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!
Hey Todd! hope youre doing well, sorry this first one took so long, in the midst of my auditions to music school and whatnot, anyways its high time i get my technique way up!
here is what you have to work with, i can finally be relaxed at 120 without using my arm, which hasnt happened before up until now!
leonard478
May 22 2013, 10:23 PM
So this was the best i could do at 120 BPM, PS im finally back and ready to go!
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!
Super Congrats on First and Second Blood Soldier!!! Very well fought on both of these!! You are going to go far in MISSIONS!! Shoot me a PM if you can to make sure I know blood has been spilled! Let's get on to the Debrief!!!
I can see you have put some time in on the shooting range!!
In short you just.....
!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!
MEDAL OF HONOR 1.)Clean Strikes 2.)Even/Solid Timing 3.)Aggressive Style
Well Fought Soldier!!! Don't forget to PM me if you can when you complete a mission. I'd hate to miss the post!! On to the Mission!
Let's Debrief....
You are playing well here. Your timing and picking are good!!! I do see a couple of things that might not be helping you in your quest. It looks like you are sitting "Side saddle" with your guitar on you right leg. Some players have a hard time playing any other way. If possible try to sit in classical position with your guitar in the middle for these MISSIONS. You can go back to side saddle once we get you up to MERCENARY status! Sitting properly creates a good angle for the hands and is similar to what you'll be doing standing up.
Second, it looks like your right hand isn't even touching the bridge soldier. I notice you are not using any gain/distortion. If you were, you'd hear a good bit of sympathetic string vibration created by not muting the other strings. Learning to alternate pick while being able to mute unused strings is an Art in and of itself. Try to keep your hand right above the bridge during these missions even if you are not palm muting.
These are two things that nearly every one does at first. I see it quite often so don't worry, it's just part of the process. When learning the ropes, little things like this can get in the way of your progress. Eventually, it matters much less. But until then it can matter quite a bit.
For your next lesson-- 1.)Try sitting in classical position 2.)Use some gain/distortion 3.)Plant your hand over the bridge and keep it there for the mission.
These are small issues and won't keep you from being sent on your next MISSION!!! As for this vid....
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Clean Strikes 2.)Even Pacing and Progression 3.)Good speed.
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey buddy, thanks in advance!, distortion and classical position this time. ( i used to play classical guitar for like half a year, but with the electric the position actually feels really good as well!)
Todd Simpson
Jun 18 2013, 05:43 AM
Well played Soldier!!! Good position and posture as a bonus! Hand muting is much improved as well!! Much progress from the last fight to this fight.
Soldier, I think you are ready to take things up just a skoch. You've got this lick down, now I want to see you "Double Pick" it and march it up the neck as well. Just pick every note twice "Thus the Double PIcking" it will force you pick hand to adapt to alternate methods of striking. E.G. going for an upstroke where it used to be a down during single picking.
The speed is good and you can slow it down if need be for Double Picking. You are doing well on these Missions Soldier!! Take it to the Next Level of BARUUUUUUTALITY!!!
Hey buddy, thanks in advance!, distortion and classical position this time. ( i used to play classical guitar for like half a year, but with the electric the position actually feels really good as well!)
leonard478
Jun 21 2013, 11:17 PM
Two New Uploads!, Lesson 6 was done at 2 different BPM in 2 different ways!, cheers and many thanks todd !
Todd Simpson
Jun 22 2013, 03:59 AM
Great work Soldier!!! These are very well played. I'm gonna make the same request here that I gave on the last one which is, PLAY THESE BOTH AS DOUBLE PICKED VERSIONS!!! I think you can kill it!! Your technique is really coming along.
That would be three bits of playing, these two vids and the previous vid DOUBLED PICKED. Then we can debrief you and give you your mission badge!!!!! Your single picking is doing great, but I really need to see your multi picking. I know it's tough to pull off at first, but they don't call this SHRED BOOTCAMP for nothing!!!
