Rocksmith - like guitar hero, but learn real guitar (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Chumley]

I got Rocksmith 2014 for Christmas. So far I'm really enjoying it. I was using a friends guitar to play with but I like it so much that I'm sure I will be playing it for a while so I went out and bought a new guitar for it. As to the question of will it help you learn to play. I think it will. It teaches chords and scales and gets you to playing along with songs in just a few minutes. It starts really slow, just one or 2 notes at a time but as you become proficient hitting those notes it adds more. You can adjust the difficulty and speed of the song if you need to. Its no replacement for lessons but I think it is well worth the $50 I paid for it.

 

[Rayderr]

Also got it for Xmas. Haven't had a chance to try it yet due to family visiting us. Look forward to giving it a shot.

 

[Bull Dozier]

I got Rocksmith 2014 for Christmas. So far I'm really enjoying it. I was using a friends guitar to play with but I like it so much that I'm sure I will be playing it for a while so I went out and bought a new guitar for it. As to the question of will it help you learn to play. I think it will. It teaches chords and scales and gets you to playing along with songs in just a few minutes. It starts really slow, just one or 2 notes at a time but as you become proficient hitting those notes it adds more. You can adjust the difficulty and speed of the song if you need to. Its no replacement for lessons but I think it is well worth the $50 I paid for it.

Definitely want to give this game a shot. I have tried to teach myself guitar many times. If I spent as much time practicing guitar as I did playing Rock Band on fake guitars, I'd be ahead of the game right now. Maybe this is a bridge between real lessons and rock band.

 

[E Street Brat]

I think I'm gonna use one of my gift cards on this.

I can play chords well enough to play a ton of songs, but I wanna learn scales so I can add some lead and riffs to my resume.

Biggy

I also picked up Sony Acid Pro. So if i can figure out how to use it, I'll send ya some more demos to check out. It would be the nutz if you guys would record one of my songs,

 

[coyote5]

Is the graphical note interface still the same in how the notes scroll towards you? I've spent time with it but for some reason I get my eyes and hands working together with it.... Tabs I can do no problem I should give it some more concentrated time but I always quit the game frustrated.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

Is the graphical note interface still the same in how the notes scroll towards you? I've spent time with it but for some reason I get my eyes and hands working together with it.... Tabs I can do no problem I should give it some more concentrated time but I always quit the game frustrated.

You can invert the strinigs on tyhe game so it looks more like tabs. Not sure if you could do this in the previous version.

 

[Dippa]

With regards to audio lag, I had issues with that on the first one, but the new one included some instructions to set it up to prevent lag. Turns out that since I had the audio running hdmi through the TV, it causes lag as the TV has to convert the sound to analog, or something like that. Since setting it up with an analog cable to receiver per the instructions, no more lag and it's much more enjoyable to play.

Also, for anyone who has the first one, there is a $8 DLC that allows you to import all of the songs from the original game. And all DLC bought on the first is automatically included. I've got like 119 songs now.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

 

[mad sweeney]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

You can plug it into computer speakers or headphones. There's a cable that comes out of the back, I think it comes with the PS3 but not entirely sure, that has RCA connectors. A few RadioShack adapters might be necessary. Plus there's a little lag adjustment you can make in the game settings/options. Plasmas are the worse from what I've read. Not sure that lag in a game that requires timing like this can be dealt with.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

You can plug it into computer speakers or headphones. There's a cable that comes out of the back, I think it comes with the PS3 but not entirely sure, that has RCA connectors. A few RadioShack adapters might be necessary. Plus there's a little lag adjustment you can make in the game settings/options. Plasmas are the worse from what I've read. Not sure that lag in a game that requires timing like this can be dealt with.

I could probably plug in my computer speakers, since they aren't used on the computer frequently, and they are probably better than the speakers on the TV.

They plug directly into the PS3? Honestly, I don't play with the PS3 very much, so I'm not that familiar with it. Turn the sound down on the TV then?

