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Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Dec 15 2010, 03:00 PM

Well if not sure if you've been: bad or good, naughty or nice...don't worry! I'm playing Santa and giving out the gifts at this years:

That's right, the FC is back! Grab your guitars because you only have 12 days to get those entries submitted. This should keep you busy during those boring holiday vacations. If you don't celebrate Christmas, don't worry, all are welcome.

We have a great competition for you this year - our very own Ben Higgins has tackled another 3 level lesson of various Christmas songs:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Festive-Challenge-2010/


I am sure you will all agree that he has done an amazing job, and his arrangements of these popular Christmas songs are absolutely inspiring!

Thanks for your efforts Ben, you rocked it!

The challenge will be for you GMC'ers to, pick a level, learn the song, and post your attempt at playing it. Our panel of judges will pick a winner in each category based on playing mechanics and feel.

Prizes:

3 Winners will have the options to choose:

Private Lessons:
3 months of private lessons with an instructor of http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/private-lessons/.


OR

New Gear:

( A chorus pedal will give your tone a pro touch - use it for clean, solos or metal rhythm sounds )

Instructions:
1. Pick which level you will be entering
2. Study the lesson carefully
3. When you are ready, upload your take in the uploads thread

Rules:
1. Entries to the competition will be closed in the last minutes of December 27th, 2010 (EST, GMT-5). Even if the thread remains open, no entries will be considered after this time
2. Keep it real about what level you enter - we will disqualify anyone who picks too low a level in an effort to win!
3. Audio entries will be accepted however video entries are preferred
4. No substitution or cash alternatives for prizes will be offered

So get practicing and may the best guitarists win!

Backing tracks for download:
 Ding_Dong_180bpm.mp3 ( 952.64K ) : 343

 Away_150bpm.mp3 ( 741.06K ) : 320

 Deck_110bpm.mp3 ( 730.59K ) : 333


Uploads thread http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=37530!

Posted by: Vaidya Dec 15 2010, 03:04 PM

Awesome!!! Cool prizes!!!!

Posted by: purple hayes Dec 15 2010, 03:13 PM

Are TABS being provided or do we need to learn them by ear?

Posted by: maharzan Dec 15 2010, 03:19 PM

ah nice!!!

I see gp5 files purple hayes.

Posted by: purple hayes Dec 15 2010, 03:33 PM

I failed to click on the picture of Ben. Problem solved.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 15 2010, 05:47 PM

Right everybody, the Festive Challenge has been unveiled and you've all got something to keep your fingers warm with over the Festive Season !!

For anybody having a go at the Challenge, I will be doing a video chat this Sunday, 19th at 18:00 GMT to talk over each lesson. I'll be talking you through the lessons one by one starting with the Beginner lesson.

So have any questions ready and I look forward to seeing you then - let the festive fun begin !!

Posted by: Gitarrero Dec 15 2010, 06:06 PM

Finally another challenge, really cool! I'm not sure wether to tackle the beginner or the intermediate lesson though, as I am somewhat a level 4 player...

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 15 2010, 06:11 PM

Perhaps maybe look at both just to get an idea of what feels comfortable and also what you think you can realistically achieve in time for the deadline of Dec 27th ?

Posted by: Marc_Maiden Dec 15 2010, 06:40 PM

i might be a fool, but i can only get gp files for ding dong...are there gp5 for the advanced one?

Posted by: Nielzsz Dec 15 2010, 07:08 PM

My prayes have been heard

Good luck everyone!

Posted by: Fran Dec 15 2010, 09:31 PM

Awesome, gotta love the festive challenge

Posted by: superize Dec 15 2010, 10:05 PM

I am giving the Advanced a shot but the intermediate one lokked pretty hard aswell so it will be hard to learn whatever i choose to do.

Good luck to everyone else who is entering

Posted by: AslanMontaz Dec 15 2010, 11:11 PM

i think i will give inter a chance because i dont want to take on the advanced because of the sweeping heheh still practicing my sweep picking.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 15 2010, 11:49 PM

great pricez!! good luck everyone!

