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GMC Forum _ Cosmin Lupu _ Bleez's Mentoring Thread

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 6 2012, 11:17 AM

Hey Scott! Welcome to your very own personal mentoring thread wink.gif please tell me a bit about your goals and musical knowledge so far smile.gif and we can rock!

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 6 2012, 04:54 PM

thanks Cosmin, didnt expect to have my own thread, kinda scary smile.gif

I used to play rhythm guitar in a band, in the style of metallica. Basically I just chugged away with power chords. My lead playing is quite basic.
Ive recently began working on the positions of the minor pentatonic, but Im not quite sure what I will do with it once I have got them all learned. So my knowledge of scales is quite poor.
Ive never followed any type of structured practice routine and I usually try to play things to advanced which has caused me to get disheartened and stop in the past.
I think I need a solid practice schedule which allows me to maybe hit some small golas.

I thought I might post up a take of me playing the last half of Alive by Pearl Jam because I know a few of the licks in the final solo ( although I dont play them spot on ) and I'll just improvise over the bits I dont know so you will see exactly where I suck smile.gif

in terms of goals, I would like to be able to play solos from the likes of Gilmour, slash, Iommi. Those are the main guys for me smile.gif I'd also like to be able to write my own solos over backing tracks and not have them suck.

Ive also been working on one of Ivans lessons which Ive almost got to a reasonable level which I could post here if it would help give you an idea of my level.






Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 6 2012, 09:22 PM

Hey again Scott smile.gif well, you might help us a lot into figuring out what's best for ya, if you would post that vid smile.gif it will allow us to work together on a level based program so you can reach your goals. What do you think man?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 6 2012, 11:22 PM

no problem smile.gif
Im working on some way of recording at the moment. Ive not done it before but I'll figure out something!
I'll get some type of a recording posted tomorrow.

Im looking forward to getting started.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 7 2012, 08:01 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 6 2012, 10:22 PM) *
no problem smile.gif
Im working on some way of recording at the moment. Ive not done it before but I'll figure out something!
I'll get some type of a recording posted tomorrow.

Im looking forward to getting started.


Awesome mate! Let me know if there's anything I might help you with when it comes down to recording smile.gif what sort of software and setup are you using at the moment?

Posted by: bleez Mar 7 2012, 09:02 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 7 2012, 07:01 AM) *
Awesome mate! Let me know if there's anything I might help you with when it comes down to recording smile.gif what sort of software and setup are you using at the moment?

Ive downloaded audacity and was going to try and take the line out from my amp straight into the PC, if that doesnt work out I have a laptop with a webcam built in.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 7 2012, 11:19 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 7 2012, 08:02 AM) *
Ive downloaded audacity and was going to try and take the line out from my amp straight into the PC, if that doesnt work out I have a laptop with a webcam built in.


I don't know if audacity works as a DAW as I have never tried it, but for the time being, if you can get a decent sound out of the camera, you can record like that wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Mar 7 2012, 04:50 PM

Well..... my recording efforts didnt go exactly to plan! I couldnt get my guitar into the PC so I had to settle for using a laptop with a built in webcam dry.gif
I will get a proper device for my next recordings, hopefully I will have a better system of recording by the weekend.

I think the crappy webcam recordings are enough to give you an idea of my limited abilities though Cosmin.

This is one of Ivan's lessons ( original - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic_Ballad_Bending_Techniques/ ) - ( Ive had about 2 weeks at this lesson. ) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBLu3XI8eiI&feature=youtu.be




My backing track for Alive which I was going to post sounded really poor so I just took a random backing track from youtube and improvised. you probably only need to listen to 60 seconds of it as I get a bit lost after that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VcOsxRhbik

Apologies for the audio and video being out of sync...... I have no idea why that happened but I will get better recordings next time.... promise!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 8 2012, 10:54 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 7 2012, 03:50 PM) *
Well..... my recording efforts didnt go exactly to plan! I couldnt get my guitar into the PC so I had to settle for using a laptop with a built in webcam dry.gif
I will get a proper device for my next recordings, hopefully I will have a better system of recording by the weekend.

I think the crappy webcam recordings are enough to give you an idea of my limited abilities though Cosmin.

This is one of Ivan's lessons ( original - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic_Ballad_Bending_Techniques/ ) - ( Ive had about 2 weeks at this lesson. ) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBLu3XI8eiI&feature=youtu.be




My backing track for Alive which I was going to post sounded really poor so I just took a random backing track from youtube and improvised. you probably only need to listen to 60 seconds of it as I get a bit lost after that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VcOsxRhbik

Apologies for the audio and video being out of sync...... I have no idea why that happened but I will get better recordings next time.... promise!


Hey Scott! Looks like you got one cool tattoo there biggrin.gif I want a lot for myself, but I always postpone doing this, it seems sad.gif no worries for the recordings, for the time being they are enough to help us out smile.gif

Well, your bending skills need a bit of a workout from what I am seeing here and I wanted to ask you, how much time can you dedicate to guitar playing each week? T'would help out so I know how to schedule stuff for ya.

Anyway, judging by your preferences and goals, I'd say we should combine, theory (this involves scales/ arpeggios/ chords and relationships between them) with rhythm and articulation for starting out smile.gif

Based on your schedule, I'll make up a routine smile.gif just let me know

al lthe best

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 8 2012, 12:17 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 8 2012, 09:54 AM) *
Hey Scott! Looks like you got one cool tattoo there biggrin.gif I want a lot for myself, but I always postpone doing this, it seems sad.gif no worries for the recordings, for the time being they are enough to help us out smile.gif

Well, your bending skills need a bit of a workout from what I am seeing here and I wanted to ask you, how much time can you dedicate to guitar playing each week? T'would help out so I know how to schedule stuff for ya.

Anyway, judging by your preferences and goals, I'd say we should combine, theory (this involves scales/ arpeggios/ chords and relationships between them) with rhythm and articulation for starting out smile.gif

Based on your schedule, I'll make up a routine smile.gif just let me know

al lthe best

Cosmin


I do like my tattoo! it took me about 18 months to get completed but I had wanted a full sleeve for years so it was worth all the hassle.

Im not surprised you picked out my bends! they can be very 'random'. huh.gif Its not the best when you want to be dave gilmour!

Time wise I can 100% commit to 45 minutes at least Monday to Friday. At the weekends I have no real time constraints so I can practice much longer. I could practise 3 - 4 hours or whatever at the weekend.... as I have no social life biggrin.gif


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 8 2012, 03:25 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 8 2012, 11:17 AM) *
I do like my tattoo! it took me about 18 months to get completed but I had wanted a full sleeve for years so it was worth all the hassle.

Im not surprised you picked out my bends! they can be very 'random'. huh.gif Its not the best when you want to be dave gilmour!

Time wise I can 100% commit to 45 minutes at least Monday to Friday. At the weekends I have no real time constraints so I can practice much longer. I could practise 3 - 4 hours or whatever at the weekend.... as I have no social life biggrin.gif


Alright! Well, let's divide the 45 minutes into 15 minutes for warming up and 30 minutes to work on a lesson based on the things you want to learn during the week.

During the weekend, we can put in some ear training and theory, plus recording your efforts during the week smile.gif

I am thinking of making up a list of lessons for you smile.gif so tell me, would you be up for tackling 4 lessons a month?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 8 2012, 06:19 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 8 2012, 02:25 PM) *
I am thinking of making up a list of lessons for you smile.gif so tell me, would you be up for tackling 4 lessons a month?

Cosmin


Yes, I am totally up for that. Bring it on biggrin.gif


I dont really know what ear training involves but I know I need some!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 9 2012, 08:51 AM

Hey Scott! I'd suggest these two for the rest of this month:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/rock-solo-beginner/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Phrase-Book-Pre-Bends/

they are articulation oriented wink.gif and they should give you a pretty good start in what regards bending and vibrato

what do you think man?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 9 2012, 10:56 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 9 2012, 07:51 AM) *
Hey Scott! I'd suggest these two for the rest of this month:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/rock-solo-beginner/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Phrase-Book-Pre-Bends/

they are articulation oriented wink.gif and they should give you a pretty good start in what regards bending and vibrato

what do you think man?

Cosmin


the bending in both of those are ummm 'intimidating' huh.gif

both are really cool, I'll make a start tonight. cheers dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 9 2012, 05:25 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 9 2012, 09:56 AM) *
the bending in both of those are ummm 'intimidating' huh.gif

both are really cool, I'll make a start tonight. cheers dude.


Cheers man! No trouble, let me know if they are ok, if not, we can find something easier smile.gif k?

all the best

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 12 2012, 09:47 PM

hey dude, Ive learned Ben's pre bend lesson and just need to keep playing it to get it sounding better but my plan is to record it at the weekend to let you have a listen.
I just wanted to ask how you think I should spend this weeks practice time?
should I devote each session this week playing / improving Ben's lesson or should I start learning the other lesson as well?
or should I work on Ben's lesson and continue with the minor pentatonic positions and begin the other lesson next week?

biggrin.gif
as you can probably tell I get worried that I practice wrong!


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 13 2012, 10:02 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 12 2012, 08:47 PM) *
hey dude, Ive learned Ben's pre bend lesson and just need to keep playing it to get it sounding better but my plan is to record it at the weekend to let you have a listen.
I just wanted to ask how you think I should spend this weeks practice time?
should I devote each session this week playing / improving Ben's lesson or should I start learning the other lesson as well?
or should I work on Ben's lesson and continue with the minor pentatonic positions and begin the other lesson next week?

biggrin.gif
as you can probably tell I get worried that I practice wrong!


Man, focusing on fewer things will always make it easier to learn/ understand/ assimilate - so, I say make Ben's lesson sound as good as you can and continue with the pentatonic positions till next week - a lesson a week is awesome, trust me smile.gif especially if you can master it wink.gif

if there are any questions, please let me know, k?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 13 2012, 02:00 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 13 2012, 09:02 AM) *
Man, focusing on fewer things will always make it easier to learn/ understand/ assimilate - so, I say make Ben's lesson sound as good as you can and continue with the pentatonic positions till next week - a lesson a week is awesome, trust me smile.gif especially if you can master it wink.gif

if there are any questions, please let me know, k?

Cosmin


okay boss, that makes sense, thanks. smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 14 2012, 09:48 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 13 2012, 01:00 PM) *
okay boss, that makes sense, thanks. smile.gif


Always happy to help out, man!

Posted by: bleez Mar 17 2012, 09:50 PM

hey bro
I have that recording of Ben's pre bend lesson. Its not perfect but I didnt want to do too many recordings today incase I started playing it worse!
Keen to hear what you think.

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pre-bend-ex1

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 18 2012, 02:19 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 17 2012, 08:50 PM) *
hey bro
I have that recording of Ben's pre bend lesson. Its not perfect but I didnt want to do too many recordings today incase I started playing it worse!
Keen to hear what you think.

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pre-bend-ex1


Hey man! The take is very good! Your pre-bends are round enough and you are generally reaching the tones smile.gif there are a few spots where you seemed a bit shaky but, I'm sure it was nothing other than going a bit out of focus! What I would recommend, would be a bit more work on the flow of the piece as it's a bit rigid at this point - what do you think? Would you like to make a video for the REC zone with this one?

all the best

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 18 2012, 03:15 PM

thanks dude cool.gif
I would be up for doing a REC take. I need to get a better web cam at the end of the month so that will also give me time to improve on the lesson. The skin on my fingertips is kinda shredded after a week of practising those bends!

I also had a go at recording a http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/. It was just to give me something else to play as my fingers recovered for Ben's lesson huh.gif again, its not perfect but I think Im already bending better than I was a few weeks ago.

Id love to hear your thoughts on this recording if you get a chance. also..... how the hell do I WRITE this kinda solo ohmy.gif

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/gilmour-style

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 19 2012, 11:48 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 18 2012, 02:15 PM) *
thanks dude cool.gif
I would be up for doing a REC take. I need to get a better web cam at the end of the month so that will also give me time to improve on the lesson. The skin on my fingertips is kinda shredded after a week of practising those bends!

I also had a go at recording a http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/. It was just to give me something else to play as my fingers recovered for Ben's lesson huh.gif again, its not perfect but I think Im already bending better than I was a few weeks ago.

Id love to hear your thoughts on this recording if you get a chance. also..... how the hell do I WRITE this kinda solo ohmy.gif

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/gilmour-style


Hey mate! As an ensemble, it's good, it has nice proper timing, but some of the bends are a bit unsure and not reaching the desired tone. My advice would be to focus on reaching those tones and once you have that in your pocket, try to be more expressive, use different dynamics smile.gif writing a solo is not that difficult once you manage to let go of thoughts such as - 'oh, what scale should I use here?' You are the most honest and genuine when you manage to write what you hear in your head smile.gif

In time, the more you play, the more able you will be at this wink.gif

Keep sending me stuff and we'll discuss biggrin.gif and looking forward to your take smile.gif Let me know what other questions you are having smile.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 19 2012, 02:04 PM

thanks cosmin. I'll keep working on those bends.
I spend some time playing the note I want to bend to and then I try bending the note and trying to match the tone. hopefully it will become more natural soon.
I'll record the Gilmore lesson again in a week or two and hopefully it will be more 'awesome' biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 19 2012, 02:27 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 19 2012, 01:04 PM) *
thanks cosmin. I'll keep working on those bends.
I spend some time playing the note I want to bend to and then I try bending the note and trying to match the tone. hopefully it will become more natural soon.
I'll record the Gilmore lesson again in a week or two and hopefully it will be more 'awesome' biggrin.gif


Great man! Looking forward to hearing it wink.gif what would you like to tackle in the mean time - should we try the other lesson?

Posted by: bleez Mar 19 2012, 05:51 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 19 2012, 01:27 PM) *
what would you like to tackle in the mean time - should we try the other lesson?

yeah, I started learning the other lesson yesterday. Its a bit longer than Ben's so I will definitely have it recorded for you by the end of the month but I hope to have it down sooner tbh.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 19 2012, 07:49 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 19 2012, 04:51 PM) *
yeah, I started learning the other lesson yesterday. Its a bit longer than Ben's so I will definitely have it recorded for you by the end of the month but I hope to have it down sooner tbh.


Awesome wink.gif is there anything in particular regarding this new one, which you are feeling it might cause problems?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 19 2012, 11:13 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 19 2012, 06:49 PM) *
Awesome wink.gif is there anything in particular regarding this new one, which you are feeling it might cause problems?

Cosmin

well at the moment Ive got the first half okay. The middle bit is a little faster than I thought!
its only really my second session learning it though so I'll just need to work on brining it up to the correct tempo. Im sure I'll get it....... eventually huh.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 20 2012, 04:47 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 19 2012, 10:13 PM) *
well at the moment Ive got the first half okay. The middle bit is a little faster than I thought!
its only really my second session learning it though so I'll just need to work on brining it up to the correct tempo. Im sure I'll get it....... eventually huh.gif


Well, if anything arises, give me a shout, k? smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Mar 24 2012, 10:37 PM

ok dude, Ive had quite a frustrating week. On the plus side Ive managed to increase my practice time quite a bit and have got between 1 - 1.5 hours each night last week. On the negative side this second lesson is giving me major problems.
The main problem is............. I just cant seem to play it! I am still only halfway through it and even the opening bends are giving me problems.
I want to play those bends with my middle finger but the instructor plays it with his pointing finger and mine just doesnt seem to know how to bend a string!

anyway, I thought I would record it tonight after a whole week of working on it to let you hear it in all its epic fail-ness wink.gif it is only halfway through so the good thing is that it doesnt last long biggrin.gif
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/solo-fail by Gabe.
I only had 2 days on this but at least I managed to play it all the way through biggrin.gif
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/sat-style-rock





Posted by: bleez Mar 26 2012, 11:51 PM

Hey C-dog, has my latest recordings blew your mind ? smile.gif LOL! The next ones will be better.... promise cool.gif

wink.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 27 2012, 06:42 PM

Hey mate sorry for being a little late, but now I have to take care of 40 of you and it takes sometime till I get to write to everyone biggrin.gif

Alrightie, I'd suggest a bit more patience on these - the Satriani one was DEFINITELY better! YOu have to improve the timing and articulation, so bending is mainly a concern, but, give it time man - articulation doesn't build up that fast (I know it's a bit frustrating) Will you try and record over slower backing tracks? smile.gif It would do you a whole lotta good!

Let's see the takes and discuss!

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Mar 27 2012, 07:58 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Mar 27 2012, 06:42 PM) *
Hey mate sorry for being a little late, but now I have to take care of 40 of you and it takes sometime till I get to write to everyone biggrin.gif

totally dude, I noticed the mega army you have amassed! you take all the time you need mate. I was just trying to make a bit of a joke at my crappy solo rolleyes.gif

I will try some slower stuff. I think my enthusiasm can make me rush things a bit, I'll definitely slow things down and try to be more precise.

cheers cosmin.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 28 2012, 08:46 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Mar 27 2012, 06:58 PM) *
totally dude, I noticed the mega army you have amassed! you take all the time you need mate. I was just trying to make a bit of a joke at my crappy solo rolleyes.gif

I will try some slower stuff. I think my enthusiasm can make me rush things a bit, I'll definitely slow things down and try to be more precise.

cheers cosmin.


That's the way my friend! Keep the enthusiasm though wink.gif I'm here if you need me smile.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Apr 1 2012, 09:37 PM

wassup c-maestro

Ive had another go at the pre-bend lesson. Hopefully its a bit closer. TBH Ive played it so much over the last couple of days that it is starting to sound weird to me now!
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pre-bend-take2



Taken your advice about playing a bit slower, I figured out how to slow down backing tracks in Reaper so Ive been doing the rock solo lesson a little slower and it is coming on much better, I should have a recording of that quite soon. smile.gif

I could probably handle another lesson to work on if there is anything you suggest?


cheers bro

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 1 2012, 11:48 PM

Hey mate! The pre-bend lesson sounds very good! There are some little mistakes here and there, but pretty much not notice-able due to the fact that the whole ensemble is good biggrin.gif

Let's try this one now:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/bending-control/

I want to take your bends to the next level biggrin.gif what say you?

