Rockband to interest 9 year old in music?

Hi all. I have recently been reading some things about drumming in Rockband.

I have a recently turned 9 year old son. He hasn't any real interest in playing music, only likes computer games.

Once upon a time when he was younger, we bought him a keyboard. But he played a few notes and gave it up. Said he wanted an electric guitar. So we bought him one. That had a few power chords played on it, but lies unused.

(Note: I originally joined HC myself to ask about which guitar to buy, but ended up playing it myself, bought my own guitar, and stayed).

Some time ago he was saying that he wanted to play the drums. A bit tired of the time and expense involved in a round robin of instruments, I haven't followed that up.

But I have started to wonder about rockband and drums.

The situation is this: I don't think I'm going to shell out for drums and lessons. I strongly believe that he won't sit down and learn to play properly. Not yet anyhow. So while many threads on this forum say it's best to start with real drums, this isn't going to happen.

Could the following happen:

To reduce expense, I buy a second hand PS2, the game, and the standard (cheap game controller). He could then start playing the game, as a game.

This game may not be able to compete with Sonic the Hedgehog on gamecube etc., but his time on the games is limited, allowing us to say things like "no more Sonic for today, but you can play some rockband if you like". Also, when he misbehaves, it's not rare for the games to be confiscated for a while. If the drum kit and ps2 weren't confiscated, then that would be something he would do when complaining "I'm bored" because he doesn't have his games.

If he keeps it up a while and gets good (goes onto the harder levels), then at some time in the future, I could upgrade the drum kit to something like the Alesis Drum Rocker. This has cymbals, etc., and claims to be a "proper" electronic drum kit. But it works with the game.

Then if he still seems to be interested, at some point in the future, buy the Alesis "brain" for the drum rocker kit, and hey, presto, he has a proper electronic drum kit, and some skills that can be developed.

I realise that this is a contentious issue on this forum, having read past posts. But, if it's a case that the "proper" route is not going to work, would this be worth trying?

Comments?

Get the kid some real sticks, a real kit, and a few lessons. Rockband will only teach him how to play a video game, not drums.

two weeks ago I was browsing Hastings entertainment store and there were a couple 5-7 year old kids that were playing rockband in the middle of the cd section. At first they were all over the place just trying to make the loudest noise but they were actually getting they hang of it after 20 mins or so. It was fun to see that evolution take place to a couple kids that obviously never held sticks. I think it could help spark an interest, but if he's already into drums I'd get a real set.

@dcarroll. From past experience and knowledge of my son, getting a real set and lessons is a very bad idea at this stage. Basically, the choice is either Rockband or nothing. Because nothing is better than having yet another unused piece of musical equipment lying around the house.

@cearlywine. Interesting to hear that things developed that fast. Maybe if there's a game shop around somewhere with the drums set up as a demo, I could try that. If the gain in interest is that fast, then that's a free way to test the water.

In the Stone Age, music and bands and their drummers were influential in most everyone's choice in going out and buying drums and possibly taking lessons. In today's world, the music video games like Rockband are becoming a major influence for kids.

I say buy the game, let the kid have some fun with it. He then may fall in love with the music more than the game itself. When it comes to that point you may decide to buy him an instrument and lessons.

Caution: I don't have a double blind study to prove this, but it's been my impression that some students that come to the instrument from the video game route, think that playing the real thing is going to be easy. Once they find out that it's not, they get frustrated, lose enthusiasm or they quit.

I've tried Rockband and as unbelievable as it sounds...I'm not a fan. I was more concerned with watching the visual dots go by than with the music or playing. I think the comaradery is nice with playing with others, but for me, that's as far as it goes.

Here's an old school thought for ya. Do what my parents did as well as every other school parent does. Rent him a snare drum for a couple of months and get him some lessons. Your not out the price of a kit, and you'll learn quickly whetehr he wants to play or just play video games with his friends. Make it a Christmas gift of sorts. Tell him your gonna let him play like the big kids do... If you have to keep forcing him to practice, you'll know right away if the interest is really there. And you won't be out a ton of money in the process...just a thought...

Look, in the end, some kids are just not into music that much. Maybe your kid is one of them. Not everyone wants to play an instrument.....as much as those of us who do, can't believe it.

