We've been wondering how a
keyboard would look in the Rock Band universe: a row of colored buttons would make it hardly different than the guitar peripheral, while a real keyboard would... be just as hard to play as a real keyboard. Well, it looks like someone smarter than us has tackled the problem, implementing a Hannah Montana-style "Best of Both Worlds" solution. The keyboard spans two octaves of for-serious white and blacks, but there's a row of colored labels above those keys. How narrowly you're required to hit the "real" key corresponding to the note in the song is based on what difficulty level you choose -- on the easier levels you just have to smash into the correctly colored neighborhood. Oh, and for those hoping to play this keytar-style? the keyboard is designed to work on a lap or strapped over a shoulder. Check out the video below the fold to see it in action.
posted June 10th 2010 9:16AM
should have been a keytar
@tylersmyler
I am disappoint
@tylersmyler Look at the picture... yep it's a keytar laid on its side. You're welcome.
@tylersmyler Isn't that kindof exactly what the guitar is though? Haha
@tylersmyler
I will tear it up on that keyboard.
@tylersmyler
That is true. It does look like a keytar on it's side, even though they aren't calling it that.
Maybe they will ship it with a strap and give us the option.
Sitting kind of sucks for these games, aside from drums...
@tylersmyler
Add this to my ION ROCKER.
http://www.epinions.com/content_497702768260
@tylersmyler
Ion rocker is the best drumset http://www.epinions.com/content_497702768260
@tylersmyler It kinda is a keytar. In that video the guy said that it comes with a strap so you can play standing up. Keytar, right?
@tylersmyler
Should have been the BeatMania board
@tylersmyler
sigh.. I wanna delete my comment.
why can't I delete my comments? I hate this commenting system.
@Ryujin 7keys..nah, ill pass
@tylersmyler
Maybe you should have either read the post or watched the video BEFORE commenting. This isn't a picture book.
@tylersmyler
Rock! Keytar FTW. Time to dig out the 80's clothes.
Want!
@montymintypie I loled at the hannah montana reference.
@Kimosabe There was a hannah montana reference?
why don't people just learn how to play an instrument?
@Atkins
I play the drums and I still love RB.
actually, RB has helped me with some of my basic rhythm and coordination skills.
@Atkins
Because Rock Band is a fun, social experience that anyone can pick up and play. Instruments, to get any real sound out of, require years of work and time.
@jrm125 @tylersmyler
Cool. Point taken :)
@jrm125 I'm pretty sure that playing the keyboard on expert will require years of training. Plus a keyboard that small will cause plastic parts to be thrown against a wall during fast sections.
@Atkins, I like to play Modern Warfare, it doesn't mean I want to join the military and fly to the Middle East.
@Worm in the Apple Well, playing an instrument is a bit more accessible and safe :)
But as I said, point taken.
@Atkins
Same here. i played rockband drums for about a yeard before i started real drums, which helped me alot, and it still does.
@Atkins wrong place to come with a comment like that, engadget is for nerds.
@UbbeDall Please, do not tell me who Engadget is for. Also, my comment is an honest question and luckily the previous commenters took it for what it is.
@Damaga
Expert, sure...but no one needs to learn expert to have a good time. I have friends come over to play Rock Band who only play beginner or intermediate and they have a blast. Sitting there strumming a guitar with no skills probably wouldn't elicit the same joy.
Going hardcore on expert is a whole other ballgame.
@Atkins Yep. Exactly. I play three, if you count concert percussion as a single instrument.
@Atkins It gives me a real sense of accomplishment.
@jrm125. I disagree, well for the drums that is, this game got me started on that instrument and I went and bought a td9 roland electronic set...6 months in and I surpassing guys that have played for 3 years!!
@Worm in the Apple
I like a few Apple products, but it does not mean ill eat them. I also own some windows products, but they don't do such a great job for windows. I could go on.
@rabidmonkey
I suspect you are a prodigy ;)
Buh buh buh Benny and the Jets!
@GamerTechAdrian
I love that song!!
It's also pretty easy to play on a keyboard lol.
Is it midi compatible?
@Kiwi Flake yes it is, you should just watch the video...
They better have Chocolate Rain on there...or alteast a DLC option
@216 Lol.... the lyrics will be the hardest part for that DLC.... what name should they put to the DLC? "Internet Memes"? Lol.... As long as it is the Darth Vader version, i'm ok with it
@216
is there a way to test if you're breathing in to the mic? extra points should be taken off from that song if you do.
@dr steve brule I would love to see them use Natal to make sure you lean away from the mic to breathe in.
Wow I was wondering if this would ever happen. Seems as though Rock Band have one more up on Activision if this is to be believed.
@stringent why wouldn't it be believed? Those are official Harmonix employees, that looks like the official rock band 3, and I'd say officially that looks like a keyboard... seems believable to me.
Oh Paul Miller, you and your Taylor Swifts and your Hannah Montanas.
i don't see how this is going to work. i mean the vast majority of songs have a drumkit, bass, guitar and vocals in them, but few have a keyboard. are they just gonna make up a keyboard part for the songs that don't have them?
There's heaps of 80's stuff that has keyboards, the whole purpose of them bringing in the keyboard is to cash in on the 80's revival.
Where's keyboard cat!?
NOW it looks like something I might like.
Yay!! The Keytar lives! Albeit in mini format...can't wait to strap one of these on.
Hopefully this opens the door for some Wesley Willis DLC