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Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 22 2012, 12:52 AM

Hi there!
I am happy to mentor you and help you to learn more about music and guitar!
I have a few questions before we will start!
-What are your goals?
-What is your weakness?
-What is your strongest point?
-Your favorite guitar players?
I am glad to have you on board and looking forward to start working with you!!!!

Posted by: zoom Mar 22 2012, 01:43 AM

Goals -
I would like to be able to play in a few different genres. Rock, Blues, country, funk and some drop tunings
I would like to make my own music create backing tracks and play over.
chord knowledge how to use interesting chords etc
Weakness -
Ear training I struggle with. For example even when singing (I like to sing also) I can't just jump into harmony's easily, I can't hear them. Timing. would love to be tight player. - Phrasing. - also disciplined practice routine. I tend to practice lesson here alot and not enough of the building blocks, thirds, sixth's, scales. Palm muting
Strongest points -
I've got a little bit of speed now and can pick up things alot quicker now. theory is not bad I like to understand theory first. I come from chord background as opposed to scale.
Favorite players -
Joe Bonamassa - Hendrix - Mark tremonti - Muris Varajic - Keith Urban - Many more.

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 22 2012, 07:35 PM

First of all I love your guitar players choice! Very very nice! Great and tasty players!
Since you have mentioned that you need to work on your rhythm, chords and backing tracks I think this something we can start with! I came up with a Blues backing track
There are two versions
1) with my guitar in it to give you ideas
2) Bass and drums only
For the second track I would like you to record your rhythm guitar and find a good groove that will fit the track!
What to do when you are recording rhythm guitar:
-Listen to the drums carefully and analyze what they are playing, try to find an accent that you can play from
You can play with a kick,snare or hi-hat, find the part that creates groove and play over it
-You can try playing with the bass and see how it will fit the whole song
-Jam with the track to feel it and try different ideas!
I would like you to come up with two different versions
Here is a chord progression
Ami7 - Dmi7 - Emi7- Dmi7- Ami7
And here are the voicings you can use!

Ami7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Dmi7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Emi7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

It will help you develop your groove a lot! It helped me and changed the way I play!

Here are the tracks! TEMPO IS 102BPM
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/zoom-mentoring

Posted by: zoom Mar 23 2012, 01:24 PM

[quote] And here are the voicings you can use!

So Just stick with these shapes? Not other postions?

This is new for me. I guess I don't really listen enough to drums and bass.

I'm on it!

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 23 2012, 07:11 PM

I would start with those! We will add more later! I will teach you how you can record guitar and spread voicing so it will sound bigger!

Posted by: zoom Mar 26 2012, 12:57 PM

Hope what I've done is ok? I really enjoyed just grooving over this. I tried all sorts of stuff. I must admit I love listening to a groove like this with nothing played overtop, just the groove!

Not fully happy with tone. Seems a bit muddy. Pulled out some mid's and upped the treble a bit. Tone is not my forte (alot to learn)

http://soundcloud.com/zoomify/blues-groove-1

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 26 2012, 08:21 PM

You did a very good job!!!
The sound as you said a little muddy
What software do you use? I can help you out adjusting your tone!
Now let's do that! Take those two tracks and combine them together and try to develop the track towards the end!
Imagine that you have another player and you have to help him up to build up the track and bring it to culmination!
When you start don't make it too busy and start adding more and more as the track is progressing!
You are doing very well already!

Posted by: zoom Mar 26 2012, 11:59 PM

Software I use is pod farm with a UX2 interface.
Setting on pod farm using = Blue Ballad
EQ settings = Volume max, Drive 4, Bass 4, Middle 5, Treble 8, Presence 3.5
I also have a Gate, Compressor, EQ, Delay, verb turned on.
guitar = Maton mastersound 503 on neck pickup coil split.

So just to make sure I understand. Put both tracks in mix (I'll have to change tone of one guitar). Then I'm not sure what you want
me to do.
Should I pan guitar tracks L/R.

