Hello Phil!! Welcome to your personal thread for Gab's Army. Here I will help you with your learning progress, giving assignments and feedback, suggesting lessons, sharing music and other inspiring stuff.

I hope that you enjoy your stay!

Here I have some important questions for you.

1. How long have you been playing guitar?
2. What level do you think you're? based on GMC lessons level.
3. What do you know about theory?
4. Favorite styles and musicians.
5. Could you please post videos and audios of you playing?
6. How many time a day can you dedicate to guitar?

Hey Gab! Thanks for setting this up for me. I will get straight to your questions then!

1.I have been playing for around four years. Most of that time I have been messing about but I want to take my playing a bit more serious now.

2.If I am completely honest at the very most a five:(

3.This is a real weak point of mine, for ages I didnt care about theory at all until i realised I really need it in order to improve.
I started ivans improvisation course to try and improve this area.

4.My taste in music is extremely diverse. RATM was my introduction to the whole rock thing. I like all sorts of styles like punk, alternative,metalcore,eleoctric rock, indie,classic rock whatever. I dont care for labels if it sounds good i listen to it.
Some of my favourite bands are, RATM, QOTSA,biffy clyro, deftones, rise against, august burns red etc.. the list goes on and on.

5.Not yet sometime soon i hope:)

6.This is my BIG problem i dont have enough time. I play 1hr to 1.5 at day at the most.

So there u go. What next?

Great! Thanks for this info. We should create a guitar plan that organizes your diary practice. What topics do you think that this plan should cover?

Hey Gab! Well here is a breakdown of my practice routine at the moment.

1.Acoustic
-One fingerpicking exercise
-Your "Jack Johnson" Style lesson
-Learning "Wonderwall" by Oasis

2.Electric
-Mastering Diatonic Pattern lesson by Ivan
-10-15 mins of improvising with Ivan's "Improvising Workshop - Level 2"
-4 Technical exercises (Avenged sevenfold part9 alternative picking from your AV7 lesson, a three note per string alternative picking ex. and a few tapping exercises.
-Your Punk:Rock Bad Religion lesson.(struggling a bit with the tempo of the solo on this one:))

That's sort of what i am working on at the moment. My problem is I have started a lot of lessons on GMC and never really finish them to a good standard. There is also so much to learn its hard to focus on a few topics!

I think what i want to work on are;

1.Fingerpicking
2.Rhythm (especially punk and metal style )
3.Improvising and being able to write my own stuff, I think for this I need a better understanding of theory!

I also have a request for you:) I noticed your BVMF style lesson. I am a big fan of metalcore especially band called August Burns Red. I know the screamo stuff isn't for everyone but songs like "Carpe Diem", "Creative Captivity", "Internal Cannon" or "Marianas Trench" would be totally awesome and challenging!

Cheers,
Phil

Hi Phil! Great stuff! Thanks for the suggestion. I will add that band to my list. There are more Metalcore lessons coming.

Regarding your guitar practice, I think that we should define weekly routines to help you focalize on less lessons and master them. You are on the right track with the topics and lessons but you have to focus on a few each week to be able to master them. I think that these 3 topics can be a good starting point:

1. Fingerpicking

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Jack-Johnson-Style/ (I play this one with pick, but you can do it with your fingers)

2. Rhythm

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Punk-Rock-Bad-Religion/

3. Theory / Improvisation / Composition


What do you know about theory?

Ok Gab, I will try and focus on these two lessons to start. I know very little amount the theory, through ivans lessons I have started to learn which notes make up chords but thats about it!

Excellent! Please focus on these lessons and post here an audio or video of you playing them at least in one week. Then we can see if we add or replace lessons. Regarding improvisation, I was thinking that we should start with Pentatonic Minor scales, what do you know about it?

Ok I will try to do some kind of recording. Well I know the pentatonic scale in terms of knowing the pattern but what notes in the scale to use over chords and so on i struggle with.

Ok mate. This is not something that can be achieved in one day. Here I will give you 3 assignments for this week:

- Play the scale up and down singing the notes with your voice. (this will help you to connect your mind with you fingers and guitar)
- Do the same exercise over different minor backing tracks. Pay attention to how the notes sound over each chord.
- Learn pentatonic minor licks from GMC lessons or songs. Play them over the backing, and try to create your own variations.

We have lots of minor tonality lessons so you can choose the backing that you like, but please let me know which you you choose to be sure that it's right.

Hey Gab
Here is my first take of the jack johnson lesson that i recorded at the weekend. I am not quite ready with the bad religion one.
Let me know what you think!
I haven't gotten round to looking at pentatonic lessons yet, hopefully i will have time time this week.

