Gitarrero's Guitar And Bass Training Ground Options

[Cosmin Lupu]

Welcome mate!

This here is YOUR spot! Let me know what you're workin' on and what you'd like to achieve in the near future so that we may know where to start

all the best

Cosmin

[Gitarrero]

Very nice

Besides the weird tasks sensei Ben gives me every week I am currently trying to write some of my own songs and mess around with drop tunings, especially drop D. But I am kinda stuck at the moment and can't grasp all the possibilities this tuning gives me. So I'd like to work on finding cool riff ideas and turn them into a full song...if you get what I mean?
Plus my legato is still pretty bad

[Cosmin Lupu]

Alrighty! Legato and modern riffing will be our concerns then what say you?

[Gitarrero]

Maybe we could skip the legato until...somewhat later??

Just kidding, that's a great idea Once we get a bit deeper into riffing I'd also like to learn how to structure a song and so on...

[Cosmin Lupu]

Maybe we could skip the legato until...somewhat later??

Just kidding, that's a great idea Once we get a bit deeper into riffing I'd also like to learn how to structure a song and so on...

Sure Christian! Let's get to it first things first, I would go with the rhythm and riffing. Now please tell me, what do you feel your weak spots are in rhythm playing? Are there any particular lessons which you are working on at the moment?

[Gitarrero]

I am currently working (once again) on the Pillar and Breaking Benjamin lessons.
I am pretty confident when it comes to riffing on the low strings, but get confused and lose the rhythm when I have to switch between low riffs and licks on the high strings (and frets), if that makes any sense to you?
When I try to come up with riffs by myself, I always play around on the low strings exclusively, and only up to the 7th fret, so after a while they sound boring when I put them into a song...I'd really like to develop more diversity

[Cosmin Lupu]

I am currently working (once again) on the Pillar and Breaking Benjamin lessons.
I am pretty confident when it comes to riffing on the low strings, but get confused and lose the rhythm when I have to switch between low riffs and licks on the high strings (and frets), if that makes any sense to you?
When I try to come up with riffs by myself, I always play around on the low strings exclusively, and only up to the 7th fret, so after a while they sound boring when I put them into a song...I'd really like to develop more diversity

Well, the Pillar lesson has elements such as those implemented here and there, so I think it would be a good starting point. When I am building riffs I am usually trying to think in terms of being as tight as possible with the drums. The 'color' elements are being added somewhat afterwards, by trying to actually blend two guitars into one

What you are saying makes a lot of sense to me indeed for instance, I am using small arpeggiated chord forms implemented in my riffs, as they bring out color and texture to the track. Try this for instance:

- tune down to drop D
- find D minor arpeggio shapes and try to come up with little riffs in which you alternate the D5 shapes - as many as you can find along the neck and combine them with the short arpeggiated forms

And in the mean time, I would be very curious if you could record the lessons and psot them here, not in the REC we could prepare them so that you could go for the 10

what say you Christianmeister?

Cosmin

[Gitarrero]

A 10 in the rec? Sounds like a plan

I will also try the Drop D trick, I have noticed that you work with these little arpeggios...so why shouldn't I?

Since I got two days off from work you can expect some videos today and tomorrow

[Cosmin Lupu]

A 10 in the rec? Sounds like a plan

I will also try the Drop D trick, I have noticed that you work with these little arpeggios...so why shouldn't I?

Since I got two days off from work you can expect some videos today and tomorrow

Looking forward to it

[Gitarrero]

Man, the pillar lesson is really hard at full speed!!
I am recording at the moment, maybe I'll go with a slower BT first so we can start working from there...stay tuned

[Cosmin Lupu]

Man, the pillar lesson is really hard at full speed!!
I am recording at the moment, maybe I'll go with a slower BT first so we can start working from there...stay tuned

That's a very good idea man I'm around waiting

[Gitarrero]

Here we go, first try!
I actually recorded it at full speed for a number of reasons...the 75 bpm BT wasn't downloadable and a bit too slow, imo...and I wanted to push myself. I got one of the riffs confused towards the end and played a wrong note, but other than that I think this take is a good starting point.
So, what are your suggestions?

[Cosmin Lupu]

Here we go, first try!
I actually recorded it at full speed for a number of reasons...the 75 bpm BT wasn't downloadable and a bit too slow, imo...and I wanted to push myself. I got one of the riffs confused towards the end and played a wrong note, but other than that I think this take is a good starting point.
So, what are your suggestions?

Hey Christian!

You're on the yellow brick road mate now, here's what I think you can improve:

- the guitar seems a bit out of tune so, check it please
- practice it at 75% trust me - it WILL gain that 'open greatness' of the riff just because you will master every detail
- by practicing it slowly you will tighten your playing up and make everything sound clean
- gain balance when playing follow the drums as tight as possible
- your tone could use a bit more gain for this type of riffage, me thinks

with these in mind, have another go and let's see what you get

[Gitarrero]

Sure thing, thanks for the feedback
Hm, could you send me the 75 bpm backing so I can record it?
Thanks!

[Cosmin Lupu]

Sure thing, thanks for the feedback
Hm, could you send me the 75 bpm backing so I can record it?
Thanks!

There ya go mate!

Attached File(s)

 75.mp3 ( 3.21MB ) Number of downloads: 38

 

[Gitarrero]

Hi Cosmin,

I took a shot at the Breaking Benjamin lesson in the meantime...it feels so much more comfortable
What do you think about this take?

[Cosmin Lupu]

hey Christian!

Good take mate! Looks like you have nailed it alright now let's go over to the details

- at about 0.20 take care to let those harmonics be heard and push the neck from behind a bit to get that bended sound of all the harmonics at once.
- the riffing could be tighter, but I think the tone is a bit muddy so it may come from that

Otherwise I think you are pretty ready for a REC if you wish to proceed, my German friend

[Gitarrero]

Thanks Cosmin!
I decided to post it to rec straight away, but I will continue practicing this lesson
Now I am going to work on the Pillar lesson again, expect a video later today

[Cosmin Lupu]

Thanks Cosmin!
I decided to post it to rec straight away, but I will continue practicing this lesson
Now I am going to work on the Pillar lesson again, expect a video later today

Alrighty mate! Let me check the REC zone

[Gitarrero]

Well, I got two 10s for the BB take, not too bad for a start, heh?

I decided to throw in a little bass practice yesterday (as you have seen), but now I am back with the Pillar lesson. Stay tuned for another take