Orkkongen

Finally I got time to play this weeks song. I'll probably don't have much time (again) with exams and such. Based on my scores from first play throughs, the beginners song is the second most difficult one!?! (to be fair, I practiced a bit during Suffer). Especially the end was crazy, and quite out of the difficulty level of the songs... I think that leads to another discussion. Should the difficulty be based on the hardest part, the average or what? If based on an average, you can risk meeting song at your level, where half of it is way too difficult and another that are too easy... After a little practice on a single part, I got the idea of this song. It's a nice one, and not that difficult. The bonus intermediate on the other hand is (according to my first play through) the easiest... Though it didn't feel like that. I enjoyed it a lot though. My league was the most difficult one, and I didn't really like the either. It's gonna be a tough one to be inspired to play... And finally... the masterclass. There was a lot of guessing, but somehow I managed to pull off a whooping 95%! But... Why the hell should I bee tuning for Standard A, when the A-string never came in use? Standard D would suffice... I have a 5-stringed, so it was not a problem, but still kind a stupid. Furthermore... Whats wrong with the other strings? Everything was on a low D-string (as yellow), and a little on the next (blue), but my hand was moving up 12th position and down again many times... in rather high speed (and I would think i missed more notes than Rocksmith thinks I did). It would have made a sense to use all strings... But it's a nice collection of very different songs. Thank you for that!

Busy week... Yesterday I managed to improve the Zombies.

After a lot of practice... I didn't manage to improve the Muffin Man... It's a rather difficult song. Well a lot of it is okay easy, but to get it the final way, there are some rather difficult parts... BTW... is it (relatively) easy to open the file and change a few notes/fingerings? I think some parts are played/noted wrong, and I want to change it, as to not get so confused when I play my own fingering with the shown dots. The only song I managed to improve was the Zombie Barricades (and the mistakes were stupid...): I also tried the advanced song, and I think I improved it a little, but didn't remember to shoot the screen(?). But I'm still below 90% and watching "my league" all scoring above 95% is actually not very motivating... (and also I really don't like the song very much). Yeah... I'm really complaining.

To day I only looked at the intermediate songs... Now, when they go to dif. 6, they might be my league, but lets see. The Muffin Man is rather difficult some places... and I think there are some wrong placing of notes (wrong use of strings). Dif. 6. I'm a bit surpriced by the accuracy. I didn't feel like playing it so well... And the bonus song is great fun. Though not in any way as difficult as Muffin... dif. 5 I think I'll nail it soon.

Another week have begun, and the appendix has begun. Starting with the beginners song. Not that difficult, but also rather boring song... not so much the bass part as such. Well the song is just not my cup'a tea. The Muffin Man was on the other hand not really that easy. I might spend some more time with it... but what are you supposed to play around here (I have long fingers, but I don't think I can pull a long slide with one finger, and still be playing in the other end of the bass The Bonus song is quite easier, but also a great riff. It might feel like more fun, since I can play it... Then came the advanced song... and this shows my apendixness(?) I think I'm rather far from mastering this song in any way... Though the masterclass went of cause worse. It was mostly guessing. I'm not going to use more time on this song. It's way out of my league.

A small step for me... a even smaller step for humanity... well and for the animals as well. I've moved up, 0,09% since my last high score. And that's a few days ago... Couldn't improve Megadeth. I think this is my level for this song. It seems like this is as good as it gets. But my fingers are tired, so I can at least feel I have practiced.

I do! But mostly because I'm curious about how it goes for you. I think we are rather close level-wise. Again to day, I couldn't improve my accuracy scores. And that is a bit annoying. I'm only playing the two advanced songs, but I can't seem to improve it, no matter how much I try. When it comes to Megadeth, I think it comes down to luck, but with Animals I can't get that first riff certain. I miss just one part or another most times, and I've practiced it slow. Especially the upward movement (blue 5-7-9, orange 7-8-9) is annoying. I can play it, but not tight and precise, so in tempo one note gets wrong... But this could be a good point to have a real teacher, to show me how to do it... right. Anyway. Wonderful songs in advanced class (maybe because they are rather non-advanced ).

