Hi Jan! Welcome to your thread for Gab's Army. I hope that you enjoy your stay here and that you get interesting knowledge and creative inspiration to become a more qualified musician.

Your info:

Name: Jan
Age: 38 years
Playing since: 15
Influences: Dire Straits, Joe Satriani, Dream Theater, Jeff Beck, German bands. Pop, rock hard rock and blues.
Diary practice: 1/2 hours.


Could you please post some audios of videos playing?

Hi Gabriel,

here i come with some audio examples. The newest one ist the Blues Shuffle and Solo, which I recorded last week. The others are a bit older. I concentrated the last months on bendings and vibrato.


regards Jan

Hi mate! Thanks for this samples. You have a good level! What do you know about theory, composition and improvisation?

Hi Gabriel!

I know Pentatonic Scales, Major/Minor 3 Note-per-String-Scales, some triads. I am very interested in Modes. I know a bit theory behind that stuff, but its 10years ago... I am not good in improvisation, because i dont spend time on it. Normally i am doing some warm ups and than dig into gmc lessons. I am not very interested in composition a the moment. But I think i need a daily routine, covering all aspects of guitar playing ...

Great! Thanks for the info. Let's start designing your guitar routine. I think that we should cover these topics:

Warming Up

Alternate Picking

Legato

Phasing/Feeling (Vibrato, bending and dynamics)

Songs analysis

Scales-Modes Workout / Ear training

Creative Work


You don't have a lot of time each day so we have to organize a weekly work that covers these topics and maybe some more that you think I'm missing.

I think this is exactly what i need. You say that i don´t have a lot of time, but i think 1 up to 2 hours per day must be enough. I am not a professional musician.
Let´s start, I am ready for take off!

It would be great if we can include "The lick of the day". I am not very fast in learning new stuff. I usually need a few days for learning new licks and bring them up to desired the speed. Maybe thats the way to get more flexible.

I said it because in my mind this routine requires a lot of work, but this will be very effective.

Could you please suggest some GMC lessons that covers the technique topics that you would like to learn? I'm talking about this ones:

Alternate Picking

Legato

Phasing/Feeling (Vibrato, bending and dynamics)

Could you please suggest some GMC lessons that covers the technique topics that you would like to learn? I'm talking about this ones:

Alternate Picking
Neoclassical Alternate Picking Etude
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...-picking-etude/

Legato: Ben´s Land of legato:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/


Phrasing/Feeling (Vibrato, bending and dynamics)
Phrygian Soloing for beginners
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/phrygi...loing-beginner/

It´s gone-Rhythm section
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Its-Gone-Rhythm-Section/

Gary Moore inspired phrasing
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Gary_M...pired_Phrasing/

Excellent! So here we go.

Week 1 & 2:

Warming Up (5 minutes)


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/


HOUR 1:

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...-picking-etude/


Legato (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/


Phasing/Feeling (Vibrato, bending and dynamics) (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/phrygi...loing-beginner/


HOUR 2:

Rhythm Work: (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Its-Gone-Rhythm-Section/

Songs analysis (15 minutes)
Let's analyze some of your favorite songs. Could you please post here 3 songs that you like?


Scales-Modes Workout / Ear training / Creative Work (30 minutes)

We will work on modes starting by Dorian. At first have a loot at this thread where you will find all the theory behind it: LINK

1. Play C pentatonic minor and sing each note while you play it. Be sure that you sing on pitch.

2. Play C dorian mode and do the same singing exercise.

3. Play G pentatonic minor scale over this backing. Mostly blues style ideas. Start adding gradually the two extra notes that belong to Dorian more.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Funky-Minor-Chords/

This video should give you some ideas about this:



4. Compose Dorian melodic ideas over the backing using this mechanisms:

- Compose it with your voice first and then play it in the guitar.
- Compose it directly on guitar.

Record these ideas and post them here.

