I really love this game, but I've sort of hit a wall.
I'm encountering two things that are preventing my progress. Number one, I'm having a helluva time transitioning from medium to hard on guitar. That fifth note just blows my mind. My fingers always seem to be out of place, and I ended up playing one note off for large stretches.
The second thing I can't seem to cope with is strumming. I just failed "The Hand that Feeds You" because of the strumming. It seems like I'm hitting extra notes, because I'm getting credit for everything but I'm still dropping on the meter. Very frustrating.
I'm not sure about the strumming thing. If it's like others think, you might have a defective guitar. Do you alt-strum? Like up-down-up-down...? If you're only doing down strumming, you need to relearn how to strum to move to hard. Also, not all notes require up-down-up-down ad nauseum. Some songs, I find the down-down-up-up-down or other common real strum patterns work much better and help with your timing on difficult or seemingly awkward sections.
For learning hard, I'm not a master, but I found the transition much easier than most. Simple beginner way to improve is go back, put a song on easy or medium and put your hands on the bottom 4 keys (red->orange) and play the song. Keep your hands on those bottom 4 keys and shift the index finger up to green as needed. It's not the actual way you'd play on hard, but it trains the hand to get used to it.
Once youve got a basic feel for bringing the hand back to that section, you can try some Practice sessions with the songs slowed down (ive never actually practiced on Rock Band, but I assume it's the same as GH3's practice which has slow down of sections). Play on slowest setting and practice.
If a song starts with green notes and no oranges, keep your hand shifted upward and shift downward when you see the first orange (unless it's something simple like only one orange button every 30 some odd notes). Most Hard songs follow simple patterns (at least the easier ones) of maybe a green then red followed by alternating blues, yellows and oranges with random calls for green. You just leave your hand and fingers in place and stretch the index finger up to green and then pull back down.
If you lose track of where your fingers are, feel for the markers. On the GH2 controller, it has a raised yellow key to tell you where the middle is. On the RB one, it has one on the green, yellow and orange to help you keep place. If your pinkie doesnt have a raised surface, you're off and need to shift your hands.
These are simple instructions and real songs can require on the fly shifts sometimes and you kind of learn by playing, but the principle remains the same. Others more skilled than me might have better advice and you could probably find some at Score Hero. I watched some on YouTube where a guy literally displayed how to do it as he played with the camera on his hands in a demo beforehand and than back and forth from screen to hands to show it during play. Was pretty good to see the advice in action.
I really love this game, but I've sort of hit a wall.
I'm encountering two things that are preventing my progress. Number one, I'm having a helluva time transitioning from medium to hard on guitar. That fifth note just blows my mind. My fingers always seem to be out of place, and I ended up playing one note off for large stretches.
The second thing I can't seem to cope with is strumming. I just failed "The Hand that Feeds You" because of the strumming. It seems like I'm hitting extra notes, because I'm getting credit for everything but I'm still dropping on the meter. Very frustrating.
I'm not sure about the strumming thing. If it's like others think, you might have a defective guitar. Do you alt-strum? Like up-down-up-down...? If you're only doing down strumming, you need to relearn how to strum to move to hard. Also, not all notes require up-down-up-down ad nauseum. Some songs, I find the down-down-up-up-down or other common real strum patterns work much better and help with your timing on difficult or seemingly awkward sections.
I'm actually an exclusive up-strummer right now. Weird. I'll have to mess around a bit to see if my guitar is defective. I hadn't even considered that alternative, I just figured I was messing up, going too fast like someone suggested.
As far as the hard thing, the "starting on the orange key" method seems like a good idea. I knew there were the little bumps on the note keys, it's just that on hard I have a hard time diverting my attention to my hands because I'm focusing so intently on the notes coming at me. I guess it's all down to practice. Good thing it's so damn fun.
And you know what? I was listening to the radio today, and I was thinking about Harmonix and their sometimes unconventional song choices, and I wholly feel that "Who's That Lady" by the Isley Brothers would fit incredibly well with Rock Band.
So I finally played this week's DLC this morning on Expert Guitar. "We Care a Lot" and "Calling Doctor Love" were both meh, but "Roam" was actually pretty fun.
Once Michael Jackson goes broke, then you will see the beatles licensed like mad. Although, there are a few songs HMX could get their hands on, though probably with mad moneys:
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"Something"
"Love Me Do"
"Please Please Me"
They're all owned by companies other than Jackson/Sony, so who knows. Its a mess.