Two New Uploads!, Lesson 6 was done at 2 different BPM in 2 different ways!, cheers and many thanks todd !
leonard478
Jun 22 2013, 10:32 AM
So since 6 is already double picked i just pick everything 4 times? and also for Lesson 5 you just want me to do a repeat of the double picking? which one would be the 3rd video?, thanks!
Great work Soldier!!! These are very well played. I'm gonna make the same request here that I gave on the last one which is, PLAY THESE BOTH AS DOUBLE PICKED VERSIONS!!! I think you can kill it!! Your technique is really coming along.
That would be three bits of playing, these two vids and the previous vid DOUBLED PICKED. Then we can debrief you and give you your mission badge!!!!! Your single picking is doing great, but I really need to see your multi picking. I know it's tough to pull off at first, but they don't call this SHRED BOOTCAMP for nothing!!!
Fight On!!
Todd Simpson
Jul 12 2013, 02:11 AM
Soldier I wanted to follow up and ask how your time on the Shooting Range is going? You have really drilled it and killed it thus far in the bootcamp, making progress faster than I thought possible so congrats there!!!
So since 6 is already double picked i just pick everything 4 times? and also for Lesson 5 you just want me to do a repeat of the double picking? which one would be the 3rd video?, thanks!
leonard478
Aug 4 2013, 08:59 PM
BACK FROM VACATION! and ready as hell to go ! , had to do these on the ol' archtop my strat is in the shop
Soldier I wanted to follow up and ask how your time on the Shooting Range is going? You have really drilled it and killed it thus far in the bootcamp, making progress faster than I thought possible so congrats there!!!
Todd Simpson
Aug 7 2013, 08:36 AM
NICE!!!!!!!!! Well fought Soldier!!! Your practice is paying off!!!!!
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. You did great work here Soldier, try to focus on lesson 7 and even post multiple versions if you like But try to wait to hit lesson 8 till we debrief you for 7. Something tells me, it's gonna be a quick turn around on Lesson 7!
WELL FOUGHT!!! Your right hand position is PERFECT!! I can hear each note being muted as you play and and your articulation doesn't suffer at all during the mute which is an art in and off itself! This is nicely done Soldier!!!
Let's Debrief....
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)High Level of Precision 2.)Great Articulation 3.)Perfect Right Hand Work.
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
SHRED JOURNEY #8! - at a proud 138 BPM , course i cannot keep this BPM up for long for now but its somewhere i never thought i'd be. and my dreaded 120 BPM has become SO much easier that it baffles me that i was stuck there
Todd Simpson
Aug 20 2013, 05:05 AM
This looks like the the vid for Lesson 7? But it's well played!!! I found the mission 8 vid on your youtube page so all is well!
DEBRIEF!!!!
Mission 8 is well played soldier. You are gaining ground quick!!! Slow the pace down just a tad, keep doing what your doing, and do this one double picked. There is a TON of string traverse and double picking (picking each note twice) will force you hand to adapt to alternate strikes that can be used on singles. I think you are gonna KILL IT!!
SHRED JOURNEY #8! - at a proud 138 BPM , course i cannot keep this BPM up for long for now but its somewhere i never thought i'd be. and my dreaded 120 BPM has become SO much easier that it baffles me that i was stuck there
leonard478
Sep 4 2013, 03:29 AM
NEXT VIDEO FINALLY POSTED! finally moved into my dorm room at music college here in Nelson BC, this was my last hiatus now its time to kick ass 24 hours a day
Todd Simpson
Sep 4 2013, 10:54 AM
NICE!!!!!!
Soldier, you are making HUGE strides in your playing. I can tell you are putting time in at the SHOOTING RANGE!!!! Your right hand technique is particularly good and your left hand position is quite nice as well! Very articulate picking and very even playing.
Soldier, I think you are ready to PUSH IT in to SPECIAL FORCES Territory a bit more here. I'm gonna push you hard Soldier!!!! Prepare yourself!!!! I want one more thing out of this fight!!!! It's AWFUL, it's EVIL, it has made some people FLAT OUT QUIT!!!