Hi Gabriel,

great! That´s really a lot to do but i already started today. For the modal exercise i will need some time to understand the theory. How much time should i spend on the lessons until posting first takes? It could take weeks to play them perfect as possible.

You asked me to post some songs i like

Pearl Jam - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vduCS-05sVw
Johnny Cash - Hurt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aF9AJm0RFc
David Bowie - Heroes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjBQKIOb-w
Rory Gallagher - Million Miles away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXOwDDBhT80

Excellent! Thanks for the list. We will start the song analysis the next week because I think you have enough work by now.

The first week should be for learning the lessons. You can learn 1 / 2 parts each day and you will get the whole thing in 5/6 days. Then you can work on playing the whole lesson over backings. I think that you could start posting your takes in around 10 days. But it's ok if it's sooner or later than that. Take your time but keep me updated and feel free to post a video playing just a part or something that requires feedback.

Hello Gabriel!
I am still learning the lessons and still having fun. I have some problems with the modes. I don´t know how to start and don´t know the scale patterns. Can you help me?

Hi mate! I'm sorry that I didn't post Dorian Shapes here. At first I recommend you to learnt all the positions and play it up and down over the backing (the one from Stephane's lesson).



Please try this every day and be back when you feel comfortable with the positions and scale sound.

Hi Gabriel,

i am familiar with the scale patterns and the lessons now. The playback is G minor dorian. You told me to play in C dorian using the playback... Maybe a mistake? I don´t know...

Hi mate, you are totally right, I just fixed my post. Start experimenting with the scale over the backing, record ideas and post them here.

Could you please share some audio files of you playing the lessons?

Hi Gabriel!

I recorded audio-files you asked for. "It´s gone" is very tricky. I do not often play without pick, but i like it. It´s a great lesson. I play this one without backing and slow tempo. It will sound much better in a few days.
The Alternate Picking Etude is fun to play to. I still have some knots in my fingers... cant play this one at full speed now.

Hi friend! Great to find all these audios!!

It's gone:
It starts weak but then, after the first section it gets more consistent. This type of tunes are usually adjusted with time so be patient and continue playing it every day. Be sure that you will feel more comfortable each day and one day it will be natural stuff for you. The more time you play it every day, the sooner it will happen.

APetude:
This one is sounding very good! It's time to increase the tempo.

Land of legato:
This one requires strong hammer on and pull off techniques. You hand get tired when you reach the first half of the lesson and the notes start to sound weaker. This lesson is an excellent training, so keep on playing it.

Phrygian Soloing:
This one is sounding good bu I recommend you to practice and record it with a tone more similar to the one use by Muris in the lesson to practice vibratos with that quantity of sustain.


Ok, these are my comments, what do you think?

Hi Gabriel!
The last weeks i didn´t had much time to practise lessons. I was on vacation, were busy at work and i have a new band! I have to practise some new songs. But I am still playing the lessons and making progress. Would you suggest some new stuff? Or should i practise until i can play them perfect at original tempo? I think this one is a great lesson... :

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Funky-Ballad/

I think that we are ready for a new plan. You can keep the old lessons, and play them twice every day and then work on new ones. What do you think? Do you have some other lesson suggestions?

Hi Gab!
I rejoined your army today and feel really excited about that. I want to reactivate my old thread, so i have all of our posts in one thread. In the last 1,5 years i did not play too much on my guitars. My last band splits up more than a year ago and since then i am playing at home for myself. I am 42 now, have 3 Kids and quite busy in my job. I am to old to be the next guitar hero, but i like to proceed my guitar skills.

You got me a few questions, i will give you an answer:

- How many time have you been playing guitar?
27 years

- Favorite guitarists, bands and musicians.
I like Jeff Beck, Satch, Slash, Vai ...all the popular guitar heroes. :-)

- What are your guitar goals?
I like to improve my soloing skills. I am weak in improvising and want to learn how to play modal scales. I am not good at fingerpicking, but i want to improve hybrid picking too.

