How to learn the guitar in one week

I picked it up on sale last week, my friend is lending me a guitar to get started. I can't wait to see how it goes.

Skizzy said:
One thing I am going to do next though, is to flip the notes in the game, so they're more like tabs. I've read a few people say to this sooner rather than later, so beginning to read tabs won't feel so difficult.
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Is this something I should do from the beginning? I'd like more information on this from some of the 'real' guitar players who post here :) I'd like to set it up right from the start so I don't get used to reading it the wrong way.
 
I bought the Fender Squier, a MIDI controller, and Rock Band 3 recently because I wanted to try to see if I could potentially learn to play the guitar. I've always been interested in playing guitar. Playing through all the GH and RB games only made me want to learn more. I wish I had found out about Rocksmith before since it can use any electric guitar and I could have gotten something better, and for less money.

I'm going to get Rocksmith as well and see where it goes. If I can learn to play without having the game on then I'll invest in some lessons.
 
PolygonGTC said:
I bought the Fender Squier, a MIDI controller, and Rock Band 3 recently because I wanted to try to see if I could potentially learn to play the guitar. I've always been interested in playing guitar. Playing through all the GH and RB games only made me want to learn more. I wish I had found out about Rocksmith before since it can use any electric guitar and I could have gotten something better, and for less money.

I'm going to get Rocksmith as well and see where it goes. If I can learn to play without having the game on then I'll invest in some lessons.
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There's nothing saying you can't buy a better guitar later. :D I've been told that guitars are like tattoos; once you get one, you just keep wanting more. I know that's been true for me.
 
I limit myself to one acoustic and one electric. For a little while I was tempted to get a 12 string acoustic as well, but I resisted. I may even sell the electric (nothing special) and replace it with a keyboard. Though if I end up getting this game I spose I'll keep the electric. ;)
 
So let me ask the question...if you already know how to play guitar decently, is this game any fun? Or is it pretty much only geared toward beginners?
 
MavericK96 said:
So let me ask the question...if you already know how to play guitar decently, is this game any fun? Or is it pretty much only geared toward beginners?
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I only know like.. 1 or 2 notes on the guitar. I'm basically just as newbie as you might be. ;o

I really want to try one of these games to see how far I would get. I have ADHD, and it is typical for me to turn things into games to be able to "beat them"; it is about perspective and how I look at something in order to attain motivation and will to finish it. Without a direction and end-goal, I have no purpose. When there is an end-goal and a direction in sight and in mind, then I can do it because 'I have everything this and that and this specific' in between to accomplish that would ultimately define that end-goal and BE that end-goal.
 
I played (the game and an electric guitar) for the first time last night, managed to get about an hour in. I really enjoyed what I saw, and there seems to be a lot there that is interesting. I'm going to try to watch all the videos and explore what all the options are over the next few sessions.

I played through satisfaction a couple of times and then played the sustain and shifting challenges. After some practice I was able to get a gold on both of those, but I was still missing a note here or there. I played the duck hunt game too, and was rather ashamed when it displayed my score against the highest.

Overall I'm really encouraged to go back and get some more experience and see how it improves the actual song playing part of the 'game'.
 
Yippee38 said:
There's nothing saying you can't buy a better guitar later. :D I've been told that guitars are like tattoos; once you get one, you just keep wanting more. I know that's been true for me.
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Very true.

I really want a Maui Blue Strat. But then again, I want a lot of things. If this pans out and I can actually learn to play I'm sure I'll end up buying at least four or five different acoustics and electrics. :D
 
MavericK96 said:
So let me ask the question...if you already know how to play guitar decently, is this game any fun? Or is it pretty much only geared toward beginners?
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It depends how good you are. It is geared towards entry level but I still had some fun with it. Learned some songs I had never heard before. I really like the built in amp and effects emulation. When you're playing along to the song your guitar sound is pretty damn close to whatever the guitar player had when he recorded.
 
Yippee38 said:
I don't think it's out yet. Was scheduled to be released Dec 12th I think.
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Just an FYI for anyone waiting on the PC version. It has been delayed with a very tentative projection of May 2012... though realistically I'd guess the PC version will just be cancelled after stringing people along for another couple of months. The dev team announced that they want to focus manpower on console DLC.

