Welcome to SHRED BOOTCAMP! I'll be your Drill Instructor! And I do mean DRILL! As in a large power tool used in slasher films and Paul Gilbert concerts. Here is were you EARN THE LIVING DEATH out of your fingers and break through any speed bumps/barriers to become a MASTER CHIEF of Shred!
MISSON #1
THE MISSION
1.)Your mission is to go all the way back to the very start. The base of the mountain.
Which you will play SLOWWWWWWLLY, very SLOWWWLLLLYYYY until you master it at a crawl (As You'll Do With Each Mission, and focus on left hand FORM! Make it SUPER PERFECT!). Speed it up bit by bit until you feel your ready to take it to WAR (Any speed, it's up to you) Shoot a video and post it as a reply to this post. I'll then offer a constructive and brutally honest critique.
THE AFTERMATH
Upon nailing the crap out of lesson one at a speed you didn't think possible, and playing it a clean as a freshly waxed floor, you will be given your first insignia of Rank in BOOTCAMP!
Here is your link your personal training ground/HELL!
I am proud that you are my Drill Instructor , even when i am a bit scared
So i stard at the very ground -- looking forward to kick asses
Dieter
Dieterle
Jan 14 2013, 07:11 PM
Ok Todd here a first Record !
Todd Simpson
Jan 16 2013, 04:19 AM
Congrats on your FIRST BATTLE!!!! Your picking looks good and your form is good as well!!!! The only trouble is that I'm having trouble telling where your pick strikes are synching with the beat. If you would, try to use either a simple click metronome, or very basic drum beat like we do in chat. That way, I can tell much easier where you pick strikes are synching to the beat. You are VERY close to your first rank up Soldier!!!!
Here with a bit less drum bits - Metronome is to quietly on zoom hope this is better 240 bpm
Todd Simpson
Jan 17 2013, 02:06 AM
You've got the technique down solder but that "hot for teacher" beat is preventing you from synching up properly. For bootcamp, try to use a simple beat not much different than a metronome click if at all possible. Nothing with any "Swing" in it. It's just for reference timing after all. Here is an MP3 of a straight beat at 140 BPM. If you play twice as fast as the track, you'll be playing at 280. Half as fast, you'll be doing 70 bpm. All while using the same beat. Give this one a listen and try to use it in your next recording. I hate to have you do this again soldier, but I need to be able to hear the synchronization between your picking and the beat. Fight on!!!
[quote name='Dieterle' post='627808' date='Jan 16 2013, 02:42 PM']Here with a bit less drum bits - Metronome is to quietly on zoom hope this is better 240 bpm
Todd Simpson
Jan 17 2013, 02:46 AM
Soldier, here is a drum track to use for your next mission attempt!!
Here is a quick vid I did as an example of what I"m looking for in your Mission Video, Soldier! One pass of single picking, one pass of double picking, make sure I can see your picking hand and fretting hand, and using a simple beat locked in to each pick strike. Here it is Soldier!!!
Todd Simpson
Jan 21 2013, 06:36 AM
BTW Soldier, I"m doing SINGLE and DOUBLE picking in the demo vid here, the Tablature is QUAD picking. Any and all of the above will qualify soldier!
You've got the technique down solder but that "hot for teacher" beat is preventing you from synching up properly. For bootcamp, try to use a simple beat not much different than a metronome click if at all possible. Nothing with any "Swing" in it. It's just for reference timing after all. Here is an MP3 of a straight beat at 140 BPM. If you play twice as fast as the track, you'll be playing at 280. Half as fast, you'll be doing 70 bpm. All while using the same beat. Give this one a listen and try to use it in your next recording. I hate to have you do this again soldier, but I need to be able to hear the synchronization between your picking and the beat. Fight on!!!
After a busy weekend - coffee time in my office and to calm down your Lick 1 Exercise :-)
without the beat you given me but a simular one - hope it works it`s a blues beat with the main Bap hit
Dieter
Todd Simpson
Jan 22 2013, 09:55 PM
Soldier, we still have the same issue here. Your playing isn't tied to the beat as far as I can hear and the beat is too complex to serve as a Metronome. What are you using for drums? If you can program it, make a single snare or bass drum beat if you would. Keep it as simple as humanly possible. Just click, click, click, so that your picking can line up with the click, click, click, make sense?