Cosmin

QUOTE (bleez @ Apr 1 2012, 08:37 PM) *
wassup c-maestro

Ive had another go at the pre-bend lesson. Hopefully its a bit closer. TBH Ive played it so much over the last couple of days that it is starting to sound weird to me now!
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pre-bend-take2



Taken your advice about playing a bit slower, I figured out how to slow down backing tracks in Reaper so Ive been doing the rock solo lesson a little slower and it is coming on much better, I should have a recording of that quite soon. smile.gif

I could probably handle another lesson to work on if there is anything you suggest?


cheers bro


Posted by: bleez Apr 2 2012, 12:26 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 1 2012, 11:48 PM) *
Hey mate! The pre-bend lesson sounds very good! There are some little mistakes here and there, but pretty much not notice-able due to the fact that the whole ensemble is good biggrin.gif

Thanks mate, that's awesome to hear. I'd like to try and tidy up the little mistakes and get a rec take with the lesson sometime soon.


QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 1 2012, 11:48 PM) *
Let's try this one now:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/bending-control/

I want to take your bends to the next level biggrin.gif what say you?

Holy pitch-shifting batman! thats a lot of bending biggrin.gif Lets do it cool.gif
I'll make a start on that bad boy tomorrow.

I really appreciate all the help bro. smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 2 2012, 09:02 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Apr 1 2012, 11:26 PM) *
Thanks mate, that's awesome to hear. I'd like to try and tidy up the little mistakes and get a rec take with the lesson sometime soon.



Holy pitch-shifting batman! thats a lot of bending biggrin.gif Lets do it cool.gif
I'll make a start on that bad boy tomorrow.

I really appreciate all the help bro. smile.gif


Anytime mate smile.gif let's see a recording of the second bending lesson and another for the prebend one but don't rush wink.gif try to be as smooth as possible, k? bending is an art which is developed in time, just like good red wine biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Apr 15 2012, 06:25 PM

hi Cosmin,
the last week or so of my practising has not been the best dry.gif Ive been learning / playing the bending control lesson and not much else unfortunately. I usually work on a lesson plus alt picking and scales but it has been just the lesson this week. Although I have been messing about with a couple of my own riffs but that doesnt really improve my lead playing ( sadly! ) I need to re-focus and organise my practice time a bit better for next week.

anyhoo.... Here is an attempt at the bending control lesson. The bend at about 34 seconds has been a bit of a problem most times I tried recording it but on the plus side it was worse this time last week biggrin.gif
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/bending-control


Cheers C-Maestro

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 16 2012, 12:57 PM

Hey bleez biggrin.gif I can hear progress there smile.gif no worries mate. As I said, give it time as it's not going to sound uber awesome over night. BUT it sounds better than last time smile.gif which means you are improving!

Now, how about moving a bit further into lead territory, with a lesson which involves a bit more phrasing? Just to keep your ears fresh and your hands working biggrin.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pop-Rock-Solo-Beginner/

I chose this one, because it's going to help you focus on cleaner playing and more attention to articulation biggrin.gif no distortion here to hide mistakes tongue.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Apr 16 2012, 03:17 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 16 2012, 12:57 PM) *
no distortion here to hide mistakes tongue.gif

Cosmin

Damn, that wasnt part of the deal! LOL!
Its a really cool sounding lesson. I'll try not to murder it biggrin.gif


Thanks dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 17 2012, 06:36 PM

Always a pleasure mate wink.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Apr 28 2012, 01:48 AM

hi mate

been practising hard this last 2 weeks smile.gif working on some alt picking exercises and some timing exercises. Ive also spent some time trying to come up with some big fat 'spiritual beggar' type riffs cool.gif

I have a take of the lesson you set. Not quite getting the best tone but I recorded 4 takes tonight and I think this was maybe the best out of them.

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pr1


I might not be getting the bends perfect but I think Im getting a little better in that area.

cheers bro.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 28 2012, 10:28 AM

Hey man, this sounds technically good smile.gif there are a few notes who could be more 'sure' - when I say that, I am referring to reaching the correct tone, but in general you are getting there. Now, the next step would be the interpretation. Try to focus on telling a story with each bend, use the dynamics your hands are offering.

Try and see what you can come up with smile.gif think of Eric Clapton on this one - to me at least, it feels like he could play such a track.

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Apr 28 2012, 11:23 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 28 2012, 10:28 AM) *
there are a few notes who could be more 'sure' -

yeah, I think I know what you mean. When I listen back to it some of the notes sound to me like they lacked confidence.

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 28 2012, 10:28 AM) *
Try and see what you can come up with think of Eric Clapton on this one - to me at least, it feels like he could play such a track.

are you wanting me to re-record the lesson and try to get some dynamics in it or do you want me to attempt my own version of it ?


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2012, 10:15 PM

Hey man! I'd like you to focus on dynamics and interpretation smile.gif try and tell a story with each note wink.gif convince me with your story biggrin.gif do we have a deal?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Apr 29 2012, 10:47 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 29 2012, 10:15 PM) *
Hey man! I'd like you to focus on dynamics and interpretation smile.gif try and tell a story with each note wink.gif convince me with your story biggrin.gif do we have a deal?

Cosmin

biggrin.gif we have a deal.
Now, 'Interpretation' - that means it doesn't need to be note for note the same as the original... would that be correct?


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 30 2012, 06:04 AM

It does and it doesn't wink.gif interpretation doesn't necessarily mean taking out or putting notes in, but it means you can stray a bit here and there with the timing, play a note louder or another one softer, vibrate more or less wink.gif this sort of stuff. Now, go crazy man biggrin.gif do whatever it feels good to do and we'll see where the tides of creativity will take you, k?

Posted by: bleez Apr 30 2012, 08:51 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Apr 30 2012, 06:04 AM) *
It does and it doesn't wink.gif interpretation doesn't necessarily mean taking out or putting notes in, but it means you can stray a bit here and there with the timing, play a note louder or another one softer, vibrate more or less wink.gif this sort of stuff. Now, go crazy man biggrin.gif do whatever it feels good to do and we'll see where the tides of creativity will take you, k?

Got it dude, thanks. This should be interesting biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 30 2012, 08:18 PM

wink.gif hehehe, you need to push it mate biggrin.gif It'll get ya out of the comfort zone wink.gif

Posted by: bleez May 3 2012, 11:26 PM

well c-dawg I dont know if Im telling much of a story with this attempt...... but Im trying cool.gif

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pop-rock



Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 4 2012, 08:46 AM

0.15 - total heart melt! biggrin.gif Bravo! Well done man smile.gif there are a few more bends which could be smoothed up, but you are on the yellow brick road man! Very good!

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez May 5 2012, 12:24 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 4 2012, 08:46 AM) *
0.15 - total heart melt! biggrin.gif Bravo! Well done man smile.gif there are a few more bends which could be smoothed up, but you are on the yellow brick road man! Very good!

Cosmin

biggrin.gif
thanks dude. I'll try to get the other bends better. Its funny because sometimes I would nail the bends a lot better but screw up somewhere else dry.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 5 2012, 06:08 PM

Hehehe! With experience growth, you will be able to fully express yourself EACH time! Anyway, you are on the right track smile.gif work will only bring progress!

Posted by: bleez Jun 10 2012, 09:52 PM

Hi Cosmin smile.gif hope everything is good with you, mate.

I have a couple of recordings which I was hoping you could have a listen to and give me some feedback on?

Im still trying to improve on that pop-rock solo, what do you think..... getting closer?
I just ordered up a web cam and Im going to try and get a rec take done this month..... Im thinking that this lesson might be the best for me to use.
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pop-rock-2-0


cheers

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 12 2012, 10:42 AM

Ahoy there man smile.gif

1) For the pop rock solo, I think it's technically correct, although it could still be improved in what regards flow and interpretation - now that you nailed the bends, you should focus on the dynamic of the lesson - which gives it the right feeling.

2) I like your take man - the fact that there's no shredding doesn't mean it's not ok - it's got power and melody man! And I think it's nicely articulated too smile.gif the only points where it lacks a bit of flow, would be the descended runs, such as the one at about 0.36

So, tell me man, how's life? What do you feel like you would enjoy tackling next? I'll make some recommendation based on what you tell me biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 12 2012, 10:56 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 12 2012, 10:42 AM) *
Ahoy there man smile.gif

1) For the pop rock solo, I think it's technically correct, although it could still be improved in what regards flow and interpretation - now that you nailed the bends, you should focus on the dynamic of the lesson - which gives it the right feeling.

2) I like your take man - the fact that there's no shredding doesn't mean it's not ok - it's got power and melody man! And I think it's nicely articulated too smile.gif the only points where it lacks a bit of flow, would be the descended runs, such as the one at about 0.36

So, tell me man, how's life? What do you feel like you would enjoy tackling next? I'll make some recommendation based on what you tell me biggrin.gif

Cosmin


thanks for the tips. I'll keep working at the dynamics and flow, Im hoping it will develop as I get more confident in my playing. I'll do another recording of the pop rock solo for you to hear in a couple of weeks, hopefully with a bit more feeling in it.

TBH Im not too sure where to go at the moment rolleyes.gif
I thought I might go back to that http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/rock-solo-beginner/. It basically kicked my ass and it has bothered me a lot that I couldnt play it.
But Im still struggling with bending. I find it really difficult to hit the correct note when I bend and tend to go over or under the note.... a lot!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 14 2012, 09:50 AM

Hey man! That lesson is a good standard so I agree with trying to get it right wink.gif Now regarding bending in the correct pitch - I recommend working out with the following exercise:

1) Play any note on the neck on any string
2) Go back a whole step and bend it till it sounds just like the one you played before
3) Execute the same drill going back a half step and then a minor third
4) Do these drills on as many notes and places on the neck as possible
5) When confident enough, try the following: go from point 1) to point 4) WITHOUT hitting the string when starting to bend - bend and then hit the string when you FEEL you have reached the correct pitch biggrin.gif without actually hearing the note on it's way to the desired tone.

what do you think man?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 14 2012, 12:56 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 14 2012, 09:50 AM) *
Hey man! That lesson is a good standard so I agree with trying to get it right wink.gif Now regarding bending in the correct pitch - I recommend working out with the following exercise:

1) Play any note on the neck on any string
2) Go back a whole step and bend it till it sounds just like the one you played before
3) Execute the same drill going back a half step and then a minor third
4) Do these drills on as many notes and places on the neck as possible
5) When confident enough, try the following: go from point 1) to point 4) WITHOUT hitting the string when starting to bend - bend and then hit the string when you FEEL you have reached the correct pitch biggrin.gif without actually hearing the note on it's way to the desired tone.

what do you think man?

Cosmin


sounds like a plan biggrin.gif I'll give that a try.

thanks dude.

Posted by: bleez Jun 17 2012, 05:12 PM

C-Maestro.... do you think this is a possible rec take?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Icc4NwZmuY


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 18 2012, 03:38 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Jun 17 2012, 04:12 PM) *
C-Maestro.... do you think this is a possible rec take?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Icc4NwZmuY


Hey man! Sure thing, why not? It doesn't have to be perfect smile.gif otherwise, it'll take you more time - the idea with the REC is that you post something and we point out some things which you don't get to see just because you're in there and you start missing on them because of the level of implication you are having with the particular recording. It's the same with all recordings tongue.gif SO, let me know when you post it ok? biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Jun 23 2012, 11:36 PM

what up C-Dawg!
I decided to play through the pop rock lesson some more and recorded another attempt today. I think I am at the stage you mentioned where any improvements which can be made are getting difficult for me to see but I think I've made some improvements with it from the first couple of recordings.
So it's been submitted for a rec take. ohmy.gif unsure.gif

Ive also been working on my nemisis of a lesson ( Rock Solo - Beginner ) I have to report that Im getting on with it much better this time. smile.gif

I was listening to your lesson - 'The Voice of your guitar'. I got it completely stuck in my head, its such a brilliant melody so I had to start working on that as well. Im almost able to play it through, some of the bends in the higher up parts are tough for me to nail at the moment but I'll keep at them. Its a great lesson dude, really cool to play.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 24 2012, 09:43 AM

Howdy bro! Let me take a look at the REC aye? biggrin.gif Thanks for the nice thoughts on 'The voice of your guitar lesson' That melody has been with me at least 7 years so, I'm glad i could put it to good use tongue.gif

Let's see other recordings biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 24 2012, 11:25 PM

hey dude, thanks for the rec grading biggrin.gif and thanks for all the tips you gave me when I began learning it!

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 24 2012, 09:43 AM) *
Let's see other recordings biggrin.gif

cool.gif you want me to post up a couple of other lessons Ive been working on?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 25 2012, 07:57 PM

The pleasure is all mine wink.gif

Sure, please do and I will see what we can do from that point, ok?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 25 2012, 10:14 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 25 2012, 07:57 PM) *
The pleasure is all mine wink.gif

Sure, please do and I will see what we can do from that point, ok?

Cosmin


I recorded a couple of lessons tonight, they aren't 100% but I just done a couple of takes to let you get an idea of where Im at.
Out of the two lessons I think Im better at this one : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaY6QwgP6n0

I think I'm 'almost' there with this one : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KocnXUS_FhU.

cheers bro smile.gif



Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 26 2012, 10:01 AM

Hey mate! I love the Stoner Rock lesson - you got good balance! You know, I have to congratulate you for gaining this sort of balance biggrin.gif you worked hard I see wink.gif

The Satch one is also good, although the bends could be a bit smoother to achieve perfection! Nonetheless, I notice a serious dose of progress in this direction as well smile.gif

If you like we can start talking about 'The voice of your guitar' lesson - it's gonna push you though, towards your articulation limits and hopefully surpass them wink.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 26 2012, 12:59 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 26 2012, 10:01 AM) *
Hey mate! I love the Stoner Rock lesson - you got good balance! You know, I have to congratulate you for gaining this sort of balance biggrin.gif you worked hard I see wink.gif

The Satch one is also good, although the bends could be a bit smoother to achieve perfection! Nonetheless, I notice a serious dose of progress in this direction as well smile.gif

If you like we can start talking about 'The voice of your guitar' lesson - it's gonna push you though, towards your articulation limits and hopefully surpass them wink.gif

Cosmin

Thanks Cosmin, I really appreciate that biggrin.gif It really is the first time Ive made any proper improvements in years! Its awesome..... and I want more LOL!

Yeah, I am well up for focusing on 'the voice' lesson. At the moment Im playing it along with the you in the video and getting the bends (almost) when I play it with the backing alone.... well, the bends can be a bit 'unique' huh.gif but I am keen to really get this lesson nailed cool.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2012, 03:28 PM

Thanks for your kind thoughts my friend! It's all about interpretation with those bends and vibrato! Technically you can bend, but I want to get you to the next level! Aye? wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Jun 27 2012, 07:55 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 27 2012, 03:28 PM) *
but I want to get you to the next level! Aye? wink.gif

Hell's yeah biggrin.gif

What would be best to do.... should I make a recording of the lesson just now or would you prefer me to get it a bit tighter first?
also.... I was watching that stoner rock video again, it kinda came out better than I thought cool.gif do you think it would make it as a rec take as it is?


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2012, 11:00 PM

Stoner Rock -> REC = YES! You got the 10 from me already biggrin.gif

As for the bending one wink.gif work on it till you feel you like it and let's see it - it doesn't have to be perfect, eh? wink.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 27 2012, 11:45 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 27 2012, 11:00 PM) *
Stoner Rock -> REC = YES! You got the 10 from me already biggrin.gif

As for the bending one wink.gif work on it till you feel you like it and let's see it - it doesn't have to be perfect, eh? wink.gif

Cosmin


cool biggrin.gif

Im playing the voice lesson loads just now so I will probably be able to record a take at the weekend for some feedback...... it WILL be perfect soon cool.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2012, 08:50 AM

wink.gif Looking forward to that, signore biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Jul 1 2012, 10:37 PM

hi mate
I took a recording of the voice..... I hope the bending doesn't make you cringe too much huh.gif Some of the bends are more problematic than others. The ones around 0.33 in particular ( 8th fret B string and 9th fret G string) man, those are really difficult to get sounding right!
I'll just keep working at it though, its has to get awesome sooner or later biggrin.gif
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/voice4

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 2 2012, 03:33 PM

Howdy there man smile.gif

the first part was almost perfect - those quirky bends around 0.7 were not there tongue.gif at all. After that, I have spotted various pitch and fluidity problems which, most certainly will be resolved in your next take wink.gif

I think you're on the right path!

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jul 3 2012, 12:38 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 2 2012, 03:33 PM) *
Howdy there man smile.gif

the first part was almost perfect - those quirky bends around 0.7 were not there tongue.gif at all. After that, I have spotted various pitch and fluidity problems which, most certainly will be resolved in your next take wink.gif

I think you're on the right path!

Cosmin

yeah, I noticed that the slides near the end especially are not fluid at all, I think I was too busy thinking about the bending that comes immediately afterwards rolleyes.gif if I manage to relax a bit while playing then I think it 'should' help it flow a little better.
Im gonna play the hell out of this one all week and see how much progress I can make with it by the weekend cool.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 3 2012, 07:03 AM

That's a good idea wink.gif just try to understand all the bends and phrases before playing and then tackle them smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Jul 8 2012, 08:16 PM

hey dude wink.gif
okay, so Ive been playing the ass off this all week but Im still not hitting those bends!
Ive been using that exercise you suggested of just going around the fretboard playing the note and then bending to it and I get on really well with that but when Im playing along with the backing track it gets messed up a little. I dunno if Im over or under bending.... after about an hour it all sounds weird LOL!

here's a recording from today -
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/voice-0807
As well as playing with the backing Ive been playing along with your video to try and get where to stop when I bend, maybe I should do that a lot more.