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 27 2012, 01:29 AM

Hi! Sorry I didn't explain myself right!
I want you to re record parts from both tracks and develop it
start slow and build it up towards the end!
This exercise will give you an idea about building rhythm guitar parts and develop your timing!
About your settings
I would suggest to add more presents and lower the volume
In your recording software you have an option to normalize the track it will bring up the volume and will help to keep clean sound
I found this little video you can use some ideas to adjust your tone

Posted by: zoom Mar 27 2012, 03:02 AM

Hi Alex

Hope this is in the ball park.
I've pretty much kept blues 1 track and just added blues 2 in bits.
Thanks for tone tips. big improvement bring up presences and I also used the eq pedal a bit and changed the mid gain settings that helped a
bit also. (This is only on the blues 2 guitar)

http://soundcloud.com/zoomify/blues-groove-3

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 28 2012, 02:13 AM

Very groovy! I like how your sound improved! And you have some great ideas!!!
You have created a backing track for yourself!
Now the fun part starts!!!

What I want you to do is to take two pentatonics:
A minor
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

E minor
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Use boxes I gave you!
And create your own licks by combining those two!!
Here is an example:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Here is another one:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

This exercise will help you develop your own style and will help you combine two scales together and will add some new licks in to you playing!
It will be easier for you to memorize and use those because they are coming from you and you will feel comfortable playing them!
You can use a little overdrive or keep your sound clean!
Let me know if you need any help!

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 31 2012, 03:39 PM

Hi Zoom!!!
I just wanted to check on your progress and see if you have any questions or need help with anything!
Let me know!

Posted by: zoom Apr 1 2012, 12:46 AM

It's taken a while to get this done. Playing in that position gave me some challenges as well.

In the recording I've doubled the guitar which I think gives it a bit more bite but I've only copied and pasted. Not sure if this right practice to do?
Also you can hear phazer at beginning and end which I should have clean up. Just out of time at the minute and wanted to get this up.
finally I hope this is ok. I like it.

http://soundcloud.com/zoomify/blues-groove-4

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 1 2012, 07:05 AM

It's not easy but I'm glad you have a challenge! Means you are learning something new and make your mind think the new way!
I would suggest to record the double and try to match it exactly it will be a good practice for you and will help you improve your timing!
Let me know if you have any questions! I am preparing a new assignment for you do it will be fun! I'm excited!!!!

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 5 2012, 09:16 AM

Just wanted to follow up with you and see how are you doing?
If you need any help or have any questions!

Posted by: zoom Apr 10 2012, 08:07 AM

Hi Alex. I'm assuming you want me to redo last take with a second track? I actually will have to work out what I played now. I've also been working on your sweeping arpeggio's.
Also been thing about diminished chords and how to use. Found this


Not sure what you've got planned for me next?

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 11 2012, 07:23 AM

That is cool that you are learning new things!
So here is your new assignment!
You started creating licks using A minor and E minor pentatonics

A minor
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

E minor
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Now I would like you to add D minor pentatonic to it!

Use those three boxes:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Let me know if you have any questions!
You are doing very good and I can see your progress! Just keep it up!

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 15 2012, 12:01 AM

Hi! Just wanted to follow up and see how is everything going? Do you need any help or have questions please let me know!
P.S. If you feel like you want me to add something else in your mentoring please let me know!

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 20 2012, 03:22 PM

Hi Zoom! How are you? I just wanted to see how are you doing? Do you have any questions or need help? Please let me know!

Posted by: zoom Apr 26 2012, 01:25 PM

Hi Alex - Confession. I'm struggling with this task a bit. I'm finding it hard to play in these positions, which is a good thing but I'm not really happy with my results. I feel I'm just noddling.
Maybe I should watch some jazz/blues players to get some inspiration? Any thoughts?
I feel bad I havn't really got anything.

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 26 2012, 04:34 PM

I have a question! How are you with pentatonic shapes? Did you master them or still shaky a little bit? cause if you are I have a perfect exercise that will help you memorize all the shapes in no time! Let me know!
I will find some players for you to listen so you can get some ideas!
I can suggest Eric Clapton to start with he is combining pentatonics like crazy and very good at it !

