Hi Annemie! Welcome to our thread for Gab's Army. Here I will help you to design your guitar routines in order to help you to improve your guitar playing. At first, I invite you to share here all the info about you that you consider can help me to know you more and be able to guide your correctly. Please also post here some videos of you playing.

Let's start working!

Hi Gab,

here some info about me. I`m 35 years old. I play the guitar for about 3,5 years now. My favourite bands are metallica, volbeat, amon amarth, tool, lamb of god,.... I practice guitar on 5-6 days a week for 1-1,5 hours. My theory-knowledge is basic.
My practice routine is like this: - learning new song (currently paramore style)
- try to improve the amon amarth style lesson (I`m struggling with the rhythm at the fast 16th notes
- playin some melodies/riffs I´ve learnded and tryin to improve them (for example I learned some tunes
from Akira Yamaoka. he composed beautifull soundtracks for the Silent Hill Games
I will upload a video of my playin this weekend

Hi Annemie! Thanks for the info. Those are really cool bands.
I'll wait for your video to start working.

Hi Gab, here some videos:

the first one is the amon amarth-style lesson I restartet practicing a few weeks ago. its the best take out of several takes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fCELi7ilHA

next one is a tune from Akira Yamaoka "Love Psalm". Backingtrack is just a guitarPro file, I only learned the melody:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8C5l6wL89M

Why am I always so nervous when I push the Rec Button Its just a cam

Hi Annemie, thanks for the videos. I can notice that you already have some good technique but we have to adjust some aspects related to your playing both for rhythm and lead guitar.

I was thinking that we can create a routine for this week based on some techniques that I think your should work.

The routine could look like this:


Warming up (5 minutes)

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)

Vibrato + Bending (20 minutes)

Rhythm (20 minutes)

Theory (15 minutes)


What do you think? Then, I will help youto fix each topic with a GMC lesson.

Ok sounds great

Do you have some GMC lessons in mind? Some that you liked maybe?

here are some lessons I Like that could fit in these topics:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The-Vo...Of-Your-Guitar/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Stamina-School/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-gu...r2-palm-muting/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-gu...guitar1-drop-d/

What other lessons would you suggest? there are so many good lessons



I found another one

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Palm_Muting_16th_Notes/

Good choices! What about starting this week with these ones?


Warming up (5 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/move_y...le_finger!/

Vibrato + Bending (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The-Vo...Of-Your-Guitar/

Rhythm (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-gu...r2-palm-muting/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Palm_Muting_16th_Notes/

Theory (15 minutes)
Blues Guitar Theory

excellent I will work on these lessons and let you know how it goes

Ok, please keep me updated!

Hi Gab!

here´s an update. I enjoy the practice routine very much, the warm-up exercise is great and the altenate picking lesson is fun to practise

I uploaded a video from part 1 of the song the voice of your guitar, not yet at original tempo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hioycQSIgg

For the rhythm part of the practice routine I started with the joe kataldo lesson, I also posted the video in the rec-zone

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=52325

thanks in advance for feedback

Hi! Thanks for the update! The melodic lesson is sounding good. At this point I could mark two things to be alert: rhythm and vibrato. I think that the overall phrase has differences in rhythm compared with the original lesson, check it out, maybe the slower tempo is confusing you.
Your vibrato is a bit nervous, it's not going natural with the backing's groove. Finally, another details, the last bend is not consistent, just have it in mind for the practice.

I will check now your take at REC.

Keep on the good job!!

Thanks Gab for the suggestions on the melodic lesson . I will work on them and learn the rest of the song.

With the Rhythm lesson its true that my hand gets tired after a while especially if I do many takes . I will play the lesson at every practice-session to improve the Stamina of my Hand. At the end of the video I messed it up even worse because I was thinking "don´t mess it up now, this could finally be a good take" and gess what, I messed it up

I keep you updated as soon as I can but unfortunately I don´t have much time to practice for the next two weeks because I have full house (family visit) It´s a pity because I´m very motivated to practice guitar at the moment but on the other hand it´s nice to have the family there because I don´t see them often.