Posted by: superize Dec 16 2010, 09:48 AM

I am not sure if i will learn the advenced in time so i am alos learning Intermediate just to be on the safe side

Posted by: maharzan Dec 16 2010, 11:37 AM

I m going to try the advanced lesson.. but given the time, I hope I can nail it.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 16 2010, 11:57 AM

Good stuff Guys, you can do it !! Come to the chatroom on Sunday 18:00 GMT and I'll go through all the lessons with you

Don't forget to bring your Picks of Destiny !!

Posted by: superize Dec 16 2010, 12:08 PM

I think the advanced will be to hard for me but i am still learning it and hopefully i can nail it in time. Otherwise it will be the intermediate on wich right now is kicking my balls, some parts are really hard

Posted by: maharzan Dec 16 2010, 12:46 PM

Oh how I wish my internet connection was faster so I could see video stream.. It stucks for me plus the time is a bit odd as well. But yeah, if you have any tips, that would be great.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Dec 16 2010, 01:04 PM

hehe yes



Yes look below the text of the lesson's main video!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 18 2010, 09:24 PM

Hi everybody... just a reminder that I'll doing the video chat tomorrow evening at 18:00 GMT, that's Sunday 19th !

Remember to have any questions about the Festive Challenge ready ! Hope to see you there

Posted by: ruben_mcn Dec 18 2010, 10:21 PM

Good Luck everybody I will try to tackle the intermediate If i have time..

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Dec 18 2010, 10:51 PM

What an awesome competition! I'm looking forward to seeing the entries ))

Posted by: superize Dec 18 2010, 11:37 PM

Damn i got a game tomorow so i will miss the chat.

Was hoping to get some help with this but i guess i am on my own

Posted by: superize Dec 19 2010, 11:24 PM

It woulld be cool if everyone who is going to enter could tell something about what level they are going for and how they are doing.

For me i am aiming at Intermediate/Advanced.

The intermediate is actually very hard at some parts and i am having some difficulties with it now so i will most likely have to set my goal to master that even though i really wanted to do the advanced but i really dont have the time am afraid

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Dec 19 2010, 11:47 PM

I would recommend going for intermediate. Its better to play something on your level well then push too hard and go for advanced.

Posted by: Gitarrero Dec 19 2010, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the chat today, Ben! I still need a bit more practice, but I'll go for the intermediate one. It's challenging for me, but I think I can make it.
Christian

Posted by: Jitty Dec 20 2010, 12:18 AM

I'm going for the advanced. It's pretty hard, but I want to push myself. I started to learn it yesterday and I got the piece memorized, just trying to work it up to speed. The last lick is really hard, but I'm making some progress so I hope I'll be able to submit a take of the advanced, otherwise I'm going to try my hand at the intermediate (which also looks pretty difficult to be honest).

Are we allowed to post takes in the uploads board to get comments before we submit it for the competition?

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 20 2010, 02:17 AM

good luck! I won't be able to make it, I would like to though

Posted by: maharzan Dec 20 2010, 03:06 AM

I looked at each short lessons and I was actually learning few pieces from intermediate lesson lol.. I wanted to do advanced. Then, I opened up the tab and saw the licks I learnt weren't there.. haha.

Anyway, been 2 days I started doing advanced lesson and the things I have learnt before are really helping me. At least the sweep part. I never did sweep properly before I started practicing Muris' extreme neoclassic and this helped me grasp the last lick on advanced lesson. But its quite tricky. I am pretty used to single slot of licks such as this part has 5 notes and it was making me crazy and was hard to think there are 6 notes. But I tried slowly and I think I got the last part now. I am having difficulty in the fast AP in the middle though. I see Ben's not really using strict AP (kind of sweeping/AP) and I am not so used to that (though I have done it at the last lick). I will try practicing and I think given the time left, I can master this one. I can pretty much do it in tempo at the moment but still need to hit each note right meaning more practice.

So, what was discussed in the chat? would love to know any tips...