SPECIAL DUTY: The Dreaded QUAD PICKING!!!!!!!!!!
I think you are ready for this. Also, I see some good precision in your playing so I think you can bump the metronome up without losing anything. I hope at least!!! Try to push it Soldier!!!
CRITICAL NOTE: DO NOT PLAY TO THE POINT OF PAIN!!! *Always warmup up/stretch like we do in vid chat. *Always cool down/strech afterwards. *Always drink plenty of water *Always get plenty of rest. *Take care of your hands/arms Soldier!! You only get one pair!!
NEXT VIDEO FINALLY POSTED! finally moved into my dorm room at music college here in Nelson BC, this was my last hiatus now its time to kick ass 24 hours a day
leonard478
Sep 12 2013, 01:16 AM
MY NEXT VIDEO!
Todd Simpson
Sep 12 2013, 09:04 PM
Nicely done Soldier!! You've got this down and it honestly looks almost too easy so I know you practiced and practiced!! Quick tip to get a bit more precision/speed.
TIP.)Take a look at your pick hand. The distance it travels away from the string determines the gap between strikes. Reduce the distance your hand travels away from the string on up and down strokes. This is called using a "shallow/short pick strike" technique and reduces the time needed between strikes.
You technique is very clean but your hand is wagging just a smidge further than it should for maximum precision on this type of lick. Tighten your pick swing and see if you can hit this WITH QUADS @ 140 BPM or 150 BPM!
Nicely done Soldier!! You've got this down and it honestly looks almost too easy so I know you practiced and practiced!! Quick tip to get a bit more precision/speed.
TIP.)Take a look at your pick hand. The distance it travels away from the string determines the gap between strikes. Reduce the distance your hand travels away from the string on up and down strokes. This is called using a "shallow/short pick strike" technique and reduces the time needed between strikes.
You technique is very clean but your hand is wagging just a smidge further than it should for maximum precision on this type of lick. Tighten your pick swing and see if you can hit this WITH QUADS @ 140 BPM or 150 BPM!
I think you can do it based on what I"m seeing
SARGE
leonard478
Sep 18 2013, 10:59 PM
NEW VIDEO HERE ! *posted it wrong the first time*
Todd Simpson
Sep 19 2013, 05:50 AM
Nice!!! Look at him go!!! Soldier, this is some spiff playing here to be sure!!! You are making leaps and bound in your playing lately and I can see blood on the fretboard!!!
Let's Debrief....
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)QUAD PICKING!!!! 2.)Steady and Precise Picking 3.)Solid Right Hand Mute/Position
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
You are burning through these Missions Soldier!! Onward!!!!
Soldier I watched this again, and I'm having a bit of trouble hearing your guitar? I can hear the metronome just fine but your guitar is way quiet. You could be picking QUADS and I"d never be able to tell. hmm. Were you doing double/quad picking in this video?
Well fought Soldier!!! You have really been sailing along on these!!! Before we go forward, I have to make notes on the bits that I see that are cause for a bit of concern!
HALF YOUR SQUAD GOT KILLED
1.)Your picking is starting to border on "picking from the elbow" in some sections during the quads. Make SURE you pick from the Wrist down. At speed, it's instinctual to stiffen the arm. You have to literally fight it.
2.)Volume and Gain. Don't be shy with the volume and gain. THe more gain the better. It will show you if you are missing any mutes. Playing with minimal gain reduces sympathetic string vibration and other noises. Playing with more gain forces you to ride the lightning and control the random noise that guitars make when your playing.
ON TO THE GOOD!!!!!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Very precise picking!!! 2.)Very even playing, not rushing or dragging!!! 3.)Solid Right Hand Mute/Position
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice!!!!! Try this one on for size Soldier!!! Start and stay at the 5th fret. Start on the lowest 2 strings. Play the pattern a couple of times. Move up to the next highest string smoothly as possible, leaving as little a gap in time as possible. (essentially string skipping) and play the bit twice more, repeat til you run out of strings.
