Warrior Bushido Task 23 Options

[Ben Higgins]

Task 23: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/atmosp...olo_in_g_minor/

Greetings my long suffering disciples ! How are you this fine, freezing morning ?

We've got another Task to let out your softer side again this week.. the good side is that these mellow ballads keep your stress levels down. The bad side is that the lack of speed and technical licks keep your body warmth low and more susceptible to the cold mountain air. However, we endure what we must here on the mountain..

As I said to the brave young men of the Apprentice group, you will notice that Ivan plays a lot of licks that might stagger over the beat, or lag behind it a little. This is intentional and is a staple of blues playing and if you can add this aspect to your guitar playing, it will add a side of maturity and control to your phrasing. It's hard to teach this stuff, it just comes from doing it

Ok, that's enough of being nice..

Stop shuffling about like sulky teenagers, moaning about the bowls of rice you had for breakfast... get your butts in gear and show the guys in Gab's Army and Todd's Bootcamp just what real warriors are made of.. no fear, no pain, no giving up. Show them the iron will of The Temple of Guitar Bushido !

Deadline next Friday 6th July..... there may be blood. But this time it will be from your enemies

[DeGroot]

I'm determined to get this down before the deadline. Man, that little burst in the middle is going to take a load of practice though.

[Ben Higgins]

I'm determined to get this down before the deadline. Man, that little burst in the middle is going to take a load of practice though.

Fantastic, I'm really looking forward to the takes on this one

[gregc1]

I'm determined to get this down before the deadline. Man, that little burst in the middle is going to take a load of practice though.

No kidding. Pretty much have the rest but I have a feeling that part will take me most of the week.

[Ben Higgins]

No kidding. Pretty much have the rest but I have a feeling that part will take me most of the week.

Yeah it's a cheeky little phrase isn't it ?

I would approach it by by focusing on the key notes that are the bent ones that stand out. Basically all the non fast ones

Once I've spaced them out roughly where I want them so that it emulates Ivan's timing, then the fast bits in between take care of themselves. I also approach licks like this with (and you're gonna laugh at this..) something like mental aggression. Or alternatively, it's almost like casting something away from you in disgust. It's done quickly and without hesitation.. it's not pondering and deliberate.

A lot of the phrasing in blues does have an almost violent intensity... it's very emotional, which is why it doesn't constrain itself to the beat.

In fact, if I think about it... it's almost like talking. A conversation doesn't have a defined rhythm... it changes pace with different intensity. If you imagine something like this track being the musical equivalent of someone having a rant about how they feel about their life. All of a sudden, there's an angry burst.. the notes in between the fast runs are like stops along the way, words that are drawn out.

A sudden, intense lick could me mirroring the same kind of emotional intensity you would put into a frustrated exclamation like this:

'Ooooooooooooooh, I'm so f- ing sick of my damn life ! You know ?'

The 'Ooooooooooh' is like a slow, bent note that starts the next flurry... the 'You know ?' at the end is like when they end a phrase with a note that bends slightly up and then cuts right off.

Hopefully you guys get what I mean.. it's a bit 'off the wall' but if we think about what we're like when we have an emotional conversation.. we can hold onto that feeling and try and bring that same 'broken rhythm' intensity to our guitar playing.

This post has been edited by Ben Higgins: Jul 1 2012, 10:21 AM

[gregc1]

Hey Ben! Actually makes perfect sense, hit the milestones and cuss madly in between.

Seriously though, great explanation. You're saying hit the 2 bends on time then basically let the rest fit in however it happens with timing being insignificant.

The lick is so damn sweet. So frantic yet so smooth at the same time.

[DeGroot]

Well put, Ben. It reminds me of having some pent up aggression build up and just letting it all out in one spurt. Once that tension is released you can calm down.

Yeah man... WIth Ivan's playing it comes off as aggressive and graceful. Like he has total control over this aggression.

I'm hoping to be able to add this kind of expression to my own playing... without it sounding like I'm having a temper-tantrum.

[Ben Higgins]

I'm hoping to be able to add this kind of expression to my own playing... without it sounding like I'm having a temper-tantrum.

Blues is the new martial art !!

[DeGroot]

Blues is the new martial art !!

Bushido: Blues Ballads



I just noticed after I recorded that Ivan left his arpeggiated guitar part out of our backing, so we're left with just the droning organ.

Still trying to sort out that gliding run. I've been wrapped up in this solo all weekend.



This post has been edited by DeGroot: Jul 2 2012, 06:06 AM

[maharzan]

nice! That burst is pretty fast. Not sure if i can do it.

[Ben Higgins]

Bushido: Blues Ballads



I just noticed after I recorded that Ivan left his arpeggiated guitar part out of our backing, so we're left with just the droning organ.

Still trying to sort out that gliding run. I've been wrapped up in this solo all weekend.

Wow, that is a dang sexaaaay take ! Doesn't matter what guitar you use, you still manage to get 'that' tone

Donut time !

nice! That burst is pretty fast. Not sure if i can do it.

?? After some of the things you've uploaded, you're telling me you're unsure if you can do that run ?

DeGroot has just led the way.. you've got no excuses !

[gregc1]

Nice Degroot! Sounds damn good to me man.

Chandra, I here you brother. Problem is though I just watched you destroy Mojo Oro so you HAVE to do this.

No, but seriously, it is extremely difficult for me and will probably take the week for me to get it or at least get close.

[Opetholic]

You played this piece very nicely and you have a very well deserved donut DeGroot. Congrats You have really achieved to create a DeGroot tone and a style of play. When I hear collaboration takes and Bushido tasks like this, even if I don't look who is playing I can tell it is your tone and your playing I think this is something a lot of players including myself would strive to achieve one day..

nice! That burst is pretty fast. Not sure if i can do it.

Chandra !! That burst is hard and fast but you are the last person here whom it can possibly stop

[Ben Higgins]

Yeah, you see all those comments, Chandra ? There's no hiding now !

[maharzan]

I am trying. I am like one note behind in that run, kinda missing something. Maybe its the odd timing thing, I just hate it.

This post has been edited by maharzan: Jul 2 2012, 05:46 PM

[Ben Higgins]

I am trying. I am like one note behind in that run, kinda missing something. Maybe its the odd timing thing, I just hate it.

It's cool, man.. you'll get it

[DeGroot]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the encouraging feedback. Look forward to hearing your takes as well.

Damn, that was a challenge. Bending with the first finger after a lick was something entirely new to me.

[Ben Higgins]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the encouraging feedback. Look forward to hearing your takes as well.

Damn, that was a challenge. Bending with the first finger after a lick was something entirely new to me.

Really ? Ah, well then it was worth it just for introducing you to that approach.

[maharzan]

Alright, here is my take master. Hope I got it right.

[Ben Higgins]

Alright, here is my take master. Hope I got it right.

Very smooth man ! I think you interpreted that lick really well, it sounds like you

Still need to get that blues 'snap' to come out of you yet.. looking at the bit around 0:23 as an example, I'd linger on that note on the 3rd fret a little longer, and then just snap back to the 5th fret for a fraction of a second before cutting it off. It's hard to describe but that's where a lot of the blues-iness comes from