Yeah, a huge turnoff for me with GH3 is the whole boss battles/powerups things. That's not what I'm here to do, and just looks like an extra way to complicate the game, when it's really not warranted.
A huge turn off to me about GH3 was how they complicated everything.
Just play the Killers song they have on there in GH3 and Rock Band on expert, and it's pretty clear which one did a better job of making that song not as hard as can possibly be made when that song is really easy to play on normal guitar.
Yeah, GH3 reminds me in quality of your average user-made custom notecharts. So many unnecessary 3-note chords. And then they have to make the HOPO sections more complicated to make up for their wide as an elephants ass HOPO window. And any time I watch videos for GH3 and look at the actual characters I can't help but laugh as the animators just didn't even try, especially the drummer. Sure its a Guitar game, but the drummer should at least look like hes drumming if they're going to focus the camera on him like they do. And whoever thought Boss Battles belong in a Rhythm game needs to be taken out in the street and shot in the balls.
At this point, I completely don't give a shit about the new Guitar Hero games. Or as my friend put it, Rock Band is the true sequel to GH2. Theres just no need for GH3 when you've got Rock Band. But sadly GH has the name brand recognition and will continue selling like hotcakes despite being a mere fraction of quality of what it once was.
Err...the GH3 chart for When You Were Young is practically identical to the Rock Band chart. It's also a bad example, because When You Were Young is one of the easiest songs on either game.
I'd use "3's and 7's" as the better example over "When You Were Young" in regards to GH3 just throwing notes in there.
Reptilia is a great example of GH3's throwing notes in there. I hated the song on GH3 (way too difficult) and it was actually enjoyable and good in Rock Band.
I'd use "3's and 7's" as the better example over "When You Were Young" in regards to GH3 just throwing notes in there.
Yeah that's a better example. Although 3's and 7's isn't really that hard on GH3. I 4* it on expert and I can't beat Before I Forget or Knights of Cydonia in the same tier. The big difference is the somewhat tricky 3-note chords. (which aren't THAT tough) and the middle section where they mix rhythm and lead.
I'm borrowing the game from a friend, and created a profile which apparently is using the microphone. I went through the whole tour with the microphone (which was fun), but I want to try another instrument now. I cannot for the life of me tell where/how you change to a different instrument for solo play.
I'm borrowing the game from a friend, and created a profile which apparently is using the microphone. I went through the whole tour with the microphone (which was fun), but I want to try another instrument now. I cannot for the life of me tell where/how you change to a different instrument for solo play.
You have to sign in to your gamertag using the intended instrument. If you're signed in with a controller, you can only use the mic.
MegaMan on
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
- Albert Einstein
I'm borrowing the game from a friend, and created a profile which apparently is using the microphone. I went through the whole tour with the microphone (which was fun), but I want to try another instrument now. I cannot for the life of me tell where/how you change to a different instrument for solo play.
You have to sign in to your gamertag using the intended instrument. If you're signed in with a controller, you can only use the mic.
Uh, I dont think so or I'm retarded too. I made a character in the solo mode as well. When I decided to come back and try some guitar (was drums), the name is greyed out and a drum icon next to the name when I go to solo tour again. I had to make a new character for each instrument. Maybe it works differently in BWT or we're both retarded.
Uh, I dont think so or I'm retarded too. I made a character in the solo mode as well. When I decided to come back and try some guitar (was drums), the name is greyed out and a drum icon next to the name when I go to solo tour again. I had to make a new character for each instrument. Maybe it works differently in BWT or we're both retarded.
No, that's what you have to do. Each character you make can only play one instrument. And when you're signed in to your gamertag using a certain instrument, the characters for the other instruments will be greyed out.
MegaMan on
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
- Albert Einstein
Uh, I dont think so or I'm retarded too. I made a character in the solo mode as well. When I decided to come back and try some guitar (was drums), the name is greyed out and a drum icon next to the name when I go to solo tour again. I had to make a new character for each instrument. Maybe it works differently in BWT or we're both retarded.
No, that's what you have to do. Each character you make can only play one instrument. And when you're signed in to your gamertag using a certain instrument, the characters for the other instruments will be greyed out.
Ya, but the other guy who asked wanted to be able to play drums or whtaever with the same guy he used on vocals. Now he has to start over with a new character instead of earning more money and clothes for his original avatar. I have no problem making a new one, but thought it was a bit odd they make you rebuy all the clothes again for another character.
