Instrument skill
Instrument skill
A garage band in The Sims 3: Late Night.
- For the similar skill, see Creativity (skill).
Instrument skills are a variety skills dealing with different types of instruments in The Sims 3 and The Sims 4. They allow Sims to become more skilled in playing those instruments.
The Sims 3[edit | edit source]
In The Sims 3, there are six different instrument skills: guitar, bass, drums, piano, laser rhythm-a-con, and violin. The guitar skill is available in the base game, the violin skill is added by buying the Fit as a Fiddle Violin from The Sims 3 Store, or by buying the Duke of Bows Renaissance Faire set; the bass, drums, and piano skills are featured in The Sims 3: Late Night, and the Laser Rhythm-a-con skill is featured in The Sims 3: Into the Future. These skills are augmented by the virtuoso trait.
The four instrument skills, i.e. guitar, bass, drums, and piano, are also known as band skills.[TS3:LN] These instruments essentially have the same features, such as the ability to jam, perform for tips in the subway, learn compositions, and be used for a band. Laser Rhythm-a-con is also considered a band skill, though it has some limitations, such as the lack of ability to jam and be used for a band. Violin skill, however, is a standalone skill that is not related to the other instrument skills. It cannot be used for a band either.
Statistics[edit | edit source]
Most statistics of each instrument are similar, but they have different titles.
- Compositions Learned (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Laser Rhythm-a-con)
- Percent of Compositions Known (Violin)
- Number of times compositions have been performed (Guitar, Laser Rhythm-a-con)
- Compositions Played (Bass, Drums, Piano)
- Total Played Compositions (Violin)
- Total Played Medieval Compositions (Violin)
- Times Watched (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano)
- Number of times Sims have watched you perform (Laser Rhythm-a-con)
- Total Watchers (Violin)
- Money Made (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano)
- Money earned through playing the Laser Rhythm-a-con (Laser Rhythm-a-con)
- Tips Earned (Violin)
Challenges[edit | edit source]
Most instruments have identical skill challenges. Violin doesn't have skill challenges, however.
- Master Guitarist / Drummer / Bassist / Pianist / Laser Rhythm-a-con Artist
- Master Guitarists learn to play every song awarded to them and available for purchase at the store. After learning so many songs, they receive a special Master Track!
- Guitar / Drum / Bass / Piano / Laser Rhythm-a-con Star[1]
- Guitar Stars must play at 10 Parties and Venues in the town to earn their title. Afterward, they earn larger monetary rewards for tips and performances!
- Money Maker
- Earn §25,000 playing the instrument to earn a new Master Track to perform. Money can be earned through tips or by completing opportunities.
Abilities[edit | edit source]
Sims with level 5 or higher instrument skill can learn new compositions by buying and reading sheet music from bookstore. Compositions can only be learned once, and after Sims finish learning it, the sheet music will vanish. Some compositions are available to be learned from completing Master Guitarist / Bassist / Drummer / Pianist / Laser Rhythm-a-con Artist and Money Maker challenges.
Unlike the other instruments, violin skill doesn't have sheet music in the bookstore. Sims will instantly learn violin compositions when they reach higher skill levels. Violin also has 2 types of compositions: normal and medieval composition.
Sims can play for tips at level 5. They can go to a community lot and play for tips to earn money from watching Sims. In addition, they can also play for tips in the subway,[TS3:LN] which is more efficient because they may earn tips without actual Sims watching them playing. If the Sim has a romantic interest, they can also serenade them with their instrument.
More skilled Sims will create an "Enjoying Music" moodlet when Sims are around. The moodlet effect will be higher if the Sim has higher skills. The moodlet will start appearing with skill level 5 with +15 effect, and the effect will increase by +5 for each skill level. Sims who master the skill will create the moodlet with +40 effect. The effect does not stack with other music sources however, like stereo.
