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GMC Forum _ Ben Higgins _ Mega-deaf Collaboration !

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 8 2011, 10:36 AM

Hey Dudes !!

Who fancies an audio collaboration ?? You all kicked so much ass on my High Risk collab that I'm inviting you back to kick my ass once again cool.gif

We're going to use the backing from my Marty Friedman lesson so it's one that you already know. (That explains the title!)

 Backing_Track_115bpm.mp3 ( 783.62K ) : 441


The parent key of the whole piece is Eminor.

The section from 0 to 0:18 uses the following chord progression:

A#5, A5, G5, E , A5, G#5, G5, E, E, F5, E5, F5, E5
A#5, A5, G5, E , A5, G#5, G5, E, E, B/G, C5.

For this section you could use the following scales: Eminor, Em Pentatonic, E Blues, E Dorian, E Phrygian Dominant, even try the A Minor scale, which would give you bit of a Marty Friedman sound. The chromatic nature of this riff gives us more options in using 'outside' notes.

0:19 to the end: E5, C5, A5, C5 and repeat.

The following scales will be useful - Eminor, Em Pentatonic. I would stick mainly to these because this riff section has a more definite chord harmony.

Standard tuning and 115bpm.

See what ideas you come up with ! No need to worry about video as it's an audio only collab.

If you want to post some takes in this thread then go for it.. try to use mp3 if you can because they take up less space than wav. smile.gif

Deadline is 30th September - let's ROCK ! \m/ \m/


Posted by: DreamForge Sep 8 2011, 05:02 PM

im in smile.gif

Posted by: K1R Sep 8 2011, 05:03 PM

Count me in smile.gif

Posted by: Gitarrero Sep 8 2011, 05:18 PM

Hugh Hefner is in as well wink.gif

Posted by: quadrium Sep 8 2011, 06:11 PM

Count me in also Ben! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 8 2011, 06:30 PM

Excellent, welcome aboard Gentlemen ! cool.gif

Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Sep 8 2011, 09:19 PM

Great backing ,Rock on boys smile.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 15 2011, 06:54 PM

Just thought I'd bump this thread up again and see if anybody else wants to join in ?

And Sinisa, you're always welcome too, of course ! cool.gif

Posted by: superize Sep 15 2011, 08:38 PM

I will try and make something if i can find the time for it

Posted by: WeePee Sep 16 2011, 02:25 PM

Forgot this...thanks for bum(p) <---I'm referring a village in Azerbaijan, not the whatyou'rethinking bum tongue.gif
I'll try to make it on the deadline.

-Ville-

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 16 2011, 02:49 PM

QUOTE (superize @ Sep 15 2011, 08:38 PM) *
I will try and make something if i can find the time for it


Would be cool to have you on it ! cool.gif

QUOTE (WeePee @ Sep 16 2011, 02:25 PM) *
I'll try to make it on the deadline.

-Ville-


Good, good ! smile.gif

Posted by: Gitarrero Sep 17 2011, 04:56 PM

So...the collab doesn't start until the german guy uploaded his take?

Okay, let me break the silence smile.gif Basically, I knew what I wanted to play, but what I wanted to play was faster than what I could actually play laugh.gif
A few wrong notes here and there, but let Mr. Higgins be the judge of the overall take.

Cheers!

Christian

[attachment=24749:mega_deaf_nbt.mp3]
[attachment=24750:mega_deaf_wbt.mp3]

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 17 2011, 08:01 PM

Yes, the German guy opens proceedings !! biggrin.gif

This is pretty good, Christian.. I suggest that you take this and hone it until you're happy with it (in other words, you won't need to say that there are some wrong notes or anything).

Towards the end it sounded a bit 'meandering' like it was wandering between loads of notes but not commiting to any of them. So perhaps identify the stronger notes and try and relate it to the chord.