Ok! Thanks for the update. Enjoy your days with your family. Remember that a diary practice, even if it's just 1 hour, or half can be very good to keep your technique improving. Maybe you can get up earlier or go to sleep later than everybody and at least practice that amount of time. If not, don't worry. You can get back to full practice in 2 weeks.

Have in mind this video:

Hi Gab,

here is a update after a longer time

I started to learn the rhythm lesson from Kristztian and I play the Joe Kataldo lesson everyday to improve that song, I recorded it again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0GiVJbkwAs and I think/hope it´s a bit betten now compared to my rec-take a while ago http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=52325. What do you think?

After my practice routine when I have time left I practice your paramore style lesson. Here is my attempt for the rhythm part at 135 BPM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t77hVUKV18w

I also did a rec take from Cosmin`s lesson The voice of your Guitar. It´s not very good yet but I wanted to show you guys what I have till now and hear your opinions http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...p=0&#entry0

Thanks for feedback in advance

Cheers Annemie

Hi Annemie! Great to see you working hard!

I notice that your rhythm guitar playing is becoming better, you are playing tighter with the drums. However there is more room to improve your timing, mostly when you play down picking with palm muting, as it happens with Paramore lesson. Also, I think that you should try to play rhythm with your right hand more relaxed but this will be possible with more training. As soon as you feel more comfortable, you will be able to play more relaxed and with more dynamics and groove.

The best thing that you could do to improve your rhythm guitar playing would be to work on smaller sections, divide the lessons, take the most difficult part and create your list of exercises for right hand training.

About the solo lesson that you shared at the REC program, I think that Ben has already given you the right feedback for it. You have to focus on bending and timing. Pay specific attention to the video that Ben shared there, which includes the most effective exercise you can work to train your bending technique.

In other words, you are doing a very good job and now it's time focus on polishing details on both your rhythm and lead guitar playing. Your guitar playing is very promising, so please keep on the hard work and keep me updated regularly about your progress.

Hi Gab,

I have a question about Krisztian´s lesson http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Palm_Muting_16th_Notes/ Could it be that the GuitarPro File is wrong? I wrote the tab as I think he plays it. Or am I on the wrong track?

Cheers Annemie

Hi mate, I cannot open the file that you shared here. Could you save it in normal GP format?

I checked the guitar pro file from the lesson and I didn't find a problem. What part are you referring to?

What's the part that is giving your problems or that you find different?

Hi Gab,

about the rhythm lesson: I have got it now

The reason I was confused was because in the GuitarPro file it was notated as a 3/4 time signature with three groups of 4 sixteen notes per bar, but when I listened to the backingTrack it schould be 4/4 time signature so I thought maby he meant 4 groups of 4 sixteeen notes per bar (I was concentrated on sixteen notes because of the lesson name) but when I played that it didn´t sound right. So I listened again and than I noticed he plays triplets I didn´t noticed that before

Exactly! He is playing triplets and that's why he accentuated the first of each group of 3 notes. He plays triplets and accentuates them in a way to remark the triplets groove. Please let me know if you can play it now and if it's possible share here a recording or video of you playing it.

Hi Gab,

I`m practicing the lesson with the slowest Backing available. I stil have to practice a lot until I can speed it up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6cNYRo6Y-U...eature=youtu.be

Hi mate, great to see you working hard!

I can notice that triplets are giving you some extra work. The lesson has many timing issues, and the problem are mostly the triplets but I notice that the chords section isn't tight by the way. The drums are playing triplets with the kick so the overall track has a triplets feeling. You have to focus on going tight with the kick drum and also with the bass that are going unison with your playing. If you compare your guitar with the bass you will notice that there are rhythm differences.

As this is not a natural rhythm for you, I recommend you to practice at a slower tempo and using your foot and voice to count while you play. You could say 1, 2 , 3 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 1 , 2 , 3, and mark each "1" with your foot. Then add your guitar and try to connect your right hand movement with your voice count. Try it with your eyes closed, with the backing or a metronome and let me know how it feels!