Posted by: zoom Apr 26 2012, 11:17 PM

I know all 5 positions but I'm guilty of playing positions 1 & 2 95% of time. Also mixing them together is a bit harder. I guess if I play
A minor Pentatonic over Am7 chord and D minor Pentatonic over the Dm7 chord and Em pentatonic over the Em7 that might be easier.
I check out some clapton thank Alex

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 27 2012, 08:29 AM

Let me prepare a new assignment for you that will help you to start playing in all positions! I know a perfect exercise for it!!! Just need to write it down! Will be done in a couple of days!

Posted by: Alex Feather May 4 2012, 06:25 AM

Hey! I just wanted to check on you and see if you are ready for a new assignment! Let me know! I have something really cool ready for you!

Posted by: zoom May 4 2012, 06:36 AM

Yep I ready to rock - Looking forward to it.

Posted by: Alex Feather May 5 2012, 07:29 AM

Perfect! Here is a new assignment!!! Make sure to practice it at a very slow tempo using a metronome!
it's a legato exercise so no right hand!
Here is the tab!

E |--2h-5h-2h-3----------------|----------------------------|
B |--------------5h-3h-2-------|--------------------3h-2h---|
G |-----------------------4h---|--3h-2-----2h-3h-4----------|
D |----------------------------|--------4-------------------|
A |----------------------------|----------------------------|
E |----------------------------|----------------------------|


-----2h-3h-5h-7h-5h-3h-5----|----|----------------------------|
--5-------------------------|----|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----|-----7--------------5-------|
----------------------------|----|--------7h-6h-5--------5h---|
----------------------------|----|--5--------------7----------|
----------------------------|----|----------------------------|


----------------------------|----|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----|----------------------------|
--6h-7----------------------|----|-----------2h-4h-5----------|
--------7h-5h-3-------------|----|--------------------2h-3h---|
-----------------3h-5h-7----|----|--2h-3h-5-------------------|


----------------------------|--------3h-5h-7h-5h-3h-5----|----|
-----------------------3h---|--5h-7----------------------|----|
-----2h-4h-5----------------|----------------------------|----|
--------------2h-4h-5-------|----------------------------|----|
--5-------------------------|----------------------------|----|
----------------------------|----------------------------|----|


--5h-2h-3h-4----------------|----||
--------------5h-3h-2h-4----|----||
----------------------------|----||
----------------------------|----||
----------------------------|----||
----------------------------|----||

 Exercises.gp5 ( 2.46K ) : 109


If you feel any pain stop doing this exercise and let me know!!!

Posted by: zoom May 7 2012, 10:58 AM

This will be good. Question no right hand at all. So hammer on's pull off's and slide's?

Posted by: Alex Feather May 7 2012, 05:31 PM

Yep! It's a legato technique do it very very slow and only left hand! Make sure that you can hear every note clearly! It's very important to do this exercise slow!

Posted by: zoom May 12 2012, 12:35 PM

Mr Alex here is where I'm at with this lesson so far. I'm finding it a bit hard to get the notes even sounding (low strings louder than high strings). I almost got it up to speed just to get the notes right but am slowing it back down now to work on making all notes clear and even. Your thoughts?

http://soundcloud.com/zoomify/legato-exercise

Posted by: Alex Feather May 13 2012, 02:44 PM

You did a good job! But it sounds like you are using a pick? This exercise will help you to develop left hand and you will get better results if your right hand is not involved!

Posted by: zoom May 14 2012, 12:55 PM

Ok. Didn't use right hand at all on this. I'll try and get a better tone going on, maybe that will make it work better.

This exercise seems to make me concentrate on fingering more precise also which is good. I'll repost soon

chees.

Posted by: Alex Feather May 14 2012, 03:55 PM

Perfect!! What you already did sounded very very good!!!

Posted by: Alex Feather May 18 2012, 05:54 PM

How are you doing? I have a new assignment for you!
It will help you develop timing and get your chord chops to the next level!!!!
Here is the track!

http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/chords-mentoring
Here is the tab

E |--1--------------5--------5--------3L----------3----|
B |--1--------------5--------5--------3L----------3----|
G |--2--------------5--------5--------4L----------4----|
D |--3--------------7--------7--------5L----------5----|
A |--3--------------7--------7--------5L----------5----|
E |--1--------------5--------5--------3L----------3----|