A bit late practice, and again only with the advanced songs. But they are really great. Though I must admit, i'd like to see how people are fingering the first (main) "riff". I'm really having problems with it. Sometimes I'm more lucky than other. I really like the end riff! It's awesome... maybe because I can play it. And I also have a feeling of Victory with Megadeth. I'm very close on making it perfect! And Steam has been repaired, so it's easier to share screenshots again!

I've given the advanced songs some attention again today, and it pays off (and I don't have to tune my bass all the time ). They are great songs, and about the level I can manage to play convincing... About the animals, I must say, I have some difficulties to get the main riff right, and it goes on a few times, so that pulls me accuracy somewhat down. Since I'm capable of learning this, it has to be around 6.5 in difficulty. I'm quite happy about the results so far though: I even got a better high score, but with a worse accuracy. On the other hand, I gave also some attention to Megadeth. I have some problems with the timing, but the computer is very understanding, and accepts to many uncertain notes. If I was the bass in a band, there would be... wobbly rhythm. I don't think the audience would be impressed. But the score is very acceptable (for me). The difficulty is less than Animals... I'd say 6.

The appendix is moving... upwards. I must say, that this Muse is a great song. I think it's a bit difficult, but I'll get closer. But it was also all I managed for today.

Another week has begun, and another group of very different songs has been downloaded and now tried. Thanks! As usual I start out with the beginners songs. First time I had to find out what happened, but at second play through I managed the 100%. It had it's places. I'd say 2½-3. The other beginners song was a bit different, but I managed 100% first time, so it's not that difficult. 2. This was second time with score attack. Then started the tuning. There should be a law against it! The Rivals was a bit tricky, but I just have to figure it out, I guess. Not sure how I feel about the difficulty... At the advanced levels I got some more problems... I feel like the fingering should have been different. But I'll look into it, and practice the difficult parts. Then maybe it makes sense. The other advanced had a strange sound. It was hard to hear if I was playing it right. And the riff at the beginning I think should all be played on e-string. This also needs some focus on some parts, but it's closer than Muse. And finally the masterclass. This was mainly guessing, and I don't feel like being close to learning it. Couldn't make sense of it. I think it's beyond my level.

Did some early practicing today. It went quite well. First I got the Elevation song perfected... Then I went for the White Limo. I agree, that the sliding seems wrong, and that the fret 13 should always be played at yellow 8! But I got this great playthrough: Then there was this Bad Reputation. I can't figure out what the real rhythm is. I'm guessing a lot... and nobody would accept my playing from a stage. The palm mutes a all muted from the fret, and the sound is not very good. I would benefit immensely from some note sheets (or at least synced rhythm visually) on this song. I still think this is even tougher than the Beach dudes. First I got around 95% and then this one (I'm a bit choked still ): The Beach Boys on the other hand is not getting much better. I'm not sure how I got the 99% before. I can't even reproduce that result...

I didn't manage to improve the beginners song (well a better score, but I wan't to make it perfect... maybe tomorrow), but the Beach Boys went even better. I've got the hang of it (almost). The rhythm makes sense, and you get the riff, and can play it from many positions... then the fingering changes how to play it. The main reason for this to be so difficult is the different way the same riff moves around (one half tone up, and a whole new fingering!). I spent some time with the Foo Fighters today, but I didn't manage to improve my score. It's like the sliding don't matter, so I didn't get much out of rehearsing that part. I tried the Thin Lizzy, and I don't think it's that easy as other puts it! I think it's somewhat above my level, and would rate it around 8(!) As mentioned before we all have different strengths and weaknesses, and I'm not at good terms with palm-mutes (especially since I don't use plecter), and I have big issues when the tempo is not aligned with the bars in the game. It would be so much easier for me, if I could have my feet and the lines in sync. (Note that the accuracy is only because I played a part really slowly and almost understood it... almost).