I love the pick tapping - keep that or I'll be unhappy ! cool.gif

Posted by: Deadevil Sep 22 2011, 05:52 PM

Hey,

Here's my take on this awesome backing ^ ^.
I know the sound is not really loud enough, not sure why it came out that way...
Also, my improvisation skills are somewhat rusty but i'll let you be the judge : P

Cheers,

Jasper

 Improv_with_backing.mp3 ( 962.13K ) : 203
 Improv_without_backing.mp3 ( 927.13K ) : 186
 

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 22 2011, 06:38 PM

QUOTE (Deadevil @ Sep 22 2011, 05:52 PM) *
Hey,

Here's my take on this awesome backing ^ ^.
I know the sound is not really loud enough, not sure why it came out that way...
Also, my improvisation skills are somewhat rusty but i'll let you be the judge : P

Cheers,

Jasper


Jasper this has got some really good stuff in it. I really like your use of Phrygian dominant notes, and your chromatic notes. There's only one place where I think the note choice doesn't work and that's in the final run at the end. I think you use a note which is found in the Dorian mode (I think it's a C#, which would be the 6th note of the Dorian mode) and it sounds a bit out of place. Try substituting it with a C instead, which would be a minor 6th, and is found in the Eminor scale.. I hope that makes sense ? smile.gif

I'm really liking it, if you work on making the rest a bit tidier then I think that take will rock ! cool.gif


Posted by: Dinaga Sep 22 2011, 11:39 PM

Here's my entry, I hope you'll like it smile.gif If not though, let me know if I can fix or change something smile.gif

P.S. The backing track is badass!! wink.gif

 megadeaf_no_backing.mp3 ( 1.3MB ) : 184
 megadeaf_with_backing.mp3 ( 1.3MB ) : 235
 

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 23 2011, 08:26 AM

QUOTE (Dinaga @ Sep 22 2011, 11:39 PM) *
Here's my entry, I hope you'll like it smile.gif If not though, let me know if I can fix or change something smile.gif

P.S. The backing track is badass!! wink.gif


Diniga this is brutal ! cool.gif Good note choice smile.gif

I really like how everybody's take has had a real percussive attitude to it. That kind of approach works really well with this type of backing. Looking forward to everybody else's takes !

Posted by: WeePee Sep 25 2011, 08:51 AM

Hi Ben !

Here's my entry.
I listened lots of Megadeth albums and your solo lesson aswell and tried to get the feeling.
Also I played one of Dimebacks lick in the end.
I hope I have the right scales in here. I just played what sounded good.

Cheers

-Ville-

 benhiggs2.mp3 ( 1.38MB ) : 209
 benhiggs2nodrums.mp3 ( 1.38MB ) : 237
 

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 25 2011, 09:33 AM

QUOTE (WeePee @ Sep 25 2011, 08:51 AM) *
Hi Ben !

Here's my entry.
I listened lots of Megadeth albums and your solo lesson aswell and tried to get the feeling.
Also I played one of Dimebacks lick in the end.
I hope I have the right scales in here. I just played what sounded good.

Cheers

-Ville-


Duuuuuuuude.. an appropriate description of your solo would be MEGA laugh.gif

Very very cool.. the only thing I would change is the very last phrase, it sounds a little too 'out' but I love the rest of it ! cool.gif

Posted by: thefireball Sep 25 2011, 03:10 PM

I might have time to join in.

Posted by: WeePee Sep 25 2011, 07:36 PM

(Couldn't edit my previous post) huh.gif

Hi Ben & guys

I updated my entry a little bit. I tried to play little bit smoother and fixed the harmonic run in the middle. So this is the final version.

If you're interested http://soundcloud.com/alfafirefox/mega-deaf-collab-solo

-Ville-

Posted by: thefireball Sep 27 2011, 11:05 PM

Hey Ben! smile.gif

Here's my take. I also uploaded the version with the backing on http://soundcloud.com/fireball100/ben-higgins-mega-deaf-collab My solo doesn't kick in until the second part. I don't know what I could do in the first part. biggrin.gif It was recorded in one take, but it took me forever to get to this one take. biggrin.gif I tried incorporating a few things I have learned from Todd. The octave run came from Trond Vold's popular Rock Solo - Beginner lesson.

I had fun and looking forward to the final piece!

