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GMC Forum _ Gabriel Leopardi _ Vonhotch's Musical Journey

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 27 2012, 01:23 AM

Hi Vonhotch!! Welcome to your http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43110&st=20 thread!!

Could you please tell me a bit about you, your musical tastes, influences, strengths and weaknesses? I would need some videos of you playing rhythm and solo guitar, so please post your best material here. If you have some music or ideas of your own, also post them here. Also let me know how you think that I can help you and what are your expectations for our job. You can check the other Army's thread to discover the different modalities of this project.


The principles of our Army are:

+ Improve your technique
+ Make music and solos
+ Have fun
+ Destroy the enemy (hahaha not realy just kidding... )

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 27 2012, 02:26 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 27 2012, 12:23 AM) *
Hi Vonhotch!! Welcome to your http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43110&st=20 thread!!

Could you please tell me a bit about you, your musical tastes, influences, strengths and weaknesses? I would need some videos of you playing rhythm and solo guitar, so please post your best material here. If you have some music or ideas of your own, also post them here. Also let me know how you think that I can help you and what are your expectations for our job. You can check the other Army's thread to discover the different modalities of this project.


The principles of our Army are:

+ Improve your technique
+ Make music and solos
+ Have fun
+ Destroy the enemy (hahaha not realy just kidding... )


Wow, my musical tastes are ALLLLL over the place I listen to mostly metal I'm really into stoner/doom/sludgey rock metal type stuff now but I also like stuff from classical, to flamenco and Rodrigo y Gabriela, to a colaboration between Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson. I think as far as influences go I really liked Dimebag Darrells style, and back in the day the guitar stylings of The Vandals.
I think my stregths are my improv ability, I have good left hand dexterity and speed, and a good base in theory (I think). I think my weaknesses are in my lack of experience in playing with other people, my timing, chords and chord changes, oh and what I call guitar a.d.d.
I have a bit of trouble focusing when practicing I'll be playing somethiing and I'll drift off into my own little song and then catch myself and repeat.
I am up for learning anything and everthing I think I can improve everywhere, and like playing anything. Some of my main goals are to improve my ability to play with other musicians, and compose, as well as tighten up technique. But my expectations are just to learn as much as I can and have some fun!!!!
That kind of felt like a job interview. Did I get it? I always feel weird talking about myself. I will post some video for you as soon as I can, I have never tried to record myself, It may take me a day or so to figure it out.
Thanks.





Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 27 2012, 04:05 PM

Hi mate! That's a great introduction. We will divide our job in composition and technique training if you want. We will be using two GMC features for it, the collaborations (for creating solos) and the REC program to have the feedback from the other instructors about your technique. We could also work on something for the Gab's Army Album, that is a virtual project that we are working on in which the members of the Army will be creating a song. I would like to know what's your current level (you can use GMC lessons to check your level), and also when you think that you will be posting a video.

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 28 2012, 02:08 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 27 2012, 03:05 PM) *
Hi mate! That's a great introduction. We will divide our job in composition and technique training if you want. We will be using two GMC features for it, the collaborations (for creating solos) and the REC program to have the feedback from the other instructors about your technique. We could also work on something for the Gab's Army Album, that is a virtual project that we are working on in which the members of the Army will be creating a song. I would like to know what's your current level (you can use GMC lessons to check your level), and also when you think that you will be posting a video.


I will get some video up this weekend, sorry for the delay. I am going to try your buckethead lesson to see where I rank on the GMC charts. Would you like video of that too? The buckethead lesson is an awesome track by the way.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2012, 04:27 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Apr 28 2012, 10:08 AM) *
I will get some video up this weekend, sorry for the delay. I am going to try your buckethead lesson to see where I rank on the GMC charts. Would you like video of that too? The buckethead lesson is an awesome track by the way.



Thanks man! Yes, please post your take here! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 29 2012, 12:20 AM




Oh the pressure. I swear I must have tried about 25 takes. I think one of the first things I need to work on is getting rid of the voice in my head that says over and over "psst your recording don't mess up". ha ha. I hope these are ok. I'm working on the buckethead lesson. I will try to get a take up tommorrow.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 30 2012, 05:02 PM

Cool videos man! Don't worry about feeling nervous when you record yourself. It will disappear with practice. We have many things to work. I would like to see you playing over a backing track. What about learning and recording this lesson?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/stoner-rock-lesson/

Posted by: vonhotch May 2 2012, 12:56 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 30 2012, 04:02 PM) *
Cool videos man! Don't worry about feeling nervous when you record yourself. It will disappear with practice. We have many things to work. I would like to see you playing over a backing track. What about learning and recording this lesson?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/stoner-rock-lesson/

Ok, you got it. That one looks awesome. Here is where im at with the buckethead lesson, but due to technical difficulties somehow my final video didn't save after I edited it, and synched the audio. So the backing track is very very faint in the background.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 2 2012, 04:35 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 1 2012, 08:56 PM) *
Ok, you got it. That one looks awesome. Here is where im at with the buckethead lesson, but due to technical difficulties somehow my final video didn't save after I edited it, and synched the audio. So the backing track is very very faint in the background.



Hi man! Good first take. Now it's time to isolate the most difficult parts and work focusing on them. The lick is the one that will give you more trouble. We should go for some alternate picking exercises.

Check out this thread:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42831

Also, you should try to make the arpeggio changes smoother in the first part.

Posted by: vonhotch May 3 2012, 02:55 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 2 2012, 03:35 PM) *
Hi man! Good first take. Now it's time to isolate the most difficult parts and work focusing on them. The lick is the one that will give you more trouble. We should go for some alternate picking exercises.

Check out this thread:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42831

Also, you should try to make the arpeggio changes smoother in the first part.

Thanks. I will work on that stuff. I do have a question on exercise 5. How do I count out the groups of 7. I am assuming they get two beats each but where do beats 2 and 4 fall?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 3 2012, 08:28 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 3 2012, 10:55 AM) *
Thanks. I will work on that stuff. I do have a question on exercise 5. How do I count out the groups of 7. I am assuming they get two beats each but where do beats 2 and 4 fall?



It will be better if you see it as a 2/2 measure and you play 7 notes per beat.

Posted by: vonhotch May 12 2012, 03:12 AM

Hey, I got a couple videos for you. I've been practicing a lot though I know there are still some mistakes. The altenate picking exercises are at 120 bpm. I had trouble with the last exercise I'm still not sure I have the rhythym quite right, and kept playing it too fast or too slow. I will get one for the stoner rock lesson this weekend. How often would you like for me to submit video?



Posted by: bucket2188 May 12 2012, 04:58 AM

can you help me figure out the first 5 seconds of this solo it starts at 2:26 seconds thank you

http://youtu.be/Da-nH4-C1nQ

Posted by: vonhotch May 13 2012, 12:46 AM

Hey, here are a couple more videos. Another buckethead lesson and the stoner rock one. I thought some of the things I didn't do so well in the one above I did ok in this one and some I did better in the other one, I think my tuning seems to be off a little as well........oops. The other one I had a little bit of a timing problem in the begining, and when I record I have to sync my recording to the backing track then to the video, so it may have screwed up the way I lined everything up a little. Getting the recording part right seems to be as hard as playing the actual song. biggrin.gif


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 13 2012, 12:49 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 11 2012, 11:12 PM) *
Hey, I got a couple videos for you. I've been practicing a lot though I know there are still some mistakes. The altenate picking exercises are at 120 bpm. I had trouble with the last exercise I'm still not sure I have the rhythym quite right, and kept playing it too fast or too slow. I will get one for the stoner rock lesson this weekend. How often would you like for me to submit video?





Hi man! It's great to see you working hard! Regarding the first video (Buckethead lesson)... the first part sounds good, the timing is good, and the only comment that I have is that the notes should be longer to make the arpeggios sound smoother. In the second part (the solos) you are having problems with the timing in the whole solo. My recommendation is that you should practice the solo over my take trying to copy the rhythm and duration of my solo's notes.

In the second video I discovered a problem with your right hand that needs to be fixed. You are moving your fingers while you play alternate picking. That's wrong (at least from my point of view). The correct motion for AP should be from the wrist, you shouldn't move your fingers.

Check this video:


Posted by: vonhotch May 13 2012, 04:12 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 12 2012, 11:49 PM) *
Hi man! It's great to see you working hard! Regarding the first video (Buckethead lesson)... the first part sounds good, the timing is good, and the only comment that I have is that the notes should be longer to make the arpeggios sound smoother. In the second part (the solos) you are having problems with the timing in the whole solo. My recommendation is that you should practice the solo over my take trying to copy the rhythm and duration of my solo's notes.

In the second video I discovered a problem with your right hand that needs to be fixed. You are moving your fingers while you play alternate picking. That's wrong (at least from my point of view). The correct motion for AP should be from the wrist, you shouldn't move your fingers.

Ok, thanks. I see what you mean about my fingers. Can't argue technique with a Paul Gilbert video!!! biggrin.gif I will work on that.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 13 2012, 10:42 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 13 2012, 12:12 PM) *
Ok, thanks. I see what you mean about my fingers. Can't argue technique with a Paul Gilbert video!!! biggrin.gif I will work on that.


Ok! Keep me updated!

Posted by: vonhotch May 16 2012, 01:18 AM

Finally proof that I have been practicing the lesson that you asked me too. This is fun to play. It's so catchy I find myself getting lost in it quite often.


I was looking at the notes from you video chats and tried the warm exercises. I liked them, they were tough for me. Is there anywhere I can find the stretches that you mention, unfortunately I am at work while your video chats are happening and can not watch.

Thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 16 2012, 03:36 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 15 2012, 09:18 PM) *
Finally proof that I have been practicing the lesson that you asked me too. This is fun to play. It's so catchy I find myself getting lost in it quite often.

I was looking at the notes from you video chats and tried the warm exercises. I liked them, they were tough for me. Is there anywhere I can find the stretches that you mention, unfortunately I am at work while your video chats are happening and can not watch.
Thanks.


Hi Vonhotch! That's a good take! There are two things that you have to fix on this one. The first is your bending technique, you are not precise, many bends don't reach the correct pitch. Te other thing to improve is your tone, it's a bit weak. It sounds like a fuzz which is good based on the style of the lesson, but it sounds weird for the solos.

Regarding the stretches.... It's something like this....


Posted by: vonhotch May 17 2012, 02:43 AM

Hey, thanks for finding that video. I will work on the bends and find a new tone.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 17 2012, 04:02 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 16 2012, 10:43 PM) *
Hey, thanks for finding that video. I will work on the bends and find a new tone.



Great! Keep me updated! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch May 25 2012, 02:55 AM

Hey man, I got another one for you. I'm using a zoom PS-04 as a recorder, it's old and the only way I have to get the music from it to my computer is to plug it in to the microphone jack of the computer. It works this way but it is not really the best way. I think it kind of does some odd things to the sound. I used a different patch to get a different tone this time. I'm still trying to find the best way to record myself with what I have for now until I can upgrade to something better. Thanks again for you input.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 26 2012, 07:32 PM

Hi man, the sound is ok by now. It would be better if you enter to a line input in your computer since that module surely provides a line signal instead of a mic one. What do you use for the guitar distortion and how do you send your guitar to the zoom recorder?
The take needs more work, mostly concentrating on the timing. You are most of the time after or before the bit, and when you are ok with timing, you still need to make it sound groovy. You should isolate each riff and work on it over a drum loop until you get the groove.

Posted by: vonhotch May 27 2012, 12:37 PM

The way I have been running it is to run my guitar into the 1/4 " line in on the recorder and using the 1/4" line out to go to an amp for a monitor. My laptop only has a headphone jack, microphone jack and usb ports to plug into. I have been using a preset on the recorder for distortion. It was originally meant to have the music transfered by memory card but the memory card reader I got with it doesnt work with my computer dry.gif . Thats why I have been using the headphones jack on the recorder and running it to the microphone jack on the computer, after I recorded. I tried to run it straight through and record to the computer as I played but it made it really choppy or "took the rhythm out", now if I record first then record it to the computer, it is better but to me I still think it messes with the sound and rhythm. It also means I have to sync what I record to the backing track, in my recording program.

This is the same take as the last one I posted before I added the recorded audio, its just with the webcam audio, so you can see what I mean. Or so you can tell me its all in my head and to keep practicing biggrin.gif Its just the amp as monitor on the output of the recorder. To me it sounds much better, rhythm and tone wise, but the quality of the recording is really bad.

I will upgrade to something better as soon as I can, hopefully I'm just doing something wrong and this will get me by until then.
Thanks.




Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 29 2012, 02:05 PM

Hi mate, the synchronicity is better on this second version of the video but I still think that you should work to play this one tighter. The riffs needs to be played with more groove, the solo starts ok but then it's slightly out of timing. Regarding sound, you should keep on experimenting until you get a good balance between tone and synchronicity.

Posted by: vonhotch May 29 2012, 03:41 PM

OK. I have a couple ideas. When I started this I had no idea it would take me so long to learn these. Next time you see me I will have something better for you. I promise. I refuse to give up on this till you tell me its PERFECT!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 29 2012, 04:21 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 29 2012, 11:41 AM) *
OK. I have a couple ideas. When I started this I had no idea it would take me so long to learn these. Next time you see me I will have something better for you. I promise. I refuse to give up on this till you tell me its PERFECT!!!!



Great attitude! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jun 17 2012, 12:00 AM

Hey, Gabe. I think I have got a handle on this recording thing finally. I got a usb interface instead of what I had, and after a few frustrating days I realized I still have to adjust for latency and line things up. So anyway I was so happy to get something that recorded in a way I was happy with I thought I would post it even though there are still a couple of mistakes, that I heard anyway. I think this is still much better than my previous videos though, as promised. Hopefully you will agree.


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 18 2012, 02:57 PM

Hey mate! well done! You improved your audio quality a lot, and it seems that there is not latency anymore. Your take is good. The riffs has some notes that sound a bit muted but has a good timing. Then the solo starts tight but has a little timing issue in the end. Also try to make your vibrato wider and your bending more precise. By the way the overall take is good! Keep on working on it and you'll play a perfect take! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jun 19 2012, 03:43 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jun 18 2012, 01:57 PM) *
Hey mate! well done! You improved your audio quality a lot, and it seems that there is not latency anymore. Your take is good. The riffs has some notes that sound a bit muted but has a good timing. Then the solo starts tight but has a little timing issue in the end. Also try to make your vibrato wider and your bending more precise. By the way the overall take is good! Keep on working on it and you'll play a perfect take! smile.gif


Thanks, I'm starting to shake the recording nerves too. I will tighten everything up, and get a perfect one up here!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 19 2012, 10:38 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jun 19 2012, 11:43 AM) *
Thanks, I'm starting to shake the recording nerves too. I will tighten everything up, and get a perfect one up here!



Cool! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jun 27 2012, 02:26 AM

Hey man, here is my latest attempt. I tried to watch the things you mentioned, and I think I feel pretty good about this one. I did notice that on my bends on the last part that I was bending the E sting too, so I tried to STOP and hopefully it worked out. I've still been working on the buckethead lesson too, and getting the timing right and have been working the last part up slowly with a metronome because I dont think its coming out clear enough.


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 27 2012, 03:39 PM

Wou!! This take is much better than the previous one! Your improvement is very big! smile.gif
Keep on practicing it to make it sound with more groove and also to feel more comfortable with phrases and chord changes, but let's also start working on some new lessons. Well done!! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jun 28 2012, 12:51 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jun 27 2012, 02:39 PM) *
Wou!! This take is much better than the previous one! Your improvement is very big! smile.gif
Keep on practicing it to make it sound with more groove and also to feel more comfortable with phrases and chord changes, but let's also start working on some new lessons. Well done!! smile.gif


Thanks, so much. I really like how you have not let me get away with anything, I can see why you call it Gab's Army biggrin.gif. Maybe on my next lessons I could do something to help with my groovieness? Also here is where I am with the buckethead style lesson. I have been working hard to get the timing down.






Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2012, 04:22 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jun 27 2012, 08:51 PM) *
Thanks, so much. I really like how you have not let me get away with anything, I can see why you call it Gab's Army biggrin.gif. Maybe on my next lessons I could do something to help with my groovieness? Also here is where I am with the buckethead style lesson. I have been working hard to get the timing down.




Good take! Your playing gets better and better man! I can note a big improvement in your timing on this take. The last AP licks shows that we have to work on some alternate picking exercises. I was thinking that you should go for any Funk Rhythm lesson to start working on your groove. There are many interesting lessons, choose the one that you like more. wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jun 28 2012, 06:07 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jun 28 2012, 03:22 PM) *
Good take! Your playing gets better and better man! I can note a big improvement in your timing on this take. The last AP licks shows that we have to work on some alternate picking exercises. I was thinking that you should go for any Funk Rhythm lesson to start working on your groove. There are many interesting lessons, choose the one that you like more. wink.gif


You caught me. I have been slacking on the picking exercise you gave me a while back. I will get on it double time! biggrin.gif How about this lesson? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Old_School_Funk_Rhythm_Guitar . I also see you have a new collab up I would really like to join in on one of these some time, and I've seen that you work with some people in their army threads. Can I try that on the next one? I'm not sure how I will do but I would like to try, if thats ok.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 29 2012, 01:24 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jun 28 2012, 02:07 PM) *
You caught me. I have been slacking on the picking exercise you gave me a while back. I will get on it double time! biggrin.gif How about this lesson? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Old_School_Funk_Rhythm_Guitar . I also see you have a new collab up I would really like to join in on one of these some time, and I've seen that you work with some people in their army threads. Can I try that on the next one? I'm not sure how I will do but I would like to try, if thats ok.



Hi mate! That lesson is excellent for groove work. Great election! smile.gif

Regarding the collab, off course you can join and we can work here. Please post your questions and ideas here and I will give feedback about it. wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 1 2012, 12:32 AM

Hey man, I got a question, on the new lesson I think I'm missing something. In the main video the last 6 seconds or so don't seem to be in the tabs or on one of the other videos? I know this is not your lesson but I was not sure whether to ask you or post a question and where to do so if I did. Thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 1 2012, 09:41 PM

Hi mate! You're are right, there is a part missing on that lesson. Here I transcribed it. wink.gif

 Ivan_s_lesson.gp5 ( 1.65K ) : 105

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 1 2012, 10:33 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 1 2012, 08:41 PM) *
Hi mate! You're are right, there is a part missing on that lesson. Here I transcribed it. wink.gif

 Ivan_s_lesson.gp5 ( 1.65K ) : 105


Thank you. That is another thing that I need to work on eventually is tabbing by ear.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 2 2012, 06:03 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 1 2012, 06:33 PM) *
Thank you. That is another thing that I need to work on eventually is tabbing by ear.



yes! ear training and tabbing by ear are very important things to train. In this case, I had the help of the main video, where I could see where exactly Ivan was playing everything.

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 8 2012, 09:25 PM

Hey man, I need your help on this one again. On this lesson ( http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Old_School_Funk_Rhythm_Guitar/ ) at :16, and :56 seconds of the main video there seem to be a couple variations of licks 1 and 3 that I don't see in the tabs. I tried to figure it out this time on my own but I'm not very good so could you check? Thanks.

 ivanslesson1.gp5 ( 1.48K ) : 90
 ivanslesson2.gp5 ( 1.46K ) : 100
 

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 9 2012, 05:10 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 8 2012, 05:25 PM) *
Hey man, I need your help on this one again. On this lesson ( http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Old_School_Funk_Rhythm_Guitar/ ) at :16, and :56 seconds of the main video there seem to be a couple variations of licks 1 and 3 that I don't see in the tabs. I tried to figure it out this time on my own but I'm not very good so could you check? Thanks.


Hi mate, this is what's happening at those seconds. You have tabbed well the second one.

 Ivan_licks.txt ( 737bytes ) : 117


Let me know if you can play it now.

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 10 2012, 02:38 AM

Thanks for taking the time to do that again. I have been working each part seperately then I noticed these when I started trying to put everything together. Theres lots of things about this lesson that seem new to me style wise, but I'm definately digging the funk. Do you think I could also work on learning your new acoustic leason too, or do you think I should stick to one lesson at a time. And for collabs is there a prefered format for submitting your take? I have seen soundcloud files, youtube videos, and just plain mp3's.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 10 2012, 05:31 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 9 2012, 10:38 PM) *
Thanks for taking the time to do that again. I have been working each part seperately then I noticed these when I started trying to put everything together. Theres lots of things about this lesson that seem new to me style wise, but I'm definately digging the funk. Do you think I could also work on learning your new acoustic leason too, or do you think I should stick to one lesson at a time. And for collabs is there a prefered format for submitting your take? I have seen soundcloud files, youtube videos, and just plain mp3's.



