How to Use the Fender Mustang Pro Guitar Controller for Rock Band 3

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Rock Band 3's features include a new Fender Mustang guitar to play in its all-new Pro mode. Here are some tips on how to use this plastic ax.
Step 1: Use the Mustang
Check out the basics of the Rock Band 3 Fender Mustang Pro guitar controller -- rather than 5 buttons like older models, the neck has 102 buttons covering 17 frets to correspond with the notes on an actual guitar; the body has 6 strings to strum, a touch-sensitive string box pressed to mute notes, and the game controls.
Step 2: Play single notes
Turn Rock Band 3 to Pro mode. To play single notes, follow the on-screen guitar neck: each fret corresponds to a number, while the strings correspond to colors. Slide your left hand along the neck, matching the number and color, and strum with your right hand.
Tip
You can play Rock Band 3 in Standard mode with an older model guitar controller.
Step 3: Play chords
To play chords, use the on-screen number to reference where to put your index finger and the chord shape to know where to put your other fingers; the controller's neck recognizes your hand's location. As the chords cross the on-screen guitar bridge, strum the strings to score points.
Tip
For additional practice on the new guitars for Rock Band 3, use the Trainer and Career mode features.
Step 4: Connect to a computer
If you have a computer with music writing software, connect the guitar through its MIDI port. Then, use it to compose your own tunes.
Step 5: Rock out
Keep playing until you master each level of the game, rocking all the way.
Did You Know?
Eric Clapton's famed guitar "Blackie" was assembled using parts from 3 separate vintage Fender Stratocasters.

[@oberhofedavi]

whoa man, this video helped so much, I had no idea that I'd need rock band3 to play with the pro guitar in rock band 3, or that I'd need to set it to pro mode, so much help.

[@EliasJackson]

"You can play Rock Band 3 in Standard Mode with an older model guitar" this video thinks I'm an idiot

[@walidalomari160]

Don't you mean "Play Rock Band 3 in Standard mode with the Fender Stratocaster guitar controller"?

[@zyphrr8187]

1st thing I need is Rock Band 3 Damn I knew I forgot something

[@conorburke8220]

this tutorial is too complex, where do i put the disc?

[@Someone-pw8dp]

@@conorburke8220 yeah where do i put the..... wait i found out in the microwave.

[@dtwbuilds]

How to use the rock band 3 pro fender guitar. Step 1: Don't.

[@ThomasMcCartneyDogeMaster]

lol

[@bowens9211]

You kids need easy games Lol get good for once

[@starxhilmie]

@@bowens9211 be easy on them, fortnite is hard game

[@pauldank3453]

@@starxhilmie or Just learn acutal guitar

[@alansmithee419]

At this point you may as well just play a regular guitar. When simulations become too real, what's the point of them?

[@Frosty-4644]

I feel like the point would be to be able to learn and practice a guitar only paying $150-$250 dollars on this, rather than paying over $1,000 on something that is a hit or miss opportunity to try out. Edit: I do apologize for replying to a 10 month old comment. I am very sure you have figured this out now, but I still felt like commenting about it anyways.

[@alexjones1439]

@@Frosty-4644 Over $1,000?! For what exactly?

[@bondedwithpotatoes0076]

@@alexjones1439 Guitar, amp, lessons, cables, strings, you know. Stuff you need to learn to play guitar.

[@WarDimensionRhythmGames]

@@bondedwithpotatoes0076 Or just buy a guitar, jack, jack converter (or just buy usb guitar jack if available), download some free amp sims, (or just buy acoustic guitar), learn from KZbin...

[@bondedwithpotatoes0076]

@@WarDimensionRhythmGames Still more things than the pro controller. Pro controller is literally just midi guitar: that's it. You can do pretty much all the things you can with a real guitar using a midi guitar in garage band.

[@vinnyreed723]

Levels? Rock-band Ain’t no plat-former lady

[@Typhoon1620]

What are these... levels you speak of? All I know is song and difficulty, I have no idea what this level thing is. Is it a secret song?

[@emberleona9278]

mod that guitar for midi output and use for music. also need to be able to tune it like drop d that will shift midi out.