This is the SUPER COMMANDO version of a CRAZY NUTTY lick. But I think you can handle it!!!
Nice!!!!! Try this one on for size Soldier!!! Start and stay at the 5th fret. Start on the lowest 2 strings. Play the pattern a couple of times. Move up to the next highest string smoothly as possible, leaving as little a gap in time as possible. (essentially string skipping) and play the bit twice more, repeat til you run out of strings.
This is the SUPER COMMANDO version of a CRAZY NUTTY lick. But I think you can handle it!!!
Todd
Todd Simpson
Oct 19 2013, 03:36 AM
NICE!!!!!!
This is what I'm talking about Soldier!!! well fought!!! This is a great example of your progress here. The entire bit is well played and under control and very even. Impressive.
How hard/easy was this bit to work up? Can you give me a bit of history on working it up to this point?
BTW, by my asking about your history of getting this lick nailed, you may be thinking you just leveled up. Guess what, YOU'D BE CORRECT!!!!!
You Just ..... LEVELED UP!!!!!
MEDAL OF HONOR
*Textbook Form and Execution! T *TIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHT hand synch *Impressive Precision/Speed (This is a complex lick and your killing it!)
It wasnt actually very diffiicult ! the progress was quite consistent but i definitely couldnt push past that point in which i recorded, thanks a lot !
This is what I'm talking about Soldier!!! well fought!!! This is a great example of your progress here. The entire bit is well played and under control and very even. Impressive.
How hard/easy was this bit to work up? Can you give me a bit of history on working it up to this point?
BTW, by my asking about your history of getting this lick nailed, you may be thinking you just leveled up. Guess what, YOU'D BE CORRECT!!!!!
You Just ..... LEVELED UP!!!!!
MEDAL OF HONOR
*Textbook Form and Execution! T *TIIIIIIIIIGGGGHHHT hand synch *Impressive Precision/Speed (This is a complex lick and your killing it!)
It wasnt actually very diffiicult ! the progress was quite consistent but i definitely couldnt push past that point in which i recorded, thanks a lot !
leonard478
Oct 27 2013, 06:21 PM
Todd Simpson
Oct 30 2013, 08:18 AM
NICELY DONE!!!! Really good playing here Soldier!! Your technique is quite good and your precision/speed is impressive as well!!! There is only one thing keeping you from your well earned RANK UP!! I can't see your playing hand Soldier!!!!!
Give me one more vid that features the left hand as well as your deft picking!!!!
Well Fought Soldier!! I thought about having your do doubles and quads on this but Soldier to be honest I think you'd be better served by getting to the more advanced lessons. You are in for some serious BATTLE ROYALE Soldier!!
Let's Debrief....
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Stead and Certain Pacing!!! 2.)Nice Finger Spacing/Stretch!! 3.)Good Precision/Speed!
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
This is great stuff Soldier!!! Your playing just keeps improving!!!! Now that you are in to "Single String Work", I think it's time to turn up the head on your picking!!!! When possible, do this drill as QUAD PICKING 9 Four Strikes Per Note. Don't rush, just focus on keeping it clean!
You continue to tear through the enemy at an astounding rate!!! You are well prepared for the challenges ahead. Keep doing what you are doing and you may be the first Soldier in GMC History to make it through the entire Bootcamp Path of Blood!!!
Let's Debrief!
color="#2E8B57"]MEDAL OF HONOR [/color] 1.)Solid Technique All Around!!! 2.)Good pace and steady rythm!! 3.)Fine example of picking from the wrist down!
In short Soldier, you just...... !!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!
You are ONE LEVEL away from your first "Double Chevron" badge which starts @ LEVEL 13. Very few of those around Soldier!!
SOLDIER, this is some really fine playing here. I think you are ready to try this mission ON STEROIDS!!! Take one more dive in to the pool of blood and give me...
1.)DOUBE PICKED VERSION of the lick (ascending & descending)
2.)DREADED QUAD PICKED VERSION of the lick (ascending & descending)
Keep it tight just like you are doing, this will stress your right arm, but you can do it!!