Hi mate, I'm glad to know that you could finally learn the whole piece. I think that you could also start with the acoustic lesson, it's not a very long lesson so it won't be difficult to memorize and to start working while you master the funky one. Regarding the files for the collabs, it's ok if you post mp3s or soundcloud links if it's an audio collab and rapidshare links if it's a Video collab.


Posted by: vonhotch Jul 20 2012, 02:34 AM

Hey man, I would really like to work on something here for your new collab. Maybe this is a dumb question but what is the best way to post things for you as is go, I guess I'm not sure even what to ask or where to start. I've messed around with a couple other backing tracks for other collabs but wasn't really able to nail anything in time, so hopefuly with your help this time I can figure out what has been missing. I have still been working hard on the funk lesson. I'm having trouble getting the chord changes smooth, and funky, but it's getting there.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2012, 06:19 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 19 2012, 10:34 PM) *
Hey man, I would really like to work on something here for your new collab. Maybe this is a dumb question but what is the best way to post things for you as is go, I guess I'm not sure even what to ask or where to start. I've messed around with a couple other backing tracks for other collabs but wasn't really able to nail anything in time, so hopefuly with your help this time I can figure out what has been missing. I have still been working hard on the funk lesson. I'm having trouble getting the chord changes smooth, and funky, but it's getting there.



Ok! Let's go for it! I think that soundcloud is the best option for in progress solo compositions... if you are posting something for a collab, remember to allow the downloads of the takes that you upload to soundcloud. Please post your progress! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 22 2012, 04:26 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 21 2012, 05:19 PM) *
Ok! Let's go for it! I think that soundcloud is the best option for in progress solo compositions... if you are posting something for a collab, remember to allow the downloads of the takes that you upload to soundcloud. Please post your progress! smile.gif


Awesome laugh.gif . Looking forward to your feedback. As soon as I saw you had a new collab up I made up my mind I was gonna get something done this time. Then I sat here for 3 days stumped and could not come up with anything. This is what I came up with this morning, as usually my timing sucks tongue.gif , but this is the direction. I started out in e minor and then went to b minor for the end.

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F53710967%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-h5qU0&show_artwork=true&secret_url=true"></iframe>

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 23 2012, 03:00 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 22 2012, 12:26 PM) *
Awesome laugh.gif . Looking forward to your feedback. As soon as I saw you had a new collab up I made up my mind I was gonna get something done this time. Then I sat here for 3 days stumped and could not come up with anything. This is what I came up with this morning, as usually my timing sucks tongue.gif , but this is the direction. I started out in e minor and then went to b minor for the end.

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F53710967%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-h5qU0&show_artwork=true&secret_url=true"></iframe>



Hi mate! the link isn't working, By the way, the first part of the collab is in F#m.

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 23 2012, 04:15 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 23 2012, 02:00 PM) *
Hi mate! the link isn't working, By the way, the first part of the collab is in F#m.


Hey, sorry! I know it's in f#m. I was seriously stumped trying to come up with something using f#m that sounded good to me, so I tried some other scales and thought it sounded ok. I'm not sure what my problem was. Hopefully you will not tell me I'm just completely tone deaf biggrin.gif Hope this link works.

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake1

Well apparentely I can't work soundcloud either, here is the direct link I was trying to embed it, I'm not sure what happened.

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 25 2012, 02:34 AM

<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F53999481%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-2RLAk&amp;show_comments=true&amp;auto_play=false&amp;color=21ff00"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F53999481%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-2RLAk&amp;show_comments=true&amp;auto_play=false&amp;color=21ff00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span>90 s Rocker Collabtake2 by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch">VonHotch</a></span>

Hopefully this one works. This is a little bit more dialed in version of the one above. I really like it. I look forward to your feedback, and what I can do to improve it. Thanks.

<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F53999481%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-2RLAk&amp;show_comments=true&amp;auto_play=false&amp;color=21ff00"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F53999481%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-2RLAk&amp;show_comments=true&amp;auto_play=false&amp;color=21ff00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span>90 s Rocker Collabtake2 by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch">VonHotch</a></span>

Hopefully this one works. This is a little bit more dialed in version of the one above. I really like it. I look forward to your feedback, and what I can do to improve it. Thanks.

Edit: I don't know why I can't embed these I am copying the embed code? Here is the direct link again
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake2/s-2RLAk

Ok trying again. This is a more dialed in version of my first idea above.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake2/s-2RLAk

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 25 2012, 03:10 PM

Hi mate, the overall idea sound good. Maybe the solos over the second riff sound too much as an exercises, instead of a solo, I would work on variations for that part. Also there are some technique issues to fix. In the first riff your timing is not tight with the backing track. In the second one, your hands aren't 100% synchronized. Finally the last part sounds better but there are some bends that don't reach the correct pitch.

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 27 2012, 01:21 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 25 2012, 02:10 PM) *
Hi mate, the overall idea sound good. Maybe the solos over the second riff sound too much as an exercises, instead of a solo, I would work on variations for that part. Also there are some technique issues to fix. In the first riff your timing is not tight with the backing track. In the second one, your hands aren't 100% synchronized. Finally the last part sounds better but there are some bends that don't reach the correct pitch.


Hey, what do you think about this one I changed up the middle a little bit, and I think my technique is a little better??? And I finally got the soundcloud embedding thing down so thats a win right? biggrin.gif

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake3/s-uXKwa

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2012, 04:48 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 26 2012, 09:21 PM) *
Hey, what do you think about this one I changed up the middle a little bit, and I think my technique is a little better??? And I finally got the soundcloud embedding thing down so thats a win right? biggrin.gif

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake3/s-uXKwa



Hi mate! it's true, your technique is much better in this one. There is something that it's not working, and I think that is the notes election. It seems that you are playing notes, licks and scales without thinking too much on how these ideas sound over each chord. Try to find the target notes, start and end melodies on this notes... the target or most important notes are the ones that belong to the chord that is sounding. Learning major and minor triads always help to this. It also helps using your voice to create the ideas for your solo, instead of just creating it using your guitar. Does this make sense?


Posted by: vonhotch Jul 27 2012, 06:05 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 27 2012, 03:48 PM) *
Hi mate! it's true, your technique is much better in this one. There is something that it's not working, and I think that is the notes election. It seems that you are playing notes, licks and scales without thinking too much on how these ideas sound over each chord. Try to find the target notes, start and end melodies on this notes... the target or most important notes are the ones that belong to the chord that is sounding. Learning major and minor triads always help to this. It also helps using your voice to create the ideas for your solo, instead of just creating it using your guitar. Does this make sense?


Ok, you are right I did not really have a plan, I was just running through E minor. I did choose E minor because I thought I heard a C5 in the begining part, I get what you are saying about choosing notes to highlight the chords, so I will try to figure out the progression, and have a plan instead of just running through a scale til it sounds good. And I'm assuming this was meant towards the middle section again or the whole piece?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2012, 06:25 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 27 2012, 02:05 PM) *
Ok, you are right I did not really have a plan, I was just running through E minor. I did choose E minor because I thought I heard a C5 in the begining part, I get what you are saying about choosing notes to highlight the chords, so I will try to figure out the progression, and have a plan instead of just running through a scale til it sounds good. And I'm assuming this was meant towards the middle section again or the whole piece?



Well, there is a problem also with the scale that you used. The tunes is in F# minor until 00:30 when it modulates to B minor. These are the two scales that you should use....

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 27 2012, 07:18 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 27 2012, 05:25 PM) *
Well, there is a problem also with the scale that you used. The tunes is in F# minor until 00:30 when it modulates to B minor. These are the two scales that you should use....


Ok, I'm gonna start over. Can you help me out with what the chord progression is? I would like to try to figure it out on my own, but I am just not hearing it correctly. Sorry, and thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2012, 09:47 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 27 2012, 03:18 PM) *
Ok, I'm gonna start over. Can you help me out with what the chord progression is? I would like to try to figure it out on my own, but I am just not hearing it correctly. Sorry, and thanks.


sure! this is the transcription! wink.gif

 90_s_Rocker_Backing.rar ( 877bytes ) : 95

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 28 2012, 09:58 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jul 27 2012, 08:47 PM) *
sure! this is the transcription! wink.gif

 90_s_Rocker_Backing.rar ( 877bytes ) : 95


Thanks, here are some takes from today I tried to put more thought into highlighting the key and where I started? and stopped. Hopefully it shows. They are pretty rough but wanted to see if you thought it was the right direction, or sounded like I had understood what you told me. What is it that determines that to be in the f#m, I am confused because it has both c and a7 in one measure, and g and f#m in another. Does it come down to it starting on f#?

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake4/s-mhzjy

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake6/s-cblBP

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 29 2012, 11:43 PM

Hey, this is from today. A little more refined from the versions above.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabtake7/s-hh3pC

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 2 2012, 02:00 AM

Hey man, I'll throw these up in here if these are not ok you don't have to use them or if you want I will post them over in the collab thread just let me know if it's ok now.

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabbacking/s-DZvEx

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 2 2012, 02:14 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Aug 1 2012, 10:00 PM) *
Hey man, I'll throw these up in here if these are not ok you don't have to use them or if you want I will post them over in the collab thread just let me know if it's ok now.

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/90-s-rocker-collabbacking/s-DZvEx



Great job mate!! Please post this take in the collab's thread and I'll give you some feedback with the final mix! Thanks for joining. wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 4 2012, 03:14 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 2 2012, 01:14 AM) *
Great job mate!! Please post this take in the collab's thread and I'll give you some feedback with the final mix! Thanks for joining. wink.gif


Thanks, I think I'm hooked on collabs, thats tons of fun I can't wait to hear the final mix and to do more. I have been working on the funk lesson, I am getting there but it's really kicking my butt. I'm still a ways from anything worth posting but part of me feels like I should be putting something up more often, I did ask about your acoustic lesson and then got kinda side tracked, I will still try to do a video for that. But is there a certain amount or certain things I should post for mentoring? I don't want to miss out on good critisism because I'm learning so slow. And also thanks for all your help so far this has been a great experience and I am learning so much here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 4 2012, 08:44 PM

Well, if you can post at least one take of everything that you are working, every week, I could give you some feedback and maybe this can help you with the progress. Don't worry i you can't play the lesson perfectly, maybe some comments could make the learning process easier or faster.

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 5 2012, 12:16 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 4 2012, 07:44 PM) *
Well, if you can post at least one take of everything that you are working, every week, I could give you some feedback and maybe this can help you with the progress. Don't worry i you can't play the lesson perfectly, maybe some comments could make the learning process easier or faster.

Ok, great. smile.gif I'll get you some video of where I'm at. If nothing else at least you'll have a good laugh to look forward to laugh.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 5 2012, 07:57 PM

Hey, here is some from the funk lesson. It feels like a mess!!!!! Today was about the first time playing with just the backing, and it felt a little better than trying to play along with the video. But I also have not gotten the last part, which is why there is a bit missing at the end. dry.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 5 2012, 08:26 PM

Hi mate! Well, you already learnt the notes, now it's time to incorporate more the groove of this lesson. I think that practicing it over the main video is a great idea to learnt better the rhythm of each part. Maybe you could also use the guitar pro file, which will allow you to play at slower tempos too.
You should also compare your right hand movement with Ivan's right hand, check out how he always start the movement from the wrist and the whole hand is much more relaxed and seems to be more "free".

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 6 2012, 03:17 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 5 2012, 07:26 PM) *
Hi mate! Well, you already learnt the notes, now it's time to incorporate more the groove of this lesson. I think that practicing it over the main video is a great idea to learnt better the rhythm of each part. Maybe you could also use the guitar pro file, which will allow you to play at slower tempos too.
You should also compare your right hand movement with Ivan's right hand, check out how he always start the movement from the wrist and the whole hand is much more relaxed and seems to be more "free".


Hey, I like the idea of playing with the guitar pro file, I have not tried that before. I see what you mean about the right hand, do you think it would be helpful to isolate just my right and maybe mute the strings with my left and just focus on my right hand and then try to add back in the left?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 6 2012, 03:42 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Aug 6 2012, 11:17 AM) *
Hey, I like the idea of playing with the guitar pro file, I have not tried that before. I see what you mean about the right hand, do you think it would be helpful to isolate just my right and maybe mute the strings with my left and just focus on my right hand and then try to add back in the left?


yes! This will definitely help!

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 12 2012, 07:27 PM

Hey man. There will come a day when I will post a video and you will be able to tell me it's perfect........Today is not that day however laugh.gif
So until then here are my videos for the week.



Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2012, 05:00 AM

Hi mate! Thanks for your videos! I'm sure that the perfect takes day will come if you continue working hard as you are doing it now. The problem with your takes isn't the technique, your technique is ready to master them, the problem is your timing. Try to practice over the guitar pro file or over the main video to copy the rhythm of each lesson at the correct timing.

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 14 2012, 02:01 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 13 2012, 04:00 AM) *
Hi mate! Thanks for your videos! I'm sure that the perfect takes day will come if you continue working hard as you are doing it now. The problem with your takes isn't the technique, your technique is ready to master them, the problem is your timing. Try to practice over the guitar pro file or over the main video to copy the rhythm of each lesson at the correct timing.

Thanks, this was very encouraging today. Are you learning any of the lessons here, what kinds of stuff do you practice?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 14 2012, 05:29 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Aug 13 2012, 10:01 PM) *
Thanks, this was very encouraging today. Are you learning any of the lessons here, what kinds of stuff do you practice?



Hi mate! I use to learn stuff from here every time that I have time to do it. This days I have been working on some new lessons and other cool things for the site as well as rehearsing and playing live with Cirse. Today I had a long day at the studio recording some Cirse's new songs. At the same time, I'm composing new songs so... my life is full of music but this is not a practice period.

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 15 2012, 02:28 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 14 2012, 04:29 AM) *
my life is full of music

Well said. Sounds like you are a lucky man. Do you guys get to play live alot?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 15 2012, 04:03 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Aug 14 2012, 10:28 PM) *
Well said. Sounds like you are a lucky man. Do you guys get to play live alot?


We usually play once every weekend. That's a good average for a local band. We are now also recording a new 3 songs Ep and composing new material for a new album. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 24 2012, 02:57 AM

Hey gab, I was messing around with the surf collab and this is my first attempt at something. I didn't get any videos posted this week but I discovered this video by Ivan ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Kh2LB7K_Ek ) my entire guitar universe has been turned upside down. I downloaded reaper, and have been learning about Impulse reponses, guitar related vst plugins, how to mix, all of which I was unaware of a week ago. I also had to learn to use a noise gate. Hopefully my tone on this collab will improve significantly, I'm really excited to hear what you think. I do not however have very good speakers so I'm not sure my final sound is a true representation of what I hear. The best part is I don't have to adjust my take to the backing track due to latency, as my computer tells me I'm at about 5 ms the way I'm set up. So here is what I came up with tonight, not the most technical but I have some reverb, delay, and am running through 4 different cabinets panned differently, with slight delay. Sorry this was a little long winded.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/surfer1/s-eRI3K

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 24 2012, 06:06 PM

Amazing!! That's a great desicion mate!! Using multitrack software, learning to mix, VSTi, and all those magic things will open you to a new Universe!! I'm so happy for you. smile.gif
The take sound cool! I like the tone, the only thing that I have to comment is that I would like to hear more defined and memorial melodies over that backing. Try to define your ideas a bit more and you will have a brilliant take! Think on it as a song, not as a solo.

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 26 2012, 02:42 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 24 2012, 05:06 PM) *
Amazing!! That's a great desicion mate!! Using multitrack software, learning to mix, VSTi, and all those magic things will open you to a new Universe!! I'm so happy for you. smile.gif
The take sound cool! I like the tone, the only thing that I have to comment is that I would like to hear more defined and memorial melodies over that backing. Try to define your ideas a bit more and you will have a brilliant take! Think on it as a song, not as a solo.


Think of it as a song and not a solo.......You are wise wink.gif I will do that. And thanks the new software stuff is very exciting, just another thing I have learned from the short time I have been here.

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 26 2012, 07:36 PM

I discovered today that somehow I have a settings conflict with reaper and my webcam, so until I resolve the conflict I only got a sound file for you this week.................I did spend extra time messing around pretending I know how to mix things all nice and neat. After I added my guitar I plugged the mix back in and added a compressor and eq and messed around with those and tried to get something to sound better than what I started with. And I have another take of what I am working on the surf rock collab. I think I have captured a little more melody and less solo smile.gif From here I am gonna experiment with some elaboration of the ideas and see if I can expand a little.

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/funkr1/s-Snm6O

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 27 2012, 06:33 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Aug 26 2012, 03:36 PM) *
I discovered today that somehow I have a settings conflict with reaper and my webcam, so until I resolve the conflict I only got a sound file for you this week.................I did spend extra time messing around pretending I know how to mix things all nice and neat. After I added my guitar I plugged the mix back in and added a compressor and eq and messed around with those and tried to get something to sound better than what I started with. And I have another take of what I am working on the surf rock collab. I think I have captured a little more melody and less solo smile.gif From here I am gonna experiment with some elaboration of the ideas and see if I can expand a little.

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/funkr1/s-Snm6O



Hi mate! Thanks for the update and the takes! The funk lesson is getting better with days and practice, so you are on the right track. However you still need to concentrate and adjust the overall rhythm. The Surf solo is now much more oriented! The chorus (second part) is brilliant! that's exactly what I was meaning. biggrin.gif The first part still need some more definition, work on those ideas a bit more and you'll get a great composition.

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 28 2012, 01:43 AM

This really means a lot. I am having alot of fun with this one smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 28 2012, 01:33 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Aug 27 2012, 09:43 PM) *
This really means a lot. I am having alot of fun with this one smile.gif


This is the first message of the day, now I start the day very proud. biggrin.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Aug 31 2012, 12:13 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 28 2012, 12:33 PM) *
This is the first message of the day, now I start the day very proud. biggrin.gif

smile.gif

I was working on the the first part of the surf rock collab and I have something and I have done it in two different ocataves and I'm not sure which one fits better. I think think the higher one fits with the rest better, but the lower one breaks it up a little and I'm not sure if I like the higer octave just because of a tone issue of the lower one. What do you think. Part of me was just happy with myself for being able to write a part and move it around biggrin.gif

http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/surfera/s-oetfs

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 31 2012, 03:13 PM

Hi Vonhotch! Both takes sound cool but I also think that the first one (the lower) fits better with the track. However I would work a bit more on the EQ of that guitar... Try boosting some high mids and high frequencies and maybe lowering some bass frequencies to make it sound a bit clearer. Compare your guitar sound with bands of this style... you can check The Tormentos.



Your take also have some timing issues in some sections, review that too if you want to have a perfect take! wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 2 2012, 05:53 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 31 2012, 02:13 PM) *
Hi Vonhotch! Both takes sound cool but I also think that the first one (the lower) fits better with the track. However I would work a bit more on the EQ of that guitar... Try boosting some high mids and high frequencies and maybe lowering some bass frequencies to make it sound a bit clearer. Compare your guitar sound with bands of this style... you can check The Tormentos.



Your take also have some timing issues in some sections, review that too if you want to have a perfect take! wink.gif

Ha I love that video. I got a take I think is a little better I played with an eq and also some of the settings on the reverb plugin which seemed to help clear it up some to. Now that I got one I like I think I'm gonna try some other combinations of effects and see if I can get a tone a little clearer yet.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/surferc/s-DCHUQ

I saw someone mention somewhere in another thread that soundcloud seems to darken a track a little, and I seem to notice that a bit. Do you have any suggestions for maybe a preventative measure my tracks seem a little dark and thick to begin with and they seem to get thicker when uploaded? A little more eqing maybe? Different patches?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 2 2012, 09:59 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Sep 2 2012, 01:53 PM) *
Ha I love that video. I got a take I think is a little better I played with an eq and also some of the settings on the reverb plugin which seemed to help clear it up some to. Now that I got one I like I think I'm gonna try some other combinations of effects and see if I can get a tone a little clearer yet.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/surferc/s-DCHUQ

I saw someone mention somewhere in another thread that soundcloud seems to darken a track a little, and I seem to notice that a bit. Do you have any suggestions for maybe a preventative measure my tracks seem a little dark and thick to begin with and they seem to get thicker when uploaded? A little more eqing maybe? Different patches?


