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GMC Forum _ Alex Feather _ Mad Guitar Mentoring

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 22 2012, 05:34 PM

Hello Mad!
I am so happy that you have decided to join my program!
A few questions before we will start!
-What are your goals?
-What is your weakness?
-What is your strongest point?
-Your favorite guitar players?
I am looking forward to start working with you!

Posted by: mad Mar 23 2012, 02:26 PM

Hey Alex,

thanks for picking me up biggrin.gif
These are my goals for this mentoring:
- get a better acoustic guitar player
- get into some jazz theory/playing
- making my own backing-tracks
my weakness: Fast chord switches, especially when using 4 fingers on the fretboard, barre-chords
strongest point: the last weeks I made good progress regarding rhythm playing and 'faster' alternate picking (thanks to Cosmin and Ben)
my favorite guitar players/musicians (in terms of the direction I want to go here) are:
- Andy McKee
- Erik Mongrain
- Brent Hinds (Mastodon)
- Buckethead


Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 25 2012, 03:34 AM

Perfect!!!
Let's start with your chords first! I have created a little exercise for you!
It has a few cool chord changes and they are switching fast!
You can start practicing this exercise very slow and than increase the tempo when you feel comfortable!
It will help you with bar chords in no time! You will see progress in a few days and it will never be an issue ever again!!!
Here is the track!

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Here is the GP file!
 Chords.gpx ( 23.33K ) : 129

This exercise is a little tricky! Please feel free to ask me any questions!

Posted by: mad Mar 25 2012, 12:36 PM

Thanks! I'll put this into my daily practice routine.
But the GP-file is missing.. would be helpful for practicing slow!

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 25 2012, 05:32 PM

Great! Just added a guitar pro file! Let me know how your practicing goes!
Also I would like to know your practicing routine!
Just write me your schedule and what you are working on!

Posted by: mad Mar 26 2012, 08:04 AM

Thanks! But unfortunately I'm still using GP5 - could you please export it into that format? I'm planning to get the latest version though, but for now I get everything what I need out of GP5..

My practice schedule:
First 10 minutes:
For warmup I use one of these patterns (don't know from where I got them, but I tabbed them once and since then I play along with GP or a metronome)
 Warmup1.gp5 ( 6.3K ) : 120

 Warmup2.gp5 ( 7.13K ) : 114

 Warmup3.gp5 ( 1.96K ) : 132


I do some stretching afterwards

20-30 minutes
I'm chosing a lesson I have to work on for my mentoring (last one I did was the ramones lesson from gabriel, uploaded yesterday) next one will be the rhythm lesson by marcus siepen (Cosmin mentoring) - I already uploaded a take a few days ago, but I should work on that some more and record another take..

5 minutes
working on a different lesson: atm funk rhythm (Cosmin mentoring) need to get that down to improve faster rhythm playing..

When I have some more time (normally that's the case), I do some alternate picking excercises or work on another lesson.

Whenever I can I grab my acoustic and play something and try to sing along (->only when I know nobody is around me tongue.gif ) atm chords from the C major scale. Or I'm just trying to play melodies I have in my head...

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 26 2012, 07:07 PM

Here is GP5 file!
 Chords.gp5 ( 3.78K ) : 126

You have a very nice and organized practice routine!
I can suggest adding pentatonics into it
It's very simple
you have to learn every pentatonic in every position and start playing them as an exercise!
You can use alternative picking!
My idea of practicing is more things you can combine together better it is!
So you can do pentatonics and alternative picking at the same time!
I am not sure if you have all pentatonic shapes

E |----------------------------|--------3--6--3-------------|
B |----------------------------|--3--6-----------6--3-------|
G |--------------------3--5----|-----------------------5----|
D |--------------3--5----------|----------------------------|
A |--------3--5----------------|----------------------------|
E |--3--6----------------------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|----------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------|----------------------------|
--3-------------------------|----------------|--------------------5--7----|
-----5--3-------------------|----------------|--------------5--8----------|
-----------5--3-------------|----------------|--------5--8----------------|
-----------------6--3-------|----------------|--6--8----------------------|