 

[mad sweeney]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

You can plug it into computer speakers or headphones. There's a cable that comes out of the back, I think it comes with the PS3 but not entirely sure, that has RCA connectors. A few RadioShack adapters might be necessary. Plus there's a little lag adjustment you can make in the game settings/options. Plasmas are the worse from what I've read. Not sure that lag in a game that requires timing like this can be dealt with.

I could probably plug in my computer speakers, since they aren't used on the computer frequently, and they are probably better than the speakers on the TV.

They plug directly into the PS3? Honestly, I don't play with the PS3 very much, so I'm not that familiar with it. Turn the sound down on the TV then?

There's a cable that you plug into the back of the PS3 for external video/sound. Maybe the cable is an extra buy, I don't remember. That adapter cable has RCA audio connectors, so you can plug that into anything that's RCA. Or you can go to radioshack and get an RCA to 1/8" or 1/4" plug, depending on what you want to plug it into. I just mute the TV.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

Im not sure about 14 but the orginal you could avoid the lag by either adjusting for it in the in game tuner or switching away from HDMI and using the component.

Both methods use your TV as the amp.

 

[mad sweeney]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

Im not sure about 14 but the orginal you could avoid the lag by either adjusting for it in the in game tuner or switching away from HDMI and using the component.

Both methods use your TV as the amp.

The lag was too much to overcome on a plasma. Not sure about LEC/LCD.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

Im not sure about 14 but the orginal you could avoid the lag by either adjusting for it in the in game tuner or switching away from HDMI and using the component.

Both methods use your TV as the amp.

The lag was too much to overcome on a plasma. Not sure about LEC/LCD.

After playing it for an hour yesterday, I did notice the lag, but it wasn't too much to overcome. It might be a bigger issue when I can hit a note more often than every ten seconds.

I was mad at myself that I forgot Sony now charges for the PS network. I spent 20 minutes trying to log myself in before giving up. I can't do the 60 day challenge, or buy new songs without paying for it now I guess.

 

[AcerFC]

I was mad at myself that I forgot Sony now charges for the PS network. I spent 20 minutes trying to log myself in before giving up. I can't do the 60 day challenge, or buy new songs without paying for it now I guess.

wait, what?

 

[Bull Dozier]

I was mad at myself that I forgot Sony now charges for the PS network. I spent 20 minutes trying to log myself in before giving up. I can't do the 60 day challenge, or buy new songs without paying for it now I guess.

wait, what?

Hmm, maybe that's not the case? I tried logging in for 20 minutes and it never let me. Finally I gave up. I later had the realization that maybe it's because PS network went pay. Do they still have a free version that should be working?

I'll actually write down the error code it was giving me tonight and google it.

 

[AcerFC]

That is the first I have heard about it. I can sign in when my kids play infinity

My problem is that I can't find a PS3 bundle. Amazon has it for 400 bucks. More than I want to spend

 

[Bull Dozier]

Here's an issue I had with the game -

While they tell you what string and fret to hold down, unless I'm missing something, they don't tell you what finger to use to do so. Maybe that comes later, I'll admit I just jumped in and started playing a couple of songs. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere that helps you with that, but I would think that during song play, they should be telling you which finger to use to play chords, etc. Maybe they come from the school of thought of "just do what works for you" but I would think once the songs get a little harder, there is a right way to be doing this.

 

[mad sweeney]

Picked it up at lunch today. Looking forward to trying it this evening or tomorrow.

Unfortunately I do not have a receiver, so it looks like I have to deal with the lag.

Im not sure about 14 but the orginal you could avoid the lag by either adjusting for it in the in game tuner or switching away from HDMI and using the component.

Both methods use your TV as the amp.

The lag was too much to overcome on a plasma. Not sure about LEC/LCD.

After playing it for an hour yesterday, I did notice the lag, but it wasn't too much to overcome. It might be a bigger issue when I can hit a note more often than every ten seconds.

I was mad at myself that I forgot Sony now charges for the PS network. I spent 20 minutes trying to log myself in before giving up. I can't do the 60 day challenge, or buy new songs without paying for it now I guess.

They do?! I haven't done any interactive stuff since beginning of Dec on CoD.