Cool take mate! I didn't know about that Soundcloud issue. You can add some high frequencies to your track, or maybe use any harmonics exciter to make the take sound brighter if you prefer it. Another trick is adding some EQ to the reverb effect. If you make a cut of the lower frequencies the effect will sounds clearer. I like the new take but I think that it could sound even clearer.

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 3 2012, 02:04 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 2 2012, 08:59 PM) *
Cool take mate! I didn't know about that Soundcloud issue. You can add some high frequencies to your track, or maybe use any harmonics exciter to make the take sound brighter if you prefer it. Another trick is adding some EQ to the reverb effect. If you make a cut of the lower frequencies the effect will sounds clearer. I like the new take but I think that it could sound even clearer.


I found a harmonic exciter to mess around with. I got rid of an overdrive I was using at the beginning of my effects chain and that seemed to help a lot too. I think it sounds better, I posted my takes, hope you like them. And I thought I had my webcam working and then it stopped again dry.gif so my weekly funky post is just audio again. I fall apart a little in the 3rd part, I have trouble with those chord changes at full speed still.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/funk92/s-CL17o

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 3 2012, 02:18 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Sep 3 2012, 10:04 AM) *
I found a harmonic exciter to mess around with. I got rid of an overdrive I was using at the beginning of my effects chain and that seemed to help a lot too. I think it sounds better, I posted my takes, hope you like them. And I thought I had my webcam working and then it stopped again dry.gif so my weekly funky post is just audio again. I fall apart a little in the 3rd part, I have trouble with those chord changes at full speed still.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/funk92/s-CL17o



yeah! I just checked your takes at the collab's thread and now the tone is clear! Well done! smile.gif what harmonic exciter did you use?

and this Funk lesson is getting better! You timing is even better now. I think that with some more practice and concentrating on groove you will take your playing to a new level. Keep on the good job! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 3 2012, 05:40 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 3 2012, 01:18 PM) *
yeah! I just checked your takes at the collab's thread and now the tone is clear! Well done! smile.gif what harmonic exciter did you use?

and this Funk lesson is getting better! You timing is even better now. I think that with some more practice and concentrating on groove you will take your playing to a new level. Keep on the good job! smile.gif

Thanks! biggrin.gif This is the harmonic exciter I downloaded

http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=synthedit;id=9;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Euv%2Ees%2Fruizcan%2Fp_vst%2Ehtm
Although I didn't actually get to try it yet. When I took out the overdrive pedal it really made a big difference. I had read somewhere that putting an overdrive pedal at the begining of the chain without any gain can act as a signal booster, but I guess in this case, this pedal was adding a lot of mud. Do you have a certain order of things or plugins that you run? You gave me so many great tips and suggestions on this one I definately learned a ton!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 4 2012, 01:44 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Sep 3 2012, 01:40 PM) *
Thanks! biggrin.gif This is the harmonic exciter I downloaded

http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=synthedit;id=9;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Euv%2Ees%2Fruizcan%2Fp_vst%2Ehtm
Although I didn't actually get to try it yet. When I took out the overdrive pedal it really made a big difference. I had read somewhere that putting an overdrive pedal at the begining of the chain without any gain can act as a signal booster, but I guess in this case, this pedal was adding a lot of mud. Do you have a certain order of things or plugins that you run? You gave me so many great tips and suggestions on this one I definately learned a ton!!!!


Hi mate, yes, you are right about the addition of a overdrive pedal, but maybe it was the wrong pedal or at least you should eq it. The tube screamer is very used in front of the amps to have more gain and sustain for solos and melodies. However, one thing that you need to have always in mind is that it is always better to add less to the chain. First try to get a good tone from your amp and then, if there is something lacking you can add a processor or pedal for it. That exciter looks like the one that I use... it is one from Emi that is called "Presence". Sometimes I use the exciter from Izotope.

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 5 2012, 02:18 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 4 2012, 12:44 PM) *
Hi mate, yes, you are right about the addition of a overdrive pedal, but maybe it was the wrong pedal or at least you should eq it. The tube screamer is very used in front of the amps to have more gain and sustain for solos and melodies. However, one thing that you need to have always in mind is that it is always better to add less to the chain. First try to get a good tone from your amp and then, if there is something lacking you can add a processor or pedal for it. That exciter looks like the one that I use... it is one from Emi that is called "Presence". Sometimes I use the exciter from Izotope.

I will try to remember to simplify. It's easy to get carried away with effects. I will check out those exciters. I picked this one to try because....well it only had two knobs.. some of the effects I've found have way more buttons than I know what to do with. tongue.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 5 2012, 02:15 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Sep 4 2012, 10:18 PM) *
I will try to remember to simplify. It's easy to get carried away with effects. I will check out those exciters. I picked this one to try because....well it only had two knobs.. some of the effects I've found have way more buttons than I know what to do with. tongue.gif


hahah another example of the less the better!! tongue.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 9 2012, 08:20 PM

Hey, got some video this week!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 10 2012, 04:42 AM

hi mate! Thanks for this one! I think that this one needs some more work at slower tempo, concentrating on the precision of each hand and also on the synchronism of both. Your right hand will be less rigid and your left hand more comfortable with the triads if you play this slower. By the way you are doing a great job! Keep on the hard work. wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 11 2012, 02:06 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 10 2012, 03:42 AM) *
hi mate! Thanks for this one! I think that this one needs some more work at slower tempo, concentrating on the precision of each hand and also on the synchronism of both. Your right hand will be less rigid and your left hand more comfortable with the triads if you play this slower. By the way you are doing a great job! Keep on the hard work. wink.gif

biggrin.gif
Posting regularly and getting your feedback everyweek has really helped. I have been trying to treat everything I do here as if I am enrolled in GMC university and these are classes with homework and stuff. This is really becomeing like the musical schooling I've never been able to have. I'm learning so much so fast about everything I want to learn about, I can't imagine much better of an education smile.gif At least for my situation.
How is the new record coming?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 11 2012, 02:23 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Sep 10 2012, 10:06 PM) *
biggrin.gif
Posting regularly and getting your feedback everyweek has really helped. I have been trying to treat everything I do here as if I am enrolled in GMC university and these are classes with homework and stuff. This is really becomeing like the musical schooling I've never been able to have. I'm learning so much so fast about everything I want to learn about, I can't imagine much better of an education smile.gif At least for my situation.
How is the new record coming?



You can't imagine how cool is to read this mate! I feel very happy of being able to help you in this musical path. GMC is like a music University or maybe even better than that, but everything depends on your discipline. I'm glad to know that you are taking this seriously and that you are starting to notice your progress. smile.gif

My recording goes well! I already recorded guitars, we just have to record vocals and mix.. biggrin.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 16 2012, 07:12 PM

Hey Gab,
Here is this weeks video. It's at 80%. Felt like playing in slow motion. laugh.gif


I was listening to this song the other day, and I think that it was the first time that I really noticed how things were mixed or layed out. I know you do a lot so analyzing of music, do you ever analyze how songs are mixed? Are you involved in the mixing and mastering of Cirse albums?


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 17 2012, 04:49 PM

Hi mate! Your new take is better than the previous now. You are slowly starting to master the rhythm of this one. You still have to adjust it but you are on the right track!

Regarding mixing... yes, I mixed both Cirse's Albums (Bi-polar & Imaginario) but I didn't do the mastering because we decided to go for a top level mastering studio. I always pay attention to how the tracks are mixed, so it's very important to have a good pair of monitors or headphones. This AIC track is amazing and the guitar job is very interesting, not only because of the mix, it's also because of the clever arrangement.

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 19 2012, 12:58 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 17 2012, 03:49 PM) *
Hi mate! Your new take is better than the previous now. You are slowly starting to master the rhythm of this one. You still have to adjust it but you are on the right track!

Regarding mixing... yes, I mixed both Cirse's Albums (Bi-polar & Imaginario) but I didn't do the mastering because we decided to go for a top level mastering studio. I always pay attention to how the tracks are mixed, so it's very important to have a good pair of monitors or headphones. This AIC track is amazing and the guitar job is very interesting, not only because of the mix, it's also because of the clever arrangement.

The guitars is what really made me notice the mix. So many textures weaving in and out of each other. It's very cool you are able to mix your albums.

I came in here to respond and put on the Alice in Chains song and when it was done this video popped up. I don't know if you know this song but it was HUGE here around the late 80's I was like 9 or 10. I found it REALLY funny, and all I could think about was trying to learn the rhythym for a chance to add it to the guess the riff thread. laugh.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 19 2012, 03:24 PM

hahaha yeah! this song has been also very big here in Argentina. It sounds like a great idea for the riff thread! biggrin.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 19 2012, 04:13 PM

I forgot to mention that I would be very interested to hear about your experiences as you go about mixing the new Cirse album. If you would like to share. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 21 2012, 03:43 PM

Sure mate! I used Nuendo 4, and many plug in (Waves API, Waves SSL, Altiverb, Izotope, Emi series). Please let me know which things would you like to know and I will share them with you. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 23 2012, 05:15 PM

Hey, here is my video for the week. I decided to have little fun with it biggrin.gif Sorry the quality is a little bad, hope you can hear and see most of it ok.

As for my questions, I have so many smile.gif where do you start, do you do tweek individual instruments and parts first or all at once? What do you think is the most difficult part of the mixing process? I'm really just curious about the whole process so if your going along and think "Man that was brilliant, I better share that with VonHotch!" Feel free. Ha ha laugh.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2012, 04:13 PM

hahaha great video!! The lesson is getting better and better! You are doing a good job. Regarding the mix, well... I basically worked on it as I do with every mix. I start with the drums, first kick and snare, then toms, overheads and room. I added compressors and eq to everything and also added a snare sample because I wasn't totally happy with the sound that we got in the recording. The bass was simple, I just compressed, boosted some frequencies around 80 hz & 1500 hz, and lowered some between 250 and 500. There is not too much secret about guitars and voices, I just equalized both and compressed the voices. I always try to keep the mixes the simpler possible, not too much plug ing is the secret to keep everything sounding good. You have to be precise. I used altiverb for reverb which is very recommendable.

Let me know if you have any specific question about it. wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 26 2012, 02:05 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 25 2012, 03:13 PM) *
hahaha great video!! The lesson is getting better and better! You are doing a good job. Regarding the mix, well... I basically worked on it as I do with every mix. I start with the drums, first kick and snare, then toms, overheads and room. I added compressors and eq to everything and also added a snare sample because I wasn't totally happy with the sound that we got in the recording. The bass was simple, I just compressed, boosted some frequencies around 80 hz & 1500 hz, and lowered some between 250 and 500. There is not too much secret about guitars and voices, I just equalized both and compressed the voices. I always try to keep the mixes the simpler possible, not too much plug ing is the secret to keep everything sounding good. You have to be precise. I used altiverb for reverb which is very recommendable.

Let me know if you have any specific question about it. wink.gif

Awesome info! Do you usually pan different instruments a certain way or does it depend on the song? What is the advantage of nuendo as opposed to a smaller one like reaper? (I'm gonna guess it has something to do with everything I read in the description for it that I didn't understand. tongue.gif ) Do you put effects like compressor and eq on the main track or does each track get individual compressors and eqs? And my big question of the day......When I try to add more distortion to my effects or just use a simulator with lots of gain. I seem to have a ton of noise when not playing. Is it just because of the distortion, or is there a way to minimize it when not playing? I'm using reaper and a bunch of free plugins. Hope I didn't overdue the questions today. smile.gif Thanks!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 26 2012, 02:49 PM

Do you usually pan different instruments a certain way or does it depend on the song?
I depends on the song and the instrument that it includes. By the way, I obviously pan Toms, HH, Overheads, Room (If I have two takes), backing vocals, guitars (if I have two rhythm guitars, I pan both to different sides to make it sound wider/opener), and also arrangements. I always keep kick, snare, bass and vocals in the central channel.

What is the advantage of nuendo as opposed to a smaller one like reaper?
Well, I have never used Reaper, but Nuendo has everything you need to create, produce, mix and master music. Check out the description and let me know which items you don't understand well. wink.gif

Do you put effects like compressor and eq on the main track or does each track get individual compressors and eqs?
It depends on what things I have in that subgroup. When the takes are similar, I prefer to add processors in the groups. For example, if I have three rhythm guitars playing similar things, with a similar sound, I use the same EQ for the three ones in their Group/Sub-master. If you have never done this (creating sub groups), you should do it. Creating sub groups to manage all guitars, all drums, all backing vocals, etc... is very useful.

When I try to add more distortion to my effects or just use a simulator with lots of gain. I seem to have a ton of noise when not playing. Is it just because of the distortion, or is there a way to minimize it when not playing?
There are two ways to solve this... one is using a noise gate which is a processor that has a threshold and mutes the channel if the sound isn't louder than that threshold set in decibels (DB). The other way would a volume automation which means that you can put the sound's channel in mute when the guitar isn't playing.


Posted by: vonhotch Sep 27 2012, 02:44 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 26 2012, 01:49 PM) *
Do you usually pan different instruments a certain way or does it depend on the song?
I depends on the song and the instrument that it includes. By the way, I obviously pan Toms, HH, Overheads, Room (If I have two takes), backing vocals, guitars (if I have two rhythm guitars, I pan both to different sides to make it sound wider/opener), and also arrangements. I always keep kick, snare, bass and vocals in the central channel.

What is the advantage of nuendo as opposed to a smaller one like reaper?
Well, I have never used Reaper, but Nuendo has everything you need to create, produce, mix and master music. Check out the description and let me know which items you don't understand well. wink.gif

Do you put effects like compressor and eq on the main track or does each track get individual compressors and eqs?
It depends on what things I have in that subgroup. When the takes are similar, I prefer to add processors in the groups. For example, if I have three rhythm guitars playing similar things, with a similar sound, I use the same EQ for the three ones in their Group/Sub-master. If you have never done this (creating sub groups), you should do it. Creating sub groups to manage all guitars, all drums, all backing vocals, etc... is very useful.

When I try to add more distortion to my effects or just use a simulator with lots of gain. I seem to have a ton of noise when not playing. Is it just because of the distortion, or is there a way to minimize it when not playing?
There are two ways to solve this... one is using a noise gate which is a processor that has a threshold and mutes the channel if the sound isn't louder than that threshold set in decibels (DB). The other way would a volume automation which means that you can put the sound's channel in mute when the guitar isn't playing.

This is fantastic info. Sub groups, volume automation, if you keep giving me advice like this you are going to force me to read the manual. wink.gif I meant to record this video also this weekend I have been practicing this also, but my batteries died. dry.gif It has got to be one of the funnest things I have ever learned to play. I think it's much better than last time I posted it. Doing funk to help my groove is really paying off. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 27 2012, 06:00 PM

Hi mate! The video is now private, so I can't see it...

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 28 2012, 02:35 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Sep 27 2012, 05:00 PM) *
Hi mate! The video is now private, so I can't see it...

All fixed smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 28 2012, 03:45 PM

Great playing mate!! The take needs just some little adjustment to be perfect!! In the first riff, pay attention to the rhythm of the the hammer and pull, sometimes you play it a bit faster and the groove sound a bit weird. It's a minimum details but it must be fixed. Then, the harmonized bend (in the riff) sound a bit out of tune, check it out. The solo sounds very good!! Well done. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Sep 30 2012, 06:31 PM

Hey! Here are my weekly submissions. biggrin.gif
This is the alternate picking exercise that you told me to work on a while ago and I......uh.....seem to keep forgetting to do rolleyes.gif , but now I'm gonna be on it with a vengeance! It's at 120bpm and if it sounds weird I used my guitar that is tuned to fifths. So I guess instead of E minor it's more of G melodic minor with the notes A, Bb, C, E, F#, G?

This one I tried to improve on the areas you mentioned.

And this one I got some new tone and had some more fun with some samples. I also bumped it up to 90%. Not sure what the deal is with the glitch, I guess youtube didn't like the samples as much as I did. dry.gif


P.S. I will work on the lighting situation. Videos are no good if you can't see it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 2 2012, 04:41 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for these new videos! Lighting improvement would be really good! Is there a window in that room? Maybe if you open it and record yourself in front of the window the video will look better. Regarding the videos, I can note that you are working hard so keep on working like that! The first one (Alternate picking) sound ok, but you have to concentrate on playing louder the notes in the first string which sound too weak. The second video is better but still need more job on the things that I marked, everything is a bit better but keep on practicing it. The last one sounds cool, I like the guitar effect and the overall sound... keep on playing it to improve a bit more the groove.

Let me congrats you for posting these videos weekly! Be sure that you will notice a big improvement after some time of hard work and these videos will be the proof. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 3 2012, 01:44 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 2 2012, 03:41 PM) *
Hi mate! Thanks for these new videos! Lighting improvement would be really good! Is there a window in that room? Maybe if you open it and record yourself in front of the window the video will look better. Regarding the videos, I can note that you are working hard so keep on working like that! The first one (Alternate picking) sound ok, but you have to concentrate on playing louder the notes in the first string which sound too weak. The second video is better but still need more job on the things that I marked, everything is a bit better but keep on practicing it. The last one sounds cool, I like the guitar effect and the overall sound... keep on playing it to improve a bit more the groove.

Let me congrats you for posting these videos weekly! Be sure that you will notice a big improvement after some time of hard work and these videos will be the proof. smile.gif

Ha ha, actually there are two big windows right behind me and they are wide open. It was a bit over cast and it's funny because there is another huge building right next door a few feet away that blocks alot of the light and it reminds me of something you would see in a sitcom where someone rents a "room with a view" and when they look out the window, all they can see is a brick wall laugh.gif I'll figure something out for next week. Anyway thanks for the congrats, it's very inspiring to get you comments each time I post! smile.gif A regular posting schedule is definately something I can recommend, and I'm glad that you suggested it! But you have not steered me wrong yet! biggrin.gif
Do you ever pan anything that is not double tracked?
Have you done anything more with the post metal/ambient project you were working on?
Oh and I have been working on something with my fifths tuning, I think is pretty cool it's dark and doomy I will try to post a preview next week. It's something I never could have done 6 months ago!!!!!! smile.gif And I put things in subgroups. wink.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 3 2012, 06:55 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Oct 2 2012, 09:44 PM) *
Ha ha, actually there are two big windows right behind me and they are wide open. It was a bit over cast and it's funny because there is another huge building right next door a few feet away that blocks alot of the light and it reminds me of something you would see in a sitcom where someone rents a "room with a view" and when they look out the window, all they can see is a brick wall laugh.gif I'll figure something out for next week. Anyway thanks for the congrats, it's very inspiring to get you comments each time I post! smile.gif A regular posting schedule is definately something I can recommend, and I'm glad that you suggested it! But you have not steered me wrong yet! biggrin.gif
Do you ever pan anything that is not double tracked?
Have you done anything more with the post metal/ambient project you were working on?
Oh and I have been working on something with my fifths tuning, I think is pretty cool it's dark and doomy I will try to post a preview next week. It's something I never could have done 6 months ago!!!!!! smile.gif And I put things in subgroups. wink.gif


Hi mate! I'm glad of reading all these great things!! I also discovered that a weekly recording is the best way to keep on progressing. smile.gif
Regarding panning, yes, I use to pan things, guitar arrangements, baking vocals, and some other things. By the way it's very important to keep both channels balanced so if you pan something you will have to compensate it with something in the other channel.

Regarding "Estallando...". we are working on new songs! smile.gif

I'm curious about your stuff! When can I listen to it?? biggrin.gif




Posted by: vonhotch Oct 4 2012, 03:18 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 3 2012, 05:55 PM) *
Hi mate! I'm glad of reading all these great things!! I also discovered that a weekly recording is the best way to keep on progressing. smile.gif
Regarding panning, yes, I use to pan things, guitar arrangements, baking vocals, and some other things. By the way it's very important to keep both channels balanced so if you pan something you will have to compensate it with something in the other channel.

Regarding "Estallando...". we are working on new songs! smile.gif

I'm curious about your stuff! When can I listen to it?? biggrin.gif

Estallando...I will remeber next time. smile.gif
As for my stuff.....Since you asked biggrin.gif here is where it is now. I guess this as of now is the into/verse. I'm still messing with it.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/reclusetake1/s-Z26gF


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 5 2012, 04:02 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Oct 3 2012, 11:18 PM) *
Estallando...I will remeber next time. smile.gif
As for my stuff.....Since you asked biggrin.gif here is where it is now. I guess this as of now is the into/verse. I'm still messing with it.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/reclusetake1/s-Z26gF


wou!! I love the feeling of this tune mate!! Keep on working on it! I just discovered the new Deftones track and for any reason I can note a similar feeling...