--------6--8--6-------------|----------------------------|
--6--8-----------8--6-------|----------------------------|
-----------------------7----|--5-------------------------|
----------------------------|-----8--5--------------5L---|
----------------------------|-----------8--5-------------|
----------------------------|-----------------8--6-------|


----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
--5-------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|--------8--10-8-------------|
----------------------------|--8--11----------11-8-------|
--------------------7--10---|-----------------------10---|
--------------8--10---------|----------------------------|
--------8--10---------------|----------------------------|
--8--10---------------------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
--7-------------------------|----------------------------|
-----10-8-------------------|----------------------------|
-----------10-8--------10L--|--10------------------------|
-----------------10-8-------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|--------------------10-12---|
----------------------------|--------------10-12---------|
----------------------------|--------10-13---------------|
----------------------------|--10-13---------------------|


--------10-13-10------------|----------------------------|
--11-13----------13-11------|----------------------------|
-----------------------12---|--10------------------------|
----------------------------|-----12-10------------------|
----------------------------|-----------13-10-------10L--|
----------------------------|-----------------13-10------|


----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
--10------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|--------13-15-13------------|
----------------------------|--13-15----------15-13------|
--------------------12-15---|-----------------------15---|
--------------12-15---------|----------------------------|
--------13-15---------------|----------------------------|
--13-15---------------------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
--12------------------------|----------------------------|
-----15-12------------------|----------------------------|
-----------15-13------------|----------------------------|
-----------------15-13-15L--|--15------------------------|


----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|
----------------------------|----------------------------|


----------------------------|----------------|
----------------------------|----------------|
----------------------------|----------------|
----------------------------|----------------|
----------------------------|----------------|
----------------------------|----------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-13---|
--3--6--------6--8--------8--10-------10-13---------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------13-15-------15-17-17-15-------15-13---------|
--13-15-------15-18-------------18-15-------15-13---|


----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
--13-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----------|-------|
--------13-10-------10-8--------8--6--------6--3L---|--3----|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-12---|
--3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-13---------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------12-15-------15-17-17-15-------15-12---------|
--13-15-------15-17-------------17-15-------15-13---|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
--12-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----------|--5----|
--------13-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--5--------5--7--------7--10-------10-12---|
--3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-12---------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------12-15-------15-17-17-15-------15-12---------|
--12-15-------15-17-------------17-15-------15-12---|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
--12-10-------10-7--------7--5--------5--3----------|-------|
--------12-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----|--5----|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|


----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--6--------6--8--------8--11-------11-13---|
--3--5--------5--7--------7--10-------10-12---------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
--------13-15-------15-18-18-15-------15-13---------|
--12-15-------15-17-------------17-15-------15-12---|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|-------|
--13-11-------11-8--------8--6--------6--3----------|-------|
--------12-10-------10-7--------7--5--------5--3----|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|--5----|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|


--------3--6--------6--8--------8--10-------10-13---|
--3--6--------6--8--------8--11-------11-13---------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--------13-15-------15-18-18-15-------15-13---------|
--13-15-------15-18-------------18-15-------15-13---|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--13-10-------10-8--------8--6--------6--3----------|--3----|-------|-------|
--------13-11-------11-8--------8--6--------6--3----|-------|-------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|
----------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|


-------|----------------------------------------------------|
-------|----------------------------------------------------|
-------|----------------------------------------------------|
-------|----------------------------------------------------|
-------|--------3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-13---|
-------|--3--6--------6--8--------8--10-------10-13---------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------13-15-------15-17-17-15-------15-13---------|
--13-15-------15-18-------------18-15-------15-13---|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--13-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----------|
--------13-10-------10-8--------8--6--------6--3----|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-12---|
--3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-13---------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------12-15-------15-17-17-15-------15-12---------|
--13-15-------15-17-------------17-15-------15-13---|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--12-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----------|
--------13-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--5--------5--7--------7--10-------10-12---|
--3--5--------5--8--------8--10-------10-12---------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------12-15-------15-17-17-15-------15-12---------|
--12-15-------15-17-------------17-15-------15-12---|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--12-10-------10-7--------7--5--------5--3----------|
--------12-10-------10-8--------8--5--------5--3----|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
--------3--6--------6--8--------8--11-------11-13---|
--3--5--------5--7--------7--10-------10-12---------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
--------13-15-------15-18-18-15-------15-13---------|
--12-15-------15-17-------------17-15-------15-12---|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
--13-11-------11-8--------8--6--------6--3----------|
--------12-10-------10-7--------7--5--------5--3----|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--------3--6--------6--8--------8--10-------10-13---|
--3--6--------6--8--------8--11-------11-13---------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--------13-15-------15-18-18-15-------15-13---------|
--13-15-------15-18-------------18-15-------15-13---|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--13-10-------10-8--------8--6--------6--3----------|
--------13-11-------11-8--------8--6--------6--3----|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--6--3----------------------------------------------|
--------6--3--------6--3----------------------------|
--------------5--3--------5--3--------5--3----------|
--------------------------------5--3--------5--3----|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||
--------5L----------------------5-------------------||
--5--3----------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||

