General
Avatar may be a digital image, such as a video capture of a person (discussed at PAX East panel)
Avatar may be modeled on a famous figure (a la Guitar Hero 3, et al.)
Gems may change in location, intensity, length, shape, or color to represent changes in note pitch, volume, duration, articulation, and timbre
Video footage of a band can be used in the background
Turntable usage: Player is associated with a turntable or scratch track
the player may provide input using a simulated turntable (DJ Hero compatibility)
Any number of players may be displayed including up to ten players
Record player performance: A band may elect to use the stored date for the performance of a band member who is unavailable to play in a specific game.
Guitar/Bass
Open strums for guitar/bass (a la Guitar Hero 5)
Pitch bends required during play using the whammy bar
Multiples references to lead guitar, bass guitar, and now rhythm guitar
Different play modes may change overdrive accumulation and deployment; for example the bass player may accumulate while only the lead guitarist can deploy
Drums
Up to four foot pedals may be usable, although there is specific reference to two: one to simulate a bass drum, one to simulate a hi-hat; specific references to an orange colored foot pedal and a purple colored foot pedal
Possible new drum set: Simulated drum set my comprise any number of drumpads up to ten
In addition to the drum set detecting sensitivity of the strike (added w/ RB2), it may also now detect location, such as if it was struck near the rim of the pad
Drum set may include a speaker which provides feedback to the player
Keyboard
Fifth avatar and/or music interface (for keyboard player)
Lanes may be divided into sub-lanes reaching up to ten (keyboard?)
Overdrive activiated by the striking of a microphone, tilting of a guitar, or foot pedal action of a keyboard