Hi Gab,

I recorded the lesson at a slower tempo. What do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVVlSTD7v78

Hi Annemie! I would like to say congrats on your new take! Your triplet's timing has improved a lot on this new video compared to the previous one. I can also notice that now triplets are playing with the correct dynamics (first note stronger than 2nd and 3rd). Both things, timing and dynamics have room to improvement but this video is the proof that you are going on the right track.

Remember the suggestions about inner counting that I gave you and keep on practicing at this tempo trying to make it sound even tighter and share with me a new take in a few days.

Keep on the great job!

Hi Gab, here is my new take https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDNZ_x9MeW0

Hi mate! Good take. I can notice that you continue improving this take. The improvements are going slow but they are going so you are going on the right track. You should try to make the wrist movement smoother, the movement is a bit rigid yet. Also, you should try to make the up and down movement smaller and experiment with the way the pick reaches the strings since it seems that the pick is not crossing the string easily, the string is locking too much the pick when you play it and the sound that you get is different compared with the original lesson. This can be the reason why some notes sound a bit after the beat.

How are the other lessons going?

Thanks for the feedback Gab! I experimented with the pick crossing string thing and I noticed that my hand tense up to much (especially while recording ) when I play more relaxed then the pick cross the strings easier, so I have to practice that my hand stays relaxed while playing and I noticed that it is indeed easier when I make the movement smaller.

About the other lessons: from The move your little finger lesson I´m learning the 2 last videos, the other one´s are going good at a slow tempo, it took me a while to learn it because my fingers got mixed up easily , but now it´s going better. I´ll post a video in the course of the next days to share my progress.

For the Rhythm part I still play the joe Kataldo lesson everyday and I think the rhytm is giong better now and my hand don´t cramp up that much anymore.

I´m also still working on the voice of your guitar lesson This is my latest take https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7QwlOIRDkU
I still have to work on this a bit. I´m also working on this lesson with Cosmin and I started working on my vibrato technique. I did a rec Take for ben´s vibrato lesson 1 http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...p=0&#entry0

And I´m learning now the lead part from the Paramore Style lesson. I think I need another week or so and then I can post an update on that one

Hi mate, awesome update! You are working very hard. I feel proud!

Using a smaller right hand movement is always a good decision to gain a more precise and effective picking. You have to give a second to always re-check if you can move your hands less to play an exercise, lick or riff. I say "your hands" because this can be also applied to your left hand.
"The voice of your guitar" is sounding very good! I just notice some very little issues regarding bending and vibrato. Some bends aren't totally precise (the pitch) and your vibrato sometimes is a bit irregular and other times a bit weak. Focus on this two techniques while you practice. Also, when you go to the higher frets, the notes don't sound perfectly tuned, and this can be a guitar issue. Calibration problem? Old strings?

I checked your REC take, and it's also going very good, I gave you some feedback there, check it out and let me know if you have some questions.

Hi Gab, here´s a little update on the move your little finger lesson. It´s not the whole piece yet and still have a lot of work to do especially on the higher frets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFbSLu0VFb8

I also put new strings on my guitar so the tuning is more stable now, I hope

Hi mate, thanks for this update. I can notice that you are doing a very good job with this one. There are some little details to have in mind while you continue practicing the lesson:

- The notes are cut to early and this make it sound less smooth. This happens because you quit your left hand fingers to early avoiding letting the note sustain until the next note sounds.

- The previous issue makes the tune sound also a bit weak regarding timing. It's not sounding totally tight with the backing, it''s a bit irregular and moving. Focus on timing, feel it. Tap with your foot or use your head to internalize the groove.

- Be careful with your hands synchronization, sometimes I notice that your hands are not totally in sync and it makes the notes sound a bit sloppy.


That's all, I think that you are on the right track, just keep on practicing with this comments in mind.