Compositions[edit | edit source]
Each instrument, excluding violin, has special master track compositions. Guitar, piano, bass, and drums have four master tracks, while Laser Rhythm-a-con has five. Three (four for Laser Rhythm-a-con) of the master tracks can be randomly learned by completing the Master Instrumentalist and Money Maker challenges, as well as maximizing the skill if the Sim has the virtuoso trait. The last master track for guitar can be learned by completing a certain opportunity.
| Level | Instrument | Composition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Guitar | Yes Ma'am, I Do | Bookstore |
| 6 | Guitar | A Love Since Forgotten | Skill |
| 6 | Guitar | Keep On Raining | Skill |
| 6 | Guitar | If You Mean It | Skill |
| 6 | Guitar | Flamenco Fever | Bookstore |
| 7 | Guitar | Pa Fights the Bear | Skill |
| 7 | Guitar | My Porch, Anytime | Skill |
| 7 | Guitar | Rails for Miles | Skill |
| 7 | Guitar | A Perfect Moment | Bookstore |
| 8 | Guitar | One More Dance? | Skill |
| 8 | Guitar | Two Steps at a Time | Skill |
| 8 | Guitar | I Won't, If You Will | Skill |
| 8 | Guitar | Improvise Here and Now | Bookstore |
| 9 | Guitar | One Night on Powell | Skill |
| 9 | Guitar | Keep It Up | Skill |
| 9 | Guitar | Meet Me Downtown | Skill |
| 9 | Guitar | Dream Escape | Bookstore |
| 10 | Guitar | If I Had Two Hearts | Skill |
| 10 | Guitar | The Southern Lady | Skill |
| 10 | Guitar | It Ends Now | Skill |
| 10 | Guitar | Master Track: Kaitlin's Song | Challenge |
| 10 | Guitar | Master Track: So Epic It Hurts | Challenge |
| 10 | Guitar | Master Track: Ballad of the Raider | Challenge |
| 10 | Guitar | Master Track: Walk the Path | Opportunity |
| 5 | Bass | In My Truck | Bookstore |
| 6 | Bass | Into the Night | Skill |
| 6 | Bass | Sunny Skies | Skill |
| 6 | Bass | Jamming With You | Skill |
| 6 | Bass | Cha Cha Cha Ching | Bookstore |
| 7 | Bass | Sleepy Kitty, Purr, Purr, Purr | Skill |
| 7 | Bass | Walk of Shame | Skill |
| 7 | Bass | Hotspot Vibe | Skill |
| 7 | Bass | Subway Glances | Bookstore |
| 8 | Bass | Ra Ta Ta | Skill |
| 8 | Bass | The Sweet Move | Skill |
| 8 | Bass | Hunger in the Night | Skill |
| 8 | Bass | Feeling Cheated | Bookstore |
| 9 | Bass | The Bu-bu-bubble Song | Skill |
| 9 | Bass | Candy Stealer | Skill |
| 9 | Bass | Sleeping in Air | Skill |
| 9 | Bass | Gobo Trance | Bookstore |
| 10 | Bass | Paparazzi Man | Skill |
| 10 | Bass | Taco Truck Dreams | Skill |
| 10 | Bass | Nacho Woman | Skill |
| 10 | Bass | Master Track: Amazing Maya | Challenge |
| 10 | Bass | Master Track: Grandeur of the Strings | Challenge |
| 10 | Bass | Master Track: Fears Come True | Challenge |
| 10 | Bass | Master Track: Bridgeport Breeze | Challenge |
| 5 | Drums | Howdy! Means Hello | Bookstore |
| 6 | Drums | A Walk in the Park | Skill |
| 6 | Drums | Outdoors Boy | Skill |
| 6 | Drums | Alan's Star Power | Skill |
| 6 | Drums | Dancing Duel | Bookstore |
| 7 | Drums | Drummer Boy | Skill |
| 7 | Drums | The Flamming Waylon | Skill |
| 7 | Drums | The Greatest Brawl | Skill |
| 7 | Drums | If Only I Had Known | Bookstore |
| 8 | Drums | Ocean Ave | Skill |
| 8 | Drums | I've Gotta Crush on the Mixologist | Skill |
| 8 | Drums | Summer Retreats | Skill |
| 8 | Drums | Be Bop Blues | Bookstore |
| 9 | Drums | Battle Bongos | Skill |
| 9 | Drums | I Enjoy Being a Boy | Skill |
| 9 | Drums | She was my Match | Skill |
| 9 | Drums | The Awesome Song | Bookstore |
| 10 | Drums | Detonate It | Skill |
| 10 | Drums | The Man with the Red Scarf | Skill |
| 10 | Drums | Drum Circle | Skill |
| 10 | Drums | Master Track: Stargaze | Challenge |
| 10 | Drums | Master Track: Morning Joe | Challenge |
| 10 | Drums | Master Track: When We Met | Challenge |
| 10 | Drums | Master Track: Arcade Romance | Challenge |
| 5 | Piano | Summer Hayrides | Bookstore |
| 6 | Piano | Emily's First Day of School | Skill |
| 6 | Piano | I Think I'm in Love with a Ghost | Skill |
| 6 | Piano | Never Again | Skill |
| 6 | Piano | Nicholas's Fresco Impromptu | Bookstore |
| 7 | Piano | What's Your Sign? | Skill |
| 7 | Piano | A Walk in the Park | Skill |
| 7 | Piano | Don't Steal My Things | Skill |
| 7 | Piano | Wilkinson's Bay Sonata | Bookstore |
| 8 | Piano | The Day She Asked Me to Dance | Skill |
| 8 | Piano | Shuffleboard Love | Skill |