Here is GP 5 file
 G_minor_pentatonics.gp5 ( 8.76K ) : 116

Let me know if you need any help!

Posted by: mad Mar 26 2012, 08:43 PM

Wow! Thanks man!
Yes, I know all the shapes - but putting these into my warmup routine is definately the best I can do!
I'm starting right now and let you know the progress!

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 26 2012, 09:44 PM

QUOTE (mad @ Mar 26 2012, 07:43 PM) *
Wow! Thanks man!
Yes, I know all the shapes - but putting these into my warmup routine is definately the best I can do!
I'm starting right now and let you know the progress!

Sounds good!
This is a mechanical routine you have to get it to the point when you don't think when you are playing! It will take some time but you will be rewarded in the end!!!

Posted by: mad Mar 26 2012, 09:50 PM

Noticed that! I just played through the patterns again without a doubt and I was able to play the part with E/D and then D/A strings in no time - but for don't think about it while playing, I'll need a few days ....
right now I'm struggling with the chords-excercise tongue.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Mar 27 2012, 01:12 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Mar 26 2012, 08:50 PM) *
Noticed that! I just played through the patterns again without a doubt and I was able to play the part with E/D and then D/A strings in no time - but for don't think about it while playing, I'll need a few days ....
right now I'm struggling with the chords-excercise tongue.gif

I am glad to hear that!
Chord exercise is fun! Ha! It will help you a lot!!!

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 1 2012, 11:27 AM

Hi! I just wanted to follow up and check on your progress!
So you have any questions or need help with something please let me know!

Posted by: mad Apr 3 2012, 04:29 PM

Hey Alex, thanks for checking! Well, I'm always using the new horizontal pentatonic runs in my daily warmup-routines (it's getting more and more fluent - good feeling!) And trying to get the chord changes up to speed.. When I'm going to play them faster, I have difficulties to fret the entire chord (higher strings are not ringing) but I think that's just a matter of practice hours ;P
At first I played the chords with a different strumming pattern, just to get the feeling for faster changes..

I'd like to start with some jazz theory as well, if you don't mind...

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 3 2012, 05:42 PM

QUOTE (mad @ Apr 3 2012, 03:29 PM) *
Hey Alex, thanks for checking! Well, I'm always using the new horizontal pentatonic runs in my daily warmup-routines (it's getting more and more fluent - good feeling!) And trying to get the chord changes up to speed.. When I'm going to play them faster, I have difficulties to fret the entire chord (higher strings are not ringing) but I think that's just a matter of practice hours ;P
At first I played the chords with a different strumming pattern, just to get the feeling for faster changes..

I'd like to start with some jazz theory as well, if you don't mind...

I am glad you seeing the progress! It takes time but you are on the right track so look at it as a long term investment!
Let's start with some Jazz!!!
All Jazz is based on II-V-I so if you will learn how to play over those changes you will learn to play over anything!
To play over changes and sound good you have to play chords tones! Chord tones is a sequence of the notes that chord is made of!
Here is a new backing track
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/ii-v-i-jam

What I want you to do is to get use to this track and jam with it!
The chord changes Emi7-A7-Dmaj7
So let's analyze those chords and find chord tones!
Emi7 - E-G-B-D
A7- A-C#-E-G
Dmaj7-D-F#-A-C#

The most important chord tones III-VII

So when you are jamming I want you to start landing on the chords tones every time A7 comes up!
Try to land on III or VII but if you can't any of Dmaj7 chord tones will work!