In a way I'm actually kind of happy, as I really didn't want to give any money to Ubisoft.
 
drako said:
Just an FYI for anyone waiting on the PC version. It has been delayed with a very tentative projection of May 2012... though realistically I'd guess the PC version will just be cancelled after stringing people along for another couple of months. The dev team announced that they want to focus manpower on console DLC.

In a way I'm actually kind of happy, as I really didn't want to give any money to Ubisoft.
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That pisses me off. I'm not going to buy a freakin' console to get this game.
 
Synful Serenity said:
That's from the Black Sabbath cover of Warning from their first album....great stuff!

I think I only needed the first 4 notes hah :D
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Correct, good sir. You have impeccable taste.

I feel indifferent to this game/tool.

As it stands, there exists a plethora of tools and devices for learning, playing, and creating music. Just yesterday, I was messing with a sample based guitar VST and feeding it into Guitar Rig... then I was feeding the VST MIDI data from TuxGuitar and GuitarPro. Then I got a relative's Novation ReMOTE SL and was programming it to control all these things.

MIDI controllers of all styles (air, percussion, stringed, keyed, etc...) exist and are pretty affordable.

I think another tool to get people interested in music is great, but I'm not so sure it is right for me personally, but it is quite amazing to stand back and look how far we've come.
 
Curious if anyone is seeing good progress with this. I'd been playing guitar off and on for a year, but I feel like I have learned more in the few weeks since I got this game than over the whole last year.

I just got my first Double Encore (Radiohead - High and Dry) tonight and it felt REALLY good.
 
I've been playing it on and off for about the last month. My music background is in drums (been playing for 15+ years), but I recently moved into a smaller apartment, and don't have any of my quieter practice gear with me yet, so I wanted something else to plug around with for music.

So far, progress is going pretty good for me. I'm definitely quickly getting comfortable with positioning, which is the biggest hurdle for me in terms of playing guitar, and the minigames (like Super Ducks have a lot to do with that. I'm surprised at how well they have setup the overall progression. Whenever I hit a block, the lessons and games they push you into instead of continuing on songs helps break things up, and find ways to practice through the blocks, so that's been nice to see.
 
drako said:
Just an FYI for anyone waiting on the PC version. It has been delayed with a very tentative projection of May 2012... though realistically I'd guess the PC version will just be cancelled after stringing people along for another couple of months. The dev team announced that they want to focus manpower on console DLC.

In a way I'm actually kind of happy, as I really didn't want to give any money to Ubisoft.
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http://www.amazon.com/Rocksmith-Pc/dp/B004S5TDUQ is this not a PC version?
 
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So I did pick this up over the holidays and have put in at least an hour a day for the past two weeks. I've been supplementing with online lessons as well - mostly for a deeper understanding of what I'm supposed to be learning.

I'm doing OK with it. Honestly, guitar is friggin hard... I can play numerous brass instruments quite well (former band geek and all), I can read real music easily, and I'm actually quite versed in theory (so the chords, the layout, and the whole reason the guitar is the way it is, makes sense to me).

But darnit - none of that matters if I can't get my fingers in the right spot quickly enough lol.

I can grab single notes that are within say 5 frets of each other without looking - but I need to look to go farther than that, and certainly I can't jump strings without looking. With chords, there's no chance in hell I can grab one of those without looking - and even with looking, I'm still not fast enough to keep up with the songs =\ If I do get a chord in time - it usually sounds like shit because I'm having problems with a finger inadvertantly touching the next string - thus muting it. :mad: The game has started throwing Barre chords at me too, and well I just can't do em. It's like impossible to grab three other notes while holding my first finger down on all the strings. I think maybe I'm doing it wrong (like maybe I'm not supposed to hold ALL the strings down - but it is a challenge I haven't been able to overcome)

It's actually rather frustrating to be quite honest. I know it takes time and practice - but it sure seems near impossible that I'll just eventually "know" where my fingers are supposed to be on the fretboard. When I'm finding it hard to simply play a chord without muting nearby strings, or rattling another - well it sux sometimes.

That said, with all the frustrations I'm experiencing - I still keep going back for more. And I think fundamentally that's what's cool about this game. When I'm online, looking up chords and practicing them - let's face it, it's hard, and I'm BORED. When I'm rehearsing a song - at least I'm listening to a good tune, my screwups aren't quite so obvious and disheartening, and I'm enjoying myself. I think that's what makes Rocksmith worth the $. There's a seemingly impossible wall to overcome with the guitar - Rocksmith helps me to forget about that impossibility and I keep playing... I'll never get over that wall if I stop playing, at least if I keep going back for more - there's a chance I'll succeed...
 
