Bass Challenge Week 1!

[Pancho X1]

Week 1 Challenge: "(I Can't get no)Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones



Rules:

1) A song and particular arrangement will be posted before Tuesday every week.


2) There are four competitive categories. To foster a fair, fun, and competitive environment, players should self-select into the category that best describes their ability. This categorization should remain stable from week to week, unless a player determines that they have initially self-selected into the wrong division.


Division I: Can level most songs to 100%, and can play most songs proficiently - 95+% accuracy. Can master songs like Mean B!tch, Chimney, Good Enough etc.
Division II: Can level several songs to 100%, may have trouble accurately playing them at that level. General accuracy 85-95%.
Division III: May level some easier songs to 100, but others will be partially leveled. Regularly scores 70-95k. Can level songs like Song 2 single note, Go With The Flow combo, Angela, or chord arrangements to 100%.
Division IV: New to guitar. No songs really leveled to 100%.


There will also be "honorable mentions" for note streak, accuracy, and master mode entries.


3) Each participant is allowed to make a single entry in the division they have selected. All submissions for the main divisions should be in standard rehearsal or performance mode, even for songs that are mastered. Master Mode entries will not count towards the competition scoring.


4) Entries must be made by replying to the song thread with your score and difficulty in the title (this way we won't have to sift through post content). For example: 124,033 (Division I).


5) Please only submit one score per song. If you play the song later in the week and do better, go to your original post and edit with the replacement score and pic.


6) To be entered in the competition you must submit a picture of the song results replay screen (showing score, percentage, and note streak)


7) All entries must be in before Monday, so by 11:59 Sunday night (based on EST Time Zone or UTC-5 internationally)


8) A separate thread showing the winners of each difficulty category will be posted by the previous week's winner, and the selection of the following week's song will be the responsibility of one of these winners.


9) We will rotate the responsibility of selecting the next song and arrangement each week starting with Division IV, III, II, then I. Rinse and repeat.


10) In the event that the winner does not respond to a PM notification to start a new thread by Tuesday, the winner of the next category in the rotation will be notified to select an arrangement and start a thread.


11)The winner/song selector must PM Black_Widow9, Mr_Shade, rcole_sooner, T_O_A_D after creating the new Challenge thread with the winners

Division I winner scheduled to pick next week's challenge.

spreadsheet for this week (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvCfakxj-KiadGUtNE9NUk9Lc3dzeEM2cWdyVE1xamc).

[Pancho X1]

All right, I'm getting the ball rolling on this. Setting it up just like the guitar challenge. If you are unhappy with that, well then maybe you should have started it.

Division 3 placeholder. I'll adjust as the week continues if needed. After all, it's all for fun, right?

final score. Dang, I was really wanting to master this one. I'm sure I could with a few more days to work on it.

finished up real bass, fingered on my gibson sg bass.

http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh618/PanchoX1/P1040061.jpg

97,847

[mbarsott]

http://www.marcelobarsotti.com/BMS.jpg

[mbarsott]

Placeholder for my fiancee, I'll name her CatMandu here (from her avatar in Rockband). She's a beginner, so I guess it is Div IV for her.

I cannot be trusted, but I think she's doing great! 98 NS 82%. Curiously enough, I just mastered this song single note on this MP run.


http://www.marcelobarsotti.com/BCS.jpg

[Pancho X1]

Placeholder for my fiancee, I'll name her CatMandu here (from her avatar in Rockband). She's a beginner, so I guess it is Div IV for her.

Always nice to meet another Rush fan. How long have you guys been in Brazil? have you had a chance to catch a Rush show there? They may be headed that way in the spring so keep an eye out!

Tell Lea or CatMandu that she should register on the boards and join us here.

[TheOldWolf]

I had the oddest thing with this song, there is basicly two parts I could nail one or the other when I played but not both. At least it means I dont have to worry about master mode encores.

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p533/TheOldWolf69/104_0144.jpg

[rcole_sooner]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UMb4JNUF7Fw/UCxOE2TSuNI/AAAAAAAABgA/6hRfx_xsbY8/s800/I Can't Get No Satisfaction.jpg

[Ezios_Axe]

I am on my first day with bass so I will go Div IV this week.

[pick__pocket]

I'm in! Can't wait to see if anyone can get any Groove on this one.
Day 1: Took me about 7 plays to get this 100%. I am using a bass, but I confess to using a pick on this last run.
I've been playing bass for about 3 hours tonight and the fingers and back of my right hand are killing me :)
Day 4: Got a few runs in tonight. Finally started finding some groove, got score up to 104k. Added an MM score of 189k.

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s441/srwpat/9618E9EE-E027-4D6E-962A-30CE9277CA02-5460-000006B3DC9EEF6E.jpg



http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s441/srwpat/EB4D6189-AF4D-44A8-ABF3-3C4959C24B1B-4126-00000486B2BFA1FF.jpg

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s441/srwpat/104C2614-FBB1-4F38-BA21-9266F3458B2C-4126-000004852991A4FD.jpg


http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s441/srwpat/78DFA943-0AB0-4A5C-B229-B0AD9561A251-1661-0000034726756EE3.jpg

[pick__pocket]

All right, I'm getting the ball rolling on this. Setting it up just like the guitar challenge. If you are unhappy with that, well then maybe you should have started it.

Division 3 placeholder. I'll adjust as the week continues if needed. After all, it's all for fun, right?

Thanks for getting this started. Great stuff!
Could you edit the OP and remove the link to the spreadsheet? It looks it is pointing to the Week 27 Guitar challenge.