[@sacripudding4586]

You dont need to mod it for that lol

[@GloofiE]

Rock Band got me to want to play guitar. After 4 years of playing a real instrument and 2 years of being in a real band, I still think Rock Band is fun, even with only 5 buttons.

[@Someone-pw8dp]

I miss keys, pro keys, pro guitar, and pro bass.😭😭😭😭

[@yol_n]

@@Someone-pw8dp try yarg!

[@s71402san]

RB 3 pro are actually two guitars: mustang is this one (with buttons), squier is based on real guitar and can also be used as a real one. I use both real guitar and guitar sample libraries for music production, sounds pretty same. And also, real guitars are very different not just in sound, but also in other parameters.

[@s71402san]

Step 7: bash people who play games with your guitar and throw your laptop away. Result: you are alone with nothing but a broken guitar.

[@AngelicKuro]

You will need Rock Band 3. Thank you for reminding me.

[@jeffhardyultimte]

why are most people saying get a real one i play a real one and im getting better little by little but this is a way for me to learn a bit faster instead of going to like 1 lesson a week. also i would recommend this for someone who wants to learn to play the real thing because it teaches the basics and gives the tabs to real songs

[@ComandanteJ]

@coreyfromtheband actually, you can buy the Fender Squier RB3, wich is a real one, wich you can use both in-game and as a normal guitar. It's a great way to learn the basics, and much cheaper than a teacher ;)

[@dctzeng]

I bought a used one in ebay today. Thanks this video

[@Ulissemazzagatti]

2 questions: 1) can it used without batteries, so with an external ac adapter? 2) can I deactivate the wifi signal? Thank you in advance.

[@DJcyberslash]

Wow, I. Never knew this guitst existed and I was middle school age into guitar hero... anyway this guitar just seems very intimidating as someone who does not know how to play a real guitar. Would of loved to play keys on rb3 though.

[@bmcash97]

things like this take creativity out of everything

[@N0V4S74R]

to rock band bashers: this is a great game that gets people interested in music and if u were true musicians, u would be trilled people are learning more even if its not a REAL guitar. why do u care? its fun, it can lead a lot of people to make the switch and it does actually develop skills that are helpful in playing real guitar. no one is saying they are better at music than real guitar players, they just like playing a game that simplifies the art so everyone can feel like they rock. grow up.

[@reggie5123]

Does anyone know how to set up this guitar in kontakt for a lefty?

[@jesseycoolen4169]

I don't even know how to connect it to my playstation so if you could help...

[@awesomepossum2244]

lol, i brought this home after buying rb3 and also the guitar controler for my brother. my brother thought he could do better than me on a real guitar. he didnt even know where to start, and i gave im simple man by lynard skynyrd to play. then i picked up my guitar, and when through that song with ease. the point is if you really want people to learn guitar, make a real guitar that actually has strings, or dont at all and endorse them buying a real one.

[@mbvglider]

At the end of the day, you get a functional MIDI guitar for cheap. That by itself makes it worth it.

[@Vize526]

Guys, do you tell ppl who play CoD to go to real army? Then spot those comments "learn real guitar and stop wasting time on a game". Besside that, this game actually teaches you real guitar, and you might learn it faster from the game than from teachers, while having fun. So stop those comments and respect ppl way to have fun

[@s71402san]

I'm a guitarist, I play stratocaster, and wonder if this one could be used as a MIDI controller for things like RealLPC etc.

[@nickisan]

Good Luck Playing any fast rock or metal songs on Guitar without a pick guy. Even on Bass you'd need a pick for some songs.

[@N0V4S74R]

to rock band players: this game is awesome especially if u just wanna have fun without committing too much time to practice. however if many of you do take the next step and buy a real guitar, you will find that there is a lot of respect due to those that defend its craft. real guitar requires days if not months of hours in practice to gain fluency and is more complicated, frustrating and rewarding than you can imagine. they even stopped production of pro guitars cause it was too hard to play.

[@venger]

@watercolour No, I'm not saying that. Also, I've been playing guitar for about 8 years. Been playing drums for 2 and piano for 16. As for the entertainment. It's a game. Games are designed to beentertaining. Also this is a GREAT learning tool for people who want to learn real guitar, but don't want, or can't take lessons. You can also play this at any time instead of a designated time during your guitar lesson. This teaches proper songs, chorsds, hand shapes etc.

