Solo frets

[blackjack]

My big question is, do I have to use the solo frets for solos or are they optional?

[MaineDrummer]

they are optional.

[G_tarRoCK3R]

My big question is, do I have to use the solo frets for solos or are they optional?

You got lots of questions! lol

The solo frets are optional and you do not have to use them.

They can only be used during the designated solo sections on songs which I believe have a blue backround on the scrolling fret board.

[devo193]

I thought I read somewhere you can use them normally too. I think it was in one of the numerous BB threads.

[jq71586]

I thought I read somewhere you can use them normally too. I think it was in one of the numerous BB threads.

You might be able to, but you still have to strum like you would with the normal buttons. They only act as "ho/po" buttons during the designated solo periods.

[Jimmik]

Ooh I have a question. If you're soloing and say you're just using HOPOs. What happens if you have two notes of the same color in a row? Just hold down the note and it auto-strums for you twice? I figure that's the case, but it wouldn't be too fun...I'd probably re-click the fret button when the second note comes up

[BiffMan]

I thought I read somewhere you can use them normally too. I think it was in one of the numerous BB threads.

Confirmed via the Best Buy demo. Best way to learn to use the new buttons (they're pretty freaky the first time you try them) is to just play all of each song with them until you've got them down.

[BiffMan]

Ooh I have a question. If you're soloing and say you're just using HOPOs. What happens if you have two notes of the same color in a row? Just hold down the note and it auto-strums for you twice? I figure that's the case, but it wouldn't be too fun...I'd probably re-click the fret button when the second note comes up

You still have to strum strum-able notes in a solo section, only the HO/PO notes don't require strumming of any sort. Basically the same as normal with the wonderful exception that if you miss one HO/PO in the middle of a 100 note stretch in a solo, you wouldn't have to re-strum to get going again, you'd just flub the one note.

[Bakkster]

You still have to strum strum-able notes in a solo section, only the HO/PO notes don't require strumming of any sort. Basically the same as normal with the wonderful exception that if you miss one HO/PO in the middle of a 100 note stretch in a solo, you wouldn't have to re-strum to get going again, you'd just flub the one note.

Not quite. You do not have to strum at all during a solo while using the solo buttons. I've done it.

Think of the solo frets like this:
They act normally through most of the song.
During the solo section of the song, they act like pressing the note AND strumming that note at the same time.

[peachpunker63]

whenever i played it i used it for the parts where you can do anything because it is awesome, you get a lot if points!

[sporkBrigade]

You still have to strum strum-able notes in a solo section, only the HO/PO notes don't require strumming of any sort. Basically the same as normal with the wonderful exception that if you miss one HO/PO in the middle of a 100 note stretch in a solo, you wouldn't have to re-strum to get going again, you'd just flub the one note.

Actually no, not quite right. During a solo while using the solo buttons, you can tap every single note. That includes chords and multiple notes of the same color in a row. Even if you have straight 16th notes on green, you can tap every single one of them, as long as you can tap that fast. But yes, you always have to tap the button in time. You can't just hold it down and it'll autostrum for you. So two notes on red come up one after the other, you have to tap red twice.

Tapping chords without strumming is a very erie experience.

[BiffMan]

Tapping chords without strumming is a very erie experience.

Ah ha! Didn't actually try lifting up on the notes, just had noticed that you couldn't just keep the button held down. Good to know and very cool!

[Ultrace]

During the solo section of the song, they act like pressing the note AND strumming that note at the same time.
So, are you penalized for pushing the wrong button during a solo, or does it only act like that when you hit the right fret button? I'd imagine the latter for the sake of making them worthwhile, but figured I'd ask anyhow. :)

[Bakkster]

So, are you penalized for pushing the wrong button during a solo, or does it only act like that when you hit the right fret button? I'd imagine the latter for the sake of making them worthwhile, but figured I'd ask anyhow. :)

I didn't notice. I expect there's trickery to allow you to hammer the chords without getting messed up (one finger milliseconds before the other still registers fine), but I think you will get penalized for wrong notes, just like at any other point.