- How would you like to you see yourself in 5 years (related to music and guitar)?
Still playing with fun, maybe in a band with some friends and playing live sometimes.

- How many time can you play guitar each day?
1-2h
- Do you have playing live experience?
Yes i have, most of the time as a rhythm player.

- Which are your strong and weak points with guitar?
I know my weaknesses, and i can clearly point out what (and most of the time how) i have to practice. My technique is not too bad, i like my tone most of the time. My weak point are my improvising skills.

- What do you know about music theory?
Not too much. I got my last lessons 15 years ago and forgot many theory stuff. I feel comfort with pentatonic and 3-Note-per-String maj/minor scales. Don´t know very much about chord theory and composing.

- Can you record videos of you playing?
yes i can. Probably i need some time to get to good results.

- Share here audios and videos that reflect your current playing.
I put a quick shot in the attachment. Very rough. Could not hear the count in...so i messed it up :-)

Youtube Video Backbeat Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R-eNIx3wXA

So far, so good. Rock on!
Jan "Offa"

Hi mate, thanks for your info. It's great to reactivate this thread. I've checked our work here and I wonder if you worked on THIS routine. Based on your goals I think that it's a great starting point for the first week, what do you think?

Hey Gab!
Yes, i remember this routine. You are right, a good point to start. I´ll dig in and send you a few audio files next week.

Jan

Hey Gabriel,
before i start with my routine... i have a question. This is really a lot of stuff and a lot to learn. What is my goal for the next weeks? Should I practice the lessons until i can play them perfectly? This could last much longer, up to 4-5 weeks. Or will you change the exercises in 1-2 weeks no matter how good i can handle them?

The best is to dedicate two weeks to this routine to learn the parts and adjust everything the more possible. Then, we can decide if we keep some of this lessons and replace others, or if you let this lessons as a warming up (playing them twice) and start a new group of lessons.

Hi Gabriel,
i had a lot of fun with the GMC Lessons. Here are some results:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riV-cIxOpyk...em-upload_owner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf3nHGJgVk0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrJlUtnw1xk


"It´s Gone" is a fantastic rhythm exercise. It will take some time to get recordable results.

I also spend time on jamming with the Dorian Pentatonic Scale. I´m playing short phrases, trying to discover target notes.

Do you have any advice?

Jan

Hi Gabriel,
i have a question while playing with the modes. You told me to play at first the dorian pentatonic mode. I find it much more difficult to play the modes as a pentatonic instead of the whole scale. Is there any reason why i should learn the pentatonic scale instead of "reducing" the whole scale after i got familiar with it? I hope you understand what i want to say.

Jan

Hi Offa,

This is just a visualization trick and it's explained by Guthrie Govan in the video. You can learn the mode by once but I suspect that you already know the Pentatonic scale, so the only thing that you need to do is to add the extra notes that form the mode.

This doesn't mean that you have to do it in this way but being able to connect all elements (pentatonic scales, scales, triads, chords, arpeggios) is very helpful to master the fret-board.

Hi Gabriel,
thank you for your answer. I think i will try both approaches and find out which one fits for me. Have you seen Post #26? :-)

Offa

Hi again Offa, I've missed the takes.

Great to know that you are enjoying the practice. The takes are good. Neoclassical lesson is very close to sound flawless, you just have to clean a bit the last arpeggios. Legato lesson sound good but you need to focus a bit on timing. Finally, the other lesson is on the right track but you need to work on vibrato and bending to make both technique sound more precise.

Hello Gabriel,
i think i´m ready for a new plan! I´m still fighting with "It´s gone". What a great tune! Do you want some hearing examples?

Jan

Ok mate! Please share some new videos of you playing the routine and we'll plan the new one.

Hi Gab!
I just recorded some audio files for you. They are all not very good and i can do better ...but not tonight.

Jan -Offa-

Great! Thanks for the audios. This is the new routine! Let me know what you think.