[Black_Widow9]

Are these the same rules as the Guitar Community Challenge? I will post a Sticky as soon as you guys let me know. ;)

[Ryder35]

I'm in! Can't wait to see if anyone can get any Groove on this one.
Day 1: Took me about 7 plays to get this 100%. I am using a bass, but I confess to using a pick on this last run.
I've been playing bass for about 3 hours tonight and the fingers and back of my right hand are killing me :)

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s441/srwpat/78DFA943-0AB0-4A5C-B229-B0AD9561A251-1661-0000034726756EE3.jpg

Good start. Be very wary of hand pain with bass (especially the fretting hand.) Look up some sites that teach correct positioning as you can do some serious damage if you get it wrong and carry on playing

Here is a good link: http://www.a****itti.com/bass_player_03.shtml

Please ignore me if you already know this!

Edit: stupid filter **** in link is d a m n

[Ryder35]

My Placeholder

Div 3 for me but don't really know to be honest!

[deiussum1]

I'm in! Good choice. :) Seems very fitting considering it is in the first event for both the bass and guitar journeys. I got this to 67752 when I qualified it, but I think when I played it in the event I got it closer to 80-90k.

Edit: I gave this a couple runs through after working on the guitar challenge a bit. I was able to get it up to 95,691. Finger picking isn't something I'm very good at. I hope to improve that a lot now that the bass expansion is out.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-928tnywuEt8/UCw2QWwAyoI/AAAAAAAAAss/Sb-ABucnzdQ/s963/IMAG0176.jpg

[deiussum1]

One thing that we might want to consider for the challenge is that playing these songs with a guitar, or even using a pick when it calls for fingered, is going to make a bunch of these quite a bit easier. It seems like it could get complex to try and break it out into separate divisions, though. It might be useful if people posting scores post if they are using a true bass, and if they are doing it fingered or with a pick just to see where the scores line up.

[Ikit-Klaw]

One thing that we might want to consider for the challenge is that playing these songs with a guitar, or even using a pick when it calls for fingered, is going to make a bunch of these quite a bit easier. It seems like it could get complex to try and break it out into separate divisions, though. It might be useful if people posting scores post if they are using a true bass, and if they are doing it fingered or with a pick just to see where the scores line up.

Since it is all for fun anyway how about when we make our score post just putting one of the following BF BP GF GP (B or G for bass or guitar and F or P for finger or pick)

[Brick235]

http://i1056.photobucket.com/albums/t373/bretb310/satisfactionbest.jpg

[Simplicity010]

I guess I'll do division 3 for now. Is "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" the song for the week?

[mbarsott]

One thing that we might want to consider for the challenge is that playing these songs with a guitar, or even using a pick when it calls for fingered, is going to make a bunch of these quite a bit easier. It seems like it could get complex to try and break it out into separate divisions, though. It might be useful if people posting scores post if they are using a true bass, and if they are doing it fingered or with a pick just to see where the scores line up.

Yep, I've tried the emulator today and having played with a real bass, fingered style, yesterday, I can say that using a guitar is a lot much easier. I could see no indication in the score page that I was using the emulated bass, so I guess we cannot tell it by looking at the picture. Playing with emulator I was above 100K after two runs (one in rehearsal and one in the event). With the real bass I used a different user, and I guess I was around 90K+ after three runs.

[KinchBlade]

It's a pity they simply didn't have on-screen notification if it's bass or "basstar" on the results screen. But as ussual it'll come down to trust. Victor Wooten could be my brother in law and I could get him round every Sunday after dinner to do my competition entry!

[rcole_sooner]

Videos we could do videos. j/k

I will probably try to do some of these as videos.

Man, I gotta get my bass out of the closet tonight.

[Pancho X1]

Thanks for getting this started. Great stuff!
Could you edit the OP and remove the link to the spreadsheet? It looks it is pointing to the Week 27 Guitar challenge.

done. I'm not familiar with the spreadsheet portion of this. I just copied everything from the week 27 guitar challenge. thanks for the heads up.

I only had one play through and hit a bit over 29k. I'm sure my score will go up after I level it up some. Finger style only on a real bass. BF baby!

[Selurevad]

Good start. Be very wary of hand pain with bass (especially the fretting hand.) Look up some sites that teach correct positioning as you can do some serious damage if you get it wrong and carry on playing

Here is a good link: http://www.a****itti.com/bass_player_03.shtml

Please ignore me if you already know this!

Edit: stupid filter **** in link is d a m n

What is this link suppose to be? I haven't had any pain, but the longer neck and wider separation between frets is definitely putting my hand/wrist in some awkward positions. Interested in anything that may give me tips.

[Ryder35]

What is this link suppose to be? I haven't had any pain, but the longer neck and wider separation between frets is definitely putting my hand/wrist in some awkward positions. Interested in anything that may give me tips.

The link is to a site that teaches bass and talks about correct hand positioning. Because of the spacing of frets and the fact you tend to press harder you can do serious damage to your hands/wrist if not careful. To visit the link replace the **** in the link with d a m n or just google wrist pain bass and have a read

[Selurevad]

Doh! Thanks, I see you already answered my question in your edit too. I failed to read closely enough.

[Ryder35]

Ok hope I do this right. Initial attempt after leveling in riff repeater. http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/Ryder350/IMG_0061.jpg

[pick__pocket]

Good start. Be very wary of hand pain with bass (especially the fretting hand.) Look up some sites that teach correct positioning as you can do some serious damage if you get it wrong and carry on playing

Here is a good link: http://www.a****itti.com/bass_player_03.shtml

Please ignore me if you already know this!

