also rock band

[solipsistnation]

Some of it is definitely that the difficulty levels are less ridiculous when you get to Expert, but I seem to be doing pretty well at guitar in Rock Band. I was playing though in Hard and then decided to do a solo tour on Expert, and at least for the first dozen or so songs I've been able to get 5 stars on most and 4 on a few. Maybe once I get up into the ridiculously difficult higher levels it'll slow down a bit, but for now it's pretty cool.

Comments

[blackcoat.livejournal.com]

The problem is when you get to the songs that have psychotic solos.

It's not the riffs, anyone can figure those out, given time and practice.

It's the 'Here. Here's Three button chords, changing, AND THAT'S THE WHOLE SONG!!'

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I figure you're right. The first three-button chord was kind of startling anyway...

[learnedax.livejournal.com]

I find them comfortingly reminiscent of playing guitar chords. Not necessarily easy, but I haven't spent nearly as much time training my fingers to the game, either.

[lobotomymonkey.livejournal.com]

Any more insight into "strumming technique"?

I actually haven't picked up the RB Guitar in a while now, but I found myself completely at a loss during the solo of Hand That Feeds, on Hard.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

I'm still strumming up and down alternately... For that bit with the alternate notes, just strum up and down and use your pinky for the top two notes and keep your index on green for when it drops down there.

[prowler1971.livejournal.com]

I've heard a bit about this game. Does it actually simulate playing an instrument in any way that could possibly help one become a better musician?

[leanne-opaskar.livejournal.com]

If you're already a musician? Probably not. If you're *not* a musician, however, it's good inspiration to actually give it a try.

Supposedly the drum controller is pretty darn close to playing genuine (but still limited -- no high hat pedal) drums by the time you get to Expert.

[prowler1971.livejournal.com]

I'm a bad musician.

[leanne-opaskar.livejournal.com]

I'm a totally novice musician -- and I get to blame it on Rock Band. *grins sheepishly* I had so much fun playing that I decided I needed to try the real thing ... and now I have a shiny red Squier J-Bass.

I find that Rock Band helps me a lot in the motivation department. I may not be skilled enough to play good bass yet, but whenever I pick up an RB controller, I'm reminded in a positive way of what I *want* to be able to do. This helps keep me practicing and trying new things.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

The guitarry bits are, um, very simulated. They'll help you with rhythm and finger strength, but that's about it.

On the other hand, it's loads of fun. Find somebody who has it nearby and get them to let you play and you can find out. (Rock Band is more fun with at least 2 people anyway.)

The singing bits require you to be very on-pitch and to have quite a range for some songs, so I suppose it could be a little helpful for singing. The drums are, as noted, quite a lot like real drums, if smaller. They DO require actual drum skills, even on easy. Getting your feet and hands not to do the same thing at the same time (i.e. playing a backbeat) is pretty tough if you're not used to it. I suspect that if you got so you could play drums on expert, you might as well get a drum kit and go for it.

[gunthersdncemix.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'd have to disagree on the singing. I am in no way a trained vocalist or anything, but I felt the game made me sing worse because I was trying to match a pitch that I can't produce easily instead of trying to sing with my natural voice. I remember that it was hard to keep up with and I could go with having fun and lower score or throat hurtiness and higher scores.

From what little I know about singing professionally, your voice is not supposed to hurt that much when you sing properly.