Also, maybe slow down a bit, it sounds like your timing is drifting a bit. It doesn't have to be played fast soldier, just with precision. As in COMBAT, you don't have to shoot 100 rounds to kill 1 guy. One Shot One Kill!!!
Watch this video again, I'm doing ONE PICK STROKE PER NOTE, then TWO PICK STROKES PER NOTE, which would work fine for your MISSION. The tablature for MISSION 1 is just doing FOUR STROKES PER NOTE. Do some of each, but slower, and with a Metronome style beat, and you will get your mission badge!!!!
Wow now i feel myself as human being again - before hmm Orang Utan ape or so ;-)
Actually i am a General too and sometimes its not easy to listen to others orders - just not used to it - except the orders from my wife
Dieter
Todd Simpson
Jan 25 2013, 01:09 AM
I hear ya Soldier!! It's never easy in BOOTCAMP!!! Congrats on taking your first step!!! When you feel like getting your hands dirty, proceed to MISSION II!
Wow now i feel myself as human being again - before hmm Orang Utan ape or so ;-)
Actually i am a General too and sometimes its not easy to listen to others orders - just not used to it - except the orders from my wife
Dieter
Dieterle
Jan 27 2013, 07:19 PM
Hello Todd , ALLES KLAR !
I made my lick 2 record and keep it a bit slower hope it is OK for ya ?
Todd Simpson
Jan 28 2013, 08:42 AM
Good to see you back in the fight Soldier!!! You have clearly put in some time in the killing fields but I am going to have to send you back out kill again on this one. I notice your hand is shifting a bit in between each note.
Let's Debrief!!!
1.)Try to use proper hand position if possible (thumb can go near the top of the neck, but not to far over, try to keep it closer to the middle)
2.)Your Sitting SIDE SADLE Soldier!!! For bootcamp, try to sit in proper Classical position with your guitar between your legs. THis provides a superior angle of attack on the fret board. You can always go back to side saddle later. Here is a pic of Chris Broderic from Megadeth playing a classical guitar and his position is textbook perfect. The reason to do this is simply that it offers easy access for the hand to the fretboard. It's pure physics.
3.)Try to make pick strikes directly on a given count/beat 1,2,3,4. You can increase the metronome speed to make clicks more frequent to make sure you are striking on a beat/click. This is the key to "timing" and eventually you will play "around" the beat, but first you have to learn to play on the beat.
I made my lick 2 record and keep it a bit slower hope it is OK for ya ?
Dieterle
Jan 30 2013, 05:52 PM
Hallo Todd !
a noter go
Dieterle
Jan 31 2013, 02:51 PM
Here with 140 bpm , Todd !
Todd Simpson
Jan 31 2013, 03:43 PM
Much better Soldier!!! Your sitting technique is much better. In the next mission vid, move your left knee a bit to the left so the guitar sits actually in between your legs. This will allow you greater access to the fret board. Also, your thumb is still cheating up a bit above the top of the neck. For the next mission, work on keeping it in the middle and developing an arch in your left hand. Much like our Maestro from Megadeth is doing in that picture But that said,
CONGRATULATIONS SOLDIER!!! YOU JUST LEVELED UP!!!
MEDAL OF HONOR 1.)Vast improvements in technique 2.)Consisten pick strikes 3.)Good hand synch
Well fought Soldier!!!! You have got the idea here, but one thing needs a bit more time on the shooting range. There is a little gap in time when you change strings. Try to play all six note in a very even way, then move up one fret. You are almost playing triplet groups here which is cool! But not the mission at hand. Slow down the metronome and strike one note per beat then speed up!
Soldier I hate to have you keep covering the same ground, but this is very important for your growth as a Soldier, I mean, a PLAYER!! Your playing the lick correctly, it's just not tied to the metronome yet in a close enough way to rank this mission. It may be you are pushing the metronome too fast. These are precision drills so speed isn't as important as precision. Try to slow down the metronome and make one pick strike per click. Match each and every strike to a click, doesn't matter how slow you play it, as long as there is a direct link between each pick strike and the metronome. This is the basis of your ability to play "on rythm" You are very close Soldier! Don't give up!!!