Edit: stupid filter **** in link is d a m n

Good article, lots of great tips. Worth the effort to fix the link. Thanks for sharing. (For anyone still struggling with the link, the guy's name is Adam Netti, but when you put the m and the n together in the link you get a very bad word). :)

I really like his previous article on picking hand technique too ( replace _03.shtml in the link with _02.shtml ). I am going to try to his moving anchor technique for the picking hand (finger style) to see if it helps with the pain in the back of my picking hand.

My other problem that made me resort to the pick last night (I just added BP to my scoce post) was blisters on the index and middle finger of my right (picking) hand. Just another place that I need Rocksmith calluses I guess... :)



Yep, I've tried the emulator today and having played with a real bass, fingered style, yesterday, I can say that using a guitar is a lot much easier. I could see no indication in the score page that I was using the emulated bass, so I guess we cannot tell it by looking at the picture. Playing with emulator I was above 100K after two runs (one in rehearsal and one in the event). With the real bass I used a different user, and I guess I was around 90K+ after three runs.

Um. Over 100k? Many groove bonuses? There is nothing else in the song. No Sustains, No Slides etc. I got zero bonuses on my run, so I was wondering if I just suck or there are no bonus coded in this arrangment. I guess if you got over 100k I have my answer. Seems I have some work to do after all.
You might want to rethink that Div III declaration :)


Videos we could do videos. j/k

I will probably try to do some of these as videos.

Man, I gotta get my bass out of the closet tonight.

I was hoping to do a video last night, but I want it to be finger style and I just couldn't do it last night since my right hand was shot. Playing "Do You Remember" multiple times (Rehearsal and Event) finger style finished me off before I discovered the Challenge was started. Finger style I was able to get to about 98k+ on Satisfaction before the pain made me swrtich to picking.


done. I'm not familiar with the spreadsheet portion of this. I just copied everything from the week 27 guitar challenge. thanks for the heads up.

I only had one play through and hit a bit over 29k. I'm sure my score will go up after I level it up some. Finger style only on a real bass. BF baby!

If I have time tonight, I'll put up a dedicated spreadsheet for you to link to. It's not too hard to do, just a little tedious to copy an old one and clean out all the old data.

[pick__pocket]

Since it is all for fun anyway how about when we make our score post just putting one of the following BF BP GF GP (B or G for bass or guitar and F or P for finger or pick)

Does this mean I should post 8 scores: BF NMM, BP NMM, GP NMM, GF NMM, BF MM, BP MM, GP MM and GF MM? :) jk

This is a good idea really, I have added BP to my score post for full disclosure....

[Th3Pa1nK1Ll3r]

Can I play on imaginary bass? :P

[mbarsott]

Um. Over 100k? Many groove bonuses? There is nothing else in the song. No Sustains, No Slides etc. I got zero bonuses on my run, so I was wondering if I just suck or there are no bonus coded in this arrangment. I guess if you got over 100k I have my answer. Seems I have some work to do after all.
You might want to rethink that Div III declaration :)

Well, I'll post my real bass score... I'm only at 98.5K with that. Actually there probably are a lot of groove bonuses, because I got this score on a 96% run, so if not for groove bonuses I would not get that score. I don't think lag is a problem with that now, maybe you can adjust it so video sync with the audio, it may help.

[Pancho X1]

you guys are rocking it. I've played through it about 6 times I guess. up to 67k. I think that my intonation may be off, I don't think i've ever checked my GL Jazz for that. I'll do that tonight just to be sure. Plus my extra small pinky is having a bit of trouble hitting that G on the A string at the 10th frett during the main riff. but I'll get there.

[Ryder35]

It is a stretch isn't it. I can do it but need to move my hand slightly. reading my bass for dummies it does advocate shifting your hand slightly (more kind of rotating it) rather than stretching uncomfortably.

[Selurevad]

I really like his previous article on picking hand technique too ( replace _03.shtml in the link with _02.shtml ). I am going to try to his moving anchor technique for the picking hand (finger style) to see if it helps with the pain in the back of my picking hand.

My other problem that made me resort to the pick last night (I just added BP to my scoce post) was blisters on the index and middle finger of my right (picking) hand. Just another place that I need Rocksmith calluses I guess... :)


Rocksmith actually recommends the same moving thumb anchor in one of their video lesson thingies... whatever they are called... drawing a blank.

I also got blisters on the same fingers. rchiav says I play too hard! :) We'll show him!

[mbarsott]

Always nice to meet another Rush fan. How long have you guys been in Brazil? have you had a chance to catch a Rush show there? They may be headed that way in the spring so keep an eye out!

Tell Lea or CatMandu that she should register on the boards and join us here.

She lived here all here life, I lived in the States from 2001 through 2007. We went to the Time Machine concert here. One of the best concerts I have ever been.
About joining the boards, I've read somewhere that if they catch two accounts coming from the same external IP they will cancel both accounts. I guess that's why there was there was someone else posting on his and his son behavior for the Guitar Challenge. And that's why I'm posting on her bahavior.

[muzac989]

One thing that we might want to consider for the challenge is that playing these songs with a guitar, or even using a pick when it calls for fingered, is going to make a bunch of these quite a bit easier. It seems like it could get complex to try and break it out into separate divisions, though. It might be useful if people posting scores post if they are using a true bass, and if they are doing it fingered or with a pick just to see where the scores line up.

It works both ways; there are a lot of songs that are a lot easier to finger then to play with a pick, like "What's Going On".

