Harmonix's Rigopolus: Rock Band not a substitute, but an inspiration for learning music

Posted Jan 13, 2009 at 7:25PM by Mabie A. Listed in: PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 Tags: CES, Harmonix
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Rock Band - Image 1So you think there are way too much music games now, huh? Well in the opinion of Harmonix co-founder Alex Rigopulos, that may not exactly be bad thing. In fact, it actually can be the key to motivate people to trying out real music, saying that it gives people "a taste of what lies on the other side."

Now, while he's not saying that Rock Band is an educational tool for music (there is no substitute for the real thing, after all, we'd like to say here at QJ), it doesn't deny the fact that it's proved to be an inspiration.

We don't see Rock Band as an educational tool for guitar so much as an inspirational tool. Most people who try to learn guitar quit soon after, because their initial experience is just frustratingly difficult. By giving people a taste of what lies on the other side, we're inspiring them to invest themselves in learning the instrument for real. The game isn't a substitute, it's a stimulus. I've had many guitar instructors now tell me that their business has heated up over the past couple of years, and most of their new students got motivated by their experience playing Rock Band (Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii) or Guitar Hero.


Furthermore, Rigopulos says that they will "continue to try to bridge the gap between simulated musicianship and real musicianship" in the coming years. Most likely not next year, after they announced at the CES that they'll be focusing on the Beatles game.

 To read more on the interview, just check out the source link below.



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Via The New York Times

 
 
 

Comments [refresh]

by NarooN - 2009-01-13 15:50
» yep.

The game has inspired me to get an actual bass. Sure, you can't just be awesome at real instruments by playing with a fake one a lot, but at least you'll know what you're doing for the most part when you begin. True me, everything will feel extremely natural if you go from Rock Band to real instruments. You won't be able to play riffs from bands like SOAD, but you'll have a better understanding of how it all works.

by hush404 - 2009-01-13 16:37
» Exactly.

I havn't jumped into an instrument as of yet - but every time I pick up that RB guitar I feel the desire to. Honestly I would love to learn Bass or Guitar (still havn't decided which) but don't feel I could give it the time ATM - an it costs a pretty penny to get setup too.



Sure, bashing some buttons and a flick doesn't equal - guitar training but it does give you a sense of how to hold such a device and works on your dexterity - of which you need loads of to pull of a string of notes that sounds musical :). Same thing with the drums - for the most part they're not like real drumming but they help you with the feel and the dexterity you'll need.

by milo128 - 2009-01-14 04:31
» gh

i like rock band but the guitar doesn't make me want to play a guitar the guitar hero guitar does

by ISOHaven - 2009-01-14 04:49
» WTF!?!?!?!?!

Rockband got me into playing drums. Midi, not acoustic. I'm almost done with RB2 with each song on hard and 5 stars for drums. Extreme is....well...still over my head. You have to actually practice each song to get 5 stars. Otherwise I average 3 stars.

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