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Rocksmith - Revolutionary new teaching aid?

W

Wesz

Sep 5, 2011
3
0
Ipswich, UK
#1
Was surfing the net last night and came across Rocksmith, a video game, like guitar hero but you plug an actual, real life guitar in and it teaches you to play! Dont think the initial release has any bass features but think it will in the future, probably available as DLC.
Have linked a review on the game and was curious as to what people think about it. If anyone has already read about it etc..

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Look forward to seeing what you all think about it...
 
#2
I dunno, man. It might be just me being silly, but the creators turned me down of this game by NOT including compatibility with the bass from the get go (come on, they relegated the bass to "downloadable content").

But maybe, if I happen to own a PS3/ Xbox360 when that game is released, and the bass is already made compatible (yeah, even through DLC) ... I could think about trying it out.
 
#3
I saw a commercial for it. I say cool. If it gets kids playing a real guitar....and then real music, more power to the 'em. Having a bass compatible option would be even better. More musicians in the world the better, I think.
 
#5
I work for best buy and have played this "Rocksmith". This game is revolutionary for sure. It starts with one note at a time and the better you do the more notes and chords start showing up... Although they have not made bass playable on this game, they will be adding it sooner or later promise. Go to your local game store and they should have a working demo, hopefully.

Think of it as a game putting tabs on a moving fretboard showing which frets to play.
 
#7
My son bought this for the PS3 and he said it is pretty amazing. He plays the piano but never touched a guitar before the game. After an hour he said he could tell he improved. He really liked how the game got harder as you got better without getting too hard ot too easy. Im away from home for awhile and one of the guys I am here with ordered the PC version, I will let you know what I think when he gets it. According to their FAQ they are adding bass as DLC but when no one knows lol.
 
#9
I was looking at this and did some reading on the internet. There's apparently a freeware PC/Mac program from a company called JamOrigin (from Denmark) that's similar to this. Right now, it just supports guitar, but one of the admins on their forum said that bass support is definately on its way.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The two programs that I think are relevant are JamGuru and Offbeat Guitarist.

This is the page on their forum where I saw the bass support mentioned:

Link Removed

(As an aside, I own a pc, but haven't played a console since the original Playstation. We have a Wii, but I really just use it for Netflix.)
 
#10
#11
My question is: does it actually teach music ? Or are you just learning to play corresponding notes without any idea of what you`re actually doing musically ? To me, if it doesn`t actually teach music (even basics), it`s no different than Guitar Hero - just a more complicated controller :)
 
#12
pnut166 said:
My question is: does it actually teach music ? Or are you just learning to play corresponding notes without any idea of what you`re actually doing musically ? To me, if it doesn`t actually teach music (even basics), it`s no different than Guitar Hero - just a more complicated controller :)
Click to expand...

I see what you mean, but I don't know if I'd go so far as to look at it as "just a more complicated controller." At least something that teaches instrument fingering/technique would be something that allows a kid to have fun even if they're unplugged from the game system.

A section for sight reading and the like would be a nice touch, though.
 
#13
I don't think it actually teaches music. That was something that reviewers at Amazon spoke about. It still puts players on the path to that though. But, with downloadable content as an option, its hard to say what the limit could be, with demand.

They are going to release bass support as downloadable content. This is what I found on the internet:

No, there will be no bass guitar support on-disc, and there’s actually a very good reason behind this. The developers didn’t want anyone being introduced to guitar to get confused, and that makes a lot of sense. You can say, “Yes, you need a guitar to play this game,” but if there was bass on-disc, one could say “You need a guitar or a bass guitar to play,” and then beginners or those without instrumental knowledge would wonder why they can’t play the guitar parts with a bass guitar or vice versa.

I also found this from the same interview:

The first bit of confirmed DLC pieces (if you’ve been keeping track) are Radiohead’s “Bodysnatchers,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird,” and the bass compatibility DLC.

If anyone is interested, I added some links for information on my beginner's bass blog.
Games and software for learning bass are coming
 
#14
Saxn said:
Halle-frickin'-lujah it's about time!!

It has grated on my nerves for a while watching kids with fake guitars pushing buttons and strumming that 'string bar' thing... and actually thinking they are doing something musically! :confused::mad::bawl::scowl:

Hopefully this will be the 'next wave' of guitar hero-type stuff. I can get on board with that. I was actually wondering how long it would take, but I knew (hoped) it WOULD eventually happen.
Click to expand...