The other option is to force him to play something. Basically if he doesn't practice his guitar for an hour a day or whatever, then no video games. He might hate you for it now but when he gets older chances are he'll appreciate being able to play. Some kids need the discipline route.....

This is absolutely not true...

Both my kids have showed limited interest in playing music (they love to listen to music)... I've tried to get them interested in playing drums (& Guitar & Piano), and as soon as it becomes "work" they loose interest. I don't force it on them. If they want to learn, I'm there. Forcing a kid to do something they don't want to do, just to stroke your own ego or to live vicariously through them, is weak!

We picked up GH:WT 2 weeks ago and both are playing the drum kit that came with it. A few days ago my daughter asked if she could jump on my drum set and I said "sure"... She played a straight rock beat with a solid tempo and said "How was that?" (She's 9yr).

I said "Great!!! honey... how did you learn that"

She said "It's the drum part to Beat It"

I told her the Yellow=Hi-Hat, Red=Snare, Blue=Rack Tom, Green=Floor Tom, Orange=Ride.

So then I took it one step farther... I plugged the game in and brought a song up, put a strip of colored tape on the corresponding parts of the kit, and said "try and play this" (I played the GH:WT drums)... She did really well and has shown a genuine interest in playing the real kit.

I don't care who here has some type a strange bias toward these "virtual" instrument games... These game have done more to introduce kids to GOOD music and at least the concept of playing a real instrument than any other thing in the last 10 years. And the drums (At least the GH:WT drums) are a direct translation to playing real drums (Unlike the Guitar). It teaches timing, site reading (albeit in the form of colored dots) and structure.

Of course I don't think this should be the be the only method of teaching, but it is a great foundation for leading into what can turn out to be a genuine interest in learning music. Too many parent try and push their kids into playing music for the wrong reasons. Just because you may love to play music, doesn't mean your kid will give a rat's ass about it. If this opens a door, what's the harm????

Now, the Rock Band drums are a little different and are less "real".. both in feel and lay-out... but the GH drums are spot on. (Like a Low-End E-Kit)

Of course my kids also have the benefit of having a musician in the house teach them the proper way to hold a stick, etc...

Drum teachers are boring... Video games are interactive and can be played at the kid's leasure.... Sorry instructors... deal with it!!!!!!!

And at least your kid is listening to good music, and not a bunch of {censored}ty-ass hip-hop talking about "Smack'n A Ho", Or "Kill'n A Nigga".

+100

Great points, I agree, even though it's a game. The basic patterns are still there. I think in your situation, it's a good way to start. Then maybe in a year or so, like you said, you can move to a electronic kit.

If any thing get him a drum pad and some sticks and he can do rudiments. Who knows, maybe he'll be in DCI or DCA some day.

And here's another novel concept:

You can all play as a family.... together! (I know... Strange, Right!!!)

GH:WT & RB allow for 4 players.

We've had many night since we brought it home where we spent quality family time (Laughing and Smiling Ta-boot) playing this game. yet just another bonus.

I have to agree with you 100%, as I have been through the whole insrument parade from clarinet, to saxophone,( to drumkit which is how Icame to this forum when I got interested in playing them myself). Now that christmas is here I just bought my daughter a really nice acoustic electric guitar. I've already informed her there will be mandatory practice this time. I'm dtermined to make her successful with music

Look... I'm not telling you how to parent, but that's exactly what I'm talking about. Shouldn't she be the one determined to be successful at learning music?

I feel it's a drive/ability a kid will naturally have, or not... Nobody "made" me want to practice as a kid... I did it because I wanted to.

I started by playing the violin... I hated it. I never wanted to practice. It was a chore. Then I moved to percussion and something clicked.

Sure there were days I got fustrated or didn't want to do rudiments on the pad... but I pushed past it. And not because my parent were yelling at me to.

Parents project way too much of their own interest into their kids... We as parents can introduce them to things in life, but only they can decide to take the journey.... otherwise they're just doing it to please us... not themselves.

Sure, we can provide structure... Even motivation when needed, but to "make" your child play music defeats the purpose, IMHO.

