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GMC Forum _ Ben Higgins _ Bushido: Nemesis

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 4 2012, 10:10 AM

Nemesis

This is a special thread which has no deadline.. it's a special corner of the Temple where disciples can come to any time and polish up their skills in a technique that they find particularly difficult.

One thing that has been a Nemesis for some of you guys is Legato.. so let's use this thread to discuss, post progress reports and generally try to turn your Nemesis into another one of your strengths !

We will turn this



Into this !



So, use and abuse this thread and treat it as an ongoing journal of progress as you start to tame your Nemesis !

I remember that this one was giving Chandra a few problems so this could be our first Nemesis Project.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43709&st=0

P.S. Anybody is welcome to participate in this. Any level of ability, doesn't matter if you've been involved in Guitar Bushido or not. This is your corner !

Posted by: maharzan May 4 2012, 12:13 PM

This has been my warm up exercise. It still hurts my arm but I can see improvement. I wish to post this as soon as I get a "showable" take.

Posted by: Nihilist1 May 4 2012, 12:20 PM

That is a most adorable bunny, Doughnut Master.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 4 2012, 01:09 PM

QUOTE (Nihilist1 @ May 4 2012, 12:20 PM) *
That is a most adorable bunny, Doughnut Master.


Isn't it just ? smile.gif

QUOTE (maharzan @ May 4 2012, 12:13 PM) *
This has been my warm up exercise. It still hurts my arm but I can see improvement. I wish to post this as soon as I get a "showable" take.


So you're definitely seeing some improvements ? That's good news !

When you say 'hurt' do you mean just muscle fatigue or do you mean pain ? I don't want you to be getting pain from it..

Posted by: maharzan May 4 2012, 02:05 PM

fatigue and if I do more, it starts to pain. Its a sweet pain but I don't want to overdo too. No matter how many days I have been practicing, the pain comes at the end of the lick. I just do it 3-4 times and rest.

Posted by: gregc1 May 4 2012, 02:25 PM

Yes, this will be good. Speed in general is my biggest nemesis but especially legato. It's by far, in my opinion, my weakest skill/technique. I'm decent at ascending but for some reason, I just can not get the descending patterns to flow at all from string to string.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 4 2012, 02:30 PM

QUOTE (gregc1 @ May 4 2012, 02:25 PM) *
Yes, this will be good. Speed in general is my biggest nemesis but especially legato. It's by far, in my opinion, my weakest skill/technique. I'm decent at ascending but for some reason, I just can not get the descending patterns to flow at all from string to string.


Ok, well you've come to the right corner of The Temple. Let's turn legato into a big, metaphorical bunny rabbit for you ! biggrin.gif

QUOTE (maharzan @ May 4 2012, 02:05 PM) *
fatigue and if I do more, it starts to pain. Its a sweet pain but I don't want to overdo too. No matter how many days I have been practicing, the pain comes at the end of the lick. I just do it 3-4 times and rest.


I hear what you mean.. it seems you're not pushing it too much which is good smile.gif

I find that my left hand always gets tired first.. and it gets tired quickly when I'm doing constant long runs.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 25 2012, 12:15 PM

Ok Guys, I've decided to update this thread with some new ideas, starting with this one. This is a simple lick that can be turned into an actual run, which I've done here. The hammer on and pull off sequence is the basis for most legato licks and runs so if you can get your fingers around this, you'll be laughing !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnJ1wxylSA&feature=youtu.be

The video is a private link so only GMCers will be able to see this. This is one of those licks that doesn't necessarily have a specific rhythm so you can pace it over a beat as slow or as fast as you like !

This isn't a Task & Deadline type thread.. this is an ongoing, relaxed look at legato where you can post examples of your own progress or post questions about specific licks that you're having trouble with. We can use video clips to demonstrate our points (both questions and answers) so we can work together at improving your legato technique ! Use it and abuse it ! smile.gif

Posted by: gregc1 May 25 2012, 02:25 PM

Perfect Ben. This is exactly what I need.

