Songs to play in Guitar Freaks V4 & Advice Needed!

Cellac · 05-28-2008, 10:01 AM

Hello all!

I'm just signed up to this forum but before I've been a lurker here for quite some time

I don't quite know anyone else at where I live who plays Guitar Freaks and I thought this might be a good venue to ask for some quick tips and suggestions. I hope this is the right section to do it...

So OK, I've played Guitar Freaks for about a year or so. But despite how long I play, I'm nowhere as near as the pros. And just recently I've found this arcade in my city that hosts a V4 machine. I used to play mostly with 11th mix and with this new machine, the songlist is just massive it's bewildering

I basically (almost) always get timed out (stupid 40 second something...) when I try to pick a song and my question is that if any of you guys can suggest me songs that i can practice within my limits since failing songs obviously costs $$$ lol. Just recently I was finally able to pass "Atlante" on Extreme (82) with a D (lol) and it's currently the hardest song I can pass - of course "Light Mode" ON. Generally I'm able to pass songs at about 60s. I pass some at 70s (WE ARE (ext.), Zenith (ext.), Concertino In Blue (bsc.), Dragon Blade (ext.) and some others I can't remember how to spell >< ) I was wondering if there are any similar songs (around 60-80) with similar characteristics/notes to it I can play to practice and get better.

I also welcome any advice on picking/strumming. I pick mostly downwards if the notes are quite separate. I double pick when they are in clusters or are in a same succession (think of Yamato Nadeshiko (ext.), Taratta Dance (ext.) and Taisetsuna Mono). But sometimes I just can't get the timing right, especially in fast songs like Dragin Blade and Atlante. Should I change the method of playing?

Alright I think the post's getting too long so I'll stop right here. Thank you very much to whoever reads and give suggestions

ThatsGobbles · 05-28-2008, 10:28 AM

Definitely recommend playing without LIGHT. Just try songs a bit lower than your current level when starting out without LIGHT. In V4, you can sort and group songs by holding the GREEN fret and turning the effector knob.

Cellac · 05-29-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agentpyro003

Definitely recommend playing without LIGHT. Just try songs a bit lower than your current level when starting out without LIGHT. In V4, you can sort and group songs by holding the GREEN fret and turning the effector knob.

That's a big ask - to play without LIGHT on... But I did try and play without LIGHT on just today and the hardest song I managed to clear was BLACK OUT extreme (68) with a C (Light on, I got a B). I think the main problem when I play without LIGHT is the note clusters. It's hard to strum 4-clustered notes for example.

Yeah I do know how to sort them out but I don't know which songs should I play since there are many of them... So yeah, any reccomendation would be awesome.

Chine · 05-29-2008, 09:15 PM

Try some easier lv 4x-5x songs until you manage to get S for most of them.
(Without "light', of course)

Satoshi368 · 05-30-2008, 10:36 PM

I would go back to around the 50-60 range and play super random on any song that doesn't have super fast alternate picking. That way, lots of patterns that are usually not used can be practiced until they come naturally.

cupcake · 05-31-2008, 09:49 AM

GF is one of those games that is really difficult to master (unless you are just naturally gifted at rhythm games). For one thing, there is the cruel judgment system. For another, there are always songs that almost seem like they're intended to focus on your weak points. Instead of avoiding those songs, seek them out and learn them.

If you can, buy the home games and an ASC. Even with the cost of a JPS2 you'll save time and money.

***June.H*** · 05-31-2008, 09:52 PM

Cellac: I kinda have the same problem with picking. I started on 1st and 2nd Mix with down picking, and up until about 5th or 6th Mix, I could by and large get away with down-picking most songs on Extreme. But since Light mode was never available, I had to start learning up/down picking for more constant and quick-picking songs (like Over There, TL100S, Concertino In Blue, etc). At first I failed like crazy, so I started practicing with slower constant picking songs like Fireball EXT, and worked up to it. Later when I found out about Light mode on 11th, I realized that it felt more like a crutch and made the game less fun (since I could just BS my way through songs like Model DD4 and 5). Try it out sometime, I think the challenge without Light will make you a better player overall since it'll force you to play better.

Here's another question, are you looking for picking practice or fingering practice or both?

Cellac · 06-03-2008, 03:39 AM

@cupcake

I sorta agree. I used to think that GF is much easier than DM but I guess that is not always the case. Though, I thought the ASC guitars have been discontinued and I'd rather buy them in person than placing order through internet. And being in Australia, there is a slim chance that I might find them in a hobby store.

@June.H

Light can be a good and a bad thing sometimes. I used to play without light and the hardest song I can finish was somewhere between the 50s area. When I discovered how to turn the Light on, I began to experiment and tackling songs that are harder than what I usually play. Sadly, it doesn't really teach you how to pick correctly. But again, GF is ridiculously hard without Light on because each miss does a significant damage to your health, which is really the main problem. And it also takes ages to recover, even with Light on... Not very newbie-friendly isn't it.