-Brandon wink.gif

 Mega_deaf_Brandon_Burch_guitar_only.mp3 ( 909.39K ) : 99
 

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 28 2011, 09:56 AM

Sounding very good, gentlemen.. I'm very impressed !! cool.gif

Posted by: ZX6 Oct 3 2011, 04:03 AM

Hi Ben !

I don't know if this still open, dead line was few days ago.....I saw it to late , just 2 days before dead line.
This is my first colab., i've been working very hard for this, my hands hurt ! huh.gif

....i did only the second part...

Well, if still open , great ! .... if not , no problem , just tell me what do you think about it. tongue.gif
Thanks


 mega_deaf_WBT.mp3 ( 2.22MB ) : 130
 mega_deaf_NBT.mp3 ( 2.22MB ) : 83
 

Posted by: Ben Higgins Oct 3 2011, 09:48 AM

QUOTE (ZX6 @ Oct 3 2011, 04:03 AM) *
Hi Ben !

I don't know if this still open, dead line was few days ago.....I saw it to late , just 2 days before dead line.
This is my first colab., i've been working very hard for this, my hands hurt ! huh.gif

....i did only the second part...

Well, if still open , great ! .... if not , no problem , just tell me what do you think about it. tongue.gif
Thanks


Thankfully I'm running late on this so yes you are just in time !

I'm glad you submitted it too because that's an excellent solo.. I love the way you've used different 3 note arpeggios like Marty does ! cool.gif

I've been a bit tied up lately with various things guys but I've now got time to focus on the collab so thanks for your patience and expect to hear it soon !

Posted by: ZX6 Oct 4 2011, 01:43 AM

Thanks , i'm really happy you liked it smile.gif

This exercise pushed me up in speed and control, not perfect and no so speedy, i know, but was helpfull.


Posted by: Ben Higgins Oct 4 2011, 04:31 PM

Gentlemen, take a bow !

Cast, in order of appearance :

Deadevil
Diniga
Gitarrero
Me
Gitarrero
Me
ZX6
Fireball
WeePee


What can I say ? You all rocked ! Plenty of different ideas.. a common theme I noticed was a really percussive, rhythmic approach to the melodies. Timing and pacing is important in phrasing and I think you all captured this really well - I hope you like it !

 Mega_Deaf.mp3 ( 3.81MB ) : 154

Posted by: thefireball Oct 4 2011, 06:35 PM

That was a really great job everybody!

Posted by: ZX6 Oct 4 2011, 09:57 PM

Hey! good job all !!

We Rock !! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Dinaga Oct 4 2011, 10:30 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Oct 4 2011, 03:31 PM) *
Gentlemen, take a bow !

Cast, in order of appearance :

Deadevil
Diniga
Gitarrero
Me
Gitarrero
Me
ZX6
Fireball
WeePee


What can I say ? You all rocked ! Plenty of different ideas.. a common theme I noticed was a really percussive, rhythmic approach to the melodies. Timing and pacing is important in phrasing and I think you all captured this really well - I hope you like it !

 Mega_Deaf.mp3 ( 3.81MB ) : 154


Sweeet! smile.gif the end result is great, and as you said, the percussive mood was really present and blended well with this backing track. Can't wait for the next (I hope video) collaboration smile.gif

And BTW, it's DinAga biggrin.gif

Posted by: SirJamsalot Oct 4 2011, 10:44 PM

Great job guys. Thoroughly enjoyed listening! cool.gif

Posted by: TylerT Oct 5 2011, 02:25 AM

ohmy.gif How did I miss this! sad.gif

Great collab though!!! Sweet backing, and great takes from all the players!

Posted by: jstcrsn Oct 5 2011, 02:51 AM

QUOTE (TylerT @ Oct 5 2011, 02:25 AM) *
ohmy.gif How did I miss this! sad.gif

Great collab though!!! Sweet backing, and great takes from all the players!

you were just to busy putting the fire out on your fret board laugh.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Oct 5 2011, 08:38 AM

QUOTE (Dinaga @ Oct 4 2011, 10:30 PM) *
And BTW, it's DinAga biggrin.gif


Sorry ! 500 pushups for me biggrin.gif

QUOTE (jstcrsn @ Oct 5 2011, 02:51 AM) *
you were just to busy putting the fire out on your fret board laugh.gif


