Hey again!

This is your very personal thread! We'll use it to communicate and work together on your development as a guitarist and musician.

For starters, how about learning and recording these lessons? We'll discuss over each recording and see how it goes Please use the provided backing tracks - let me know if you have difficulties in finding it

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...-Drop-D-Tuning/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...29-Palm-Muting/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...r-23-Pull-Offs/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...r-22-Hammer-On/

These should build a strong base for more complex things to come!

Cosmin

Hey mate - I listened to your recording - not bad at all. The tone needs some more work and you should practice a little bit more at a slower tempo. You have a tendency to rush at some moments. Tell me, what amp are you using to record?

Hey mate, I listened to your takes and here are my suggestions:

1) BC 22 - please try to even your attack on the notes I noticed that you accentuate the first note in almost every phrase way too much in comparison with the rest of the notes. Can you please re-record having this in mind?

2) BC 23 - I would suggest trying to slow this one down and practice at a slow tempo until you can set the following things straight:

- the same thing with the accentuated notes as in BC 22
- Let the notes ring after picking them - they sound too dry because you are not letting them ring enough
- At second 0:32 you should practice slowly until you manage to play that phrase clean and in good timing.
- When you can play this piece perfectly at a slow tempo, gradually work your way up to reach the full tempo, k?

3) BC 27 - you should work some more on your tone and timing - it's ok in general but it could be a bit tighter in some spots. Also, watch out for the little mistake at 0:44 More slow practice should solve these issues, ok?

4) BC 29 - your guitar seems out of tune... Can you please re-record this one after tuning your guitar and also, trying to have a good timing? It sounds like in some places, the timing can be improved. Have you tried to play it all at a slow tempo and then working your way up to the full tempo? You can always record against the original recording and see that you fit perfectly over it That will always tell you how close you are.

Looking forward to hearing the improved takes!

Cosmin

Thanks

Hehe! That's it mate Let's write here, ok?

I see

Hey mate, well, when you have the new recordings, please post them here and we will make the proper adjustments, ok?

Hi,Cosmin.
I tried to improve.
I recorded it before my work.
Today I will post others.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3xxqri6ae3hv5q7/gXUp9ztkhT

Paul

Tried and succeeded!

Good going mate - on BC29 you are very tight and the tone is a lot better. What I'd do to improve this take would be to mute a bit less - by that I mean making the muted chords sound like you do it around 0:31. For instance, the muting is a bit exaggerated in the beginning.

On BC27 - the same problem with the muting, it's a bit exaggerated, otherwise the tone and playing are better indeed.

What do you think should we add another new lesson? And, are there any particular questions you might have so far?

Cosmin

I would like to go ahead and add a new lesson.
I think I can train and improve the first lesson with a new one.

Cosmin.
I tried to take into account your remarks about muting in BC 29.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3xxqri6ae3hv5q7/gXUp9ztkhT

Hey man First thing, since I remember you telling me that you like Breakin Benjamin, let's go for this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Breaking-Benjamin-Style/

Unfortunately, I think that the archive is corrupt, because I can't extract the files Can you please upload them again?

Thank you!

Cosmin

Hi,Cosmin.
Yes, I like Breaking Benjamin.
This is the band which I like to hear every song.
I like many others but Breaking Benjamin is different for me.
I upload the archive again. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3xxqri6ae3hv5q7/gXUp9ztkhT

Thank you

Hey man! The palm muting in BC 29 is exactly what it's supposed to be, but take care - the guitar is louder than the drums and you had timing issues when you recorded - in the beginning for instance, you were rushing.

BC 22 - some notes sound out of pitch - example: 0:23 - were you pushing the string too hard against the fretboard? After 0:26 onward, you are a bit too rigid - try to practice this one at a slower speed until you can master it

BC 23 - the transition at 0:32 needs slow practice until you can play it correctly.

BC 27 - the palm muting is still a bit too rigid here - try to smooth it out a bit - as you did in BC 29 and play this piece with more flow.

As you see, we are mainly dealing with details here, but these make the difference in all the situations Pay attention to them and it's gonna be ok, deal?

Let's see how you fare with the Breakin Benjamin lesson too

Cosmin

Hi,Cosmin.
I recorded my Benjamin lesson .
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3ot8gwwbpses8jb/K-wNG_0npb
This is a very raw performance.
It is was my first experience to play and record.
It is a new skill for me but it is so amazing.
Time will make my performance better.
I want it.
And I constantly thank you for opening a new world for me.

Hey man! I am glad to hear I can be of help

Listen, let's try the following - can you record each track separately? There are a lot of things that need your focus and practicing them slow, would bring out a lot. So:

- please post one track for each part at 75% of the original speed, oK?

Cosmin

I see

Hi,again.
Today is a weekend and I can spend a lot of time for training.
So, I recorded my lessons tracks.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3pk8c5tann5wplz/xjXixNy4I6

Hey man!