[@iTzUnreaal]

@not2stupidguitar agreed, i think looking the screen is harder than just playing guitar.

[@Vize526]

Dude this is just a way for you to have fun... I'd love to buy this game, thought i don't wana be a great guitarist... I'd just like to learn some songs, get some agility on fingers and have a good time, and this is a good way to get there

[@s71402san]

Do you know that Russian 7 string guitars are only 19 frets?

[@ScubaProDiver]

Every comment I've read is all hating on this guitar LOL some people don't wanna buy a "real" guitar cause you won't be able to learn unless you pay for lessons as well which costs more. I'd rather get this and use the trained feature to learn and then get the Squier Stratocaster thats apparently coming out in March which is a real guitar for the game and can be plugged into an AMP thats pretty siick

[@Leadman1989]

@jskimages they've got one with strings... also you can use a midi guitar with the game and just buy the midi adapter it's what im gonna do because im left-handed

[@bobdoles123]

so now i can learn to play sogns i always wanted to with these games? sweet

[@originalmo07]

wow they have improved these games! I still stick with playing my bass shittily in my living room for my family and friends but thats pretty cool that they left the stupid 5 button system.

[@metalmugen]

Glad I got the keys instead

[@gotpsp06]

this will come in handy when the mustang gets here after the 5-6 month wait

[@N0V4S74R]

@carbonguy9 the issue with ur idea is that even getting ok at pro guitar is really challenging so u have to "spend hours and hours and hours/slash a lifetime practicing before ur confident enough" to even pick up a real guitar. when u do pick up a real guitar, u'll discover that making sound vs a tv doing it for u is far more difficult that u think, so u'll have to work at that too. i think the game is great for helping people who are already learning real guitar, but its not a substitute

[@Typhoon1620]

Narrator: Explains. Gameplay: I’m A PRo GamEr

[@yani051296]

sorry, can you tell me what song is the video please if you were so kind, thanks in advance

[@OZPerpetue]

@MultiRiffer You can if you buy Rocksmith :)

[@procrastinator300]

Does this guitar work with older games like Rock band, Green Day rock band, and beatles rock band

[@s71402san]

I actually can play the riff on my strat and reallpc at same time.

[@chuckb1127]

Here is an idea for everyone who says get a real guitar..... stop leaving negative comments and go play your damn guitars geez....by the way I am a real guitar player and I actually like playing this thing.

[@burnszy96]

yeah. ik that when you use the RB drums on GH it works. when usually GH has toms and 2 cymbols.

[@Kbralzinnn]

@MystogaN25 of course there are differences, but this game actually teaches you how to play guitar in a different way. U can use a Fender Squier as a controller, so yeah, it is like playing guitar. Also, people who already know how to play a real one, will get to the expert level faster.

[@f3d3ch]

do I need a dongle to use this guitar with my ps3? if not could I plz get the method to do it? I bought this guitar used and came without a dongle. I don't even know if this guitar uses one

[@zzXzTYLERzXzz]

i like the did you know tip at the end.

[@Hector.Michinaux]

El cable Bluetooth usb que se conecta a esa guitarra ¿no sirve para conectarlo a la pc? Y así seguir usando la guitarra de forma inalambrica. ¿Pregunto?

[@KEWB99]

@Peshkatz I haven't tried it, but what was wrong with it?

[@JDster4ever]

this isnt right i have the guitar and the game, i dunno where the game goes in it says xbox 360 on the fronr but i dunno please help

[@rh120000]

I think I would have a hard time doing pinch harmonics, slides, bends, you know, the good stuff on this. Not that I'm saying this is a bad place to start to learn the guitar but if you really want to learn, don't rely on a videogame.

[@jdog167]

So are the they buttons or what?

[@Texy88]

jdog167 Yes, they are buttons.

[@Zieekel]

Also applies to: Reading The Hunger Games when you could just be participating in the games yourself!

[@FreeButtSex]

Rocksmith kicks this games arse.