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 20 2010, 12:07 PM

Hi Guys !!

It's great to see so many of you having a blast at the intermediate and advanced lessons. The Intermediate is quite hard as well (sorry abut that !!!)

If any of you have any questions about any parts you can always send me a message any time..

Maharzan, that part you are talking about in the Advanced lesson: I play the lick using economy picking but please use alternate picking if that is what you're comfortable with. The main goal is to be able to play the song and melodies.. it doesn't matter if you pick it different from me. So use alternate picking there.. it's a typical 3 note per string pattern (apart from the beginning note on the A string) so you can use the normal 'down-up' picking approach there and it will work fine

Superize, if you would like any tips or advice then I'm here to help I would personally recommend concentrating on the Intermediate as the Advanced really is more difficult, especially with the sweeps at the end...

One of the things that we talked about in the chat was the term I used in the written description for video 8 - 'rake' This means to push your pick across the strings that you are not playing to get to the desired note, creating a scraping sound. It's like sweeping, but instead of playing notes with your left hand, you're just playing muted strings (muted using your picking hand) until you get to the note that rings out. Practice sweeping through the strings with just your picking hand (don't worry about the fretting hand for now) and keep the strings muted so they have a 'plink plonk' sound to them... now try adding a note with your fretting hand. Pick a note somehwere on the G string, then practice raking through the muted strings until you get the the note on the G string, then pick the note cleanly. This will probably require you to move your wrist slightly in order to un-mute the strings and pick the note. But after some practice it will become second nature and you'll start including it in your playing style, I bet you !

Posted by: maharzan Dec 20 2010, 01:10 PM

Thanks Ben. ha I forget that name - economy picking. nearly there now...

Posted by: Fre Dec 20 2010, 01:18 PM

Beer

Oh, about the lesson? What Ben said

Posted by: SubbedChris Dec 20 2010, 01:47 PM

Just one question cause I didnt really get it...What does the second rule mean? I can somewhat get what it means, but I would like it fully explained if that's possible The fault's obviously my english Thanks anyway!!

Posted by: Fre Dec 20 2010, 01:59 PM

SubbedChris,
It says that you shouldn't pick a song below your level.
If you can do the intermediate, don't pick the beginner. It is a challenge.

Is that allright?

Posted by: SubbedChris Dec 20 2010, 02:57 PM

Well yeah that's what I understood but I havent really uploaded any lesson so how would anyone know what level fits my skills? Personally,Im going for the 3 level song Even if I dont have any proof,that level is the one that fits me best! There's no way I could manage the 5 one.Would that be alright?

Posted by: Gitarrero Dec 20 2010, 03:05 PM

Hey Chris,
I think it's perfectly alright to go for the beginner song. And the victory might already be yours, since it looks like most of us will go for the intermediate or even advanced song
But if I were you I would practice the intermediate lesson as well, at a lower tempo, as it will be a good training for you. Maybe you could record a video of you playing that song as well and post it in Ben's forum, just to get some feedback. The great instructors here can't really help you when they never see you play

Christian

Posted by: maharzan Dec 20 2010, 03:14 PM

Ha... I just saw "G STRING" several times on Ben's post.. Now I am motivated!

Posted by: Gitarrero Dec 20 2010, 03:15 PM

What's going on between Ben and you? First you ask him a vibrator question, and now this...

Posted by: maharzan Dec 20 2010, 04:17 PM

You kinda guessed it!

Posted by: dark dude Dec 20 2010, 04:19 PM

When it comes to choosing which level, I could definately do intermediate, advanced seemed a bit out of my reach. Sooooo I chose advanced as intermediate would be cheating

Of course it depends on how much time you have to learn the lesson, and it isn't so long here, but, you are your best judge.

.. back to the metronome \m/ \m/

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Dec 20 2010, 11:39 PM

Hey guys, just a tip - try to be realistic when picking the level. Rules are there to regulate in order not to have advanced players playing the beginner take etc. If you feel the intermediate is suitable or even beginner - go for it! You don't have to push yourself beyond limits.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 21 2010, 11:26 AM

Haha !!! No comment.