[Funk-n-Stein]

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh625/senecio73/3309fca2.jpg

Probably won't work on this any more this week, need to focus on guitar and this song just isn't very interesting to me (also, my fingers don't have the requisite callouses to play a lot of bass yet.)

[TheJohnNewton]

First time ever doing this contest thing so I just took a wild guess at the division and I need to figure out a way to do the picture part.

I had a pretty rough run through the song (84% accuracy yikes) so I'll have to practice a bit and hopefully post some better numbers later in the week.

Funny I got a song I had never played before as an encore (by Incubus I think) and scored well over 100K plus it was a lot easier than this song. I guess difficulty doesn't get you any points.


Edit: improved this morning but not satisfied yet. More pratice.

John

[Pancho X1]

She lived here all here life, I lived in the States from 2001 through 2007. We went to the Time Machine concert here. One of the best concerts I have ever been.
About joining the boards, I've read somewhere that if they catch two accounts coming from the same external IP they will cancel both accounts. I guess that's why there was there was someone else posting on his and his son behavior for the Guitar Challenge. And that's why I'm posting on her bahavior.

Huh, I didn't know that about the IP's interesting.

I saw the time machine tour in Vegas in 2010. Proposed to my wife the same night. Gonna miss the Clockwork angles tour. We're expecting and the baby is due about a week and a half before the closest show is scheduled. Well, tell CatMandu good luck in the challenge. (my sorry attempt to get back on topic)

[muzac989]

I used to cover this song in my band... back in freshman year of high school. Took me 2 playthroughs, and only 1 with it fully leveled. Anyways, I'm pretty sure I hit every note, so I'm interested if its actually possible to top this score. UPDATE: I was able to get 103,640 when I played through it again in the middle of a set (no picture), so higher scores are possible.


http://i.imgur.com/TBk7B.jpg

[rcole_sooner]

Bass DLC downloading.

[rcole_sooner]

My first score (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8540406&viewfull=1#post8540406) ... and Ouch!!!

We'll see if I can hang in Div 2. I plan on bustin' 100K. We shall see. (Okay, lookin' at scores, I don't plan on bustin' 100K O.O)

Did I say "Ouch!".

LOL!

[Pancho X1]

My first score (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1%21?p=8540406&viewfull=1#post8540406) ... and Ouch!!!

We'll see if I can hang in Div 2. I plan on bustin' 100K. We shall see. (Okay, lookin' at scores, I don't plan on bustin' 100K O.O)

Did I say "Ouch!".

LOL!

Nice Rcole. I got my score up to 83k and have the song fully leveled. I'm pretty happy with that for today.

[smedford]

Im in. According to the description Div II is the best fit. I used a Fender Highway one Jazz bass and I played with a pick.
http://home.comcast.net/~weirauch/20120819_153141.jpg

[Shawnsquatch]

I'm gonna go with Division I. I am a bit rusty but I think I'll get back into the swing of things pretty quick. I bought rocksmith awhile back in anticipation of the bass DLC which is awesome by the way. I use to play all the time. I have not really played in a solid 6 1/2 years and have been wanting to get back into slappah da bassah especially with my decision to switch careers. I am going to lutherie school next fall and want to repair guitars / build hand made custom instruments.

Anyway here goes.
I am playing on a Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass. I'ts nothing like my old Peavey Grind 6 string or my old MIM Jazz Bass but its a great bass! I'm digging Squiers. I havn't played one in 6 or so years like I mentioned but man it seems like a far better instrument than they use to be.

Edit: Also I played finger style cause thats all I tend to do unless I am slapping.
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5055/getnosatisfaction.jpg

[deiussum1]

I put in my first bass challenge attempt. (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8540899&viewfull=1#post8540899)

I know I could get a lot better score on this if I used a pick, but I refuse to do so! My fingers feel like they are all over the place fingerpicking right now. With some practice I'm sure it will all start to come together better eventually, though.

[rcole_sooner]

I may have to play the rest of this week with a pick. I thought I got out without a blister, but one came up over night. Just a tiny one, on my index finger (picking hand).

I probably should have stopped with the score I posted. That was on my 3rd playthrough of the song (it did level up quick), and in 3 (or more?) attempts I never topped it. I should have recognized my fingers getting sore, and I wasn't able to fret and/or finger all the notes.

There is some pretty quick little finger picking in this song. Also I find myself wanting to play the guitar part, but the bass part is slightly different, more of a walking beat (I think).

I hope I can stick with this and learn it, but the finger punishment is way more than on guitar.

[smedford]

I may have to play the rest of this week with a pick. I thought I got out without a blister, but one came up over night. Just a tiny one, on my index finger (picking hand).

There is some pretty quick little finger picking in this song. Also I find myself wanting to play the guitar part, but the bass part is slightly different, more of a walking beat (I think).

I hope I can stick with this and learn it, but the finger punishment is way more than on guitar.
I do the same thing, I am so used to the guitar part I miss quite a few notes until I get in to the groove of it. Fun song though, I played with fingers and did slightly worse. Not bad though. I used to only play finger style, but those callouses are long gone. It will take a little time to build them back up.

[Pancho X1]

funny, I found myself wanting to play the guitar part too. screws me up for about a measure and a half. got her up to 86k this morn but that's as far as i could go. so far.......
I've had zero finger pain. maybe you guys are plucking to hard. but then again. maybe that's why you have higher scores.......

[Ryder35]

Well after thinking I had got away with it I have a blister coming up on my index finger on the plucking hand! got my score up to 80k but more to come if I recover from the blisters! Went back to guitar and wow it felt tiny!

