Hey Scott! Welcome to your very own personal mentoring thread please tell me a bit about your goals and musical knowledge so far and we can rock!

Cosmin

thanks Cosmin, didnt expect to have my own thread, kinda scary

I used to play rhythm guitar in a band, in the style of metallica. Basically I just chugged away with power chords. My lead playing is quite basic.
Ive recently began working on the positions of the minor pentatonic, but Im not quite sure what I will do with it once I have got them all learned. So my knowledge of scales is quite poor.
Ive never followed any type of structured practice routine and I usually try to play things to advanced which has caused me to get disheartened and stop in the past.
I think I need a solid practice schedule which allows me to maybe hit some small golas.

I thought I might post up a take of me playing the last half of Alive by Pearl Jam because I know a few of the licks in the final solo ( although I dont play them spot on ) and I'll just improvise over the bits I dont know so you will see exactly where I suck

in terms of goals, I would like to be able to play solos from the likes of Gilmour, slash, Iommi. Those are the main guys for me I'd also like to be able to write my own solos over backing tracks and not have them suck.

Ive also been working on one of Ivans lessons which Ive almost got to a reasonable level which I could post here if it would help give you an idea of my level.

Hey again Scott well, you might help us a lot into figuring out what's best for ya, if you would post that vid it will allow us to work together on a level based program so you can reach your goals. What do you think man?

Cosmin

no problem
Im working on some way of recording at the moment. Ive not done it before but I'll figure out something!
I'll get some type of a recording posted tomorrow.

Im looking forward to getting started.

Awesome mate! Let me know if there's anything I might help you with when it comes down to recording what sort of software and setup are you using at the moment?

Ive downloaded audacity and was going to try and take the line out from my amp straight into the PC, if that doesnt work out I have a laptop with a webcam built in.

I don't know if audacity works as a DAW as I have never tried it, but for the time being, if you can get a decent sound out of the camera, you can record like that

Well..... my recording efforts didnt go exactly to plan! I couldnt get my guitar into the PC so I had to settle for using a laptop with a built in webcam
I will get a proper device for my next recordings, hopefully I will have a better system of recording by the weekend.

I think the crappy webcam recordings are enough to give you an idea of my limited abilities though Cosmin.

This is one of Ivan's lessons ( original - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classi...ing_Techniques/ ) - ( Ive had about 2 weeks at this lesson. ) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBLu3XI8eiI...eature=youtu.be




My backing track for Alive which I was going to post sounded really poor so I just took a random backing track from youtube and improvised. you probably only need to listen to 60 seconds of it as I get a bit lost after that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VcOsxRhbik

Apologies for the audio and video being out of sync...... I have no idea why that happened but I will get better recordings next time.... promise!

Hey Scott! Looks like you got one cool tattoo there I want a lot for myself, but I always postpone doing this, it seems no worries for the recordings, for the time being they are enough to help us out

Well, your bending skills need a bit of a workout from what I am seeing here and I wanted to ask you, how much time can you dedicate to guitar playing each week? T'would help out so I know how to schedule stuff for ya.

Anyway, judging by your preferences and goals, I'd say we should combine, theory (this involves scales/ arpeggios/ chords and relationships between them) with rhythm and articulation for starting out

Based on your schedule, I'll make up a routine just let me know

al lthe best

Cosmin

I do like my tattoo! it took me about 18 months to get completed but I had wanted a full sleeve for years so it was worth all the hassle.

Im not surprised you picked out my bends! they can be very 'random'. Its not the best when you want to be dave gilmour!

Time wise I can 100% commit to 45 minutes at least Monday to Friday. At the weekends I have no real time constraints so I can practice much longer. I could practise 3 - 4 hours or whatever at the weekend.... as I have no social life

Alright! Well, let's divide the 45 minutes into 15 minutes for warming up and 30 minutes to work on a lesson based on the things you want to learn during the week.

During the weekend, we can put in some ear training and theory, plus recording your efforts during the week

I am thinking of making up a list of lessons for you so tell me, would you be up for tackling 4 lessons a month?

Cosmin

Yes, I am totally up for that. Bring it on


I dont really know what ear training involves but I know I need some!

Hey Scott! I'd suggest these two for the rest of this month:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...-solo-beginner/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Phrase-Book-Pre-Bends/

they are articulation oriented and they should give you a pretty good start in what regards bending and vibrato

what do you think man?

Cosmin

the bending in both of those are ummm 'intimidating'

both are really cool, I'll make a start tonight. cheers dude.