Kongar said:
So I did pick this up over the holidays and have put in at least an hour a day for the past two weeks. I've been supplementing with online lessons as well - mostly for a deeper understanding of what I'm supposed to be learning.

I'm doing OK with it. Honestly, guitar is friggin hard... I can play numerous brass instruments quite well (former band geek and all), I can read real music easily, and I'm actually quite versed in theory (so the chords, the layout, and the whole reason the guitar is the way it is, makes sense to me).

But darnit - none of that matters if I can't get my fingers in the right spot quickly enough lol.

I can grab single notes that are within say 5 frets of each other without looking - but I need to look to go farther than that, and certainly I can't jump strings without looking. With chords, there's no chance in hell I can grab one of those without looking - and even with looking, I'm still not fast enough to keep up with the songs =\ If I do get a chord in time - it usually sounds like shit because I'm having problems with a finger inadvertantly touching the next string - thus muting it. :mad: The game has started throwing Barre chords at me too, and well I just can't do em. It's like impossible to grab three other notes while holding my first finger down on all the strings. I think maybe I'm doing it wrong (like maybe I'm not supposed to hold ALL the strings down - but it is a challenge I haven't been able to overcome)

It's actually rather frustrating to be quite honest. I know it takes time and practice - but it sure seems near impossible that I'll just eventually "know" where my fingers are supposed to be on the fretboard. When I'm finding it hard to simply play a chord without muting nearby strings, or rattling another - well it sux sometimes.

That said, with all the frustrations I'm experiencing - I still keep going back for more. And I think fundamentally that's what's cool about this game. When I'm online, looking up chords and practicing them - let's face it, it's hard, and I'm BORED. When I'm rehearsing a song - at least I'm listening to a good tune, my screwups aren't quite so obvious and disheartening, and I'm enjoying myself. I think that's what makes Rocksmith worth the $. There's a seemingly impossible wall to overcome with the guitar - Rocksmith helps me to forget about that impossibility and I keep playing... I'll never get over that wall if I stop playing, at least if I keep going back for more - there's a chance I'll succeed...
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Greetings,

Do you know if http://www.amazon.com/Rocksmith-Pc/dp/B004S5TDUQ (PC version) comes with http://www.amazon.com/Ubisoft-Rocks...3006306200/dp/B005OSFUZI/ref=pd_bxgy_vg_img_b (Real Tone Cable for guitar hookup)?

I'm eyeballing it.
 
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All copies of the game include the cord. The cord is also good for connecting your guitar to Pro Tools, GarageBand or similar on the computer. The PC version has already been delayed twice and its future is somewhat uncertain due to licensing issues with using the "Rocksmith" name in Europe. It's apparently the same reason the console versions haven't been released in Europe. If you want to play it for sure, get a console version. The PS3 version has some bugs (which are supposed to be fixed in a patch next month) but I play on the 360 and it's been solid so far.

I'm at "Level 5" in terms of score and have a few walls I need to climb over to get better. Tremolo picking without a plectrum is extremely difficult, so I may have to switch from fingerpicking if I can't advance. Like Kongar, I'm also having difficulty with Barre chords, but the "Dawn of the Chordead" minigame is helping me get better. I also have a guitar with very low action which helps somewhat. Interestingly, I don't have trouble sliding up and down the neck very much. I rarely seem to get lost on the neck, and I think sliding around on it is actually pretty fun. Overall though, the game is extremely entertaining and I find myself coming back for more every day despite the difficulties.
 
CEpeep said:
All copies of the game include the cord. The cord is also good for connecting your guitar to Pro Tools, GarageBand or similar on the computer. The PC version has already been delayed twice and its future is somewhat uncertain due to licensing issues with using the "Rocksmith" name in Europe. It's apparently the same reason the console versions haven't been released in Europe. If you want to play it for sure, get a console version. The PS3 version has some bugs (which are supposed to be fixed in a patch next month) but I play on the 360 and it's been solid so far.

