‘From Game to Gig’: Clem Burke Drumming Project Announces Collaborative Research Initiative With Guitar Hero® World Tour.

The Clem Burke Drumming Project – a unique collaboration between Blondie drummer Clem Burke, Dr Marcus Smith from the University of Chichester and Dr Steve Draper from the University of Gloucestershire – is based on the pursuit of knowledge through the application of scientific principles to the various art forms of drumming. With 10 years of research behind it already, The Clem Burke Drumming Project is committed to the dissemination of information leading to increased enjoyment, health and well-being of all participants involved in drumming.

Blondie drummer Clem Burke teamed up with researchers from the University of Chichester and the University of Gloucestershire to launch a new research initiative which will investigate the potential health and mental benefits of playing drumming-based interactive computer games.

The research project, was launched in front of over 300 local businesses, community groups and school children, on 13th February at the University of Chichester, West Sussex. It is a collaboration between the Clem Burke Drumming Project and Activision (manufacturers of Guitar Hero World Tour), and it will explore what effects popular games can have on childhood and adult obesity, autism and stroke patients. Investigations will also centre on whether interactive video games can aid stress release and improve productivity in the workplace.

Clem Burke

At the launch Clem Burke said: 'I am really pleased with the collaboration between the Clem Burke Drumming Project and Activison. Guitar Hero World Tour brings the mental and physical challenge of playing the drums to a whole new generation of players. As a research tool Guitar Hero World Tour will enable my colleagues Dr Marcus Smith (University of Chichester) and Dr Steve Draper (University of Gloucestershire) to undertake some very interesting research examining the potential mental health and well-being of playing the drums. The Clem Burke Drumming Project is all about promoting the benefits of drumming and our collaboration with Activision will take us to the next level. We very much look forward to working with other individuals or organisations keen to promote the positive benefits of playing the drums'.

Dr Marcus Smith, University of Chichester

Dr Marcus Smith, Principal Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, at the University of Chichester, said: “We are interested in finding out how interactive video games, such as Guitar Hero World Tour, can improve the health and mental well-being of people. Despite a global recession, sales of interactive video games remain high. As researchers we are interested in understanding why such games are so appealing and how they may be used to investigate specific research questions. We are particularly interested in examining the effects of playing Guitar Hero World Tour on child and adult obesity, autism, stroke patients, disengaged communities, and health and mental well-being in the workplace.

“We are also very excited about investigating the potential benefits of introducing interactive video games into the workplace. Offices around the UK could be transformed into ‘rock venues’, resulting in stress release and fun for the staff, and increased productivity for the business. We are also intrigued to monitor the number of individuals who progress from playing interactive drums kit controllers to full kits similar to those played by Clem.”

Professor Steve Williams, Kings College London

World leading brain imagery scientist, Professor Steve Williams from Kings College London, has been working closely with Dr Smith and stated: “Patients with suboptimal brain function such as autism, dyspraxia or stroke may really benefit from this technology. Planning and learning these motor skills in such an entertaining manner may well enhance cognitive flexibility and facilitate recovery from an insult.”

Ian McClellan, Activision

Ian McClellan, senior brand manager from Activision, added: “We hope this collaboration will show the benefits of drumming, either on Guitar Hero World Tour’s drum kit controller or a full kit or, and prove a physiological route between the two. We fully expect some of the next generation of drummers to have graduated from Guitar Hero World Tour – and hope this research project encourages more videogamers to progress to the real instruments.”

Dr Steve Draper, University of Gloucestershire

Dr Steve Draper, co-founder of the CBCP project and a Principal Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of Gloucestershire, concluded: “Our research has shown that accomplished pop and rock drummers do expend a large amount of energy during practice and performance, the difficulty maybe in how quickly the necessary skills and coordination may be acquired to allow someone to work at this level. Drumming video games are particularly exciting as they may provide an enjoyable and effective means to acquire the complex motor skills required to play on any drum kit.”

The Clem Burke Drumming Project (CBDP) is a unique collaboration between Clem Burke, the University of Chichester and University of Gloucestershire and was set up in July 2008.

In the News

The Mirror - 6 February 2009 Blondie drummer launches study into benefits of playing Guitar Hero World Tour
Link: http://blogs.mirror.co.uk