Uh, I dont think so or I'm retarded too. I made a character in the solo mode as well. When I decided to come back and try some guitar (was drums), the name is greyed out and a drum icon next to the name when I go to solo tour again. I had to make a new character for each instrument. Maybe it works differently in BWT or we're both retarded.
No, that's what you have to do. Each character you make can only play one instrument. And when you're signed in to your gamertag using a certain instrument, the characters for the other instruments will be greyed out.
Ya, but the other guy who asked wanted to be able to play drums or whtaever with the same guy he used on vocals. Now he has to start over with a new character instead of earning more money and clothes for his original avatar. I have no problem making a new one, but thought it was a bit odd they make you rebuy all the clothes again for another character.
Who do you think you are? Dave Grohl? It's far more reasonable to have a character that's phenomenal at playing the guitar but sucks at drums than it is to have some super character that can play every instrument extremely well.
I don't hate but don't exactly love the character-specific money and bought items. It's great to let everyone do their own thing whenever.. but sucks when you just want to make comedy alts and do other things.
At least you can 'grind' endless money off a song, no matter your previous score on it.
Welp, it finally happened. Playing Synchonicity II and the bass pedal snaps.
I figured this would happen sooner or later. I was just thinking about building that invention posted earlier in the thread 'cause I thought the pedal would go eventually.
The warranty is only for two months, isn't it? I've had the game since November. Think I could get them to replace the pedal? If I could, I think I would try to get a new drum kit as well, because I've been suspicious of the red pad for awhile now. Since the pedal broke, I went ahead and went into practice for Blackened and slows it down. The other pads seem to respond well to quick, rapid hits, but the red one seems to lock up. It does better when I hit lighter, but I still see some locking up.
Anyone had success with RMAing an out of warranty instrument? Are the pretty acceptive or will they shun me?
Omeks on
Online Info (Click Spoiler for More): |Xbox Live Tag: Omeks |PSN Tag:Omeks_R7 |Rock Band:Profile|DLC Collection
Anyone had success with RMAing an out of warranty instrument? Are the pretty acceptive or will they shun me?
I've heard people say there's a two month warranty but I've never seen this information personally. I just RMAed my guitar (as in I got the guitar back on Thurs) and I bought the game on November 23 so I should've been shit out of luck. The thing I noticed was they don't ask for any purchase information, they only ask what's wrong and how you want to handle your RMA. I'd go ahead and give it a shot and see if there's a difference for the drum parts.
Requested RMAs for both the pedal and the drums. It took...less than 10 minutes. It seemed,,,too easy...
But they say they'll send me the packages for both of them. The trouble shooting seemed vague at best. It asks me what the problem is with my pedal, and asks "does the pedal spring back up?" Uhh...well I guess it still does, but it's kinda snapped in half.
I might have to include a note or something. The problem with the red drum seems almost non-existent, but it makes it impossible to play drum-roll sections.
Omeks on
Online Info (Click Spoiler for More): |Xbox Live Tag: Omeks |PSN Tag:Omeks_R7 |Rock Band:Profile|DLC Collection
When I RMAed my broken pedal, I emailed them first to make sure it was covered. The support tech who answered told me (in a very roundabout way) that a broken pedal is usually not covered under warranty, however since so many people are experiencing pedals snapping in half, they're extending the warranty to cover them. They won't even ask for proof of when you purchased the game...just call or go through the process on the support website and they'll send you a new pedal in exchange for the broken one.
On that note, I have a question for people with broken or original pedals: my new one has two fat rounded plastic pegs on the underside of the pedal, that appear to support the toe end when the pedal is pressed down so that it can't flex. I can't remember if these were present on my old pedal, so can anyone tell me?
MegaMan on
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
- Albert Einstein
When I RMAed my broken pedal, I emailed them first to make sure it was covered. The support tech who answered told me (in a very roundabout way) that a broken pedal is usually not covered under warranty, however since so many people are experiencing pedals snapping in half, they're extending the warranty to cover them. They won't even ask for proof of when you purchased the game...just call or go through the process on the support website and they'll send you a new pedal in exchange for the broken one.
On that note, I have a question for people with broken or original pedals: my new one has two fat rounded plastic pegs on the underside of the pedal, that appear to support the toe end when the pedal is pressed down so that it can't flex. I can't remember if these were present on my old pedal, so can anyone tell me?
Yeah, those are on the old pedals too.
