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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Using Rec

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 15 2011, 11:21 AM

Hi Guys cool.gif

As an instructor it's really cool to see members using the REC function. For those of you who have recently joined GMC and are not sure of its function.. REC is a feature which is there for members to upload their versions of GMC lessons. For example, if I was learning http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/megadeth-riffing-lesson/ (one of my favourites, btw !) then I could go to REC, start a post and upload my video of me playing that lesson and get feedback and a grade from the instructors.

The whole point of REC is to encourage members to share their progress and get some constructive feedback that should help them focus on areas of technique that they may not have been aware of, so that it inspires an ongoing process of improvement and study.

A REC take doesn't have to be perfect.. and you don't have to wait until you've 100 % nailed a lesson before uploading either. Even if you don't 'pass' the grading poll, the feedback and constructive criticism is the valuable part of the process and it is that aspect that will be the most useful to you in your journey or improving on the guitar.... so I hope you guys will feel more inclined to just jump in and go for it !

Anyway, that's my perspective but it will be interesting to know what your thoughts are behind using REC .. do you feel like you have to pass the grade with a perfect take or is the process of submitting the take and getting constructive feedback the most important aspect ? smile.gif

Posted by: zen Jul 15 2011, 11:42 AM

I used to like it. I'd only upload a take if I have a feeling that it will atleast 'pass'. If I have no clue, then I'd submit it.

Also, For me, It takes a LONG time to nail a lesson. And by that time, sadly, I'm so over the tune/melody that I move onto something else. This is mostly why I haven't been active in it. Other than that, the REC program encourages exact imitation, which I'm personally not a fan of. One should be allowed to put his/her own spin n feel on pieces (while maintaining the integrity of the tune and notes). Also, Good sound/tone seems to be a judging criteria but it doesn't apply to everyone. In the past, I have heard takes with horrible sounds get a perfect 10. I haven't followed that section in a while, so things may have changed now.

But i definitely recommend everyone to just participate. It can only benefit your playing.


Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jul 15 2011, 11:44 AM

well, for me definitely the feedback is the most value you can get out of it.

You could even upload areas in which you have the most problems, that could even be more helpful in the end.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 15 2011, 12:07 PM

QUOTE (zen @ Jul 15 2011, 11:42 AM) *
I used to like it. I'd only upload a take if I have a feeling that it will atleast 'pass'. If I have no clue, then I'd submit it.

Also, For me, It takes a LONG time to nail a lesson. And by that time, sadly, I'm so over the tune/melody that I move onto something else. This is mostly why I haven't been active in it. Other than that, the REC program encourages exact imitation, which I'm personally not a fan of. One should be allowed to put his/her own spin n feel on pieces (while maintaining the integrity of the tune and notes). Also, Good sound/tone seems to be a judging criteria but it doesn't apply to everyone. In the past, I have heard takes with horrible sounds get a perfect 10. I haven't followed that section in a while, so things may have changed now.

But i definitely recommend everyone to just participate. It can only benefit your playing.


I understand your view of not wanting to imitate and I think it's a view all us musicians share but for the purposes of learning techniques, it's a good way of being able to guage whether you've got the grasp of a technique or a particular way of phrasing or bending. If we view learning lessons as a way of honing and sharpening our tools that we need to have to express ourselves on the instrument then it goes beyond copying and it's more like being shown the way to our own path.

But yes, as you say, it can only benefit your progress smile.gif

QUOTE (Daniel Realpe @ Jul 15 2011, 11:44 AM) *
well, for me definitely the feedback is the most value you can get out of it.

You could even upload areas in which you have the most problems, that could even be more helpful in the end.


Yes, I agree... getting a 100% pass is a good ego boost but sometimes the take that doesn't pass is the most useful because that's the one we can learn from. So for that reason alone, it would be good to see the less confident members getting involved in REC too smile.gif

Posted by: zen Jul 15 2011, 12:20 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jul 15 2011, 09:07 PM) *
I understand your view of not wanting to imitate and I think it's a view all us musicians share but for the purposes of learning techniques, it's a good way of being able to guage whether you've got the grasp of a technique or a particular way of phrasing or bending. If we view learning lessons as a way of honing and sharpening our tools that we need to have to express ourselves on the instrument then it goes beyond copying and it's more like being shown the way to our own path.

But yes, as you say, it can only benefit your progress smile.gif


I agree. One can get some good help on the technique. smile.gif
I should probably start uploading some takes that i know are boderline pass/. mellow.gif .. i have a few of em.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 15 2011, 12:23 PM

QUOTE (zen @ Jul 15 2011, 12:20 PM) *
I should probably start uploading some takes that i know are boderline pass/. mellow.gif .. i have a few of em.