One tip, add a bit of gain/distortion and it will allow you to pick strike with less force and fret with less force which will make playing evenly far easier. It's the secret sauce
Soldier I must have missed this one! My bad! Shoot me a Personal Message when you complete a mission so I can come debrief I'll check this one now.
Todd
Dieterle
Feb 18 2013, 07:57 PM
Hey Todd Lick 4 first go !
Todd Simpson
Feb 18 2013, 08:56 PM
Soldier your playing is very even and measured which is very good! Your sitting on the metronome and striking with the beats so your half way home!!! I notice your thumb is riding up over the top of the neck a bit and your playing position looks almost painfully uncomfortable. It's really important to develop good practice habits/posture, etc. especially at the start so that you don't burn in bad habits that can take years to break. It may feel awkward at first, but I"m sure it will help your playing if you sit in classical position for these missions. I found a pic of a guy with a electric jazz guitar sitting in pretty good position. Take a look at this and try do sit sorta like this.
Soldier your playing is very even and measured which is very good! Your sitting on the metronome and striking with the beats so your half way home!!! I notice your thumb is riding up over the top of the neck a bit and your playing position looks almost painfully uncomfortable. It's really important to develop good practice habits/posture, etc. especially at the start so that you don't burn in bad habits that can take years to break. It may feel awkward at first, but I"m sure it will help your playing if you sit in classical position for these missions. I found a pic of a guy with a electric jazz guitar sitting in pretty good position. Take a look at this and try do sit sorta like this.
Hey Todd, here a record with straight Back and i can say i sit comfortable like that !
My thumb hmm, should i shorten and cut it a bit ?
Todd Simpson
Feb 22 2013, 08:02 PM
Much better Soldier!
Your playing is nice and even, strikes are clean, posture is better too!! As for your thumb rebellion. Hmm. Well, cutting it off is probably to harsh. Try this.
*Before you start playing, put your thumb in the dead center of the neck. Half way between top string and bottom string. Then let you fingers gently fall towards the string without moving your thumb. You'll have to adjust your fingers for this and won't have the same leverage you are accustomed to. However, getting over this hurdle will open your playing in ways you can't imagine!
But as far as this mission, you officially....
!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!
MEDAL OF HONOR 1.)Clean Strikes 2.)Even/Solid Timing 3.)Better Posture/Attack Stance
Hey Todd, here a record with straight Back and i can say i sit comfortable like that !
My thumb hmm, should i shorten and cut it a bit ?
Dieterle
Feb 28 2013, 08:10 AM
Hallo Todd !
Here my newest record :-)
Form now on i wanna try 2 strikes per note - ... maybe one day 4 ;-)
Todd Simpson
Feb 28 2013, 06:49 PM
Well played Soldier!! And the double picking is a nice touch!!! However, Soldier we have got to work on your hand position!! Maybe I can record a video to go in to more detail on it as I don't seem to be connecting with you using the forums/posts. Of course, you can have any posture/position you like when jamming, but for these workouts/misisons, I really am going to be a stickler for proper technique/position/posture.
Your playing in this vid is good It's your hand position that is preventing a richly deserved combat badge!!! Take a look at your hand position in this video. Then look back over the videos I've posted in your thread so far, and at the pictures I"ve posted. I want you to see if you can isolate what I"m prattling on about
I notice you are not using any gain/distortion, that may be adding to the issue. Without any gain/distortion, you'll have to overcommit to each finger fretting each note and this will result in your hand curling up in to a ball. This has long term problems in that it teaches your hand to stay curled in a ball instead of extended. Each of these missions builds to the next and you will need some serious finger reach very soon, so we have to loosen your hand.
P.S. Back out a bit and let me see how you are sitting. It seems like you are all cramped up and the guitar is sitting on the top of your right knee? Something is in need of a modification so shoot me a wider shot and we will work it out
BINGO!!!! That's some splendid form there Some players are comfy playing all scrunched or side saddle, but I gotta say I think decent posture/position can really help when learning new things. Once I started using more formal posture when I was taking some classical lessons, my playing improved dramatically. I didn't realize i'd been squeezing the neck to much and impeding my ability to reach certain notes. But then again I never tried a huge stretch landing with a pinky til I started playing classical bits.
