Video games don't benefit future musicians

Date published: 9/4/2008

BY GORDON PHILLIPS

While it is true that musical video games have caused people to pick up real instruments and play, the experience that these people have is very different from that of people who pick up instruments without being influenced by games such as "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band."

When a person picks up an instrument, it usually becomes a great outlet for expressing his or her inner self and conveying personality, because no two people will play exactly the same style.

Such is not the case with people who simply switch over from a music video game. Throughout their "musical careers," these people strive to play music exactly the way it is "meant" to be played and never write their own music. So while you may be an expert on the PlayStation, your creativity is lacking because you have gotten into the rut of learning other people's songs note-for-note.

A prime example of this is with the drums on "Rock Band." While you may accumulate actual chops from hitting the drums as the colored circles scroll down the screen, you do not get to play the songs as you would want, and instead subliminally learn many other drummers' grooves by mimicking their styles.

While "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" may be great ways to get more people interested in playing instruments and the world of music, they may also hamper the natural creativity of anyone who then makes the crossover to the real world of music.

Gordon Phillips is a senior at Stafford High School.

Date published: 9/4/2008