Hey mate! It's great to see a video from you! It looks and sounds very good! Great quality man. Your left hand seems to be very comfortable with the melodies and chord changes, there is nothing to fix there. Your right hand is a bit rigid and needs to be more relaxed. You should review your right hand motion, when you are playing melodies and also when you are strumming, it should start from your wrist but also a bit from your elbow, not from your fingers.

Here you will find some tips and exercises that will help you:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=42828

Another thing that must be improved on this take is timing. The problem appears in the whole take but it's more notorious in the melodies.

Keep on playing this lesson focusing on these things and let me know if you have some questions.

Hey Gab, Thanks for the great constructive feedback. I too noticed this problem with my right hand, it also seems to be that my right hand is too parallel to this strings. Should my right hand not be at more of an angle? Thanks for the exercises, i will check them out!

Great appreciation! If you relax your hand and start moving more your wrist than your fingers, you will find more comfortable another position for your hand that is exactly different to the angle that you are using now. I recommend you to check some GMC lessons to compare your right hand position with instructors, and try to emulate it.

Hey Mate! How its going? I know its been a while since i've posted. I have had way too much work on the moment plus i managed to get sick last week. But i am know ready to get down to some serious practice. Here is another take of the jack johson lesson, quality of the video is a bit rubbish but the playing is more important.

I also finally want to get a take of the bad religion lesson uploaded this week. I also started Ivan's Pentatonic workshop series as a way of learning the scale probably and then going onto improvising with it.






btw your new lesson from The Stooges rocks, i'm going to have to learn that soon too.

Cheers,

Hi mate! Nice to hear from you again and to see you working hard. I can note an evolution in your right hand comparing this take with the previous one. It's slowly starting to look more relaxed. However there is still room to improve the groove and to move your right hand more relaxed. I think that it could really help you to practice the lesson over the main video to try to emulate the sound and movement that I do... have you tried it?

Regarding the other lessons that you are starting to work, great ideas, looking forward your experience with them and the videos.

Thanks Gab, yeah I know I still need to relax my right hand a lot more. I think it will take a while until i get it right after playing wrong for a while now, i'm not finding it that easy.
Yes I have been playing it over your main video in the lesson, i will keep at it and try to relax more Thanks for the feedback.

Excellent. We are going on the right track. Have you started working on the other lessons?

Hey Gab, here is my bad religion take. There are a few mistakes i know and i am still having a hard time with the right hand looseness. I find it especially difficult to be loose when picking and at the same time staying accurate and clean.
I think I will start working on a new lesson from your punk series, i haven't decided which one yet.





I also wanted to ask you about recording. How exactly do you record your lessons? i know you use a line 6 POD HD500. How does that work? I have no idea about these things

Hi mate, I will give you feedback about your video as soon as I get back home.
Regarding you question, I connect my Pod audio output to a m-audio fast track.
I record audio in Cubase and then sync it with video using Adobe Premiere.

Hi again mate. Now I could listen to your take and I can say that it's a good one! The main problem appears in the solo where I notice timing issues, mostly in the last licks. You should focus on the solo section to improve it, the other parts are ok for me.

I also noted that your tone need adjustment, what are you using to record?

Hey Gab, Glad your got back safely and could give me your awesome feedback again. thanks! Yeah I am still struggling a bit on the solo especially at the two string melodies at the end. I always mess up there.

Recording wise I simply used my Nikon D7100 to record the video and sound directly. I know that's not so ideal which is why i previously asked you about your recording process.
What do you suggest i could do to improve the tone and sound without having to buy too much equipment/software etc? Like what is a good starting point?

I have also started to learn the classic punk: The stooges lesson on top of trying to improve these last ones.

Cheers,

Let's see. What equipment do you have? which amp? which computer?

-Line 6 spider III 15(practice amp)
-Bugera V22 Infinium amp (not so happy with this amp anymore i use a Blackstar distortion HT Dual pedal with it.

-Mac book pro(getting old and slow now)
-Asus laptop(pretty decent machine 16 GB ram etc.)


I am thinking of getting cubase elements or artist version. Whats the learning curve like on this software?
So I also need an audio interface then to hook up my guitar to the computer right?

Ok mate. You don't really need an external audio interface if you install Asio4all drivers and get a connector that allow connect your guitar directly to the line in of your soundcard.