I can feel my pedal going. I'm tempted to break it on purpose and get a new one. Would I be a bad person for doing that?
There's two half-sphere rubber pegs on the toe end of mine.
I thought so. In other words, they haven't really fixed the issue.
Anyway, I bought one of those metal plates and affixed it to my new one, so I shouldn't have any issues like that again.
MegaMan on
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
- Albert Einstein
Posts
I'm not sure about the strumming thing. If it's like others think, you might have a defective guitar. Do you alt-strum? Like up-down-up-down...? If you're only doing down strumming, you need to relearn how to strum to move to hard. Also, not all notes require up-down-up-down ad nauseum. Some songs, I find the down-down-up-up-down or other common real strum patterns work much better and help with your timing on difficult or seemingly awkward sections.
For learning hard, I'm not a master, but I found the transition much easier than most. Simple beginner way to improve is go back, put a song on easy or medium and put your hands on the bottom 4 keys (red->orange) and play the song. Keep your hands on those bottom 4 keys and shift the index finger up to green as needed. It's not the actual way you'd play on hard, but it trains the hand to get used to it.
Once youve got a basic feel for bringing the hand back to that section, you can try some Practice sessions with the songs slowed down (ive never actually practiced on Rock Band, but I assume it's the same as GH3's practice which has slow down of sections). Play on slowest setting and practice.
If a song starts with green notes and no oranges, keep your hand shifted upward and shift downward when you see the first orange (unless it's something simple like only one orange button every 30 some odd notes). Most Hard songs follow simple patterns (at least the easier ones) of maybe a green then red followed by alternating blues, yellows and oranges with random calls for green. You just leave your hand and fingers in place and stretch the index finger up to green and then pull back down.
If you lose track of where your fingers are, feel for the markers. On the GH2 controller, it has a raised yellow key to tell you where the middle is. On the RB one, it has one on the green, yellow and orange to help you keep place. If your pinkie doesnt have a raised surface, you're off and need to shift your hands.
These are simple instructions and real songs can require on the fly shifts sometimes and you kind of learn by playing, but the principle remains the same. Others more skilled than me might have better advice and you could probably find some at Score Hero. I watched some on YouTube where a guy literally displayed how to do it as he played with the camera on his hands in a demo beforehand and than back and forth from screen to hands to show it during play. Was pretty good to see the advice in action.
I'm actually an exclusive up-strummer right now. Weird. I'll have to mess around a bit to see if my guitar is defective. I hadn't even considered that alternative, I just figured I was messing up, going too fast like someone suggested.
As far as the hard thing, the "starting on the orange key" method seems like a good idea. I knew there were the little bumps on the note keys, it's just that on hard I have a hard time diverting my attention to my hands because I'm focusing so intently on the notes coming at me. I guess it's all down to practice. Good thing it's so damn fun.
For me its the "Fighting for survival!" line. I mean, come on. You can't tell me that wouldn't be fun.
Also, "Do It Again" from Steely Dan.
And you know what? I was listening to the radio today, and I was thinking about Harmonix and their sometimes unconventional song choices, and I wholly feel that "Who's That Lady" by the Isley Brothers would fit incredibly well with Rock Band.
Beatles will happen eventually. I'd expect them on iTunes within the year, in Rock Band soon after.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"Something"
"Love Me Do"
"Please Please Me"
They're all owned by companies other than Jackson/Sony, so who knows. Its a mess.
"Rockin' The Paradise", just for the fucking explosive opener. "Snow Blind", because it's badass, and "Come Sail Away".
Anything with Queen, please? As long as it isn't Paul Rodgers... eugh...
Edit: I'm the singer, so I'm probably a bit biased... And actually, Under Pressure would also be awesome.
Hey. Hey. Paul Rodgers is no Freddie Mercury, but come on--Free, Bad Company? Good stuff.
Also, I want Renegade, Styx-wise.
Based on the Karaoke Revolution version of Under Pressure, Harmonix will fuck your vocal chords with a pitchfork if it goes into the game.
Err...the GH3 chart for When You Were Young is practically identical to the Rock Band chart. It's also a bad example, because When You Were Young is one of the easiest songs on either game.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yFRA0d3tZY4
And at the end the GH3 chart has like 7 more notes... some parts are even completely identical.
Reptilia is a great example of GH3's throwing notes in there. I hated the song on GH3 (way too difficult) and it was actually enjoyable and good in Rock Band.