Posted by: vonhotch Oct 7 2012, 10:45 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 5 2012, 03:02 PM) *
wou!! I love the feeling of this tune mate!! Keep on working on it! I just discovered the new Deftones track and for any reason I can note a similar feeling...


Awesome. I'm so excited that you like it. That Deftones track is really cool, I appreciate the comparison! biggrin.gif Their songs have such a beautiful but heavy, dark but light, peaceful but tense feel, very contrasting. So here are my videos for the week. Do you ever have a day where everything just feels, off? Everything I played just seemed a little, wrong.....But at least you can see it! biggrin.gif I've also got one of your warmup/ endurance lesson too this week. Thanks!!! smile.gif




Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2012, 01:31 AM

hey Vonhotch! It's really cool to see how you are evolving from week to week. The progress is constant and that's the important part of this! All the things that I said about timing, groove, and picking precision are getting better to keep on working like this! And also the video lightening is excellent now! Well done!

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 14 2012, 10:13 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 8 2012, 12:31 AM) *
hey Vonhotch! It's really cool to see how you are evolving from week to week. The progress is constant and that's the important part of this! All the things that I said about timing, groove, and picking precision are getting better to keep on working like this! And also the video lightening is excellent now! Well done!

You are right. As usual smile.gif . Sometimes I lose sight of the bigger picture. I'm glad you are enjoying my progress, I probably never would have signed up for mentoring had you not invited me in the begining, it was such a great decision. You have no idea how much I appreciate what you and the other instructors have done for me. I have always loved music, but I've never had the opportunities that I have now and been able to do what I am now. You guys are huge rock stars to me and getting to interact with you and get advice and tips is still a little amazing to me sometimes. So anyway onto this weeks videos. The alt picking is at 140 bpm and I had a bit of trouble with the last exercise. It feels clumbsy to me slower speed and I get tripped up but for some reason it seems a little smoother a little faster, although I still had trouble here as you will see. smile.gif

This one, I started last week to try and listen to it different while I was playing and not play over it but play with it. If that makes sense. Hopefully it comes acrosse better. Still at 90%.

And this one........Still fun as hell to play! biggrin.gif

I thought if I had a light shining right at me I could go back to my original space and record but they seem a little dark again. I'll go back to the other spot next week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 15 2012, 12:25 AM

Hi mate! Good job! I can see an improvement of the 3 lessons... I think that we are ready to add some more lessons to work one... something rocker like this:

one idea: (you can search for some other lessons)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Metal/

and something using alternate picking to keep on working on that technique...

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Vinnie-Moore-style-patterns-1/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Warming-up-with-Lian/


Posted by: vonhotch Oct 15 2012, 01:23 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 14 2012, 11:25 PM) *
Hi mate! Good job! I can see an improvement of the 3 lessons... I think that we are ready to add some more lessons to work one... something rocker like this:

one idea: (you can search for some other lessons)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Queens-Of-The-Stone-Metal/

and something using alternate picking to keep on working on that technique...

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Vinnie-Moore-style-patterns-1/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Warming-up-with-Lian/

SWEET!!!!! smile.gif I am on it. Those all look good to me!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 15 2012, 05:34 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Oct 14 2012, 09:23 PM) *
SWEET!!!!! smile.gif I am on it. Those all look good to me!


Cool! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 21 2012, 10:37 PM

Hey man, here is some video on the new stuff. I used a different program to record and somehow I recorded a mirror image. I'm not actually playing left handed. rolleyes.gif
This one was harder than it looked. I thought I was gonna just run right through it and the first time I played it at 80% I thought my arm was gonna EXPLODE! biggrin.gif Somehow I did it at full speed.


Not sure what to say about this one....It's a mess....Brace yourself. wink.gif

Hope your concert went well. The Evanesance concert was this weekend, right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2012, 05:30 PM

Hey man, congrats for all this hard work!!! I gave you 3 lessons and you learnt them in a week! smile.gif

The lessons sound good, you just need some more time to adjust them and feel more comfortable. The alternate picking ones need to sound smoother, the notes should be a bit longer to sound smooth instead of a bit like if you would emulating an staccato. The rhythm lessons sound really cool, I love that lesson by Adrian, it rocks hard. (I did some headbanging while listening your video. biggrin.gif) So keep on playing this ones some more days and let me know how it feels.

Regarding Cirse's concert... yes! it was yesterday... check this thread:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=46494&hl=

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 23 2012, 12:18 AM

Thanks! smile.gif That lesson does ROCK. They are all fun. The Vinnie Moore one feels very classical which cool. Can I work on your new collab here? I have been kind of kicking myself because I missed the last one. I really enjoyed working on the surf rock collab in my thread, hopefully someday I will be faster and not miss any! cool.gif I have been wanting to try a collab with my fifths tuning and I think this would be a good one, if it's ok with you?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 23 2012, 04:12 PM

yes! let's work on my new collab! Please start posting your ideas! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 26 2012, 02:59 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 23 2012, 03:12 PM) *
yes! let's work on my new collab! Please start posting your ideas! smile.gif

Hey Gabe,
I was all excited to start working on this then I sat down and nothing came out. It took me a couple days to come up with some sort of ideas. My process is jamming over the backing until I find a pocket to play in for each part then I star working on narrowing down the rhythm and exact notes. First I came up with the last section but somehow it I can't quite remember how I played it when I came up with it the first time but this fit the best since the first time. I hate when I play something cool then can't figure it out again dry.gif . So anyway here is my first thoughts. I also have some new things going for my tone. I've got amplitube and I got my fast track interface working so I'm not just plugged into the mic input.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/modernmetalcollab1/s-kCIOv
I know it's really rough I didn't want to wait any longer to started to post something. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 26 2012, 04:14 PM

Ok, this is a good first step. My suggestion is to continue jamming over this... try to get nicer melodies, (maybe singing before playing) and also some more varied solos in the middle section... used more notes, more rhythms because it's a bit obvious the Phrygian part. I like the last ideas, that repetitive Buckethead style melody... I think that we should use it as the beginning of the take where we have the same progression but with a fast drum loop.

So, the next step... a take with the last idea played in the first part of the backing and maybe 2 or 3 improvisations over the E Phrygian and last A minor progression.

What do you think?

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 27 2012, 03:23 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 26 2012, 03:14 PM) *
Ok, this is a good first step. My suggestion is to continue jamming over this... try to get nicer melodies, (maybe singing before playing) and also some more varied solos in the middle section... used more notes, more rhythms because it's a bit obvious the Phrygian part. I like the last ideas, that repetitive Buckethead style melody... I think that we should use it as the beginning of the take where we have the same progression but with a fast drum loop.

So, the next step... a take with the last idea played in the first part of the backing and maybe 2 or 3 improvisations over the E Phrygian and last A minor progression.

What do you think?

Sounds good. smile.gif For the E Phrygian part, I am thinking that I start on E , finish on E and try to target E and F. Is that right? Can I play E minor blues scale with an F over that?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 28 2012, 01:00 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Oct 26 2012, 11:23 PM) *
Sounds good. smile.gif For the E Phrygian part, I am thinking that I start on E , finish on E and try to target E and F. Is that right? Can I play E minor blues scale with an F over that?


yes, you are right about this! However you don't have to target F, you have to play it to get the Phrygian vibe, but you don't have to stay to much on that note.

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 28 2012, 06:15 PM

Hey, here are a couple more takes on collab ideas. I don't know what to think about them. I like the ending, on one take i completely missed the timing though. biggrin.gif
As for my lessons, I didn't practice as much as I should have and it showed. dry.gif I will redeem myself next week. smile.gif





Here are the soundcloud things that should have been up above.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/modernmetalcollab2/s-WmOWT

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 28 2012, 09:38 PM

Here's one more wink.gif
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/modernmetalcollab3/s-n1wvd

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 29 2012, 07:12 PM

Hi mate! thanks for this takes! I listened to the 3 takes and I can say that the last part of the second take is the one that I would choose to continue working. I like how this melody starts so maybe you could try to develop it a bit more.

I couldn't find something interesting over the Phrygian section... try to target more the notes from the E minor arpeggio and use the F note to get the Phrygian characteristic sound... also, check out in youtube (or in GMC lessons archive) some Phrygian solos to get ideas on what you can do with that sound.

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 29 2012, 08:38 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 29 2012, 06:12 PM) *
Hi mate! thanks for this takes! I listened to the 3 takes and I can say that the last part of the second take is the one that I would choose to continue working. I like how this melody starts so maybe you could try to develop it a bit more.

I couldn't find something interesting over the Phrygian section... try to target more the notes from the E minor arpeggio and use the F note to get the Phrygian characteristic sound... also, check out in youtube (or in GMC lessons archive) some Phrygian solos to get ideas on what you can do with that sound.

Ok. smile.gif
What is your process for coming up with a solo is it anything like this mess or something else?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 29 2012, 10:11 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Oct 29 2012, 04:38 PM) *
Ok. smile.gif
What is your process for coming up with a solo is it anything like this mess or something else?


I start with a jam, and keep the ideas that I find more interesting to develop them a bit more. Sometimes I also sing a bit over the backing to get some nice melodies. It's usually a combination of playing and mind.... I use a daw to record and re record ideas until I like the overall solo. Sometimes it can take one or two days to find the right lick to end or connect two phrases. When I don't have enough ideas, I keep on jamming and recording myself until something cool appears.

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 30 2012, 12:50 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 29 2012, 09:11 PM) *
I start with a jam, and keep the ideas that I find more interesting to develop them a bit more. Sometimes I also sing a bit over the backing to get some nice melodies. It's usually a combination of playing and mind.... I use a daw to record and re record ideas until I like the overall solo. Sometimes it can take one or two days to find the right lick to end or connect two phrases. When I don't have enough ideas, I keep on jamming and recording myself until something cool appears.

Cool sounds about the same except the couple days are more like weeks smile.gif . I found some cool phrygian stuff to get the feeling. Sorry to hear about the flooding there, hope everyone is OK. The power has been flickering on and off here, we are expecting a big storm tommorrow. Crazy weather.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 30 2012, 03:18 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Oct 29 2012, 08:50 PM) *
Cool sounds about the same except the couple days are more like weeks smile.gif . I found some cool phrygian stuff to get the feeling. Sorry to hear about the flooding there, hope everyone is OK. The power has been flickering on and off here, we are expecting a big storm tommorrow. Crazy weather.



Cool mate! I want to hear that!! Everything is better now here. Thanks for asking. I hope that the storm there isn't hard. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 31 2012, 01:28 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 30 2012, 02:18 PM) *
Cool mate! I want to hear that!! Everything is better now here. Thanks for asking. I hope that the storm there isn't hard. smile.gif

I watched some GMC phrygian videos and then went to you tube and found this video. I thought this was a pretty cool example, however I'm still trying to get something down. I WILL GET IT! Your makeing me look at it differently than I normally would, its good that it's tough! I like the challenge! wink.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 31 2012, 05:35 AM

That's a really cool jam using Phrygian mode! Great choice for inspiration. The player show really cool ideas and phrases starting at 7:30. That's exactly what you need to incorporate. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 1 2012, 01:31 AM

I think I got something, my favorite part is the harmonic at the end of the phrygian part. smile.gif It's still kinda rough but I think there are more definite ideas and melodies. I hope. wink.gif
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/modernmetalcollab1-2/s-nOF4K

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 1 2012, 04:07 PM

This is now much better mate! Now it's time to continue evolving these ideas a bit more... try to not be so repetitive with the phrases. Use your voice to think on variations of what you already have... try different rhythms, longer notes, bends...

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 4 2012, 04:47 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 1 2012, 03:07 PM) *
This is now much better mate! Now it's time to continue evolving these ideas a bit more... try to not be so repetitive with the phrases. Use your voice to think on variations of what you already have... try different rhythms, longer notes, bends...

Hey, I posted my new takes. They are not perfect but I worked really hard on them. I literally played till my fingers hurt. smile.gif The challenges of this one have really helped me to learn this new tuning and the notes at least as well as standard tuning. Thanks for the help on this one. It has come a long way since the first take I posted, and I think it has helped alot with learning to expand repetitive ideas. Hope you like it. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 5 2012, 04:34 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Nov 4 2012, 12:47 PM) *
Hey, I posted my new takes. They are not perfect but I worked really hard on them. I literally played till my fingers hurt. smile.gif The challenges of this one have really helped me to learn this new tuning and the notes at least as well as standard tuning. Thanks for the help on this one. It has come a long way since the first take I posted, and I think it has helped alot with learning to expand repetitive ideas. Hope you like it. smile.gif


Hi mate! I'm really glad of reading this.... this is the main purpose of this mentoring program and also of the collaborations... having fun and learning during the process.

So, what's next? Are you working on the lessons? any new one?

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 5 2012, 05:35 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 5 2012, 03:34 PM) *
Hi mate! I'm really glad of reading this.... this is the main purpose of this mentoring program and also of the collaborations... having fun and learning during the process.

So, what's next? Are you working on the lessons? any new one?

I'm still working on the lessons you gave me. I just got wrapped up in the collab and trying to get it done for the deadline. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 5 2012, 09:22 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Nov 5 2012, 01:35 PM) *
I'm still working on the lessons you gave me. I just got wrapped up in the collab and trying to get it done for the deadline. smile.gif


Perfect! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 11 2012, 09:18 PM

Hey man!!! How's everything? I finally got some videos for you this week. I have also been working some more on my own song that I showed you a few weeks ago, I am excited to show you what more I have done with it. It has been hard to join different sections fluidly. Hopefully I will get that for you soon. But in the mean time. Proof that I'm still practicing! laugh.gif

This first one I'm still working on getting my endurance up. I have to concentrate on not fretting too hard, sometimes so much I lose track of what I have to play. laugh.gif




Oh and nice job with the collab mix. It must be really tough to mix together completely different styles with all the takes having different settings and levels and stuff. This one sounded especially uniform, and they all flowed well.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 12 2012, 03:28 PM

Hi mate! you are doing a very good job with this lessons! The AP ones need some more practice to achieve a more consistent AP playing. Keep on practicing those exercises another week and let's add other technique. Is there any other technique that you would like to master and you think that needs work? tapping? Sweep Picking? String Skipping? any other?

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 12 2012, 08:19 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 12 2012, 02:28 PM) *
Hi mate! you are doing a very good job with this lessons! The AP ones need some more practice to achieve a more consistent AP playing. Keep on practicing those exercises another week and let's add other technique. Is there any other technique that you would like to master and you think that needs work? tapping? Sweep Picking? String Skipping? any other?

This sounds good. Sweep picking would be cool, and you mentioned in the collab about working arpeggios and triads to play more with the chords. Sweep picking exercises could be a way to work on this at the same time?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 12 2012, 10:16 PM

yes! you can learn arpeggios and practice them using sweep picking! This are the 2 first classes for the "Improvisation Course". Learn this 5 chord and arpeggio shapes and then combine them over this progression: Am - Dm - Em - Dm

 01._A_minor_chord.gp5 ( 2.14K ) : 72

 02._A_minor_arpeggios.gp5 ( 1.94K ) : 74

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 18 2012, 11:19 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 12 2012, 09:16 PM) *
yes! you can learn arpeggios and practice them using sweep picking! This are the 2 first classes for the "Improvisation Course". Learn this 5 chord and arpeggio shapes and then combine them over this progression: Am - Dm - Em - Dm

 01._A_minor_chord.gp5 ( 2.14K ) : 72

 02._A_minor_arpeggios.gp5 ( 1.94K ) : 74

These arpeggios and chords are cool. I like this. I hope I didn't over think this but I figured sweep picking was going to take me a while, so I made myself a backing track but I made a main backing track that I can improve the chord shapes over, and then use that as my backing for the week to practice the arpeggios. Here is the main backing track.
http://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/backing-track/s-37XEO
While I was doing these I was messing around with putting a compressor on the guitar track and somehow I really like the tone I ended up with. I also have a compressor on the main. Is that too much compression?

And also here are my vids. smile.gif




Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 19 2012, 11:31 PM

Hi mate! You did a great job this week!! Those backing tracks sound good and will help you a lot to start working on arpeggios. The compression sounds ok, as well as the EQ, maybe that tone has too much Reverb, but it's a matter of taste.

The lessons sound very good too! the rhythm one is just perfect! the alternate picking ones are getting better and better, you should continue working on these ones... try to get a fuller tone, picking strongly with your pick.

I would like to choose some more lessons to work on but first... what bands have you been listening lately?

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 20 2012, 02:19 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 19 2012, 10:31 PM) *
Hi mate! You did a great job this week!! Those backing tracks sound good and will help you a lot to start working on arpeggios. The compression sounds ok, as well as the EQ, maybe that tone has too much Reverb, but it's a matter of taste.

The lessons sound very good too! the rhythm one is just perfect! the alternate picking ones are getting better and better, you should continue working on these ones... try to get a fuller tone, picking strongly with your pick.

I would like to choose some more lessons to work on but first... what bands have you been listening lately?


Hey, thanks! But too much reverb? Is that even possible??????? Just kidding I love reverb though, as you can see. smile.gif Here are a couple of my favorite bands that I'm listening to.




Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 20 2012, 03:44 PM

Ok, let's add this two lessons... these ones are a bit over your level but don't worry, we can use slower backings at first. The idea is to continue training hard your right hand. biggrin.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/single-string-picking-etude/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/one-note-per-string-alternate-picking-etude/

what do you think?

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 20 2012, 04:49 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 20 2012, 02:44 PM) *
Ok, let's add this two lessons... these ones are a bit over your level but don't worry, we can use slower backings at first. The idea is to continue training hard your right hand. biggrin.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/single-string-picking-etude/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/one-note-per-string-alternate-picking-etude/

what do you think?

Looks good to me. I'm on it!!!! smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 20 2012, 07:28 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Nov 20 2012, 12:49 PM) *
Looks good to me. I'm on it!!!! smile.gif


Perfect! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 26 2012, 04:48 PM

Hey Gab, I don't have any video this week I am still trying memorize everything, but I didn't want to break my streak of posting every week so I thought maybe it would be a good time to get you opinion on my practice routine, and what I am doing or not doing. If that's ok. smile.gif

-Warm up: At least part of the warm up from your intesive technique course
Whatever mission I happen to be on in Todd's bootcamp course.
-Current lessons/ technique exercises: The 2 lessons/ arpeggios you gave me and 15 blues licks that Alex assigned me.
-Improvising stuff / any collabs / Creative stuff: Arpeggio/chord improv and blue's improv stuff from Alex.

I don't spend a certain amount of time on any one thing just til it feels right. Some stuff take longer to run through especially when learning, but I have found that sometimes it doesn't help to play something more than a few times, like it doesn't improve by playing too much in one night. If that made sense. Right now I play every night and if I'm not feeling quite so motivated I can compress this down into an hour but usually it's more like 2. I try to practice everything I'm working on everyday, is that the best way? This is the most structure practice plan I have ever had, though it probably doesn't sound like a real strict plan. biggrin.gif Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 27 2012, 04:23 AM

I doesn't sound strict but it sounds creative and productive so it's great for me! I think that practicing everything every day is the way to go, at least that's my opinion and what worked for me. Maybe you can focus a bit more on something each day but you should play at least 5 minutes each of the other things that you are working and also some of the old ones... so keep on the good job!! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 28 2012, 02:13 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 27 2012, 03:23 AM) *
I doesn't sound strict but it sounds creative and productive so it's great for me! I think that practicing everything every day is the way to go, at least that's my opinion and what worked for me. Maybe you can focus a bit more on something each day but you should play at least 5 minutes each of the other things that you are working and also some of the old ones... so keep on the good job!! smile.gif

Awesome. smile.gif Do you have any tips on learning new pieces. I have tried playing through the whole thing all at once and just focusing on parts. I'm not sure I have noticed which is better. Do you have a preference?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 28 2012, 03:19 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Nov 27 2012, 10:13 PM) *
Awesome. smile.gif Do you have any tips on learning new pieces. I have tried playing through the whole thing all at once and just focusing on parts. I'm not sure I have noticed which is better. Do you have a preference?


At first I learn the whole thing to be able to play it at least slower. Then I isolate the most difficult sections and work on them as exercises over metronome or a drum loop. Sometimes I create variations just for practice of this difficult sections. Finally I work on the conexions of the ideas...