Extreme Neoclassic is is then ? biggrin.gif

Posted by: zen Jul 15 2011, 12:26 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jul 15 2011, 09:23 PM) *
Extreme Neoclassic is is then ? biggrin.gif


laugh.gif I nail that sucker in my dreams

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 15 2011, 01:22 PM

This is great topic, and zen made some good points from his point of view, I respect that. I think members can be helped a lot as far as their technique goes through the lessons. Yes, people learn the lessons, but they learn to play along the way. By letting someone know that he needs to work on vibrato or tone is a great way to point him in the right direction.

For author material or personal recordings/covers, there is upload section, which functions on the same principle (although there aren't any grades and site titules).

Posted by: thefireball Jul 15 2011, 07:52 PM

I have to admit that I always go into it thinking about nailing it as much as possible. I have to agree with zen that I don't feel as though I can insert my own style into it - I feel obligated to imitate it as much as possible or I may not get a 10. However, I did one time get a 10 on a lesson. It's really kinda strange. Some lessons I cover I know have some imperfections in them - like missing harmonics - have gotten a 10, but other lessons that I thought were much closer only received an 8 or 9. Or perhaps I just don't know any better. happy.gif I realize though that it's kind of a relative grading process. And of course, this is all my opinion. I still enjoy the REC program. It helps me know what I need to work on. smile.gif

Timing, tightness, bending, and phrasing are among my techniques to work on.

Posted by: Shuma13 Jul 15 2011, 08:10 PM

Rec is one of the reasons I decided to join.

Although I have been playing for a while I have never taken a real lesson. Therefore I have many techniques issues. The Rec postings have been great for getting technique feedback, and highlighting (bends and vibrato, bends and vibrato, bends and vibrato laugh.gif ) what I need to work on. I am trying to do at least one a week.

I always want to nail the lesson, but I find that if I focus too much on that I waste a lot of takes. I am more interested in the overall feedback than a perfect grade at this point.

I can see how better players could get bored with the imitation factor of it, but I am a long ways away from there now.

Posted by: Gitarrero Jul 15 2011, 08:44 PM

I like using rec and I will use it more often in the next weeks again.
I nailed 19 lessons so far, but I'm pretty sure I submitted just as many takes that didn't pass. It's always a huge disappointment when you don't pass, but the feedback I got for the failed takes was really important for me to do better next time.
So Ben, be prepared for some new videos you can grade wink.gif

Posted by: skennington Jul 15 2011, 09:28 PM

I think that fact of just recording yourself and having a place to go and see your previous recordings inspires and encourages growth as a player. When you look back on old lessons/recordings you can determine which way your going whether it forward or reverse in some cases.

The feedback from all of our awesome Instructors is a great bonus! cool.gif

Posted by: GregH Jul 15 2011, 09:39 PM

If I felt that I had the lesson down, then I would be tempted to send it in. But with some lessons I feel that I don’t need to be judged as much as perhaps, asking the instructor who wrote it to tell me what I am doing wrong. That would be worth more to me then something like “Nice try, work on your bending and vibrato, 5”. But perhaps that’s just me. smile.gif
I have not submitted anything yet, and it feels like a big learning curve, trying to get the sound and video together on the computer and get the sound right. I would rather spend more time practicing then learning the intricacies of Audacity. On the other hand it is benefiting me just watching the videos that I have made, even if I say “that was bad” and promptly delete them. smile.gif

Posted by: Shuma13 Jul 15 2011, 10:24 PM

QUOTE (GregH @ Jul 15 2011, 08:39 PM) *
If I felt that I had the lesson down, then I would be tempted to send it in. But with some lessons I feel that I don’t need to be judged as much as perhaps, asking the instructor who wrote it to tell me what I am doing wrong. That would be worth more to me then something like “Nice try, work on your bending and vibrato, 5”. But perhaps that’s just me. smile.gif
I have not submitted anything yet, and it feels like a big learning curve, trying to get the sound and video together on the computer and get the sound right. I would rather spend more time practicing then learning the intricacies of Audacity. On the other hand it is benefiting me just watching the videos that I have made, even if I say “that was bad” and promptly delete them. smile.gif


I was afraid of the whole recording, synching with video, etc, etc. Turns out it was really pretty easy, really less than an hour to complete my first one.

As was said above, just the process of recording yourself is eye-opening. I have had lots of things that sound one way to me while playing, but much different when recorded.