 

[mad sweeney]

Here's an issue I had with the game -

While they tell you what string and fret to hold down, unless I'm missing something, they don't tell you what finger to use to do so. Maybe that comes later, I'll admit I just jumped in and started playing a couple of songs. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere that helps you with that, but I would think that during song play, they should be telling you which finger to use to play chords, etc. Maybe they come from the school of thought of "just do what works for you" but I would think once the songs get a little harder, there is a right way to be doing this.

I'll look and see if that's an option I selected, but mine shows which fingers to use.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Here's an issue I had with the game -

While they tell you what string and fret to hold down, unless I'm missing something, they don't tell you what finger to use to do so. Maybe that comes later, I'll admit I just jumped in and started playing a couple of songs. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere that helps you with that, but I would think that during song play, they should be telling you which finger to use to play chords, etc. Maybe they come from the school of thought of "just do what works for you" but I would think once the songs get a little harder, there is a right way to be doing this.

I agree that they should at least suggest which finger to use. I believe if you're just strumming notes it doesn't matter. It's when you play chords that finger placement matters.

I could also be completely wrong as I too am playing this game to help me learn to play the guitar.

 

[mad sweeney]

Here's an issue I had with the game -

While they tell you what string and fret to hold down, unless I'm missing something, they don't tell you what finger to use to do so. Maybe that comes later, I'll admit I just jumped in and started playing a couple of songs. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere that helps you with that, but I would think that during song play, they should be telling you which finger to use to play chords, etc. Maybe they come from the school of thought of "just do what works for you" but I would think once the songs get a little harder, there is a right way to be doing this.

I agree that they should at least suggest which finger to use. I believe if you're just strumming notes it doesn't matter. It's when you play chords that finger placement matters.

I could also be completely wrong as I too am playing this game to help me learn to play the guitar.

One thing that can help a little, most of the time the E or A (red or yellow) string single note they show is going to eventually be a power or barre chord. So I usually start with that and it turns out to be the right choice most of the time. Once it does get to the chord shape, it does show which fingers to use.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Here's an issue I had with the game -

While they tell you what string and fret to hold down, unless I'm missing something, they don't tell you what finger to use to do so. Maybe that comes later, I'll admit I just jumped in and started playing a couple of songs. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere that helps you with that, but I would think that during song play, they should be telling you which finger to use to play chords, etc. Maybe they come from the school of thought of "just do what works for you" but I would think once the songs get a little harder, there is a right way to be doing this.

I agree that they should at least suggest which finger to use. I believe if you're just strumming notes it doesn't matter. It's when you play chords that finger placement matters.

I could also be completely wrong as I too am playing this game to help me learn to play the guitar.

One thing that can help a little, most of the time the E or A (red or yellow) string single note they show is going to eventually be a power or barre chord. So I usually start with that and it turns out to be the right choice most of the time. Once it does get to the chord shape, it does show which fingers to use.

That cool info and all, but I'm an uber noob, so should I be using my pointer finger or the middle finger when its just the one string?

 

[mad sweeney]

Here's an issue I had with the game -

While they tell you what string and fret to hold down, unless I'm missing something, they don't tell you what finger to use to do so. Maybe that comes later, I'll admit I just jumped in and started playing a couple of songs. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere that helps you with that, but I would think that during song play, they should be telling you which finger to use to play chords, etc. Maybe they come from the school of thought of "just do what works for you" but I would think once the songs get a little harder, there is a right way to be doing this.

I agree that they should at least suggest which finger to use. I believe if you're just strumming notes it doesn't matter. It's when you play chords that finger placement matters.

I could also be completely wrong as I too am playing this game to help me learn to play the guitar.

One thing that can help a little, most of the time the E or A (red or yellow) string single note they show is going to eventually be a power or barre chord. So I usually start with that and it turns out to be the right choice most of the time. Once it does get to the chord shape, it does show which fingers to use.

That cool info and all, but I'm an uber noob, so should I be using my pointer finger or the middle finger when its just the one string?

Sorry, I must've edited it and forgot to include the point: Index finger.

