I took a drastic step to get my friend in the game.

[grizzlymaze]

Well Rockband is good enough for Sir Paul McCartney. I guess he doesnt let snobbery get in the way of having fun with his family and friends!!

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/t...Rock-Band.html

[Alternity]

Thinking about it, regarding using it for guitar as well as keys, I might get a stand alone MIDI sound module like the "Piano Box". It uses regular GM so I can assign guitar parts in a way that the Mustang should be able to address readily with the "each string is it's own channel" deal-e-o.

Well if I open 6 channels on FL studio with the mustang, automatically each strings uses one channel each, but if I only open one, all strings are using this channel. I think it was made this way so you can actually tune the guitar to our liking by changing the pitch of each channels. If your MIDI sound module supports 6+ channels (which usally should), you'd probably be able to play with the mustang, and tune it, and if it doesn't, you'll still be able to play, but you won't be able to tune each strings. I'Ve looked at the MIDI data the mustang sends, and besides the data required for rockband (and I believe it's for the finger position on the screen), everything is the same as a keyboard, well close to it (when you press a fret and you're not in tapping mode, it'll say for example C5 noteoff, then if you strum, C5 noteon, and so on).


EDIT: If I only open 1 channel, but load other channels (with different instruments for example) and keep them off, I can switch with the buttons, that's pretty neat.

[PaperMario21]

I tell him that the Mustang I got him will let him play the guitar parts for many songs and that they are charted to be accurate.

"Sounds too complicated for me. I'd rather just plug my guitar in and play. Besides I like to play with other people".

People are afraid of trying new concepts, not to mention he'd probably suck at pro modes for months upon months before adjusting to the tabs (if ever).
It's a very complex beast, especially for older people, set in their ways.

[Alternity]

People are afraid of trying new concepts, not to mention he'd probably suck at pro modes for months upon months before adjusting to the tabs (if ever).
It's a very complex beast, especially for older people, set in their ways.

I don't agree with this. I have alot of musician friends, and some of them are guitarists or bassists, and those who plays by ear sucked bad at pro guitar, but those who can read tabs didn't really had trouble, maybe 30 minutes to adjust to the angle of the tab (usually it's horizontal, not vertical). The rest of the RB learning curve would be timing windows, and things, like any basic player.

And to confirm my theory, I've been playing piano/keyboard for years now, took me months to be able to read properly while playing the RB notation for keyboard, I'm not even a guitar or a bassist, and took me days to be able to read while playing pro guitar/bass. I still suck at guitar more than bass, but it's a matter of learning the chords, which an actual guitarist won't need.

[skyp1e]

OH MAN, did I suck hard at playing PRO keys for the first month or two.
I thought with my experience and training that I was going to be FC'ing the whole disk in the first week.

HAHAHAHAHAHA. I took the biggest bite of humble pie I ever ate those first several weeks.

My rhythm, which I thought was in the pocket my whole life, SUCKED.
Rock band taught me how poor my timing really was.

I can honestly say, that Rock Band improved my musicianship a LOT. And I spent nearly my whole life as a professional musician.

Anyway, I think the whole deal with my buddy Norman is all about perceptions, comfort and "dignity".

His perception of all things video game is that it's just for kids. He's not a gamer in any sense of the word, not board games, not video games. He doesn't play.

He's also something of a natural when it comes to guitar. It's like breathing for him. I've never thought of him as much of a risk taker. If he isn't good at something right away, he's pretty reluctant to try it.

That last one, "dignity" is probably the biggest killer here. He has a very high opinion of himself. I don't hold it against him. He's actually got a lot going for him. He's brilliant (Really he is) and easily the best musician I know barre none. He won't dance no matter what for the same reasons. Not even at his wedding.

Now, I don't like to dance either, but hell, I danced until I sweated through all my clothes at my wedding.

It's not that he's a "jerk". Well, no more a jerk than I think I am myself at any rate.

It's that he's reluctant to disappoint himself.

I believe deep in my heart that if I could persuade him to really give Rock Band 3 a chance, it would be very good for him. The same way it was very good for me. He'll come down from his pedestal (at least where music is concerned), and might, just might find places where his playing could stand some improvement.

I attended conservatory. No one EVER addressed my weakness in rhythm to me. No band mates that I ever had in my career ever said, "dude you need to work on your timing". I skated my whole life being sloppy. I'm tight now, thanks to this game.

Norman is like a brother to me. Rock Band is like the most fun I ever have playing music, my passion, with the exception of playing on stages live. Yes, Rock Band is more fun than playing real keyboards in my studio. It's THAT enjoyable.