| 8 | Piano | Jumping into his Arms | Skill |
| 8 | Piano | Peanut Butter and Jelly Blues | Bookstore |
| 9 | Piano | Whispering Trees | Skill |
| 9 | Piano | Oops...I Stole Your Chair | Skill |
| 9 | Piano | Money Grows on Trees | Skill |
| 9 | Piano | Roland Forbearance | Bookstore |
| 10 | Piano | Fire in the Night | Skill |
| 10 | Piano | Secrets of the City | Skill |
| 10 | Piano | Lady in Grey | Skill |
| 10 | Piano | Master Track: My First Dance | Challenge |
| 10 | Piano | Master Track: Cwik's Legacy | Challenge |
| 10 | Piano | Master Track: The Line of Magnub | Challenge |
| 10 | Piano | Master Track: Bork! Bork! | Challenge |
| 6 | Violin | Amber Rose | Skill |
| 6 | Violin | Armored Armour[2] | Skill |
| 6 | Violin | The Tenth Ballad of Henry the Ninth[2] | Skill |
| 7 | Violin | The Duck Ascending | Skill |
| 8 | Violin | Plumbbob Bob | Skill |
| 8 | Violin | Jester's Last Dance[2] | Skill |
| 9 | Violin | Stairway to Dragon Valley | Skill |
| 10 | Violin | Don't Wall Me In | Skill |
| 5 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Better Plucky Than Good | Bookstore |
| 6 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Airships with Neon Billboards | Skill |
| 6 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Cloudscapes in May | Skill |
| 6 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | My Summer with Cecil | Skill |
| 6 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Dungeon Crawler | Bookstore |
| 7 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | A Country Drive | Skill |
| 7 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Dragon Scales | Skill |
| 7 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Noodling like Ramen | Skill |
| 7 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | The Chattering Classes | Bookstore |
| 8 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Building a Clockwork Unicorn | Skill |
| 8 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | The Third Extinction | Skill |
| 8 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Ghost on the Moors | Bookstore |
| 9 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 | Skill |
| 9 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | The Slow Creep of Fog | Skill |
| 9 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 | Skill |
| 9 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Whistle while you Twerk | Bookstore |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | As Steel Bison Awake | Skill |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Slow Pistons | Skill |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Wubbing in B Flat | Skill |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Master Track: Stomping on Flutes | Challenge |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Master Track: Rombus Fights Back | Challenge |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Master Track: Take Five | Challenge |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Master Track: Storming the Castle | Challenge |
| 10 | Laser Rhythm-a-con | Master Track: Nod Your Shred | Challenge |
The Sims 4[edit | edit source]
In The Sims 4, there are four different instrument skills: guitar, piano, violin and pipe organ. The guitar, piano and violin skills are in the base game, while pipe organ is added in Vampires. The inspired emotion is helpful to raising these skills, as it gives Sims a boost to instrument skill gain. These skills are also augmented by the creative trait, as those Sims tend to be more inspired than others. Sims with the music lover trait can also be better at raising instrument skills, as they become more inspired from listening to music and become happy from playing instruments. The Musical genius aspiration is heavily centered around raising instrument skills. Children can also learn the guitar, piano and violin after mastering their creativity skill.
Sims can start gaining tips from playing instruments out in the public; the higher their instrument skill, the more Simoleons they will gain. Lounges include guitars and violins, making them a great place for Sims to gain tips. City Living comes with a performance stand, that also allows Sims to gain tips. They are found in the neighborhoods of San Myshuno and Sims can also buy one of their own, which they can carry in their inventory to wherever they want.
