Timmy B's Mentoring Thread Options

[Timmy b]

Hi Cosmin, Hows it going?

I was was just wondering how you were going with that FNM track? All good if you have'nt had the time to get to it, your a damn busy man!
But im getting a little restless and was hoping to work on somemore theory stuff again. The Vivaldi piece is great, but i just cant play guitar in that way at all. Even at low speeds my pinkie just isnt comfortable doing it.
So what do you think? Can we do some more drills when your time allows it?

Tim

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey Tim! Sure, I'll get back to ya today with the FNM and we can choose the next to start with it's the end of the month and things cram up in this period usually gimme a few hrs and I'll post new ideas and assignments

Cosmin

[Cosmin Lupu]

Tim...this one was a bit of a brain damage indeed

D major for the intro and the next bit - ye're right

Ok, For the verse part - the F# belongs to D major and the G also so it's not accidental. The G goes over an E minor chord which should be there, for that weird verse ending

Now over the prechorus - I notice a combo of notes in the riff which dictate the F# blues pentatonic scale - the riff is built using the blue note as well - C in this case.

D major for the chorus

The bridge fits with the pre-chorus indeed and it has the flavor of a Phrygian progression - F# Phrygian which has the parent scale - D major

Sorry it took so long mate now, let's pick an easier song and something for your fingers, alright?

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hey Cosmin,
Thanks for that mate, Didnt mean to rush you or anything.
This answers those missing bits for me! Good to see i'm generally on the right track!

What song next then? Should i work one out of our original list, or have you got something in mind?
As for the fingers, hopefully should have some answers about whats wrong with them them this week. Got a specialist vist that should give me an answer. So maybe we skip using it till i have an answer on it?

Tim

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey Tim! Well, you take care of that issue man, wouldn't wanna hear anything bad happened to ya..

In the mean time, let's see, how about an easier one - Hysteria maybe? It's on your list, so let me know if it works for ya

If you think you need any, I have developed some exercises in little movies, which can be found in the GMC database. They deal with injury recuperation, warm-up routines and such Check them out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/gmcguitar?ob=0

They are Called Guitar Biomechanics and Extreme Warmup

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hey Man,
Will def check out those vids, And yes, lets do hysteria. Apologies for the 80's ballad, I was having my 80's month at the time and this track just wouldnt get out of my head!

Ok here we go

Intro/Verse motif
Ok, based on the chords (maybe you can corect these names too ) D add4 (no 5th) (D,F#,G) then Same chord with a G root(So is that Dadd4/G (no 5th) or Gmaj7 (no 3rd?) Than a Em add9 (E,B,F#,G) and back to the first chord
Vocals - D, B, E, A, F#, G So at the look of it a D Major fits But G major too

Pre chorus
Ok, based on the D, Dsus4, Cadd9, also A G6/B? (B,E,G,D) (chord in middle, couldnt quite catch it) and then finishes on C,G,D.
Vocals, D,G,E,D,B,A So I think G Major Fits here

Chorus
Straight forward Em, C, D chords Vocals F#,G,E,D,B,A, So G Major again

Solo
A,D,C# Chords Solo- E,F#,B,D,A,C# So this fits A Major and D Major too.

So to finish up, Pretty confident that most is in G Major. The Solo maybe the A major, as a 2 semitone key change is used sometimes.
So the Intro verse im not sure. Probably G major though.

Well, Whats the verdict then mate! look forward to it!

Cheers
Tim

This post has been edited by Timmy b: May 28 2012, 11:27 AM

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey Tim!

The intro progression could be looked at as being a D Mixolidian progression so, G major is the parent scale

Everything is right - you can also look at the chorus progression as being an Aeolian progression (it starts on Em) I like spotting little modal progressions within progressions

I would go for D major on the solo, just for the easy transition between the D major and D mixolidian (simply playing C# instead of C)

This one is easier for certain!

How are your hands man?

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hi Cosmin,
Welcome Back! How was Poland? Im planing a trip across poland in the summer! Pretty Excited!

