A lot has happened since the last post! I've had the chance now to play on a real drum kit a couple of times, and it is amazing. I'm in a band now (no name so far) and we're learning a couple of songs to play as covers. The songs we've started playing so far are:
So it's...I guess you could say early 90's pop music? It's not really my preferred style of music but at this point I'm just so happy to actually be playing that I don't care. Besides, these are pretty simple drum songs, so it's nice to start off with something easy so I can get the hang of playing on a real kit. I'd say the one that's the most fun so far is Connection.
Here is the drum set that I've been playing on:
As you can see, it's pretty standard except it has a ride cymbal where you normally see the middle tom and a second crash cymbal where you normally see the ride cymbal. The previous post, "Getting Started", shows the standard setup for a basic drum kit.
Anyways, I've learned a couple of things so far. First, playing Rock Band helps immensely when it comes to keeping a steady rhythm and limb coordination. I was able to play songs with basic beats (like Soul Meets Body minus the intro and bridge) with no problem at all. Second, there are some things that Rock Band doesn't teach you. Left-foot usage (on the hi-hat pedal) is definitely something I have to work on. Right-foot usage (on the kick drum) is much different, since the drum has a lot more rebound than I'm used to. Playing "around the kit" (hitting a bunch of different drums/cymbals in rapid succession) is also more difficult since each piece is bigger and spread further apart.
However, I know that Rock Band has helped. To quote Erica (my band's bass player), "I would not be totally embarassed to step up onstage and play those two [Connection and Down by the Water] live." And that was after just the second time playing on a real kit! I'm not trying to claim that I'm awesome or a prodigy or something, just that drumming in Rock Band actually does translate into real drumming.
Now that I've played on a real kit and am learning songs (more on that next time), I am starting to feel like a real drummer. This is how I see the world now:
Roar!
ReplyDeleteBand with no name? Come onnn!
the game devs for rock band would be so stoked to hear about this. pretty much the whole point of these games is to get the guitar hero to pick up a real guitar and start writing music in his garage with his buddies.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Talie. I visit the Rock Band forums every so often and just the other day I found a thread called "Did RB get you to start drumming in real life?" I was surprised by the number of people that are following similar paths to my own.
ReplyDeleteDude, I love PJ Harvey. That's awesome. Glad to see you're sticking to it.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a guy that teaches guitar, there is very little overlap between playing guitar hero and real guitar. I've taught a few students who come in for lessons after playing guitar hero, and quit in just a few weeks because they are disappointed with the idea of actually working and practicing.
I also have philosophical issue with how Guitar Hero deifies even the crappiest bands and musicians, while also making people think anyone can write music.
I actually like that GH is giving the everyman a chance to "write songs". It gives people a chance to either realize how hard it is (and have more respect for the musicians that do it), or possibly ignite a passion for songwriting.
ReplyDeleteThey are leaving the lyrics out of the equation though, which (from what I understand) can often be the toughest part.