is double kick, ofcourse a double kick option would make some of it easier - those pedals feel nothing like the real thing, so getting the foot speed for something like Dammit by Blink 182 is damn near impossible. anyways...i love these games and will continue to buy and play them as much as I physically can.....and sometimes in my dreams.

OK, I'm going to stop this right now, yes the timing CAN BE off. When I first played guitar hero on my new hd tv as opposed to my old tube, it was extremely frustrating how bad the timing was. HOWEVER, there is a lag control where you can fix this problem, so that the sound and picture are synced up. I can see both sides of this arguement, however, out of my selfish bromance for my craft I do get a little offended when people relate the two as being very similar, cause they are not and you can't deny that. There is a lot of technique involved and I currently have a student who wants to learn real drums because of rock band, he can play some ok beats but he struggles with the technique and COUNTING. I'm glad it's inspiring young folks to persue the craft but selfishly frustrated with the results. OK, i'm done venting now.

And before all of you gamers start tearing me apart, i was ranked 354 on xbox live for guitar...bring it suckas!!! Here's my gamertag ha ha aukusmatt

[Russ]

my only beef with it is, WHERES THE BASS PEDAL AND COWBELL?!

[rabidpenguin45]

Originally Posted by Russ

my only beef with it is, WHERES THE BASS PEDAL AND COWBELL?!

The bass pedal is probably snapped in half. I've broken 3 of the rockband pedals and just got fed up with it, stopped drumming in rockband. I'll still sing or play the guitars occasionally but in my opinion, i'd rather invest 50 to 100 dollars in my actual drumset, than a video game drum set.

[Pwinnington]

IMO they are a good thing to a certain extent. I mean I probably would of never started drumming if it wasnt for Rock Band. But honestly once I got my real kit and started taking lessons I rarely play, and the magic that use to be there just isnt. I mean I play probably like once a month, when I want to play drums but it is to late or early. I usually quickly become bored and put it down and just go to my practice pad. Ever since I started real drums I have just no desire to play the games anymore. Now I think it did give me a little adavantage with my right foot coordination, but other than that nothing really. Only problem is with the right foot coordination I didnt know how to count so therefore there was still a learning process on the real drums. Also when I first got my real kit I remeber feeling weird because there was no screen to tell me what to play lol. Now I feel weird when a screen tells me what to play. However I am still greatfull that it inspired me to play drums.

[fiacovaz]

Not to be rude or a smart-*** towards Pwinnington...we can only be inspired by what is real (people and events) and not by thiongs that are not real ( packaged and programmed games).

[Russ]

ill bet one day people will stop playing instruments all together, and gig with tv's, guitar and drum controllers, and their video game systems. i fear for the future

[limzz]

"store.drumbum.com"?!? COMMERCIAL LINK!!!!!

[Russ]

not cool.

[crazymanwithaplunger]

Originally Posted by Fades Away

OK, I'm going to stop this right now, yes the timing CAN BE off. When I first played guitar hero on my new hd tv as opposed to my old tube, it was extremely frustrating how bad the timing was. HOWEVER, there is a lag control where you can fix this problem, so that the sound and picture are synced up. I can see both sides of this arguement, however, out of my selfish bromance for my craft I do get a little offended when people relate the two as being very similar, cause they are not and you can't deny that. There is a lot of technique involved and I currently have a student who wants to learn real drums because of rock band, he can play some ok beats but he struggles with the technique and COUNTING. I'm glad it's inspiring young folks to persue the craft but selfishly frustrated with the results. OK, i'm done venting now.

