Enough about that, though, and let's move on with something exciting. I've mentioned last month, a new "game" I had discovered. To be fair, I was actually told about it, and it was the latest edition of which I was told. The game is Rocksmith 2014.
Those who know me well, know that I didn't hold a high opinion of the assorted music games that have been out over recent years. In a nutshell, I view them as "playing air guitar with a specialized game controller". Playing these games doesn't have a correlation to picking up an actual instrument, and playing - or creating - music. Rocksmith is an exception.
With Rocksmith - and Rocksmith 2014 - a player actually learns to play a real guitar. Options available include Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, and Bass Guitar. The original Rocksmith, from 2012, is available for the Playstation 3, XBox 360, and PC. Rocksmith 2014 is available for all three, plus the Mac. You don't need a special controller for the game, as it comes with the Real Tone Cable. This cable plugs into your guitar, and the USB port on your PC, Mac or console.
From the beginning, a player can create an account, choose their instrument, and their level of expertise. From this, the game progresses with the player. It has a number of lessons, which can be repeated as needed. Lessons start as simply as "putting the strap on your guitar" or "how to hold your pick" up to more complex lessons.
The game includes a number of mini-games, that are designed to help the player improve upon their technique, speed, and accuracy.
In addition there are a number of included and downloadable well-known songs that the player can learn.
Economical Value:
This is hard to judge. The game, itself, can be had for $10 and up for the original. The original may not include sections for the bass guitar, as well. Some versions will include the Real Tone Cable, others may not. The cable can be purchased separately, as well. Rocksmith 2014 comes with a $79.99 price tag, including the Real Tone Cable. The price is the same for the computer, PS3 or XBox 360. The original was only available for the PC, while the 2014 edition will also work on a Mac. So, in order to play this, you will need to have one of those platforms available, as well. In addition, you'll need an electric guitar (six string or 4-string bass). The price of those will vary.
I recommend for:
I recommend this for a lot of folks. It's good for kids (parents can judge appropriate ages) that have an interest, adults who may have a schedule that's not conducive for professional lessons, someone interested in a new hobby, a musician looking for something fun and recreational (there's a "Session Mode" where you can create your own music), college "kids" who like gaming, and would like to play a guitar too.... the list goes on.
Personal Experience:
I got my first guitar in high school. I tried to teach myself from a book, but with no one to guide or critique me I wasn't getting anywhere. I had a friend who began to teach me in college, but I left shortly after, and I was on my own again. He's gone on to build custom tube amplifiers. My first guitar got stolen. In 1997 I got another. Over the next 15 years I'd pick it up, work on it a bit, but it was hard without some kind of outside reinforcement. I was also having a bit of trouble with the reading-to-playing conversion. Throughout the years, I had also had an interest in the bass guitar.
Finally, this past September, the stars began to align. I needed a costume for my first real Halloween Party. I decided to go as Lemmy (Singer/bass player of the rock band Motörhead.
I picked up a bass guitar in September, and got some good tips from another friend - the one who would soon recommend Rocksmith.
My first couple weeks were not very productive. Near the end of October, Rocksmith 2014 was released. I got to starting to mess with it in early November. I started the game and claiming "no experience" 25 years of "starting over" on a six-string, and three weeks of getting a sloppy intro of "Iron Man" on the bass told me this was the right move. After a couple of the lessons, I hopped into one of the songs. Subdivisions, by Rush. The game started of very easy, with a few notes at a time, and I did ... OK... for some parts. However, I was kept very humble because Geddy Lee, being one of the greatest bass players out there, can play some real complex stuff that is years out of my league.
I have been putting in time every day - some more than others - Sometimes I can see, sometimes the game measures my improvement. I believe I made more progress in two weeks using this software than I had in two decades on my own. I can humbly say that I'm by no means ready to create my own music - or even play in a cover band - yet. I likely won't ever actually play in a band, but I'm having fun. I'm enjoying playing along. I'm able to play one song (Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me") through completely, with some errors, on "Master" mode (the notes are not shown, as it assumes you are at expert level with this song). Like everything else, I'll get better with practice, and I believe that you can too, if you are interested.
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