The answer is simply that they didnt know they wanted to do the real thing. Rb and gh were just cool new toys.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Rocksmith - Revolutionary new teaching aid?
- Thread starter Wesz
- Start date
Hmmm... I seeeeeee. Maybe. I guess it's hard to figure coming from the viewpoint of someone that picked up an instrument at an early age and enjoyed rockin' out early.
But WHATEVER the reason at least they came around in the end and that's what matters. Always glad to have more more musos on board - even if they had to "fake it till they made it"
But WHATEVER the reason at least they came around in the end and that's what matters. Always glad to have more more musos on board - even if they had to "fake it till they made it"
father of fires
Commercial User
Because it was a video game. People like video games. They weren't trying to learn music. They were trying to get a high score.
Same reason people play video games based on football and skateboarding.
See I... I... would just play football or skateboard.
Now, slaying dragons or executing head shots on the other hand... totally see going the video game route with that.
But it's all good.
Bingo. It is not a MUST to start out with Rock Band, but some people did. And that's cool. I will never regret starting out on the "fake" thing because it lead me to the "real" thing. Simple.
Because Rockband makes it possible for anyone (read: no musical skill or ability required) to have fun with music. I've spent many a night playing Rockband with friends, who would never think about playing the real thing, because it's fun to imitate being rockstars even if you can't play any "real" instruments.
It isn't about using it as a stepping stone, but it is about having fun and being entertained.
It isn't about using it as a stepping stone, but it is about having fun and being entertained.
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
teaching music the standard scholastic way (theory first) is dreadfully boring and is why 99% of people that show interest in learning music never actually do
Agreed. This is why about 97.5% of bass music seems to be written in tab. There's a lot of possibility without theory (though I personally tend to love the 'boring' stuff, blame my classical piano training I guess.....).
This is funny. I think none of us are happy unless we are debating on the forum. J vs P, Active vs Passive, Squier vs Fender, etc. etc. The battles rage on and on.
I see this from both sides, GH for the most part is really a waste of time (from a musical knowledge standpoint) but so are all video games. It's still a lot of fun and makes for a great socially good time with friends and family.
As a bass player, I too have thought "WOW if these kids put the effort into a real instrument as they do hammering the buttons", then we would have some killer musicians in a few weeks lol.
That said if anyone has deicided to pick up the real thing based on playing GH or turned onto some new music because of GH then good on them. For those that dont its just a game for fun like slaying dragons and such. The new version with the real guitar is certainly a step in the right direction. The fact that there is no bass version is the problem but doesnt surprise me. We (bassists) will always be the "red headed step shild"
I see this from both sides, GH for the most part is really a waste of time (from a musical knowledge standpoint) but so are all video games. It's still a lot of fun and makes for a great socially good time with friends and family.
As a bass player, I too have thought "WOW if these kids put the effort into a real instrument as they do hammering the buttons", then we would have some killer musicians in a few weeks lol.
That said if anyone has deicided to pick up the real thing based on playing GH or turned onto some new music because of GH then good on them. For those that dont its just a game for fun like slaying dragons and such. The new version with the real guitar is certainly a step in the right direction. The fact that there is no bass version is the problem but doesnt surprise me. We (bassists) will always be the "red headed step shild"
Ok, I actually got the chance to mention this thread to a guy a few days ago that is actually a pretty hard-core guitar hero guy and is currently thinking about picking up an actual guitar.
When I asked him why he didn't just start out with the real deal to begin with, his response was that with guitar games you can will sound pretty good right IMMEDIATELY, whereas you have to spend time sounding right terrible on an actual instrument! It makes sense, but it made me laugh, too. I can understand not wanting to be an earsore. Not my personal line of thinking, but I can get it.
When I asked him why he didn't just start out with the real deal to begin with, his response was that with guitar games you can will sound pretty good right IMMEDIATELY, whereas you have to spend time sounding right terrible on an actual instrument! It makes sense, but it made me laugh, too. I can understand not wanting to be an earsore. Not my personal line of thinking, but I can get it.