After a bit more practice, it seems I begin to understand the Beach Boys. First I've got a new score for U2. It's not perfect, but getting closer: And then the Beach Boys. They got almost all my attention today. And it is a tough one. I think it's more difficult than the Foo Fighters... But as I said, with a lot of focus and attention my playing in this style has improved. It's a fun song, but not easy. It'll get even a bit better. The advanced song is also fun... Though I can't seem to get the small slides to work (it's lot easier to let the hand stay put). And the jump to fret 13... forget it! I'll take it on yellow 8, thank you very much. From now on it'll get a bit more attention. Thin Lizzy has still not been tried...

So now I've tried most songs... though not Thin Lizzy, but she's been downloaded now. But I must say, that the levels are rather confusing. First of: The beginners song. It's okay... first time I got 96% and now 98%. For a beginners song, I think it's a bit ind the difficult end... diff. around 3 And then came the Beach Boys... Bitchy Boys Mostly because I think this is a very difficult song for bass. I started with 76%. Second time was a bit better (shown here), but it's still rather difficult. I think with some practice I can get to understand it, but it's still a tough one. I'd say diff 6. Then came Foo Fighters. It was the one with the highest score for first play through for me. It's a fast one, but I think it's way easier that Beach Boys. Something around dif. 5. Thin Lizzy was not tried today, but Jeff Loomis had a go. I think, that the main reason, I could have a chance with this sing, is because I have a 5-stringed bass, so the tuning is not hopeless for me... so if everybody else gives up, I have a chance. Secondary: It seems like its accepting my wild guessing. Way more than it should, I think (or it can't really hear the deep notes clearly, so whatever I play sounds right). I guess, that if it was hearing right, it would be like dif. 8.

I get an error, when I try to download Thin Lizzy. That is, when I try to use the link. It says: "Secure connection failed". Apart from that, I'm looking forward to try the new songs, and I'll be happy to give a difficulty score to the lowest levels of bass. I really can't say so much about the higher levels. And finally... my "frog leap" in last weeks advanced has not been noted in the list. Not that my placement gets any better, but I'll feel like a closer appendix with 97,87% accuracy rather than the 95%. My final score from the intermediate bonus song is also not in the list.

Time for some "frog leaps". The bonus intermediate song I managed to get perfect, though I play a lot on different strings. I feel that the fingering is quite wrong, but without knowing the original musician. I got a really nice score in the intermediate (relative ). I really like the "movements" of the bass, but some of the more solo-ish parts I have no chance of getting right. I would really enjoy a song with similar bass motifs, but just a bit easier (and without crazy solo-things). Seems like Steam has changed the way it works... I hope it's just a fluke. It was rather difficult to get the right urls.

Yeah... it's probably the same, but I think none the less, that this is a better option. At least for the first two groups. But, yes, I'll probably stay in adv. Yes, I might give you some fight in some months... unless you also begin improving (but then you might advance).

And now a little about what I've been trying to tell you... though you are tired of hearing about it. I think this first part is mostly to @Rodman. Have you ever been playing chess with a friend who always wins. Yes, it's a challenge, and yes, you get better. But it's just not as fun, as when you sometimes win and sometimes don't. It's not fun to always win (and you learn less), but it's not fun either to always loose (in my opinion). Yes, I'm only talking about the bass-groups. I only play bass, and know nothing about the competition for lead and rhythm. And as foreseen, I'm not really in the competition now. So while the top of this class are challenging each other, I just have to challenge my self (and maybe Kayteck) to a better score... and just try to come closer to "the rest". I am a kind of appendix in this class. And thus it's just not quite as fun. Now, just to make it clear: I'm not saying it's not fun at all... it's just not as fun. Right now I'm missing one of the benefits of competing. Hopefully it's only for a time, and hopefully I get so much better, that I can challenge you guys. It's still fun to play a lot of great new songs, and I can still try to make the beginner and intermediate songs perfect. When I play a song at 95% accuracy, I wouldn't say "I can play that song". Then there are parts of the song, that any audience wouldn't accept (and btw. I think the level should be rated 7,5 at least). Another topic related to this. I think the idea of new levels for the classes (bass) is a great and wonderful idea! The beginner class is (for bass) just a temporary class. Here you get the hang of it, win a few times and then you move on to intermediate. This level I think is also temporary in my opinion as it is now. Again after a few months you move away from this after winning some weeks... and I think here is the problem. Around the top of the intermediate the tempo of progression slows down, simply because you get to the difficult levels, where it gets more difficult to really improve. And it seems to me, that it apparently is rather difficult to move on to masterclass. I really like the idea of beginners play level 1-5, int. 6, adv. 7 and mc 8 and up. As a compromise the suggestion from @Mikson(I think it was him... it's quite many pages ago ).