[muzac989]

For all y'all having trouble with blisters, I recommend playing until you can't take it any more, and then applying some medical-grade superglue (usually branded as derma-bond). Krazy glue will work, but for some people it irritates the skin, and it also doesn't last as long.

Also, make sure your right-hand technique is solid. Alternate between your index and middle fingers. If you're sitting at a desk reading this, there's an easy way of practicing it: stand your hand up on the table with the fingers as legs, and, with your fingers, mimic a person walking in place. This is the motion. You should be plucking the strings towards your elbow, not straight up.

You shouldn't have to dig in too much; remember that you're playing electric bass, you can get more volume simply by turning up the bass (or, in the game, turning down the music volume). Not saying you're not gonna get blisters, but this should allow you to play substantially longer.

Always alternate your fingers. Just because James Jamerson only used one finger, which he called "the claw", doesn't mean you should only use one finger.

[Pancho X1]

For all y'all having trouble with blisters, I recommend playing until you can't take it any more, and then applying some medical-grade superglue (usually branded as derma-bond). Krazy glue will work, but for some people it irritates the skin, and it also doesn't last as long.

Also, make sure your right-hand technique is solid. Alternate between your index and middle fingers. If you're sitting at a desk reading this, there's an easy way of practicing it: stand your hand up on the table with the fingers as legs, and, with your fingers, mimic a person walking in place. This is the motion. You should be plucking the strings towards your elbow, not straight up.

You shouldn't have to dig in too much; remember that you're playing electric bass, you can get more volume simply by turning up the bass (or, in the game, turning down the music volume). Not saying you're not gonna get blisters, but this should allow you to play substantially longer.

Always alternate your fingers. Just because James Jamerson only used one finger, which he called "the claw", doesn't mean you should only use one finger.

Careful with the superglue. some brands use cyanide as an ingredient. Not enough to really hurt you but is any amount of cyanide something you want in your system? this ends today's PSA. Now you know and knowing is half the battle........

[rcole_sooner]

Super Glue Cyanide (http://www.industrialshapeandform.com/does-super-glue-contain-cyanide/)



...Short answer: yes. But before you throw all your super glue away, let me explain. As we’ve said in a previous post, the active ingredient in Super Glue is cyanoacrylate. Cyanide is any chemical compound that contains the cyano group (ie Super Glue). ...

[Pancho X1]

Super Glue Cyanide (http://www.industrialshapeandform.com/does-super-glue-contain-cyanide/)

so I would gather that its in all superglues then. interesting. wonder if that derma bond stuff uses a similar formula. Anyway, the one time I got a blister on my plucking finger, I used a bandaid. didn't interfere when I played a set at church.

[muzac989]

Superglue is commonly used to sutture wounds, and has been used by veterinarians to mend broken bones and turtle shells for over 30 years. It has mild toxicity, hence why I warned about the possible skin irritation, but it is otherwise perfectly safe (as long as you're not huffing it). It's not like I'm the first person to use superglue on my fingers, I first learned about it from reading an interview of Flea, over 15 years ago.

Just because something has cyanide in its chemical formula does not automatically mean it is toxic. You eat cyanide every day, sodium ferrocyanide is in table salt as an anticaking agent, it keeps table salt from becoming lumpy.

[Pancho X1]

Superglue is commonly used to sutture wounds, and has been used by veterinarians to mend broken bones and turtle shells for over 30 years. It has mild toxicity, hence why I warned about the possible skin irritation, but it is otherwise perfectly safe (as long as you're not huffing it). It's not like I'm the first person to use superglue on my fingers, I first learned about it from reading an interview of Flea, over 15 years ago.

Just because something has cyanide in its chemical formula does not automatically mean it is toxic. You eat cyanide every day, sodium ferrocyanide is in table salt as an anticaking agent, it keeps table salt from becoming lumpy.

you are exactly right of course. In fact military field medics used to, and probably still do, carry it in these field kits to quickly patch up wounded. I was mostly stating an interesting, to me, fact that doesn't seem to be commonly known. It is fairly safe but I don't think I would use it to do something like patch a broken tooth. but yeah, fixing blisters and cuts is pretty ok. I didn't now it was used in table salt, that's pretty interesting too.

[pick__pocket]

Interesting Thread so far. I think my fingers have healed enough to go back to finger style tonight. :)

NEW TOPIC. The Rules in the OP are a direct copy of the Guitar challenge rules, so the Division selection guideline example songs don't really apply to Bass. For example, I think I leveled up Chimney on the first run through on Bass.
Muzac989 started a cool thread on song difficulty (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708772-What-songs-are-the-hard-songs-on-bass). I think it would be great if folks could put comments over there so we can start getting a consensus on which songs to use as examples for each of the 4 divisions for Bass.

[rcole_sooner]

I figured something out tonight. If I turn my sub-woofer up, my bass sounds fantastic. :D

Doh! Yeah, that should have been obvious, eh? :o

Still, it hit me that bass is low frequency, and the sub-woofer is low frequency, and I had it turned down to reduce rumble. But with bass I want rumble.

I turned it up, and whoa!!! I got bass!!!! :cool:

I might be able to pick a little lighter now too. :p

[Pancho X1]

I figured something out tonight. If I turn my sub-woofer up, my bass sounds fantastic. :D

Doh! Yeah, that should have been obvious, eh? :o

Still, it hit me that bass is low frequency, and the sub-woofer is low frequency, and I had it turned down to reduce rumble. But with bass I was rumble.