Let me know if you have any questions or need some help!

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 5 2012, 09:27 AM

Hi! I just wanted to follow up and see how everything is going and if you need any help or have questions!

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 15 2012, 08:39 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Apr 3 2012, 03:29 PM) *
Hey Alex, thanks for checking! Well, I'm always using the new horizontal pentatonic runs in my daily warmup-routines (it's getting more and more fluent - good feeling!) And trying to get the chord changes up to speed.. When I'm going to play them faster, I have difficulties to fret the entire chord (higher strings are not ringing) but I think that's just a matter of practice hours ;P
At first I played the chords with a different strumming pattern, just to get the feeling for faster changes..

I'd like to start with some jazz theory as well, if you don't mind...

Hi! How are you? I just wanted to check and see how is everything going! Do you have any questions or need help with anything?

Posted by: Alex Feather Apr 25 2012, 07:38 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Apr 3 2012, 03:29 PM) *
Hey Alex, thanks for checking! Well, I'm always using the new horizontal pentatonic runs in my daily warmup-routines (it's getting more and more fluent - good feeling!) And trying to get the chord changes up to speed.. When I'm going to play them faster, I have difficulties to fret the entire chord (higher strings are not ringing) but I think that's just a matter of practice hours ;P
At first I played the chords with a different strumming pattern, just to get the feeling for faster changes..

I'd like to start with some jazz theory as well, if you don't mind...

Hi! I just wanted to see how are you doing and if you are ready for a new challenge?

Posted by: Alex Feather May 2 2012, 06:20 AM

Hi! I have a new assignment if you are ready!! Please let me know!! smile.gif

Posted by: mad May 10 2012, 08:06 PM

Hey Alex!

Sorry, but I was somewhat busy in the last weeks - not able to pick up my guitar any time sad.gif ..
But I'm 'restarting' right away. Surprisingly I was able to keep up the speed when warming up with the pentatonics, but I have the same problems when speeding up the chord-changes.. Can you provide me the backing without you playing the chords - or better: do you have that backing in lower bpms - if not, no problem, I continue using GP (although it's kinda boring tongue.gif )?
I'll try to improvise over your jazz backing ASAP!

Posted by: mad May 10 2012, 09:33 PM

ok - here's something I came up after a short time of jamming.. I didn't take much attention on landing on specific notes at first, but after I jammed a little bit and I got a 'nice and easy' melody going on that sounded good to me, I recognized that these are mostly the notes to head for (if I'm not wrong..)
Did a few mistakes but all in all hearable (warning: don't get asleep while listening biggrin.gif )

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex-ii-v-i

Posted by: Alex Feather May 12 2012, 05:25 AM

QUOTE (mad @ May 10 2012, 08:33 PM) *
ok - here's something I came up after a short time of jamming.. I didn't take much attention on landing on specific notes at first, but after I jammed a little bit and I got a 'nice and easy' melody going on that sounded good to me, I recognized that these are mostly the notes to head for (if I'm not wrong..)
Did a few mistakes but all in all hearable (warning: don't get asleep while listening biggrin.gif )

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex-ii-v-i

You did a very good job! I would love to hear more chord tones! Here is a good exercise!
It has all the chord tones from this chord progression! Also it is a very good exercise to sync hands together!
Track 1
E minor 7
S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
E||--------------------10---3--------------------15-|
B||------------------8----3------------15---3-15----|
G||--------7------------------------12----0---------|
D||------5-----------------------12-----------------|
A||----5----------------------10--------------------|
E||--3----------------------------------------------|


A 7
S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
-----15-------9----------------------------|
--14------------8-------------------2------|
---------------------12-----6-----0--------|
-----------17-----11----5------------------|
--------16----------------------4-------10-|
------------------------------3-------9----|


D major 7
S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
----------9-----------2-9-----------14----9---|
------------7-------2-------------7----14---7-|
-------11-----6-------------------------------|
----11----------4-----------------------------|
--9---------------4---------------------------|
----------------------------------------------|


D major 7
S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S S
--------------------------------------------|----||
----7-----------------------------2---------|----||
--6---6------11---6-----------------6-------|----||
----------11----4---------------4-----4-L-L-|----||
--------9---------------------4-------------|----||
--------------------2-----------------------|----||



 Chord_Tones.gp5 ( 2.14K ) : 97


Let me know if you need help or have any questions!

