Bleez's Mentoring Thread

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Bleez's Mentoring Thread

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bleez View Member Profile	Sep 10 2014, 08:19 AM
Sep 10 2014, 08:19 AM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	Ive been learning a couple more songs and solos. Ive got Billion Dollar Babies by alice Cooper pretty much nailed, which is a song Ive wanted to be able to play for ages Im averaging about 2 - 2.5 hours per day practicing now, I spend about an hour of that on alternate picking using mostly just the metronome and picking patterns plus Bens hand sync lesson and one of Gabes maiden lessons. I spend about 20 - 30 mins on legato with one of Bens lessons. The rest of my time I spend on various lessons such as your 'voice' and 'rising sun' ones plus a couple of gabes older ones (alice in chains and a southern rock one). I have a few other lesson which I circle around into every now and then when Im feeling in a certain mood. I think that about covers my routine You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by bleez: Sep 10 2014, 08:21 AM -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 11 2014, 08:35 AM
Sep 11 2014, 08:35 AM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Hey Scott I was thinking, mate - you should shift your focus more on trying to implement the alternate picking in actual musical contexts - think about it - if you just practice some patterns and not use them at all, what good do they do? It's like practicing a martial arts move but never actually using it in any sparring context at all. That's how I see it and I think it would be healthy to start thinking about HOW and WHEN and WHERE to sue the things you are practicing What do you think? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Sep 11 2014, 10:19 AM
Sep 11 2014, 10:19 AM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 11 2014, 08:35 AM) Hey Scott I was thinking, mate - you should shift your focus more on trying to implement the alternate picking in actual musical contexts - think about it - if you just practice some patterns and not use them at all, what good do they do? It's like practicing a martial arts move but never actually using it in any sparring context at all. That's how I see it and I think it would be healthy to start thinking about HOW and WHEN and WHERE to sue the things you are practicing What do you think? Indeed, I agree. I'll try to balance the metronome stuff with musical applications a bit more than I currently do. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 12 2014, 07:38 AM
Sep 12 2014, 07:38 AM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Awesome! Then I would like to hear some samples How about this: - you have to invent an alternate picking lick each week and implement it in a musical context over a backing track. - you are not allowed to use the minor pentatonic scale more than once a month - you need to use a different scale each week What do you think? Cosmin You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Sep 12 2014, 12:44 PM
Sep 12 2014, 12:44 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 12 2014, 07:38 AM) Awesome! Then I would like to hear some samples How about this: - you have to invent an alternate picking lick each week and implement it in a musical context over a backing track. - you are not allowed to use the minor pentatonic scale more than once a month - you need to use a different scale each week What do you think? Cosmin LOL! Im sure rule number 2 goes against nature Im up for giving it try. I might struggle to do it weekly though. how about every two weeks? that should give me a chance to google scales and find out what they go with You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 13 2014, 03:13 PM
Sep 13 2014, 03:13 PM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Hey bro Let's make it challenging - let's go for once a week and we'll see the outcome And yeah, going against your nature was EXACTLY what I intended. You must agree that evolution usually occurs by getting one out of his comfort zone - correct? So, let's start this Monday! What do you think? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Sep 14 2014, 08:47 AM
Sep 14 2014, 08:47 AM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	okay, I'll give this witchcraft a try I'll work on something and get it posted soon and see if Ive got the right idea. sounds like it could be very interesting You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 14 2014, 11:09 PM
Sep 14 2014, 11:09 PM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	That's the attitude, mate! I'm very much looking forward to it As I said, evolution, pretty much means getting out of your comfort zone QUOTE (bleez @ Sep 14 2014, 07:47 AM) okay, I'll give this witchcraft a try I'll work on something and get it posted soon and see if Ive got the right idea. sounds like it could be very interesting You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Sep 15 2014, 10:11 PM
Sep 15 2014, 10:11 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	actually quite difficult. couldn't really get anything tonight. I tried a few different patterns but nothing really worked out. I'll try again tomorrow You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 16 2014, 07:59 AM