I getting used to use my thumb in right position - most the time but will get programmed step by step
Todd Simpson
Mar 5 2013, 01:08 AM
YES!!!!! YA!!!!! This is what I'm talking about Your picking is clean, even, steady and solid. Each strike is married to a fretted note and to the metronome. Also, your form is MUCH improved!! A little more Gain/Distortion would probably make your picking hand not have to work quite as hard, but that's a small matter. Well fought Soldier!!
P.S. The addition of DOUBLE PICKING is also a nice touch It's a great way to work your Alternate Picking!
I getting used to use my thumb in right position - most the time but will get programmed step by step
Dieterle
Mar 8 2013, 06:41 PM
Ok, Todd here Number 6
Todd Simpson
Mar 9 2013, 05:18 AM
Soldier this is well played! You have a good grasp of all the bits we have been working on. CONGRATS!!!! The only thing keeping you from your next MISSION BADGE is that while your playing is very good here, it's not connected to the metronome. It's almost like you are playing to a metronome that I can't hear because the playing is VERY GOOD AND EVEN!! But doesn't seem tied to the metronome click.
I see you can play this fast, but fast often isn't the point, slow down and play it closer to the metronome and lock in your speed.
A big problem i mostly have is that i can not hear my metronome too most of time when i play fast and put my amp with more gain .
One point is my zoom g3 and his metronome - i can not make it ,itself louder then my guitar only when i would use drum machine settings on zoom it will be loud enough to hear it .
I did try to play two strikes per klick so metro was 4/4 8/4 not possible .
Could you give me some metro loop in 8/4 maybe for garageband !?!
or is there any way to make it myself with garageband i did not experiment much with it .
Dieter
Todd Simpson
Mar 9 2013, 08:02 AM
EGAD!!!! That is a HUGE problem. You may need to entirely reconfigure your studio setup here as you really do need to hear the metronome. Otherwise, it will be tough to make much progress in bootcamp. Sounds like you are using the one in your pedal and thats not working.hmm.
Your pedal lets you plug in to your computer with USB correct? Maybe skip the amp. I don't use an amp for any of my videos ever. Or my video chat lessons, or Collabs. Use the pedal to record directly in to your computer with REAPER. There will be a learning curve but that's OK
Inside reaper it has it's own metronome and you can control the volume of your guitar track. Also, you can just leave your pedal set on CLEAN TONE and use something like OVERLOUD or AMPLITUDE FREE for your guitar tone. It seems like that little pedal doesn't have very much gain/distortion, and plugins like AMPLITUDE can fix that. Also, most guitar plugins have a Metronome built in. I use OVERLOUD in video chat lessons and use GUITAR RIG on a separate track just for the metronome.
Download REAPER and install it and start messing with it.
UNTIL YOU GET THE HANG OF REAPER!!!
You can always use a FREE ONLINE WEB METRONOME!! That way you have volume control with your computer. Here is one that uses only one click tone, so no problem with bass drum snare drum. This is a LOT more flexible than a couple of strings from garage band.
A big problem i mostly have is that i can not hear my metronome too most of time when i play fast and put my amp with more gain .
One point is my zoom g3 and his metronome - i can not make it ,itself louder then my guitar only when i would use drum machine settings on zoom it will be loud enough to hear it .
I did try to play two strikes per klick so metro was 4/4 8/4 not possible .
Could you give me some metro loop in 8/4 maybe for garageband !?!
or is there any way to make it myself with garageband i did not experiment much with it .
Dieter
Dieterle
Mar 9 2013, 01:07 PM
Hello Todd her a record with 120 bpm and 2 strikes per note .
I did download amplitude and it work`s but what made me mad about it ..
that i had to give with every new start of the program again my serial number in and again registration and the same procedure ........
so i deinstalled it !
I did found some amp simulation settings with my zoom g3 - direct input to iMac - where i myself can here the metronome
now better !