I'm at "Level 5" in terms of score and have a few walls I need to climb over to get better. Tremolo picking without a plectrum is extremely difficult, so I may have to switch from fingerpicking if I can't advance. Like Kongar, I'm also having difficulty with Barre chords, but the "Dawn of the Chordead" minigame is helping me get better. I also have a guitar with very low action which helps somewhat. Interestingly, I don't have trouble sliding up and down the neck very much. I rarely seem to get lost on the neck, and I think sliding around on it is actually pretty fun. Overall though, the game is extremely entertaining and I find myself coming back for more every day despite the difficulties.
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I don't have a 360 (or any console), or a TV Tuner card for my compy. =(
 
Cerulean said:
I don't have a 360 (or any console), or a TV Tuner card for my compy. =(
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I really hope the PC version does come through, because it'll introduce the game to a whole new, different group of players. However, if it doesn't make it, this one is worth buying a console for, IMO. I've gotten more value out of it than any other game I can think of. Not to mention that it's just really fun.
 
CEpeep said:
I really hope the PC version does come through, because it'll introduce the game to a whole new, different group of players. However, if it doesn't make it, this one is worth buying a console for, IMO. I've gotten more value out of it than any other game I can think of. Not to mention that it's just really fun.
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For me, having ADHD, I need something "like a game" that teaches something in real life. It is extremely difficult otherwise to learn something. =(
 
I might pick this up when the price drops. $80 is a little too rich for my blood.
 
Cerulean said:
I don't have a 360 (or any console), or a TV Tuner card for my compy. =(
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I don't think that's a good idea for a game like this. I've had several TV tuner cards over the years and there's quite a bit of latency involved. A television is hardwired to display the signal. A PC will have to run the signal through an analog->digital converter, encode into an RGB/YUV format, stay in the cards buffer until the CPU calls for it, send it over the PCI, apply any post processing, decode the signal into the GPU, GPU does its own processing, and then displayed. Granted, it happens very fast, but there's always a delay between your controller and what's shown on screen.
 
I'm hitting a serious wall with chords. I just can't get my fingers to do what they should! I've got some pretty good scores (good enough to unlock the pedals etc.) on several songs, but once there are chords thrown in there it really throws my brain for a loop.

What's weird is that I've been looking at learn guitar videos and books, and they all seem to start with chords. I think some cross training might be necessary.

That said I still really enjoy it even though I'm stuck on a couple of songs at the moment, and I do see my scores increasing slightly each time I play.
 
chords are just a bitch. I've been playing for 5 years and started with chords basically, and while i can him them now, i've got unlimited room for improvement :(

guitar is an up-hill battle. Enjoyable beyond belief, but up-hill.
 
Was able to pickup a copy today at Fry's (PC $80) and my finger tips haven't felt like this is a long while.
 
kuyaglen said:
Was able to pickup a copy today at Fry's (PC $80) and my finger tips haven't felt like this is a long while.
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Whats in the box? I see $300 of DLC, what actually comes with the game? Thats pretty lame. I'm weary of this title, reviews are all hit or miss. It's on Steam, but you need to buy the cable converter locally.
 
LeviathanZERO said:
Whats in the box? I see $300 of DLC, what actually comes with the game? Thats pretty lame. I'm weary of this title, reviews are all hit or miss. It's on Steam, but you need to buy the cable converter locally.
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Guitar, cable, picks, and game IIRC. Didn't know it was out on Steam, but of course you'd have to buy the cable separately if you went that route.
 
Skizzy said:
Guitar, cable, picks, and game IIRC.
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No picks in my box, but also a small sheet of fret marker stickers to put on the side of your neck (enough for two necks).

I also had a slight issue with the game thinking the cable was disconnected...steam forums said to up the volume on the usb guitar cable, that fixed it.
 
kuyaglen said:
No picks in my box, but also a small sheet of fret marker stickers to put on the side of your neck (enough for two necks)
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Really, no picks? Weird. Mine came with two I think, and came with the fret markers as well.
 
I have been practicing guitar for 5 months now (very actively), and played Rocksmith for a week and so far my impressions are not wholly favorable. Even though I am a mere wet eared novice that can barely play few songs I can already see that if a person relies only on this game to learn guitar there will be problems.
It will teach you to play, sure. Very sloppily though, it doesnt punish or even comment for picking extra notes or just executing a pick poorly. A person who havent even touched a guitar can develop some very bad habits. It also teach you much about theory but to tell the truth I do not care about that much either, not yet anyway. Too much fun with tabs ATM.

However combined with actual teaching or even online lessons and vids like from justinguitar.com AND learning your favourite songs/riffs with tabs Rocksmith could very well be powerful suplementary material. Keeps things interesting by bringing the game aspect to strict learning.
 
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