Cheers man! No trouble, let me know if they are ok, if not, we can find something easier k?

all the best

Cosmin

hey dude, Ive learned Ben's pre bend lesson and just need to keep playing it to get it sounding better but my plan is to record it at the weekend to let you have a listen.
I just wanted to ask how you think I should spend this weeks practice time?
should I devote each session this week playing / improving Ben's lesson or should I start learning the other lesson as well?
or should I work on Ben's lesson and continue with the minor pentatonic positions and begin the other lesson next week?


as you can probably tell I get worried that I practice wrong!

Man, focusing on fewer things will always make it easier to learn/ understand/ assimilate - so, I say make Ben's lesson sound as good as you can and continue with the pentatonic positions till next week - a lesson a week is awesome, trust me especially if you can master it

if there are any questions, please let me know, k?

Cosmin

okay boss, that makes sense, thanks.

Always happy to help out, man!

hey bro
I have that recording of Ben's pre bend lesson. Its not perfect but I didnt want to do too many recordings today incase I started playing it worse!
Keen to hear what you think.

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pre-bend-ex1

Hey man! The take is very good! Your pre-bends are round enough and you are generally reaching the tones there are a few spots where you seemed a bit shaky but, I'm sure it was nothing other than going a bit out of focus! What I would recommend, would be a bit more work on the flow of the piece as it's a bit rigid at this point - what do you think? Would you like to make a video for the REC zone with this one?

all the best

Cosmin

thanks dude
I would be up for doing a REC take. I need to get a better web cam at the end of the month so that will also give me time to improve on the lesson. The skin on my fingertips is kinda shredded after a week of practising those bends!

I also had a go at recording a Gilmour Style Lesson. It was just to give me something else to play as my fingers recovered for Ben's lesson again, its not perfect but I think Im already bending better than I was a few weeks ago.

Id love to hear your thoughts on this recording if you get a chance. also..... how the hell do I WRITE this kinda solo

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/gilmour-style

Hey mate! As an ensemble, it's good, it has nice proper timing, but some of the bends are a bit unsure and not reaching the desired tone. My advice would be to focus on reaching those tones and once you have that in your pocket, try to be more expressive, use different dynamics writing a solo is not that difficult once you manage to let go of thoughts such as - 'oh, what scale should I use here?' You are the most honest and genuine when you manage to write what you hear in your head

In time, the more you play, the more able you will be at this

Keep sending me stuff and we'll discuss and looking forward to your take Let me know what other questions you are having

Cosmin

thanks cosmin. I'll keep working on those bends.
I spend some time playing the note I want to bend to and then I try bending the note and trying to match the tone. hopefully it will become more natural soon.
I'll record the Gilmore lesson again in a week or two and hopefully it will be more 'awesome'

Great man! Looking forward to hearing it what would you like to tackle in the mean time - should we try the other lesson?

yeah, I started learning the other lesson yesterday. Its a bit longer than Ben's so I will definitely have it recorded for you by the end of the month but I hope to have it down sooner tbh.

Awesome is there anything in particular regarding this new one, which you are feeling it might cause problems?

Cosmin

well at the moment Ive got the first half okay. The middle bit is a little faster than I thought!
its only really my second session learning it though so I'll just need to work on brining it up to the correct tempo. Im sure I'll get it....... eventually

Well, if anything arises, give me a shout, k?

ok dude, Ive had quite a frustrating week. On the plus side Ive managed to increase my practice time quite a bit and have got between 1 - 1.5 hours each night last week. On the negative side this second lesson is giving me major problems.
The main problem is............. I just cant seem to play it! I am still only halfway through it and even the opening bends are giving me problems.
I want to play those bends with my middle finger but the instructor plays it with his pointing finger and mine just doesnt seem to know how to bend a string!

anyway, I thought I would record it tonight after a whole week of working on it to let you hear it in all its epic fail-ness it is only halfway through so the good thing is that it doesnt last long
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/solo-fail

to try and cheer myself up I had a go at this 'satriani rock lesson' by Gabe.
I only had 2 days on this but at least I managed to play it all the way through
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/sat-style-rock

Hey C-dog, has my latest recordings blew your mind ? LOL! The next ones will be better.... promise

Hey mate sorry for being a little late, but now I have to take care of 40 of you and it takes sometime till I get to write to everyone

Alrightie, I'd suggest a bit more patience on these - the Satriani one was DEFINITELY better! YOu have to improve the timing and articulation, so bending is mainly a concern, but, give it time man - articulation doesn't build up that fast (I know it's a bit frustrating) Will you try and record over slower backing tracks? It would do you a whole lotta good!