Thanks for the feedback. good to see im generaly on the right track with this stuff. Im not really good at and/or really understand entirely modal progressions. I'll have to work on them some more.

Same old story with the hand. No doctor can give me a definite diagnosis of whats wrong. I've got another appointment with a specialist in a couple weeks when im back in Germany. Hopefully he can figure it out. The theory now is that, its nothing really wrong with the hand, but more that there are problems further up my arm or in my back. Im progressivly getting more and more back pain latley, and we're thinking it could be a pinched or caught nerve causing all my troubles. A C8 nerve is the guess? Hope we can confirm something and start working on fixing it.
Will let you know when i know more, Start on some guitar again hopefully! That'll be sweet!

Anyways, Whats next on the agenda? Do the last song on the list, or move to something else?

Tim

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey Tim! Man, Poland was short and fast if I may say so. The thing is, I went there with business and I didn't get to enjoy the scenery too much. But hey, I managed to create a 'next time' opportunity, which will allow me to walk around and see what's what over there.

In the mean time, it's getting busy over here as the festivals are coming and I got gigging with both bands Mate, I wish you all the best with the hand issue and hope it's nothing too serious.

I noticed you are in 85-90% there with the theoretical stuff, which is very good! As for the modal progressions - don't worry! The more you get through them, the easier it will be to spot them and act accordingly I say, let's finish what we started and then move on to other things - what's next on our list?

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hi Cosmin!
Its always good to create "excuses" to do return vists to cool places! I do it all the time Ive heard nothing but good things about Poland!
As for the hand, I have no worry over it at all. This is one of those things that will work out, Just needs time, patience and a bit of common sense to not make it worse. With the right advice and time it will be good again. If anything its been a blessing, as its forced me to pursue another musical direction i've always wanted to, but alway postponed!

Enough about me, how about some work

Ok, these guys are the "hometown heroes" of my youth. they always played the summer festivals and really put on a great show.

West End Riot

Intro
the lead melody is in the G major scale CHords Em and B in the intro, then switchs to E,B,C,G power chords.
Theres a bit of an Eminor lick at the end of each melody line and the track starts on a Eminor so im thinkin this bits in the E minor Key

Verse
Starts on the Em Chord, Bass runs the E,B,C,G notes. Vocals follow the B,A,G,F,A. Not really a definite conclusion here, but im leaning towards the E minor Key again as before. The Track seems to lean that way.

PreChorus
A# and B chords in this short bit, vocals do the same thing. Sounds like a B7 chord ringing out right before the next bit.
Not really sure how this fits. If anything, it make a nice transition and adds tension/build to the chorus.

Chorus. Part 1
E,B,C,G power chords Then a D and Eb (Octaves or D and D with a flat 2nd added) Vocals follow esentially the same melody as the intro. I think the E minor key fits again. Except the Eb which is an accidental i guess.

Chorus Part 2
Bm, Em, C, G Chords Vocals are again within the E minor scale. Section ends with Am, Bm, C, D and Em chords also a nice E minor Pentatonic Lick. Again im thinking E minor key

Bridge
First bit is G and C chords Vocal, Roughly G, A B
2nd bit is A and D chords Vocals A, B, D
Not sure with these, is the Whole thing switched to G major as the relative major, or is it G major, then A major?
The bit rounds of into the solo with E,B,C,D Chords and i think a B7 again Back to E Minor here?

Solo
Bass Runs, G,F,Eb,D and then C,Eb,D,G, finishs on D and Eb, then does the E,B,C,G main bit again.
Guitar seems to be playing in G Minor. except for that stray F# near the start.
Im thinking a switch to the G minor key here

Breakdown
This bit is just a variation on the main verse theme in E Minor.
also G, A, Em chord trown in at the end.

Ok done! Damn that was heaps!
Seems pretty straight forward except for a couple of odd bits. E minor seems to be the Key.
I guess with a lot of rock arrangments, the "proper" formulas aren't always followed or even Known about. Giving us strange combinations!