Ive also been working on a blues lesson which as a couple of fast ( fast for me! ) bits in it. I'll give you a listen once I tighten it up a bit more smile.gif

cheers bro.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 9 2012, 03:15 PM

Oy biggrin.gif

mate, it's not bad, but there are still some notes which you are not hitting. And at the beginning, the quirky bends I am doing at about sec 0:7 for instance. You need to become more accurate on this one mate - try to record against me playing smile.gif separate the tracks and see the differences in nuances and details. Don't get frustrated, this lesson is not easy smile.gif it's not easy for me either laugh.gif (it took me about 10-15 takes to get it straight for publishing)

Let's see what you can come up with wink.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jul 11 2012, 01:00 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 9 2012, 03:15 PM) *
Oy biggrin.gif

mate, it's not bad, but there are still some notes which you are not hitting. And at the beginning, the quirky bends I am doing at about sec 0:7 for instance. You need to become more accurate on this one mate - try to record against me playing smile.gif separate the tracks and see the differences in nuances and details. Don't get frustrated, this lesson is not easy smile.gif it's not easy for me either laugh.gif (it took me about 10-15 takes to get it straight for publishing)

Let's see what you can come up with wink.gif

Cosmin

good idea, I'll record a take playing with the video, it will be interesting to hear if I really am more accurate when I can hear your bends.

dude, would you say the majority of the bends in this piece ( apart from the 'quirky' ones ) are full bends?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 11 2012, 04:50 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Jul 11 2012, 12:00 AM) *
good idea, I'll record a take playing with the video, it will be interesting to hear if I really am more accurate when I can hear your bends.

dude, would you say the majority of the bends in this piece ( apart from the 'quirky' ones ) are full bends?


I never took the time to think of that, to be honest. I am just aiming for some notes and doing the bends where I feel they are needed, that's how I work when I am writing some lead piece smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Sep 9 2012, 09:44 PM

Hey Cosmin smile.gif thought I'd check in and let you know how things are going.
I found that with 'the voice' lesson I had started playing the same bends almost everytime.... unfortunately they weren't the correct bends. I think I overplayed it a bit so decided to play a some other things for a few weeks and come back at it a bit fresher.

so in the meantime Ive been trying to write a few of my own riffs huh.gif which has been fun, and began a few lessons that sounded cool. So here is my progress with them so far-

Ive been trying the 'http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic-Black-Sabbath-Rhythm-Lead/. here's where Im at with it so far ( Ive just recorded the solo part as I think Im ok with the rhythm) :


I also had a go at some fast ( for me )http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/blues-licks3/. Im at 120bpm with this but the lesson is at 130 but Im just needing to consolidate at the slower speed, hopefully I should be able to speed it up soon.


Another one Ive been trying is this 'http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Poor_Man_Blues_Solo/'. The description in the lesson makes a point of leaving a bit of room for interpretation so Ive tried to do that as well..... also there's a couple of licks in the original which are a bit too fast biggrin.gif



Bit of a long post dude, sorry about that but I didn't want you to think that Ive not been practising! biggrin.gif Im going to start back on the voice lesson and see if I can nail it this time.

cheers mate.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 11 2012, 09:36 AM

Whoa! Hey man!! Nice! I like what I see and hear smile.gif

Your bends could be a little but just A LITTLE bit more precise - otherwise, I think you are doing a great job! Good timing and tightness.

About the blues licks lesson, I think it sounds just great! Be patient and it will get to 130 wink.gif

I can't wait to see the 'voice'

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Sep 11 2012, 01:00 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 11 2012, 09:36 AM) *
Whoa! Hey man!! Nice! I like what I see and hear smile.gif

Your bends could be a little but just A LITTLE bit more precise - otherwise, I think you are doing a great job! Good timing and tightness.

About the blues licks lesson, I think it sounds just great! Be patient and it will get to 130 wink.gif

I can't wait to see the 'voice'

Cosmin


smile.gif
thanks dude.
I was quite pleased with the blues licks because that was the first time I had played it with the backing. up until then I had just used a click track as I tried to build up a bit of speed. When I listened to my recording with the backing for the first time I thought it sounded like someone else!

started back on 'the voice' last night. Almost immediately I began hearing it slightly different than I was before. Spent about 40 minutes on it, playing with the backing, playing along with the vid and just listening to it. It was quite productive, Im a lot more confident about getting it now biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 13 2012, 11:08 AM

Alright brother! Glad to know and also SEE that you are making progress wink.gif

I will be around to see the result and then...maybe, The Voice 2? biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Sep 13 2012, 12:44 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 13 2012, 11:08 AM) *
I will be around to see the result and then...maybe, The Voice 2? biggrin.gif

yeah, I was watching the voice 2 vid the other day and thought 'yep, I gotta do that one next' cool.gif some wild-ass bends in that bad boy! it will be fun to try biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 13 2012, 01:05 PM

I thought so too mate biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Sep 16 2012, 12:19 AM

Yo C-Maestro I recorded a take of the voice to let you have a listen. Still needs some work rolleyes.gif but I'll get there biggrin.gif



cheers dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 16 2012, 07:04 AM

Hey there mate! The take is NOT that far from being great wink.gif

Two important aspects:

- take care of the pitch when bending - there are many spots in which you didn't reach it
- in the first part there are some little bends which you have omitted wink.gif Check the original recording at min 0.7, for instance. In your recording, that moment occurs at about min 0:13.

Fix these and the take is yours!

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Sep 16 2012, 01:59 PM

Just watched the lesson again, I dont know why I missed the bends at 0.7. I totally see them now though smile.gif

when I listen to my recording I can hear the bends which are out but when Im actually playing the lesson I dont seem to recognise the correct pitch as easily. is this a common problem for a lot of people learning?
it seems like a really basic thing to do ..... who the hell cant bend a sting LOL!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 16 2012, 02:47 PM

You'll be amazed how difficult it really is biggrin.gif Making it sound great will take some practice and transforming it into a skill will take some years smile.gif Take your time mate! Let's see the next one wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 8 2012, 11:51 PM

hey Boss smile.gif
just checkin in with a quick update. Been working on a bunch of stuff but mainly trying to improve those 3 lessons I posted last month - The voice, that sabbath one and the blues licks.
I will post up some vids of them in a few days to get some feedback because I 'think' Ive made some progress with them..... although the voice is still giving me nightmares huh.gif but Im trying dude!

I also found out that I need most of my frets re-done from about the 13th up to maybe the 20th, I'd like to think that is the whole reason I miss the 'occasional' bend tongue.gif Im getting it refretted at the end of the month so everything should be cool.

Also been working on a couple of my own songs which Gabe has been giving me a few tips with. Just got the intro finished to a bit of a groovy stoner type track. cool.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 9 2012, 07:36 AM

Heeeey! Well, let's see the vids then and I would be very curious to hear your songs man! biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 9 2012, 09:01 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 9 2012, 07:36 AM) *
Heeeey! Well, let's see the vids then and I would be very curious to hear your songs man! biggrin.gif

Cool smile.gif this is the only one Ive managed to get drum and bass tracks down so far. Its just the intro and Im hearing the vocal coming in around the 1:36 mark. Im currently trying to come up with a vocal line rolleyes.gif

Thanks for the interest mate.
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/intro

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 10 2012, 04:10 PM

Man! I love it! It's uber grungy! biggrin.gif Can you record the vocals too? If you are shy, use the guitar to record the vocal lines wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 10 2012, 09:23 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 10 2012, 04:10 PM) *
Man! I love it! It's uber grungy! biggrin.gif Can you record the vocals too? If you are shy, use the guitar to record the vocal lines wink.gif

thanks bro smile.gif I do plan on recording the vocals, Im actually quite looking forward to it!
I just need to come up with a decent melody...... and finish the rest of the music cool.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 11 2012, 07:31 AM

biggrin.gif Lemme know when you are ready wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 13 2012, 10:41 PM

yo c-dawg smile.gif

I recorded a couple of those lessons, Ive managed to get the blues licks up to the proper speed, which I thought was kinda cool because this time last month I couldn't make it past 5 seconds at this BPM biggrin.gif



Heres the Sabbath solo as well. I know its not perfect but I think the bends are getting better than they were this time last month huh.gif



cheers dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 14 2012, 01:10 PM

Hey man!! biggrin.gif

The blues lesson is SMOKIIIIN!! biggrin.gif Indeed, regarding the Black Sabbath one, there would be some more detailed work for the bends but, otherwise it's pretty darn good as well!

What do you think about posting the blues take in the REC zone? biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Oct 14 2012, 01:26 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 14 2012, 01:10 PM) *
Hey man!! biggrin.gif

The blues lesson is SMOKIIIIN!! biggrin.gif Indeed, regarding the Black Sabbath one, there would be some more detailed work for the bends but, otherwise it's pretty darn good as well!

What do you think about posting the blues take in the REC zone? biggrin.gif

Cosmin

thanks dude biggrin.gif I'll totally put the blues one in the rec zone if you think its worthy.

with the sabbath one there are 3 'big' bends which have been particularly difficult. they are at 0.23, 0.30 and the very last one at 0.33/.034. How close would you say I have them in this take?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 14 2012, 02:08 PM

Close, very very close, but still distinguishably shaky biggrin.gif It's a matter of a weee of pinch biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 14 2012, 10:22 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 14 2012, 02:08 PM) *
Close, very very close, but still distinguishably shaky biggrin.gif It's a matter of a weee of pinch biggrin.gif

dang it! biggrin.gif

okay dude.... I guess its THAT time again ohmy.gif I went and recorded the voice..... you may want to prepare your ears for the 'occasional' unorthodox bend biggrin.gif



Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 15 2012, 04:21 PM

Mate! This is already taking good shape! The first part was good aside from those little tricky bends biggrin.gif Well, those little bastards are the nemesis of everyone around here, it seems! The first one was almost great, but the second one had a bit of a faulty timing. Let's focus on this first part, what say you? biggrin.gif We get it perfect and then move on to the next!

Posted by: bleez Oct 15 2012, 05:46 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 15 2012, 04:21 PM) *
Mate! This is already taking good shape! The first part was good aside from those little tricky bends biggrin.gif Well, those little bastards are the nemesis of everyone around here, it seems! The first one was almost great, but the second one had a bit of a faulty timing. Let's focus on this first part, what say you? biggrin.gif We get it perfect and then move on to the next!

yeah, I watched a few of the rec takes for the voice and it was kinda encouraging to see that those bends have tormented some of the other guys as well!
Im totally up for concentrating on the first part, sounds like a good plan smile.gif should I spend maybe the next 2-3 days trying to tighten up the first part and then let you see it?


oh yeah, thanks for your comments on the blues rec take biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 16 2012, 04:53 PM

Most definitely! Focus on it and watch out for EVERY detail biggrin.gif I'll be waiting wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 21 2012, 12:01 AM

hey Boss, it's 2 voices for the price of 1 biggrin.gif

I thought it would be cool to work on both lessons simultaneously and try to get both stage by stage.
So here's a take of both, I have a little catching up to do with voice2 as I only began learning it but Im confident I'll get those bends sooner rather than later. The voice 2 is such a cool-ass thing to play smile.gif Im digging those weird bends a lot, even though I dont nail them, they are still cool to play.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 22 2012, 11:52 AM

Hehehe biggrin.gif

Well, mate, for the Voice 1 - those bends are a bit quicker sad.gif pfff, these things are pretty difficult to reproduce, I know, but the only way you can really get them into your system, is to listen to the piece until you can sing it, literally smile.gif

And also, don't get rigid on the playing bro, in the second part it looks pretty stiffie, just because it's new tongue.gif But try to be as fluid as possible in the Voice 1.

It's tough, I know, but once you get these under you thumb, you'll have them FOR LIFE! biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Oct 22 2012, 01:17 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 22 2012, 11:52 AM) *
Hehehe biggrin.gif

Well, mate, for the Voice 1 - those bends are a bit quicker sad.gif


rolleyes.gif those damn hell ass bends!! I'll check my timing of them tonight and get them sorted smile.gif

dude, quick question, in terms of scales and stuff. All I know is the 5 minor pentatonic shapes, but I dont really know what I should do next to get a bit more 'musical'. I liked what you done with the house of the rising sun style lesson you made, I'd love to have the sort of musical knowledge to be able to do stuff like that. can you suggest something I could look at to get me started in that area?

thanks mate.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 23 2012, 08:18 AM

Thanks man! Well, you need to learn a thing or two about modes and HOW to use them smile.gif We could talk about that if ya'd like to biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 23 2012, 08:54 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 23 2012, 08:18 AM) *
Thanks man! Well, you need to learn a thing or two about modes and HOW to use them smile.gif We could talk about that if ya'd like to biggrin.gif

yeah totally, that would be cool smile.gif cheers dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 24 2012, 07:20 AM

Alright! Well, let's begin with a simple question biggrin.gif What do you think that modes really are? biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 24 2012, 08:49 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 24 2012, 07:20 AM) *
What do you think that modes really are? biggrin.gif

unsure.gif a type of scale?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 24 2012, 12:00 PM

Mate, a mode is simply a permutation of the notes in a mother scale smile.gif

The most important thing you must know and understand, is that everything regarding modes is based on three things:

1) Learning to hear the differences between them - this involves ear training and knowing what scale degree is characteristic for each mode
2) Knowing where those notes are on the neck
3) Knowing how to combine notes which chords - that all goes down to understanding what is the actual effect of playing a certain note/ group of notes against a particular chord

You must know that the modes can be classified like this:

Major (the contain a major 3rd) - Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian

Minor (the contain a minor third) - Dorian, Phrygian, Aeolian, Locrian

If we look at the major scale - the Ionian mode, as it is also called, we will notice the following structure:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -> these are the scale degrees of the Ionian/ Natural major scale

From this point we tweak this formula to obtain the other modes wink.gif

Lydian -> 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
Mixolydian -> 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7
Dorian -> 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
Phrigyan -> 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Aeolian -> 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Locrian -> 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

By 'b' (flat) we understand that we raise that degree to which the 'b' is attached and by '#' we understand that we raise that degree to which the '#' is attached.

Are we good so far?

smile.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Oct 24 2012, 11:02 PM

Its a bit complicated and I need to assimilate the info but I think we are good so far smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 25 2012, 08:26 AM

Well, please tell me what seems to be most difficult so that we can break it down if needed : )

Posted by: bleez Oct 26 2012, 01:07 PM

actually dude, I think Im okay so far biggrin.gif Ive re-read it a few times.... Im good!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 27 2012, 10:36 PM

Alright! Now, tell me can we try the next little drill?

Suppose we have E major - the scale smile.gif Can you tell me what modes you can form from its 4th and 5th step and their notes? biggrin.gif And can you tell me the notes of E Dorian and it's parent scale?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Oct 28 2012, 05:05 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 27 2012, 09:36 PM) *
Alright! Now, tell me can we try the next little drill?

Suppose we have E major - the scale smile.gif Can you tell me what modes you can form from its 4th and 5th step and their notes? biggrin.gif And can you tell me the notes of E Dorian and it's parent scale?

Cosmin


okay..... huh.gif
the 4th mode is Lydian so if the Emaj scale notes are - E F# G# A B C# D# E then the lydian mode within the Emaj would be - A B C# D# E F# G# A?
The 5th mode is the mixolydian and within Emaj it would be - B C# D# E F# G# A B ?

The second part Im a little unsure about. I dont understand how to get the notes of the E dorian without knowing their parent scale. If I know the parent scale I can get the notes of the mode or if I have the notes of the mode I can get the parent scale..... Im just not clear on how to do it if I have neither.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 29 2012, 12:29 AM

Hehe biggrin.gif Check this out:

You know that the Dorian mode belongs to the 2nd step of its parent scale, right? Whose major scale does E Dorian belong if we consider it to be the 2nd step? D major of course -> D E F# G A B C# D

Got it mate? biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Oct 29 2012, 12:53 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 28 2012, 11:29 PM) *
Got it mate? biggrin.gif

rolleyes.gif LOL! yeah.... I should have seen that! totally get it now.
So from the first question, the lydian mode is an 'A lydian' and the mixolydian is 'B Mixolydian' because 'A' is the 4th step and B the fifth step in the EMaj scale.

This stuff is really cool, what's next boss????
biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 29 2012, 08:51 AM

biggrin.gif biggrin.gif biggrin.gif Yess!!

Well, let's try another little exercise and then I'll ask you to take a look over the lesson notes I have done in the first part of this year for the v-chat series on modes!

Please write the structures of the seven modes for C (C Ionian, C Dorian, C Phrygian ....)

Posted by: bleez Oct 29 2012, 09:45 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 29 2012, 07:51 AM) *
biggrin.gif biggrin.gif biggrin.gif Yess!!

Please write the structures of the seven modes for C (C Ionian, C Dorian, C Phrygian ....)

biggrin.gif sweet!
I'll figure those structures out tonight smile.gif

in the meantime duder, I had another blast at 'you know what' cool.gif I 'think' I got a bit better timing with the quirky bends on the voice 1.
I also tagged on the first section of voice 2, just because Ive been playing it a fair bit so hopefully its beginning to flow a little better.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 29 2012, 11:58 AM

Hey man! Good work! On The Voice 1 - the bends are there, just a little bit more polishing and it's yours biggrin.gif I think that you may be out of tune a bit? On the Voice 2, you need more sustain on those bends and I've noticed that you are not using more fingers when you bend, to acquire this. How about taking a look over here:



Looking forward to your progress and the little drill with the modes so that we may move on wink.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Oct 29 2012, 01:59 PM

cool, thanks for the vid. rolleyes.gif
dude, with those bends - what are you doing with your index finger?
you're bending the note with your middle finger and you have the ring finger on the same string behind it, but Im not sure what your index finger does, are you muting stuff?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 29 2012, 02:31 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Oct 29 2012, 12:59 PM) *
cool, thanks for the vid. rolleyes.gif
dude, with those bends - what are you doing with your index finger?
you're bending the note with your middle finger and you have the ring finger on the same string behind it, but Im not sure what your index finger does, are you muting stuff?


Precisely!! Muting stuff biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 30 2012, 01:14 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 29 2012, 07:51 AM) *
Please write the structures of the seven modes for C (C Ionian, C Dorian, C Phrygian ....)


Ionian - cdefgab
Dorian - c d eb f g a bb - BbMaj
Phrygian - C Db Eb F G Ab Bb - AbMaj
Lydian - C D E F# G A B - Gmaj
Mixolydian - C D E F G A Bb - Fmaj
Aeolean - C D Eb F G Ab Bb - EbMaj
Locrian - C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb - DbMaj

smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Oct 30 2012, 10:56 PM

K.O.rect!

Great going mate! How about trying the same exercise for B major let's say? biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Oct 31 2012, 05:53 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 30 2012, 09:56 PM) *
K.O.rect!

