Guitar Hero Makes Jimmy Page An Angry Panda

Jimmy Page has like opinions and stuff. Namely, about the new phenomena of rock band simulation games. While on a panel discussing his participation in the upcoming documentary It Might Get Loud:

"It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that ['Guitar Hero'] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music," Jack White said. Though he said he doesn't care "which format people should get their music in…if you have to be in a video game to get in front of them, that's a little sad.

Page said he doesn't feel players really learn anything significant from playing them. "You think of the drum part that John Bonahm did on Led Zeppelin's first track on the first album, 'Good Times Bad Times'," he said. "How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?" via IGN

I agree and disagree with Jimmy Page on this point. As a classically trained musician, I have a little resentment towards games like Rock Band. To me, it seems like a waste of time to pretend to be a rock star when you could use the time to hone your skills and become a real one. But that's because I already berate myself daily for not spending more time working towards my own musical goals. That's a personal preference.

To the average gamer, however, Rock Band or Guitar Hero isn't about learning music. Its about the simulation. Rock Band fans don't want to put in the work to become a real musician any more than SimCity fans want to become city planners. They'd rather have the experience without putting in the work. I'm sure "real" dancers have nothing but disdain for Dance Dance Revolution. However, I don't play it with the expectation that I'm going to learn anything about dancing. I just want to get my heart rate up.

On the drumming part, though, I have to disagree. Drummers are largely taught on practice pads and use wooden sticks. Hitting play pads with a plastic stick is pretty much the same thing. Sure, music simulation experiences don't teach you how to read sheet music, but, show me a rock band drummer that can. Rock Band or Guitar Hero might not directly teach you to play the drums, but picking up a few things regarding beats and rhythm is inevitable. You won't become a world class drummer, but that doesn't mean it lacks merit.

I think Jimmy Page is a menstruating dinosaur who's probably just pissed that people are starting to forget Led Zepplin. Maybe his powdered wig is on too tight.