I've mentioned it before but legato is my weakest area and I've been trying to do various legato exercises that are above my head at slower speeds but I think I literally need to start at ground zero and slowly build from there. I'll start working right away.

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 25 2012, 02:28 PM

QUOTE (gregc1 @ May 25 2012, 02:25 PM) *
Perfect Ben. This is exactly what I need.

I've mentioned it before but legato is my weakest area and I've been trying to do various legato exercises that are above my head at slower speeds but I think I literally need to start at ground zero and slowly build from there. I'll start working right away.


Brilliant !! Could you view the video ok ? smile.gif

Posted by: dark dude May 25 2012, 04:28 PM

Nice video - straight to the point! Cheers.

Posted by: gregc1 May 25 2012, 05:01 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ May 25 2012, 01:28 PM) *
Brilliant !! Could you view the video ok ? smile.gif


No problems here.

Posted by: maharzan May 26 2012, 03:23 AM

I am still practicing that assignment #7 legato. smile.gif Its improving. I couldn't do this when I first tried, lol that assignment causing my fingers to auto switch. biggrin.gif

Posted by: derper May 26 2012, 03:38 AM

I've been practicing legato as well!! Here's a video "response" which actually starts with a question about fingering. Then, I show 2 other legato exercises I've been working with, and then I demo your riff....although I only just started on it today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFRJzrK9-Iw&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: DeGroot May 26 2012, 03:50 AM

I haven't been dedicating too much time to legato lately. I could definitely use a program like this for some improvements!

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 26 2012, 06:14 PM

QUOTE (derper @ May 26 2012, 03:38 AM) *
I've been practicing legato as well!! Here's a video "response" which actually starts with a question about fingering. Then, I show 2 other legato exercises I've been working with, and then I demo your riff....although I only just started on it today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFRJzrK9-Iw&feature=youtu.be


Hey Gabe, great video ! To answer your question, you've kind of answered it already as you know the answer really wink.gif

It's best to stick with one way so identify which one is more natural for you to do. I prefer index, 2nd and 4th and most guitarists seem to go for that combination but Paul Gilbert is famous for favouring the index, 3rd, 4th combo that you use when ascending.

For my legato lick, try using 1st, 2nd and 4th fingers for the lick that is lowest on the fretboard.. that's the biggest stretch and I feel you might find it easier to get it with that finger combo. I could be wrong though, if your 1,3,4 combo helps you get it easier then maybe that's the one to stick with.

I also wouldn't worry about practising that lick with the metro just yet as I want you all to be able to just develop a strong, flowing hammer on/pull off motion. The lick itself can be staggered over the beat when you get it up to speed so you don't have to keep all notes an even value, if that makes sense.

QUOTE (DeGroot @ May 26 2012, 03:50 AM) *
I haven't been dedicating too much time to legato lately. I could definitely use a program like this for some improvements!


Well, get your butt involved !! biggrin.gif

Posted by: DeGroot May 29 2012, 08:18 PM

Ok, I've been warming up with your legato drill quite a bit (sTill need to record a video for that). It led me back into this legato lesson that I tried out when I first joined GMC.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/legato-lesson/

I just started back up with it today and figured I'd post something to get started here.



From high to low string I have more trouble timing licks and making them sound smooth. The opposite way (low to high) is slightly better.

I have a question about hair ties/mufflers that I've noticed a lot of guitarists use on there headstock. Is this mainly used for legato scales and arpeggios to hide unwanted string noise?

Posted by: derper May 29 2012, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the feedback Ben!! I'll try the 1 2 4 fingering you had mentioned, but I'm guessing the "stretch" will be too much for me since I'm new to legato. But I'm very interested to pick up a guitar and try it (can't at this moment) to see how it feels. If it is the preferred method, and I'm just not able to do it because of my weak beginner stretch, then perhaps I am best off to practice it on the higher frets where it's easier to do for a bit and then work my way down to the wider frets.