Posted by: vonhotch Nov 29 2012, 06:24 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 28 2012, 02:19 PM) *
At first I learn the whole thing to be able to play it at least slower. Then I isolate the most difficult sections and work on them as exercises over metronome or a drum loop. Sometimes I create variations just for practice of this difficult sections. Finally I work on the conexions of the ideas...

This is good. Sometimes it feels like it takes FOREVER to remember a whole piece of music, and sometimes I can remeber it after only a couple times. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 30 2012, 06:22 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Nov 29 2012, 02:24 PM) *
This is good. Sometimes it feels like it takes FOREVER to remember a whole piece of music, and sometimes I can remeber it after only a couple times. smile.gif


yeah, I also find some pieces easier to remember than other ones...

Posted by: vonhotch Dec 15 2012, 06:26 PM

Hey man! Feels like forever since I had a video for you. smile.gif I think I have been putting a bit too much pressure on myself to do a certain amount by a certain time and lost a bit of the fun. But I have let go of some of my expections on myself and found some of the fun again, because that's what it's all about right. wink.gif So anyway. The arpeggios are over a drum track/metronome track at 80 bpm. I decided starting out working over my backing track was a bit ambitious. The second video is not over the lessons backing track but over the same drum/metronome track as the arpeggios at 70bpm. I haven't got the timing of the backing track down yet. And the other lesson you gave me I am still working on learning. I still can't seem to remember it all the way through. mad.gif



Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 16 2012, 06:58 PM

Hi mate! These two lessons are going very well, I think that you are one the right way with these ones. Just keep on practising them every day. I understand what you say about pressure and losing motivation... this is very normal. I thing that we should add more creative moments to your overall routine.. maybe some more musical lessons, improvisation, composition, collaborations and things like that, what do you think?



Posted by: vonhotch Dec 17 2012, 02:28 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 16 2012, 05:58 PM) *
Hi mate! These two lessons are going very well, I think that you are one the right way with these ones. Just keep on practising them every day. I understand what you say about pressure and losing motivation... this is very normal. I thing that we should add more creative moments to your overall routine.. maybe some more musical lessons, improvisation, composition, collaborations and things like that, what do you think?

I like the Idea of more creative things. I love collabs, and improv. I also enjoy the lessons and the progress I am making doing what I am doing. I wish I had more time to practice and I'm concerned that if I add more I will have to leave something out. Part of my stress has been fitting everything in every day. In the end I trust your guidance, so whatever you think is best I will do my best, and follow your advice. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 17 2012, 02:04 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Dec 16 2012, 10:28 PM) *
I like the Idea of more creative things. I love collabs, and improv. I also enjoy the lessons and the progress I am making doing what I am doing. I wish I had more time to practice and I'm concerned that if I add more I will have to leave something out. Part of my stress has been fitting everything in every day. In the end I trust your guidance, so whatever you think is best I will do my best, and follow your advice. smile.gif



How many time do you have for practicing every day?

Posted by: vonhotch Dec 18 2012, 02:49 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 17 2012, 01:04 PM) *
How many time do you have for practicing every day?

I get between 1 to 2 hours a day. The more I thought about it today the more I realized that maybe I wasn't doing too much but it was just a point where I had too much to learn and remember all at one time. Now that I have most of what I'm working on mostly memorized, practicing is going smoother, quicker, more productive feeling.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 18 2012, 01:59 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Dec 17 2012, 10:49 PM) *
I get between 1 to 2 hours a day. The more I thought about it today the more I realized that maybe I wasn't doing too much but it was just a point where I had too much to learn and remember all at one time. Now that I have most of what I'm working on mostly memorized, practicing is going smoother, quicker, more productive feeling.


Well, 2 hours a day is ok if you are very well organized. You should divide your time in blocks and dedicate each block to one topic. At this point 3/4 of the blocks should be dedicated to technique, the other one could be dedicated to something more creative, jamming, composing or even learning a new chord / scale and experiment with it.

Posted by: vonhotch Dec 18 2012, 06:27 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 18 2012, 12:59 PM) *
Well, 2 hours a day is ok if you are very well organized. You should divide your time in blocks and dedicate each block to one topic. At this point 3/4 of the blocks should be dedicated to technique, the other one could be dedicated to something more creative, jamming, composing or even learning a new chord / scale and experiment with it.

So, I should divide it up by skills instead of assignments or lessons like I have been? I will make sure to set time aside for creativity!
I try to be organized as possible I have all the backing tracks of what I am working on saved as seperate files in my DAW so when I move to the next thing I just open that file and all my settings are there and I don't have to mess with loading a track and patches and effects. I found that saves me alot of time each night.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 18 2012, 07:53 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Dec 18 2012, 02:27 PM) *
So, I should divide it up by skills instead of assignments or lessons like I have been? I will make sure to set time aside for creativity!
I try to be organized as possible I have all the backing tracks of what I am working on saved as seperate files in my DAW so when I move to the next thing I just open that file and all my settings are there and I don't have to mess with loading a track and patches and effects. I found that saves me alot of time each night.



yeah, you can divide in 4 blocks. It would be something like this...

1. Previous lessons learnt
2. New Lesson in progress
3. Another new lesson in progress
4. Creative work

Posted by: vonhotch Dec 23 2012, 06:30 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 18 2012, 06:53 PM) *
yeah, you can divide in 4 blocks. It would be something like this...

1. Previous lessons learnt
2. New Lesson in progress
3. Another new lesson in progress
4. Creative work


I have liked thinking of my time in blocks like this for the past few days. It feels like I am able to fit in so much more in the same time.

As for video.....My computer was being a bit of a wad today! mad.gif I need to upgrade SOON. So I only have these two. The first one the single string etude lesson, I am begining to get the rhythm of the backing. It helped when I realized I was leaving out an entire section. laugh.gif This take is at 70%. The second the alt picking etude I finally am able to remeber and am working it up to speed with my metronome/drum track thingy. Thanks.


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 24 2012, 07:08 PM

Hi mate! Good job on this two lessons! I think that you are on the way track with both. One short comment about the single string etude, try to mute a bit more the string with the palm of your right hand to get a closer to the original lesson sound and also pay attention to the timing of the fretted notes..

Posted by: vonhotch Dec 30 2012, 05:03 PM

Hey Gab! Happy almost new year. It has been great learning from you this past year. I am looking forward to lots more progress in the new year!!!!!! I think my timing is better in this video and I palm muted it. It is at 80% this week.

Here is the arpeggios assignment in the progression you said to work up to. It's pretty obvious they need some more work. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 30 2012, 06:59 PM

Hi mate! Good job on this two videos. The palm muting is much better now in the riffing lesson, now it's time to adjust even more your timing on this one. Regarding the arpeggios, keep on practising these ones and try to create melodies combining the arpeggio's notes horizontally in the neck. Also you can work over this progression: Am - Dm. 4 beats per chords and following each chord with its arpeggio.

Posted by: vonhotch Dec 30 2012, 09:46 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 30 2012, 05:59 PM) *
Hi mate! Good job on this two videos. The palm muting is much better now in the riffing lesson, now it's time to adjust even more your timing on this one. Regarding the arpeggios, keep on practising these ones and try to create melodies combining the arpeggio's notes horizontally in the neck. Also you can work over this progression: Am - Dm. 4 beats per chords and following each chord with its arpeggio.

Something like play an arpeggio and then some notes from the arpeggio in a pattern to connect them? And also do you think we could work on some kind of creative song writing thing also? Working with my practice time in blocks like you suggested has left me with the time to write stuff, but I have yet to ever complete a whole song. I think once I complete the first one they will start to get easier. I have some bits and pieces but for some reason I can not put one whole song together. I have also found myself listening to all sorts of different aspects of songs, like I will hear a song and say "man I like how they mixed those vocals to sound like they come from all different angles." or "I really like the sound of those drums." I heard some Metallica on the radio, specifically "Master of puppets", "The one", and "Ain't my bithch" and I really like the sound of Lar's drums. How do you analyze parts of music like that to figure out why it's something you like or how they do it, or why it's so good? Obviously I can't get that sound with easydrummer but how do you anazlyze the mixing and tones of music?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 30 2012, 11:12 PM

That sounds very interesting! I use to analyse music all the time. The first step would be to understand in an easy and applicable mode, what is happening in your favourite songs. This is a template that I give to my students to use as the base to analyse songs. The idea is to write down all the analysis in order to be able to compare songs and define which are the things that make you to like a song... at the same time this analysis give you tools to start your own songs, combining things from different songs or just using one concept (for example an structure or a chord progression) as an starting point.

Creativity Work:

Name of the song:
Name of the band:

Structure // What is happening? // Chords & Scales

Structure: You will divide the tune in Intro - Riff - Verse - Pre chorus- - Chorus - Solo - Part C and so... You can add the letters A, B, C to the sections when you find different ones in the same tune (Ex: Verse A, Verse B, Chorus, Solo A, Solo)

what is happening?: Here you will describe each part. You can explain how is the part, if it has vocals, screams, melodies, harmonizations, how much is last, how many measures, etc. Every information that could be useful to understand the part.

Chords & Scales: Here you will post the tonality, the chord progression and the scales used for the melodies and solos.


Posted by: vonhotch Dec 31 2012, 12:30 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 30 2012, 10:12 PM) *
That sounds very interesting! I use to analyse music all the time. The first step would be to understand in an easy and applicable mode, what is happening in your favourite songs. This is a template that I give to my students to use as the base to analyse songs. The idea is to write down all the analysis in order to be able to compare songs and define which are the things that make you to like a song... at the same time this analysis give you tools to start your own songs, combining things from different songs or just using one concept (for example an structure or a chord progression) as an starting point.

Creativity Work:

Name of the song:
Name of the band:

Structure // What is happening? // Chords & Scales

Structure: You will divide the tune in Intro - Riff - Verse - Pre chorus- - Chorus - Solo - Part C and so... You can add the letters A, B, C to the sections when you find different ones in the same tune (Ex: Verse A, Verse B, Chorus, Solo A, Solo)

what is happening?: Here you will describe each part. You can explain how is the part, if it has vocals, screams, melodies, harmonizations, how much is last, how many measures, etc. Every information that could be useful to understand the part.

Chords & Scales: Here you will post the tonality, the chord progression and the scales used for the melodies and solos.


This is very cool. I will pick a song and post it. And get a notebook so I can compare, and keep notes.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 31 2012, 08:27 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Dec 30 2012, 08:30 PM) *
This is very cool. I will pick a song and post it. And get a notebook so I can compare, and keep notes.



Exactly!! Looking forward your analysis! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 4 2013, 01:37 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 31 2012, 07:27 PM) *
Exactly!! Looking forward your analysis! smile.gif

Hey, I have almost finished my analysis of the song I picked which is "Ruins" by Wolves carry my name. It was the song that got me into the band and It was one of my FAVORITE albums. I love their style. I wanted to start with something easier and work up. My transcribing needs work. Anyway I am kind of excited about how it was going and how cool the riff in this song is once I learned it. I will post my final analysis this weekend with my videos. I am so glad I am doing this. I hope after this song I can analize some of their other songs. Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2013, 01:40 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 3 2013, 09:37 PM) *
Hey, I have almost finished my analysis of the song I picked which is "Ruins" by Wolves carry my name. It was the song that got me into the band and It was one of my FAVORITE albums. I love their style. I wanted to start with something easier and work up. My transcribing needs work. Anyway I am kind of excited about how it was going and how cool the riff in this song is once I learned it. I will post my final analysis this weekend with my videos. I am so glad I am doing this. I hope after this song I can analize some of their other songs. Thanks!



This sounds great mate! I'm glad to know that you are enjoying the analysis! smile.gif You will see this reflected in your own compositions soon!

The atmosphere on this track is killer! The structure... very original. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 6 2013, 05:46 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 30 2012, 10:12 PM) *
Creativity Work:

Name of the song:
Name of the band:

Structure // What is happening? // Chords & Scales

Structure: You will divide the tune in Intro - Riff - Verse - Pre chorus- - Chorus - Solo - Part C and so... You can add the letters A, B, C to the sections when you find different ones in the same tune (Ex: Verse A, Verse B, Chorus, Solo A, Solo)

what is happening?: Here you will describe each part. You can explain how is the part, if it has vocals, screams, melodies, harmonizations, how much is last, how many measures, etc. Every information that could be useful to understand the part.

Chords & Scales: Here you will post the tonality, the chord progression and the scales used for the melodies and solos.


Hey man, sorry no vids today. I got a bit of a pain in the back of my hand last night while practicing, and it was still feeling a bit uncomfortable warming up today. So I decided to take it easy, ice it, and live to fight another day. You will be happy to know though that I am gonna spend my practicing time working on some drum beats and other things, analyzing the chord changes in Cosmin's collab to try to come up with some ideas. So it won't be a complete waste. smile.gif

BUT I do still have the long anticipate analysis for "Ruins" by Wolves carry my name. The atmosphere is really what drew me into it in the first place.

STRUCTURE: I'm not really sure if this is really a verse/chorus type thing so I am just going to refer to it as parts A,B,C. It has 3 distinct parts.

WHAT IS HAPPENING A: starts slow building the atmosphere and setting the tonic of C min with a chord progression of C5 , E5. It also has some great volume swells that really build the mood.
B: Takes the feeling of part A and builds on it adding in the main guitar theme. Which is a progression of C5, D*,Eb*,D*,Bb5,Eb5,F5. (* were what I thought to be played as octaves and not 5 chords.) Vocals are also added in this part. Growls are used, but seem to be used more for atmosphere again rather than a main vocal part. The vocals seem to be almost used in an instrumental kind of way.
C: Builds on the first 2 parts even more, and uses a variation of the riff in part B. By changing the rhythm it almost sounds like a new part completely. There is also a slight change in the progression of the riff as it changes between C5, D*, Eb*, D*, Bb5, Eb5, F5, and C5, D*, Eb*, F*, Bb5, Eb5, F5. Finally resolving to C5
The whole song is about atmosphere and mood. Each part building on the next. It really has a sense of movement, it flows to a peak and then finally resolves and ends.

CHORDS AND SCALES I guess I included this a little above, but It's in C minor. There were no solos.

Hope I got everything. This was fun there are so many things I learn about music that I get so excited makes me feel like a kid again. smile.gif Hope that never goes away.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2013, 09:04 PM

Hey mate! This is a very interesting analysis because here the textures and atmospheres are what build the whole song. I like how you analysed it, it's very clear and I think that it allows you and every other person that hears the song to understand it deeply.
I'm very glad to know that you enjoyed this process and that you find it helpful. It's very important to keep on analysing songs to incorporate concepts for you own compositions. So.. let's continue with another song.. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 6 2013, 09:44 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 6 2013, 08:04 PM) *
Hey mate! This is a very interesting analysis because here the textures and atmospheres are what build the whole song. I like how you analysed it, it's very clear and I think that it allows you and every other person that hears the song to understand it deeply.
I'm very glad to know that you enjoyed this process and that you find it helpful. It's very important to keep on analysing songs to incorporate concepts for you own compositions. So.. let's continue with another song.. smile.gif

Cool. I am glad that you liked it. Is there anything else that you think I should be thinking about or missed? For my next song I would like to use another song by this band but it's not such an ambient style so I can compare simularities and differences in their approach to the different types of songs. What do you think of this one. May take me a bit longer to transcribe but I will get it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2013, 10:16 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 6 2013, 05:44 PM) *
Cool. I am glad that you liked it. Is there anything else that you think I should be thinking about or missed? For my next song I would like to use another song by this band but it's not such an ambient style so I can compare simularities and differences in their approach to the different types of songs. What do you think of this one. May take me a bit longer to transcribe but I will get it.


Well, the only thing that you could add to the analysis is the parts durations, maybe in time and also in measures. They keep everything short and I believe that this is the reason why you listen to this song lots of times and you always need more... (it's what happened to me).

This new song has more sections, it's interesting. Also it's very important to analyse many songs from your favourite bands, that when the comparison possibility starts to make sense.

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 13 2013, 09:08 PM

Hey, man! I slowed this one down a bit to try and nail down the hand sync and timing. It's back at 75%.


This is up to 140 bpm. I went to play with the backing and realized it was a whole lot faster than I had thought. Gotta work it up a little more. smile.gif


And I have still been working the arpeggios. You said to find lines to connect them. This is a lick I came up with that connects a bunch of voicings.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 13 2013, 11:23 PM

Hi mate! For any reason this connection is forbiden me to see youtube video.. it says something about SquidGuard. You know, I'm moving and Internet is being installed this Tuesday in my new place. By the way I will check these ones later today or tomorrow. sorry for the delay!


Posted by: vonhotch Jan 14 2013, 02:38 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 13 2013, 10:23 PM) *
Hi mate! For any reason this connection is forbiden me to see youtube video.. it says something about SquidGuard. You know, I'm moving and Internet is being installed this Tuesday in my new place. By the way I will check these ones later today or tomorrow. sorry for the delay!

No worries, good luck with your move. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 14 2013, 02:55 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 13 2013, 05:08 PM) *
Hey, man! I slowed this one down a bit to try and nail down the hand sync and timing. It's back at 75%.


This is up to 140 bpm. I went to play with the backing and realized it was a whole lot faster than I had thought. Gotta work it up a little more. smile.gif


And I have still been working the arpeggios. You said to find lines to connect them. This is a lick I came up with that connects a bunch of voicings.



Hi mate! This place allows Youtube videos! biggrin.gif

You are doing a great job mate! The palm muting exercise could be practiced still slower, there is nothing wrong with your playing, you just need more days of practice... diary training. The second video is better, this one is very close. And the last one is VERY cool! I'm impressed if this is your first lick using the arpeggios concepts... it's time for creating solos! smile.gif

But first... you have to find the major chords and arpeggios, you have to find the 3rd and convert it to major on each shape. Do you think that you can do it?

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 15 2013, 02:45 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 14 2013, 01:55 PM) *
Hi mate! This place allows Youtube videos! biggrin.gif

You are doing a great job mate! The palm muting exercise could be practiced still slower, there is nothing wrong with your playing, you just need more days of practice... diary training. The second video is better, this one is very close. And the last one is VERY cool! I'm impressed if this is your first lick using the arpeggios concepts... it's time for creating solos! smile.gif

But first... you have to find the major chords and arpeggios, you have to find the 3rd and convert it to major on each shape. Do you think that you can do it?

Thanks. I'm glad you my arpeggio lick. I will keep trying to improve it, and linking it to other stuff.

And........I got these major arpeggios. biggrin.gif



 02._A_major_arpeggios.gp5 ( 2K ) : 70
 

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 15 2013, 06:21 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 14 2013, 10:45 PM) *
Thanks. I'm glad you my arpeggio lick. I will keep trying to improve it, and linking it to other stuff.

And........I got these major arpeggios. biggrin.gif



Great mate! I'll install GP in this computer in some minutes and I'll be back if there is something wrong with the arpeggios... but I don't think so... biggrin.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 20 2013, 06:03 PM

Hey!!!! I slowed down this one a bit more to 75% from 80%. The last lick before the change from the G string back to D string gives me problems every time. I play it by itself 20x fine but always in the whole piece I miss it somehow. laugh.gif



And here is some major arpeggio practice. It was easier than I expected to change patterns. I thought I was going to keep forgeting and go back to playing minor ones all the time. Maybe that's what happens a little bit into the video. biggrin.gif



And I saw this quote somewhere this week reminded me of my practicing a little and why I like posting every week regardless of whether I think I have done anything better. I will have to remember it when I am feeling less than productive. smile.gif

"Those who succeed are the ones that look in the mirror and everyday and see no progress, but continue anyway, knowing they will get there eventually."

Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2013, 03:38 AM

That's a great quote! It's close to one that I wrote down in a paper and it's always close to my sight... "keep going"...those two words,,, it's quite simple, no matter what happens, you have to keep going... smile.gif

I was thinking on adding this lesson... what do you think?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Riff_Master-Thrash/


Posted by: vonhotch Jan 21 2013, 05:08 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 21 2013, 02:38 AM) *
That's a great quote! It's close to one that I wrote down in a paper and it's always close to my sight... "keep going"...those two words,,, it's quite simple, no matter what happens, you have to keep going... smile.gif

I was thinking on adding this lesson... what do you think?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Riff_Master-Thrash/

Short and to the point, I like it. I like to carry motivational stuff written down on paper with me too. Usually in my wallet and unfortunetaly my wallet has a tendancy to go through the wash with my pants, so my list gets rewritten often. biggrin.gif

As for the new lesson.....I AM ON IT! smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2013, 11:29 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 21 2013, 01:08 PM) *
Short and to the point, I like it. I like to carry motivational stuff written down on paper with me too. Usually in my wallet and unfortunetaly my wallet has a tendancy to go through the wash with my pants, so my list gets rewritten often. biggrin.gif

As for the new lesson.....I AM ON IT! smile.gif


Perfect! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 22 2013, 02:41 AM

Hey, I want to get in on your new collab, and I have been trying to focus on my phrasing with the last couple. Over the Am - F - G - C - F - Dm - E progression does it work to jump between A minor pentatonic, F major pentatonic, G major pentatonic, etc... or a combination of that and arpeggios, or does it fit the style better to stick with one scale? I listened to some Priest the other day to try to get some ideas, are there any particular songs to get a good feel for the style? I have to admit NWOBHM is not something I listen to a lot.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 22 2013, 03:08 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 21 2013, 10:41 PM) *
Hey, I want to get in on your new collab, and I have been trying to focus on my phrasing with the last couple. Over the Am - F - G - C - F - Dm - E progression does it work to jump between A minor pentatonic, F major pentatonic, G major pentatonic, etc... or a combination of that and arpeggios, or does it fit the style better to stick with one scale? I listened to some Priest the other day to try to get some ideas, are there any particular songs to get a good feel for the style? I have to admit NWOBHM is not something I listen to a lot.


Yes! It's works, but the most important thing is to focus on the arpeggios of each chord, that's the key to make everything sound cool over that backing. Even playing just arpeggios work but it can sounds lazy if you don't compose something creative.

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 27 2013, 06:19 PM

1 month...1 more month and I will be getting some new gear and hopefully put an end to these recording problems. Sometimes my camera will take decent video somtimes not. Fighting with it takes some of the fun out......New computer, video camera, monitors, and some headphones. I at least got one good one though. I have got this worked upto 160 bpm not perfectly clean but the backing is at 195! blink.gif Almost there.

Oh yeah and I know I named the video as the wrong thing. I don't know what I was thinking.

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 22 2013, 02:08 PM) *
Yes! It's works, but the most important thing is to focus on the arpeggios of each chord, that's the key to make everything sound cool over that backing. Even playing just arpeggios work but it can sounds lazy if you don't compose something creative.


After learning some arpeggio shapes this is making sense. Thinking back on all the things you have told me about focusing on certain notes. Hopefully I can explain what I noticed, and is correct.
EXAMPLE : a backing of A Mixolydian like the chorus of GMC hit 2. If I apply the first arpeggio shape of A major into A mixolydian, it fits into a G Major scale shape. So I could play the first pattern and add in notes around it in the shape of a G major scale. Or the last shape fits into a B minor scale shape. Am I understanding this better? Did I explain ok?

I also changed the arpeggios into 7 string versions. Is that ok?

 Amaj_7string_arpeggios.gp5 ( 1.97K ) : 62
 Am_7string_arpeggios.gp5 ( 1.97K ) : 59
 

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2013, 07:37 PM

Hi mate, that's a great decision! Having the equipment is shape and working will make you happier and more productive. smile.gif
Your take is good, you still have to practice it to improve your timing but you are on the right track on this lesson. Regarding the Mixolydian mode and the major arpeggios, I'm not really understanding what you mean in the Example, could you please explain it again? Thanks!

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 27 2013, 08:38 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 27 2013, 06:37 PM) *
Hi mate, that's a great decision! Having the equipment is shape and working will make you happier and more productive. smile.gif
Your take is good, you still have to practice it to improve your timing but you are on the right track on this lesson. Regarding the Mixolydian mode and the major arpeggios, I'm not really understanding what you mean in the Example, could you please explain it again? Thanks!

I guess I never thought about how arpeggios fit into a scale, and thought about them as two seperate things. But the different arpeggio shapes fit into different scale patterns depending on the overall key or mode. I was noticing how to see the shape of the arpeggio within different scales, which will make it easier to target those notes while creating lines within the scale in the same position. Hope that makes more sense, I'm not so good at explain these things. smile.gif It's one of those things that when you see it you wonder why you didn't notice sooner.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2013, 09:16 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 27 2013, 04:38 PM) *
I guess I never thought about how arpeggios fit into a scale, and thought about them as two seperate things. But the different arpeggio shapes fit into different scale patterns depending on the overall key or mode. I was noticing how to see the shape of the arpeggio within different scales, which will make it easier to target those notes while creating lines within the scale in the same position. Hope that makes more sense, I'm not so good at explain these things. smile.gif It's one of those things that when you see it you wonder why you didn't notice sooner.


ahh yes! now it's clear. Yes, it's exactly how it works mate! smile.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/ionian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/aeolian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/mixolydian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/dorian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 29 2013, 02:14 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 27 2013, 08:16 PM) *
ahh yes! now it's clear. Yes, it's exactly how it works mate! smile.gif

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/ionian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/aeolian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/mixolydian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/dorian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/


Sweet! Arpeggios seem to have made connections with a lot of the theory I already knew, but made it make more sense. I just learned most of my theory from reading articles and there was no real order in which I learned it.....Obviously I skipped the importance of arpeggios. biggrin.gif I think these lessons would be very good for me. Do you want me to work on them or should I get the major and minor arpeggios down first before moving on to these and 7th chord arpeggios? Or maybe I can add one in at a time? What do you think? What would you like me to do? smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 29 2013, 02:00 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 28 2013, 10:14 PM) *
Sweet! Arpeggios seem to have made connections with a lot of the theory I already knew, but made it make more sense. I just learned most of my theory from reading articles and there was no real order in which I learned it.....Obviously I skipped the importance of arpeggios. biggrin.gif I think these lessons would be very good for me. Do you want me to work on them or should I get the major and minor arpeggios down first before moving on to these and 7th chord arpeggios? Or maybe I can add one in at a time? What do you think? What would you like me to do? smile.gif



If you check the lessons, the connections are done with triads which are a smaller structure than an arpeggio. Learning the major and minor triads all over the neck and being able to connect them and follow chords will be very helpful for your improvisation training and for understanding the whole fret board. You can work on the major scale lesson and the minor (aeolian) one from the lessons that I shared. There you can find the triads, and you will also connect them with scales.

Posted by: vonhotch Jan 30 2013, 03:08 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 29 2013, 01:00 PM) *
If you check the lessons, the connections are done with triads which are a smaller structure than an arpeggio. Learning the major and minor triads all over the neck and being able to connect them and follow chords will be very helpful for your improvisation training and for understanding the whole fret board. You can work on the major scale lesson and the minor (aeolian) one from the lessons that I shared. There you can find the triads, and you will also connect them with scales.

Ah.....Ok, I misunderstood the descriptions the first time. So, if I add these my practice schedule will look like this.

Warmup: Your warmup exercises, and current Shred Boot Camp Mission
Block 1: Previous lessons:
Single string etude
One note per string alt picking etude
Major and Minor arpeggios
Block 2 + 3 : New lessons:
Lian's riff master: Thrash
Ionian modes harmonized with triads
Aeolian modes harmonized with triads
Block 4: Creative work:
Still working on transcribing and analyzing that Wolves carry my name song.
Writing a track of my own

This is the beginning of my track I got drums so far. And some ideas for rhythm but haven't tracked it yet.
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/anima-hollow-drums-1/s-gp0Gu

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 30 2013, 04:56 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jan 29 2013, 11:08 PM) *
Ah.....Ok, I misunderstood the descriptions the first time. So, if I add these my practice schedule will look like this.

Warmup: Your warmup exercises, and current Shred Boot Camp Mission
Block 1: Previous lessons:
Single string etude
One note per string alt picking etude
Major and Minor arpeggios
Block 2 + 3 : New lessons:
Lian's riff master: Thrash
Ionian modes harmonized with triads
Aeolian modes harmonized with triads
Block 4: Creative work:
Still working on transcribing and analyzing that Wolves carry my name song.
Writing a track of my own

This is the beginning of my track I got drums so far. And some ideas for rhythm but haven't tracked it yet.
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/anima-hollow-drums-1/s-gp0Gu


Hi mate! The routine looks great for me! It's very productive and well organized. And your drum track is very promising! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 4 2013, 12:10 AM

Hey man, I think I will have some videos of the new stuff by next week. I have just about got the riff master one memorized and the first parts of the harmonized with triads lessons. But this week I got a song analyzed, and rhythm guitars written for my track!
I was having having trouble with the Wolves carry my name song I was working on so I thought I would do some easier ones and work my way up to some harder stuff. I did "Polly" from Nirvana


Structure: ABABAB The song goes verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus. The only change is the first two measures of the third verse are a bit of a base solo.
What is happening. The verse is 6 measures long and is in the key of Em the chord progression is E5, G5, D5, C5. The chorus modulates to Dm, and the chord progression is D5, C5, G5, Bb5. It modulates by using the last two chords of the verse as the first two chords of the chorus which both keys have in common. The chorus is 8 measures long. The only change comes in the third verse when the first 2 measures are a bass solo over and E5 chord, then it continues as normal. After the last chorus the whole some resolves back to an E5 chord.


Now on to my track. I am really excited to see what kind of comments you have for this. I feel it is a really good representation of me and the kinds of things I want to write (well so far anyway wink.gif ). I have added some rhythm guitar. The structure of the song is verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus, solo, chorus, outro. The verse and chorus are in Bm. The verse chord progression is B5, A5, B5, B5, E5, D5. The chord progression in the chorus is some power chord variations, B5, C (b5), and, Dmaj3no5. The bridge, solo, and outro I am not 100% sure. I guess I need your help I want to say it's B locrian but I add a chord that I don't know the name of that is not in key. It has the notes (B, E, D#, D).
x The other notes are (B,D,B,E,B,F,B,E,B,F,B,G,B,A,B, ? chord)
15
x
13
14
12
12
It's a very dissonant chord but I like it. smile.gif
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/anima-hollow-drums-1-2/s-3hLsE

Sorry that was really long. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 4 2013, 03:23 PM

Hi mate! Amazing work! The song's analysis is perfect! I find the chorus modulation very cool and original. Moving the tonality from E minor to D minor gives the song a very sad feeling that make it 100% Nirvana style. It's a new concept to incorporate! smile.gif

And your new track sound really good! Congrats!! I like the riffs and the different ideas, and the first thing that I note is that it's very well structured. This means that our analysis job is showing results! I think that the bridge uses notes from the blues scale, it's Pentatonic minor with the addition of the blue note. Isn't it?

Do you have some ideas for the vocal melody?

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 5 2013, 02:33 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 4 2013, 02:23 PM) *
Hi mate! Amazing work! The song's analysis is perfect! I find the chorus modulation very cool and original. Moving the tonality from E minor to D minor gives the song a very sad feeling that make it 100% Nirvana style. It's a new concept to incorporate! smile.gif

And your new track sound really good! Congrats!! I like the riffs and the different ideas, and the first thing that I note is that it's very well structured. This means that our analysis job is showing results! I think that the bridge uses notes from the blues scale, it's Pentatonic minor with the addition of the blue note. Isn't it?

Do you have some ideas for the vocal melody?

Sweet! The sad feeling was what I was hoping to learn something about. In fact I think I am gonna do "Smells like teen spirit" next. I like the way they can sound sad and tortured while still sounding upbeat and catchy at the same time. I like the contradiction.

And my track the bridge notes fit into Bm blues scale except for the G. These are the notes in that riff. (B,D,E,F,G,A) then if you figure that mystery chord has an Eb. (B,E,Eb/D#,D).

I don't really even know where to begin with vocal melody or harmony. Anything to do with singing will be a challenge for me. I was gonna try to write it similar to a bass part and use the root, and fifth, but try to stick more to the fifths. I read that would give a sadder sound. And since I am not a great singer if I do the singing I may try to do something that is not the focus of the song, and kind of have the vocal part sit back in the mix.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2013, 12:26 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 4 2013, 10:33 PM) *
Sweet! The sad feeling was what I was hoping to learn something about. In fact I think I am gonna do "Smells like teen spirit" next. I like the way they can sound sad and tortured while still sounding upbeat and catchy at the same time. I like the contradiction.

And my track the bridge notes fit into Bm blues scale except for the G. These are the notes in that riff. (B,D,E,F,G,A) then if you figure that mystery chord has an Eb. (B,E,Eb/D#,D).

I don't really even know where to begin with vocal melody or harmony. Anything to do with singing will be a challenge for me. I was gonna try to write it similar to a bass part and use the root, and fifth, but try to stick more to the fifths. I read that would give a sadder sound. And since I am not a great singer if I do the singing I may try to do something that is not the focus of the song, and kind of have the vocal part sit back in the mix.


Great stuff! Some more Nirvana songs, and also Alice In Chains or Paradise Lost could work to know how they get the sad atmosphere. If you are not comfortable with your voice you can also use a VSTi to create the melody, and then you give it to a singer. But I think that experimenting with your voice and the mix is a very good idea so go for it!

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 5 2013, 06:16 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 5 2013, 11:26 AM) *
Great stuff! Some more Nirvana songs, and also Alice In Chains or Paradise Lost could work to know how they get the sad atmosphere. If you are not comfortable with your voice you can also use a VSTi to create the melody, and then you give it to a singer. But I think that experimenting with your voice and the mix is a very good idea so go for it!

I am not familiar with Paradise Lost. I will have to check them out! I remember you telling me to try to use my voice to help come up with melodies for solos and stuff, that always felt a bit weird. I thought I would try to work on that and get more of voice,mind,instrument connection going with an exercise I read in a Steve Vai ear training article. You play the major scale and sing the notes as you go to establish a connection in you mind and your ears. I thought I could add a couple minutes of this into my warmup each night. Maybe help in a lot of areas? What do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 6 2013, 02:46 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 5 2013, 02:16 PM) *
I am not familiar with Paradise Lost. I will have to check them out! I remember you telling me to try to use my voice to help come up with melodies for solos and stuff, that always felt a bit weird. I thought I would try to work on that and get more of voice,mind,instrument connection going with an exercise I read in a Steve Vai ear training article. You play the major scale and sing the notes as you go to establish a connection in you mind and your ears. I thought I could add a couple minutes of this into my warmup each night. Maybe help in a lot of areas? What do you think?


yes, I know that article and it's the way to do! This will help you with the connection between mind, fingers and guitar. You have to be sure that you are singing the notes on pitch, compare your note with the guitar's note to see if you are always on pitch. Learning songs by ear, playing among it and also singing over the songs (with lyrics) is also a very useful training.


Posted by: vonhotch Feb 11 2013, 01:10 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 6 2013, 01:46 PM) *
yes, I know that article and it's the way to do! This will help you with the connection between mind, fingers and guitar. You have to be sure that you are singing the notes on pitch, compare your note with the guitar's note to see if you are always on pitch. Learning songs by ear, playing among it and also singing over the songs (with lyrics) is also a very useful training.

I try to sing along quite a bit to the radio for practice on my way to work......The results sometimes are...um...interesting. rolleyes.gif
So here are some videos from this week. I had one of the new one the "riffmaster" one, but as I was saving the final video my video program froze and I lost it. mad.gif I also had a bunch of noise while recoding evertything this time. It was weird. It through me off a bit. My timing might be a bit worse than usual! laugh.gif I ordered some more ram for my computer, hopefully an upgrade will help with recording.
I seem to be stuck at 75% with this one. But it does seem to slowly be getting better.


Have got this up to around 180bpm somewhat ok. Only 15bpm to go. biggrin.gif


Some Maj and Min arpeggio practice. I think this is the first vid since I added the 7th string notes. It's at 130bpm.


It has been almost a year since I joined and I'm about to resubscribe. It's been a great experience. But I guess you are gonna be stuck with me for another year! laugh.gif

Thanks so much!!!!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 11 2013, 03:51 AM

Hi mate!! You have been doing a very hard work this year! It's been a pleasure to help you in this musical journey and I'm glad to know that there is a new year coming! smile.gif

The lessons are ok, but as you said the timing issues are more notorious this week. Keep on practising this lessons, maybe at slower tempos to feel more comfortable and to get a fuller tone of each note.

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 13 2013, 01:47 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 11 2013, 02:51 AM) *
Hi mate!! You have been doing a very hard work this year! It's been a pleasure to help you in this musical journey and I'm glad to know that there is a new year coming! smile.gif

The lessons are ok, but as you said the timing issues are more notorious this week. Keep on practising this lessons, maybe at slower tempos to feel more comfortable and to get a fuller tone of each note.


I had an idea. What do you think about setting myself weekly goals? Instead of trying to show you videos of everything, we can come up with weekly goals, something to focus on within what I'm already practicing. For example since it's broken up into technique and creative practice. For the rest of the week have my technique goal to work my arpeggios up to 170 bpm, and for a creative goal finish analyzing smells like teen spirit. Then practice is even more focused and so can my weekly posts which lately have been the most challenging part.

And I am also looking forward to another year. Gmc is one of the best experiences ever, I have met some of the greatest people here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 13 2013, 03:09 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 12 2013, 09:47 PM) *
I had an idea. What do you think about setting myself weekly goals? Instead of trying to show you videos of everything, we can come up with weekly goals, something to focus on within what I'm already practicing. For example since it's broken up into technique and creative practice. For the rest of the week have my technique goal to work my arpeggios up to 170 bpm, and for a creative goal finish analyzing smells like teen spirit. Then practice is even more focused and so can my weekly posts which lately have been the most challenging part.

And I am also looking forward to another year. Gmc is one of the best experiences ever, I have met some of the greatest people here.


I like the idea of focusing on weekly goals. This can be more motivating and the results will be seen more clear. Let's go for it starting this week with the arpeggios and nirvana's song analysis! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 25 2013, 02:55 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 13 2013, 02:09 PM) *
I like the idea of focusing on weekly goals. This can be more motivating and the results will be seen more clear. Let's go for it starting this week with the arpeggios and nirvana's song analysis! smile.gif


Hey Gab. I apologize for missing posting last weeks posting. I got sick and have not been practicing as much as I should have. With that said. I am still having problems with recording video again. I think I may have a solution but until I get it completely set up I may end up having to do something with just audio. Can we do something with that? Right now my video makes my audio click and pop and my video sutters too. Any way, I am tired of giving you excuses of why I didn't do as well as I thought could, and fighting with video is not cool. I did get my analysis of "smells like teen spirit" done.

Band: Nirvana
Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit

It is in the key of Bb minor. The arrangement is interesting in that is goes chrous, verse, prechorus, chorus, bridge, verse, prechorus, chorus, bridge, solo, prechorus, chorus. Or.....(A,B,C,A,D,B,C,A,D,SOLO,C,A) It is interesting that the verse is just 2 notes b and f, and then switches to the prechorus which is the same 2 notes just different rhythm. The solo was cool it took a lot for me to tab out. And I may be wrong but it felt to me like it was played like a linear scale? It was a Bb minor scale.
The more I analysis Nirvana songs the more I respect them. They are simple but have so much emotion, and don't sound like anything else.


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 25 2013, 08:09 PM

Hi mate! I'm glad to know that you are feeling good now! smile.gif I hate when video gives us problems! I understand that because I have had many problems with video for my lessons, so I know that it's not an easy job. Keep on experimenting and feel free to post audio here by now. There is no problem with that. wink.gif

Nirvana's analysis is ok excepting the key and scale. The overall tonality as well as the scale used for the solo is F minor. The only section that has a different is that riff that starts when the chorus ends. There Kurt plays F and F#, so this could be analysed as F Phrygian mode.
It's great how much we can learn and understand (and even respect!) a band by analyzing their songs. You won't imagine how much you will respect Foo Fighters by analyzing their songs!

Please review the tonality, try to get the overall feel and let me know if you understand why this track is in F minor.

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 26 2013, 01:55 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 25 2013, 07:09 PM) *
Hi mate! I'm glad to know that you are feeling good now! smile.gif I hate when video gives us problems! I understand that because I have had many problems with video for my lessons, so I know that it's not an easy job. Keep on experimenting and feel free to post audio here by now. There is no problem with that. wink.gif

Nirvana's analysis is ok excepting the key and scale. The overall tonality as well as the scale used for the solo is F minor. The only section that has a different is that riff that starts when the chorus ends. There Kurt plays F and F#, so this could be analysed as F Phrygian mode.
It's great how much we can learn and understand (and even respect!) a band by analyzing their songs. You won't imagine how much you will respect Foo Fighters by analyzing their songs!