Both of us are old men. He's older than me, in his 50's. We've been best friends since our teens.

Our touring days are behind us. All we ever do is "jam" and work on songs that I never get around to mastering. If he would enjoy Rock Band as much as I do, we could play whenever we get an hour to ourselves from our own living rooms. Not original music, given. But we can still do original stuff once every two months like we do now. At least it -feels- like jamming to play online.

Okay, I've rambled enough now.

>.>

[Krystof]

His perception of all things video game is that it's just for kids. He's not a gamer in any sense of the word, not board games, not video games. He doesn't play.

I'd say this is the biggest problem. If you don't enjoy video games then it'll be hard to enjoy anything associated with it.

His reasons are understandable. Rhythm games just aren't for everyone, although after playing one song his tune might change. It sounds like he enjoys his traditions, although there's no shame in embracing change.

And I agree with the part enjoying it second to being onstage. I still remember that sense of euphoria when I first loaded up "Dead or Alive" and the audience started singing along. Easily my most cherished video game moment.

[illmissrockband]

should've introduced him to rockband 2 instead.

[peterock2007]

I don't get the whole "I'm a real musician so i can't play fake instruments" argument, it's very immature in my view actually to answer a question as that.

Some people don't like playing video games. Lots of non muscians hate playing rock band. Expecting everyone to like what you like is kind of immature imo. I like Rockband but I'd much rather play my guitar instead of the mustang.

should've introduced him to rockband 2 instead.

Yeah Rockband 2 is the answer for pro instruments, good job not knowing what you are talking about.

[PaperMario21]

I don't agree with this. I have alot of musician friends, and some of them are guitarists or bassists, and those who plays by ear sucked bad at pro guitar, but those who can read tabs didn't really had trouble, maybe 30 minutes to adjust to the angle of the tab (usually it's horizontal, not vertical). The rest of the RB learning curve would be timing windows, and things, like any basic player.

And to confirm my theory, I've been playing piano/keyboard for years now, took me months to be able to read properly while playing the RB notation for keyboard, I'm not even a guitar or a bassist, and took me days to be able to read while playing pro guitar/bass. I still suck at guitar more than bass, but it's a matter of learning the chords, which an actual guitarist won't need.

I've been playing guitar for years now and although I had no problem adjusting from tabs, many of my friends did and still struggle reading them.
Experience will vary from player to player and I'm talking strictly musicians here.
Because none of the "gamer" friends cared one bit about pro modes, sadly.

OH MAN, did I suck hard at playing PRO keys for the first month or two.
I thought with my experience and training that I was going to be FC'ing the whole disk in the first week.

HAHAHAHAHAHA. I took the biggest bite of humble pie I ever ate those first several weeks.

My rhythm, which I thought was in the pocket my whole life, SUCKED.
Rock band taught me how poor my timing really was.

I can honestly say, that Rock Band improved my musicianship a LOT. And I spent nearly my whole life as a professional musician.

Anyway, I think the whole deal with my buddy Norman is all about perceptions, comfort and "dignity".

His perception of all things video game is that it's just for kids. He's not a gamer in any sense of the word, not board games, not video games. He doesn't play.

He's also something of a natural when it comes to guitar. It's like breathing for him. I've never thought of him as much of a risk taker. If he isn't good at something right away, he's pretty reluctant to try it.

That's the thing, if your friend mostly jams, being forced by Rock Band to nail strict timing signatures will be difficult and humbling for sure.
It looks like he dreads coming out of his comfort zone, many people are like that.
Don't give up though ^^

[rkbdgurl]

Awe...I was hoping that the reaction from your best friend would have been a tad more gracious. This makes me sad. The fact that your buddy refused to even try to dance at his own wedding, reveals a lot about him. Not sure that there is anything you can do to convince him of the wonders of RB. which is a shame because you want to share your passion for the game with him, and he won't let you.

I really can relate. I want my family to love playing RB as much as I do, but I can't make them love it...no matter what I do. and I've also gifted them entire RB packages, as well. I just drew the line at getting them mustangs....but don't think I wasn't tempted.


Anyway....your friend must mean the world to you, which tells me, he is not a jerk. He is just a very gifted musician with a different definition of "fun" than yours. Doesn't mean you should give up trying...but in the meantime, enjoy playing with your online friends that "do" share your passion.

Don't people understand that if the world just all played RB together, there would be no more wars, and the world would be a much happier place?!! If only