TEACHERS: ROCK BAND/GUITAR HERO MAKING YOU SICK YET?

electracoyote · #1 10-06-2009, 01:38 PM

How many other teachers are sick of hearing how many hours your students spend with these modified video game controllers at the expense of actually practicing on a real instrument the things you are trying to teach?

The only good thing about these games is it has enlarged my students' knowledge and appreciation of bands and pop songs.

Now if they would only shut the damn game off and learn how to be real musicians.

I have actually told parents (with a little exasperated sigh) how tired I am of hearing about how good their kid is getting with "Lay It Down." 100% on Intermediate! Woo hoo! Now, how about having them play a real song on their bass or guitar and getting a little return on this investment of time, effort, and money?

Your thoughts?

obejuan · #2 10-06-2009, 01:46 PM

I'm not a teacher, but I do have a 14yo son who plays these games. Fortunately, he DOES play guitar very well.

However, to me, the game is all about button mashing, timing and speed.

Some of the songs are cool though. My son does have an appreciation for the "oldies" now

Boostedrex · #3 10-06-2009, 02:07 PM

While I can certainly understand your frustration have you thought about the flip side to this issue? How many new students have you, or any given instructor, picked up due to those games? Maybe some kids are playing the games and decide that "hey, I'd like to learn how to play this for real." I have no proof on that, it was just a thought that ran through my head.

Zach

electracoyote · #4 10-06-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostedrex

While I can certainly understand your frustration have you thought about the flip side to this issue? How many new students have you, or any given instructor, picked up due to those games? Maybe some kids are playing the games and decide that "hey, I'd like to learn how to play this for real." I have no proof on that, it was just a thought that ran through my head.

Zach

That is a valid point. I'm sure I have picked up a couple of students due to the games' popularity.

Now, if they would only follow through and "learn how to play this for real."

I should elaborate and say this probably only negatively impacts a minority of students. But it's still a bummer.

Boostedrex · #5 10-06-2009, 04:18 PM

And I wasn't trying to down you for your point of view at all. I'm sure it would be HIGHLY frustrating for a student to come in without having learned their "homework" yet they're talking about the 6 hours they spent on Rock Band. Also, I'm with you 110% on the follow through comment!

Zach

factorplayer · #6 10-06-2009, 04:52 PM

I simply switched from teaching guitar lessons to teaching guitar hero lessons. Very lucrative.

electracoyote · #7 10-06-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factorplayer

I simply switched from teaching guitar lessons to teaching guitar hero lessons. Very lucrative.

Not a bad idea. Except that game is hard and takes many hours to master.

I think I'd rather spend the hours on my basses/guitars/mandolins/banjo/ukuleles.

**Pacman** · #8 10-06-2009, 06:07 PM

I don't care, really.

However, I don't teach for the money. And if one of my students isn't practicing, I'll drop them. I absolutely hate wasting my time.

Billnc · #9 10-06-2009, 06:08 PM

At first it brought my student load way up. Far too many students thought it would be as quick to learn a real instrument as it would to master a video game. They were in for a rude suprise and quite a few quit. It's like thinking any video war game will make you a soldier.

electracoyote · #10 10-06-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

I don't care, really.

However, I don't teach for the money. And if one of my students isn't practicing, I'll drop them. I absolutely hate wasting my time.

With 25 students constituting a significant portion of my annual income, I don't have the luxury of dropping lazy students. I wish I could.

The Guitar Hero addicts would be the first to go.

thisisblakef · #11 10-06-2009, 08:02 PM

I understand completely where you're coming from, but at the same time, I'm just as addicted to Rock Band as these students of yours. I'm a musician (IRL) first and foremost, and I'm not trying to side with them or anything, but man, you'd be surprised at how much fun can be had with a few buddies, some brews, and some plastic instruments

Not that it's as enjoyable as a real band experience, but it's great for killing time in settings (read:dormrooms) where a real band practice just isn't feasible.

electracoyote · #12 10-06-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisblakef

I understand completely where you're coming from, but at the same time, I'm just as addicted to Rock Band as these students of yours. I'm a musician (IRL) first and foremost, and I'm not trying to side with them or anything, but man, you'd be surprised at how much fun can be had with a few buddies, some brews, and some plastic instruments

Not that it's as enjoyable as a real band experience, but it's great for killing time in settings (read:dormrooms) where a real band practice just isn't feasible.