Download asio4all: http://www.asio4all.com/

At first, let's go for the free option, and then you can go for paid software if you want. Reaper is a multitask software that has a free version that can be downloaded here: http://www.reaper.fm/

Your pedal is cool, but it's not very versatile so I recommend to install an amp emulator in your computer. There are many of them, being the most popular Guitar Rig, Amplitube and Revalver. As I promised, here you have some free amp emulators to start experimenting: http://lepouplugins.blogspot.com.ar/

and now, check out this video:




Experiment with this info and let me now what happens!

Oh this is great mate.Thanks a lot! Saves me a few hours looking on the net.
I will try this stuff out, I have some free time nice week.
Just to clarify i can connect my guitar straight to my comp with this driver and connector without going through my amp?

Bingo! That's the reason why we are here.. to help you to use your time wisely and in a more effective way.



Exactly. Then you can also try using your pedal just as a direct box and compare results. (I can give you more details about this later).

Hey Gab
No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! I have been playing and buried in my new tools.
Here is a recording of your classic punk stooges style lesson.
I ended up getting an audio interface because I couldn't get a very good sound with the adapter. I recorded it in Cubase AI Elements through my blackstar distortion pedal.
It was a lot of work but I learned loads!




I am now working on your offspring lesson. I think that would could take me a while with the super fast parts. I have a question regarding the third part. It sounds like your palm muting the 5 string am i right? cos i am not sure from the tabs.
Thanks!

Hi mate! Great to receive news from you! I can note that you have been working hard! Congrats on your new soundcard! You won't regret buying it and the time you dedicated to learn how to use it combined with Cubase.

The Stooges lesson is sounds very good, it only need some more adjustment in the solo section. The connection at 00:20 is a bit weird, work on that slide. The licks are well played but it could sound smoother, and your bending is ok, but not 100% consistent. Keep on playing this one at least once or twice every day.






Good choice! It's a very demanding rhythm lesson. In that part I mute both strings but the lower a bit more than the higher that is being muted very slightly.

Hey Gab thanks for the feedback. I have a question regarding Cubase. I am trying to useeffects like free amp emulators from Amplitube to record with in the insert slot of the audio track section. The problem I am having is I can only hear the effect until after I have recorded. Is there a way to turn on the effects to hear them before so I can tweak them?

Hi friend! To monitor the signal that you are entering and processing live you have to click on the speaker marked in this pic:

Click to view attachment

Try it and let me know if it works!

I found that part out already i with the experience of recording of the stooges lesson, although it also that took me a while to find out.

The problem I have now is not hearing the guitar signal but hearing the effects applied to the signal. I can choose an effect but i can't play around with the effect live with my guitar. I can only hear the effect after recording.
I hope that makes sense

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo.../attach_add.png

mm that's very weird. You should be listening the guitar processed while you record with the speaker on. You can check your connections set up. Check if it's something related with the output and studio settings:

Hello There!
I thought I would give you a written update of where I am right now and what I am working on as it may be while before I have mastered the lessons I've chosen:).

Offspring lesson
I am practicing it at 135bmp at the moment, it may be a while until i get it up to speed. I have drastically changed the way I hold a pick as i realised I was holding it wrong. Its been a bit frustrating but I think in the long run its for the best. What I am most struggled with because of this change is alternative picking, i think i shall do some extra exercises on that.

The second lesson i am working on is this fingerpicking one.

Then regards to theory i am still on the first of ivans pentatonic scale lessons.

I also am playing the bad religion and the stooges lesson at least 5 to 10 times a day to get them rock solid.

Regarding my cubase problem i haven't looked into it. But my output is through my headphones from the audio interface but i shall try to work out the problem when i am ready to record again.

So that's my "little" update, i hope to post sth proper soon. Thanks for your help so far i am starting to feel some progress!

Hi Phil! Great to hear from you. Thanks for the update. You are working very hard, you are motivated and the lesson choices are excellent. Everything is happening according to the plan.

I'm curious about your right hand change... what did you change?

Well its not easy to explain in words but if you watch my videos so far I hold the pick between my thumb and index finger really flat or parallel to each other. I notice the majority of people have the their index finger tucked in underneath their thumb. It seems easier and more accurate to pick like that, i don't know you can kind of cut through the strings better. Its taking longer to get used to strumming that way though.
I don't know if it makes sense but I think in my next video u will notice a difference

I think that I got what you mean but I will wait for the video to be sure. But if it's what I think, please let me say that this decision is very clever and can avoid you from technique issues in the future, so well done!

Hey gab
I was wondering if its possible to have a downloadable version of the offspring lesson at 155bmp so i could post a take at that speed for you to look at? Not quite ready for 175bmp yet
Thanks!