Posted by: Lester Dec 21 2010, 11:33 AM

I think I am going to have a look at both beginner and intermediate.
I now I should be able to do intermediate, but there are some licks in there that I'm not sure if I can master them in one week.

...We'll see, It's great fun learning the lessons this far though!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 26 2010, 06:20 PM

Hi Guys !

Don't forget that tomorrow is the deadline for the Festive Challenge ! Your takes should be uploaded http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=37530

We're all looking forward to your entries !

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 28 2010, 01:07 PM

Hi everybody, just to keep you updated on things. The competition is closed as you all know, and we're just collecting votes now. I've already put my votes forward, which was very difficult. Everyone has put so much effort in and I want to thank you all for taking part and showing us all why GMC is the best guitar community there is !! We will keep you updated

Posted by: maharzan Dec 28 2010, 01:19 PM

It was simply great to participate. Thanks Ben for bringing the contest.

Posted by: Vaidya Dec 28 2010, 03:20 PM

This challenge was fun!
Its the first time i actually finished a song which i started Thanks Ben
All the best to everyone

Posted by: Gitarrero Dec 28 2010, 03:37 PM

True, this was an awesome competition, and one that kept many of the students busy
I had so much fun learning the songs, the chats were so cool and funny and I think it is great to see so many takes.
I don't know if GMC has a sponsor for the prizes, but I'd suggest we make a competition every month
Good luck to everyone, whoever wins really deserves it, all the takes are really great.

Christian

Posted by: Ben Higgins Dec 31 2010, 12:32 PM

Hi again Guys !

I just want to let you know that we are still collecting the votes.. as you know, it's a busy time of year for people so please bear with us ! Maybe the fact that all the takes were so good makes it difficult for the staff to vote !!

Don't worry, we will let you know as soon as all votes are in ! Meanwhile, enjoy the New Year Celebrations !!

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Dec 31 2010, 01:30 PM

This was an awesome competition! I liked all the takes Good luck guys and Happy New Year!

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Dec 31 2010, 02:08 PM

I think there should be more competitions here on GMC, those are really nice. But bit more time for learning would be good. Small amount of time forced some folks to record "easier" lessons. With more time we could aim at "practicing" and "rising skills" and learning for the contest at the same time:)

Posted by: maharzan Dec 31 2010, 02:23 PM

Happy New Year to all... Bring in another contest!!!!

Posted by: Gitarrero Dec 31 2010, 02:43 PM

I'm a 100% with Marek here, bring on more contests with more time! I just couldn't make the intermediate song work, it was a tiny bit above my level.
Otherwise, cool competition, please give us more as I've never seen so many students submit videos.
And happy new year to you all!
Christian

Posted by: Marek Rojewski Dec 31 2010, 05:32 PM

Just wanted to add, that there are many kind of "prizes" that could be offered. For example:
1. the winner can "request" a lesson of certain type to be made
2. the winner can "request" a certain type collaboration to be held
3. the winner can be featured on the GMC youtube channel, if he is willing to make a video of his playing/story/GMC usage history. Something like "GMC presents GMC student".

What I have in mind is that prizes are often expensive, and also if the price is "cheap" than it has opposite effect than "motivating". GMC consists of many different things, so maybe it wouldn't be to hard to organize competitions, and don't spend "hard cash" on it.

Posted by: Fre Jan 2 2011, 06:46 PM

When will the results of this great competition be shared?

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 2 2011, 08:49 PM

Hi Fre,

We still don't have the final results yet but they will be announced as soon as they're collected, no later !

Thanks for your patience !

Posted by: Fre Jan 2 2011, 08:55 PM

I'll wait with pleasure

Posted by: Gitarrero Jan 2 2011, 09:22 PM

Posted by: Fre Jan 2 2011, 10:17 PM

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 4 2011, 03:44 PM

Hi Guys, the winners have been announced in this new thread http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=37754&pid=511029&st=0&#entry511029

Sorry for the wait !