Posted by: mad May 12 2012, 12:37 PM

Thanks! Will give it a try!

Posted by: mad May 12 2012, 01:21 PM

OK- that's some weird fretboard work and way too fast for me atm huh.gif
But I know where you want me to go.. I'll try to come up with a different melody and more chord tones - OK?

Posted by: Alex Feather May 13 2012, 02:48 PM

QUOTE (mad @ May 12 2012, 12:21 PM) *
OK- that's some weird fretboard work and way too fast for me atm huh.gif
But I know where you want me to go.. I'll try to come up with a different melody and more chord tones - OK?

You don't have to play it that fast! All this chord tones will works through out the track even if you will play them slow!
Just take your time and learn those at a slow tempo and jam over the track!
That will be great if you can come up with a different melody! smile.gif I would say go for it! I am looking forward to hear your take and ideas!

Posted by: Alex Feather May 22 2012, 07:28 AM

I have a very cool mechanical exercise that will help you to continue mastering pentatonic scales!
The same idea! Practice it slow using a metronome! It will help you to learn all shapes in no time!
Here is the tab:

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


-----3-----------------------5--7-------------------|
--5--------3-----------5--8--------5----------------|
--------4--------4--7-----------------7-------------|
--------------5--------------------------5----------|
--------------------------------------------7-------|
-----------------------------------------------5----|


-----------------7--10----10----------7-----10------|
--------------8--------------------8-----10----8----|
-----------4-----------------7----------------------|
--------7--------------9----------------------------|
-----5--------------------------10------------------|
--7-------------------------------------------------|


-----------------------------10---------------------|
--------------------------------12------------------|
--9--7--------------------12------------------------|
--------9--7-----------9--------------12------------|
--------------10-------------------10----------14---|
-----------------10-12-------------------12-15------|


----------------------------------------------------|
--------------------15-12----15-12----15-12----15---|
--------15-------14-------15-------14-------12------|
-----14-------12------------------------------------|
-----------14---------------------------------------|
--12------------------------------------------------|


--12-15---------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||
----------------------------------------------------||
--------0L----------------------0L----0-------------||

 Pentatonic_insanity.gpx ( 16.24K ) : 99

Let me know if you have any questions or need help! smile.gif
Also next week we will switch to melodic exercises and I will start explaining how to develop a solo and make it melodic and creative!

Posted by: mad May 22 2012, 09:14 AM

Getting right into it.. do I have to use AP all the way for this excercise?

Posted by: Alex Feather May 22 2012, 09:33 AM

QUOTE (mad @ May 22 2012, 08:14 AM) *
Getting right into it.. do I have to use AP all the way for this excercise?

Yes! You don't have to bring it up to speed slower you do it better results you will get!

Posted by: mad May 22 2012, 12:05 PM

Oh hell - I'm at the first bar@30bpm and when I just think I got the pattern down, I mess it up mad.gif
this needs some work, too biggrin.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather May 22 2012, 07:25 PM

QUOTE (mad @ May 22 2012, 11:05 AM) *
Oh hell - I'm at the first bar@30bpm and when I just think I got the pattern down, I mess it up mad.gif
this needs some work, too biggrin.gif

It's not an easy exercise but it will do miracles and you will master all pentatonics in no time!
The easiest way is to break it on a few sections and learn it part by part!
Let me know if you need help!

Posted by: mad May 23 2012, 08:10 AM

Morning! Here is a little 'progress report' for these insane patterns (first two bars@30bpm) smile.gif
I'm excited about upcoming miracles tongue.gif

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex

Posted by: mad May 23 2012, 04:33 PM

Now got the first 3 bars down - some serious string skipping in the 3rd one... How fast do you expect me to play this exercise?

Posted by: Alex Feather May 23 2012, 05:01 PM

You did a very good job! On the second one you lost timing a little bit I think because of the drum beat, but got back into it!
You don't have to play it fast! It's a mechanical exercise and will develop your coordination just keep the same tempo or even slower! Let me know if you have any questions!