Check this out:

Track 1 - the arpeggio theme behind the chorus riff - it is ok, but you should play it in such a way so that the notes don't sound separated - that means don't lift your fingers when possible, letting the notes intertwine.

Track 2 - the timing is good but there are some notes in there that sound really weird - like the guitar is out of tune, maybe?

Track 3 - watch out for the timing at the end and the right hand pattern - it goes 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 (count that in your head and then change to the next position) - focus on this right hand pattern, by watching the right hand angle in the slow videos ok?

Track 4 - I have listened to all the takes - you have issues where you have to shift from one position to the other (around 0:4 - 0:5 and at 0:9 - the faster part)

My advice is to take care when tuning the guitar and when positioning your fingers in any position, make sure the fingers don't stray - I have the impression that your fingers are straying sometimes and that's why some notes sound a bit out of tune.

Focus on all these details at a slow tempo and you will make a great job!

Looking forward to hear the improved version, aye?

Cosmin

Good evening, Cosmin.
I just have spoken with my friend Chris in England.
He said the weather was rainy and he was a little melancholy.
I said that music could change the weather inside.
I think it is a mathematic for soul.(I do not remember who said that but I agree)

Well,I tried to take into account your remarks about the tracks and recorded new tracks.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/22oymaihyzek2lz/byw-sUS2IM

Hey there man - indeed it is! I always like to say that about music

I heard improvements in the new tracks - for instance the tone in track 4 - the clean one, is very good!

You need to spend more time on this piece to get it flowing - your timing is good overall, but your playing is still a bit rigid, thing which is especially easy to observe in the riff part, when you shift between positions in general.

Practice this lesson constantly, trying to emulate the feeling that I gave it in the original recording - notice how everything sounds tied together and not dispersed?

This will not happen over night, so give yourself time and patience, while focusing on these aspects, ok?

Hi,Cosmin.
Don't think that I am rushing.
I guess I charmed by music.
I spend all my free time playing the guitar.
I remember that I have to be more patient.

Hey mate!

The beginning sounds better already and also, the riff is more fluid, but around 0:24, 0:32 there is something in the recording that sounds out of tune and around 0:34 you did not respect the original recording formula.

Slowly but surely, you will get to the bottom of this piece! Would you like to start working on something else in parallel as well? In the same direction - easier riffs/modern rock-metal vibe?

Hi,Cosmin.
I have heard,thanks.
I will correct.
Also I think I have a little problem with my guitar.
This is my first guitar and it is a cheap Ibanes made in China or Korea.I always have to tune it.
And also strings touch frets on the different positions, I hear a jingling sound sometimes.
I am going to buy a more durable guitar but it will happen in a couple months.
I would like ESP Horizon NT II.

About starting working on something else I am ready with a pleasure.
I think it will improve my technics.
My fingers have not enough speed I need to develop it also.

Good evening,Cosmin.

Me friend decided to start play the guitar.
He is 44 years old and he has never played a guitar.He asked me to sell my Ibanez and I did it.
Unfortunately I could not find ESP in Russia.
Dealers said that they can book it to me and sell only in December.
So I could only find Gibson Less Paul. It is a simple and not expensive model but the sound is much better.
Also I can tune my guitar very quickly now because it has no FR system.
I was a little upset that I could not buy ESP Horizon NT II.
I hope it will come in the future.May be I will find it on Ebay or anywhere?

I decided to increase the speed of my fingers playing solo of Whispers in the Dark by Skillet.
I found the TABs on songsterr.com and learnt solo in a very slow temp.
I can play it with a metronome on speed 55.

Hey buddy, too bad it's so difficult to get that ESP there I think that the Gibson is a great guitar, but do not hurry to buy anything until you first test it, ok?

Now about that solo, please post a recording if you have already started working on it and then we'll choose another lesson, ok? I am curious to see how you interpret this solo, as Skillet happens to be a favorite band of mine

Hi,Cosmin.
It is so great(about Skillet)
This is the first figure of the solo.

and all solo in a very slow temp

and this is what I could record and stopped by a solo

Hey again mate - the timing is good, out of what I can hear - towards the end you are messing things a tiny bit. Now the important aspect here, would be to focus on making things sound fluid - the way it sounds now, is making the notes sound a bit separated and rigid. You should focus on making them sound tied together, thus giving the phrase a flow. Post another take after you learn some more of it and focus on this aspect, because it is the most important thing that you should work on at this moment, from what I can hear in your playing as an ensemble. Deal?

OK

Great, man! Looking forward to it!

Hi,Cosmin.
When I was 15 years old Metallica was my favorite band.
There are many their songs which I like.
I would like to learn some of them : Nothing else metter,Unforgiven and others.
Can you help me with this in parallel?
Or do you think that it is very early for me?

and today the solo is a little faster

I found ESP.
My friend in Ukrain sold me.
I will be in Kiev in June,20 and get it.
I am very glad.
This is it:

Hi,Cosmin.
I would like to ask you about scales.
In theory I understand a little.
Have I learn scales?
If I play in standart tune it will different in drop and others.
But I think that I have to determine C maj from D maj
by hear for example.
I have learnt E-min in the standart tune from 1 to 22 fret
What do think about it?