--------8--------5--------5--------3--------1L------|
--------8--------5--------6--------3--------1L------|
--------9--------5--------7--------4--------2L------|
--------10-------7--------7--------5--------3L------|
--------10-------7--------5--------5--------3L------|
--------8--------5--------5--------3--------1L------|


--1--------5--------5--------3L----------3----------|
--1--------5--------5--------3L----------3----------|
--2--------5--------5--------4L----------4----------|
--3--------7--------7--------5L----------5----------|
--3--------7--------7--------5L----------5----------|
--1--------5--------5--------3L----------3----------|


--------8--------8--------8--------8L-------8-------|
--------8--------8--------8--------8L-------8-------|
--------9--------9--------9--------9L-------9-------|
--------10-------10-------10-------10L------10------|
--------10-------10-------10-------10L------10------|
--------8--------8--------8--------8L-------8-------|


--1--------------5--------5--------3L----------3----|
--1--------------5--------5--------3L----------3----|
--2--------------5--------5--------4L----------4----|
--3--------------7--------7--------5L----------5----|
--3--------------7--------7--------5L----------5----|
--1--------------5--------5--------3L----------3----|


--------8--------5--------5--------3--------1L------|
--------8--------5--------6--------3--------1L------|
--------9--------5--------7--------4--------2L------|
--------10-------7--------7--------5--------3L------|
--------10-------7--------5--------5--------3L------|
--------8--------5--------5--------3--------1L------|


--1--------5--------5--------3L----------3----------|
--1--------5--------5--------3L----------3----------|
--2--------5--------5--------4L----------4----------|
--3--------7--------7--------5L----------5----------|
--3--------7--------7--------5L----------5----------|
--1--------5--------5--------3L----------3----------|


--3--------3--------3--------3----------------------||
--3--------3--------3--------3----------------------||
--4--------4--------4--------4----------------------||
--5--------5--------5--------5----------------------||
--5--------5--------5--------5----------------------||
--3--------3--------3--------3----------------------||

Make sure to practice it using a metronome at a slow tempo!!!
Here is the GP file!
 Chords_Exercise.gpx ( 23.33K ) : 150

Let me know if you have any questions!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 4 2012, 05:58 AM

New assignment is ready and waiting for you! Let me know and I will post it right away!

Posted by: zoom Jun 7 2012, 01:51 PM

Hi Alex

Sorry about my delay. This was great Alex. Sounds good too. I slowed it down to 60bpm and speed up from there. Maybe I should still practice a bit slower what do you think?
Actually playing this reminds me of Tom Petty for some reason. I like Tom Petty.

http://soundcloud.com/zoomify/chord-chops

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 8 2012, 05:45 AM

Good job! You are 90% there! A few times timing was slightly off but it will sound perfect in a few days! Just practice it for a little bit more and make sure to use a metronome!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 22 2012, 07:18 AM

Hi! I would like to start get into improvisation if you are ready! I have a new assignment waiting for you! Let me know!

Posted by: zoom Jul 11 2012, 01:20 PM

Cool Alex. I'm keen to go.

Been working on your sweeping 7th arpeggios. I'll have to upload soon to get some pointers.

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 11 2012, 05:34 PM

Awesome! So what you would like to work on? Mechanical exercises or get into improvisation a little bit more?

Posted by: zoom Jul 12 2012, 04:49 AM

Good question? I'd say improvisation. I find I practice sweeps mechanically when warming up a bit by default. I like arpeggios because they sound melodic so I use them a bit but adding extra notes to make them zing! not very good at.

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 12 2012, 05:23 AM

Awesome! I would like you to start with this track!
Here is a blues shuffle! I will create assignments based on it!
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/rockshuffle

Over D7 D minor pentatonic in this position
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

E minor pentatonic over E7
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

I would like you to hit all the changes try to be as melodic as you can and create some cool combinations of those pentatonics!
We will be adding arpeggios in a little bit!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Posted by: zoom Jul 13 2012, 04:07 AM

Here is one attempt. It's bit of a jam. The F note in the D minor pentatonic isn't working for me so I found I had to avoid that note.
I'm not sure I've got the vibe of the D minor and E minor pentatonic's coming through?

http://soundcloud.com/zoomify/rocker-shuffle-lead

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 13 2012, 05:46 PM