And before all of you gamers start tearing me apart, i was ranked 354 on xbox live for guitar...bring it suckas!!! Here's my gamertag ha ha aukusmatt

I agree totally that it doesn't teach technique - how could it? it's a video game. It has limited ability just like instructional DVD's - not saying they aren't valuable - but compared to a real live instructor they don't stack up, becuase adjustments, tips, advice etc... are all missing. All I'm saying is, given the chance, Rock Band/GH WT allow the opportunity to break songs down (in practise mode), improve coordination and limb independance, and can help improve timing at the levels I have already stated. At beginner and medium difficulty - they have nothing in common with real drumming - at hard/expert - it actually does force someone to play with some decent skills. That's not to say it'll give someone perfect timing when they don't have something to watch (ever used a metronome - some people can't play properly without them either). Liek I've said in the past, you still need to hit the hi-hat, you still need ot hit when it's a snare strike and all the while keep the kick pattern going. Please note I'm approaching this from playing at hard/expert level.

Oh and BTW - it'd be fun to have a crack at you on guitar - pity I don't have a 360. Maybe one day.......

Originally Posted by Russ

ill bet one day people will stop playing instruments all together, and gig with tv's, guitar and drum controllers, and their video game systems. i fear for the future

This has bene done already - there was a youtube clip of these guys who became a "cover band" playing guitar hero. This is not a joke. They setup the toy intruments on stage with TV's and everything. Funnier still is that they weren't even that good at the game.

Originally Posted by topdog63

I think rock band/guitar hero games are benificial although not a replacement for lessons and proper technique. They will help with some independance. I could keep a basic beat with my hands but i couldn't get the bass pedal timed. After playing rock band I was able to use the bass pedal too.

Perfect example of how the game can do exactly what I already said.

Originally Posted by fiacovaz

Not to be rude or a smart-*** towards Pwinnington...we can only be inspired by what is real (people and events) and not by thiongs that are not real ( packaged and programmed games).

Frank, you know I respect you both as a drummer and a chatter, and your opinion is very widly respected on here as a whole. Unfortunately, this comment is a little close-minded, and I dont' think it's a true representation of you. I think I know where your comming from, but remember, the game is giving people the opportunity to get some level of an experience they otherwise would never have had or thought possible. They get a sense of self belief and confidence to try something they otherwise would neglect. Yes the game in itself delivers an artificial experience of being a rockstar, but that is why people like it so much - same as why people like allot of other video games, it's an experience you otherwise miss out on. However unlike games about war or being a superstar soccer player (for example) they can actually go out, buy a drum kit and get lessons and maybe play for real. There's been a few guys on this forum with that exact story - so personally I say - more power to 'em!

[Pwinnington]

Originally Posted by fiacovaz

Not to be rude or a smart-*** towards Pwinnington...we can only be inspired by what is real (people and events) and not by thiongs that are not real ( packaged and programmed games).

I kind of dont understand where you are going with this. I mean you are kinda telling me I cant do something I already did. Plus non-real things inspire people all the time, I mean there are plenty of movies that are fake but yet still inspire people. I might be taking you comment wrong and I certainly mean no disrespect to you.

[fiacovaz]

Crazyman...you do make a valid point and I have to admit that I did not take the time to think of the perspective you and others who play video games share. I do not play video games...just never got into that. I do believe, however, you know what I was speaking of with regards to being inspired. I have to say that I cannot imagine being inspired by any video game but that does not make it any less possible. Thanks for helping me to see from a different point of view.

[fiacovaz]

My apologies to you Pwinnington and I certainly intended no disrespect either.

Maybe I need to play a game or two.

[crazymanwithaplunger]

Originally Posted by fiacovaz

My apologies to you Pwinnington and I certainly intended no disrespect either.

Maybe I need to play a game or two.

I reckon we could find one or two that you'd get addicted to - it's a male thing. Any man no matter how old can get addicted to some form of video game - just gotta find the right one....



BTW - this does not mean women can't become addicted to game either. It's just not a given.

[Monkey Studio]

If anyone came up to me and said, "I played yyz on drums...... on rock band/guitar hero" I will punch the sense back into them. I played Guitar Hero 4 and I sucked. Why? Because the drums on Guitar Hero are terrible. They are off beat and you can't get it right. If you think you can play drums after 1 year of Rock Band, you suck