The NAMM Foundation Supports Research Grant at Drexel University to Examine Effects of Virtual Music Making

The NAMM Foundation today announced it has awarded a grant to Drexel University, which will be conducting research on how video games that simulate music making, such as Guitar Hero or Rock Band, might serve as an inspiration or learning tool for middle-and-high-school students to develop musical skills.

The proposed research will investigate the following questions regarding musical video games:

1. Does game proficiency have a positive impact on musical skill development?
2. Does avid game playing lead to the pursuit of other music-making outlets?
3. Does interest and regular participation in the playing of music video games affect whether a student seeks additional formal music education?

According to principal investigator Youngmoo Kim, assistant professor in the electrical and computer engineering department at Drexel University, video games based on the premise of simulated music play are indicative of a strong demand within society for some form of musical experience and expression.

“In particularly at-risk communities, true music education has been a lesser priority within the public school curriculum and in some areas has disappeared completely,” Kim said. “For students within school districts that provide little or no funding for fine arts programs, music video games may represent the foremost form of musical interaction to which these students are exposed. Consequently, it is crucial to understand the impact and the potential for these music games to serve as a learning tool—ranging from the amount of interest the games generate in making music and pursuing music education, to their impact on actual musical skill development.”

Mary Luehrsen, executive director of The NAMM Foundation, said that the research being conducted at Drexel University supports the overall mission of The NAMM Foundation to encourage more people to get involved in playing music.

“The ‘crossover’ potential of music video games to musical skill development and literacy has not been studied, and this technology has great appeal for all ages,” said Luehrsen. “This study has the potential to reveal important connections between technology and the innate drive to make music.”

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs from the international music products industry. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

About Drexel University

Founded in 1891, Drexel University is a private, comprehensive, doctoral research university widely recognized for its focus on cooperative education and technology. With an enrollment of more than 20,000 students, Drexel is the 16th-largest private university in the nation. Drexel became the first major university to operate a fully wireless campus, in 2000. The University includes the nation’s largest private medical school and a new law school. For more information about Drexel University, please visit www.drexel.edu.