I turned it up, and whoa!!! I got bass!!!! :cool:

I might be able to pick a little lighter now too. :p

really? hmmm. that kinda wrecks my theory on how they improved the audio lag. kinda. what kind of set up do you have and how do you run your xbox audio to your speakers? I know you've talked about it before but I don't remember.

[Pancho X1]

Interesting Thread so far. I think my fingers have healed enough to go back to finger style tonight. :)

NEW TOPIC. The Rules in the OP are a direct copy of the Guitar challenge rules, so the Division selection guideline example songs don't really apply to Bass. For example, I think I leveled up Chimney on the first run through on Bass.
Muzac989 started a cool thread on song difficulty (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708772-What-songs-are-the-hard-songs-on-bass). I think it would be great if folks could put comments over there so we can start getting a consensus on which songs to use as examples for each of the 4 divisions for Bass.

sounds like a great idea. when you get a list, I can edit the OP if you like.

[rcole_sooner]

really? hmmm. that kinda wrecks my theory on how they improved the audio lag. kinda. what kind of set up do you have and how do you run your xbox audio to your speakers? I know you've talked about it before but I don't remember.

I run it into my PC (actually xbox->TV->PC). I have a set of Creative Lab P5800 speakers hooked up to it. They have a sub-woofer and sattelite speakers, and put out some pretty decent sound.

FWIW, before I took it upstairs to my guitar room I used it in my home theater room, with my Pioneer surround sound system. I had no lag there either.

[mbarsott]

Do we have a spreadsheet already?

[pick__pocket]

Do we have a spreadsheet already?

Now we do!

My bad, I promised to do one and then dropped the ball.
Here is my starting attempt at the spreadsheet for this week (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvCfakxj-KiadGUtNE9NUk9Lc3dzeEM2cWdyVE1xamc).

Pancho, could you please add this link to the OP?

[pick__pocket]

I didn't get to play last night at all :(
Came home from work and my son and his friend were monopolizing the man cave again!
I already kicked them out on Tuesday night when the Bass DLC came out, so it didn't feel right to do it again :)
I love him to death, but I am sort of looking forward to Sept when he goes back to college and I can get free reign over my domain again.....
And I was all prepared for a slew of picking-hand anti-blister experiments. Based on the previous posts here, I stopped at the drug store and picked up a bottle of liquid bandage, a roll of adhesive tape and a small packet of latex finger cots ( I don't expect the cots to work but I wanted to try them anyway for grins). I'll report back if I find anything that I think works well.
On the brightside, my fingers got another day of healing before the weekend onslaught. :)
My goal is get back to fingerstyle on this song and surpass my pick score so I can take it down.
My other weekend goal is try out all the songs be suggested as hard or favorites on the other Bass threads and chime in there too.

[Pancho X1]

Now we do!

My bad, I promised to do one and then dropped the ball.
Here is my starting attempt at the spreadsheet for this week (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvCfakxj-KiadGUtNE9NUk9Lc3dzeEM2cWdyVE1xamc).

Pancho, could you please add this link to the OP?

Link has been added. Thanks for setting that up.

[mbarsott]

Posted a new score (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8540301&viewfull=1#post8540301).

Ok, I think it is time to admit that I am probably in the wrong division... how do I change it? Just change it in the header of the post? Or do I have to wait for next week's challenge?

[Funk-n-Stein]

Updated my score. (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1%21?p=8541942&viewfull=1#post8541942) 99% accuracy and still not mastered? Wow, I guess i need 100%?

[JTCoop]

95,697. Real Bass DIV IV

[If I don't get a better score with a photo, feel free to throw my entry out.]


Mini Coop is kicking butt so I might get him to sign on and post a score. He played about 4 hours today!

[BCRichASM1]

i am just assuming div 3 that could very well change next week
http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q489/BCRichASM1/basssat.jpg

[pick__pocket]

Posted a new score (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8540301&viewfull=1#post8540301).

Ok, I think it is time to admit that I am probably in the wrong division... how do I change it? Just change it in the header of the post? Or do I have to wait for next week's challenge?

Yes, just change in the title of you score post. Probably should change it in the spreadsheet too. I think you can do it now, since you are talking about moving up. No need to wait until next week.

[Ample_Jar]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7805956636_2ed9a3bc7b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65404006@N02/7805956636/)
Week 1 - 96,372 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/65404006@N02/7805956636/) by ringo2179 (http://www.flickr.com/people/65404006@N02/), on Flickr

No bass for me (yet...) so I used the emulator.

[Brick235]

Finally got in a few decent runs. Not sure if I'll do much better. Between my fingers hurting and getting kinda fed up with this song, I might be done for this week.

[Brick235]

Are we not editing the spreadsheet ourselves? Says view only.

[rcole_sooner]

The funny thing is, I've never come close to my 93K score again. That was like the 3rd time I played the song. I did it with finger style picking, and I can't even break 90K using a pick.

I'm pretty sure, I am missing a lot of the pinky notes during the chorus. I don't know if it is timing, or I am not fretting them well.

I think I need a lighter set of strings, or maybe just some new strings (these are the original strings that came on the bass over 20 years ago).

I've played quite a few songs, during the journey so far, and I think this is one of the toughest ones, for me. I just can't get the groove. Really I had trouble with the single note on guitar too.

Well, I'll keep trying. Maybe if I get into town, I'll grab a set of strings.

[Ryder35]

up to nearly 91k now. I have the main riff pretty well sorted now but need to get the rest down more consistently. Will update my photo when I get the chance

[Ryder35]

I found that i was not stretching far enough so hitting the 9th fret with my pinky instead of the 10th at times. Also sometimes I was not getting enough pressure with my pinky so not fretting well. I too find this one quite tough!

