Rock Band video game and drums

[enalnitram]

hi all,
My son is 8 years and is very interested in drums. I'm a middle aged guitarist, a decent one. I don't mind video games, but I greatly disliked guitar hero when it came out. I have heard that playing drums along with rock band is different, and that it can teach a beginner something about drumming. Is this true, or does the beginner just wind up playing patterns that are sorta unrealistic or hokey?

I have a wii and I got my son a wireless logitech drumset for christmas. is this a good idea? I'm thinking to make a bit more real, it could be good to augment it with a real kid-sized high-hat. He could get that going on while he plays the rock band drum patterns, to make it more challenging.

My son is only 8, but he worships John Bonham, and we jam, a lot. He loves that 1-2-3-4 thing that Bonzo almost always does, on his highhat. Anyways, was just wondering if anybody had thoughts, insights, or experience with this kinda stuff.

[8Painting]

The drums are pretty darn close, but you end up playing "open" on the kit. (Arms not crossed unlike like 99% of drummers) You don't get the same reaction from a drum head as you would from the pads you hit, nor are the locations very close, but it does teach timing pretty damn well.

I'd be more worried about getting him a real drum kit, not too expensive just to get him going.

Playing video game instruments might be the next generations "harmony/silvertone/squier/insert cheap instrument co's" rite of passage sadly...

[coreybox]

You learn basic rhythms, how to keep time, etc. Limb coordination.

It doesn't feel like playing a drum set though. You can't walk over from RB to a drum kit and play without prior experience on a kit. I don't know about the logitech drum set though... maybe it's different?

RB is fun, and it has some benefits. I think a practice pad (or small drum set if you can) and a good book is better. I started out with a practice pad set up like a snare, a bass drum pedal hitting a cardboard box, and carmine appice's book. I learned more doing that than playing RB.

[Kooshball]

agree with what has been said so far.

it's fun and helps with timing and coordination but it's not exactly the same.
another plus is that it usually has a good song selection and is exposing good music to the newer/younger generation however I would still recommend a real drumset if he's really interested in learning.

[enalnitram]

Thanks guys, for the feedback.

Kiddo has had a real drumset. A nice one. BUT, it's the CB really teeny kid set. I got it for him when he was four. Now, it's really small for him, and he complains about it. "I just can't ROCK on this thing," he says.

Another problem with the situation he's been in, is because he's just a kid, but is generally strong willed, he rebels against instruction from me, and plays whatever he wants, which lacks cohesion or structure. what he tends to do on it is just wail, sloppily.

I have been thinking we should sell his little drumset, get him the rock band drumset, which is sized better for him, and that he will be forced to play simple, basic, patterns on. and then, in a year or so, I could get him a larger set that he can grow into.

[thisisajs]

Originally Posted by enalnitram

Thanks guys, for the feedback.

Kiddo has had a real drumset. A nice one. BUT, it's the CB really teeny kid set. I got it for him when he was four. Now, it's really small for him, and he complains about it. "I just can't ROCK on this thing," he says.

Another problem with the situation he's been in, is because he's just a kid, but is generally strong willed, he rebels against instruction from me, and plays whatever he wants, which lacks cohesion or structure. what he tends to do on it is just wail, sloppily.

I have been thinking we should sell his little drumset, get him the rock band drumset, which is sized better for him, and that he will be forced to play simple, basic, patterns on. and then, in a year or so, I could get him a larger set that he can grow into.

This sounds like a good plan.. RB will help with structure, and its not THAT much of a stretch to carry those skills over to an actual kit.

[enalnitram]

We're celebrating Christmas with my wife's family tomorrow. Kiddo will open his present then. Last year he got the lego death star. he's wanting the wii drumset ALMOST as much. his world is about to get rocked.