Hi Gab,

I have a Big Update for you today . I wanted to do this update earlier but unfortunately I was sick and I couldn`t practice for almost a week, but now it`s all fine and I´m back on track. I recorded a few videos during the weekend:

The first one is the "I got rhytm" lesson. I think the timing is better now and it feels more comfortable to play it, my hand doesn`t cramp up that much anymore near the end of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw8k8rRg7BQ

The second one is again the triplets lesson. I tried to make the hand movement smaller, it`s easier now to play but there`s still room for improvement I guess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R86gkyCFdWI

Next one is the voice lesson. Still not perfect

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpOZyXc693U

Last but not least I recorded the Paramore Style lesson. It´s not played very good yet, there are a few mistakes and at some points I messed it up but I have a question about the sound. I recorded it with the BOSS ME 80 with these Settings:

Rhythm: Preamp: Stack, Gain 60/100, Bass 46/100, Mids 53/100, Highs 50/100
Lead: I added a equalizer: Bass 45/100, Mids 53/100, Highs 46/100

How can I improve the sound? I´m a noob on these sound Setting Thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ7X6E4nkrs

Cheers Annemie

Hey mate! This is a killer update!!

Let's go with some feedback!

I got the rhythm: This lesson is much better now! Your timing is getting tighter and your right hand seems to be more comfortable with the different rhythms that you have to combine on this one. However there is still room to play this one tighter. Some notes are played a very bit before and some others after the beat. This makes the take sound less consistent than the original. It's just the last details to fix to master this lesson.

Palm muting triplets: My comments regarding this lesson are similar to "I go the rhythm" lesson. You are getting closer but your rhythm is still a bit irregular. Also remember to master dynamics. Triplet's first notes are usually accentuated and this is not happening on your take, the intensities are also irregular. Work on it!

Voice lesson: The first thing that I note when I play the lesson is that your guitar is too low in the mix. The second is that your timing is really good on this take! The problem appears with the bends because you don't reach the correct pitches in most of them. Please add this lesson to the diary practice:


Paramore lesson: This lesson has more important timing issues than the previous ones. You are playing most of the riffs and parts a bit after the beat. You definitely need to continue practicing trying to go tighter with the drums. About the tone, I think that your tone is lacking some prescence and a bit of drive. I would try adding some more highs and drive until you can hear that it sounds closer to the original lesson. Feel free to post new samples to check.

Ok friend, these videos show that you are back to practice and that you are working really hard. This is a very good thing that will have a big impact in your playing. Keep on practicing and sharing updated here!

Thanks for the feedback Gab! Do you think it make sense to add some new lessons to my practice routine while improving the other ones? I was thinking about these ones

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...-solo-beginner/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/A-Day-To-Remember-Style/

Or is it better to wait untill I can play the other lessons better?

If you have enough time each day to practice the old ones and start learning the new ones, go for it! The idea is to keep motivation so if this makes you feel more excited with your practice, incorporate the new ones.

Hi Gab! how are things going?

I have a new update after a long long time . I had a long guitar break from several months because of renovating our house and family stuff but since last month i´m practicing regurlaly again.
I started a new lesson "a day to remember style" I recorded it at 80 percent speed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpE3ZcX6GtI

I´m still practicing The paramore style lesson I will make a video later this week.
and I´m still practicing the voice of your guitar. I will post it in the rec zone soon

Cheers Annemie

Hi Annemie! Great to hear from you again here!

I'm glad to know that now you are ready to get back to guitar practice. This lesson is a good choice since it's great to training your rhythm abilities. I think that it's evolving ok, and that the things that are giving problems are normal at this moment. You are having timing issues here and there, and mostly when you have to play 16th notes. If you isolate this faster sections you will make your practice time more efficient so I recommend you to try it during this week. Besides this timing thing, there is something related to dynamics that yo should work. This is an aggressive tune, and it requires more pick strength in some moments. Pay attention to how I manage dynamics on the original lesson and try to apply it to your take.

What about the other lessons based on soloing techniques?

Hey Gab, I have some new updates. I recorded the paramore-style lesson, not at original speed yet, it is too fast for me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIl9G--UidI...eature=youtu.be

I also recorded the voice lesson and I dare to post it in the rec-zone again

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...p=0&#entry0

I incorporated a new lesson in my practice routine, I wanted to learn this lesson a while ago but I didn´t find the time to do that. As soon as I have something recordable I give you an update

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...-solo-beginner/

Thanks in advane for feedback

Hi Annemie! Good update!