Hey mate

It is a very good thing that you are trying to play this solo, but I think it's a bit big at the moment. Your hands are not in sync in a lot of spots and the bends are not reaching the correct pitch. My advice would be to wait a bit on this solo until we have tackled a few lessons focusing on improving your lead playing - what do you say?



Wow! She is a beauty! I really hope she sounds as good as she looks, as I really love the color! Congrats, my friend!



Hey man! Your idea is very good and I will make a little movie for you in which I will discuss a bit about scales and also give you an assignment!

All right.
Your opinion is very important for me that is why I posted my ideas.
I will be waiting your tasks.

Once I get back home, I'll take care of the vid for ya mate! No worries, we'll sort everything out, ok?

OK, thanks

Hey buddy, here ya go

Hi,Cosmin.
Thank you so much.
I am working now but in the evening I will try.
It is so amazing

It will only get better Looking forward to read your impressions, my friend!

I would like to ask.
If I begin D maj it will begin from 10 fret.
Have I to tune the guitar on B or drop D?
Then I can D maj from 3 fret

I could not stop and wrote down(in my office I have no a guitar)
C maj 8-10-12, 8-10-12, 9-10-12, 9-10-12, 10-12-13, 10-12-13
G maj 3-5-7, 3-5-7, 4-5-7, 4-5-7, 5-7-8, 5-7-8
D maj 10-12-14,10-12-14, 11-12-14,11-12-14, 12-14-15, 12-14-15
They are in the same configuration.....
but the different is only the number of the first fret...
In the evening I will play and write my impressions

Well,I came home and did it.
Is that right?

So.
In C maj all notes a playing without a shifting."C-D-E-F-G-A-B"
in G maj - F is shifted in a half tone.
and D maj - two notes are shifted in a half tone : F and C.
And it makes a little different shade or tinge.
I was playing without shifting and with it.
But for playing it is the same figures(I saw this when wrote down in my office)
And it makes easier to remember how to play them.
It is nice

if I will play :
1-3-5,1-3-5,2-3-5,2-3-5,3-5-6,3-5-6
it will be F - major?(One note is shifted -Bb)
It is the same figure too but from the 1 fret?
Unbelievable.....

I can't stop.
5-7-9,5-7-9,6-7-9,6-7-9,7-9-10,7-9-10 is A major.
There are three shifted notes(C,F,G)
is that right?


I can suppose that from open E in the same figures will be E major

So that all notes from the 6(th) string in that figure forms:
E maj - shifted notes(C#D#F#G#)
F maj - shifted notes(Bb)
G maj - shifted notes(F#)
A maj - shifted notes(C#F#G#)
B maj - shifted notes(C#D#F#G#A#)
C maj - no shifted notes
D maj - shifted notes(C#F#)

Hi,Cosmin.
I saw one more thing(I will try to explain in English.I am not sure that it will correct in English)
So, for example the note A.
It is on the 6-th string on the 5-th fret.
The same note will in a string and in a fret (half tone)but it will in a higher octave 4-th string 7-th fret.
And the third time it will in two higher octave from the key not.So that it will be in a string higher and in two
frets(a tone) from the second A : 10-th fret on the 2-d string.
It looks like some mathematic formula.
next octave = 6-2=4string and number of the key note fret + 2
and one more octave = 4-2 =2 and number of key note fret +5(2+3:2 octave +3 octave)

I will take a vacation from next monday and can spend a lot of time for the guitar.

Hey man! You can begin from wherever you have the D note on your guitar - 10th fret low E string, is a very good spot No downtuning needed!



This assumption is correct man - the alterations are those that you discovered



Correct!!



Indeed! So My friend, you are discovering intervals - that's what you are actually starting to do with what you wrote here

Today's little movie, that I will make, will be dealing with intervals - we are taking the theory one step above, deal?



Ok! This sort of exercise is very good to get acquainted to the sound of the scales now, can you try the second part of the exercise - the one in which you played the notes in respect to the roots, but do it slowly and try to sing each note so that you may remember its sound against the root note.

Hi,Cosmin.
you said I can play a scale from any string.
I tried to do that.
The figure was changed a little.
But I saw a new feature.
If I play any note on 6-th and-5th strings the same note but on a higher octave
will be via a string via a fret.
But if play on 4-th and 3-d strings the same note higher octave will be via sting and via 2 frets.
That is why the figure is changed.

For example:

G is on the 6-th string 3-d fret > 4-th string 5-th fret(3+2) > 2-d string 8-th fret(5+3)
B is on the 5-th string 2-d fret > 3-d string 4-th fret > 1-st string(4+3) 7-th fret

Sorry for my broken English.

I am playing your task.
If I think right 3-d,6-th and 7-th notes are changing the sound of all picture.