Great going mate! How about trying the same exercise for B major let's say? biggrin.gif


no probs biggrin.gif


Ionian - B C# D# E F# G# A#

Dorian - B C# D E F# G# A- Amaj
Phrygian - B C D E F# G A - Gmaj
Lydian - B C# D# E# F# G# A# - F#Maj
Mixolydian - B C# D# E F# G# A - EMaj
Aeolian - B C# D E F# G A - DMaj
Locrian - B C D E F G A - CMaj


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 1 2012, 09:48 AM

Goodie!! Now, I want you to take a look over the lesson notes for Ionian and try the exercises provided there. After that, let me know what your impressions are and I'll shoot some more Ionian drills your way wink.gif

Check it out here: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=39243&st=80&p=564197&#entry564197

Posted by: bleez Nov 1 2012, 06:07 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 1 2012, 08:48 AM) *
Goodie!! Now, I want you to take a look over the lesson notes for Ionian and try the exercises provided there. After that, let me know what your impressions are and I'll shoot some more Ionian drills your way wink.gif

Check it out here: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=39243&st=80&p=564197&#entry564197

cool, cheers dude. I'll take a look at that and see if I can get to grips with it smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 2 2012, 12:03 PM

Please do and let me know if ya understood everything, ok?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Nov 14 2012, 12:16 AM

hey duder
quick update smile.gif been working on the modes, looking through your stuff as well as just playing around with them. I was experimenting with different modes over that song Im trying to write and came up with a real dark sounding chorus purely from messing about with the locrian mode, which I thought was pretty cool smile.gif

Ive been working on the collab, I had hoped to maybe play over a couple of sections but so far Ive just got the first part done using the dorian. I'll keep working on the next section incase I manage to get something cool sounding but I thought you could take a look at it so far because Im going for a few big bends here and, well, y'know..... rolleyes.gif




Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 14 2012, 04:52 PM

Hey mate! Locrian riff? I have to hear that biggrin.gif

Those bends are nasty and wide! The take is building up quite nicely, but, I'd suggest you to bend a bit more in pitch and vibrate wider. Let's see this take a bit improved, because I like the ideas but I'm sure you can play them better!

Posted by: bleez Nov 14 2012, 05:11 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 14 2012, 03:52 PM) *
Hey mate! Locrian riff? I have to hear that biggrin.gif

biggrin.gif well, I was just playing the mode over the song around the 12th fret area and it sounded kinda evil so I tried to copy the same thing with chords and got this -
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/prog3-11
Those bends are nasty and wide! The take is building up quite nicely, but, I'd suggest you to bend a bit more in pitch and vibrate wider. Let's see this take a bit improved, because I like the ideas but I'm sure you can play them better!

Thanks dude. yeah, Ive been practising those bends with a tuner so hopefully they are close to being in pitch but it's sometimes difficult for me to tell.
Ive been trying to add some vibrato to them but I tend to lose the pitch when I do but I'll keep trying to nail it better before the deadline. Its a really addictive backing to play around with smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 15 2012, 08:33 AM

Mate! The song sounds good as an ensemble, but Ive noticed one thing - the atmosphere changes are not underlined in the song as a whole - by that, I mean that the drums are too linear and thus, they drag the guitars after them. Try to think in more dynamic terms wink.gif

Thanks for the nice thoughts about the backing biggrin.gif Well, the harmonic basis is inspired from that darn song tongue.gif But check the dynamics out tongue.gif for some inspiration - and also, check out my latest Deftones lesson - I think I managed to build quite an atmosphere there

Posted by: bleez Nov 15 2012, 10:01 AM

thanks dude smile.gif yeah the drums are something I'd look to re-do if the song turns out okay. I dont really have drum program as such but Im looking to get something like EZ Drummer soon.

your deftones lesson is very cool, it sounds much bigger than 2 guitars, great atmosphere.
I really like the lower tuned stuff, I tried playing with a C tuning but its a bit awkward with just the 1 guitar and switching between such a low tuning and then back up to standard. I really need another guitar biggrin.gif when I get a little better as a player Im gonna reward myself with a new axe!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 15 2012, 04:46 PM

Alright! Well, it's never enough to have one biggrin.gif I need a standard tuned PRS right now tongue.gif

Well anyway, how's the Voice 1 and 2 going and when can I see a second take for the collab? biggrin.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Nov 15 2012, 05:45 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 15 2012, 03:46 PM) *
Alright! Well, it's never enough to have one biggrin.gif I need a standard tuned PRS right now tongue.gif

Well anyway, how's the Voice 1 and 2 going and when can I see a second take for the collab? biggrin.gif

Cosmin


LOL! cracking the whip biggrin.gif I'll get the collab recorded at the weekend, I was working on it last night and got some even cooler bends ohmy.gif they are probably wildly off pitch but they sound awesome from my ears!
Probably get the voices done at the weekend as well, hopefully they will be a step closer to awesome!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 15 2012, 05:50 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Nov 15 2012, 04:45 PM) *
LOL! cracking the whip biggrin.gif I'll get the collab recorded at the weekend, I was working on it last night and got some even cooler bends ohmy.gif they are probably wildly off pitch but they sound awesome from my ears!
Probably get the voices done at the weekend as well, hopefully they will be a step closer to awesome!


k-tschhhhh! laugh.gif Alright mate! Chop chop, then!! Any questions, maybe? smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Nov 18 2012, 12:13 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 15 2012, 04:50 PM) *
k-tschhhhh! laugh.gif Alright mate! Chop chop, then!! Any questions, maybe? smile.gif

hey bro, here's a take of the collab. In the second section theres a big step and a half bend, but if Im not getting it when I record the final take I'll just play the note instead of bending into it. Im just trying it at the moment because I need the practise!
I have been trying to get some vibrato into the bends as well but not had too much success with it so far, its kinda difficult rolleyes.gif


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 18 2012, 02:35 PM

Hey man! A lot improved wink.gif Better flow and correct pitches - also, how about trying to vibrate with the neck when playing that harmonic at 0.47? biggrin.gif Don't forget to send the takes 'till Tuesday wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Nov 18 2012, 03:05 PM

cheers dude, its been a really enjoyable collab so far. Ive been trying stuff I usually wouldnt really think about.

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 18 2012, 01:35 PM) *
how about trying to vibrate with the neck when playing that harmonic at 0.47? biggrin.gif

sounds cool! would that be just shaking the whole guitar to get some vibrato?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 18 2012, 03:32 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Nov 18 2012, 02:05 PM) *
cheers dude, its been a really enjoyable collab so far. Ive been trying stuff I usually wouldnt really think about.


sounds cool! would that be just shaking the whole guitar to get some vibrato?


biggrin.gif Great to hear biggrin.gif Well, it's done by pushing the body of the guitar towards your body and the neck away from your body in a constant shaky motion - not violent though!

Posted by: bleez Nov 18 2012, 10:20 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 18 2012, 02:32 PM) *
pushing the body of the guitar towards your body and the neck away from your body in a constant shaky motion - not violent though!

cool, I know what you mean. I'll give it a try, cheers.

so, here's a blast of the voice 1 - parts 1&2 and the first section of voice 2.


those full bends on the G string 9th fret are weird ( first one is at 0.40, then again at 0.45 ) Im never really sure about them, sometimes they sound like Ive got them, then I'll listen to it again and think it sounds out!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 19 2012, 09:32 AM

They are more like pre-bends somehow biggrin.gif Pff, mate it's a bit hard to describe all this in words as I've done this with my voice not my guitar - I transposed everything on guitar trying to imitate my voice as best I could and what you are learning now came up smile.gif

You are making good progress mate - you need to relax though. This whole line started from a song about sand in a woman's toes on the seaside ...Let your imagination go crazy and see if it helps smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Nov 20 2012, 12:26 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 19 2012, 08:32 AM) *
They are more like pre-bends somehow biggrin.gif Pff, mate it's a bit hard to describe all this in words as I've done this with my voice not my guitar - I transposed everything on guitar trying to imitate my voice as best I could and what you are learning now came up smile.gif

You are making good progress mate - you need to relax though. This whole line started from a song about sand in a woman's toes on the seaside ...Let your imagination go crazy and see if it helps smile.gif

cool subject matter biggrin.gif they are some nice bends though, I didnt realise how subtle some of the notes were until I tried to replicate them. I'll try to chill with it a bit and hopefully nail it soon.

also, I'll have my take for the collab posted tomorrow night, didnt get a chance to do it today.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 20 2012, 08:59 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Nov 19 2012, 11:26 PM) *
cool subject matter biggrin.gif they are some nice bends though, I didnt realise how subtle some of the notes were until I tried to replicate them. I'll try to chill with it a bit and hopefully nail it soon.

also, I'll have my take for the collab posted tomorrow night, didnt get a chance to do it today.


wink.gif Women are always a great source of inspiration biggrin.gif Looking forward to your take!

Posted by: bleez Nov 20 2012, 09:51 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 20 2012, 07:59 AM) *
wink.gif Women are always a great source of inspiration biggrin.gif


HA! Indeed they are, but they dont always inspire such a nice sounding solo as you got with the voice..... or maybe thats just the women in my life LOL! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 20 2012, 10:37 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Nov 20 2012, 08:51 AM) *
HA! Indeed they are, but they dont always inspire such a nice sounding solo as you got with the voice..... or maybe thats just the women in my life LOL! biggrin.gif


To become even more poetic - the women in my life hurt me so bad, that they managed to get my blood into the music smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Feb 14 2013, 01:12 AM

hey boss smile.gif
Just wanted to check in as Ive not updated this thread for a bit. Ive really just had my head down and been practising loads tbh!
Still working on my bending but Ive been putting in extra practise on alt picking lately to try and increase speed. Its a slow process but Ive just been going through a bunch of picking exercises.

I also thought it would be cool to start learning some full songs so Ive been working through Ironman, its really only the solo which I need to concentrate on as I can play the riffs. I can play through the solo now at a slow tempo, Im quite a bit off the full speed so Im just playing it everyday and trying to speed it up. Its not that difficult to play as such but I lose the phrasing when I go too fast.
I wanted to play 'the spirit of radio' by rush but that intro..... damn its just too fast!

Ive also spent a little too much time on writing my own songs! Ive spent entire evenings recording and arranging a couple of songs when I probably should have been practising technique rolleyes.gif playing the bass on them as well which is fun!
I may be pestering you for tips on vocals as well soon unsure.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 14 2013, 08:30 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Feb 14 2013, 12:12 AM) *
hey boss smile.gif
Just wanted to check in as Ive not updated this thread for a bit. Ive really just had my head down and been practising loads tbh!
Still working on my bending but Ive been putting in extra practise on alt picking lately to try and increase speed. Its a slow process but Ive just been going through a bunch of picking exercises.

I also thought it would be cool to start learning some full songs so Ive been working through Ironman, its really only the solo which I need to concentrate on as I can play the riffs. I can play through the solo now at a slow tempo, Im quite a bit off the full speed so Im just playing it everyday and trying to speed it up. Its not that difficult to play as such but I lose the phrasing when I go too fast.
I wanted to play 'the spirit of radio' by rush but that intro..... damn its just too fast!

Ive also spent a little too much time on writing my own songs! Ive spent entire evenings recording and arranging a couple of songs when I probably should have been practising technique rolleyes.gif playing the bass on them as well which is fun!
I may be pestering you for tips on vocals as well soon unsure.gif


Mate, I'd say you haven't made a bad choice at all - just imagine the following scenario:

Someone asks you if you play guitar, you say yes I do. They say, ok, can you play something for me? You can say:

1) Yes, I can play some of my songs if you'd be interested to hear them

2) Yes, I can play this amazing alternate picking exercise against the metronome

Which one do you think they will choose? biggrin.gif

I want to hear your songs man! Please share and let's discuss over them smile.gif

Cosmin


Posted by: bleez Feb 14 2013, 01:48 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 14 2013, 07:30 AM) *
1) Yes, I can play some of my songs if you'd be interested to hear them

2) Yes, I can play this amazing alternate picking exercise against the metronome

Which one do you think they will choose? biggrin.gif

LOL! yeah I dont think I'll get many requests for option 2, unfortunately!

dude, I appreciate you taking the time to listen to these tracks, Im really interested to hear your opinion on them.

*note - these are mixes straight out of reaper, my plan was to re-record all the parts when they are finished.

This track is probably the one Im most happy with. The second part of the solo ( starting 03:31 ) is probably the fastest stuff Ive ever played! The first part of the solo ( starting at 03:14 ) needs re-written but a mate of mine wants to have a go at that part so its just that second part I need to make sure is good enough.
https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/sabbatha-speed-1


This one is mostly done although, again, I need to do something much better with the solo.
https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/full-karr

This one isnt finished and Im not 100% sure about it, sometimes I really like it and other times Im less confident about it. It needs a new riff or two introduced but Im not yet sure of where the song should go next.
https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/warped-3g

hope you like smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 14 2013, 02:14 PM

Hey there man biggrin.gif

I listened to the tunes and here are my observations:

- you have a very good tone
- all the riffs are catchy! This is a crucial aspect and I congratulate you biggrin.gif
- you could use more dynamics in each song - somehow they are too linear
- the solos - if you don't feel like a solo is needed in someplace, don't do a solo just for the sake of having a solo smile.gif When you will get used to experimenting with rhythm and dynamics in your song writing, you will observe that suddenly you have so many ideas to put into a sung, that sometimes, solos won't even be on the list anymore - it's not a must, but it can happen smile.gif

Let's see what your friend can come up with and take it from there - anyway, I like the general 90's Slash/ Grungy rock flavor that these tunes are having, so it would be a pity not to try and take them to the greatest achievable height of creation biggrin.gif

What would your thoughts be, my friend?

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Feb 14 2013, 02:39 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 14 2013, 01:14 PM) *
anyway, I like the general 90's Slash/ Grungy rock flavor that these tunes are having, so it would be a pity not to try and take them to the greatest achievable height of creation biggrin.gif

What would your thoughts be, my friend?



the greatest achievable height of creation sounds damn good to me dude biggrin.gif Ive no idea what Im going to do with any of the stuff I write but I do really dig writing songs and definitely want them to be as good as they can be.
what would you suggest?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 14 2013, 04:34 PM

Hehe, well, for starters, how about thinking of how to variate the groove elements in the songs - a stop here, a different formula there, breaking down the rhythm at half time in another part - this sort of stuff smile.gif

Don't hurry though - take the one which is the least worked on and see what you can do to alter it in the suggested direction wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Feb 15 2013, 06:56 PM

y'know I had kinda noticed that most of the stuff Ive come up with has followed a similar formula, with the slight exception of that tempo change in the first track I posted, which is my favorite riff out of all of them smile.gif so Im definitely up for trying to do something different.
I have a a couple of riffs which I really like but as yet have not done anything with so I think I'll use those and try turn them into a more dynamic song.
Let's see what happens biggrin.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 16 2013, 04:27 PM

Good idea mate! You see, once you have listened to a piece for a long period of time and you know thee way it sounds - you are very inclined to think and feel that that's the way it should sound and in no other way. Starting fresh is good, so let's see what you have in mind smile.gif Post it here and let's discuss!

Posted by: bleez Feb 26 2013, 01:54 PM

hey dude, I have these riffs which Ive been working on. Ive put in a section ( which sound like a chorus to me ) in half time. Ive also tried to layer the intro a bit to make it more interesting.
I thought that after the half time section is played for a second time, basically where the song ends at the moment, it might be a good place to change it with a slower acoustic kinda thing a bit like the slow bit on 'sabbath bloody sabbath' or even like the quiet parts you have done in your new system of a down lesson ( which sounds excellent btw). dunno.... im open to suggestions smile.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/multiverse

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 27 2013, 08:39 AM

Hey man smile.gif

I think it is very good like this in terms of lengthiness - what I'd do is, shorten some of the passages and implement that slow/ maybe acoustic middle part. Another thing which came to me in the first few tens of seconds while listening, was the fact that I'd begin the song at halftime rather than the way you did it - but that's a matter of taste wink.gif

On the other hand - great tone, great drumming and tight playing! I think this has the potential to turn into a great song biggrin.gif

What do you say?

Cosmin

PS: Thank you for your kind thoughts on the SOAD lesson wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Feb 27 2013, 10:15 AM

thanks duder smile.gif

Im totally trying the beginning in half time, that's a really cool idea, I wouldn't have thought of that but I can almost hear it in my head now and it sounds like a monster intro!

I'll shorten the length of the main riff, probably is a bit long even with vocals in mind. I could also shorten the time taken to get to the first half time section.

cool, thanks for the suggestions matey, I'll let you know how they turn out smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 27 2013, 10:25 AM

Please do - and come over at the v-chat tomorrow, we'll be talking song writing and orchestration again smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Feb 28 2013, 09:55 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 27 2013, 09:25 AM) *
Please do - and come over at the v-chat tomorrow, we'll be talking song writing and orchestration again smile.gif

sounds good but Im too shy for v-chats unsure.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 28 2013, 07:33 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Feb 28 2013, 08:55 AM) *
sounds good but Im too shy for v-chats unsure.gif


C'mon man, see you in the chat room in 1 h and 30 minutes smile.gif What do you have to lose? smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Mar 1 2013, 01:50 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 28 2013, 06:33 PM) *
C'mon man, see you in the chat room in 1 h and 30 minutes smile.gif What do you have to lose? smile.gif


sorry I missed it mate, tbh Im usually lucky if I get to the PC to practice guitar before 9pm through the week.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 2 2013, 02:42 PM

Well, this week I have a special treat!

An interactive lick trade off/ ear training/ vocal emulation session biggrin.gif

If you'd join, it would be awesome!

Posted by: bleez Apr 25 2013, 11:28 PM

hey boss

Over the next couple of nights Im going to record a few of the things Ive been practising just to let you check over and maybe get your thoughts on them. Maybe get your opinion on how I should progress.

Also dude, are D.O.C on twitter? I couldnt find you guys on there but I was just wondering because there is a new rock radio station about to start over here in the UK next month and they were talking about new and unsigned bands.... I told them they should be playing you guys and I tweeted them a link to the meta vid on youtube biggrin.gif
it might be worth thinking about a twitter account for DOC, if you dont have one, its not a bad platform for picking up a new following.



Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 26 2013, 10:54 AM

Wow biggrin.gif Hey man, thanks a lot!!!