[tmcd35]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7809679012_9007a33708.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/85240856@N05/7809679012/)Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/85240856@N05/7809679012/) by tmcd35 (http://www.flickr.com/people/85240856@N05/), on Flickr

[rcole_sooner]

Well, new Elixir strings, and still the same score.

Yeah it was the carpenter, not the tools. LOL! *sigh*

I'll stay this, droping a guage in bass strings is not like droping a guage in guitar strings. I went from medium to light, and there is really no difference. There is technically .005 difference on the A and E strings, but my fingers could not feel that.

I've also figured out that while I do miss some of the pinky on the chorus/verse (yellow string thing), I also drag my pinky (leave it on too long) and miss the next note coming back down.

I'll keep working at it. I just gotta get my fingers not only toughened up, but coordinated and stronger.

[pick__pocket]

Are we not editing the spreadsheet ourselves? Says view only.

Sorry, my bad again. It was supposed to be editable. I think I have fixed it now. Can someone please confirm that they can now edit the spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvCfakxj-KiadGUtNE9NUk9Lc3dzeEM2cWdyVE1xamc).

[mbarsott]

Ok, I think nobody answered that... can I kick up a notch and switch from div 3 to div 2 in the middle of the challenge? Well I am travelling and I will probably not post another score this week, but I guess my score is competitive enough for div 2. I just though bass would be very hard like guitar was for me in the beginning, but maybe my classic guitar background and guitar game practice since the launch of the game have helped me out. I think Div II would be more appropriate from the scores I've seen so far.

[rcole_sooner]

The spreadsheet seems editable to me, but I didn't have an actual change.

And yes, switching divisions (especially up) is fine.

I could see an argument against going down just to win, but I can't see any excuse to not let someone go up.

[pick__pocket]

Ok, I think nobody answered that... can I kick up a notch and switch from div 3 to div 2 in the middle of the challenge? Well I am travelling and I will probably not post another score this week, but I guess my score is competitive enough for div 2. I just though bass would be very hard like guitar was for me in the beginning, but maybe my classic guitar background and guitar game practice since the launch of the game have helped me out. I think Div II would be more appropriate from the scores I've seen so far.

I responded yesterday. (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8545940&viewfull=1#post8545940).
I think it should be fine too, although I was speaking on behalf of Div 1 assuming you were coming all the way to the top. :)

[Brick235]

Thanks for fixing the sheet and updating me. Having a real hard time getting groove bonuses on songs. Someone said to play the notes early but that really messes me up. I thought it would be just as easy to get the "on time" bonus but I guess not. Does it have anything to do with the lag setting?

[Ryder35]

Updated my OP to 95,621. Happy with that and probably done for the week now.

[mbarsott]

I responded yesterday. (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8545940&viewfull=1#post8545940).
I think it should be fine too, although I was speaking on behalf of Div 1 assuming you were coming all the way to the top. :)

I'm sorry, I didn't see your post. I've changed my division in the post title and spreadsheet. I don't think I am ready for Div I yet. The only thing I know about slap is that you have to hit the string with you thumb and I had never heard about pop before the game. I definitely need some practice with the bass and learn some of the techniques to move that up. maybe in a month or two.

[Ryder35]

I think the problem is that most of the people in div 2 should probably be in div 3 for bass. I don't think satisfaction is one of the hardest songs in the game but I don't think any div 2 people have mastered it.

I guess it will all sort itself out in time as we get used to it. One thing id for sure: I am really loving the bass dlc.

[armoury_R1]

With two concurrent challenges to keep up with, this is gonna be tough.

Anyway, I figure I should be in the same div as in guitar, div 3. So here goes:-

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/armoury/DSCF1684.jpg

Had a better run streak/percentage wise just before this one:-

http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh558/armoury/DSCF1683.jpg

Don't have a bass yet, I started off trying to pluck the strings as you would on a bass, but the angle of my hand/wrist to the guitar just never felt right. So went back to using a pick. Which is rather ironic since for years, I played only classical guitar, with no pick, and when I first started playing electric guitar, getting used to using a pick was one of the oddities I had to deal with (along with narrower neck, not having to fret so hard etc).

Hopefully I can find some time/energy to do another run or two on this, but if not, this'll be it.

[pick__pocket]

Thanks for fixing the sheet and updating me. Having a real hard time getting groove bonuses on songs. Someone said to play the notes early but that really messes me up. I thought it would be just as easy to get the "on time" bonus but I guess not. Does it have anything to do with the lag setting?

You're welcome, least I could do. Thanks for speaking up about spreadsheet being broken.

I believe the essential steps to groove are:
1) Take all possible steps to eliminate all possible audio lag out of your set up. Connect analog audio from your console directly to an amplifier/receiver and turn off all processing on that amp.
2) Set your video lag to 0. Not sure yet if any changes were made in the latest patch. You will then need to play the notes before they reach the strings on the video. This should only be a short optical/mental adjustment that you get used to.
3) Listen very carefully to the recorded version of instrument arrangement you are playing. You'd be surprised at how many subtleties there are in the note placements compared to where you think they should be from a strict rhythmic approach. I find wearing headphones turned up fairly loud helps a lot with this step.
4) Lead the band. I don't like the term play ahead, and it will mess up most folks, as you described. If you really know the song you should be able to anticipate the notes as if you are leading band which puts you very slightly (almost unnoticeable) ahead. If, on the other hand, you are reacting to what you are hearing then you are going to be late (groove-wise) or at best inconsistent between late and on time, which breaks up a groove cycle.
5) Listen to the playback/replay if you are still struggling. If your playing does not sound dead on top of the prerecorded version, then try to figure which of the above elements is missing. You may hear difference you didn't notice in the heat of battle of playing the song.
6) One last resort I try is to get the original recording and listen to it over and over again outside the game, basically trying to absorb the groove subconsciously. I did this for this week's song and I added about 5k in bonuses to my score so far. :)

I have found the path to groove in this game is a tortuous journey, which I am still working through, but surprisingly rewarding with progress. There are a few groove "naturals" who partake in these challenges (I'm not one of them), but I believe it can be improved by focusing on the above steps. For the record, I only ever go after on-time groove that sounds good while playing.

