Okay...I broke down and bought Rock Band today. Drumming makes my shoulders hurt. Tell me that it will get better.

You don't have to hit the pads very hard. Also, make sure you're sitting at the right height so you don't get back pain.

I never had shoulder pain... but it seems like those two things might help.

@emily - I think I just need to learn to relax my shoulders when I play. I think I have the height set correctly and I don't believe I'm hitting the pads too hard (though, I think I was when I first started playing.)

Real rock stars don't whine about shoulder pain, bro.

i find it amusing that everyone and their proverbial mother are into either Rock Band or Guitar Hero...many hours that could actually be spent...learning how to play an instrument!

i also speak out of my ass, as i have never played either game. and i heard they're more fun than a prison rodeo.

@garak! I don't get it either. It seems like a tremendous time sink. I only became aware of it recently. Since I'm an old fart, I had to have a kid explain it to me. In fact, I captured that very moment on video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHsMKHUooMI

(You hear my voice behind the camera....)

Well, the appeal is that it takes a very long time on a real instrument to even begin to sound like you're playing something even remotely similar to music. The first year of sounding like utter crap is where most people lose interest.

@Soulcamp - Well, I agree that the pad placement isn't all that great. I don't think I'm holding the sticks in what you called a Vulcan death grip. I'm holding them pretty lightly. I think one of my main problems is that I'm having a really hard time finding a comfortable place to put the kick pedal. That might be contributing.

@Garak - As soulcamp says, the appeal is the time investment...it takes a long time to learn a real instrument. I also think the cost plays a factor as well. I payed $159 for Rock Band which came with the drum set, a guitar and a mic. For that money, you definitely can't find a real instrument that is going to be worth anything. In terms of drums, in the apartment I live in, even if I had room for a real drumset (which I definitely don't) I'd drive my roommates crazy learning to play that.

If it makes you feel better, I've already taken up the real guitar, and bass guitar, and piano (all of which I'm not great at, but I do okay). I also have played sax since I was 9 or 10. And I've kinda learned to play the harmonica as well. :)

@JasAsian - Well, I never said I was a real rock star. If this is anything like Guitar Hero, I'll probably make it about half way through hard level and give up, because it's just too hard for me. :)

For $150 you can get a couple of Harmonicas, have a lot more fun, and learn a useful skill (at least in certain circles!)

Awesome, Jay. What system do you have it for? (Wondering if we can set something up online.)

As for the "go out and learn and instrument, bitches" thing, you all are totally missing the point.

It's a GAME. A game based on a slightly different way of listening to and appreciating music.

I have not learned to play a musical instrument from GH or RB, but I HAVE learned how to pick out and listen for different elements in a song.

I've realized now that a good drum line requires a hell of a lot more precision than we give drummers credit for, and that those awesome guitar solos are really fucking hard to pull off.

If anything, they make me admire musicians that much more.

In other words, STFU you annoying fucking Luddites.

@Combustable Monkey - Sorry...no online for me. I'm still in the dark ages with a PS2.

I really wish I could afford one of the new ones. I'm considering going with 360. Is that a good choice in your opinion?