Reaching level 10 of one instrument skill will unlock the corresponding skill achievement.
Guitar[edit | edit source]
- This section is in need of additional information. You can help The Sims Wiki by expanding this section.
Piano[edit | edit source]
- This section is in need of additional information. You can help The Sims Wiki by expanding this section.
Violin[edit | edit source]
Level 1: Allows sim to practice music on the instrument.
Level 2: Sim can use the computer to research the violin, discuss violinists with other sims, and appreciate classical music on stereo.
Level 3: Play Traditional Songs
Level 4: Play a Concerto and play songs from the Rock genre.
Level 5: Play Country Songs
Level 6: Play Romantic songs and also Serenade other sims.
Pipe organ[edit | edit source]
The Sims 4: Vampires introduces the pipe organ skill. Sims can practice and learn the skill by playing the Napri Parlour Organ organ.
| Level | Ability |
|---|---|
| 2 | Interaction: Plunk for Inspiration |
| 3 | Play Theme songs |
| 4 | Play Cinema songs. |
| 5 | Play Jazz songs |
| 6 | Play Circus songs |
| 7 | Play Haunting Music
Play Drama songs |
| 8 | Play Gospel songs.
Write a new song. |
| 9 | Play Classical songs. |
| 10 | Play Avant-garde songs |
- This section is in need of additional information. You can help The Sims Wiki by expanding this section.
Compositions[edit | edit source]
Each instrument has various compositions, that Sims can write after reaching high enough levels. Once a song has been finished, Sims can submit it to a publisher to gain royalties.
Guitar[edit | edit source]
Outdoor Retreat introduces three new songs that can be played around a campfire. They require a minimum of level 3 Guitar skill, but will sound different with higher skill level. Jungle Adventure introduces six new compositions that can only be played by Sims with both level 7 Guitar skill and level 3 Selvadoradian Culture skill.
| Level | Genre | Composition | EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Blues | Hogan's Diner Blues | 
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| 3 | Blues | Let's Meet Again |
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| 3 | Blues | Lost My Burger |
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| 3 | Blues | That Kind of Day |
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| 3 | Campfire | Campfire Composition | 
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| 3 | Campfire | Hiker's Trail Song |
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| 3 | Campfire | Marshmallow Melody |
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| 4 | Rock | Down the Road |
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| 4 | Rock | For My One and Only |
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| 4 | Rock | My Kind of Day |
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| 4 | Rock | Spline On |
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| 5 | Country | Comin' Down the Pipeline |
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| 5 | Country | Bring My Prop |
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| 5 | Country | Froggy Country |
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| 5 | Country | Twasn't Mine |
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| 5 | Country | Neighborhood Walkby |
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| 6 | Ballad | Ellie's Rain |
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| 6 | Ballad | Loading Home |
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| 6 | Ballad | Smilin' Heart |
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| 7 | Latin | A Quality Life |
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| 7 | Latin | Latin Tappin' |
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| 7 | Latin | Llama's Lament |
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| 7 | Latin | Los Simoleones |
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| 7 | Latin (Selvadoradian) | Greetings From the Jungle | 
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| 7 | Latin (Selvadoradian) | Skullfinder's Ballad |
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| 7 | Latin (Selvadoradian) | Crepúsculo en la jungla |
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| 7 | Latin (Selvadoradian) | Selvadoradian Fiesta |
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| 7 | Latin (Selvadoradian) | La Rana Bandida |
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| 7 | Latin (Selvadoradian) | El Jaguar Solitario |
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| 8 | Classical | Dragon's Lullaby |
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| 8 | Classical | For the Realm |
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| 8 | Classical | Under a Medieval Moon |
