Rocksmith, a real teaching tool or just a game?

[Neal Brakey]

I was wondering this one day, as I like to play rocksmith, and have for 2 years so far, I now plan to actually start playing scales and learning music theory.
I wanted to see if you think rocksmith could be a reliable source for a starting bassist or not?
For me I have a lot of fun with it and it is the reason I got into bass, but I feel that in the long run it might be better to learn theory and scales.
But I still have fun with it and play it every day, but how do you feel about it?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

There are some Rocksmith threads already.
Do a search.

 

[Soonerbldr]

I like to use it to learn songs. There are also some cool little teaching games that they use to help with efficiency - which I am sure your familiar with. There is no actual Instruction though other than some 3-5 minute clips so in terms of theory it isn't useful. You can grab a book - believe it or not Bass for Dummies is really good - to read and start learning the theory. It is cool to see once you start learning the theory how the notes come together in a progression. Plus if you have no one else to play with at least you can throw on a song or go in to the band setting and just jam along.

 

[motoman]

What I can see it may be good for is being able to not look at the fretboard while playing. That is I problem I have been working on. I use the free app youscian to help me with that.

 

[ba55i5t]

It's a game.

 

[saabfender]

I like to play rocksmith... I now plan to actually start playing scales and learning music theory.

You already answered the question. They are two distinctly different things.

 

[RyanOh]

I think it can be used to learn bass but ultimately leads to bad habits:

1. Reliance on the TV to show you where the notes are.
2. Potentially poor left and right hand placement/techniques.
3. Focusing on hitting notes as a way of winning a game instead of playing a song.

Question: Can you play the same song without Rocksmith? Play along to songs you like on Spotify or YouTube etc. Memorize them. Get the timing down because you're listening to the drum beat...not the TV screen.

The upside is you've got the mechanics of playing a bass guitar from playing Rocksmith. Now you can translate that to playing without the game. I think it'll be a challenge at it.

Regarding music theory, basics help you understand why the song is written a certain way. There are verses and a chorus, the song is in a key. It's based on a major or minor scale. When you learn some of the basics, there's an AHA moment when you realize the patterns in music. I think it balances fun with knowledge as you learn to play songs and undersrand WHY it works.

Good luck.

 

[Neal Brakey]

I think it can be used to learn bass but ultimately leads to bad habits:

1. Reliance on the TV to show you where the notes are.
2. Potentially poor left and right hand placement/techniques.
3. Focusing on hitting notes as a way of winning a game instead of playing a song.

Question: Can you play the same song without Rocksmith? Play along to songs you like on Spotify or YouTube etc. Memorize them. Get the timing down because you're listening to the drum beat...not the TV screen.

The upside is you've got the mechanics of playing a bass guitar from playing Rocksmith. Now you can translate that to playing without the game. I think it'll be a challenge at it.

Regarding music theory, basics help you understand why the song is written a certain way. There are verses and a chorus, the song is in a key. It's based on a major or minor scale. When you learn some of the basics, there's an AHA moment when you realize the patterns in music. I think it balances fun with knowledge as you learn to play songs and undersrand WHY it works.


Good luck.

I can see what you mean, I am sure all 3 of those apply to me, as even if I miss a note I will just wander all over the fretboard and play everything to try to get it correct.
I could not play anything from there without seeing those colored notes, I will say though that it at least inspired me to play bass, and I still have fun playing it, but it is my want to do solo stuff and be able to play the songs by ear, or without looking at glowing flying notes that come at me.
Right now if I had nothing in front of me I would be lost at what to do on a bass, and that is what I want to change.

 

[RyanOh]

What songs do you like to play? There are tons of YouTube videos that do play along tabs while you watch. Maybe you can translate your skills into that as a next step. It'll be a challenge for sure, but I think you'd get it pretty quick.

This guy is usually very accurate, just picked a random song so you get the idea.


EDIT: Other thought, if you can find a local teacher -- you'll excel instantly. No substitute for a real live person giving feedback on technique and being able to answer direct questions. Plus, any good teacher knows how to keep it fun and engaging while truly teaching the fundamentals. It's a balance (boring scales vs. fun songs etc)

 

[buldog5151bass]

There is more to improving as a bassist than just learning more songs (although learning songs can help you improve).

 

[buldog5151bass]

To give a different perspective, I used to teach skiing. The last thing we would do at every lesson was to take a run down a trail, so the students could put the skills they learned to use. I also encouraged them to ski as much as possible ("get some miles under your belt"). But there is a lot more to improving as a skier than just going skiing.

 

[RyanOh]

Sounds like you might need an amp too. Fender Rumble 40 or 100 are popular and sound very good.
From your other posts, you have everything else you need. Now it's practice practice practice practice.

 

[charlie monroe]

There are some Rocksmith threads already.
Do a search.

Seriously?

You just morphed into the "use the search function" guy?

You used to make a thread if the wind changed direction.

 

[Neal Brakey]

Sounds like you might need an amp too. Fender Rumble 40 or 100 are popular and sound very good.
From your other posts, you have everything else you need. Now it's practice practice practice practice.

I have a fender rumble 500 right now, really overkill for my small room, but I got a good price on it.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

You just morphed into the "use the search function" guy?

I've always searched for a topic I'm interested in first.
If there was no topic already, then I started a new thread.

Rocksmith

 

[ttp]

I think Rocksmith is a fun game, but I'd always find myself trying to get all the notes regardless of how poor my technique was. It's great that you have a backing track with the game, just be careful to watch your technique.

 

[pcake]

is using rocksmith helping you to play better?

 

[Neal Brakey]

is using rocksmith helping you to play better?

It's helping me get the know where the notes are without looking at the fretboard, but no without the game I don't know how to play any of those songs or what to do sitting there with just a bass and an amp.
But I have loads of fun playing it and that's why I keep going back.

 

[charlie monroe]

...without the game I wouldn't know how to play any of those songs or what to do sitting there with just a bass and an amp.
But I have loads of fun playing it and that's why I keep going back.

Then I believe you have answered your own question

 

[pcake]

It's helping me get the know where the notes are without looking at the fretboard, but no without the game I wouldn't know how to play any of those songs or what to do sitting there with just a bass and an amp.
But I have loads of fun playing it and that's why I keep going back.

there are semi-pros who still look at the fretboard sometimes.

if you're learning the fretboard and some songs, sounds like a valuable tool for you, and because it's fun, you'll want to play more - always a plus.