 

[the moops]

Haven't got a chance to read the whole thread, sorry if this may have been answered.

Anyone using it on a mac? How about a macbook pro?

My concern is that there is only one audio input/ouput jack on my macbook. Does that mean I am resigned to the laptop speakers? Is there anyway that anyone knows to split the one jack so that I can either use headphones or external speakers? Or some other solution that I am overlooking?

 

[the moops]

 

[fierce_corgi]

I'm using it on my iMac. The guitar input from the cable is USB, so the game itself doesn't use any of the speaker/microphone jacks. So you should be able to use whatever sound output you want, just as with any other program.

 

[the moops]

Sweet. Thanks

 

[Worm]

Recommendations on a starter guitar that will stay in tune and not be crap?

 

[bigbottom]

Recommendations on a starter guitar that will stay in tune and not be crap?

Mexican made Fender Strat purchased used on Craigslist for around $250.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Recommendations on a starter guitar that will stay in tune and not be crap?

One of the handiest aspects of the game is the ease of tuning the guitar. The tuning is so simple, even I can do it. And it tells you to retune the guitar when playing a song keyed differently.

 

[AcerFC]

I found an old peavy guitar in my closet. I'm thinking I need to buy this game now. Wish I could find the ps3 bundle

 

[Joe T]

Any updated/recent reports on the actual game and if it improves your guitar skill level??

 

[Britney Spears]

Any updated/recent reports on the actual game and if it improves your guitar skill level??

I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years (still not any good). While there were annoying things about the first version, I can't definitely say it improved my skill level. At the very least, it gets you playing new songs you maybe wouldn't play. Also great work on playing without looking at the fretboard, etc.

I bought an xbox for this game, but eventually got annoyed with the loading, constant tuning checks, etc. and sold it on CL. I just last night ordered the version for Mac and am looking forward to trying it again. It really was fun and good practice once you got past the quirks and it sounds like they have improved many of those.

 

[mad sweeney]

Any updated/recent reports on the actual game and if it improves your guitar skill level??

I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years (still not any good). While there were annoying things about the first version, I can't definitely say it improved my skill level. At the very least, it gets you playing new songs you maybe wouldn't play. Also great work on playing without looking at the fretboard, etc. I bought an xbox for this game, but eventually got annoyed with the loading, constant tuning checks, etc. and sold it on CL. I just last night ordered the version for Mac and am looking forward to trying it again. It really was fun and good practice once you got past the quirks and it sounds like they have improved many of those.

They pretty much eliminated all those quirks. It's like going from dial up to DSL.

 

[Bull Dozier]

Any updated/recent reports on the actual game and if it improves your guitar skill level??

Well, like every other time I've tried to take up the guitar, my optimism about finding the time was higher than reality. I did make the mistake of buying it for the PS3. I thought, since the PS3 gets less use than the 360 it would be a good idea. However, the PS3 is in the main living room, and the 360 is in an extra family room. It would have been a lot easier to kick the kids off the 360 when I wanted to play instead of telling the wife "I need to get my hour of guitar video games in before I head to bed."

 

[AcerFC]

Ok, finally picked this up. No lag that I can notice yet with optical cable.

However, has anyone ran into the issue of playing what was supposed to be the correct fret but it registering wrong. Then dropping down one fret and registering correct

Example, it says to play low e 2, but it registers correct at low e 1

 

[Worm]

My journey starts tonight...

My dad had an old stratacaster squire that he gave me...not the best but it was free. If I enjoy it I'll buy something better.

Over/under on how long it takes me to not completely suck? Keep in mind that I played alto sax in the marching band in high school and can play on EXPERT in rock band. That's right, I said it.

 

[bigbottom]

Unfortunately, unlike the drums in Rock Band, the plastic guitar is next to meaningless when it comes to playing the actual instrument.

 

[AcerFC]

It is really interesting how they tier the difficulty. You can see how they keep giving you a little more. I think it comes a little too quick sometimes. I am focusing on blitzkrieg bop for now.

My wrist was killing me after 45 minutes though

 

[Britney Spears]

Unfortunately, unlike the drums in Rock Band, the plastic guitar is next to meaningless when it comes to playing the actual instrument.