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| 8 | Classical | The Princess and the Knave |
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| 8 | Written | A Mournful Lament |
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| 9 | Jazz | Frankly So |
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| 9 | Jazz | JRBM #2 |
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| 9 | Jazz | The Bitter W |
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| 9 | Jazz | The Dude |
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| 9 | Jazz | Who's Gone |
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| 9 | Written | A Plucky Tune |
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| 9 | Written | A Relaxed Rhythm |
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| 10 | Avant-Garde | ASM Error |
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| 10 | Avant-Garde | BVT Post |
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| 10 | Avant-Garde | Not My PyDev |
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| 10 | Avant-Garde | PSU and PSMe |
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| 10 | Avant-Garde | Song in SI |
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| 10 | Written | A Dramatic Ballad |
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| 10 | Written | A Playful Tune |
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Piano[edit | edit source]
| Level | Instrument | Genre | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Piano | Traditional | Grone Groove |
| 3 | Piano | Traditional | O Oasis Springs |
| 3 | Piano | Traditional | Oh My Darling |
| 3 | Piano | Traditional | The Lot of the Rising Sun |
| 3 | Piano | Traditional | Willow Creek Ditty |
| 4 | Piano | Blues | I Failed the Smoke |
| 4 | Piano | Blues | No Time For Now |
| 4 | Piano | Blues | Where'd the Day Go |
| 5 | Piano | Romantic | All My Hearts |
| 5 | Piano | Romantic | For Bella |
| 5 | Piano | Romantic | Meant to Sims |
| 5 | Piano | Romantic | Relationship Bits |
| 6 | Piano | Post-Bop | But I Said So |
| 6 | Piano | Post-Bop | Need More Information |
| 6 | Piano | Post-Bop | Not the Best Location |
| 6 | Piano | Post-Bop | Triage |
| 7 | Piano | Latin | Let's Go Downtown |
| 7 | Piano | Latin | Often I Wonder |
| 7 | Piano | Latin | Saloon Sweetheart |
| 7 | Piano | Latin | Seriously Suave |
| 8 | Piano | Ragtime | Comparing Errors |
| 8 | Piano | Ragtime | The Nag Report |
| 8 | Piano | Ragtime | Wag It Out |
| 8 | Piano | Written | A Lively Tune |
| 9 | Piano | Classical | All My Hearts |
| 9 | Piano | Classical | For Bella |
| 9 | Piano | Classical | Relationship Bits |
| 10 | Piano | Avant-Garde | Cue the Queue |
| 10 | Piano | Avant-Garde | PPT on Deck |
| 10 | Piano | Avant-Garde | Social Positioning |
| Piano | Written | A Classic Piece | |
| Piano | Written | A Jazzy Piece | |
| Piano | Written | A Mysterious Theme | |
| Piano | Written | A Whismical Tune | |
| Piano | Written | An Improvisational Melody |
Violin[edit | edit source]
| Level | Instrument | Genre | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Violin | Traditional | Can't Make it So |
| 3 | Violin | Traditional | Flowers in June |
| 3 | Violin | Traditional | The Pie in the Window |
| 3 | Violin | Traditional | Traveling Home |
| 4 | Violin | Rock | Cradle of Cats |
| 4 | Violin | Rock | Descent |
| 4 | Violin | Rock | Lover's Lament |
| 4 | Violin | Rock | Too Far to Turn |
| 5 | Violin | Country | Daisy's Song |
| 5 | Violin | Country | Red Clay Road |
| 5 | Violin | Country | Sun on the River |
| 5 | Violin | Country | The Dance in the Barn |
| 6 | Violin | Romantic | My Sweet |
| 6 | Violin | Romantic | Over Candle Light |
| 6 | Violin | Romantic | Walk Me Home |
| 7 | Violin | Eastern | My Love, Far Away |
| 7 | Violin | Eastern | The Mountain's Tale |
| 7 | Violin | Eastern | Wind Bent Trees |
| 8 | Violin | Swing | Don't Mean a Thing |
| 8 | Violin | Swing | My Baby's Moves |
| 8 | Violin | Swing | Twiddle Dee Dee |
| 8 | Violin | Written | A Folksy Tune |
| 9 | Violin | Classical | Angustine Suite |
| 9 | Violin | Classical | Fair Rider's Serenade |
| 9 | Violin | Classical | Cloves on the Hills |
| 9 | Violin | Written | A Jaunty Strain |
| 9 | Violin | Written | A Sentimental Piece |
| 10 | Violin | Avant-Garde | BB.Unlock |
| 10 | Violin | Avant-Garde | EPK#7 |
| 10 | Violin | Avant-Garde | FF to You |
| 10 | Violin | Written | A Haunting Melody |
| 10 | Violin | Written | An Old World Piece |
| Any | Piper | Carol of Cleaning | |
| Any | Piper | Ditty of Drowsiness | |
| Any | Piper | Etude of Egress | |
| Any | Piper | Song of Sophistication |
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- The laser rhythm-a-con instrument is based on the laser harp.