Let's see the takes and discuss!

Cosmin

totally dude, I noticed the mega army you have amassed! you take all the time you need mate. I was just trying to make a bit of a joke at my crappy solo

I will try some slower stuff. I think my enthusiasm can make me rush things a bit, I'll definitely slow things down and try to be more precise.

cheers cosmin.

That's the way my friend! Keep the enthusiasm though I'm here if you need me

Cosmin

wassup c-maestro

Ive had another go at the pre-bend lesson. Hopefully its a bit closer. TBH Ive played it so much over the last couple of days that it is starting to sound weird to me now!
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pre-bend-take2



Taken your advice about playing a bit slower, I figured out how to slow down backing tracks in Reaper so Ive been doing the rock solo lesson a little slower and it is coming on much better, I should have a recording of that quite soon.

I could probably handle another lesson to work on if there is anything you suggest?


cheers bro

Hey mate! The pre-bend lesson sounds very good! There are some little mistakes here and there, but pretty much not notice-able due to the fact that the whole ensemble is good

Let's try this one now:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/bending-control/

I want to take your bends to the next level what say you?

Cosmin

Thanks mate, that's awesome to hear. I'd like to try and tidy up the little mistakes and get a rec take with the lesson sometime soon.



Holy pitch-shifting batman! thats a lot of bending Lets do it
I'll make a start on that bad boy tomorrow.

I really appreciate all the help bro.

Anytime mate let's see a recording of the second bending lesson and another for the prebend one but don't rush try to be as smooth as possible, k? bending is an art which is developed in time, just like good red wine

hi Cosmin,
the last week or so of my practising has not been the best Ive been learning / playing the bending control lesson and not much else unfortunately. I usually work on a lesson plus alt picking and scales but it has been just the lesson this week. Although I have been messing about with a couple of my own riffs but that doesnt really improve my lead playing ( sadly! ) I need to re-focus and organise my practice time a bit better for next week.

anyhoo.... Here is an attempt at the bending control lesson. The bend at about 34 seconds has been a bit of a problem most times I tried recording it but on the plus side it was worse this time last week
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/bending-control

I also had another go at that Gilmour lesson. I think there is a bit of improvement compared to the first time I recorded it. Not perfect but I have definitely got some of the bends a bit better.
http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/gilmour-2


Cheers C-Maestro

Hey bleez I can hear progress there no worries mate. As I said, give it time as it's not going to sound uber awesome over night. BUT it sounds better than last time which means you are improving!

Now, how about moving a bit further into lead territory, with a lesson which involves a bit more phrasing? Just to keep your ears fresh and your hands working

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pop-Rock-Solo-Beginner/

I chose this one, because it's going to help you focus on cleaner playing and more attention to articulation no distortion here to hide mistakes

Cosmin

Damn, that wasnt part of the deal! LOL!
Its a really cool sounding lesson. I'll try not to murder it


Thanks dude.

Always a pleasure mate

Cosmin

hi mate

been practising hard this last 2 weeks working on some alt picking exercises and some timing exercises. Ive also spent some time trying to come up with some big fat 'spiritual beggar' type riffs

I have a take of the lesson you set. Not quite getting the best tone but I recorded 4 takes tonight and I think this was maybe the best out of them.

http://soundcloud.com/bleez666/pr1


I might not be getting the bends perfect but I think Im getting a little better in that area.

cheers bro.

Hey man, this sounds technically good there are a few notes who could be more 'sure' - when I say that, I am referring to reaching the correct tone, but in general you are getting there. Now, the next step would be the interpretation. Try to focus on telling a story with each bend, use the dynamics your hands are offering.

Try and see what you can come up with think of Eric Clapton on this one - to me at least, it feels like he could play such a track.

Cosmin

yeah, I think I know what you mean. When I listen back to it some of the notes sound to me like they lacked confidence.


are you wanting me to re-record the lesson and try to get some dynamics in it or do you want me to attempt my own version of it ?

Hey man! I'd like you to focus on dynamics and interpretation try and tell a story with each note convince me with your story do we have a deal?

Cosmin

we have a deal.
Now, 'Interpretation' - that means it doesn't need to be note for note the same as the original... would that be correct?

It does and it doesn't interpretation doesn't necessarily mean taking out or putting notes in, but it means you can stray a bit here and there with the timing, play a note louder or another one softer, vibrate more or less this sort of stuff. Now, go crazy man do whatever it feels good to do and we'll see where the tides of creativity will take you, k?

Got it dude, thanks. This should be interesting

hehehe, you need to push it mate It'll get ya out of the comfort zone