I do want to get better and just recently I tried to play without lights but simple songs (around 50s) screw me around and I end up wasting my credit. I feel like I'm starting over from scratch...

BTW, to answer your question, I'm looking to practice both my finger and picking. Though, ATM, picking is my main objective.

Just an extra info: I finally cleared Strike Party extreme (81) with Light on and got a D (not suprising) and I just found out I can actually get a B on Zenith extreme (77). Strange thing is, I tried Glide extreme (76) and I failed... I think the rating system is so out of order

BemaniAK · 06-03-2008, 07:08 AM

Buy Guitarfreaks Arcade Style Controller (PS2 & PS) - Order Now!
these guys are fine, I haven' bought this particular controller for them, but my copies of DJMax portable 2, pump it up exceed portable, and pump it up zero portable came fine.
bloody expensive though, so you should really only buy it if you KNOW you're in complete and utter love with guitarfreaks.

Baby Bonnie Hood · 06-04-2008, 08:17 AM

Just a reminder that in V4, you can sort the songs by difficulty level. Perfect for finding a random song that (usually) is at your level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satoshi368

I would go back to around the 50-60 range and play super random on any song that doesn't have super fast alternate picking. That way, lots of patterns that are usually not used can be practiced until they come naturally.

Here's a prank you can play on someone: Tell them to play Shippo no Rock on Adv Bass... with Super Random

Cellac · 06-17-2008, 09:18 PM

Ok.. Been a while since my last post.

I've kinda got better with playing without light. And I think my picking has improved quite a bit I'm getting a constant B/As on 50-60s difficulty song without light on. I even passed "Idle Gossip" Ext. with a C no light lol. I know it isn't nowhere near challenging but I used to have trouble even passing the song light on.

I now think playing GF is all about practice and "memorising" notes. Because I notice that I start getting more and more combo with each play, thus getting better. The difficulty rating means nothing if you don't know the song well.

One question, does anyone here know the best way to strum through "Minami Kaze" Ext. ? I'm having difficulty on the red-green-blue cluster part :S I tried sliding my hand while strumming but to no avail. Is there a better way to do it than training your hand to push the button quickly?

Chine · 06-18-2008, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cellac

Ok.. Been a while since my last post.

I've kinda got better with playing without light. And I think my picking has improved quite a bit I'm getting a constant B/As on 50-60s difficulty song without light on. I even passed "Idle Gossip" Ext. with a C no light lol. I know it isn't nowhere near challenging but I used to have trouble even passing the song light on.

I now think playing GF is all about practice and "memorising" notes. Because I notice that I start getting more and more combo with each play, thus getting better. The difficulty rating means nothing if you don't know the song well.

One question, does anyone here know the best way to strum through "Minami Kaze" Ext. ? I'm having difficulty on the red-green-blue cluster part :S I tried sliding my hand while strumming but to no avail. Is there a better way to do it than training your hand to push the button quickly?

1.For songs like "Idel Gossip",count the beats and find out how fast you have to pick

2.It's all about practicing ,but you don't really have to memorize notes to play good. A lot of good players able to play super random. You have to know the beat though.

Cellac · 06-18-2008, 04:24 AM

@Chine

1. I agree. I think I kinda learn how to measure the speed of picking but I'm still having trouble at when to stop picking sometimes. No light means that picking too much = dead ><

I guess practice is really in the heart of everything u do ><

Other info:
I played again today and I passed Nocturne Ext. (got a B) and cleared Misirlou Ext. with a C no light on. I guess that made it the hardest song I can clear with no light >< I got alot of practice in picking doing Misirlou...

Blackraven · 06-24-2008, 05:21 AM

Play Enrai.

Seriously, you have no idea as to how much better the GFDM cover version sounds over the original from High and Mighty Color.

So yes, play enrai.

Aside from that, you can try some other songs such Koi no something something, Vertigo (pretty easy chart) and especially Purple Storm which is now available.

Plus, if you have an e-amuse connected machine (if there is one near you), you can acess songs now available under EXTRA RUSH LEVEL 14 such as that song by NAO (it's level 60 on EXT drums so it's easy).

Anyways, those are just some suggestions that you can do to enjoy V4 to the fullest extent.

Zarcom · 06-24-2008, 12:18 PM

here is an easier way, find out your bpm speed, then do the following: hold down the green button, then press the knob that is closest to your left, turn it towards your left until you see something that says "BPM 1xx-1xx (some sort of number that I cant think of right now lol)".

From there, just follow the bpm speed that is listed in each catagory and work your way up from there. Thats what I do sometimes.

I also go by feel, which is one of the many hilarious perks about being half-blind

.

See yaz bye.