Tell me if you need a presskit or something regarding us and I will deliver faster than the speed of light wink.gif

Post everything you need advice on and we'll get to it without any problem! A little movie perhaps, because it's easier to talk and play a bit rather than type wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Apr 29 2013, 12:22 AM

hey duder,

Ive recorded pretty much everything Im currently doing for my 'practice' routine and Ive tried to highlight some of the parts which I can see are not so good but you may notice other dodgy bits as well smile.gif
basically this is what Ive been working on for the last few months, maybe you can see if I need to change how Im practising, maybe I should be working on different areas.
I hope you can understand my accent..... its very Scottish rolleyes.gif you may need some subtitles.
At the end of the vid I mention 'sweep picking', although it kinda sounds like I say speed picking so I thought I point that out incase it confused things!
I didnt realise it would be such a long video, 9 minutes of my guitar playing and crazy ramblings.... hope you dont mind.





Also, regarding that new radio station, I got forwarded to the dude who is making up the initial playlists so I sent him a link to some D.O.C vids and told him to let me know if he needs anything else. Im going to be listening to the station anyway when it starts next month so hopefully I can get you guys some airplay on it.

cheers cap'n smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 29 2013, 08:02 AM

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaan, I uber enjoyed watching this! I think this is definitely a very good way for us to work smile.gif I will also make up a video for you today, in which I will point out all the observation I have, regarding what I've seen and heard! And BTW, I think your accent is most awesome! biggrin.gif I look forward to visiting Scotland one fine day! It's actually a wish I had since I was a little kid smile.gif Stay tuned mate and thanks for the DOC support once again!

And here we go:


Posted by: bleez Apr 30 2013, 12:03 AM

great video Cosmin, LOL! you're correct, I do tell my mates about the bearded Romanian wolfman who's death stare burns my fretboard every time I bend out of pitch..... but its never a negative way smile.gif Its all positive and I totally appreciate it.

yeah.... those 3 main points you mentioned are spot on. Ive never really thought too much about how I do vibrato or economy of movement but after watching your video a few times and then picking up my guitar..... yeah, I totally see it rolleyes.gif
Im going to really focus on those points and try to get them better for the next video smile.gif
I played around with the vibrato tonight and I think I understand how to use my wrist, but I'll work on that some more and maybe record a quick vid to make sure Im doing it correctly.
I'll definitely get some more of my riffs down for your thoughts. I have a couple of new songs, One of them is 'complete' but obviously not finalised.... it may suck and need altered! and I have a few riffs of a second song which Im a bit stuck with, Im not too sure where to go with it. I'll get a video of them and see what you think.

also dude, it will definitely be most awesome if you were to visit Scotland, I would make sure to catch up with you at some point. Im sure you'd love it here. especially around the highlands, some amazing places there.

thanks duder, we'll talk soon.



Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 30 2013, 08:08 AM

I am very glad that I managed to help out, mate! biggrin.gif

Please do make a new video and also, execute some vibrato for me, so that I may see how the mechanics are looking, aye?

Hell man, I'd be thrilled to travel there and we could take pics for the dudes here at GMC biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez May 25 2013, 02:21 PM

hey dude, that radio station I mentioned are starting to get things together. They are having a slot dedicated to new bands and are currently on the lookout for stuff to play. I have some contact details if you want to send stuff to them.
they are looking for band info and tracks either by email - [email protected] or by post :

Breaking Bands,
TeamRock Radio - B2,
Blue Fin Building,
110 Southwark Street,
London,
SE1 0SU.


the DJ presenting this show is called Sophie, but I think if you got a track loaded into their playlist there's a good chance of airplay during different programmes as well.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 26 2013, 01:52 PM

Thank you sooooooo much mate!! I will definitely send her a CD and a letter of intention!

How's playing and when will I get to see another awesome video from you? smile.gif

Posted by: bleez May 26 2013, 03:51 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 26 2013, 01:52 PM) *
Thank you sooooooo much mate!! I will definitely send her a CD and a letter of intention!

How's playing and when will I get to see another awesome video from you? smile.gif


no probs smile.gif I'll keep an eye on their playlist.

y'know I thought I'd have a video done this week but I dont think my playing has really changed enough! Im much more aware of my vibrato and Im making an effort to stop using my fingers to do it but....... it does still happen smile.gif I think it will take a bit of time before I completely get out of that habit.
I continued with Comfortably numb and have been working on the 'rakes'. there are 3 of them in the 1st solo which I couldnt really do so Ive been working on them. but I did get on to the 2nd solo, I have the first section, Ive not recorded it but it sounds quite good when Im playing it.
Ive also spent some time on YYZ by Rush. I know that it is well above my level of playing but I thought if I could play it slow and just build it up over time it might be worthwhile...... I dont know if it really IS worthwhile to attempt a song which is quite so fast at this stage but Ive got from the intro all the way to the first 2 sections of the solo, its sounds kinda 'trippy' at the slow speed rolleyes.gif
I haven't recorded anymore of my own riffs. I had a critical listen to the stuff Ive written recently and Im not 100% sure that they really 'stand up'. I might leave that for a bit and just concentrate on improving my playing, then re-visit the song writing.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 27 2013, 08:05 AM

Oh oh, looks like you are indeed busy, my friend! I'd be curious to hear the XYZ tune in your interpretation - some of my friends played it at a guitar festival back in 2007 and that's where I first heard this tune smile.gif

Posted by: bleez May 27 2013, 12:59 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 27 2013, 08:05 AM) *
Oh oh, looks like you are indeed busy, my friend! I'd be curious to hear the XYZ tune in your interpretation - some of my friends played it at a guitar festival back in 2007 and that's where I first heard this tune smile.gif


cool, you tend not to hear too many people covering yyz! Its probably nuts for me to be attempting it tbh smile.gif There are basically 4 sections to the song and I play each at different speeds..... all varying degrees of slow rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 28 2013, 08:39 AM

Doesn't matter mate - if slow is played good, it will get fast in time wink.gif so, let's see it biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez May 29 2013, 12:46 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 28 2013, 08:39 AM) *
Doesn't matter mate - if slow is played good, it will get fast in time wink.gif so, let's see it biggrin.gif

biggrin.gif no probs! I'll give it a blast on the next vid!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 30 2013, 07:58 AM

Alrightie wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Jun 2 2013, 10:40 PM

hey dude, one of the DJ's at http://www.planetrock.com/ has just been on twitter looking for CD's and press packs of new bands for his show on saturday nights. His contact details are -

WYATT V WENDELS
Mappin House,
4 Winsley Street
London
W1W 8HF

They are a big radio station, that's the first time Ive seen them actively search for new bands like that. smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 3 2013, 07:07 AM

Wow biggrin.gif thank you man! We have sent a presskit to the other radio last week, hope we'll get on air or something biggrin.gif

Thanks a bunch!!

Posted by: bleez Jun 3 2013, 12:48 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 3 2013, 07:07 AM) *
Wow biggrin.gif thank you man! We have sent a presskit to the other radio last week, hope we'll get on air or something biggrin.gif

Thanks a bunch!!


no probs dude smile.gif Ive seen a couple of bands really generate a lot of interest after a few plays on Planet rock. Wyatt always posts on twitter the new bands he's going to play on that show so I''l be sure to let you know if I hear anything.
I think I kinda miss being in a band these days so if I can help you guys get some play on a DAB station I'll consider that a win smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 4 2013, 10:59 AM

Awesomeness! Thank you again and just to let you know, we will be sending the press kit through mail, today smile.gif How are those videos coming along?

Posted by: bleez Jun 5 2013, 12:54 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 4 2013, 10:59 AM) *
Awesomeness! Thank you again and just to let you know, we will be sending the press kit through mail, today smile.gif How are those videos coming along?

excellent! As soon as I hear DOC on the station I'll be on twitter to the DJ requesting they play it again smile.gif

I'll start recording stuff over the next few days. Ive been working really hard on comfortably numb..... probably too much, but it's just so good to play! Ive also slowed down the sabbath solos to try and avoid the 'finger vibrato'. Ive been practising loads and I figure as long as keep putting in the hours the improvements should start smile.gif
Ive also completed a couple of those songs which Ive been working on. I haven't put any lead guitar on them as yet but it would be cool to get your opinion on whether they are worth keeping.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 5 2013, 08:10 AM

Awesome! Thank you so much man! smile.gif It would be great to let me know if they have received the stuff and if the songs are being played - we've sent press kits to each of the radios you gave me contacts for.

It looks like your guitar schedule looks busy, so I'm really looking forward to see a new presentation video from you. Just be patient with yourself and focus on the vibrato and articulation in general, ok?

Posted by: bleez Jun 18 2013, 01:21 AM

hey boss biggrin.gif have a vid for ya!
Hopefully there wont be any problems viewing it because youtube just hassled me about a copyright claim! I think I played Comfortably numb soooo good that they thought it was Gilmour LOL!
it should be okay but if there are any blank sections, it's youtube being fascists and I might have to edit it.



Its a bit long so I hope you are not too busy! thanks dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 19 2013, 10:29 AM

Hey mate! Thanks for the vid biggrin.gif I got everything and I'm coming up with a video answer for you today wink.gif

Here ya go mate:



http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hand-Synch-II/

Posted by: bleez Jun 21 2013, 12:05 AM

thanks dude, much appreciated smile.gif
That hand sync lesson looks great, Im going to get started on that one just now. It really gets fast towards the end, that would be a mega achievement if I managed to get this lesson nailed.
I'll get the neoclassical one tidied up as well, might get a wee rec take out of it! not done one in ages. I'll run it by you again when Ive improved on it some more.
cheers cosmin, for such good feedback. Im definitely taking all your comments on-board smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 21 2013, 07:38 AM

Mate, good feedback is a result of a thoroughly presented video such as the ones you show me wink.gif So, keep them like that and you will only move up the ladder! Anyway, yes, please prepare a REC take! And start working on Ben's Hand Sync, it's really good stuff.

Keep me updated mate smile.gif

PS: Have you by any chance heard anything about the songs at those radio stations? We have sent presskits in the mail for some time now sad.gif

Cosmin

Posted by: bleez Jun 21 2013, 08:30 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 21 2013, 07:38 AM) *
PS: Have you by any chance heard anything about the songs at those radio stations? We have sent presskits in the mail for some time now sad.gif

Cosmin

funny you should mention that, because I was trying to find out just recently. I asked the guy from planet rock if he had you guys in the playlist but he didnt get back to me rolleyes.gif but I have been keeping an eye on his show.
I spoke to one of the DJs at team rock but he couldnt say for sure, he said to email [email protected] to find out. The DJ who presents that particular show doesnt seem to be too active on twitter, which is a pity coz its a really easy method of contact.
Team Rock just officially launched this week and Im keeping a close eye on it! I'll do my best to find out.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 22 2013, 08:01 AM

Thanks again man!! Please let me know if you find something out!

Posted by: bleez Jun 26 2013, 02:47 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 22 2013, 08:01 AM) *
Thanks again man!! Please let me know if you find something out!


Well, the guy from planet rock hasnt been any use so far but I just heard back from sophie K who presents the breaking bands show on team rock, I had asked her if DOC were on the playlist and she said she would look into it, hopefully she'll get you guys on soon.
Ive managed to catch most of her shows so far, although I missed last nights but from what Ive heard Team Rock would be the better station to get played on.
Hopefully I will be able to find out in advance when you guys are on so we can all bombard their twitter and facebook pages afterwards smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2013, 07:18 AM

Hey man, thanks a lot again!! Let me know if you hear something biggrin.gif

How's playing?

Posted by: bleez Jun 27 2013, 08:34 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 27 2013, 07:18 AM) *
How's playing?

not too bad. Still kinda learning the hand sync lesson, not yet got all the parts properly memorized but its coming along smile.gif
I think I have that neo classical one about as good as Im going to get it. I also had been working on a pentatonic styled lesson for a while, it has taken me ages to get it up to speed but Im starting to play it at full speed now.
still working away on my own stuff rolleyes.gif

Been trying to get something for your industrial collab as well, totally not familiar with the style so its been a bit tough. I'll try again tonight and see if I can get it finished.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2013, 08:44 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Jun 27 2013, 07:34 AM) *
not too bad. Still kinda learning the hand sync lesson, not yet got all the parts properly memorized but its coming along smile.gif
I think I have that neo classical one about as good as Im going to get it. I also had been working on a pentatonic styled lesson for a while, it has taken me ages to get it up to speed but Im starting to play it at full speed now.
still working away on my own stuff rolleyes.gif

Been trying to get something for your industrial collab as well, totally not familiar with the style so its been a bit tough. I'll try again tonight and see if I can get it finished.


Alright man, guess I can push the deadline to include tomorrow as well smile.gif Go planet! biggrin.gif Take your time with memorizing the lessons, you can't push that - it'll only end up with you not remembering everything wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Jun 27 2013, 11:14 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 27 2013, 08:44 AM) *
Alright man, guess I can push the deadline to include tomorrow as well smile.gif Go planet! biggrin.gif

Its cool, dude. Im sure I will have it finished by midnight tonight biggrin.gif
I bet you havent even began doing your take yet and you'll still come up with a killer solo! Ive been playing around with it for a week and still have bits I dont like rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2013, 07:37 AM

You're right laugh.gif I will probably start tinkering with mine today - for me it is important to hear it in my head and then lay it down on the track - it is just a matter of practicing it, afterwards smile.gif I've noticed you and Ville uploaded takes so, I will go check'em out right away.

Posted by: bleez Jul 3 2013, 10:23 PM

yo cap'n smile.gif
Ive been trying to tidy up that neo lesson....



here's the actual lesson - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/neoclassical_solo_for_beginners/ for reference.

cheers


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 4 2013, 10:47 AM

Hey amigo!!

Looks cool to me! Now I will be a nag and point out two details biggrin.gif

0:19 - you bent that with your fingers tongue.gif

0:46 you haven't actually reached the correct pitch

These are just details but they are important once you aim for the supreme level of interpretation! I think that if you put a little attitude into it it can score 11 in the REC biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Jul 4 2013, 12:49 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 4 2013, 10:47 AM) *
0:19 - you bent that with your fingers tongue.gif

0:46 you haven't actually reached the correct pitch


HA! if those are the only bends I missed then I'll take that as a victory! biggrin.gif

yeah, the one at 0:46 has been an 'issue' since I began with it. I should be able to sort those bits out over the next couple of nights and re-record it.
Ive also been playing Gab's new Kyuss lesson which has been going really well, I could have 2 potential rec tracks ready for over the weekend smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 4 2013, 12:53 PM

Sounds like a good plan, Sir! biggrin.gif

Now, remember, isolate that little thing that causes trouble, whatever it may be - a bend, a lick, a riff, get it up to speed and interpretation, get it into the context and THEN record wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Jul 26 2013, 10:36 PM

hey dude, that http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hand-Synch-II/. Im playing it ( at a slower speed ) reasonably welll in terms of timing but the last section..... the really fast part, Im not 100% sure of the timing.
in the lesson its parts 6 and 7. They are 16th note triplets. Im trying to play this section real slow with a metronome.
Do I play 6 notes between each click?

note 1 played on the start of click 1
note 7 played on the start of click 2
note 13 played on the start of click 3

huh.gif

Im not too sure on the best way to attempt this part, I just thought it might be better to single out this last section and get it with the metronome before trying it with the backing because it's so fast.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 27 2013, 08:02 AM

Your assumption is correct in both ways - this is a tad more difficult biggrin.gif and yes, you should play 6 notes between each click but not with a triplet feel - as they are 16th note triplets - try it slow with the metronome first and shoot a lil movie so that I may see and hear, ok?

Posted by: bleez Jul 27 2013, 04:40 PM

so this was based on my assumption that I had to play 6 notes between each click. I also added highhats inbetween the clicks where I thought I should be picking each note.

I recorded it at 40bpm and then slower at 30bpm



even now Im still not sure if this is right rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 28 2013, 03:06 PM

Sounds right to me man - 6 notes between each click and no triplet feel smile.gif Now, it's time to bring it up to speed! Keep me updated with the speeding progress, ok?

Posted by: bleez Jul 28 2013, 03:20 PM

cool smile.gif I was totally all over the place with it until I added in the hihats!
I can play up to this part at 70 - 80 bpm but at the moment I cant imagine being able to play the 16th note bit at full speed. Its SO fast! it feels like pure light speed ohmy.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 29 2013, 11:32 AM

Can I see a video at 70% please? In this way, recording will make you bring out good results biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Jul 29 2013, 11:23 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 29 2013, 11:32 AM) *
Can I see a video at 70% please? In this way, recording will make you bring out good results biggrin.gif


sure smile.gif I can play at 70 up to the fast section. That 16th part however I can only do at around 50 ( 55 on a good session! )
Ive been practising it as 2 separate pieces, should I record it like that?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 30 2013, 07:33 AM

Mate, let me tell you about a little golden rule:

You can't really play a song unless you can play all the parts at the original speed - the best performance is a done at the speed at which you can play ALL the parts together. So, focus on playing everything at the same speed - ok? If you can play at 55 when doing that difficult part in a good session than, this is the whole speed limit that you have on this piece, so let's see a 55 BPM recording.

Posted by: bleez Jul 30 2013, 08:38 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jul 30 2013, 07:33 AM) *
Mate, let me tell you about a little golden rule:

You can't really play a song unless you can play all the parts at the original speed - the best performance is a done at the speed at which you can play ALL the parts together. So, focus on playing everything at the same speed - ok? If you can play at 55 when doing that difficult part in a good session than, this is the whole speed limit that you have on this piece, so let's see a 55 BPM recording.


yeah totally cool.gif
my initial thought was that it was worthwhile to play the first section on its own, as it is more within my level, I can progress with it faster while also working on the 16th part separate as its way more difficult.
I'll begin playing it as a whole piece though as well now. I tried the last part along with the backing last night..... timing is very difficult LOL! I may need to add some clicks to the backing rolleyes.gif

gotta say though, its a really great lesson, even at the slower speeds it sounds really cool.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 31 2013, 07:53 AM

First things first, let's see a full vid at the max speed at which you can play in good timing and articulation - deal? When practicing the parts, it is normal to go as far as possible with each on its own, but when putting them together, well that's where you need to be consistent with the tempo smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Jul 31 2013, 11:02 PM

well, I tried it tonight but it didn't turn out too good rolleyes.gif Im still getting a bit lost when playing the fast part over the backing track. maybe tomorrows session will be worth recording mellow.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 1 2013, 07:58 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Jul 31 2013, 10:02 PM) *
well, I tried it tonight but it didn't turn out too good rolleyes.gif Im still getting a bit lost when playing the fast part over the backing track. maybe tomorrows session will be worth recording mellow.gif


No hurry mate smile.gif Make sure YOU are happy with it first, considering of course the level at which you are at this moment.