[@quester110]

Do they have a bass controller for the game? Seeing as I'm a bassist and not a guitarist! :L

[@DrumDrumDrumDrumBoy]

@dragonoidmon1 You do know that Harmonix created the very first Guitar Hero, including Rock Band 1. What you're saying is that the same developers used their same method of creating Rock Band... rather than copying Guitar Hero.

[@workman317]

Youre right, what a world...

[@45tacospaievar]

A real, good one, is guitar pro and your real electric guitar, no videogame will be better than it.

[@roincec]

@YiuTeub You don't need a band to play a guitar. I agree playing a game is fun, but for me personally I feel that playing with my real les paul gives me more pleasure, and I'm willing to spend more time playing my guitar than my PS3.

[@DrumDrumDrumDrumBoy]

Yeah true, but the older instrument versions, for instance, like using a GH3 guitar to RB1 will not work, other than those stuff, all are compatible.

[@KEWB99]

@larissatube It's an actual midi guitar, which is a legitimate instrument. If that's not "real" enough for you well they also have a Squier Strat for this game which is an actual entry level guitar. These games really are inspiring some to play real guitar (myself included). I don't understand why some people act like that's a bad thing.

[@kiltsaresexy]

The controller they showed for comparison is a Guitar Hero guitar. Wow. I really just pointed that out.

[@Kdude216]

@sirsilwil yeah the stratocaster. I believe it just came out this month, and it looks awesome!!!

[@dawnofsouls73]

@Kidddas53 not sure about the lefty mode, as me being a righty, but im pretty sure that this guitar only supports RB3's pro mode

[@carbonguy9]

@N0V4S74R I actually agree with you that this will not replace practice with a real guitar. I don't believe I ever said anything like that. My point was that learning the real guitar can be daunting, costly and time consuming. I've known dozen's of friends who've started and stopped. I even spent some time learning basic chromatic scales for a while but stopped. With this you have a way of learning well charted/tabbed music, how chords and progressions work, etc. You can play with friends

[@ADUAquascaping]

How well can you slide or bend the button? Oh hell you can't. Are there any pinch harmonics in the game?

[@carbonguy9]

@futrico69 I think I actually said when you pick up a real guitar you'll actually know some basics and possibly be able to play something. I don't see why anyone thinks I've said learning to play on a real guitar or taking real lessons is obsolete with this.

[@brb224]

whatmusic writing software are they talking about???

[@TheSuperSaiyan97]

@FacebookTheMetal they make guitar controllers with strings

[@Mikethekiller7]

wait, so can i palm mute? Can i do sweep picking? can i finger pick?

[@kyuss789]

@FacebookTheMetal they have a real guitar with string coming out the you can use on the game and through an amp ..

[@procrastinator300]

@TheBoeboe i think you can also use a real guitar for this game. There is like a special fender guitar that connects to the game

[@pimorules]

@acidprincess252 i dont think so, wasnt the old one an SG?

[@Soniclink329]

So, you dont need a wireless adapter?

[@Rev3ngeoftheDead]

@alogaleno1234 they also have a rock band 3 guitar that can actually play as a real guitar and has strings and all. u can even plug it in an amp... downside is it costs 300 bucks

[@HUEMOB]

@aznbang16 computer: you will need... you: hurry up already im about to pass out

[@bansheeownz]

I'd better hope so seeing as it's the same people. I wish they had their own create a song mode for RB3 like what Activision did. ESPECIALLY with all these pro instruments. Bands could compose their own work and share it to the world.

[@Abon666]

You can use a real guitar with Rock Band 3 too. That said Rocksmith is a better game if you want to learn to play the guitar while Rock Band 3 is a better party game.

[@kyuss789]

@JDarkAngeI or you can buy the one that lets you do both???

[@darrellrayonroblox]

nope how mutch it can carry then diffrent guitar carry diffren threts and strings b a guitar with 44 threts if its a 2 necked guitar has 22 each neck add them together 44 depends on it tho each guitar made diffrently wiht diffrent compassions

[@Subl1minalGaming]

hey i was wondering, do they still sell this type of guitar at Walmart?

[@ilias1419]

I hope you bought a normal guitar instead

[@burnszy96]

exactly. why do you think RB and GH instruments are compatable.

[@rusher38]

@mondevideo they forgot to mention a console to play rockband 3 on

[@50santiago50]

Is it compatible with rocksmith?