HOUR 1:

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...picking-thirds/


Legato (20 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato...g_intermediate/


Phasing/Feeling (Vibrato, bending and dynamics) (20 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Ballad...s-And-Phrasing/


HOUR 2:

Rhythm Work: (15 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Rhythm-Funk/

Scales-Modes Workout / Ear training / Creative Work (30 minutes)
During this block, take the lessons from the phrasing and rhythm parts to work on improvisation. Analyze the sclaes used on the lessons and use them to build your own phrases. Start with variations of the lessons connected with your own stuff. Record yourself and share it here.

Composition: (15 minutes)
Dedicate this time to random playing and creation.

Hi Gabriel,
these are really great lessons and i am playing them a lot. You just graded my rec video i took from your plan. Thank you! It also took some time to set up my PC for recording quality. Now I get very good results using Guitar Rig Software!
There are some more videos to do for me. The lessons still need some more practice. Right now I am close to finish the "Ballad phrasing" lesson. Not an easy one and hard to get close to the phrasing and "tone" shown in the video. ...but i will make it...
Rock on!
Jan -Offa-

Hi Offa! That's great! Thanks for the update. I'm glad to know that you are working hard. I'll be waiting for your new videos.

Hi Gabriel!
I recorded some tracks for you! It took a long time to do this, but it was worth it. The picking and dynamic exercises were really great and my left and right hand are much more relaxed while playing now. Also i got lots more control in my finger movement. The recordings are all 2nd takes! This is how it sounds, when i grab my guitar and start playing. So, i did not try to do a perfect "REC" recording. I know, that there are some issues. Timing, dynamic, string bending. I can point my mistakes out and i know, that i can play the tracks a lot better. In the "Thirds" lesson i played with alternate picking. It is very hard for me to speed up with this technique and sometimes i hit "wrong strings", while changing strings. This does only happen, when i get close to my maximum speed. Damn!

There is one lesson missing, i havent recorded yet. I will do this the next 1-2 days. I think i am ready for some new stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFRC7LQDy2w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnUwXSHxxe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cnFe2FqYr8 (Seen on REC)

Rock on!
Jan "Offa"

Hi Offa!

Great job with this videos. I notice that your fingers start to feel more comfortable with this exercises, and that you seem to have more training. There is more room to adjust the lessons as you've said but this videos are very promising.

When playing alternate picking, (and also on the legato + picking lesson) you need to put some attention on making the movements smaller for both hands. You have to make the up and down right hand motions smaller, and also try to keep your left hand fingers closer to the neck when they are not playing. Check your video and watch carefully the original ones, try to emulate how economic the instructor's movements are.

Hi Gabriel,
thank you for your comments! I am off for holiday now. When i am back i will work on left- and righthand movement. I will take a few more weeks to improve. I already know that my movement can be more precise and work hard on that topic for years. It is very hard for me to get better results. I will make a close up video from my picking hand, maybe you can give me some more advice. I am also unsure if i hold the pick in the right angel to the strings. Maybe you can see what i mean.

Rock on!
Jan - "Offa"

Hi mate, that sounds great! Enjoy your vacation and let me know when the new video with closer angle is ready.

Hi Gabriel!

i am back from vacation! Without guitar, i spent some time thinking about playing and learning guitar. ...so i have a question you might answer. What do you think is a very good approach to learn GMC Lessons? I think, that i am not very good when it comes to memorize new stuff. I usually try to learn one lesson part in 1-2 days...after that i do the same with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th. ...until i can play all parts. Normally it takes a whole week to memorize a new lesson. I am not sure if this is an effective way. Instead i could learn e.g. 3 lesson parts at the same time, but this could be quite confusing i think... so i never tried it. There is another point. Your guitar plan is a set with 4-5 lessons. This is a lot of fun but also a lot to learn, but how? What do you think? You told so many students, is there a most effective way you can tell?

Jan -Offa-

Hi Offa, welcome back!