Its not my favorite sound settings but for me it would work to use it on the Bootcamp Lessons , right now .
I hope it is fine with you, Todd too !?
By the way i am looking forward to get myself completely new equipment around end of next year and i will start before that
selling my actually hardware , amp and stuff on e-bay without a hurry .
For the new Equipment i would be glad to get some input from you, maybe ?
iMac or MacPro - Apogee - Pro Logic - Quicktime ect. - Headphone - Speakers ..... in this direction maybe !?
Dieter
Todd Simpson
Mar 10 2013, 05:47 AM
AMPLITUDE should only need the serial once but it sounds like it may not be keeping it for some reason? Thats odd and would make me very frustrated very quickly. I can't blame you for uninstalling it
Glad to hear you found some presets and can hear your metronome!!
Buying a Mac and Logic ( or even using REAPER) is a very good way to go. Also, GARAGE BAND comes free with every Mac and it's a good place to start since it's very simple and quick and I use it myself often to start a song then finish in LOGIC since you can import Garage Band projects to Logic
Apogee is a fine choice. They make really good interfaces. Add a pair of nice headphones and you are good to go You can start with a Mac Mini and use your existing computer monitor/screen and mouse/keyboard etc. Or maybe get an iMac but they are a bit more.
Also, consider getting a Macbook. That way it's easy to be portable to record anywhere at any time without moving heavy gear and the monitor/screen is built in
ON TO THE MISSION!!!
Soldier this one is much better. But take a moment and watch the vid. Listen to the CLICK of the metronome and then listen for your pick strike. At some points, you are playing tight, on the beat, then it drifts. You may be trying to play too fast? Try this.
1.)Slow Down, way down. Focus on the Beat Count.
2.)Focus on the metronome click. You need to synchronise your pick strikes to the metronome so that even with the metronome turned off, your playing sounds like a machine. Precise, controlled, even. This is something that is important to grasp before moving on to playing "around" the beat. Before that, one must play "on" the beat.
Hello Todd her a record with 120 bpm and 2 strikes per note .
I did download amplitude and it work`s but what made me mad about it ..
that i had to give with every new start of the program again my serial number in and again registration and the same procedure ........
so i deinstalled it !
I did found some amp simulation settings with my zoom g3 - direct input to iMac - where i myself can here the metronome
now better !
Its not my favorite sound settings but for me it would work to use it on the Bootcamp Lessons , right now .
I hope it is fine with you, Todd too !?
By the way i am looking forward to get myself completely new equipment around end of next year and i will start before that
selling my actually hardware , amp and stuff on e-bay without a hurry .
For the new Equipment i would be glad to get some input from you, maybe ?
iMac or MacPro - Apogee - Pro Logic - Quicktime ect. - Headphone - Speakers ..... in this direction maybe !?
Dieter
Dieterle
Mar 12 2013, 12:29 PM
Hellole Todd !
Dieter
Todd Simpson
Mar 13 2013, 08:52 AM
Well done!!! Now you are putting it all together Good form! Good Technique! Good Speed! Soldier you are ready to take this to the next level. You have made BIG strides here. I want you to push it a little farther. Here are your MISSION PARAMETERS!!!
1.)See if you can MAINTAIN GOOD HAND SYNCH, and EVEN, STEADY PICKING, and push the speed up just a bit more.
2.)Slow back down and do a DOUBLE PICKING version. Double picking is HARD!!!! Which is why it's worth doing!!!
You are ready to fight a little harder Soldier!! Fight on!!
The double picking is good!! But you may be pushing it a bit fast. For DOUBLE PICKING, always SLOW DOWN a bit. You've got plenty of speed on the single picking version. It looks like you are losing synch with the beat a bit at this speed. I APPLAUD and APPRECIATE your aggressive approach!!! Try to back off the speed a bit to the point where you stay locked on to the beat. You are very close soldier, more practice and keep fighting!!
!
and the beat is too complex to serve as a Metronome. What are you using for drums? If you can program it, make a single snare or bass drum beat if you would. Keep it as simple as humanly possible. Just click, click, click, so that your picking can line up with the click, click, click, make sense?
hope it is OK for ya ?
but will get programmed step by step 