Posted by: moleman Jul 16 2011, 01:24 AM

I like the rec system because I find it really good for my motivation. It is easier to practice a certain piece if I know I can get it checked and get feedback on my playing.
There are 2 lessons I'm slowly working on, but I will only upload them when I really think I will pass. It seems like I would be wasting people's time if I didn't upload my best.

When making a rec, does everyone record the track, then record themselves playing and join the 2 together?
In other words, are the video and audio actually separate recordings?

Posted by: Michael AC Jul 16 2011, 01:25 AM

I watch a lot of the videos in there and read the comments instructors make. I think those are very valuable. Doing my first collab with Gabriel and his comments helped a lot. So I am working on getting my camera and video software so I can participate more in collab and now in rec.

The score is not important to me as the feedback as I know it is all constructive!

Posted by: zen Jul 16 2011, 01:53 AM

QUOTE (moleman @ Jul 16 2011, 10:24 AM) *
When making a rec, does everyone record the track, then record themselves playing and join the 2 together?
In other words, are the video and audio actually separate recordings?


Not separate. They are the same take.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 16 2011, 12:21 PM

QUOTE (moleman @ Jul 16 2011, 01:24 AM) *
When making a rec, does everyone record the track, then record themselves playing and join the 2 together?
In other words, are the video and audio actually separate recordings?


There's 2 ways that it's usually done (on the videos I've seen).

1) is to use the camera's inbuilt mic to capture you playing along with the backing track at the same time as filming.

2) Capture the audio into audio software like Cubase, Reaper etc but still playing at the same time as filming. Then mix the audio and video together so you have the correct video image but with better audio.

Either way, you do play the take and film at the same time as Zen said smile.gif



Posted by: zen Jul 16 2011, 12:33 PM

Good luck to everyone .. I still struggle with the red button syndrome. I'm playin 100 times better till i press that dreadful record button..




Posted by: Fran Jul 16 2011, 05:29 PM

QUOTE (zen @ Jul 16 2011, 01:33 PM) *
Good luck to everyone .. I still struggle with the red button syndrome. I'm playin 100 times better till i press that dreadful record button..



laugh.gif 100% agreed tongue.gif

Posted by: JaxN4 Jul 16 2011, 05:39 PM



Anyway, that's my perspective but it will be interesting to know what your thoughts are behind using REC .. do you feel like you have to pass the grade with a perfect take or is the process of submitting the take and getting constructive feedback the most important aspect ? smile.gif
[/quote]

In MY opinion, yes. I feel that i need to have a perfect take on a lesson before i upload it....I think it's better that way cause u make ur self improve every little aspect of the lesson until u are happy with it

Posted by: gitarcitolga Jul 16 2011, 05:48 PM

If I don't put a rec after my practising, I'll feel like the abiliy I gained just went away,left me all alone because I can't see,I can't feel my progress in such a short time without using it as an effort on any record,gig,show etc... Well right now I have this Rec opportunity in front of me why wouldn't I use it? Besides this is also fun, encoureging and this attitude thing bro! (like GMC instructers mention all the time)
Each lesson I practise,I put my rec and if I get good results, I pass onto next one. It has become my standard practising princible. And during the time I will make my own songs and upload in the forum, all simple and useful.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 16 2011, 06:36 PM

QUOTE (JaxN4 @ Jul 16 2011, 05:39 PM) *
In MY opinion, yes. I feel that i need to have a perfect take on a lesson before i upload it....I think it's better that way cause u make ur self improve every little aspect of the lesson until u are happy with it


That's a very good point.. I totally understand this perspective smile.gif

Posted by: JamesT Jul 16 2011, 07:25 PM

I try to do the best take I possibly can for each rec. It's definately never easy even with some of the easier lessons. But it gives me a chance to work on articulations, phrases, and tone. Listening to yourself play, it's sometimes a shocker finding out that your first few takes really wouldn't pass even on stage much less in a recording environment. It also helps get over the nervousness of having the record button going. For me, setting a high standard for a recorded take puts the right kind of pressure on me for improving my playing. Especially from a skill or technique perspective. You can probably get all the knowledge you need from just working through a lesson and learning the notes. But if you want to raise the bar on your own technique, there's nothing like setting a goal to get a perfect recording that you would be proud to share with others and be happy to get feedback on. The feedback and critique that I get often awakens me to subtleties that I didn't really notice. That's what I want to find out about. ... the things that I'm doing, or not doing, that I might not even be aware of.


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