I can dig it. Video games are cool. You have your priorities straight, you play your instrument too. Sounds like you use moderation, or save up the marathon gaming for once or twice a week.

Kids (students) get addicted to these games and that's all they want to do.

When I politely, professionally, and diplomatically raise the issue with parents, they almost always understand where I'm coming from. I suggest they hold the game out as a carrot for a good practice session. That helps with a lot of students.

makanudo · #13 10-06-2009, 08:47 PM

Well IMO, i have been thinking about it and got this idea that it might actually be a good way to have some dexterity on your left hand, i mean I KNOW I KNOW! I KNOWW! it is nothing like a real instrument, but still it helps with the left and right hand coordination.

Also ive actually warmed up playing guitar hero to play bass afterwards.

markblasco · #14 10-06-2009, 09:04 PM

Would you be this upset if your students were spending that time playing madden football? Or painting with watercolors? I think it is a mistake to think of Rock Band as a replacement for playing an instrument, you have to think of it as just another game/hobby. At least if your student is playing 3 hours of Rock Band instead of 3 hours of playing flag football, they are being exposed to different music they may not have been exposed to before, they are improving their coordination, and they are getting excited about music!

Kids (and adults) will fill up their free time in many different ways, and singling out Rock Band without looking at everything else they do in their life is just not fair. Now, if they use it as an excuse, that is a different story (but students always have excuses for not practicing, don't they?)

backline112 · #15 10-06-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makanudo

Well IMO, i have been thinking about it and got this idea that it might actually be a good way to have some dexterity on your left hand, i mean I KNOW I KNOW! I KNOWW! it is nothing like a real instrument, but still it helps with the left and right hand coordination.

Also ive actually warmed up playing guitar hero to play bass afterwards.

La wea weona.

makanudo · #16 10-06-2009, 10:39 PM

was that chilean?

electracoyote · #17 10-06-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markblasco

Would you be this upset if your students were spending that time playing madden football? Or painting with watercolors? I think it is a mistake to think of Rock Band as a replacement for playing an instrument, you have to think of it as just another game/hobby. At least if your student is playing 3 hours of Rock Band instead of 3 hours of playing flag football, they are being exposed to different music they may not have been exposed to before, they are improving their coordination, and they are getting excited about music!

Kids (and adults) will fill up their free time in many different ways, and singling out Rock Band without looking at everything else they do in their life is just not fair. Now, if they use it as an excuse, that is a different story (but students always have excuses for not practicing, don't they?)

Point well taken.

I guess the thing about Rock Band/Guitar Hero is it's a virtual replica of what I'm trying to teach (and the only coordination they are developing pertains to the game controller). Well, not everything, because I teach formal music concepts as well. I'd much rather hear a student say "I learned 'Walk This Way' this week, wanna hear?" than "I got 90% expert playing 'Walk This Way' on Guitar Hero this week and it only took me 20 hours...sorry I can't play any of the stuff you taught me last lesson."

At least if they were playing flag football or Madden instead, then I wouldn't get depressed thinking of them pretending to be a musician and wasting everyone's time with guitar/bass lessons.

makanudo · #18 10-07-2009, 07:42 AM

What if you suddenly become a football coach?

electracoyote · #19 10-07-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makanudo

What if you suddenly become a football coach?

Ha! Then I'd be complaining about the players who don't do anything at practice, are perfectly content to warm the bench, but play Madden '09 24/7.

Wait, I have a son just like that. Hmmmm...

Sign of the times I suppose.

Billnc · #20 10-07-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Point well taken.

I guess the thing about Rock Band/Guitar Hero is it's a virtual replica of what I'm trying to teach (and the only coordination they are developing pertains to the game controller). Well, not everything, because I teach formal music concepts as well. I'd much rather hear a student say "I learned 'Walk This Way' this week, wanna hear?" than "I got 90% expert playing 'Walk This Way' on Guitar Hero this week and it only took me 20 hours...sorry I can't play any of the stuff you taught me last lesson."

Can you imagine doing a gig when you get 90% of your notes?