Inverted is the NORMAL way to play

[MeanJohnRambo]

I inverted the neck as soon as I figured out that I could. I don't understand how people play non-inverted and I'll probably never understand. Do people really visualize the guitar like that? I always thought inverted was the way normal people saw the guitar because it's how you see the guitar when you look down at the strings. Apparently I was wrong. People are a lot weirder than I thought. Oh well

[alexcustos]

Yep, some people like XRay the guitar neck or seeing themself in a mirror. It's the same as with natural/inverted mouse scrolling. This order was enabled by default because Ubisoft did research and found that absolute noobs react slightly better when the low string is on the top. After a while, it doesn't matter. The brain is smart enough to perform invariant recognition without any issue.

[alexcustos]

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

all my instruments physically have the low string on the top

That's a weird way of thinking, indeed. Low can't be on the top

[alexcustos]

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

BTW, I don't know if this is inverted or not but in RockSmith (I had to load it to know) I have it display the red (low) string on the bottom.

That's the correct order (Ubi named it inverted, though). And it's not about TABs but the general perception of the instrument. That's a problem when people refer bass side as the top just because they see it in this way.

[MTZIGG]

Well since it seems we are on this subject Wich way is up the neck and down the neck

[alexcustos]

Originally posted by MTZIGG:

Well since it seems we are on this subject Wich way is up the neck and down the neck

The neck is on the bottom, and the bridge is on the top, no matter how you prefer to hold your guitar. And it's not only about the guitar. Even in zero gravity (ISS for, example) people always agree where the top and bottom.

[alexcustos]

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

"Correct order" based on what? It doesn't match the physical layout of my instruments where the lower pitched strings are on top. Top meaning they are physically higher, further from the ground. What do you mean by "general perception of the instrument?"

Of course, you're free to use any notation you like. But as you noticed, the guitar is a weird instrument. You can string it upside down or play it hanging head-first. Or if someone takes it to the moon or mars, which ground should they orient their guitars to speak about them? That's why we have conventional definitions, almost whole music theory based on them. Why do you question this one in particular?

[SOUL✝🇻🇦]

how though

[alexcustos]

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

What conventional definition are you talking about and how does it relate to the display in RockSmith? You say I'm questioning it but I'm not clear what convention you're talking about much less questioning it.

The Bass side is the bottom, and the Treble side is the top. That's the common sense we should use to describe musical instruments when it's possible. And no, I don't care what Rocksmith displays. It's just random software, a game. Your question was what makes that order "correct" in general.

[alexcustos]

No, Ubi probably should let to choose the preferred order while creating a new profile, but I respect their choice. At least, we can flip it in the menu.

[zerozerozero]

you are all wrong.. master mode is the only NORMAL way to play. only noobs play with notes up

[MeanJohnRambo]

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

Originally posted by zerozerozero:

you are all wrong.. master mode is the only NORMAL way to play. only noobs play with notes up

Well first you have to learn the notes. If you can hear a song and instantly play it by ear great. That would be an end goal. But then why are you wasting your time in RS?

Exactly

[comatosedragon]

The reason it "feels better" to have the lowest pitched string (red, "E") on the bottom is because rocksmith is basically moving tablature, and the generally accepted "correct" way to write tabs is from low to high:

G
D
A
E

[alexcustos]

Originally posted by comatosedragon:

The reason it "feels better" to have the lowest pitched string (red, "E") on the bottom is because rocksmith is basically moving tablature

The RS notation has little in common with TABs. You will probably get adjusted before even notice the switcheroo. The only reason I fell back was the Session mode. I couldn't stand those shapes upside down. Then I noticed that it's easier to read it all when the high strings (most busy on Lead) are on the top. Sometimes it also helps to recognize shapes on the virtual fretboard, but usually, I don't have time to stare at it.

Originally posted by thejohnnewton:

But then why are you wasting your time in RS?

I believe we're all wasting our time in RS. Somewhere at the 500h mark, I realized that all magic happens off the game anyway. But RS is still a fun way to explore songs and practice them when you learned them well enough.

[alexcustos]

@thejohnnewton I agree with all of the above, but can you tell what makes RS unique? With decent motivation, it like a fifth wheel. It's helpful for a start or for people who don't want to put much effort in exchange for time and efficiency. That's what I call wasting time.

[Buck]

No, it's not. Do whatever you prefer, but don't act like your opinion is the only valid one.