Feels like the first time (playing Rock Band) ...

[steel36]

Like many, my rhythm gaming days go back to the original Guitar Hero. When Rock Band was first released, my immediate interest was the drums. This is where I spent the majority of my time all of the way through the release of Rock Band 3, at which point I switched my focus over to the keys and pro guitar. I’m not great at either instrument, but have an excellent time playing both. And frankly, it was good to play something that wasn't the drums - I love the drums, but I had been there / done that.

After watching the pro guitar and bass videos for Def Leppard on RockBandAide.com, I decided last night to try pro bass for the very first time EVER, and had an absolute blast. Many of the easier bass songs are basically strum-fests, so a novice can crank it up to hard or expert and just hammer away.

I can’t believe that it took me ten months to get around to trying pro bass (duh!). It makes me want to dust off my drums and plastic guitars because it reminded me of just how much re-playability we have with RB3. Has anyone had a similar experience with RB3, where you discovered you loved something you traditionally just ignored due to lack of interest, or perhaps re-discovered an instrument you gave up due to burnout?

[skyp1e]

I'm going to admit that I bought the Mustang about two months ago, but was kind of afraid to give it a serious shot until this week. I'm very glad that I did. I expected to be frustrated and well...I'm not going to say discouraged at attempting to play an instrument that I failed to grasp when I used to get real one on one lessons.

To my surprise I am already better than I ever was before (not that I was more than a beginner to start with) and it only took a couple of days instead of weeks.

I haven't played my own real guitars in at least a year. I get bored with them pretty fast because I only know like ten songs on guitar and none of them are very special. I think once I get to expert on RB3 I'll open up a case and try it out on an acoustic and see how it sounds.

[steel36]

I haven't played it much since I bought my Squier, but the Mustang is yet another instrument I need to revisit - it's GREAT fun and delivers a different type of experience than the Squier.

[Funk-n-stein]

I haven't played it much since I bought my Squier, but the Mustang is yet another instrument I need to revisit - it's GREAT fun and delivers a different type of experience than the Squier.

I would suggest trying the mustang for bass - I find it's a better 'bass' than the squier as the strings are thicker, looser, and a bit more spaced out so you can finger pick/pluck easier.

[gamer1st]

I've been playing mostly bass since I started the game, and also because I have the most real world experience with the playing the instrument as well.

The thing that keeps the game fresh for me though is the goals. I'm not out to be a total completionist, (though it would be nice to pull it off ) but I'm trying to get as many done as possible. That alone is enough to keep the game fresh. I switch back and forth between all of the instruments every couple days just to make sure I don't get too stale at any one thing.

I've been holding off on the Pro stuff as long as possible though, since I'm afraid it could kill off enjoyment of normal 5 button play.

Between the lighting I use when I play, and the constant instrument swaps, it never gets old. If you alternate between all the stuff they have in the game now, you could literally play something different every day of the week. It's hard for that to not feel fresh.

[jeccaneko]

I agree with you. Pro guitar/bass/keys have all been a huge learning curve for me and it almost feels like starting over playing the game. Pro guitar even renewed my interest in guitar playing outside of Rock Band, after being frustrated with my schedule and guitar teacher schedules not meshing up well.

Harmonies, surprisingly, weren't as good for me in renewing interest as I'd hoped (this was also the case for The Beatles and Green Day). I usually play alone, and harmonies are more fun for me when I get to sing them with others. Pro drums are fun, but I've had cymbals since RB2 came out and have always played them, even when they weren't charted.