Ok, 5 songs done! Where to next? The ball's in your court

Tim

[Timmy b]

Hey Cosmin!

Im back from the East! Was a hell of trip, but im back and all sobered up again ready to get to work!!!
So, where do we go from here?

[Cosmin Lupu]

Howdy man! Welcome

Well, I will look over the song and see what's what and then, I was curious to see how your articulation skills are faring? Are you a fan of bending/ vibrato and would you like to explore that region and all? Are you feeling better with that issue we talked about?

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hi Cosmin
The hand seems to be improving and im also seeing my doctor this week to hopefully confirm and sort it all out. I think the time is right to start playing again at a light pace.
As for articulation, we did start on this right before my problem started. i was working on bens vibrato odyssey and also bens land of legato. So i might start up on them again. As for bending,im a big fan! I think i have pretty good bending skills. But as it sometimes happens, this dosent always end up being the case when its put under the microscope So should definetly do a bit of work on it!
Do you have anything else to suggest?

Tim

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey Tim!

Let's see about the song:

Intro and verse are correct

About the pre-chorus, the fact that we have an A# and B can be due to the fact that the A# ebelongs to the E blues scale which can be used in this context - it must be harmonized from there.

In the chorus, that Eb must be coming from the harmonic minor mode - good implementation as it doesn't sound anything like that mode!

I also think that the bridge is a combo between the G major and A major - D can be used as a fourth in relation to G major so the transition is smooth.

Doesn't it seem MEGA FUNNY that we are breaking down a punk song?

The solo seems G minor to me as well, and that F# could be again that harmonic minor flavor like in the previous case

Anyway, for a punk band, they seem to know some great deal of music I enjoyed this!

So, moving a bit forward, bending and vibrato it is I would like to suggest one of my lessons this time not to brag or something but i think I have encompassed a lot of tricky bends in here:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The-Vo...Of-Your-Guitar/

What say you?

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hi Cosmin,
Thanks for the feedback. I never really realized we were breaking down a punk song! seems a bit weird now! But i always liked them cause they wernt just bashin away at random chords!

Ok, So im working on the vibrato and bend lessons already. Also ive already worked on your lesson before(and yes, it is good ), so ill polish it up a little and send it back your way
Also, with the lack of guitar playing the last couple months my finger tips aren't so tough anymore So it may take a little longer to get this stuff sounding good. But we'll see.

Ok, Catch you soon
Tim

[Cosmin Lupu]

Alright Tim! Take care of the hands and in the mean time, let's see the take

Cosmin

[Timmy b]

Hi Cosmin!
Got one for ya! It took a million takes to get a decent one happening. The fingertips were pretty sore by the end of it!
Turns out im not as good at bending as i thought (kinda saw that coming!) I constantly had a flat or sharp bend here and there ruining the take.And getting the "feel" of it was a bit tricky too. seems to be a weak spot. Will probably revisit this one down the line. Oh and sorry about the tone, having trouble getting a good sound out if my gear.

Ok here it is, Enjoy

http://youtu.be/QlLe1jT3pvk

Cheers
Tim

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hi Cosmin!
Got one for ya! It took a million takes to get a decent one happening. The fingertips were pretty sore by the end of it!
Turns out im not as good at bending as i thought (kinda saw that coming!) I constantly had a flat or sharp bend here and there ruining the take.And getting the "feel" of it was a bit tricky too. seems to be a weak spot. Will probably revisit this one down the line. Oh and sorry about the tone, having trouble getting a good sound out if my gear.

Ok here it is, Enjoy

http://youtu.be/QlLe1jT3pvk

Cheers
Tim

Hey Tim! The vid is set to private Can't watch till you decide to allow me

[Timmy b]

Hey Tim! The vid is set to private Can't watch till you decide to allow me

My bad, Im ready to show it to the world now!

[Cosmin Lupu]

Howdy Tim! This is very very good! I would have only one thing to add There are some mini bends in the first part which you omitted Please listen to the original take closer and try to implement them too - as an example, check out min 00:04

Let's rock!

Cosmin