Posted by: bleez Aug 5 2013, 11:23 PM

hey dude, I got a recording tonight at 60bpm of the hand sync. Its..... not the easiest rolleyes.gif there are only 3 points of reference that I hear in the backing track during the fast run at the end.
1. the start of the run
2. theres a chord change in the backing and I should be hitting the 14th fret G string when it changes.
3. the last note smile.gif

also, Last weekend I got a bit bored with my usual practise stuff so I spent a day learning a new lesson, Ive included it in the vid. Its not technically difficult but it's all bends and vibrato. Ive not got all the bends to pitch but I think Ive got a few of them sounding reasonable.




Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 6 2013, 09:03 AM

Hey matey! I will make a movie for ya regarding Ben's lesson - I want to talk to you about an idea which will spark some thoughts into your mind smile.gif The recording is not bad, but you cling on to some things which should not be hindering you smile.gif

Regarding the bending lesson - GREAT CHOICE! It still sounds a bit rigid and some bends are not there yet, but it will work the hell out of your interpretation skills! Try to get the best out of each note and listen carefully for the dynamics in the interpretation, found in the original recording - try to emulate them!

Here we go mate:


Posted by: bleez Aug 7 2013, 07:55 PM

thanks mate. I'll try that approach, I can see how it would be beneficial smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 8 2013, 07:29 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 7 2013, 06:55 PM) *
thanks mate. I'll try that approach, I can see how it would be beneficial smile.gif


Just tried it myself again last evening on some pieces I was learning and man, it's so good to be able to play without having to fuss over the landmarks biggrin.gif Try it and let me know how it feels afterwards. You should be able to sing in your head as you play the guitar - it will help tremendously!

Posted by: bleez Aug 21 2013, 08:35 PM

hey dude, I was watching your vid reply about legato and was wondering how you come up with patterns to play?
Basically Ive been trying to include some fast runs using legato in the unmasked collab ( and also Todd's collab ). I always seem to play the same pattern!
Ive been trying to come up with this type of thing :



The descending run especially that Todd plays at the start is the type of run I think I could play and use in collabs etc. Is it just a trial and error thing or do you learn patterns and then adapt them into your own solos?


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 22 2013, 12:53 PM

Hey mate - the one thing that you can do - the one thing I did as well, in order to figure out various runs, is learn runs from wherever you can and adapt them to your style. As a great starting point, I would totally suggest you to listen to all the legato based lessons here at GMC which you particularly enjoy LISTENING to wink.gif and learn the licks in there. Once you learn run/ lick, change a note, a rest or develop it into something more personal.

How about starting with this one?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato-5/

It's not necessary to play it at the original speed, but, it's important to 'steal' the lick biggrin.gif

Show me, which would be your favorite runs and we can work on makin' them yours smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Aug 23 2013, 08:20 AM

cool, thanks dude smile.gif I started last night, checking out some runs and trying them. Definitely much better than what I had been doing ( trying to come up with my own runs from scratch ).
Some of them sounded cool just played to a metronome. smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 24 2013, 09:59 AM

Hehe biggrin.gif Nothing wrong with stealing licks and making them your own, by using the method I described earlier wink.gif Can you record some after you master them and maybe even use them over some backing tracks? biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez Aug 25 2013, 09:50 PM

hey dude, Ive been working on a few of those fast legato licks and also trying to get a couple of them worked into runs, just been playing them with the metronome for now. I'll be recoding my collab take maybe monday or tuesday so I'll try to get some of these legato licks recorded as well for you to hear.
but.... rolleyes.gif as Ive been researching legato Im wondering if I should be trying to play more in the classical position rather than the 'guitar on right leg / thumb over neck' style. In understand the benefits of the classical position and Ive been switching to it now and then without fully committing to it. Some things are quite cool to play in classical but some techniques I think I would need to almost re-learn.
You know pretty much where my level of ability is, do you think I should play more in this position?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 26 2013, 07:04 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 25 2013, 08:50 PM) *
hey dude, Ive been working on a few of those fast legato licks and also trying to get a couple of them worked into runs, just been playing them with the metronome for now. I'll be recoding my collab take maybe monday or tuesday so I'll try to get some of these legato licks recorded as well for you to hear.
but.... rolleyes.gif as Ive been researching legato Im wondering if I should be trying to play more in the classical position rather than the 'guitar on right leg / thumb over neck' style. In understand the benefits of the classical position and Ive been switching to it now and then without fully committing to it. Some things are quite cool to play in classical but some techniques I think I would need to almost re-learn.
You know pretty much where my level of ability is, do you think I should play more in this position?


Hey mate! Most definitely! I play in the classical position a lot when having to study guitar playing in general and it is most definitely the best option. I play with the guitar on my right leg when I am playing and singing in the same time - as it's a much more comfortable position for me, when I need to take a quick look at the neck and still be very close to the microphone. Of course, all these are happening when I am sitting down wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Aug 26 2013, 08:27 AM

my plan of attack was to play in my usual position for the stuff doesn't require anything too 'stretchy' and then set aside specific practice time to play in the classical position when working on legato runs and fast picking. does that sound right?
I tried playing comfortably numb in the classical position..... didnt like it! but all of the legato runs Ive been working on felt a lot better and a bit more natural in classical. Bends feel a weird, that may take a bit of getting used to.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 26 2013, 08:36 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 26 2013, 07:27 AM) *
my plan of attack was to play in my usual position for the stuff doesn't require anything too 'stretchy' and then set aside specific practice time to play in the classical position when working on legato runs and fast picking. does that sound right?
I tried playing comfortably numb in the classical position..... didnt like it! but all of the legato runs Ive been working on felt a lot better and a bit more natural in classical. Bends feel a weird, that may take a bit of getting used to.


Hey mate - it's not right, simply because you can't switch the leg in a song, in which you need to play legato and then go back to your usual position smile.gif This is how I see things - you need to be consistent!

Posted by: bleez Aug 26 2013, 12:48 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 26 2013, 08:36 AM) *
Hey mate - it's not right, simply because you can't switch the leg in a song, in which you need to play legato and then go back to your usual position smile.gif This is how I see things - you need to be consistent!


TBH I was afraid you would say that smile.gif Basically, if Im gonna change I should really just go for it 100%.
I guess once someone reaches the kind of level you play at then switching between right / left leg isnt really a big issue.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 26 2013, 01:35 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 26 2013, 11:48 AM) *
TBH I was afraid you would say that smile.gif Basically, if Im gonna change I should really just go for it 100%.
I guess once someone reaches the kind of level you play at then switching between right / left leg isnt really a big issue.


Not quite- it takes me a few minutes to adjust - I will just try to understand the angles. The big time eater is the moment when I sit up and focus on moving around and playing - that's a bummer laugh.gif

Posted by: bleez Sep 7 2013, 03:19 PM

hi mate, Ive been working on the collab that Patrik posted a backing for and I think I have what Im going to play but I was wondering if there is anything I could do to get a better mix. Im not sure if the guitar has too much gain or middle or maybe its just too loud, I dunno...... im not sure what to tweak!
I only have reaper and the ux1 tone port with pod farm but is there anything I can do to get my collabs sounding a bit more in the mix?



also, what do you think about the actual guitar part? I think I missed the bend on the high e string near the end, but I have until the end of the month to get that right!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 10 2013, 10:16 AM

Hey mate - I like the tone and the phrasing from the middle onwards - it sounds very Zakk Wylde ballad oriented tongue.gif

In the beginning, I think you should go for a more melodic choice of notes and I can't seem to spot that wrong bend smile.gif

About the mix - tell me, how does your recording process occur?

Posted by: bleez Sep 10 2013, 11:58 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 10 2013, 10:16 AM) *
Hey mate - I like the tone and the phrasing from the middle onwards - it sounds very Zakk Wylde ballad oriented tongue.gif

In the beginning, I think you should go for a more melodic choice of notes and I can't seem to spot that wrong bend smile.gif

About the mix - tell me, how does your recording process occur?


smile.gif I wasn't sure about the bend at 0.49 but if it didn't jump out at you as being out then thats good enough for me!
with the beginning, I tried to use less notes but get a similar sounding melody to the one in the middle, I do like the middle to the end.
I'll try to get a better beginning part, maybe I've just gone with the wrong notes or melody and its making the mix sound a bit odd.

All I do for recording is just render the part straight from reaper. I just have my tone port going into reaper, record and then render. I also tend to record the guitar twice and pan left / right because it seems to fill it out more.
It usually sounds better in reaper. I was thinking that I should have some sort of mixing tool.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 11 2013, 09:44 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Sep 10 2013, 10:58 AM) *
smile.gif I wasn't sure about the bend at 0.49 but if it didn't jump out at you as being out then thats good enough for me!
with the beginning, I tried to use less notes but get a similar sounding melody to the one in the middle, I do like the middle to the end.
I'll try to get a better beginning part, maybe I've just gone with the wrong notes or melody and its making the mix sound a bit odd.

All I do for recording is just render the part straight from reaper. I just have my tone port going into reaper, record and then render. I also tend to record the guitar twice and pan left / right because it seems to fill it out more.
It usually sounds better in reaper. I was thinking that I should have some sort of mixing tool.


Well, just tinker with the beginning a bit more and try to find stronger tones in order to build a lead melody based on the same principles as the one you have already, but using other notes which will make it sound more melodic, even if it will end up being a bit predictable? Predictable is not bad smile.gif Keep this in mind wink.gif

Regarding recording - I am not far from what you do tongue.gif I never use EQs and all that, I just record the raw parts and add reverb or delay. For me its more about the tones I use and since I record with the tube preamp, I try to make them pretty dry as they will sound better in the mix - I noticed that you use a lot of gain. Gain can be a bit hindering when trying to be expressive, because it covers up the nuances that your hands can offer smile.gif Try reducing the gain - this will lead to a little bit of difficulty when playing, due to the fact that the notes will not be easily linked together - if you get the meaning biggrin.gif It's more of a feeling thing than one which I could explain in words

Posted by: bleez Sep 23 2013, 07:26 PM

hey duder, this is what Ive got so far for the league collab. Im just using the second part of the backing. Thought it would be best to get your verdict on it so far:

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/loeam-idea

cheers smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 23 2013, 11:06 PM

Hey mate! This is nice biggrin.gif At this point - I don't seem to find anything I'd like to change! I think you managed both epic and melodic, so good work and in the end, that more technical lick hit the sweet spot! Go for it I think, let's see if the other guys have something to add, deal?

Posted by: bleez Sep 23 2013, 11:22 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 23 2013, 11:06 PM) *
Hey mate! This is nice biggrin.gif At this point - I don't seem to find anything I'd like to change! I think you managed both epic and melodic, so good work and in the end, that more technical lick hit the sweet spot! Go for it I think, let's see if the other guys have something to add, deal?


cool! You're the man biggrin.gif

thanks dude. I really tried hard to make it interesting, It was a bit out of my comfort zone but the backing turned out to be really cool to play over.
Listening to the other guys takes so far was a bit scary LOL! it's going to be quite an amazing collab when its finished.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 24 2013, 10:15 AM

My friend - don't look in the neighbor's garden that much wink.gif Stick to your guns and make the best you can - when I did this, I usually ended up with something good, regardless of how good other people were, simply because I didn't let the flow of creativity be hindered by doubt smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Nov 3 2013, 08:16 PM

hey dude. Ive been working on the day / night collab and wanted to get your thoughts on what Ive got, I was using Matt's harmonic minor thread which you suggested as a base which gave me some really cool sounding notes which, I think work but they could also be wildly out!!

obviously I went for the dark side cool.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/night

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 5 2013, 09:13 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Nov 3 2013, 07:16 PM) *
hey dude. Ive been working on the day / night collab and wanted to get your thoughts on what Ive got, I was using Matt's harmonic minor thread which you suggested as a base which gave me some really cool sounding notes which, I think work but they could also be wildly out!!

obviously I went for the dark side cool.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/night


Hey mate smile.gif I like this a lot - frankly I don't think I'd change anything as the execution and the composition suit the mood! biggrin.gif Good job at learning how to use it !

Posted by: bleez Nov 5 2013, 01:48 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Nov 5 2013, 08:13 AM) *
Hey mate smile.gif I like this a lot - frankly I don't think I'd change anything as the execution and the composition suit the mood! biggrin.gif Good job at learning how to use it !

cool, thanks biggrin.gif
I wasnt sure if the last part fitted. Its such a cool sounding scale, I really dig how kinda moody some of the notes can sound over that backing.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Nov 6 2013, 08:40 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Nov 5 2013, 12:48 PM) *
cool, thanks biggrin.gif
I wasnt sure if the last part fitted. Its such a cool sounding scale, I really dig how kinda moody some of the notes can sound over that backing.


Yeah indeed biggrin.gif I haven't had the chance to start working on my ideas, since it's still early (I know, probably I will end up with a 100 meters before the deadline laugh.gif ) but I am looking forward to the possibilities biggrin.gif


Posted by: bleez Jan 12 2014, 07:56 PM

hey dude smile.gif thought Id check in here and give you a quick update on my practising. I read your post on the winter collab, thanks for the interest in my progression, its appreciated.

main focus recently has been alternate picking, trying to lay the groundwork for facemelting runs biggrin.gif I spend about 40 mins per day on Todds shred lessons. Just working along with the metronome trying to increase the speed. I think Ive made some progress.... its slow going though.
Ive also added a few patterns I found on youtube so basically just run through all of that for about 40 mins.

I struggled with Bens hand sync II lesson so I began working on http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/ and http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/iron-maiden-lesson/. Ive got Daruis' one up to full speed ( with the occasional mistake) Gabs' is maybe 10bpm off full speed ( it was a bit faster than I thought!).

I usually begin practice by running through the songs / solos Ive been learning. Paranoid, ironman and comfortably numb mainly ( finally managed to learn the whole 2nd solo for comfortably numb!).
I have a video lesson for 'shine on you crazy diamond' and was thinking about trying that next.... tons of bends!

Thats more or less my basic practice routine lately, I sometimes try to focus on legato but TBH a lot of the time I overrun on the other stuff so legato stuff has been a little sporadic.

My Les Paul is going into the shop tomorrow for a full refret and setup ( finally) but I have a Strat copy to use in the meantime so I can still play.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 13 2014, 01:51 PM

Hey mate smile.gif Sounds like you are pretty busy! I would love to see some recordings of the more technical stuff you are working on, deal?

Posted by: bleez Jan 13 2014, 01:53 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jan 13 2014, 12:51 PM) *
Hey mate smile.gif Sounds like you are pretty busy! I would love to see some recordings of the more technical stuff you are working on, deal?

No problem dude, I'll record some stuff tonight. I still have my Les Paul tonight at least... didnt have time to take it in to the shop rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 14 2014, 08:16 AM

Cool biggrin.gif

Let's see some bleez style guitar playing!

Posted by: bleez Jan 15 2014, 09:26 AM

hey boss, I took a quick recording of the main practice stuff at the moment. I usually spend 30-40 minutes on these patterns and I just start off slow and gradually increase the speed until I get really sloppy. Ive recorded them at a reasonable fast speed ( for me ) I could probably go a little faster.
I got these patterns off youtube vids, Im sure they are quite common. Here's the alt picking ones and the legato ones. I get a bit messy with the legato but.... y'know, fatigue was beginning to set in!


I am still trying to be more economical with my fingers, I know Im still lifting them too far from the strings.

Here's a quick run through of the two picking lessons Im currently trying. The first is at full speed and the second ( the iron maiden style one ) is about 10 bpm off full speed.
I still go over the hand sync lesson you suggested but its quite a bit off being recorded at the moment.


as well as the above, I also follow todds shred lessons which is more alt picking with the metronome. I tend to do todds stuff one day and the youtube pattens the next day.

Its a slloooww process rolleyes.gif I constantly think I should be making faster progress but I suppose everyone feels that!

if you have any thoughts or suggestions ect they would be most welcome smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 16 2014, 10:32 AM

Hey mate! This is very good!

Indeed, the process is slow but I am noticing very important improvements:

- your intention in playing is very strong and that makes you sound resolute and defined - this is crucial, as it's better to play slower and transmitting a message rather than playing fast and not transmitting anything.

- you sound tight when you play and as I said in the collab takes, you have a great tone and touch.

Now, the speed will come in time once you become conscious of two things:

- you have to move less smile.gif especially with the left hand - the less distance between the fingertips and fretboard, the more efficient you will become!

- I noticed some tension in the right hand - relax and get the speed down if you feel tension, try to obtain the right balance between tension and relaxation. Ben and Todd have been talking about this - I bet Todd already told this in his video chat sessions smile.gif

Now, our big fault - and I mean ALL of us - is the lack of patience that rules us sometimes smile.gif Overcome it and you will prevail.

Post here more often - I like to see your progress!

Posted by: bleez Jan 17 2014, 10:32 PM

thanks dude smile.gif
youre right, I do tense up my hand a bit when doing these patterns, I'll be more conscious of it and ease it back.
I'll post up some stuff more often, I dont think Im too far away from getting that first alt picking lesson to a rec take level but I'll run it past you first.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 19 2014, 08:57 AM

Good choice wink.gif Please focus on the things I mentioned and remember to post here more often and send me your takes so that I can help you to be more prepared for the REC biggrin.gif Yes indeed, that one is close, close, close! Shall we focus on preparing that one?

Posted by: bleez Jan 19 2014, 02:51 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jan 19 2014, 07:57 AM) *
Shall we focus on preparing that one?

indeed smile.gif that would be cool.
Ive been working on that one for quite a long time. It really took me an age to get it to the stage I could justifiably practice it at full tempo.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 19 2014, 04:08 PM

Mate, the more tracks you finish with great results, the better you will really become - the good habits are being passed down from situation to situation and can be applied in many cases. Just have patience - what do you have to lose?