I would think that maybe experience with video games would help?

I'm not much of a video game person and I honestly struggle a bit with reading the screen vs. just playing chords and stuff. If someone tells me a chord progression, I can follow it, but it's usually a lot tougher for me to translate the moving trail of boxes into shapes on the guitar.

I don't know, just a thought. I've seen rock band (I am terrible at it) and the screen seems similar to Rocksmith...

 

[bigbottom]

Unfortunately, unlike the drums in Rock Band, the plastic guitar is next to meaningless when it comes to playing the actual instrument.

I would think that maybe experience with video games would help?I'm not much of a video game person and I honestly struggle a bit with reading the screen vs. just playing chords and stuff. If someone tells me a chord progression, I can follow it, but it's usually a lot tougher for me to translate the moving trail of boxes into shapes on the guitar.

I don't know, just a thought. I've seen rock band (I am terrible at it) and the screen seems similar to Rocksmith...

Yeah, I think it would help with Rocksmith. And it does help at least some with learning the real guitar in terms of developing finger dexterity and some strumming skills. But it's a far cry from the Rock Band drum kit, which is actually a great drum tutorial.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Can you set the game up to play the full song from the beginning? I tried playing the trooper, a song I know note for note, and it doesn't show me all of the notes until the song is almost over.

 

[AcerFC]

Can you set the game up to play the full song from the beginning? I tried playing the trooper, a song I know note for note, and it doesn't show me all of the notes until the song is almost over.

go to riff repeater and set difficulty to 100

 

[Worm]

Unfortunately, unlike the drums in Rock Band, the plastic guitar is next to meaningless when it comes to playing the actual instrument.

I would think that maybe experience with video games would help?I'm not much of a video game person and I honestly struggle a bit with reading the screen vs. just playing chords and stuff. If someone tells me a chord progression, I can follow it, but it's usually a lot tougher for me to translate the moving trail of boxes into shapes on the guitar.

I don't know, just a thought. I've seen rock band (I am terrible at it) and the screen seems similar to Rocksmith...

Yeah, I think it would help with Rocksmith. And it does help at least some with learning the real guitar in terms of developing finger dexterity and some strumming skills. But it's a far cry from the Rock Band drum kit, which is actually a great drum tutorial.

Oh, I can play a majority of the rock band songs on drums on hard too.

I'm gonna kick some ### imo.

 

[Britney Spears]

Unfortunately, unlike the drums in Rock Band, the plastic guitar is next to meaningless when it comes to playing the actual instrument.

I would think that maybe experience with video games would help?I'm not much of a video game person and I honestly struggle a bit with reading the screen vs. just playing chords and stuff. If someone tells me a chord progression, I can follow it, but it's usually a lot tougher for me to translate the moving trail of boxes into shapes on the guitar.

I don't know, just a thought. I've seen rock band (I am terrible at it) and the screen seems similar to Rocksmith...

Yeah, I think it would help with Rocksmith. And it does help at least some with learning the real guitar in terms of developing finger dexterity and some strumming skills. But it's a far cry from the Rock Band drum kit, which is actually a great drum tutorial.

Hmm, I'd love to know some drum basics. Maybe "my son" should get Rock Band...

 

[Worm]

So far so good.

Once I get the "feel" for where the frets are and where the strings are things will get a lot easier. Also, which finger to put on which string tripping me up.

 

[AcerFC]

The setting I have it on, which is out of the box shows which fingers to put on which frets.

The chord 101 and 201 lessons do as well.

 

[AcerFC]

Also starting to get calluses which is good.

 

[Bankerguy]

I'm recently single and looking for a new hobby to compliment working out and running. I literally do not have a musical bone in my body, but have always dreamed of being able to play. This is going to be a purchase for me in February once my house sells.

My dream is to be able to play EVERLONG by the Foo Fighters, once I saw that was one of the songs I am I'm.

Honestly, with ZERO experience how long will it take me to learn a song? 6 months?

Any feedback from people with no experience prior to buying the game?