The "train"

**BobaFrets** · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 222 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

I'm currently at Medium level Bass and Guitar, and could use some advice with the rapid series of notes some call "the Train". Basically when you get a bunch of the same note in rapid succession (for instance, When You Were Young or Run to the Hills).

I've tried alt-strumming but it doesn't always work - I miss a note somewhere in the series. How do I best overcome this?

Also, for bass, how on Earth does one possibly upstrum their way through that? I'd like to do it properly but it's even harder when you're not alt-strumming.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
_________________

Medium/100% completed.

Easy/100% completed.

**RLKDragon** · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 2253 Location: Chicago, IL

You could learn to tap those sections if the notes are HO/POs.

As for how bassists pull that off, they pluck the strings with their index, middle, and (sometimes) ring fingers to get that kinda speed.

**BobaFrets** · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 222 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

I was speaking specifically of bass in the game.
_________________

Medium/100% completed.

Easy/100% completed.

**Fedora** · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 2286 Location: Des Moines, IA

**RLKDragon** · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 2253 Location: Chicago, IL

**BobaFrets** · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 222 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

I'm looking for a technique that will work well in the game. I figured from your usage of "strings" that you weren't referring to the controller.

The sequences I speak of won't ever be HO/POs (though they might start or end with one) because they are rapid successions of the same note.

I know that getting better at alt-strumming will help, but when I play Bass I like to upstrum only. I'm sure as I progress, that will get harder - but I know there is an achievement based on doing so.

Help a rookie out, please.
_________________

Medium/100% completed.

Easy/100% completed.

**nbh2992** · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 514

The Train will come to you with time... Just keep at it. Try to time yourself, don't go like a madman. In this case ONLY, understrumming is better.

Bassically, (see what I did there?) it's all about rhythm. Good luck.
_________________

**blob** · Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 2177 Location: Dallas, TX

Count. Count the number of notes in the section and count out loud. It really works =D
_________________

Solo Accomplishments

BTY--v Accomplishments

**singemfrc** · Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 4407 Location: California

What worked really well for me when its the same note in a row over and over is I look at a note a few out depending on the time signature, usually the 4th note out (If its 4/4 or 2/4), and as I'm playing the other notes just in rhythm I keep my eye on that note and follow it down until it hits, making sure that I hit that one exactly and only watch every 4th or whatever it is for that song..that ensures that every couple notes I'm back on rhythm and dont get too far outside of the timing window. It takes a little while to get used to but is foolproof once you do it. It also works really well with the GH games because you can watch for the thicker measure lines on the fret board.

Proof it works? See this.

**BobaFrets** · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 222 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

Im not sure I understand that last - could you please clarify? Thanks.
_________________

Medium/100% completed.

Easy/100% completed.

**de1337ed** · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 1066 Location: JMU, VA

If you're alt strumming, count the notes to know whether to stop with an up or down strum (for odd it's the same as your first, for even it's the opposite)
_________________

**Fedora** · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 2286 Location: Des Moines, IA

**SlashYourFug** · Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 20

I'm not really sure how fast the notes you're talking about go, since I play on expert, but when I'm doing something repetitive like When You Were Young, I count out loud.

That's actually not a very good example since it changes, so we'll go with the bass part on Reptilia. I count out loud, "1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4" and it helps me keep time. Most parts like that will actually be in sets of four, just because 4/4 is the most common time signature (if you don't know what that means, don't worry about it).

You can do it whether you're strumming one direction or alternating.

**BobaFrets** · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 222 Location: Buffalo, NY, USA

As a "for instance" the bass part in "Seven" is a killer for me, especially if I try upstrumming only.
_________________

Medium/100% completed.

Easy/100% completed.

**Fedora** · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 2286 Location: Des Moines, IA