Posted by: bleez Feb 3 2014, 11:17 PM

hi mate, still working on that alt picking lesson, I'll probably be able to get another recording this week for you to check over, Im starting to get through it without any obvious mistakes so hopefully Its a bit closer to the mark.
In the meantime I was hoping you would cast your ears over this soundcloud file. Basically I was just mucking around with a bass and came up with a riff similar to a really cool song by 'Unida', anyways I thought I'd just add to it and try to come up with something in their style, just for the hell of it cool.gif

Its just a short riff, maybe an intro type of thing, but it posed a few questions for me.

I assumed the bass line is a D or D minor progression, so with the guitar which comes in at 0.36 I just played notes from a D chord, I wanted to be a bit more interesting but I dont know which chords or notes I can play over the progression. It turns out I dont really know any interesting chords at all!

How would you go about writing this type of piece, would you look at all the possible chords which go with the progression and then pick out notes or do you know straight away which notes you can play over any given progression?

should I be looking at triads or just basic chord theory huh.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/unida-ish

ps, this is the Unida track which I was using as inspiration, if you fancy a listen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRbAvWDugg4

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 4 2014, 09:30 AM

Don't over think it mate biggrin.gif I think you did a very good job here - it sounds like Tool or APC to me, which is pretty darn good biggrin.gif

When I write something, I NEVER think in terms of theory - the process goes like this:

- play what you hear in your head
- record
- develop by using other already existing parts which you can adapt to the context or, by playing something else that you hear in your head
- polish, by using theory - what goes well with what you have? What can you use, change, add to spice things up?

That's pretty much what I do smile.gif What do you hear in your head next, for this one?

QUOTE (bleez @ Feb 3 2014, 10:17 PM) *
hi mate, still working on that alt picking lesson, I'll probably be able to get another recording this week for you to check over, Im starting to get through it without any obvious mistakes so hopefully Its a bit closer to the mark.
In the meantime I was hoping you would cast your ears over this soundcloud file. Basically I was just mucking around with a bass and came up with a riff similar to a really cool song by 'Unida', anyways I thought I'd just add to it and try to come up with something in their style, just for the hell of it cool.gif

Its just a short riff, maybe an intro type of thing, but it posed a few questions for me.

I assumed the bass line is a D or D minor progression, so with the guitar which comes in at 0.36 I just played notes from a D chord, I wanted to be a bit more interesting but I dont know which chords or notes I can play over the progression. It turns out I dont really know any interesting chords at all!

How would you go about writing this type of piece, would you look at all the possible chords which go with the progression and then pick out notes or do you know straight away which notes you can play over any given progression?

should I be looking at triads or just basic chord theory huh.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/unida-ish

ps, this is the Unida track which I was using as inspiration, if you fancy a listen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRbAvWDugg4


Posted by: bleez Feb 4 2014, 10:23 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 4 2014, 08:30 AM) *
When I write something, I NEVER think in terms of theory - the process goes like this:

- play what you hear in your head
- record
- develop by using other already existing parts which you can adapt to the context or, by playing something else that you hear in your head
- polish, by using theory - what goes well with what you have? What can you use, change, add to spice things up?

Nice smile.gif I took that approach tonight and stopped thinking about my lack of theory, just played it through and tried to go with the flow cool.gif

I altered the notey bit and added a simple melody part, what do reckon to it?

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/unida-ish-2

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 5 2014, 09:44 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Feb 4 2014, 09:23 PM) *
Nice smile.gif I took that approach tonight and stopped thinking about my lack of theory, just played it through and tried to go with the flow cool.gif

I altered the notey bit and added a simple melody part, what do reckon to it?

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/unida-ish-2


The wah theme needs a delay effect over it to add spaciness biggrin.gif and if you place an inspired vocal line - you got an awesome premise for a good tune! biggrin.gif What say you?

Posted by: bleez Feb 5 2014, 02:03 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 5 2014, 08:44 AM) *
The wah theme needs a delay effect over it to add spaciness biggrin.gif and if you place an inspired vocal line - you got an awesome premise for a good tune! biggrin.gif What say you?


good call smile.gif I picked a couple of the notes a bit too hard and 'twangy' so I'll re-do that part and add some delay. cheers.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 6 2014, 08:25 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Feb 5 2014, 01:03 PM) *
good call smile.gif I picked a couple of the notes a bit too hard and 'twangy' so I'll re-do that part and add some delay. cheers.


Ah, well, I didn't want to go THAT far as in re-recording - just the delay would've done the trick for me wink.gif

Can you sing, mate?

Posted by: bleez Feb 6 2014, 09:24 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 6 2014, 07:25 AM) *
Can you sing, mate?

hmmm its debatable! I try sing a bit, Theres a couple of acoustic biffy clyro songs which I practice, sometimes it sounds ok-ish mellow.gif but I wouldnt go as far as saying I could sing!

I played around with the track last night, put in that delay and added a little bit, got a new riff / melody at the end.
https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/u4

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 6 2014, 10:18 AM

QUOTE (bleez @ Feb 6 2014, 08:24 AM) *
hmmm its debatable! I try sing a bit, Theres a couple of acoustic biffy clyro songs which I practice, sometimes it sounds ok-ish mellow.gif but I wouldnt go as far as saying I could sing!

I played around with the track last night, put in that delay and added a little bit, got a new riff / melody at the end.
https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/u4


Hehe - why not try some vocal ideas man? I think that instrumentally it's good enough at this point to lay down some vocals on it smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Feb 6 2014, 09:33 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Feb 6 2014, 09:18 AM) *
Hehe - why not try some vocal ideas man? I think that instrumentally it's good enough at this point to lay down some vocals on it smile.gif

biggrin.gif I'll give it a go! thanks dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 7 2014, 09:46 AM

Looking forward to hear your ideas - you can record them with the guitar if you feel uncomfy with your voice in the first instance smile.gif But don't shy away from doing it - I am hereto assist wink.gif


Posted by: bleez Apr 2 2014, 04:53 PM

hey Cos smile.gif

I done a little recording today, wondered if you'd check it out. here's where Im at with that http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/


Also, the Gary Moore collab, a bit simple maybe but the more complicated stuff I tried didn't pan out at all! what do you think?



Ive been working on a ton of stuff these last few months. Im trying a couple lessons which are probably a bit fast for me but even playing them slow sounds pretty cool! Im also re-visiting some older lessons which I either stopped playing or never quite nailed, usually because of bending issues rolleyes.gif
Also still working on learning some solos, I finally got comfortably numb learned and can play through it, you won't confuse it for Gilmour but that was never the immediate goal smile.gif

A new solo Ive been working on is Alive. I tried a few years ago to play it but never managed so it was kinda cool to get through it now. I tried to keep as close to the album version as I could. The bit in the middle where the vocals come back in I found really difficult to make out the guitar and everyone on youtube seems to play something different in that bit, so I just done my own thing but the rest is as close as I can get.
here's the outcome so far -


cheers dude.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 4 2014, 12:03 AM

Dude!

You are awesome biggrin.gif I mean, the progress is THERE and it's big! Good going! Articulated, clean, with good timing and with intention - I like all the recordings and if I were to say something, I think that in the AP you still move your left hand fingers a bit too much and the vibrato could be wider, otherwise, I really haven't got anything to complain about and ... Alive - I am a big grunge music fan and that tune alongside Jeremy, is one of my favorite Pearly Jam tunes smile.gif I think you did a great job on the solo man! Kudos!

Here's a live recording with the grunge tribute band I occasionally play with - Redrum smile.gif You can see me in the right corner biggrin.gif I had long hair back then



QUOTE (bleez @ Apr 2 2014, 03:53 PM) *
hey Cos smile.gif

I done a little recording today, wondered if you'd check it out. here's where Im at with that http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/


Also, the Gary Moore collab, a bit simple maybe but the more complicated stuff I tried didn't pan out at all! what do you think?



Ive been working on a ton of stuff these last few months. Im trying a couple lessons which are probably a bit fast for me but even playing them slow sounds pretty cool! Im also re-visiting some older lessons which I either stopped playing or never quite nailed, usually because of bending issues rolleyes.gif
Also still working on learning some solos, I finally got comfortably numb learned and can play through it, you won't confuse it for Gilmour but that was never the immediate goal smile.gif

A new solo Ive been working on is Alive. I tried a few years ago to play it but never managed so it was kinda cool to get through it now. I tried to keep as close to the album version as I could. The bit in the middle where the vocals come back in I found really difficult to make out the guitar and everyone on youtube seems to play something different in that bit, so I just done my own thing but the rest is as close as I can get.
here's the outcome so far -


cheers dude.


Posted by: bleez Apr 4 2014, 11:38 AM

smile.gif
thanks c-dog! that's proper awesome to hear! Ive been working loads recently trying to improve, its pretty much all I do now!
I dont know why I still move my fingers quite so much, its quite a tough habit to break. It even surprised me when I watched the vid back.

Pearl Jam's Ten album is one of my all time favourites, there's not a bad track on that album.... not even a bad section of a track smile.gif
Didn't know you dabbled in a grungy tribute band, that must be great fun. Cool version of Jeremy, the singer seemed a bit lost at the start but picked it up well after the chorus, music was spot on though, sounded really good. Its a great song, I was going to learn Jeremy and Even flow after I got Alive down.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 5 2014, 05:26 PM

Hehe! Broheim, hard work always pays off! Keep it like that and keep me in the loop with the vids, eh? biggrin.gif I am going over in the REC zone to grade your take right now!

About the recording - Alex is a true grunger smile.gif As weird as his singing is sometimes, I think that his spirit is really there!

QUOTE (bleez @ Apr 4 2014, 10:38 AM) *
smile.gif
thanks c-dog! that's proper awesome to hear! Ive been working loads recently trying to improve, its pretty much all I do now!
I dont know why I still move my fingers quite so much, its quite a tough habit to break. It even surprised me when I watched the vid back.

Pearl Jam's Ten album is one of my all time favourites, there's not a bad track on that album.... not even a bad section of a track smile.gif
Didn't know you dabbled in a grungy tribute band, that must be great fun. Cool version of Jeremy, the singer seemed a bit lost at the start but picked it up well after the chorus, music was spot on though, sounded really good. Its a great song, I was going to learn Jeremy and Even flow after I got Alive down.


Posted by: bleez Apr 6 2014, 09:26 PM

duder, I took a quick recording of a couple of the more difficult lessons Im working on, Ive recently been able to increase the speed of them and tbh actually surprised myself when I played them and didnt totally screw them up!
Although being able to play them at the proper speed seems a million miles away at the moment, Im closer than I was this time last week!

1. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Southern_Metal_Solo/ - Im playing this at 110bpm, the target speed is 130.
2. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/alice-in-chains-style-lesson/ - Im playing this at 115bpm, target for this is, again, 130bpm. Ive only recorded the lead part as the first bit is the riff and Im fine at that section so just focusing on the solo part.
3. The last one needs no introduction cool.gif Im still working on your bends! I was a bit sloppy with the slides in this recording but Im just 100% concentrating on those bends. Its nowhere near correct but I think Im getting a lot more of the bends closer to proper pitch than I used to.


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 7 2014, 10:55 AM

Hey man!

As I said a few days ago - you have progressed immensely biggrin.gif

I think that it's just a matter of time well spent practicing healthily until you nail these at top speed. Once again, as a general recommendation, try to move less - it will allow you to gain precious micro seconds that can be spent on playing with more fluidity and expression.

Try to perform the lessons at a very slow tempo and focus on moving less smile.gif When you will push up the tempo, the good habit will have been formed and stay with you.

Regarding my lesson - you are almost there man! The only things - watch out for the quirky little bends in the beginning, as they are a bit rushed. Try to tie the notes better between themselves and be smoother in general. It's a matter of detail, but you are getting there!

keep me posted, by all means biggrin.gif

Posted by: bleez May 10 2014, 01:28 PM

hey duder, just a quick question. you know how one of my goals is to be able to play some really fast stuff ( its not the most inspired goal, I know! ).
You know pretty much my current level so in your opinion would it be worthwhile to start learning sweep picking?
My current practice time is roughly 1.5 hours per day,( at most I could possibly stretch it to 2 hours ). My thinking up until now has been that sweeping is such an advanced technique that my time might be better spent on general picking and hand sync, maybe leaving the sweep picking until Ive advanced a bit more...... on the other hand sweep picking sounds really awesome smile.gif
what do you think?
I currently devote around 40 mins each session on just hand sync / alt picking. How much time realistically would you say should be devoted to sweep picking per practice session?


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 10 2014, 02:59 PM

Mate, if you are into it and if you feel like you can use it in your playing, you could go for it, why not? smile.gif In order to see some progress occur, I'd say about 30 minutes in the beginning and then, it all depends on how you progress smile.gif Want me to recommend something you could start with?

QUOTE (bleez @ May 10 2014, 12:28 PM) *
hey duder, just a quick question. you know how one of my goals is to be able to play some really fast stuff ( its not the most inspired goal, I know! ).
You know pretty much my current level so in your opinion would it be worthwhile to start learning sweep picking?
My current practice time is roughly 1.5 hours per day,( at most I could possibly stretch it to 2 hours ). My thinking up until now has been that sweeping is such an advanced technique that my time might be better spent on general picking and hand sync, maybe leaving the sweep picking until Ive advanced a bit more...... on the other hand sweep picking sounds really awesome smile.gif
what do you think?
I currently devote around 40 mins each session on just hand sync / alt picking. How much time realistically would you say should be devoted to sweep picking per practice session?


Posted by: bleez May 10 2014, 03:12 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 10 2014, 02:59 PM) *
Want me to recommend something you could start with?

for sure smile.gif
I looked at a few lessons, but I liked the vid you posted for dcz702, http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=49035 - that was going to be my starting point, Im open to suggestions though smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 11 2014, 01:03 PM

Ah! Great, great smile.gif Start with that, throw a recording my way and we'll take it from there wink.gif Deal?

QUOTE (bleez @ May 10 2014, 02:12 PM) *
for sure smile.gif
I looked at a few lessons, but I liked the vid you posted for dcz702, http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=49035 - that was going to be my starting point, Im open to suggestions though smile.gif


Posted by: bleez May 11 2014, 04:14 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ May 11 2014, 01:03 PM) *
Ah! Great, great smile.gif Start with that, throw a recording my way and we'll take it from there wink.gif Deal?

sounds good to me matey smile.gif Im on it!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 12 2014, 11:46 AM

Perfect then! Let me know how it goes smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Jun 22 2014, 11:00 PM

Hey dude, just droppin in with an update. Still working on that sweeping exercise of yours, up and down the neck with the metronome. It really is as difficult as I thought it would be! Its quite frustrating at times but on occasion when I get a section smooth and consistent its awesome smile.gif
I let it slip the last few days so I'll need to get back at it as of monday.
Im into the swing of having a practice session early before work, so that has been great. I get an extra hour of solid practice, its really good because now Im averaging over 2 hours of practice every day ( next goal will be 3 hours! )

As I focus a lot on fast picking exercises I had a look for a couple of different lessons last week to try, I started your 'Modes of the rising sun' , remember that one? That was such a cool collab cool.gif dude, that is seriously some amazingly tasteful stuff you play in that lesson and those bends ohmy.gif you hardly ever seem to do many 'normal' bends, you always seem to throw in these subtle quirky ones. they're really cool.
Im playing the lesson at 80 bpm (full speed is 100 ) not getting all the bends yet but its going quite well.

the other lesson was this http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/john-frusciante-style-lesson-3/. It's not as difficult as the Rising sun lesson so I managed to get a recording of it tonight. What d'ya think?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 23 2014, 01:03 PM

Heeey!! biggrin.gif I'd be curious to see some sweeps at work wink.gif I know it's not the easiest thing, but hey, it takes time and once you nail it, it's gonna be pretty easy to apply the technique on other shapes as well and furthermore, to invent your own.

What tempo can you play at right now?

Practicing with a fresh set of ears and a mind which had rest is pretty much amazing, I know biggrin.gif If we would all be able to wake up early, we would save time and do amazing things with the time won smile.gif How does your practice regimen in the morning feel, in respect to ease of playing? Don't you feel a little rigid because of the fact that the body might not be fully awake yet?

Thank you for the kind words man smile.gif I dunno, that's how I feel, that's how I play biggrin.gif If it helps you out, the better smile.gif Once you are ready, throw in a video with the 'Modes of the rising sun' and I'd be happy to help out!

Now for the Frusciante lesson, I'd put a little bit more meat in that tone as right now it's kind of dry in comparison to Gabriel's. Otherwise, maybe, JUST maybe a bit more wideness on the vibrato, but I can't really think of something else which I'd change, so why not take it to the REC to see what the other guys have to say as well? smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Jun 23 2014, 06:59 PM

Im playing the sweeps at only 110bpm sometimes 115. I'll make a recording at the end of the week to show you where Im at.

Aw man, the morning sessions are just great! I thought I'd be sluggish and tired, I only have about 5 and a half hours sleep but I get up grab a coffee and take a caffeine tablet , listen to some music for maybe 15 mins then fire up the guitar. I do 40 mins speed picking exercises which start slow at 130 bpm and finish at 175 bpm. Then I'll just play a lesson or 2 for the remaining time. Last few days Its been your 'rising sun' lesson. I managed to get your performance into my DAW so I can get your mix and my guitar through the headphones and really try to hit the bends ( also I dont wake anyone up! )
But I seem to be the most focused during the morning sessions, Its day 2 of my third week doing them and Ive gone from a tempo of 165 bpm on the speed exercises to 175 and I move the patterns all the way up the neck which I never used to.

I'll see if I can get a better tone for the Fruciante lesson, if not I'll fire the vid into REC. TBH tones are not my strong area. I tend to use the presets and adjust some stuff until it sounds okay, but I dont really know exactly what a sound needs, I just randomly turn dials!
Im still using the basic pod farm 1, its maybe not the best cool.gif



Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 25 2014, 08:30 AM

Hey again mate smile.gif

Morning practicing is indeed great! I couldn't get too much of a decent sleep tonight and I woke up very early so, playing the guitar at that hour seemed like the best idea smile.gif And it really was a great idea tongue.gif

I see a Marshall head in the movie - if you have that one, why are you wasting your time with presets and all of that? biggrin.gif

That amp should be enough to get great cleans and drives with a little knob tweaking - or am I missing something?