Sure! Check your inbox!

Hello There Gab,
Another update from me, i have recorded the bad religion and stooges lesson again. I know, still not perfect there a few niggling mistakes. I will keep practicing them. Like I said earlier i have been focusing on changing the way i hold the pick and working on my right hand technique. Its not always consistent but i think you can see the change.

Bad Religion



The Stooges




Here is the first take of the offspring lesson at 155(thanks for the mp3!). I know it needs quite a bit of work still but i think i would show you where i am at.

Hi Philm! Great to see you working hard!!

Let's go with some comments.

Bad Religion: I can notice a big improvement in this lesson compared to the previous take. Timing is much tighter now, and everything is sounding good. There is still room to improve the overall groove, but it's something that will come with more time of practice. Once you feel more comfortable with technique, you will be able to play this one feeling the groove with your own body. That's what I thing this one is still lacking. But you are on the right track.

The Stooges: This one sounds very tight! I'm impressed of how good your solo playing is sounding. Your bends are precise and the overall feeling is good. This take deserves a 10, great job!

The Offspring: This one is faster and trickier but you can already do a good job at this tempo. Keep on playing this one and try to relax more your right hand while you play. Mmm now that I see it again, both hands need to be more relaxed.


You are doing a very good job, I'm proud. Congrats!

Hey Gab
Thanks for the great feedback.I appreciate it! I will keep on playing these lessons and focus more time on the offspring one. I will also try to learn the offspring rhythm section too. Then its onwards to the next lesson, the rise against one I think

Perfect! Yeah, that lesson is good as the next one to work on.

Hey Gab
A month has gone by and no new takes from me, these last few weeks have been a bit hectic with not enough playing time.
But i have bee getting going again. I am still working on the offspring lesson at 155bmp, 175 is a big jump is it possible to have a backing track at say 165? That would be great!
I have started to work on the rise against lesson. I think i will do 2 to 3 more punks lessons and then think about my next move.
I hope to post sth soon...

Hi mate, thanks for the update. What things are taking the time that you usually dedicate to practice?

Hey Gab
Well work has been eating into my practice time lately. Plus unfortunately cos of the many hours i work on the computer everyday i have been getting pain in my fingers which meant i had to have a few days off practice But its gotten a bit better now and no time for excuses! Here is my plan.

I am still working on the offspring lesson, i find the tempo very challenging i am still at 155bpm. I have also started the rise against lesson, i have the parts down i am just playing it over and over again until its good.

Then i plan to learn the following lessons on punk
-Millencolin style
-Skate style

Then I think i will switch to Stoner rock style and learn these four lessons.
-Stoner rock 1&2
-Kyuss Style
-Fu Manchu
I really like queens of the stone age and these lessons also have some lead parts as well which i also interested in improving.

Ok, great to know that you are now getting back to practice! Those lessons are very good choices. I can say that once you master the list of lessons that you are planning, you will have a good average rhythm guitar so we will be able to start working on some of your own compositions. So keep on working hard and be ready to start the creation process soon.

Hey mate i wanted to record some new takes at the weekend. Would it be possible to have the backing track for the rise against at 90bmp? i am not quite ready for 100 yet! Thanks

Sure! Here you have it: Click to view attachment

Hey there! I finally have recorded some new lessons below, the rise against and millencolin first takes.

You may notice a different in tone, i am now the proud owner of a pod 500x. This thing is awesome! I can't get it to connect to my audio interface though, i think i have the wrong cables. Going directly through the pod to record with cubase if giving some issues like the recording is too low and such.
Do u hook your pod up with an audio interface and if so how?
Anyway here are the vids, i used your patches:)

Rise Against



Millencolin

Hi Phil! Congrats on your new purchase! That's a very good choice, you will really enjoy having a pod. Regarding the connection, I use it connected via audio cable (with XLR connector) to my m-audio interface. You can also use the USB connection and you should get similar results. The volume issue is something that should be fixed setting it from your pod, or the software in which you are recording. Please give me more details about how you are setting and connecting it and I'll try to help you.

Both videos are sounding good, you can play the lessons and the thing to focus is timing. I notice timing issue in the first riffs of both lesson and also when you play the only down-strokes palm muted verse. The second lesson has some more problems with connection between parts, and the sound of the last section (the chorus), where I note that the lower string played sound louder than the higher one that is doing the melody, try to balance it.

On a side note, I would like to say that it would be good if you try to play with your right hand more relaxed. I note that it's not moving smooth from your wrist, try to relax it a bit more.