Music

[Asleep]

I thought it'd be nice to have a thread about all the new instruments, the new music skill, and the ability to form bands. I haven't had a chance to play LN yet, but I'd like to hear everyone else's opinions.

[Glic2000]

Well, I'll give you one tip:  if you want your Sims to all jam together, make sure they're fairly close together (otherwise the "Join Jam Session" option does not appear). 

I find it a bit amusing that you can put any of the instruments (yes, even the drum set) into your inventory.  

So far I've only had one chance to play a gig, and it was spoiled because one of the Sims I wasn't controlling left the venue, for some reason.  The gigs are few and far between so far.  However, i've got another one coming up soon so hopefully it'll go better.

I'm not sure if it's possible to have your Sims all jam together and earn tips together.   If someone knows, please let me know.  I know they can play and earn tips solo, but it'd be nice if they were actually playing together.

[Storyteller]

My new sim has the one man band LTW, so this should be interesting.  It took me the better part of a sim week to form a band, and they have yet to get a gig.  I do know that all of the new instruments have the same skill challenges as the guitar skill, and that there is sheet music for all of the new instruments, just like the guitar.

Once you form a band, there is a "invite band" interaction that gets them all to the same place (sometimes, I had one that refused to show up, even though she was "on her way").  That's about all I know.  They do sound nice playing together, though.

[Metropolis Man]

So far I've only had one chance to play a gig, and it was spoiled because one of the Sims I wasn't controlling left the venue, for some reason.  The gigs are few and far between so far.  However, i've got another one coming up soon so hopefully it'll go better.

The gigs definitely do seem pretty sparse. My band has not been offered one yet after jamming together for about 3 days. Carl was telling me that Celebrity Status has a huge impact on a Sim even being allowed into clubs, so I wonder if there's a connection?

[Glic2000]

The gigs definitely do seem pretty sparse. My band has not been offered one yet after jamming together for about 3 days. Carl was telling me that Celebrity Status has a huge impact on a Sim even being allowed into clubs, so I wonder if there's a connection?

I've got my third gig coming up and it seems like there's been about one gig per week.   Initially I had one, 1-star celebrity in it, but now all four members have 1-star, so we'll see if that helps.  We're still playing the dive, so maybe we'll get a gig somewhere nicer soon.

Thankfully the last gig was a success and my Sims won't have to start selling off their furniture!  

[Metropolis Man]

I've got my third gig coming up and it seems like there's been about one gig per week.   Initially I had one, 1-star celebrity in it, but now all four members have 1-star

Are all of your band members created in CAS and under your control? Or did you create one Sim and ask townies to join?

[Schipperke]

My Dynasty members have really taken to the new instruments and have formed their own band, although I don't know if they'll get gigs in SV.  One thing I have noticed is that they are starting at level 3 on all the new instruments.  I presume this is because of using the toddler xylophone, although it doesn't say that.  If that's the reason, the toddler xylophone now gives you a big boost on a whole bunch of instruments.  Good deal!

[Glic2000]

Are all of your band members created in CAS and under your control? Or did you create one Sim and ask townies to join?

I actually didn't create anyone; I just chose the apartment that had three people living in it already.  Then I added one of the townies.

Btw, I heard a rumour you need four people in the band to get gigs... is that true?  If I could get by with just three I might try that.

[Metropolis Man]

Btw, I heard a rumour you need four people in the band to get gigs... is that true?  If I could get by with just three I might try that.

Ah, that might explain why I had not received a phone call yet. I only had 3 members in the band.

Speaking of phone calls, what's up with the 2 ring phone calls? Has anyone else noticed this? There's practically no time to answer a call.

[cndneh]

I have a sim LTW one man band - no Gig work yet, though I had problems loading Bridgeport so my Sim is playing in Twinbrooks.   Question is do you need a special place to play a gig (like a bar?) or will you get a call to play in the park (for example)?

My sim has one star celebrity status (how I don't know?  help?)  and the paparazzi are stalking me, kinda cool, can you do anything (like pose) with the paparazzi?

And yes the two ring phone calls suck. 

Also, anyone else recognize tunes on the instraments??  My sim was playing the keyboard and I'm sure she played "rock-a-bye-baby" and then later on a popular (don't know the name) ragtime tune.

[Glic2000]

I have a sim LTW one man band - no Gig work yet, though I had problems loading Bridgeport so my Sim is playing in Twinbrooks.   Question is do you need a special place to play a gig (like a bar?) or will you get a call to play in the park (for example)?

Yeah, you can only play gigs in venues that actually have a stage setup (e.g. a bar).  So if you're playing in Twinbrook, I don't think you'll ever get a gig (unless you manually added an appropriate venue, of course). 

If you look in the Lessons, there's an entry titled "Building Band Venues" which will give you an explanation of how to create a venue for gigs.  So you should be able to add one to Twinbrook with a little work.  Let us know how it works out, I'm curious!

[cndneh]

Yeah, you can only play gigs in venues that actually have a stage setup (e.g. a bar).  So if you're playing in Twinbrook, I don't think you'll ever get a gig (unless you manually added an appropriate venue, of course).  

If you look in the Lessons, there's an entry titled "Building Band Venues" which will give you an explanation of how to create a venue for gigs.  So you should be able to add one to Twinbrook with a little work.  Let us know how it works out, I'm curious!

I got Bridgeport working so I've ditched my Sim in Twinbrooks... you might have to wait for the answer!

[Glic2000]

I'm glad you got it working!

[jestina]

No wind instruments in the game? That's kind of a blah.

And why did they need a separate skill for bass? If you know guitar, then you know how to play bass. Bass is just the top three strings on a guitar tuned down, isn't it?

Oh...and has anyone got the hang of forming bands and getting gigs yet? I did form a band and my sim got the opportunity to play a gig...but I never saw one become available.

[Phyrie]

A bass guitar has four strings, not three, and it is a different instrument, as a French horn is different from a tuba.  Both are played by vibrating your lips and blowing into a mouthpiece, but they are considered vastly different instruments.  A six string guitar is plucked or strummed, whereas with a bass, your fingers "walk" the strings.  There is also a special relationship between the drums and the bass, that doesn't exist with the rythmn or lead guitars.  Also, the bass player is always the coolest member of the band.  LOL!! ;-D

I haven't figured out the bands thing yet, either.  I am awaiting the delivery of the Prima Guide, though, and I hope it helps.

EDIT: I've figured it out!  Talk to your selected soon-to-be Band Member.  Under the "Friendly" conversation button, you will find the "Form a Band" option.  Enjoy!