Steam: abunchofdaftpunk | PSN: noautomobilesgo | Lastfm: sjchszeppelin | Backloggery: colincummings | 3DS FC: 1392-6019-0219 |
Yeah that's a better example. Although 3's and 7's isn't really that hard on GH3. I 4* it on expert and I can't beat Before I Forget or Knights of Cydonia in the same tier. The big difference is the somewhat tricky 3-note chords. (which aren't THAT tough) and the middle section where they mix rhythm and lead.
It would be an awesome pitchfork-fucking, though.
I'm borrowing the game from a friend, and created a profile which apparently is using the microphone. I went through the whole tour with the microphone (which was fun), but I want to try another instrument now. I cannot for the life of me tell where/how you change to a different instrument for solo play.
You have to sign in to your gamertag using the intended instrument. If you're signed in with a controller, you can only use the mic.
- Albert Einstein
Uh, I dont think so or I'm retarded too. I made a character in the solo mode as well. When I decided to come back and try some guitar (was drums), the name is greyed out and a drum icon next to the name when I go to solo tour again. I had to make a new character for each instrument. Maybe it works differently in BWT or we're both retarded.
No, that's what you have to do. Each character you make can only play one instrument. And when you're signed in to your gamertag using a certain instrument, the characters for the other instruments will be greyed out.
- Albert Einstein
Ya, but the other guy who asked wanted to be able to play drums or whtaever with the same guy he used on vocals. Now he has to start over with a new character instead of earning more money and clothes for his original avatar. I have no problem making a new one, but thought it was a bit odd they make you rebuy all the clothes again for another character.
Who do you think you are? Dave Grohl? It's far more reasonable to have a character that's phenomenal at playing the guitar but sucks at drums than it is to have some super character that can play every instrument extremely well.
At least you can 'grind' endless money off a song, no matter your previous score on it.
:P
I figured this would happen sooner or later. I was just thinking about building that invention posted earlier in the thread 'cause I thought the pedal would go eventually.
The warranty is only for two months, isn't it? I've had the game since November. Think I could get them to replace the pedal? If I could, I think I would try to get a new drum kit as well, because I've been suspicious of the red pad for awhile now. Since the pedal broke, I went ahead and went into practice for Blackened and slows it down. The other pads seem to respond well to quick, rapid hits, but the red one seems to lock up. It does better when I hit lighter, but I still see some locking up.
Anyone had success with RMAing an out of warranty instrument? Are the pretty acceptive or will they shun me?
|Xbox Live Tag: Omeks
|PSN Tag: Omeks_R7
|Rock Band: Profile|DLC Collection
I've heard people say there's a two month warranty but I've never seen this information personally. I just RMAed my guitar (as in I got the guitar back on Thurs) and I bought the game on November 23 so I should've been shit out of luck. The thing I noticed was they don't ask for any purchase information, they only ask what's wrong and how you want to handle your RMA. I'd go ahead and give it a shot and see if there's a difference for the drum parts.
I'm pretty sure all you have to do is call, do all the trouble shooting, then talk to a rep and they'll hook you up.
Requested RMAs for both the pedal and the drums. It took...less than 10 minutes. It seemed,,,too easy...
But they say they'll send me the packages for both of them. The trouble shooting seemed vague at best. It asks me what the problem is with my pedal, and asks "does the pedal spring back up?" Uhh...well I guess it still does, but it's kinda snapped in half.
I might have to include a note or something. The problem with the red drum seems almost non-existent, but it makes it impossible to play drum-roll sections.
|Xbox Live Tag: Omeks
|PSN Tag: Omeks_R7
|Rock Band: Profile|DLC Collection
On that note, I have a question for people with broken or original pedals: my new one has two fat rounded plastic pegs on the underside of the pedal, that appear to support the toe end when the pedal is pressed down so that it can't flex. I can't remember if these were present on my old pedal, so can anyone tell me?
- Albert Einstein
I can feel my pedal going. I'm tempted to break it on purpose and get a new one. Would I be a bad person for doing that?
The first song I played?
Ride the Lightning on expert.
I don't know if RtL weakened it and Synchronicity II finished it off. I would assume since Synchronicity II isn't all that bass pedally.
|Xbox Live Tag: Omeks
|PSN Tag: Omeks_R7
|Rock Band: Profile|DLC Collection
I thought so. In other words, they haven't really fixed the issue.
Anyway, I bought one of those metal plates and affixed it to my new one, so I shouldn't have any issues like that again.
- Albert Einstein