Posted by: bleez Jun 26 2014, 11:13 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Jun 25 2014, 08:30 AM) *
I see a Marshall head in the movie - if you have that one, why are you wasting your time with presets and all of that? biggrin.gif

That amp should be enough to get great cleans and drives with a little knob tweaking - or am I missing something?

yeah... I dunno why Im not using the marshall wacko.gif Ive actually not fired it up for quite a few years, not since I played in the band!
I guess I just mic up the 4x12 and plug the mic lead into the UX1?
I'll totally try that biggrin.gif Im not sure how quiet is..... I always used to crank it!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2014, 07:45 AM

Sweet Jesus man... how can you keep that thing at home and not use it? biggrin.gif Find a time of the day when you won't warp your neighbors on planet Mars laugh.gif And see what you can get - using the mic input of the UX is a good idea. What mic do you have available?

I am not too experienced with micing, but I'll tell ya a little story - 2 months ago when I started recording videos for PRS, I did two reviews for a PRS SE Santana and a PRS SE Custom Semihollow. The PRS dealer also gave me this superb VOX AC15 amp which I had to use to record the reviews. Well, all said and done, the shooting day came, but guess what... I realized that I had NO CLUE on how to mic the amp laugh.gif

I said.. what the hell... I had my dynamic vocal mic - a cheap Beyerdynamic and a mic stand smile.gif I placeed it on the edge of the speaker cone and I just had the Suhr Shiba Drive booster as a pedal to slightly distort the tone, as the VOX AC 15 has only one channel which is a clean channel. I experimented a bit with moving it around the cone, in order to get the sound I wanted and it turned out pretty awesome, to my big, big surprise. So, the key here is experimenting! Maybe you already know stuff about micing an amp?

Posted by: bleez Jun 27 2014, 08:19 AM

LOL! man, I know less about micing stuff than you smile.gif I do have a vocal mic though, I got it to record vocals on all the songs I write........ still working on that part. I think its quite a good mic though, cant remember they type offhand.
I actually fired up the marshall last night biggrin.gif still sounded great, you just cant kill a marshall! I gotta say though, it was kinda loud. I'll try micing it up at the weekend.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2014, 07:42 AM

Well, it's a huge dude! It's supposed to be loud biggrin.gif

Anyway, I also have a vocal mic that I have used - a dynamic one - that means it picks sounds up best if you sing close to the bulb.

As I told ya, experimenting is the way to go and otherwise, threads such as this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=21437 amassed some info from the experience of other folks who found themselves in a similar situation tongue.gif

Lemme know how it goes wink.gif

Posted by: bleez Aug 11 2014, 11:02 AM

hey duder smile.gif
Im still working away hard at various things, been learning a couple of songs and solos of late as well as trying to write some more interesting proggy riffs smile.gif anyway, I thought Id post up this recording of my alt picking progress because when I watched it back I kinda surprised myself. Even 6 months ago I was miles from playing these patters at this tempo.
Its not musical at all, just 2 patterns, one starts on a downstroke and the other pattern starts with an up, both patterns use 2 strings so you have that jump to the higher string to deal with. I play it slow first and then at my top speed, there was a gradual build up in-between rolleyes.gif but I didnt record that!


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 12 2014, 07:53 AM

Hey mate!

I can see progress indeed! Congratulations and stick to doing what you are doing, because it looks like it is taking you on a good road wink.gif

Now, in order to improve things, I'd focus on one thing - the left hand. You have solved the large movements of the right hand, but your left hand fingers are still moving around a bit too much.

Please focus on practicing these patterns at a slow tempo and stick to keeping your left hand fingers as close to the neck as possible and then, while gradually raising speed, try to keep them close to the neck as well.

In that way, you will form a good habit - it'll take some time tho, so please be patient with yourself, deal?

Let me know how it goes and why not, make a video with these patterns and the left hand drill - see how far you can get with the speed, while keeping the fingers close to the fretboard smile.gif

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 11 2014, 10:02 AM) *
hey duder smile.gif
Im still working away hard at various things, been learning a couple of songs and solos of late as well as trying to write some more interesting proggy riffs smile.gif anyway, I thought Id post up this recording of my alt picking progress because when I watched it back I kinda surprised myself. Even 6 months ago I was miles from playing these patters at this tempo.
Its not musical at all, just 2 patterns, one starts on a downstroke and the other pattern starts with an up, both patterns use 2 strings so you have that jump to the higher string to deal with. I play it slow first and then at my top speed, there was a gradual build up in-between rolleyes.gif but I didnt record that!



Posted by: bleez Aug 12 2014, 08:52 AM

thanks dude smile.gif
When Im playing those patterns I start of at 130 bpm, probably takes about 25 minutes of slowly increasing the speed before I get to the tempo in the vid which was 170. I just like to finish the session off by pushing the tempo as much as I can for a quick blast.
Its a real battle to try and reduce the amount of movement from my fingers. I can even see it as Im playing and Im like 'dude, what the hell.... just stop it!' especially my pinkie, that just seems to be independent of all brain function!
you would think it would be a natural thing for your fingers to move less as you increased speed..... mine seem to want to do the opposite rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 13 2014, 08:26 AM

That's exactly why I want you to focus on this idea mate smile.gif

So - let's do it like this:

- a warm up
- 50% speed
- 75% speed
- 100% speed
- outbound speed

Please record a movie having the same pattern taken through all these stages and then, let's look at what's happening with your fingers - deal?

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 12 2014, 07:52 AM) *
thanks dude smile.gif
When Im playing those patterns I start of at 130 bpm, probably takes about 25 minutes of slowly increasing the speed before I get to the tempo in the vid which was 170. I just like to finish the session off by pushing the tempo as much as I can for a quick blast.
Its a real battle to try and reduce the amount of movement from my fingers. I can even see it as Im playing and Im like 'dude, what the hell.... just stop it!' especially my pinkie, that just seems to be independent of all brain function!
you would think it would be a natural thing for your fingers to move less as you increased speed..... mine seem to want to do the opposite rolleyes.gif


Posted by: bleez Aug 13 2014, 09:13 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 13 2014, 08:26 AM) *
That's exactly why I want you to focus on this idea mate smile.gif

So - let's do it like this:

- a warm up
- 50% speed
- 75% speed
- 100% speed
- outbound speed

Please record a movie having the same pattern taken through all these stages and then, let's look at what's happening with your fingers - deal?


no probs smile.gif

what is 'outbound speed'?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 14 2014, 11:34 AM

Hehe, maybe it's not the right expression biggrin.gif I was referring to the speed which you get to immediately after passing your maximum speed at which you can play relaxed - if you can play at 130 BPM 16th notes while being relaxed, when you get to 135 BPM and you can still play - that's the speed at which you find yourself when you go over your personal threshold - am I making any sense? biggrin.gif

Let me know how it feels and let's see a vid featuring all of these smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Aug 15 2014, 02:01 PM

okay duder, I recorded stuff from this mornings session. In hindsight I could have played less of the patterns as the vid turned out to be 5 minutes worth, sorry. Im sure you will be able to skip through the patterns though.
I included another pattern I usually play which goes over all the strings, its a short one and I cant play it at the same tempo as the other two but I think its quite a good one for me to practice.

Ive played each pattern at 50%, 75%, 100% and then a bit faster. I never play them 50%, it was really difficult!


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 16 2014, 07:20 AM

Hey matey,

It's a good thing I had a lot of space and time in the movie to analyze things wink.gif

You need to play more at 50% and start focusing on moving less from that point forward. Please take some time to watch the vid and see the largeness of the left hand movement at each and every speed.

The thing is, you need to pay attention on moving lesser and lesser from the neck - I think this will be a drill that will definitely improve your speed in everything you do in respect to playing.

So, if you are to ask me, at this point, this should be the main focus in order to elevate your technique - the patterns sounded good, but it's clear that you are struggling and we don't want that? Do you feel tension when you get close to higher speeds, or is it just me?

Posted by: bleez Aug 16 2014, 11:31 AM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Aug 16 2014, 07:20 AM) *
Hey matey,

It's a good thing I had a lot of space and time in the movie to analyze things wink.gif

biggrin.gif I play those patterns for about 40 minutes every day, it felt like I only recorded about 2 mins worth at the time rolleyes.gif

My thoughts on the subject....
firstly I really do notice how much my left hand exaggerates movements and I do get more tense as I try to play faster, although I try to relax when I feel it coming on but it is quite difficult.
my most comfortable speed on those patterns is definitely around 75%, that's when Im most relaxed and I feel like I can affect the movement of my left hand. When Im at 100% Im just basically along for the ride and just trying to stay in time.
I hate playing at 50% dry.gif it feels horrible!

I think my issues are a combination of hand synch and the exaggerated movement. I need to reduce the movement for sure but my hands are only synchronised up to a point either way.
So I need to play slower to try and reduce movement but I think I also have to spend time pushing for faster tempos to improve hand sync, as long as Im in time.
that's the theory Ive been working on anyway smile.gif


Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 17 2014, 11:24 AM

Hey Scott!

Your theory is very correct, so revising:

- playing very slow and being able to observe your body's reactions and working on fixing what you need to fix: hand synch combined with as little movement as possible. You can only do this at very low speeds because otherwise you have no control over the thing and you can't notice yourself.

- raising the tempo up to superior speeds, while being AWARE of your body and focusing on keeping the same relaxation and control over the aspects above at a high speed.

Working on the patterns CORRECTLY will get you where you want to arrive at, but working on them without noticing the things above, will only keep you where you are smile.gif That's my theory and I will be arriving in Scotland for the first time, on September 22nd smile.gif

Posted by: bleez Aug 17 2014, 07:48 PM

thanks dude, I'll keep on working at reducing the movement. smile.gif

man, that's not long at all before you'll be in Scotland, I hope it lives up to your expectations biggrin.gif I still find it a bit surreal that you're going to be over here! Let me know if you will have some time on this trip to hang out, Im sure you'll have a million things to do though.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 18 2014, 07:22 AM

Hey mate biggrin.gif Please do keep working on it and focus on the things above - keep them close in your mind and don't stray if you wish to achieve good results quicker wink.gif

I have no expectations smile.gif It's INCREDIBLY hard, but I'm trying not to - come whatever may and I will be there to meet it. There will be plenty of time to meet up there, so it is not that surreal biggrin.gif

QUOTE (bleez @ Aug 17 2014, 06:48 PM) *
thanks dude, I'll keep on working at reducing the movement. smile.gif

man, that's not long at all before you'll be in Scotland, I hope it lives up to your expectations biggrin.gif I still find it a bit surreal that you're going to be over here! Let me know if you will have some time on this trip to hang out, Im sure you'll have a million things to do though.


Posted by: bleez Sep 6 2014, 05:25 PM

yo Cosmin, Ive been playing around with some riffs and wondered if you'd take a quick listen. I was trying to get a little bit of a proggy vibe and this would either be just the intro or maybe the intro + verse (beginning at 0.57).
Id be curious to hear your thoughts on it so far. also, Im not too sure where to go next, any suggestions? even if the suggestion is 'play something much better!' laugh.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/proggish

Posted by: bleez Sep 6 2014, 11:00 PM

QUOTE (bleez @ Sep 6 2014, 05:25 PM) *
yo Cosmin, Ive been playing around with some riffs and wondered if you'd take a quick listen. I was trying to get a little bit of a proggy vibe and this would either be just the intro or maybe the intro + verse (beginning at 0.57).
Id be curious to hear your thoughts on it so far. also, Im not too sure where to go next, any suggestions? even if the suggestion is 'play something much better!' laugh.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/proggish


as it happens I had a bit of an idea and added a bit to the end smile.gif

https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/proggish2

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 7 2014, 09:32 AM

Hey Scott! This is a very good start and I think you captured a nice direction here - the verse part takes my mind to Mostodon - which is good! biggrin.gif

Anyway, as a first impression, I would shorten every part up so that things won't become repetitive and then I would think of a structure - since you haven't experimented that much with writing yet, I'd go for a classic A B A B C B structure. A = verse, B = chorus, C = middle/solo.

Now, for the details:

- up to 0:22 things are ok, but I'd make the final drumbreak a bit more explosive - see some of Danny Carrey from Tool's work - he has the sort of stuff you need here wink.gif

- I'd shorten up the part from 0:22 - 0:57 and make a prechorus out of it

So, changing the order a bit, I'd go from Intro into the part beginning at 0:57 and then into the part beginning at 0:22 which should continue into a chorus smile.gif The last part - I think you can place that one on the side for the time being, as you need a chorus right now - at least that's what I think!

Keep me updated about this and as inspiration, I'd totally go for some Mastodon or Tool stuff in order to get the creative juices flowing.


Posted by: bleez Sep 7 2014, 11:16 AM

dude, firstly... the Mastodon reference is awesome, that made me smile. That is totally the vibe I was trying to get smile.gif Ive recently picked up on these guys, never been a fan before but I got their latest album 'once more round the sun' and it blew me away. Ive listening to that album every day for the last month!

Thanks for breaking the song down and giving it a listen. The section you propose as a pre-chorus, I would never have thought about trying that. Its a cool idea, I can totally hear it in my head now that you've mentioned it.
I'll rearrange it with your suggestions, try to add in a chorus and see how it goes smile.gif Thanks dude, Im really fired up to work some more on this now.

I usually play around with riffs which I record then file away. I have a bunch of half finished 'almost something' songs. The last thing I completed was a straight up stoner rock song, really fuzzy cool.gif I dont know if its your sort of thing but if you are bored and have a few minutes, have a wee listen - I thought I done okay with the lead guitar. When I get better I can probably go back and play something else but as a current snapshot, I thought it wasn't too bad.
https://soundcloud.com/bleez666/stoner2

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 8 2014, 08:00 AM

Hey Scott!

Glad to hear I nailed it with my thoughts and the fact that the song took my mind to Mastodon biggrin.gif I am looking forward to hearing the next evolutionary step in your composition and about the stoner tune - man, you nailed this one really nicely! I mean, it's clear that you like this style a lot, because you have the right sound and approach - I like it a lot! It's indeed, not my actual favorite style biggrin.gif But I have a few friends practicing it - they have a band called Roadkillsoda and they are pretty much our only known stoner band.

I've been to their guitarist's wedding last Saturday and he had a huge pool party to celebrate, while inviting a greek stoner band to perform biggrin.gif Hah! That's all I can say laugh.gif

If I'd change something, but then again, that's my opinion - I'd shorten things up with the beginning riff - the one lasting till 01:22 smile.gif Because of the fact that there are no vocals recorded, to me it seems that some of the parts are spanning over a time interval which is too long.. The leads are the thing - I wouldn't change those at all, as they fit the scenery just fine biggrin.gif Is it meant to be instrumental or will you have someone record vocals?






Posted by: bleez Sep 8 2014, 08:24 AM

Roadkillsoda! I know those guys biggrin.gif well.... Ive heard them. theres a youtube channel I subscribe to who post up a lot of doom / stoner bands. I remember a track of theirs that was posted. They are really good. I saw a pic of the guitarist and he had a shaved head, big ass beard and a les paul..... so I immediately knew the guitars would be cool cool.gif I'll need to check out more of their stuff.
Sounds like a cool wedding though, the only greek stoner bands I know are 'planet of zeus' and 'nightstalker' it wasn't either of those was it?

As for my stoner song attempt, I actually do envisage vocals in it. That might be why some of the sections sound too long because when I hear it Im imagining the vocal. So if the verse is maybe 6 times around the riff, Im hearing 2 without vocal and 4 with vocal.
Thanks for listening to it dude, I appreciate hearing your opinion.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 9 2014, 07:57 AM

Hah! Guess what, last evening when I was returning from the fencing training, I went by in front of the bar in which he is working and he spotted me, so we stopped to chit chat a bit and I told him about you biggrin.gif He was very, very happy to hear that someone from Scotland knows about his and his mates' music! Planet of Zeus came here 2 weeks ago and Roadkillsoda opened the gig laugh.gif But, yeah it was neither of the two bands you mentioned, it was a banf called Tuber:



Anyway, I think that this stoner/Mastodon inspired music you are doing is definitely a direction that suits you stylistically, so keep pushing man! Also, keep me updated when you write more music - I enjoyed listening to it smile.gif

QUOTE (bleez @ Sep 8 2014, 07:24 AM) *
Roadkillsoda! I know those guys biggrin.gif well.... Ive heard them. theres a youtube channel I subscribe to who post up a lot of doom / stoner bands. I remember a track of theirs that was posted. They are really good. I saw a pic of the guitarist and he had a shaved head, big ass beard and a les paul..... so I immediately knew the guitars would be cool cool.gif I'll need to check out more of their stuff.
Sounds like a cool wedding though, the only greek stoner bands I know are 'planet of zeus' and 'nightstalker' it wasn't either of those was it?

As for my stoner song attempt, I actually do envisage vocals in it. That might be why some of the sections sound too long because when I hear it Im imagining the vocal. So if the verse is maybe 6 times around the riff, Im hearing 2 without vocal and 4 with vocal.
Thanks for listening to it dude, I appreciate hearing your opinion.


Posted by: bleez Sep 9 2014, 01:01 PM

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 9 2014, 07:57 AM) *
Hah! Guess what, last evening when I was returning from the fencing training, I went by in front of the bar in which he is working and he spotted me, so we stopped to chit chat a bit and I told him about you biggrin.gif He was very, very happy to hear that someone from Scotland knows about his and his mates' music!

LOL! that's really surreal laugh.gif and kinda cool!
Ive been playing them on youtube, they have a couple of cool videos. I'll need to download their album from bandcamp.
Ive not heard Tuber before, that's a great bass sound they have on that track. They really should get some vocals.

QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 9 2014, 07:57 AM) *
Anyway, I think that this stoner/Mastodon inspired music you are doing is definitely a direction that suits you stylistically, so keep pushing man! Also, keep me updated when you write more music - I enjoyed listening to it smile.gif

Thank ye kindly sir smile.gif

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 10 2014, 07:33 AM

Tuber is purely instrumental and they have very long songs - I mean, I kinda got bored at some point because there was this same riff going over and over again - but that's their things, so, who am I to judge? biggrin.gif

Anyway, I am looking forward to see more recordings from you and by the way, what are you currently working on aside the songs?

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