Posted by: mad May 24 2012, 03:35 PM

This is the weirdest stuff I've ever played tongue.gif ...
Hope that's OK for you so far:

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex-1

Posted by: Alex Feather May 25 2012, 08:42 AM

QUOTE (mad @ May 24 2012, 02:35 PM) *
This is the weirdest stuff I've ever played tongue.gif ...
Hope that's OK for you so far:

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex-1



So far very good! A few timing issues but more you practice it better it will get!
I know this exercise is a little weird, but it will help you to learn pentatonic shapes much faster! The idea is to make your brain work differently! This exercise is meant to break typical patterns and when you do that will help you to memorize stuff much easier!
You will see! Just play it for a couple of weeks!
Also you are developing alternative picking! So two birds with one stone:)
Let me know if you have any questions!

Posted by: mad May 26 2012, 07:18 AM

Thanks! I'll upload another take@40bpm soon - I even managed to play this excercise at 50bpm.. afterwards I go back to a slower speed and I can play without any problems! I'm just playing using GP behind, that works great. When I play to a drum track I tend to loose timing in the 3rd bar.. maybe because of string skipping. I think next step would be playing to a metronome and then I'll see if it's getting better to a drum track..

Posted by: Alex Feather May 26 2012, 08:50 AM

QUOTE (mad @ May 26 2012, 06:18 AM) *
Thanks! I'll upload another take@40bpm soon - I even managed to play this excercise at 50bpm.. afterwards I go back to a slower speed and I can play without any problems! I'm just playing using GP behind, that works great. When I play to a drum track I tend to loose timing in the 3rd bar.. maybe because of string skipping. I think next step would be playing to a metronome and then I'll see if it's getting better to a drum track..

I am glad to hear that you are getting comfortable with this exercise! Here is the trick! When you will start practicing this exercise with a metronome set it up at double speed and play one note per click! It will help you a lot! For example if you are comfortable with 60 BPM set up your metronome at 120 and later when you will feel better with the timing you can switch back to 60 and even 30 BPM!
Let me know if you have any questions!

Posted by: mad May 31 2012, 09:34 AM

Hi Alex!

Just a short update on the pentatonic insanity excercise:

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex-2
Please let me know what you think and maybe let's try the next task?

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 1 2012, 05:09 AM

QUOTE (mad @ May 31 2012, 08:34 AM) *
Hi Alex!

Just a short update on the pentatonic insanity excercise:

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/mentoring-alex-2
This is the track that we will be using for a while and I will give you assignments based on it!
The chords are:
Emi7 - A7 - Dmaj7

Over E mi7 chord I want you to play E dorian mode
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator
Over A7
A minor blues pentatonic
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator
Over D major 7 F# minor pentatonic
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Try to be as melodic as possible!!!
I will also record a track to give you more ideas based on the assignment I gave you!
You also can use licks from "Pentatonic Insanity" exercise!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Posted by: mad Jun 12 2012, 07:52 AM

Hi Alex!
Just wanted to let you know I'm still working on the improvisation.. but it's difficult for me to keep in time with the chord changes while playing over them.. maybe you can help out a little, or record a short example on how to play over it.. maybe I'm just short of licks I could use - the licks from the pentatonic insanity excercise sound weird wacko.gif over this backing (or not melodic).

Thanks!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 12 2012, 05:48 PM

QUOTE (mad @ Jun 12 2012, 06:52 AM) *
Hi Alex!
Just wanted to let you know I'm still working on the improvisation.. but it's difficult for me to keep in time with the chord changes while playing over them.. maybe you can help out a little, or record a short example on how to play over it.. maybe I'm just short of licks I could use - the licks from the pentatonic insanity excercise sound weird wacko.gif over this backing (or not melodic).

Thanks!

Cool! So that's what we will start doing from now on!
Here is my take
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/mad
I used exactly the same shapes as I gave you
Over E mi7 chord I played E dorian mode, Over A7
A minor blues pentatonic, Over D major 7 F# minor pentatonic

What I would like you to do is to continue my ideas and ad another solo after mine!
Try to be as melodic as possible and use the same scales and shapes I gave you!
Please leave the rest of the track playing so I can add the next part to it!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Posted by: mad Jun 13 2012, 07:21 AM

Thanks! That's what I needed, now I have the Ideas.. I'll record them asap.
AND - I'd like to be in your "fretboard knowledge mentoring" - I really need to get into this!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 13 2012, 06:16 PM

QUOTE (mad @ Jun 13 2012, 06:21 AM) *
Thanks! That's what I needed, now I have the Ideas.. I'll record them asap.
AND - I'd like to be in your "fretboard knowledge mentoring" - I really need to get into this!