[@username55ify]

No. Lol, stupid.

[@username55ify]

***** Alright "Awesome Simulator". Now that, that is a le epic maymay xD nice awesome face that's for the win!

[@username55ify]

***** Also, nice job replying to a 1 year old comment, dipshit.

[@username55ify]

***** I won't.

[@truesteban090]

i like mine it lets me play in real life :) Rocksmith is gonna rock

[@joshjj1230]

You wanna learn guitar, get a real guitar. You wanna learn guitar with a video game, get Rocksmith.

[@TheMrBlotch]

@silvano751 but rocksmith has alot of different footpedals you can use and each godd quality foot pedal is over 100$ about you can get good ones for lower but still and it has an amp feature so you can just play no forced notes and Rocksmith teaches you how to actually play a song unlike if you look up the tabs on the internet.

[@MetallicaKing48]

@futrico69 Yeah, but not all guitars have a MIDI port for recording on computer. Only the most recent made models support that. And most guitars aren't compatible with a game to make learning guitar and playing guitar more fun and enjoyable.

[@Nekuz23]

what if you are a left hander and you play like a lefty?

[@hatchera]

@DeathPenguin1000 I didn't play guitar before and rock band 3 helped me to start because I'm so lazy. It isn't impossible (except for songs like crazy train, through the fire and the flames etc.) and it's even fun to compete with friends.

[@SnipinG1337]

Whats next? Piano hero with all keys?

[@Lultschful]

@halo4life090 You'd have to ask him. But all guitars have their own sound. And you may love the sound you have out of a really cheap, old one. Can be a lot of things, personal taste, quality of the wood, a slight flaw in the neck making it sound grungier, or smoother than expected, the comfort, force of habit... So yeah, it may not be the best he has, but if it's the best for him... good for him :)

[@vretenartyler123]

u still cant bend strings but this is awesome i wounder what they will come up next with the drums and every thing rock band is so fun

[@IronBroadsword]

Real guitars vibrate and resonate to create musical notes, this plastic just triggers a pre-recorded sample. The argument that this is the same thing is ridonkulous. However, from a gaming perspective it's really cool. My stance on it though is that you'll get more out of playing a real guitar and making music yourself than playing somebody else's pre-recorded samples. But to each his own.

[@MeanT241985]

When shit starts to get this realistic its like its not even a fucking game anymore.

[@mcwooley]

@TheBoeboe Look TheBoeboe, I can see by your KZbin channel that you mean well. All I am trying to say is that if you want to enjoy music more, try not to be so rigid about the technology. What if the harpsichord was still the only thing that could be called a "real piano?" What would "Don't Stop Believing" sound like if that were the case? Maybe in the future, this could be a controller for a timbre we never would have thought to use

[@ChiickenTM]

Thats why rocksmith exist

[@Shizukatz]

@greenzoid2 Guitars aren't $2000 dollars unless they're big name guitars. You can get a decent guitar for the same price as the Rock Band Strat. and what I meant when I said the strat sucks was that the game is just incredibly difficult to play; first of all using the strat there is a huge amount of lag between it and the game, and secondly, there's so many ways to unintentionally overstrum - if you simply let the string ring for longer than it should it will overstrum like 5 times.

[@SpikeStarkey]

Ha, Older model guitar controller is the old Guitar Hero1 Gibson SG Black controller. My how the years have gone by. Harmonix needs to make an HD collection for all of their old games. (Frequency, Amplitude, GH ect ect ect)

[@suroj]

On first glance, the sentence "The consumer whores have now lost all independent thought and next they will be buying the 'toilet' and 'toilet paper' controller for the new game 'Celebrity hero takes a shit' " had crossed my mind. Even though, sadly, some people may prefer this to a real guitar, it's still set up and played like one. So there is no reason why people cannot move onto a real guitar afterwards. I'm a guitarist. Me doing some session work --> /watch?v=w8m0vmYvjus&feature=fvst

[@Armedes]

@TatsuAlchemy13 i agree. Honestly, playing RB/GH actually helped me with a real guitar, building up my speed, and endurance. Now RB3 can actually teach me to play songs instead of just learning basic fundamentals. So fake helps real, go figure