Sep 16 2014, 07:59 AM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	QUOTE (bleez @ Sep 15 2014, 09:11 PM) actually quite difficult. couldn't really get anything tonight. I tried a few different patterns but nothing really worked out. I'll try again tomorrow A-ha! Here ya go Scott - don't try patterns, try to create phrases of your own - invent a phrase that flows - think of: - what scale will you be using - where you begin and where you want to get - what chords you will be playing over - what notes do you want to emphasize on - what sort of groupings will you use - what techniques will you be using If you know these, most likely you will come up with something interesting and unique Thinking in patterns, will only keep you locked up in a cage, so have the guts to experiment, ok? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Sep 16 2014, 08:31 AM
Sep 16 2014, 08:31 AM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 16 2014, 07:59 AM) A-ha! Here ya go Scott - don't try patterns, try to create phrases of your own - invent a phrase that flows - think of: - what scale will you be using - where you begin and where you want to get - what chords you will be playing over - what notes do you want to emphasize on - what sort of groupings will you use - what techniques will you be using If you know these, most likely you will come up with something interesting and unique Thinking in patterns, will only keep you locked up in a cage, so have the guts to experiment, ok? ah! see, I was trying to use pure alt picking patterns similar to the ones I use over the metronome and trying to get them sounding good over a backing track. I'll try your suggestions though, they actually sound like a much better approach You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 17 2014, 07:18 AM
Sep 17 2014, 07:18 AM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Hehe, I'm thinking of a natural way of expressing the musical ideas you unconsciously have, in terms of short phrases The form of the short phrase can be bluesy lick, a run, an arpeggio or a combo of 2 or more of them - there are many options, but regardless of the elements of choice, don't think in terms of patterns See, this pattern based geometry of the guitar, is both a blessing and a curse - some folks NEVER get out of these patterns and they sound like playing exercises. Your goal is to think and feel in terms of understanding the relationships between notes and chords and the elements which more notes can form. Imagine that notes are like Lego bricks - you can build anything with them and give them whatever form you wish. So, having this in mind, let's put your imagination to work Deal? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Sep 18 2014, 08:10 AM
Sep 18 2014, 08:10 AM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Sep 17 2014, 07:18 AM) Hehe, I'm thinking of a natural way of expressing the musical ideas you unconsciously have, in terms of short phrases The form of the short phrase can be bluesy lick, a run, an arpeggio or a combo of 2 or more of them - there are many options, but regardless of the elements of choice, don't think in terms of patterns See, this pattern based geometry of the guitar, is both a blessing and a curse - some folks NEVER get out of these patterns and they sound like playing exercises. Your goal is to think and feel in terms of understanding the relationships between notes and chords and the elements which more notes can form. Imagine that notes are like Lego bricks - you can build anything with them and give them whatever form you wish. So, having this in mind, let's put your imagination to work Deal? that makes more sense now I only see the patterns as a means of improving my hand sync so it will be good to try something similar but with musical licks. I could really do with improving my phrasing for sure. cheers duder. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Sep 18 2014, 08:58 AM
Sep 18 2014, 08:58 AM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Anytime, mate! Looking forward to seeing your imagination at work! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Oct 7 2014, 01:20 PM
Oct 7 2014, 01:20 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	hey dude, Im working on that musical phrasing exercise this week. I totally forgot to try it I got distracted by a couple of lessons. I was trying this peter green one. I thought I was getting on quite well with it and recorded it to let you check.... however after listening back to the original lesson I seem to have attacked it a bit too hard overall. I should have played a lot of the phrases much softer. I think it was a gradual thing which I didnt really notice at the time. Anyhoo, maybe you could have a listen anyway, its probably the bends which will be my main challenge with this lesson and I dont think Im too far away at the moment, I think I get a few of them. I'll work on the dynamics of the solo now that Im aware I was too heavy with it. I was also trying the solo to Hotel California, Im not an eagles fan but I do like that song and the solo has a lot of bends What do ya think? not too far off the mark, maybe. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Oct 7 2014, 04:12 PM