Suck it up dude.

It does teach basic rhythm and also increases dexterity and stamina.

I started to play real bass because of Harmonix and their games. If it were not for Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I would have nevere dreamed of picking up an instrument.

Oh, and by the way... I also learned limb independence and general layout of a drumset from playing RB. I can and have done decently, while covering for the drummer at church.

Did these games make me an expert? Not even close. In fact, I will keep learning new things until I die.

These games DID help me out.

But most importantly, they piqued my interest in the real thing. And I am not the only one. In fact, you would be wrong if you think I am in the minority.

Get off the elitist trip.
 
#15
Saxn said:
...watching kids with fake guitars pushing buttons and strumming that 'string bar' thing...and actually thinking they are doing something musically! :
Click to expand...

Actually, there were/are.

Digital dexterity, rhythm and ear training.

Several of my young relatives attempted guitar and quit.

Whatever it takes to get the youngin's into playing "real" instrument. Since millions of guitar games have been sold, I suspect more than a few players have gone on to learn "real" instruments. Just as a few karaoke singers have gone on to musical careers.
 
#17
I bought this game last Friday and so far I'm really enjoying it. But as a bassist it really needs a bass option. I'm waiting to hear If you will have to buy each bass line separately or as a package to update the game for us bass players
 
#18
xxpigxx said:
Suck it up dude.

It does teach basic rhythm and also increases dexterity and stamina.

I started to play real bass because of Harmonix and their games. If it were not for Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I would have nevere dreamed of picking up an instrument.

Oh, and by the way... I also learned limb independence and general layout of a drumset from playing RB. I can and have done decently, while covering for the drummer at church.

Did these games make me an expert? Not even close. In fact, I will keep learning new things until I die.

These games DID help me out.

But most importantly, they piqued my interest in the real thing. And I am not the only one. In fact, you would be wrong if you think I am in the minority.

Get off the elitist trip.
Click to expand...

+Million to this....

Guitar Hero / Rock Band are completely worthless at teaching music theory....who cares. These games have done more to expose millions of people to different musical genres/cultures than any widespread television program or publication in the last few decades. God forbid people have fun with music.....

I have been in college for the last several years, and can't tell you how many times I have heard people say "I played that on GH" and go out and pick up an album. I even know people that found out about Metallica, AC/DC, et al. through the game. Fantastic way to get people into real music and away from auto-tuned hip-hop/pop crap in clubs and on television.

If and when Rocksmith adds bass functionality, I may never leave my house.
 
#19
xxpigxx said:
Suck it up dude.

It does teach basic rhythm and also increases dexterity and stamina.

I started to play real bass because of Harmonix and their games. If it were not for Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I would have nevere dreamed of picking up an instrument.

Oh, and by the way... I also learned limb independence and general layout of a drumset from playing RB. I can and have done decently, while covering for the drummer at church.

Did these games make me an expert? Not even close. In fact, I will keep learning new things until I die.

These games DID help me out.

But most importantly, they piqued my interest in the real thing. And I am not the only one. In fact, you would be wrong if you think I am in the minority.

Get off the elitist trip.
Click to expand...

Stumbo said:
Actually, there were/are.

Digital dexterity, rhythm and ear training.

Several of my young relatives attempted guitar and quit.

Whatever it takes to get the youngin's into playing "real" instrument. Since millions of guitar games have been sold, I suspect more than a few players have gone on to learn "real" instruments. Just as a few karaoke singers have gone on to musical careers.
Click to expand...

rodcheapo said:
+Million to this....

Guitar Hero / Rock Band are completely worthless at teaching music theory....who cares. These games have done more to expose millions of people to different musical genres/cultures than any widespread television program or publication in the last few decades. God forbid people have fun with music.....

I have been in college for the last several years, and can't tell you how many times I have heard people say "I played that on GH" and go out and pick up an album. I even know people that found out about Metallica, AC/DC, et al. through the game. Fantastic way to get people into real music and away from auto-tuned hip-hop/pop crap in clubs and on television.

If and when Rocksmith adds bass functionality, I may never leave my house.
Click to expand...

+1 million. I'm one of those who started out on Rock Band. So what? Now I play the real thing. And so are many other people.
 
#20
Ok since this thread has decided to revive, let me just ask WHY? WHY would you 'start with Rock Band' and learn to button-push and pretend-jam when for a similar sum of money you could be doing the real thing on an entry-level instrument? Why go through the extra step? That's all I am asking here.
 

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