I want to say that that game required quick fingers, like the note can't sit on the screen for very long before it counts it as a miss. I searched up some videos on YouTube and didn't see any that had the game you are talking about, so I might try to make a video myself if I can't find a good video or you haven't already figured it out.
My best suggestion would be to makes sure you are using the right buttons (silly I know), make sure you do it as fast as possible and if a note shows up as you 'hit' the instrument, then press it again, I remember it would have rapid fire on one member sometimes.