Rock Out for Real with Rock Band 3?
It was only a matter of time before someone saw the value in marrying insanely popular fake-guitar-playing games and actual musical instruction, but it seems as though that time is coming sooner rather than later with Rock Band 3 aiming to be more than just a bit of fun in its next incarnation.
Dhani Harrison, son of Beatle George and a musician in his own right, not only confirms the existence of Rock Band 3, but also goes on to explain its potential educational merit. “I’m working on Rock Band 3 and making the controllers more real so people can actually learn how to play music while playing the game,” Harrison told the Chicago Tribune this week. “Give me a couple years, it’s going to happen.”
Considering his significant involvement and contributions to the Beatles: Rock Band, he does seem well placed to know what’s happening behind the scenes.
Whilst this throws up the question of whether people actually want to learn when they’re unwinding playing video games, the concept of learning how to play a real instrument at the same time as rocking out with friends is undoubtedly an interesting one. Considering the significantly bad press these types of games have, including criticism from (usually aging) rock stars themselves, I can’t wait to see if and when instructional music games hit the shelves. How about you?
Source: G4TV
Tags: beatles rock band, dhani harrison, educational games, harmonix, rock band, rock band 3
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I haven't posted in, uh, forever. Being an MBA student has completely changed my lifestyle.
This is so common sense it isn't even funny. Remember Mario Paint? Yeah, that used staff paper to run your music (and is a subculture on Youtube with people making popular songs on Mario Paint). I REALLY want the drum parts in particular to run on staff paper because it is a no brainer. Just follow the sheet music drum part instead of the vertical scrolling crap that doesn't make sense to people that already read music.
For the comment above, I'd say that the vertical scrolling is exactly the right level of abstraction for both non-musical people and for the simplified instruments – and I say that as someone who does read sheet music.
On the actual post, it isn't an exaggeration to say that Rock Band, pretty much single handedly, got me back into playing real music again after an 8 year absence, and playing new instruments at that. It didn't really teach me anything with guitar and bass but it probably helped stimulate those same areas of learning – and when friends come round to jam and we need drums, the Rock Band 2 Freestyle/Trainer gives a pretty good way of both playing and learning.
Tetris has trained us correctly. Up-and-down, that's the way to move for repetitive, shape-based, reflex-focused games. Also, ironically, with music that gets faster and more complex as you play.
You could also just totally buy a real guitar. They're fun, too.
Wait a minute … there are REAL guitars? Without buttons? Awesome.
Wait a minute … there are REAL guitars? Without buttons? Awesome.