Original lesson: Guitar Loves Piano by Piotr Kaczor

Hi Timmy! This lesson is one of my favorites. I always recommend it at my mentoring programs because it's perfect for training phrasing, feeling, vibrato and bending. I can say that it's more difficult than it seems not only because of the techniques involved, also because it doesn't include drums, making it trickier to play tight.

Despite all those things, I can say that your take is excellent. You played it tight, with a very nice feeling and a warm tone. Your circular vibrato is top level and your bends so precise. There is nothing to improve on this take, it's pure perfection.

Keep rocking!!

Hey bro!

So glad you took this in here You know my thoughts as we have already discussed it in your thread, so once again - great expression, execution and timing! You rock man!

Keep it up!

Cosmin

This take was really good. However I will assume you came here to learn to play like a pro and not just be 'good'.

I have "just" given you an 8, because when I listen to your take compared to Piotr's I hear quite a big difference - even though it is not easy defining exactly what makes that difference.

Your sound feels flatter than Piotrs and not as three dimensional. See if you can tweak delay/reverb settings to get more "space", and maybe also have less distortion (for a more dynamic sound). Also - your sound feels 'scooped' (Piotr's feels a bit more midrangy to me).

You have obviously worked hard to nail the nuances in Piotr's vibrato/bending, and that should be the goal for anyone practicing this lesson. You are not quite there yet, and over all your vibrato is more narrow than Piotr's. Some more examples:

0:40 - you don't reach the bent note as fast as Piotr - the result is that you convey a different feeling

0:49 - you don't start your vibrato as quickly as Piotr + his comes from the whole arm giving another dimension of depth

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The above might be important - but it does not even compare to the following: When Piotr plays he follows the mood of the backing with much more feeling. Obviously he wrote the backing track and I doubt anyone can play it exactly like he did, but you don't need to either. However I do want you to play this piece with more feeling.

Here is what I would like you to do: Shut down all the lights and close the curtains. Play the piece again and try to not think of all the details in your playing which you have worked so hard on, instead try to just move your body (head etc) to the backing track, and try to feel the backing track in you whole body. Try to think of, and feel, what will be the pianists next move - because that's who you are working against/with.

Inevitably, you will miss more of the subtle nuances if you manage to follow my advice and concentrate on the backing track rather than your fingers, however you will gain something much more important: your playing will connect with the music.

When you feel ready please record another take and send me a pm - because I see some big potential in you.

Good job, mate! Nothing to add except that I think you're on the good path to having a great tone in your fingers and focusing on that will get you really far. Rock on!

Pass: 9