I got Rocksmith the day it came out, and have had a blast with it. I rarely put the bass down to play guitar, so I don't play it too often, but that will definitely change when bass compatibility is released.
I've tried playing GH and RB, but I am no good at those games. I don't know why. I consider myself to be passably decent at both guitar and bass, but for some reason I could never quite get it with the little plastic toy. Every time I tried to get into the game, I'd just end of thinking "If I want to play this song, I can go grab a real instrument and learn it." On the plus side, I heard a lot of songs that I might not have been exposed to without it.
I really like how it doesn't let you select a difficulty level, but actively measures your skill and adjusts accordingly. This isn't always foolproof, however; after rocking through most of Freebird with 95+% accuracy, I came to the solo and it started off showing the entire thing. I was so dumbfounded by what they thought I could play (but probably never could) that both hands dropped to my side and I was just staring at the notes going by.
The last time I was out of town to visit my family, I took the game and cable along to show it to my dad and brother (both of whom are excellent guitarists). The unintended result of this is that my brother-in-law now wants the game so he can finally learn to play the guitar he bought years ago.
I've tried playing GH and RB, but I am no good at those games. I don't know why. I consider myself to be passably decent at both guitar and bass, but for some reason I could never quite get it with the little plastic toy. Every time I tried to get into the game, I'd just end of thinking "If I want to play this song, I can go grab a real instrument and learn it." On the plus side, I heard a lot of songs that I might not have been exposed to without it.
I really like how it doesn't let you select a difficulty level, but actively measures your skill and adjusts accordingly. This isn't always foolproof, however; after rocking through most of Freebird with 95+% accuracy, I came to the solo and it started off showing the entire thing. I was so dumbfounded by what they thought I could play (but probably never could) that both hands dropped to my side and I was just staring at the notes going by.
The last time I was out of town to visit my family, I took the game and cable along to show it to my dad and brother (both of whom are excellent guitarists). The unintended result of this is that my brother-in-law now wants the game so he can finally learn to play the guitar he bought years ago.
I've discussed this with friends, and it's actually easier to win at GH type games if you turn off the sound, because the dots on the screen are not on the beat. (and if you actually play on the beat you will LOSE big time)
Enter Rocksmith. I have it, it rules, you have to actually play. Definitely been improving my guitar technique rapidly, it's fun, and definitely not just "Simon with background music" like the older games.
I do sometimes get annoyed by the small amount of lag, but hey you get used to it. It's a bit like playing on a large stage _all the time_. But sometimes when I think the game is punishing me unfairly for the lag, I notice that I've been following the recording instead of actually playing on the beat.
In any case, I think it's great. Never thought a game would make me change string brands, set up my intonation, and adjust the pickup height on my guitar because I wanted better tone.
My feeling on this stuff is even if it doesn't inspire or teach people to play, it does get them to listen in a very cloistered, direct and focused manner. It really does immerse people in music. That can only be a good thing, I think.
I have a friend who has actually made a career of music. Like most career musicians he has had to drum up multiple streams of income through teaching, gigs, sessions ect. until recently when he became the worship pastor at a mega church in Houston which is a full time job now(and an insane salary). When he was giving private lessons he student load increased ten fold shortly after guitar hero came to the market. The funny thing is that these 10 year old kids would come to lessons wanting to learn to play "Run to the Hills" by Maiden. He could figure out why all these young kids were wanting to play songs that were 10, 20, or 30 years before their time. A while later he saw one of his friends kids playing guitar hero and it all clicked.
He always talks about how he owes GH a debt of gratitude because at the time his income increased quite a bit.
He always talks about how he owes GH a debt of gratitude because at the time his income increased quite a bit.
declassified
Commercial User
You always have 21 other people willing and waiting to play football with you at all times? willing to stick to individual roles? and play a team game?
Ah, come on man... that would be like asking if I had a 25 piece band in reserve to play "Tuxedo Junction" at all times! You never cobbled together a 4/6/8 person team to play a quick scrimmage? Most weekends I could do that pretty easily.
tekhedd said:I've discussed this with friends, and it's actually easier to win at GH type games if you turn off the sound, because the dots on the screen are not on the beat. (and if you actually play on the beat you will LOSE big time)
/There is an adjustment for that in GH and RB.