Oct 7 2014, 04:12 PM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Hey Scott! Very nice playing mate - aside 0:18 and 0:28, where your pitch was a bit shaky, I loved the interpretation and I don't think it was harsh at all! The vibrato might've seemed rushed, but it fits with the bluesy feel very, very well! Fix those two spots and you're good to go with this one Now, for the Eagles piece - let;s see the spots that still need attention 0:13 - that bend is different in the original recording 0:19 - watch out for the pitch 0:39 - you tricked that one I know this solo by heart but it was a good trick 01:26 onward - you move your left hand a lot - in this situation, it's not hindering but if you would need to speed up, trouble would arise Ithink that if you take care of these little details, you'll have a brilliant take on this classic solo! This doesn't mean I have forgotten our little deal Whatevertakes you out of the comfort zone, is a great thing, remember! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Oct 7 2014, 05:11 PM
Oct 7 2014, 05:11 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	those bends at 0.13 and 0.19 in the eagles solo.... those are a bit quirky! Im guessing that Im under pitch on those ones. I dont think they are very big bends, I think they are quite subtle. I do find those two in particular a bit tricky Its such a cool solo to play I can sit playing that on a loop for an hour easy. Its really melodic. I'll work on those points you mentioned, see if I can get it sounding better. I'll need to record the solo for Billion Dollar Babies as well Ive been playing that for a while, I think it must be quite close now. Im sure all the bends are perfect The Peter Green one, man that bend at 0.28 It's a 3 semitone bend, I should be able to hit that one. The one at 0.18 - I actually thought I got that one! but I can hear now that I missed it thanks mate You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Oct 8 2014, 03:16 PM
Oct 8 2014, 03:16 PM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	Hehe, nothing to it, matey! I know how it feels to sit and work on something - you become absorbed and you aren't able to hear somethings anymore It happened to me a lot of times - I usually record and then listen to the recording two days later or so, anyway, with the ears as fresh as possible. For the quirkier stuff - isolate that bend and record it over the original - try to imitate it as much as possible and see what results you get. Articulation is a result of ear training, if you ask me. Are you usually listening to the recording like this? It would help a lot Anyway, your articulation skills have greatly improved all this time and I think you are going in a very good direction! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by Cosmin Lupu: Oct 8 2014, 03:17 PM -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page

bleez View Member Profile	Oct 9 2014, 09:36 PM
Oct 9 2014, 09:36 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 3.348 Joined: 4-November 11 From: Scotland	QUOTE (Cosmin Lupu @ Oct 8 2014, 03:16 PM) Hehe, nothing to it, matey! I know how it feels to sit and work on something - you become absorbed and you aren't able to hear somethings anymore It happened to me a lot of times - I usually record and then listen to the recording two days later or so, anyway, with the ears as fresh as possible. For the quirkier stuff - isolate that bend and record it over the original - try to imitate it as much as possible and see what results you get. Articulation is a result of ear training, if you ask me. Are you usually listening to the recording like this? It would help a lot Anyway, your articulation skills have greatly improved all this time and I think you are going in a very good direction! Thanks dude, I usually play along with the original until I feel I can get the articulation then I tend to just use the backing track. I obviously then embellish parts without realising and start hearing bends wrongly. I'll make a point of checking back with the original to keep me on track and isolate the problem bits like you suggest. I think I have the first problem bend in the eagles song sorted, it was a much bigger bend than I was hearing! the second one is a bit more tricky but I'll keep on it. I just realised the other day that Im approaching 3 years here! Although it took me a while to settle into a proper practising routine, its still quite a mad thought! I think Ive progressed more in the last 2 years than I have any other time ever but still every day I need to remind myself what you said to me ages ago about avoiding the mindset of ' Im not progressing as fast as I think I should be' You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- *You say 'minor pentatonic* ' like it's a bad thing**

Cosmin Lupu View Member Profile	Oct 10 2014, 07:50 AM
Oct 10 2014, 07:50 AM	Instructor Posts: 22.808 Joined: 14-June 10 From: Bucharest	I am glad you remembered that and you actually made me start my day with a big smile Thank you for the amazing vibe, Scott! The whole thing here, is that if you think about HOW FAST you should progress, you will not actually progress, because any step you take will seem like insignificant Just enjoy the ride, man! Keep a steady structure and never forget to check on your recordings the day after - in the morning if possible. That's when the ears have really had their rest and they are prepared to spot possible issues in recordings. Usually when sorting things out by ear, the morning would be the best time to try this Do you train your ears usually? If yes, how? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My lessons We can work on YOUR GUITAR and MUSIC development TOGETHER. Write me a private message if you wish to! Please subscribe to my Youtube Channel Days Of Confusion Facebook Page Mozart Rocks My facebook page