Well, I think that your approach to learn a lesson is totally effective. It's much better to work on 1 part each 1/2 days instead of trying to learn the whole thing in 2 days. Taking 1 week to learn a lesson is a good amount of time, then, depending on your level and the lesson's level you'll need 1 or maybe many weeks to master it.

When working on many lessons at the same time, the method should be the same or at least similar. Let's suppose that you decide to learn 3 lessons the next 15 days... this is just an example on how to organize yourself:

Day 1: Learn part 1 from lesson 1 and part 1 of lesson 2.
Day 2: Review part 1 from lessons 1 and 2 and learn part 1 from lesson 3.
Day 3: Review parts 1 from each of the lessons.

By the way, each person and student is different so if you feel that learning more than 2 lessons at the same time is too much, we can review the routine.

Hi Gabriel!
Thank you for your advice, in future i will try different approaches. Here i come with some audio tracks. I spent a lot of time, mostly in developing my right hand picking technique. I am much more relaxed now and i play with far less pressure with my fretting hand. Overall, i get better results now, but it will take a lot of time to make improvements. I also found out, that i can pick more precise when i change the grip that is holding the pick. The side of my thumb is now much closer to the tip of the pick.
Sorry, no video for today. Please give me some new stuff!

Rock on!
Jan -Offa-

Hi Offa! Good job!! I can note that you have been working very hard!

I have a question... would you lose motivation if you dedicate another week to this lesson in order to polish details? I think that you could get much more doing this than working on new lessons, but it depends on how you feel about it too. By details I mean:

- Polish more the picking and legato lessons.
- Working more on bending, vibrato and dynamics on Ballad soloing.
- Working on dynamics and groove on Funk lessons.

Hi Gabriel,
ok, i will do my best. You are right, it is hard to have fun because i played the same tunes too often. One week more or less... I think it´s worth it.

Great! Let's go for it. You don't have to play the whole lessons. In order to polish those elements, I recommend to work on small sections, and dedicate some time to improvise over the backing tracks your own ideas, and variations from the lessons.

Hi Gabriel,

here are some videos showing you my actual playing. There is still some a lot to improve but right now, i cant play these lessons any longer. It´s going to be hard work instead of having fun. I hope you have some fun watching me & thank you for any comment!


Ballad soloing

Funk Rhythm

Legato and Picking

Thirds


Rock on!

Jan -Offa-

Hi Offa! Good job! I can see that you've been working VERY hard.

I couldn't open the funk lesson, is the link ok?

I've checked the other 3 lessons. Both the thirds and the picking/legato one are sounding good! You still don't look comfortable while playing it but you are close to be able to play them tight and effortless. I would keep them in the diary routine 1 week more.

The other lesson has more room to work on dynamics, articulation and polish everything to make your playing sound more "tasty". I think that it could be a good idea (and maybe funnier) to dedicate some time of your routine to improvise over this backing using the elements learnt from the lesson.

What do you think?

Hi Gabriel,
thank you for your comments! Here is the link for the funk lesson: Funk

O.k....one more week to go! I will spend more time in improvisation. While playing these lessons for 3 months now, my family is going crazy!

Rock on!
Jan -Offa-

hahaha I don't want your family hate you or me, let's refresh the routine.


HOUR 1:

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Altern...king-workout-3/


Legato (20 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hammer...Pull-Off-Etude/


Phasing/Feeling (Vibrato, bending and dynamics) (20 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Ballad...s-And-Phrasing/


HOUR 2:

Rhythm Work: (15 minutes)
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Funk-Workout/


Scales-Modes Workout / Ear training / Creative Work (30 minutes)
During this block, take the lessons from the phrasing and rhythm parts to work on improvisation. Analyze the scales used on the lessons and use them to build your own phrases. Start with variations of the lessons connected with your own stuff. Record yourself and share it here.

Composition: (15 minutes)
Dedicate this time to random playing and creation.