While musically inclined gamers are welcoming the release of The Beatles: Rock Band this week, a couple of real life rock stars are not so sure they like the concept of music games.
Former Rolling Stones bass guitarist Bill Wyman tells BBC, "It encourages kids not to learn, that's the trouble. It makes less and less people dedicated to really get down and learn an instrument."
Former Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason adds, "It irritates me having watched my kids do it - if they spent as much time practising the guitar as learning how to press the buttons they'd be damn good by now." But he didn't rule out the possibility of a video game treatment of Floyd's catalog. "I think everyone's looking at new ways of selling the music because the business of selling records has almost disappeared."
What do you think? Do music games discourage learning "real" instruments, or do they help in developing musical skills? Cast your vote and/or post a comment and weigh in.
While musically inclined gamers are welcoming the release of The Beatles: Rock Band this week, a couple of real life rock stars are not so sure they like the concept of music games.
Former Rolling Stones bass guitarist Bill Wyman tells BBC, "It encourages kids not to learn, that's the trouble. It makes less and less people dedicated to really get down and learn an instrument."
Former Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason adds, "It irritates me having watched my kids do it - if they spent as much time practising the guitar as learning how to press the buttons they'd be damn good by now." But he didn't rule out the possibility of a video game treatment of Floyd's catalog. "I think everyone's looking at new ways of selling the music because the business of selling records has almost disappeared."
What do you think? Do music games discourage learning "real" instruments, or do they help in developing musical skills? Cast your vote and/or post a comment and weigh in.
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Comments
people love the beatles. people love video games. combining the two is a great idea from a marketing standpoint. interesting article comparing the beatles rock band with the new guitar hero over at on the button: http://onthebutton.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/rockband/
Personally, I started playing the drums because of Rock Band. So it can work both ways.
Although I’ll never be a singer, the vocals in Rock Band have made appreciate certain singers more.
These guys sound remind me of the old people in the 50s complaining about Rock ‘n Roll.
I agree with Bill Wyman because they (children) need to learn how dare new ways… dont get the things so easy…
And about Pete Towshend? He said anything ???
With digital cameras everyone thinks he/she is a photographer, with digital video everyone calls him/herself a filmmaker, with Rock Band everyone is now a musician. Fame is acquired by how many people call American Idol’s 800 #, not by touring and doing one nighters. Whatever happened to craft, talent and experience?
Playing music games does not help learn to play an instrument…it does help keep the music alive and give people a reason to play it and interact…there is no turning the clock back. However,I would love to see some of the marketing and promo people at the instrument manufacturers doing more to sponsor concerts,artists and contests to encourage people to play.
I dont mind music videos/games (Beatles Rock Band)for kids, why? because if your child is not really musically inclined, at least they they get to hear, and hopefully, understand where Pop Music originated from firstly, and secondly, get familiar with some of the greatest songs ever in the history of popular music, and also learn about some of the greatest song writers (The Beatles) ever.
There should be other games, Hollies, Rolling Stones, Tremeloes, Elvis, the list goes on.
i honestly dont find this game bad. i thought it was very good. but please dont put down the beatles because they have a game out. theres nothing wrong with the beatles: rock band. if kids want to pick up a real instrument and want to learn how to play then let them.
but dont critcize the game, or the beatles. dont just target them, target all the music games. not them.