Posted by: Ben Higgins May 30 2012, 09:33 AM

QUOTE (derper @ May 29 2012, 10:54 PM) *
then perhaps I am best off to practice it on the higher frets where it's easier to do for a bit and then work my way down to the wider frets.


Yeah, that's the way I did it smile.gif

QUOTE (DeGroot @ May 29 2012, 08:18 PM) *
Ok, I've been warming up with your legato drill quite a bit (sTill need to record a video for that). It led me back into this legato lesson that I tried out when I first joined GMC.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/legato-lesson/

I just started back up with it today and figured I'd post something to get started here.



From high to low string I have more trouble timing licks and making them sound smooth. The opposite way (low to high) is slightly better.

I have a question about hair ties/mufflers that I've noticed a lot of guitarists use on there headstock. Is this mainly used for legato scales and arpeggios to hide unwanted string noise?


Nice take DG... I'd just suggest to try and cover more of the B string area with your pick hand. I kind of hover over that area myself. The only area that's ever left 'free' is the high E. It's hard to explain but after a while you kind of build in these automatic reflexes which know when to cover strings and when not to. smile.gif

Posted by: DeGroot May 30 2012, 07:11 PM

Nice take DG... I'd just suggest to try and cover more of the B string area with your pick hand. I kind of hover over that area myself. The only area that's ever left 'free' is the high E. It's hard to explain but after a while you kind of build in these automatic reflexes which know when to cover strings and when not to. smile.gif
[/quote]

I think I see what you mean. Sort of like when sweeping and covering the strings? Either way my hand is just sort of floating and that is probably not the best for accuracy. I tried that out a little bit now and I think that it will help! smile.gif Thanks!

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 31 2012, 08:16 AM

QUOTE (DeGroot @ May 30 2012, 07:11 PM) *
I think I see what you mean. Sort of like when sweeping and covering the strings? Either way my hand is just sort of floating and that is probably not the best for accuracy. I tried that out a little bit now and I think that it will help! smile.gif Thanks!


Yeah, the floating hand is not the best for keeping the noise levels down wink.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins May 31 2012, 11:51 AM

Hey Guys, here's another video I made.

http://youtu.be/euU17wVOwH0

This is a 6 note triplet pattern that only needs you to pick once, which is the first note on the B string. The rest of the notes are played with hammer ons and pull offs. I made this video to show a lick that features in the latest Warrior Bushido Task, and is from this lesson

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/vibrato-lesson3/index.htm/

E------------------------
B--5--8--5-------------
G------------5--4--5---
D-----------------------
A------------------------
E------------------------

I take the shape up using the A minor scale but the basic finger pattern is the same, 2 fingers on each string. I made the video to help Chandra but you can steal the lick and take it anywhere over the neck smile.gif

Posted by: derper Sep 25 2012, 10:37 PM

A quick "update" on some legato runs I occasionally work on.


Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 26 2012, 01:33 PM

QUOTE (derper @ Sep 25 2012, 10:37 PM) *
A quick "update" on some legato runs I occasionally work on.



Ha, thanks for the video.. was great to watch and see where you're at. That 1st lick is sounding pretty good. Referencing your last point about using fingers 1,2,4.. I would definitely recommend using your middle finger in place of your 3rd finger for those stretches that span 5 frets. As you said, you feel like it's easier to perform pull offs like that and that main lick, as well as Pavel's lick, is really about the power of the pull off. Being able to get that flow is key to chaining these licks together.

Also notice how Pavel's licks is very similar to mine in that it basically climbs up and back down in groups of 6 notes and you just move it around the neck where you want. If you understand the essence of the 1st lick, then you automatically understand the essence of Pavel's lick.. his lick just builds on the 1st principle. It's also the kind of thing I play a lot myself.. and people like Satriani smile.gif

PS. It's always more important than anything to make sure you've got some warmth in your hands rather than actually statically stretching them. Warm muscles and ligaments can move more efficiently which is what you're after. Being at work it may be easy for your hands to get colder so maybe if you've got a cup of coffee or tea nearby try to warm them up with that.. or any other way smile.gif

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