You have to calibrate the game for your TV and sound system.
I might have to try this Rocksmith
tekhedd said:I've discussed this with friends, and it's actually easier to win at GH type games if you turn off the sound, because the dots on the screen are not on the beat. (and if you actually play on the beat you will LOSE big time)
/There is an adjustment for that in GH and RB.
You have to calibrate the game for your TV and sound system.
I might have to try this Rocksmith
Important Rocksmith tip: the surround sound processor adds lag. Some subwoofer processing does, too. My stereo lets you set up the delay time for each speaker: also adds lag. It's barely noticeable with a direct connection to powered monitors or (in my stereo) with the "direct" option.
I might want to try GH/RB some day on a properly calibrated system.
I think the thing about Rocksmith is that there will be haters.....they for the most part will not have tried it or will have problems with the latency and won't bother to set it up correctly so that it is not a problem. Hipsters will hate it merely because they hate everything. They think you will forge a completely original sound from studying Wilko Johnson, an old Charlie Pattons 45 that only three other people possess, the sounds of the clanging trainyard that is next to your bedroom, and from, of course, being a genius, as every hipster is convinced that he is.
I cannot give a full accounting of Rocksmith as I have only had it since last night at 7 pm. I have played it for about 2.5 hours so far.
At this point this appears to be a great tool to painlessly assist you in getting the fundamental patterns of rock guitar under your fingertips and it will help your time. While it won't give you a feel for playing with a band it will get you used to playing with other instruments. It will teach you some songs and it will show you some common patterns used in rock songwriting.
It may get you to play your guitar an hour or two a night.
Are those good things? I think so.
This thing is not going to teach your theory. It is not going to be better than disciplined study with a teacher or from well put together study material. It is not going to be any kind of be all or end all. If you are a serious student of guitar it is probably not the best use of your time. Of course Rocksmith is not going to teach you how to be creative.
The problem is that most people are not all that disciplined and this seems like an easy way to get you playing quite a bit. The more time spent with the guitar the better you will get. If you have the discipline to work through Berklee's Modern Method for Guitar you would get way more than you would from Rocksmith; however, most people don't have that kind of discipline.
All in all this is a great tool.....you just need to see its limitations. It is not a be all or end all.
I am betting a bass version of this will be coming down the pike at some point. Unless the guitar version utterly flops.
I cannot give a full accounting of Rocksmith as I have only had it since last night at 7 pm. I have played it for about 2.5 hours so far.
At this point this appears to be a great tool to painlessly assist you in getting the fundamental patterns of rock guitar under your fingertips and it will help your time. While it won't give you a feel for playing with a band it will get you used to playing with other instruments. It will teach you some songs and it will show you some common patterns used in rock songwriting.
It may get you to play your guitar an hour or two a night.
Are those good things? I think so.
This thing is not going to teach your theory. It is not going to be better than disciplined study with a teacher or from well put together study material. It is not going to be any kind of be all or end all. If you are a serious student of guitar it is probably not the best use of your time. Of course Rocksmith is not going to teach you how to be creative.
The problem is that most people are not all that disciplined and this seems like an easy way to get you playing quite a bit. The more time spent with the guitar the better you will get. If you have the discipline to work through Berklee's Modern Method for Guitar you would get way more than you would from Rocksmith; however, most people don't have that kind of discipline.
All in all this is a great tool.....you just need to see its limitations. It is not a be all or end all.
I am betting a bass version of this will be coming down the pike at some point. Unless the guitar version utterly flops.
I don't get why some musicians get so up in arms about the Guitar Hero and Rock Band games. Sure, some stupid kids think that since they can master the hardest levels in those games that they know how to transfer that skill to actual musical instruments. But it's the same thing that happened with skaters when the Tony Hawk games came out. Unfortunately in this scenario the only thing the break are their egos.