Perfect! I am looking forward to your take!
We will start getting into the fretboard asap!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 22 2012, 07:23 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Jun 13 2012, 06:21 AM) *
Thanks! That's what I needed, now I have the Ideas.. I'll record them asap.
AND - I'd like to be in your "fretboard knowledge mentoring" - I really need to get into this!

Hi I haven't heard from you for a while! Just wanted to see if you are ready for a fretboard challenge! Let me know! smile.gif

Posted by: mad Jun 25 2012, 01:29 PM

Hi Alex!

Ready for fretboard challenge!

And here is another pentatonic insanity take:

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/pentatonicinsanity-take4

I'm still struggling with the improvisation. Maybe we could do a step back (if there is one smile.gif )
I have problems to connect licks in a certain amount of time between the chord changes..

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 26 2012, 02:49 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Jun 25 2012, 12:29 PM) *
Hi Alex!

Ready for fretboard challenge!

And here is another pentatonic insanity take:

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/pentatonicinsanity-take4

I'm still struggling with the improvisation. Maybe we could do a step back (if there is one smile.gif )
I have problems to connect licks in a certain amount of time between the chord changes..

You did a great job with the pentatonics insanity! smile.gif
Sounds very good! Add this exercise to your warm up routine!
For the solo I would like you to continue my solo and use ideas that I have played!
Try to creating your own licks just give it a try and I know you will do great! What will work perfect for this track is Q&A technique! Let me know if you need help with it! smile.gif

Do you want to start getting into fretboard learning?

Posted by: mad Jun 26 2012, 07:47 AM

OK, I just did some improvising yesterday and used Q&A technique.. I remembered you showing this in one of your videochats happy.gif
So I started just using two or three notes to get the timing for the chord changes, then I added more notes or varied with hammer-ons, slides or bends. I think I'll get to the point where I don't need to think about and just add Q&A licks as needed to improvise. Will record a take later today.

And yes, I'd like to start learning the fretboard!

Posted by: mad Jun 27 2012, 08:46 AM

OK, that's all I got for this.. sounds awful sometimes because of wrong notes/bends and lost of ideas.. loads of work to do for this to get better...

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/alex_improvisation_take

Posted by: Alex Feather Jun 27 2012, 09:44 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Jun 27 2012, 07:46 AM) *
OK, that's all I got for this.. sounds awful sometimes because of wrong notes/bends and lost of ideas.. loads of work to do for this to get better...

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/alex_improvisation_take

To speed up the process play a note and call it out loud and than check if you are correct!
Don't go any farther just yet! Let me know when you feel comfortable and I will show you what to do next! smile.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 1 2012, 02:13 AM

QUOTE (mad @ Jun 27 2012, 07:46 AM) *
OK, that's all I got for this.. sounds awful sometimes because of wrong notes/bends and lost of ideas.. loads of work to do for this to get better...

http://soundcloud.com/mad-gmc/alex_improvisation_take

Just wanted to check and see if you have seen the assignment I have posted! smile.gif

Posted by: mad Jul 3 2012, 03:29 PM

I have! And got it down, so we can continue with the fretboard!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 3 2012, 03:52 PM

QUOTE (mad @ Jul 3 2012, 02:29 PM) *
I have! And got it down, so we can continue with the fretboard!

Awesome! So now let's take it to the next level!
That's what I would like you to do:
Take open strings and learn the same notes on the rest of the neck
Find it on every string!

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Etc.

It shouldn't take too long to learn so tomorrow I will post the next step!
Let me know if you have any questions!

Posted by: Alex Feather Jul 14 2012, 06:00 PM

QUOTE (mad @ Jul 3 2012, 02:29 PM) *
I have! And got it down, so we can continue with the fretboard!

Hello I just wanted to check and see if you are ready for a new challenge! smile.gif

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