Buy the game. I know several people, kids and adults, who have developed an interest in playing drums after playing GH World Tour and/or Rock Band. I actually use Guitar Hero to supplement my drumming, because there are a lot of different patterns I do not normally use in a band situation and my kit is at the bands practice room. Anyone who doesn't think it teaches basic drumming skills is fooling themselves.

As far as the people suggesting that ANYONE force their kid to play an instrument... get a {censored}ing life. That is, without a doubt, one of the most asinine things I have ever had the displeasure of reading on these forums, and that includes all of Cross Eyed Mary's posts.

If you are going to take this route, get Guitar Hero: World Tour instead of Rock Band because it's closer to what an actual kit looks like.

100% If music sparks their interest,then my all means encourage them to pursue it,if not move on. It's pretty simple,it's their lives and they have a mind of their own for the directional path they wanna choose,it;s our job as parents to guide them and fully support them but never force them into a situation. I say buy the game!

I say it couldn't hurt, if it sparks interest, than so be it, if not then you all had fun playing the game together.

I started playing guitar around 12 years old, cause the only entertainment I had was using my imagination and dreaming of being in a rock band someday. But today the whole rock star thing is not as it used to be. It's not cool anymore.

I would just get him some lessons first and not worry about buying anything. From the way you describe your son chances are he is going to quit in the first week. No point in throwing good money after bad buying something that is just going to collect dust. The local craigslist here is chalk full of {censored} parents bought their kids!

Imo, get the game for him, even if it is a game. When he's older, let him decide for himself if he wants to play an instrument. do NOT force your kid to play an instrument. Too many parents force {censored} likes sports on their kids. Let them decide for themselves.

There was a recent article in MD about rockband. One of the regular contributers said that a student suddenly made a huge leap in ability between lessons. He asked what they'd been doing and it turns out they'd been playing rockband. A follow up letter by a reader said something along similar lines. Can't be all bad, then!

I'd say go for it. If your kid wants to get serious about drums later on, excellent. If not, then at least they've had some fun.

Tell you what it does do...exposes kids to some great music!

My kid now knows songs by artist name and song title when they come on the radio. Too cool!!

Have the kid get a paper route. When he earns a percentage of the cost for a drum set (25% if you're really generous, or 50% to teach him more of what the value of a dollar is) - then you get a drumset - IF he manages to save the money for it.

It's help cure the "I'm bored" situation, get him outside and into the world, and learn some responsibility, which is what a LOT of kids are going to lack...you'll be setting him up for success...

That's what I'd do.

Maybe I was a little basic in saying I am determined to make here successful at music. I am determined to put all of the tools at her disposal to be successful at music. I make a concerted effort not to force my goals upon her, but that being siad part of being a good parent is guidance and structure along with some arm twisting when required.

I'm reading all the replies here and will reply again on the main topic of the thread a bit later.

But I did show my son some youtube videos and pictures of the rockband drumkit. He seemed very interested.

When I read your first post, I guessed that your situation was this: You said that you'd buy your daughter a guitar if the compulsory practice was part of the package. I.e. that you didn't force the instrument on her, but gave her the choice of having the instrument with the conditions imposed, or not have the instrument.

If that's what you're doing, then I think it's a good policy.

I wasn't judging (or at least I wasn't trying to).. and I kind of figured what you meant, but Like DS, I've read a lot of disturbing threads online about this exact subject matter, and it irks the crap out of me. So I needed a little rant.

The biggest scum-bags on earth are the parents that post their 3yr/old "prodigy" on YouTube... Saying "Come On Johnny... Play... Play"

Hate those {censored}ers.... Get A Life!

I coach U-8 Soccer (5-7yr)... And I have some stories... sick really.

But it's all the same mentality...

Have the kid get a paper route. When he earns a percentage of the cost for a drum set (25% if you're really generous, or 50% to teach him more of what the value of a dollar is) - then you get a drumset - IF he manages to save the money for it. It's help cure the "I'm bored" situation, get him outside and into the world, and learn some responsibility, which is what a LOT of kids are going to lack...you'll be setting him up for success... That's what I'd do.

This is actually one of the best ideas I've heard in my entire life. I know someday when I have kids, I'll do this.