I listened to your take on Paramore lesson carefully and I can see that it's evolving really well. There are not important things to improve, it mostly requires more practice to feel more comfortable with the different parts to make the palm muting riffs sound smoother and the whole things more connected with the groove of the song, and off course reaching a higher tempo. When you play only downstrokes with palm muting, your rhythm is not totally consistent. Try to make smaller movements with your right hand to make your technique more efficient.

So please keep on practicing this one focusing on timing and also on making your movements effective to slowly be able to increase the overall tempo.

The lesson that you started working is a good choice to work on phrasing, soloing, vibrato and bending. However it can be a bit tricky, mostly in the last measures where the speed is high. You can go for this one if you want, but you will have to be patient, and work on alternative exercises that help you to master the trickier sections.

I'll check your REC take in a moment.

Hey Gab, I have a little update for you about the ADTR-Style lesson. I´m practicing it now a bit slower at 70 % speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rm9poNlBvU

The Solo lesson is indeed a bit tricky I´m learning the first half of the lesson. I have a bit more Time the next days so I think I can do a recording to show you the progress.
I incorporated back my alternate picking exercice `move your little finger`. It`s a long time ago I played this one . And I`m thinking about integrating this lesson soon in my routine http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/

Cheers Annemie

Hi Annemie, thanks for the update.

ADTR lesson is correct now. It's great to see you playing this one at a comfortable tempo. You need to be careful with timing at 00:44 since that part is not tight. Isolate it and work on 16th notes with palm muting at this tempo. Then get back to the lesson and you'd feel more comfortable.

Move your little finger and Land of legato are two of my all time fav lessons for practicing both AP and Legato so you have my ok to include them on your routine.

Hi Gab, I recorded the first half of the lesson `rock solo beginner` at 70 % speed. Not very good yet but it´s a start

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp7Hc3DrUKY...eature=youtu.be

I recorded also the `move your little finger´ lesson at 60 BPM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl2wlu5weOU...eature=youtu.be

I will try to record a new version of the ADTR style lesson tomorow, It didn`t worked out well today

Thanks for feedback in advance. Cheers Annemie

Hi Ann! Thanks for the update! It's great to see you working hard and motivated.

The lessons are evolving ok, there are just details to have in mind on during the next days of practice.

- Rock Solo: Be careful on timing when you play licks around 00:33 and focus on vibrato to make it sound more regular and connected with the backing's groove.

- Move your little finger: This one sounds really good, but I recommend you to try to make less left hand finger movement and keep them closer to the fret-board when you quit them. Also, there is a wrong note at 01:04.

Hi Gab,
I have a new take for the ADTR lesson, I don´t know exactly if it`s better already, but it is the best take out of several try`s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwHhE-oJso...eature=youtu.be

Hi Annemie, this new take shows a progress compared to the previous take. The main problem was when you play 16th notes and I can hear it tighter on the main riff. The bridge/pre-chorus section is also better but it's the part less precise work on it.

One good trick to practice 16th notes is to set the metronome a bit faster than the current backing that you are using, practice the part for 20 minutes and then get back to the current backing. You will feel that it's slow and your riffing should be more comfortable, try it and tell me what happens.

Hi Gab, thanks for the tip, it feels indeed more comfortable when I go back to 70% speed after playing it at a faster tempo. I did a new recording. It`s still not perfekt but I think the bridge part is better now. I still hear some notes that are not tight in the main riff, but I think I played the Outro part better than the Intro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoSUgbF22Dg

I also did a short recording for the legato lesson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvWjMi0XsAQ

Hi mate, good job!

You're right! You did the outro much better, and I can say that it's very close! It seems that the trick helped to polish your timing. Please continue working like this since I think that you are on the right track.

The legato recording is also sounding good. The technique sounds smooth and clear, but you need to be sure that you are playing the 16th notes totally tight, it's not perfect.

Ok Ann, these two videos are showing very promising improvements, keep on the good job!

Hi Gab, I have a new update for you today. I recorded again the ADTR-Style lesson. This time a little bit faster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxrJ95F69dk

I learned a new lesson too so that I have a lesson that is less difficult than my other lessons . I posted it in the rec zone It`s not perfekt but it`s a first try.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...p=0&#entry0

I think I can post an update about my rock solo next week.