Please review the tonality, try to get the overall feel and let me know if you understand why this track is in F minor.


Ah. Ok. Looking back at my notes, I see it now. It starts on F, ends on F. I had that F# written as a Gb and to check the key I looked at all the flats and compared it to a circle of fifths chart. Now I see without that Gb it fits F minor. I was looking just at one piece of the puzzle. biggrin.gif
I finally got some monitors too!!! It's amazing all the little things I already can hear differently.
I can record video and audio just not at the same time for some reason now. I have some more memory for my computer on order, hopefully that will help.
Here is some audio from tonight. The Riffmaster lesson. I tried to mess with some eq and compressor, hopefully it will sound a little better than my previous "mixes". Although I do notice I have a string a little out of tune. dry.gif
Thanks Gab! smile.gif
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/riffmaster/s-XjUm8

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 26 2013, 02:52 PM

Hi mate! Congrats on your new monitors! It's a great decision to get them! You can't make something sound goo if you can listen to it well.
Your take on Riffmaster lesson is close but still needs more days of practice to sound more consistent.

What are you using for mixing and mastering?

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 27 2013, 01:47 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 26 2013, 01:52 PM) *
Hi mate! Congrats on your new monitors! It's a great decision to get them! You can't make something sound goo if you can listen to it well.
Your take on Riffmaster lesson is close but still needs more days of practice to sound more consistent.

What are you using for mixing and mastering?

You know I am beginning to think that I am never gonna be done with this practicing thing.... laugh.gif
For mixing I am using Reaper as my DAW with various eq's and compressor patches. And Amplitube for my amp sim. But one of the things I am hoping to get my computer to cope with recording better is to not use Amplitube but I got a Line 6 spider IV amp with a line out, I am hoping that using the modulation in that and not software may take some of the burden of my computer.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 27 2013, 02:10 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 26 2013, 09:47 PM) *
You know I am beginning to think that I am never gonna be done with this practicing thing.... laugh.gif
For mixing I am using Reaper as my DAW with various eq's and compressor patches. And Amplitube for my amp sim. But one of the things I am hoping to get my computer to cope with recording better is to not use Amplitube but I got a Line 6 spider IV amp with a line out, I am hoping that using the modulation in that and not software may take some of the burden of my computer.



hehehe yeah, this practice thing lives with us forever.... I'm sorry to inform that. smile.gif So you say that your computer is a bit slow to use amplitube? I use Line 6 Pod also to avoid using plug in simulators... I find it easier to work in this way.

Regarding the practice, do you isolate short sections (for example the first part of the riff, from the beginning to the pinch harmonic) and practice it as a loop, over metronome starting with a slower tempo?

Posted by: vonhotch Feb 28 2013, 02:27 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 27 2013, 01:10 PM) *
hehehe yeah, this practice thing lives with us forever.... I'm sorry to inform that. smile.gif So you say that your computer is a bit slow to use amplitube? I use Line 6 Pod also to avoid using plug in simulators... I find it easier to work in this way.

Regarding the practice, do you isolate short sections (for example the first part of the riff, from the beginning to the pinch harmonic) and practice it as a loop, over metronome starting with a slower tempo?

It didn't used to be too slow it's a problem that seemed to gradually get worse a little at a time. So I was thinking that as I added more and more songs and software my computer began to get a little full and slow down. I also got an external hardrive to store some stuff on so I can clean it up a bit more. But I did have an issue with the usb cable from my interface last night too. Maybe that is part of the problem. Have you ever had a bad usb cable? Do they go bad?

For practicing, I have been trying to loop sections to learn the piece. Do you think I am jumping to playing with the backing too soon? I did it like you say tonight. Slowed it down looped every section a few times. It felt right. I think I should do it more. Will this help my timing. I really want to improve my timing I feel it is my biggest weakness. What do you think my biggest weakness is?

I saw your thread about your show. It is awesome to see how successful you are becoming. Are you still playing shows like this every week?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 28 2013, 02:28 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 27 2013, 10:27 PM) *
It didn't used to be too slow it's a problem that seemed to gradually get worse a little at a time. So I was thinking that as I added more and more songs and software my computer began to get a little full and slow down. I also got an external hardrive to store some stuff on so I can clean it up a bit more. But I did have an issue with the usb cable from my interface last night too. Maybe that is part of the problem. Have you ever had a bad usb cable? Do they go bad?


I have never had problems with an usb cable yet... maybe because these cables use to be quiet all their life in the same position. But if you think that it can be the problem, replace it.


QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 27 2013, 10:27 PM) *
For practicing, I have been trying to loop sections to learn the piece. Do you think I am jumping to playing with the backing too soon? I did it like you say tonight. Slowed it down looped every section a few times. It felt right. I think I should do it more. Will this help my timing. I really want to improve my timing I feel it is my biggest weakness. What do you think my biggest weakness is?


yes, I think that you still should work at slower tempo until you get a perfect take. I would really like to hear this lesson played perfectly, with a full sound but at the tempo that you can achieve it. What do you think? Is it possible?


QUOTE (vonhotch @ Feb 27 2013, 10:27 PM) *
I saw your thread about your show. It is awesome to see how successful you are becoming. Are you still playing shows like this every week?


Thanks mate! Not every week but we already have 8 shows from March to May. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 1 2013, 03:26 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 28 2013, 01:28 PM) *
I have never had problems with an usb cable yet... maybe because these cables use to be quiet all their life in the same position. But if you think that it can be the problem, replace it.




yes, I think that you still should work at slower tempo until you get a perfect take. I would really like to hear this lesson played perfectly, with a full sound but at the tempo that you can achieve it. What do you think? Is it possible?




Thanks mate! Not every week but we already have 8 shows from March to May. smile.gif


You bring up such a good point. My cable is not quiet and in the same position. I have not set up a permanet place for all my gear so each night I set it up and take it down and that may be taking a toll on my cable. I will replace it!!! If there is doubt then there is no doubt. wink.gif

Here is a take from tonight at 130bpm of the riff master lesson. I set up my new amp in place of amplitube and recorded. I think it worked much better. The original track is at 150bpm. This was kind of a test. I just got some extra cables so I was able to set it up this way today.
I will have more slower video of other stuff I am working on this weekend.


I forgot my weekly goals this week already but I think for now I will say my technique goal until next post is to slow everything down and play with a metronome. To a speed that I can play close to perfect as I can. And my creative goal is to make something for your dub collab. That track is fun as Hell. I have come up with something that I like, I just have to get it just right. My creative goal inside of a goal is to write something within my ability and play it GREAT! I think sometimes I try and write things that are a bit above my current level and that maybe why they do not come out as well as I would like.

8 shows is great. Don't stop sharing them with us I like hearing about them!!!!!!!!! smile.gif
Thanks!!!!!!! smile.gif


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 1 2013, 02:00 PM

Hey mate! Great stuff! One of the most said tips for practicing is that we should have our practicing stuff always ready and easy to use, so if you have the possibility of having everything connected and fixed in one place you will find more moments for practice.
The lesson in the video is sounding great!! This is exactly what I was talking about!! Keep on working on it, maybe you can use metronome to work on intermediate tempos until you reach the following backing!!
Regarding your creative job... I want to hear! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 1 2013, 02:15 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 1 2013, 01:00 PM) *
Hey mate! Great stuff! One of the most said tips for practicing is that we should have our practicing stuff always ready and easy to use, so if you have the possibility of having everything connected and fixed in one place you will find more moments for practice.
The lesson in the video is sounding great!! This is exactly what I was talking about!! Keep on working on it, maybe you can use metronome to work on intermediate tempos until you reach the following backing!!
Regarding your creative job... I want to hear! smile.gif


I am going to set up a space this weekend where I can leave everything set up. Have been looking forward to that. Half my practice time is set up and clean up. laugh.gif

I will try to get a recording for you later today! smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 1 2013, 02:44 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 1 2013, 10:15 AM) *
I am going to set up a space this weekend where I can leave everything set up. Have been looking forward to that. Half my practice time is set up and clean up. laugh.gif

I will try to get a recording for you later today! smile.gif



Great decision!! wink.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 4 2013, 12:25 AM

I got a work space set up where I can leave all my gear set up and ready to go. I tried to record some stuff this morning and for some reason, everything else worked ok but the volume was extremely low. I will make up for it during the week. It is always something right. smile.gif With everything set up it should be easy to record at any practice session!
This is what I was working on for your collab. (volume was not an issue this time. rolleyes.gif ) It's something like this. I don't have it exactely down. But the first part is tapping arpeggios and the some scale stuff for the last section. Using my amp to get tone is different I can't just save the file. laugh.gif I have to dial it in every time if I change it.
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/dub-this/s-qqB7L

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2013, 02:30 PM

Hi Vonhotch! I'm really glad to know that you are setting everything to make our diary practice easier and smoother! You will see this reflected in practice time. smile.gif I think that your tone is better now but I think that you still have to experiment with the EQ... are you using a mic in front of the amp? The solo composition is good! I like it.

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 5 2013, 01:52 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 4 2013, 01:30 PM) *
Hi Vonhotch! I'm really glad to know that you are setting everything to make our diary practice easier and smoother! You will see this reflected in practice time. smile.gif I think that your tone is better now but I think that you still have to experiment with the EQ... are you using a mic in front of the amp? The solo composition is good! I like it.

Actually I want to experiment with micing my amp and I just got a mic cord today. Right now I have a line running from the line out on my amp to my interface. But I have an old Fender Eighty-Five amp. That I LOVE the tone of but that has no line out so I am hoping to be able to get some decent tone by micing that.

Here is a slower take of the single string etude. I figured out my low volume issue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I did miss a small section in the middle and I realized it right after I did it. dry.gif ....Next time!!!!!



Here is another take on the Dub collab. I think it is better and I added some eq. I have a low cut at 105 hz, and a cut of -3.25db at 490hz, and a -5.86dp cut at 5472.3 hz.
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/dub-this2-1/s-NZhrN

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2013, 02:09 PM

Hi mate, good job! Yeah, the dub collab take sound better, but you would get a warmer and fuller tone if you mic your amp instead of using the line out. Line out are used basically when you have a device that emulates the amp, or at least the cabinet and the mic.
The lesson is on the right way now, try to play it stronger but just increase the tempo once you can play it perfectly. You can increase 5 bpm per time.

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 5 2013, 03:13 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 5 2013, 01:09 PM) *
Hi mate, good job! Yeah, the dub collab take sound better, but you would get a warmer and fuller tone if you mic your amp instead of using the line out. Line out are used basically when you have a device that emulates the amp, or at least the cabinet and the mic.
The lesson is on the right way now, try to play it stronger but just increase the tempo once you can play it perfectly. You can increase 5 bpm per time.

Oh, the line out thing makes sense. It did seem to be missing exactly what you are describing, but I wasn't sure what to do about it. I will try to mic it up tonight and see what happens! Does the amp have to be extra loud when recording from a mic?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2013, 03:36 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 5 2013, 11:13 AM) *
Oh, the line out thing makes sense. It did seem to be missing exactly what you are describing, but I wasn't sure what to do about it. I will try to mic it up tonight and see what happens! Does the amp have to be extra loud when recording from a mic?


Not necessarily... it depends on the amp that you have and the sound that you want to get. I remember that I used my Marshall 8080 at a low volume to record in the past and I liked the tone that I got. But I put the heads very loud when I'm recording rhythm guitars for an album. The best is to take some hours to experiment. You surely can note the difference in sound when you move the volume of your amp, that's exactly the change that you'll feel in your recording. The mic position is also very important and something that you will have to experiment.

This is a good video about it:




Posted by: vonhotch Mar 6 2013, 02:30 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 5 2013, 02:36 PM) *
Not necessarily... it depends on the amp that you have and the sound that you want to get. I remember that I used my Marshall 8080 at a low volume to record in the past and I liked the tone that I got. But I put the heads very loud when I'm recording rhythm guitars for an album. The best is to take some hours to experiment. You surely can note the difference in sound when you move the volume of your amp, that's exactly the change that you'll feel in your recording. The mic position is also very important and something that you will have to experiment.

This is a good video about it:



I miced up my amp and I liked it. I am having issues with clipping on a couple of the pulloffs to open strings. If I turn the volume down any more it will be too quiet. This is a test with amp emulation software and some impulse responses that I like over the other take. In case I can't figure out the clipping or micing by tommorrow for the deadline. I also did a little more eq stuff. I am not sure I like it more. I really liked it with the mic but the clipping really ruined it in a couple spots, and compression seemed to kill it too much.



 Dubthis3.mp3 ( 771.83K ) : 44
 

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 6 2013, 02:40 PM

Hi mate, your tone is really improving. I think that it still could sound warmer, maybe lowering a bit the treble in your amp and also moving the mic from the center of the speaker to one of the sides. Regarding clipping, what input are you using? (in your computer)

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 10 2013, 11:15 PM

Hey, I don't have anything too exciting this week, but it is all recorded with my amp miced. Each recording is at a slightly different mic position. There is no eq or anything on them, partly because I was short on time and partly because I wanted your opinion on how it sounded before any extra help.

I bumped this up 5bpm to 90

This is up 5 to 140

And this one I slowed my arpreggio practice way back down like the rest to 120bpm. The first position gives me some trouble.


I am working on getting the right combination between the volume of my amp the mic input volume on my interface and the track volume in my daw.

Thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2013, 01:53 PM

Hi mate, good videos! Your tone still sound a bit like "by line" and this could be that your amp volume is a bit low. I would try setting your amp louder and also experimenting a bit more with the mic position to get a more defined sound. There are some low mid frequencies that could disappear. Your playing is very good in every video and I think that working at slower tempos has been is the way to go!
Well done!

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 15 2013, 02:07 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 11 2013, 12:53 PM) *
Hi mate, good videos! Your tone still sound a bit like "by line" and this could be that your amp volume is a bit low. I would try setting your amp louder and also experimenting a bit more with the mic position to get a more defined sound. There are some low mid frequencies that could disappear. Your playing is very good in every video and I think that working at slower tempos has been is the way to go!
Well done!

Thanks, I like playing them slower and working up slowly, it feels right. I have been recording off and on every night trying out different preset tones on my amp with different mic positions. It's hard to explain the way I had everything set up but I adjusted it so I could get the mic exactly straight with the amp, no angle and sounds a little better. It is still a little "line in" sounding so I am moving it away from center a little at a time. Next I am gonna try to back it up. I am just not finding a spot that records and sounds like what I hear. Since the amp has preset patches I have not been messing with mids or treble or anything just trying the presets first. I have an older Fender amp that I LOVE the sound of, should I try that one too, or just mess with one till I find a good spot?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2013, 01:07 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 14 2013, 10:07 PM) *
Thanks, I like playing them slower and working up slowly, it feels right. I have been recording off and on every night trying out different preset tones on my amp with different mic positions. It's hard to explain the way I had everything set up but I adjusted it so I could get the mic exactly straight with the amp, no angle and sounds a little better. It is still a little "line in" sounding so I am moving it away from center a little at a time. Next I am gonna try to back it up. I am just not finding a spot that records and sounds like what I hear. Since the amp has preset patches I have not been messing with mids or treble or anything just trying the presets first. I have an older Fender amp that I LOVE the sound of, should I try that one too, or just mess with one till I find a good spot?


I'm a bit lost now, so you have 2 fender amps? Which amp has preset tones? Please tell me exactly the model of the amps that you have.

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 15 2013, 02:26 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 15 2013, 12:07 PM) *
I'm a bit lost now, so you have 2 fender amps? Which amp has preset tones? Please tell me exactly the model of the amps that you have.

Ha ha, sorry. I guess I was rambling a bit. I have a Line 6 spider IV amp which has the presets, and my old Fender is a model Eighty-Five. I guess I was wondering if I should try both or just work with one til I get one to sound good.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2013, 05:22 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 15 2013, 10:26 AM) *
Ha ha, sorry. I guess I was rambling a bit. I have a Line 6 spider IV amp which has the presets, and my old Fender is a model Eighty-Five. I guess I was wondering if I should try both or just work with one til I get one to sound good.


Now we are talking! Yeah! Experiment with fender amp!

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 24 2013, 11:44 PM

These lessons are all miced with the fender amp... And after experimenting with that I think that my line 6 amp kept sounding "line in" like because.....Well that's how it sounds. I do think that adding some cab simulation helped though. Enough that I may use it for certain recordings or whatever. The right tool for the job as they say.... Anyway, I managed to try to record one video before some driver conflicts or something put an end to that. So it is just audio this week. But since I did not post last week (shame on me!!!) I wanted to definitely get something this week!

These first two are with a Danelectro "Black Coffee" distortion pedal.
I have forgotten about this one the past few weeks and is at 130 bpm.
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/ssape323/s-KE87E

This is up to 140! Only 10 bpm to go!!!!
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/riffmaster323/s-pCI58

This one is just amp no pedal. And is 100 bpm.
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/singlestring323/s-vCJUM

Oh and...The tone here may not be perfect but, it definitely sounds less digital to me, and has no EQ or compression or anything else. The mic is also at a 45 ish degree angle on the edge of the cone.

Thanks!!!!!



Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 25 2013, 03:58 PM

Hi V! yeah, it sounds good now! there is no digital sound! However I think that the pedal is making the sound too trebbly, you have to change the EQ of this pedal, add less distortion or maybe use another pedal. The audio file 3 sounds great! The EQ and overall sounds is much more balanced. However I'm sure that this tone is a bit clean for you, so you will have to add an overdrive or distortion pedal.

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 25 2013, 07:13 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 25 2013, 02:58 PM) *
Hi V! yeah, it sounds good now! there is no digital sound! However I think that the pedal is making the sound too trebbly, you have to change the EQ of this pedal, add less distortion or maybe use another pedal. The audio file 3 sounds great! The EQ and overall sounds is much more balanced. However I'm sure that this tone is a bit clean for you, so you will have to add an overdrive or distortion pedal.


Hey man! I'm just happy to get some kind of good tone, distorted or not, so I'll take it!!!!! biggrin.gif I will keep messing around with pedals and stuff. It seems that the recordings have much more detail than what I can hear straight from the amp. I will have to remember to check test recordings more carefully.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 26 2013, 03:16 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 25 2013, 03:13 PM) *
Hey man! I'm just happy to get some kind of good tone, distorted or not, so I'll take it!!!!! biggrin.gif I will keep messing around with pedals and stuff. It seems that the recordings have much more detail than what I can hear straight from the amp. I will have to remember to check test recordings more carefully.


It's a funny and very interesting training! Keep on experimenting and please share samples here. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 27 2013, 12:47 AM

This is a take of the Riffmaster lesson from tonight. I am still messing with the same Danelectro pedal I took out some treble added some bass, and played with the mids a little. Same mic position. I think it sounds better, but maybe too far in the other direction. What do you think?
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/riffmaster326/s-vdM0I

Oh, and at 145bpm only 5 to go. wink.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 27 2013, 04:56 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 26 2013, 08:47 PM) *
This is a take of the Riffmaster lesson from tonight. I am still messing with the same Danelectro pedal I took out some treble added some bass, and played with the mids a little. Same mic position. I think it sounds better, but maybe too far in the other direction. What do you think?
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/riffmaster326/s-vdM0I

Oh, and at 145bpm only 5 to go. wink.gif


It sounds MUCH better now!! Great job! The sound of that pedal would fit perfect for Stoner rock but you got a very cool tone! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 29 2013, 12:36 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 27 2013, 03:56 AM) *
It sounds MUCH better now!! Great job! The sound of that pedal would fit perfect for Stoner rock but you got a very cool tone! smile.gif

Stoner rock, aw man nobody listens to that stuff......Oh wait I love that stuff, this will work out great! biggrin.gif I should probably write down where everything is before I go messing with it again. Fun stuff!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2013, 01:42 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Mar 28 2013, 08:36 PM) *
Stoner rock, aw man nobody listens to that stuff......Oh wait I love that stuff, this will work out great! biggrin.gif I should probably write down where everything is before I go messing with it again. Fun stuff!


heheh yeah! I'm now jealous of your tone!! biggrin.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Mar 31 2013, 05:45 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 29 2013, 12:42 AM) *
heheh yeah! I'm now jealous of your tone!! biggrin.gif

laugh.gif Never thought I would hear you say that!

Here's a couple for this week
Single string etude up to 110!!! Just audio....Because, little tip: When you want to record a video you have to hit record and then play!
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/singlestring331/s-hRykH

And Riffmaster up at 150 which is full speed!!!! Do you want me to start playing this one with the backing or does it need more work on something?


