Not even 20 minutes in and I broke a string because the game kept telling me to tighten the string

[hayden bo bayden]

Keep in mind here I am brand new to guitars, hell, playing music in general. So I got a guitar and rocksmith for christmas, finally got a product code today that was supposed to come with the game, and I jumped on to start learning.

I get past the calibration no problem, then comes the tuning. From the very start, every single time I played a note to test the tune, it would tell me "be sure not to hit the other strings when you try" when I was 100% certain I wasn't touching any other strings. Here is a screenshot: http://imgur.com/a/MXXE3

Anyway, after hearing the guy tell me not to touch any other strings 500 times in a row, I made it to the B string. Right when I play it was at -999, so I start tightening. Keep tightening, still too lose. Keep tightening, still too lose. Keep tightening, still too lose. It got to the point where it became difficult to twist the knob, but I assume this is normal as I am brand new to this, so I keep tightening, since I'm still no where near 0.

At around -350, I tightened it some more, and bang, string breaks. Don't even know what to do. I figured I'd post this seeing if anyone else had problems like this, and how I can fix it once I get this string fixed/replaced/whatever I'm supposed to do.

[HenoGarvey]

I would suggest getting the string replaced and using an electronic tuner to get the guitar in tune. You can get them really cheap on Amazon. Or borrow one from a guitarist friend.
If it still doesn't work, it may be a cable or a guitar issue. You don't happen to have a locking neck do you?

[gomania161]

You may have some sort of problem in your guitar. Maybe a solder joint or maybe just a bad pickup. Can you try with a friends guitar? Guitar Center gives estimates for guitar repair before they do any work, try that.

[caldaar]

In the picture... it looks like the string was too tight and you needed to loosen the string. Being that it was the low E string (thickest) if all other strings were too tight and you loosen each one from thickest to thinnest, that puts a lot of stress on the thin strings. Or maybe you were playing the bottom string instead of the top?

Rocksmith is not like tabs. The red string is the thickest string which should be the top of the guitar and at the top of the screen on Rocksmith. The purple string is the thinest string which should be at the bottom of the guitar.

Now, if your guitar is extremely out of tune... never tuned before... and you try to adjust only one string tightening it.. That one string is taking all of the weight of the neck. That weight can break the string. You can use the up and down arrows to switch strings that it is checking, adjusting each one a turn or two to get them closer... Eventually getting the whole guitar in tune.

One suggestion being brand new to guitar. Instead of changing the string yourself. Take it to the shop, have them put new strings on and do a "Full Setup". Here that cost $20 on my guitar. Prices are different according to the guitar and the location. They will adjust every aspect of the guitar.. They will adjust the Intonation, which makes sure you have each string playing the right notes on each fret. And adjust the string height and pickup height.... making sure your guitar sounds and plays the best it possibly can. They will also make sure it is in tune and check for any problems the guitar might have.

Now, at that point having new strings, the strings will stretch a little and you will need to retune the next few days of playing to adjust for that stretch.. But it will be close and less likely to break a string if you listen to how Rocksmith tells you to tune it.

Another note. Different songs have different tunings, and you will need to change tunings. When you are tuning down to a Drop Tuning (going from E Standard to Eb or lower) Rocksmith will have you loosen the thinnest strings first since they can take the least amount of weight. If tuning up, it will have you tighten the thickest strings first. Make sure you pay attention to the order of which strings RS wants you to adjust.

[caldaar]

Originally posted by Rogue203:

Most likely you are tuning incorrectly. Make sure you are starting from the top string when you are tuning. If the game is telling you it is at -999 from the start then either calibration isn't correct, or you are tuning the wrong string.

And this... When you do the calibration, and it tells you to play louder.. You don't have to hammer hard on the strings, just keep strumming.

[thog]

If the number is + then you need to make the string slacker, if it's - then you need to make the string tighter. In your screenshot it shows the string is too tight so you were probably tightening when you should have been loosening the string. Just get another set of strings. Nothing wrong with making mistakes, everybody does it and it's a part of learning.

[Jimi the monkey]

Try inverting your strings in game settings.

[r4tl]

Yeah your strings might be inverted from the looks of it.

[sumhavok]

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

Another good lesson, I always have a set of backup strings.

Only one backup set? When I get down to one, I get nervous....

My guess is you were tightening the wrong string (I've done that too). Great advice from everyone here. It’s all about learning and practicing. One day you will look back and laugh.

Welcome to Rocksmith! :)

[Bull Buchanan]

This is one of those darwin moments where the GPS tells you to drive in a lake and you have to make the choice. Don't trust Rocksmith to be right about anything. It's a fun toy, and can be a useful tool, but you should do all of your research about technique and guitar maintenace outside the game from a good online instructor (youtube justinguitar or musiciswin).

If Rocksmith is telling you something is wrong with your guitar, it's likely rocksmith. The good news is that changing your strings is a skill you have to learn anyway, and should only set you back $5.

[pappy13]

I have D'Addario NS Micro Tuners on all of my favorite guitars and always tune it before starting RS - usually when the loading screens are going. That way the tuning in the game goes by smoothly.

[rcole_sooner]

Just a learning mistake that we've all made at one time or another.

Get several packs of strings so you'll be ready the next time one breaks, because it will happen.

[Boris the Animal]

At least you didn't break a nail.

J/K. As rcole mentioned, I think we've all done that in the beginning years with RS or not.

[ianj001]

We have all broken strings, good news is you can practice replacing it. If you look at your picture #3 says if the needle is above center loosen the string. Be sure to read the instructions especially if you are new to guitar.