Haha, yeah.. Tyler's gonna get sued by the fire department for all the call outs due to his guitar playing ! wink.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Oct 5 2011, 02:15 PM

Guys, I thought I'd share my thoughts on your solos as well:

Deadevil The first part of this was incredibly strong. I love the palm muted notes, climbing up higher, it's a great strategy for building tension. In the second half, you lost your way a little bit as some of the notes weren't so strong and sounded a little out of place. Your tone was good and suited the piece well. I'd recommend adding some more bending which will create variety and avoid the notes having the same level of intensity. smile.gif

Dinaga Your tone was a little muffled, especially with those opening E chords. However I really liked your rhythmic phrases here, especially where the backing changes to the second section. You employ repetition, which is good.. but be careful of repeating certain phrases too much because it can sound too much like an exercise. The latter half of the solo is your strongest point, great stuff !

Gitarrero We need to work on your tone and get it sounding sexier and less muffled. I would try to establish some key phrases which you are comfortable with and make sure you nail the timing right or they'll sound unsure. I would also suggest for you to add more bends to our solos. The pick tapping was a great idea and I love it cool.gif

Ben Higgins
I don't know what you were thinking but I think you should take up the trumpet instead, or something.

ZX6 Great melodies here ! Clever use of arpeggios.. if I were to give advice I would say try and incorporate arpeggios into other licks so they don't sound like isolated exercises. Your tone cut through really well, but it is a little thin and fizzy at the top end. Nothing you can't fix though !

Fireball This is great ! I like your tone here and your note choice is good. I was saying earlier about repetition to Dinaga. I would say to all of you that Brandon's given a good example of using repetion in melodies but without over doing it. This helps make a solo memorable like Satriani does etc. Excellent whammy dip at the end too cool.gif

WeePee I like your Dimebag intro ! It sounds like you're tapping the higher note ? I would have picked both of them to get a stronger sound but that's just a personal taste thing. I like your harmonizing idea although I think you may have picked an interval that's outside of the key which makes it sound a little strange. When creating harmonies, if you stick to intervals that are within the scale, they'll sound harmonically correct. From the harmony onwards, this is a great climax. Love that tortured sounding bend too !

Really great stuff guys !! cool.gif

Posted by: Dinaga Oct 5 2011, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the feedback Ben. wink.gif

Posted by: ZX6 Oct 5 2011, 03:00 PM

Thanks Ben
I really appreciate the feedback. Is the only way to improve.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Oct 5 2011, 03:55 PM

No worries, guys.. it's the very least I can do. I look forward to seeing you implement these ideas on our next collab ! smile.gif

Posted by: WeePee Oct 5 2011, 04:34 PM

Wow nice collab guys !

At first when I was listening this I didn't look the order of the players and I noticed some wah wah and other pro shredding...Ok maybe someone has send the files without posting them in topic...Ben it was you !!  tongue.gif

I have always though that If you move 4 frets you automatically make harmony but of course you have to be in the scale. Thanks for clearing this up for me. And thanks for wrapping this up so fast. 

Cheers 

-Ville-

Posted by: Ben Higgins Oct 5 2011, 04:41 PM

QUOTE (WeePee @ Oct 5 2011, 04:34 PM) *
Wow nice collab guys !

At first when I was listening this I didn't look the order of the players and I noticed some wah wah and other pro shredding...Ok maybe someone has send the files without posting them in topic...Ben it was you !!  tongue.gif

I have always though that If you move 4 frets you automatically make harmony but of course you have to be in the scale. Thanks for clearing this up for me. And thanks for wrapping this up so fast. 

Cheers 

-Ville-


Haha, yeah I sneaked in, like Ninjas do ! ph34r.gif

Ah, I think you're referring to creating a dimished sounding harmony. The half diminished scale uses intervals that are always a minor 3rd away from each other (so you would move up 3 frets or down 3 frets). For example if you were playing the note of G on the 3rd fret, E string.. then if you wanted a dimished sound you would move to the A# on the 6th fret, then move up 3 frets again etc.. smile.gif

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