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 1 2013, 02:50 PM

hahaha important tip! tongue.gif Man, the Single string etude continues evolving great!! Your take sounds perfect! Well done.
I couldn't see the video because it's set as private. sad.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 1 2013, 05:15 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 1 2013, 01:50 PM) *
hahaha important tip! tongue.gif Man, the Single string etude continues evolving great!! Your take sounds perfect! Well done.
I couldn't see the video because it's set as private. sad.gif

Thanks, I'm happy to be on the right track. I think my timing is improving with everything, too, not just these lessons. I think this is really paying off! The video should be fixed now. smile.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2013, 01:32 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Apr 1 2013, 01:15 PM) *
Thanks, I'm happy to be on the right track. I think my timing is improving with everything, too, not just these lessons. I think this is really paying off! The video should be fixed now. smile.gif



Yeah! We finally fond the way to go! You keep on improving and submitting very good takes working in this way! The video also sounds great! Maybe the open E palm muting could be tighter but I'm being very demanding! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 7 2013, 05:06 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 2 2013, 12:32 PM) *
Yeah! We finally fond the way to go! You keep on improving and submitting very good takes working in this way! The video also sounds great! Maybe the open E palm muting could be tighter but I'm being very demanding! smile.gif


smile.gif And practice does not seem as stressful, making small jumps in speed.

Here is some stuff from this week!
130bpm

115bpm


Full speed with backing!
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/riffmaster-2/s-UxlGG

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 7 2013, 09:25 PM

Hi V! Good takes! The two first ones sound perfect at this tempo. The only thing that I could comment is that the tone has too much trebble this time, check out the pedal EQ! Riff Master lesson is close to be mastered! You recorded this lesson with a different tuning (compared to Lian's guitar) so it doesn't sound good over the backing. Your playing is very good and you just have to adjust some timing details (for example at 00:40) to play it perfectly.

You are doing a great job mate! Keep on rocking! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 8 2013, 01:35 PM

I'm not sure which is worse that I forgot to use the right tuning, or that I didn't notice. laugh.gif I did mess with the treble on the pedal a little and I will change it back. I think my amp needs a bit of repair as the tone and volume fade in and out after it gets warm. It almost sounds like a reeeeaaaaallly slow flanger or something. It's a bit of a challenge to keep a consistant tone. smile.gif

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 7 2013, 08:25 PM) *
Hi V! Good takes! The two first ones sound perfect at this tempo. The only thing that I could comment is that the tone has too much trebble this time, check out the pedal EQ! Riff Master lesson is close to be mastered! You recorded this lesson with a different tuning (compared to Lian's guitar) so it doesn't sound good over the backing. Your playing is very good and you just have to adjust some timing details (for example at 00:40) to play it perfectly.

You are doing a great job mate! Keep on rocking! smile.gif


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 8 2013, 02:02 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Apr 8 2013, 09:35 AM) *
I'm not sure which is worse that I forgot to use the right tuning, or that I didn't notice. laugh.gif I did mess with the treble on the pedal a little and I will change it back. I think my amp needs a bit of repair as the tone and volume fade in and out after it gets warm. It almost sounds like a reeeeaaaaallly slow flanger or something. It's a bit of a challenge to keep a consistant tone. smile.gif



hahaha I didn't note it in the first part because your guitar was louder than bass but there was something weird. Maybe you can use any software to transpose the backing tonality, I'm not sure if it will sound cool, but you can try with any pitch shiftier. This will make your practice easier.

Regarding your amp, it's time to take him to the doctor!

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 21 2013, 10:46 PM


QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 8 2013, 01:02 PM) *
hahaha I didn't note it in the first part because your guitar was louder than bass but there was something weird. Maybe you can use any software to transpose the backing tonality, I'm not sure if it will sound cool, but you can try with any pitch shiftier. This will make your practice easier.

Regarding your amp, it's time to take him to the doctor!


Sadly my amp does not have health insurance, and will have to tough it out until I have some extra cash. tongue.gif Until then I tried a couple new things. First I recorded "Riffmaster" in the right key rolleyes.gif , and then tried it with a new tone. Not sure it is perfect yet though.


And this is a recording of some riffs that I came up with this week. Do you think you could help me turn them or something else into a whole song while I am working on getting everything else up to speed? I have trouble finishing things. I have started lots of ideas, but have yet to finish 1 whole song. smile.gif
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/untitled/s-IDsMG

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 22 2013, 02:50 AM

Hi mate, I'm sorry to know the news about your amps. Riffmaster is close, but as you surely can note, your are not comfortable with the tempo yet. both the first section and the last one isn't tight it's not a timing issue, it's just that you don't reach the speed yet. But I think that you are getting close, so keep on working on it.

Regarding your composition, yes! I want to help you. The riffs are cool. I think that the first step would be to visualize where you are going, what you want to compose and try to work on the basic structure. You should have the main riff, the verse, the chorus and organize them. These riffs could be an introduction, or maybe a verse so thinking on a good pre chorus, and a catchy chorus. Once you have a riff, verse, pre chorus & chorus, you just have to organize, you already have the whole thing.

Posted by: vonhotch Apr 28 2013, 10:48 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 22 2013, 01:50 AM) *
Hi mate, I'm sorry to know the news about your amps. Riffmaster is close, but as you surely can note, your are not comfortable with the tempo yet. both the first section and the last one isn't tight it's not a timing issue, it's just that you don't reach the speed yet. But I think that you are getting close, so keep on working on it.

Regarding your composition, yes! I want to help you. The riffs are cool. I think that the first step would be to visualize where you are going, what you want to compose and try to work on the basic structure. You should have the main riff, the verse, the chorus and organize them. These riffs could be an introduction, or maybe a verse so thinking on a good pre chorus, and a catchy chorus. Once you have a riff, verse, pre chorus & chorus, you just have to organize, you already have the whole thing.


Yea, I did not think it was as good as it can be. I don't know if it is any better this week either. I was unable to practice most of the week which is the longest I have gone in quite a while. Ugh, what a week. But here is some stuff, and also some new original acoustic riffage. Because I wasn't able to work on the riffs from last week but the new riffs fit my mood much better for this week so I thought I would post them. It was fun to jam over.

Has been a bit since I posted this one. 135bpm.

Bumped this another 5bpm or so

And......Riffmaster. Better than last week but I am still not sure it is perfect yet.

And this really has nothing to do with anything but I like your take on any of my riffs so.........
https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/why/s-tgAgu

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 30 2013, 05:44 AM

Hi Vonhotch! It's great to have news from you! I checked every video and I must say that you did a very good job! The first one is just perfect, the second one is ok, but still can sound tighter (keep on practicing it). Riff master is very close to sound perfect, the most relevant thing that I note is something weird happening at 00:08 and every time that part of the riff is repeated.

Regarding your new idea, it's beautiful! I have been with the computer some time and as soon as your idea sounded my girlfriend said: "What's that? It's very nice!" smile.gif

Keep on rocking.

Posted by: vonhotch May 1 2013, 12:53 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 30 2013, 04:44 AM) *
Hi Vonhotch! It's great to have news from you! I checked every video and I must say that you did a very good job! The first one is just perfect, the second one is ok, but still can sound tighter (keep on practicing it). Riff master is very close to sound perfect, the most relevant thing that I note is something weird happening at 00:08 and every time that part of the riff is repeated.

Regarding your new idea, it's beautiful! I have been with the computer some time and as soon as your idea sounded my girlfriend said: "What's that? It's very nice!" smile.gif

Keep on rocking.


This is soooooo cool to hear! A year ago I never would have imagined being able to record anything!! Let alone record a small piece of music and post it somewhere where someone thousands of miles away would stop and take notice of it playing. Maybe it's silly, but it is amazing to me. Thank you so much for all you have done for me this past year! smile.gif

And as for Riffmaster.....That is funny. The weirdness is me failing to hit a pinch harmonic. I have about a 50% success rate when I'm practicing it, and that drops to about 30% when I'm recording. laugh.gif I have also been changing presets and amps and guitars, and has made it weird to remember how to nail it everytime. I will try to focus on hiting that harmonic this week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 1 2013, 08:51 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Apr 30 2013, 08:53 PM) *
This is soooooo cool to hear! A year ago I never would have imagined being able to record anything!! Let alone record a small piece of music and post it somewhere where someone thousands of miles away would stop and take notice of it playing. Maybe it's silly, but it is amazing to me. Thank you so much for all you have done for me this past year! smile.gif

And as for Riffmaster.....That is funny. The weirdness is me failing to hit a pinch harmonic. I have about a 50% success rate when I'm practicing it, and that drops to about 30% when I'm recording. laugh.gif I have also been changing presets and amps and guitars, and has made it weird to remember how to nail it everytime. I will try to focus on hiting that harmonic this week.


Hey mate, thanks for your words. It's also amazing for me to be helping and listening to takes and ideas from friends around the world. That's why I love GMC since the first day I worked here. I remember that first time I entered to this forum and ended jamming via msn with a student from Scotland. I was so amazed of that. Nowadays it's normal to have every week jams at Vchat with guys from everywhere. smile.gif
You have been evolving a lot here so I would like to say congratulations for your hard work!

Posted by: vonhotch May 5 2013, 11:59 PM

Thanks. smile.gif

I worked on that acoustic piece more to develop that into a song. My main idea is to slowly build and develop the idea I showed you until one last short section of heavy, crushing, hoplessness. I want it to have a sad feel but with maybe some building hope, and then BOOM, all the hope is gone! I want to add electric guitars over this and layer in some other stuff as well maybe. I left it unresolved on purpose to add to the tension and lost feel. This track is pretty rough, my mic is picking up all the background music, and or click track. Didn't really feel like I accomplished too much progress with the lessons this week. So I thought I would post this. smile.gif

https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/why1/s-HzhQv

Edit!!!! Ignore the last bit around 3:10 I did not notice it til now that I have uploaded it and it is not supposed to still be there and it took forever to upload the first time, and I'm out of time for now....... rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 6 2013, 03:16 AM

Hi mate! This idea is evolving really cool. You won't believe but once again my girlfriend started to hit her desk following the rhythm of the heavier part in the end... biggrin.gif hahahha you have that effect. I think that you should explore a bit more that last section starting at 2:30 which I find so cool. Those octave chords melodies are very interesting.




Posted by: vonhotch May 8 2013, 05:39 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 6 2013, 02:16 AM) *
Hi mate! This idea is evolving really cool. You won't believe but once again my girlfriend started to hit her desk following the rhythm of the heavier part in the end... biggrin.gif hahahha you have that effect. I think that you should explore a bit more that last section starting at 2:30 which I find so cool. Those octave chords melodies are very interesting.

Ha ha ha. You are right I don't believe it. laugh.gif I've got a couple ideas for that last section, and I think I'm gonna try to rerecord more of it in all one take, now that I feel I have an arrangement I like. It seems to be getting too messy with all the different takes pieced together. I think I have got some ideas for the electric guitar stuff figured out where I want them. Hopefully this weekend I can add those too. And maybe some simple drum fills here and there. Do you think I am going about this the right way so far?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 8 2013, 07:20 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 8 2013, 01:39 PM) *
Ha ha ha. You are right I don't believe it. laugh.gif I've got a couple ideas for that last section, and I think I'm gonna try to rerecord more of it in all one take, now that I feel I have an arrangement I like. It seems to be getting too messy with all the different takes pieced together. I think I have got some ideas for the electric guitar stuff figured out where I want them. Hopefully this weekend I can add those too. And maybe some simple drum fills here and there. Do you think I am going about this the right way so far?



yes! you are on the right path with this one. I think that re-recording and arranging it is the next step now. Looking forward the new mix. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch May 9 2013, 01:22 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 8 2013, 06:20 PM) *
yes! you are on the right path with this one. I think that re-recording and arranging it is the next step now. Looking forward the new mix. smile.gif

Ok, great. What do you think about the sound of the recording? I am micing the guitar. I have the mic pointed at about a 45 degree angle or so aimed at the end of the fretboard. Not so much at the soundhole. I had read somewhere pointing it at the 12th fret was a good start, I guess this is somewhere in between. I think it sounds good, but I have no doubt it could be better. Also is there anthing I can do to minimize the sound of my fingers slinging up and down the strings other than NOT sliding them up and down the strings or is that just part of recording an acoustic instrument?
Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 10 2013, 01:45 PM

The sound is ok, but I would still continue experimenting with the mic position to get a more balanced EQ. Putting your mic close to frett 12 gives you more fingers sound, so if you want to lower it a bit, you shouldn't put it there. You can also use two mics for an acoustic guitar, one close to the hole and the other one near fret 12, and then experiment with the mix.

There are lots of videos at youtube that can give you cool ideas for this:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=recording+acoustic&oq=recording+acoustic&gs_l=youtube.3..0.97285.99996.0.100145.20.14.1.5.5.1.248.1441.9j3j2.14.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.gH_zvr_LCf0


Posted by: vonhotch May 19 2013, 10:32 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 10 2013, 12:45 PM) *
The sound is ok, but I would still continue experimenting with the mic position to get a more balanced EQ. Putting your mic close to frett 12 gives you more fingers sound, so if you want to lower it a bit, you shouldn't put it there. You can also use two mics for an acoustic guitar, one close to the hole and the other one near fret 12, and then experiment with the mix.

There are lots of videos at youtube that can give you cool ideas for this:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=recording+acoustic&oq=recording+acoustic&gs_l=youtube.3..0.97285.99996.0.100145.20.14.1.5.5.1.248.1441.9j3j2.14.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.gH_zvr_LCf0


Hey man. I'm just checkin in. I have been really busy working, and my practice goal has been more to maintain than to improve, but I did get a little work done my song. I rerecorded a couple spots so it sounds a little more all one take, and worked on the last section. I am not completely happy with it, but I think I may be on more of the right track. I also added the thunderstorm in the background, I think it totally fits the emotion that inspired this track and adds to the over all ambience. It is a recording of a hailstorm on top of the Atlas mountains in Morocco. (How cool is that?) It fit really well with the track I think. And I realized now that I did not rerecord the first section where you can hear the metronome. I will fix that. And the mix is weird, I have the drums sent to individual tracks but it did not work when I opened it for this rendering, so I think the drums especially the high hat are to far forward in the mix.

I am trying to explain my thinking as I go through this so if there are flaws in my logic you can tell me or see where I am going or whatever, or tell me I am thinking about it wrong.

Hopefully I can get back to progress with my lessons in the next couple weeks. But for now I won't bore you with the same stuff again. smile.gif

Oh and I added some simple drum fills. Which I think it needed because the drums seemed boring to me. Hopefully they do not still seem to repetitive.

Thanks!!!!

https://soundcloud.com/vonhotch/why2/s-qr96B

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 20 2013, 03:11 PM

Wou mate! I love how this track is evolving! It's getting better and better! It's true that the drums needs some mixing work but the composition is getting very good. I would fix drums, add bass guitar, some arrangements (other instruments maybe?) and release this track. smile.gif
Congrats!

Posted by: vonhotch May 22 2013, 02:13 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 20 2013, 02:11 PM) *
Wou mate! I love how this track is evolving! It's getting better and better! It's true that the drums needs some mixing work but the composition is getting very good. I would fix drums, add bass guitar, some arrangements (other instruments maybe?) and release this track. smile.gif
Congrats!


Thanks. smile.gif I am very pleased with how it's coming too. I'll keep on it and add in that other stuff, and the next time you hear it, it will be a masterpiece... laugh.gif

I was messing around with some other open string chords last night like the octave thing at the end of my track, trying to add some open strings in some other ways. I was playing a progression of what ended up being a F#7(add4), G6, A(add9), and a B(add4). Then I remembered this Petrucci article where he talks about these exact chords, so I wanted to share it with you to see if you had seen it or ever messed around with this type of thing. I love how full it sounds when you add open strings to a chord, almost makes 1 guitar sound like 2.

http://www.guitarworld.com/open-string-thing-movable-chords-open-strings

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 22 2013, 04:00 PM

Thanks a lot for sharing the article! smile.gif I have been a big fan of him and DT so I learn many songs where he uses this type of chords and I love how them sound. This is one of my favourite, I play it every time I pick an acoustic guitar.


Posted by: vonhotch May 24 2013, 04:07 PM

That is a cool song. I haven't listen to too much Dream Theater but I have enjoyed all of his articles that I have read. I listened to a few more songs from them. I like how their style seems pretty wide. Some stuff is softer like this and then some parts are heavier. At least that is the impression I got.

I like to play this song a lot when I pick up an acoustic. Have you ever seen the movie "The Punisher"? I am a bit out of practice but I used to be able to play and sing it. Maybe someday when I get brave I will record a cover.
This is the scene from the movie

This is the whole song.


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 25 2013, 08:34 PM

That's a cool song! I haven't seen the movie so I didn't know this song. What about a cover for GMC?? biggrin.gif

Posted by: vonhotch May 27 2013, 04:17 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 25 2013, 07:34 PM) *
That's a cool song! I haven't seen the movie so I didn't know this song. What about a cover for GMC?? biggrin.gif

Ha ha.. Ok, I will work on it. smile.gif I would like to be able to add vocals to my own songs but am pretty insecure about singing, so this will be a good way to overcome that fear.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 27 2013, 05:50 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 27 2013, 12:17 PM) *
Ha ha.. Ok, I will work on it. smile.gif I would like to be able to add vocals to my own songs but am pretty insecure about singing, so this will be a good way to overcome that fear.



yeah, I understand your feeling but I think that this should be fixed with practice, and asking friends in who you can trust for opinion. I can give you honest feedback if you want.

Posted by: vonhotch May 29 2013, 12:53 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 27 2013, 04:50 PM) *
yeah, I understand your feeling but I think that this should be fixed with practice, and asking friends in who you can trust for opinion. I can give you honest feedback if you want.

Yes! That would be great. It is really great to have a place to step out of your comfort zone and not have to worry about the normal negativity usually found on the internet, and well most everywhere anymore. I have a lot of respect for your feedback, and learning to take some criticism has been something I needed to learn as well. biggrin.gif Just be careful what you ask for though my singing maybe worse than my first guitar post!!!! ohmy.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 29 2013, 03:39 PM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ May 28 2013, 08:53 PM) *
Yes! That would be great. It is really great to have a place to step out of your comfort zone and not have to worry about the normal negativity usually found on the internet, and well most everywhere anymore. I have a lot of respect for your feedback, and learning to take some criticism has been something I needed to learn as well. biggrin.gif Just be careful what you ask for though my singing maybe worse than my first guitar post!!!! ohmy.gif


hahaha don't worry mate! I'm very glad to know that my feedback really helps you to become a better musician. smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Jul 12 2013, 04:37 PM

Hey Gab, sorry I kind of dropped off, I have been working way too much lately and have not had enough time for practice. Hope everything is good with you, and I will be back as soon as I can find the balance again. Hopefully sooner than later. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2013, 12:41 AM

QUOTE (vonhotch @ Jul 12 2013, 12:37 PM) *
Hey Gab, sorry I kind of dropped off, I have been working way too much lately and have not had enough time for practice. Hope everything is good with you, and I will be back as soon as I can find the balance again. Hopefully sooner than later. biggrin.gif


Hi mate! I'm fine! Thanks for the update! I hope that you can organize your time again soon! smile.gif

Posted by: vonhotch Oct 10 2013, 05:01 PM

Hey Gab, I am ready to get back at it. I had an idea to take one lesson at a time, and ease back into a routine. rolleyes.gif This is one you had me look at before, I thought it might be good to start with. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/aeolian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/

I thought maybe lessons like this would be good to analyze while I learn, and then maybe I could see if I could take what I learned and apply it to my 7 or 8 string guitars. Kind of learn then apply? Does this sound ok?

My first question though is as I was looking through it. It appears to be C minor, but he plays the B note too. The scale goes Bb,B,Ab. How does the B fit? The B would be from Harmonic minor? Or is it just a passing tone?


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 10 2013, 07:33 PM

Hi mate, this sounds great for me! This type of lessons are great to understand the fret board and to become a better improviser. It's also a first step to be able to do chord melodies. Alejandro is using the 7th major note (cool.gif as a passing note. Every time you have a minor 7th in a scale, you can use the 7th Major as a passing note and it will sound good. Experiment with it!

Please keep me updated about your diary practice and post videos here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 12 2013, 02:37 PM

Hi mate! I'm back, I was wondering what are the news... I will be posting my news in a thread about something that I received at my home... cool.gif

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