Pfew... what a load of posts. It's been a busy week for me. I've got some better scores after practicing today. But I'm quite a long way from joining the real competition. Here I'll share some new scores, and then I'll write a bit about the competition (as a response to some of the great things that have been written (and some lesser great )). So first the beginners song. I think it's a bit difficult song, but a nice one. The intermediate was also fun. I could make it a 100% with a bit more time, but this is nice and okay. Fun to be playing in the high register. The bonus intermediate is also fun, but difficult on another level... as in. I think the placement of left hand is mostly wrong. I "studied" it a bit, and decided to play everything around 8th and 10th position. I think it sounds better, and is much easier to play... though I have to think much more, since the wrong numbers and colors come flying in the game. I think I could get it perfect as well with a bit more time. And finally the advanced song. I think I can only do this a little bit better (things went off in the end). I'm still not rightly competing against anybody... Maybe @kayteck... This is the challenge for you This is a great week, with nice and very diverse songs. So thank you for that, @Mikson.

Good point. I mentioned it when I was the new one... but I can't remember where I did it. But I agree. I'm not sure where the template for the competition is, but maybe one of the nice organizers sees it and is able to update it. Good afternoon fits with me.

@jellisjeniusOne of the main problems in this debate is, that I ague based on what other writes, but different people react to my reactions. So my reply to @Rodmanmay not fit in to the way you see this debate. Your answer is (in my opinion) a bit out of context. So far I've accepted to move up, but noting, that it means I'm really out of the competition for a while. I'm advancing mainly as to not be annoying for the intermediate group. Not to "gain" all those "wonderful new challenges". I got the challenges before, thank you. This has not really changed. But as I wrote before (in another respons), I get a bit annoyed with people saying, that I'm full capable of competing in the advanced class, and this is just wonderfull with more challenges. That is not a realistic viewpoint. In some weeks maybe... let's see. @MissRocktismcalled me a black sheep (and I know it was not meant in a negative way!). What I really want you to acknowledge is the problem (not my problem). Combining this black sheep metaphor with the notion from Rodman, that you've had this problem a few times before, tells me, that you don't really acknowledge it. That's a shame. Instead of trying to convince my, that I'm just as good as you guys (plural, not gender related ), just note: Yes, you probably won't win for some time, but it will be better for the intermediate group and in time, you might be competing with us. If I get convinced that I might even have a chance, I think I will be disappointed with myself, if I still haven't won in 2 month. So I want to beat you, but it's probably going to take a while... and that is okay.

All links miss "/index.php?" after .com

I just came to think about this sentence (after the computer was turned off)... You've had this situation a couple of times. And it has never made you think, that we/you might have to do something about it? That maybe how it works is not the best way...? Somehow some participants stops participating, because of this exact situation. Then the right question should not be, how to persuade me to accept the situation, but how to ease the "transition"? For me and those others coming in this situation... As I see the problem, the first two groups are not stationary groups. If you play them for some weeks, you are bound to get this level of expertise. So we're all bound to get to the advanced class, but at this level, you don't necessarily improve enough. So at this level we have this rather big group, of experienced players, who is close to move up... but doesn't. It doesn't make any sense to have annual scores for the lower levels. Then winner of a year at beginner, is the player, that manages not to move up the longest. @diceslingerYou look forward to cross axes with me... and then plays 98.69%. Quite nicely illustrating why I'm not in reality competing with you.

Luckily the bass was tuned for Eb-standard, so I got practice this song first... and it's all I could but. But my guessing is all ready become more qualified. But I must say, this is a wonderful song and a wonderful bass part.