Good Luck

[pick__pocket]

I'm sorry, I didn't see your post. I've changed my division in the post title and spreadsheet. I don't think I am ready for Div I yet. The only thing I know about slap is that you have to hit the string with you thumb and I had never heard about pop before the game. I definitely need some practice with the bass and learn some of the techniques to move that up. maybe in a month or two.

No worries. I just wanted to let you know you weren't being ignored. :)

I think we are In the same boat. I probably belong in Div 2 too If someone picks a slap song I am going to get toasted by the real bass players here.
My plucking hand technique still needs a lot of work. If I use a pick then I feel pretty good about my playing.

This brings me to another point. It didn't make sense to me that RS is recommending finger style for this song. It sounds like pick to me, so I did some investigating online and every video clip I can find from the Stones in the 60's, Bill Wyman is using a pick to play this song!
I will concede this is good practice song for finger style, but if the goal is to match the original artist then RS got this one wrong. Just saying.....

[Brick235]

Thanks for the advice pick pocket. I have my sound set up analog to surround sound and the lag is not noticeable. I'm gonna set it to 0 though and see if that does anything. I think you're right though. I am probably concentrating too much on hitting the note where I see it cross the strings on screen instead of just going by ear. Def gonna be the hardest part for me score wise. I think I'm done with this song for now though.

[Brick235]

Guess I found a little groove. Decided to play one last time. Got less of a note streak but managed to squeeze out some more points.

[pick__pocket]

Updated my final score (http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/708577-Bass-Challenge-Week-1!?p=8540430&viewfull=1#post8540430).

For grins tonight I dabbled with emulation mode with guitar using a pick. I wanted to prove it is easier on guitar. Here's what got (This is not my official entry for the week)

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s441/srwpat/C09EA634-7A19-455B-BDBE-2BECD4C162DB-5460-000006B3A905EF20.jpg


EDIT: The above photo is NOT part of my official entry for the week, but only intended as a demonstration of groove potential in the song and showing that my second attempt using bass emulation is 8k higher than my bass finger style score which took me all week.

[rcole_sooner]

116K!!!! Good run, pick_pocket.

I can't even get 96K consistently.

Wow!!!!

I've played quite a few bass songs now, and this song is one of the toughest ones, for me.

Edit: Okay, I just focused on the image. I did not see that was with an emulated bass. Still 108K with the actuall bass is killin' it.

[mbarsott]

...I wanted to prove it is easier on guitar...

I guess this more than proves it!

[Brick235]

What's the next song? Not Higher Ground, please. Not ready for that yet. Or ever. Lol.

[Pancho X1]

working on the results now. I'm pretty sure Pick_Pocket is the div I winner so he will pick this weeks song.

[pick__pocket]

working on the results now. I'm pretty sure Pick_Pocket is the div I winner so he/she will pick this weeks song.

Really? I guess I didn't think this through :)
From some reason I though Div 4 would select, but I see you now you but Div 1 in the rules.

I don't know what I will pick yet, but rest assured it will not be Higher Ground. I guess I have some homework to do.....

and it's "he" BTW. lol.

[pick__pocket]

116K!!!! Good run, pick_pocket.

I can't even get 96K consistently.

Wow!!!!

I've played quite a few bass songs now, and this song is one of the toughest ones, for me.

Edit: Okay, I just focused on the image. I did not see that was with an emulated bass. Still 108K with the actuall bass is killin' it.

Thanks RCole.
I was wondering if you had read the "fine print" when I saw your initial generous comment. :)

[Pancho X1]

...and it's "he" BTW. lol.

I figured but you know what happens when you assume.....

[pick__pocket]

Sorry folks, but I am going have to ask you to bear with me for a bit before I pick the next song.
I have a few in mind based on listening to them but I don't want to pick a song until I see how it is charted.
Although there are a lot great bass lines in the dlc, I plan to try to stick to a on-disk non-bonus song, so that nobody is excluded.
I would also like to pick a song that hasn't been used in the guitar challenge, just for variety, although I am not planning to be strict on this one.
In my limited RS bass journey (4 events), I haven't been presented any on disk songs that meet my criteria for a challenge song (Satisfaction might have been the only exception), so I need to test a couple of arrangements before I pick.
I will do my best to have the next song picked by 8pm Eastern at the latest. Stupid day job........

[TheJohnNewton]

Well I didn't really get back to working on this as I wanted to, I had some family functions this weekend, but I had a fun time participating as this was my first one ever. I actually improved my score on what I had in my official post, as this song came up as an encore song, but I didn't note my score or get a picture. When you play a gig do you even see the full score like you do at the end of rehersal? You get the overall scores for each song at the end but not the details right? Well anyway I don't care so much about my place for me this is more a fun way to concentrate on a particular song each week. Looking forward to the next one.