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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2014, 09:27 PM

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?

Posted by: philm Jan 23 2014, 08:34 PM

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?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 23 2014, 09:00 PM

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?

Posted by: philm Jan 26 2014, 05:03 PM

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

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2014, 08:33 PM

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?

Posted by: philm Jan 27 2014, 09:46 PM

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!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2014, 10:52 PM

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?

Posted by: philm Jan 29 2014, 07:58 PM

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.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 29 2014, 11:54 PM

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.

Posted by: philm Feb 4 2014, 09:21 PM

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.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2014, 04:12 AM

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_forum/index.php?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.

Posted by: philm Feb 5 2014, 08:20 PM

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!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2014, 10:41 PM

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.

Posted by: philm Feb 25 2014, 08:30 PM

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,

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 26 2014, 06:34 PM

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.

Posted by: philm Feb 26 2014, 09:39 PM

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.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 27 2014, 04:55 PM

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

Posted by: philm Feb 28 2014, 08:57 PM

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

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 2 2014, 06:54 PM

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.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2014, 06:53 PM

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?

Posted by: philm Mar 4 2014, 09:17 PM

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,

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2014, 10:19 PM

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

Posted by: philm Mar 5 2014, 10:04 PM

-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?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 6 2014, 01:14 PM

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!

Posted by: philm Mar 6 2014, 08:57 PM

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?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2014, 05:21 AM

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).

Posted by: philm Mar 27 2014, 08:58 PM

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!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 28 2014, 01:47 PM

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.

Posted by: philm Mar 29 2014, 04:38 PM

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?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2014, 04:42 PM

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



Try it and let me know if it works!

Posted by: philm Mar 31 2014, 08:08 PM

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_forum/style_images/23redcryst/folder_attach_images/attach_add.png

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 1 2014, 03:40 PM

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:

Posted by: philm Apr 10 2014, 08:32 PM

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:).

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Offspring-Style/
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 thishttp://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/acoustic-workout-alternating-bass/ one.

Then regards to theory i am still on the first of ivans http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-workshop-level1-caged-format-timing-exercises/http:// scale lessons.

I also am playing the http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Punk-Rock-Bad-Religion/and http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic-Punk-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!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 10 2014, 09:47 PM

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?

Posted by: philm Apr 14 2014, 08:00 PM

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

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 15 2014, 02:31 PM

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!

Posted by: philm Apr 21 2014, 05:21 PM

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!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 21 2014, 08:17 PM

Sure! Check your inbox!

Posted by: philm Apr 25 2014, 08:25 AM

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.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 25 2014, 06:43 PM

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!

Posted by: philm Apr 26 2014, 08:37 AM

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

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 26 2014, 02:42 PM

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

Posted by: philm May 27 2014, 08:33 PM

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...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 28 2014, 07:32 PM

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

Posted by: philm May 30 2014, 01:31 PM

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.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 30 2014, 04:10 PM

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.

Posted by: philm Jun 4 2014, 08:57 PM

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

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2014, 10:34 PM

Sure! Here you have it:  90.mp3 ( 1.57MB ) : 96

Posted by: philm Jun 12 2014, 06:57 PM

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

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2014, 02:58 AM

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.

Posted by: philm Jun 13 2014, 07:42 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for the feedback!
Yeah I am really happy with the pod but i haven't had enough time to play around with it yet. I have fixed the volume issue but I think i will buy a XLR connector to connect it to my interface for a better result. Do u use two XLR connectors as there is a left and right channel on the pod?

Regarding the lessons i will keep working on them until they are better of course. Regarding the right hand, do u mean i need to loosen up at my wrist more or my whole arm? I find it a challenge staying loose at these punk rock speeds but i will continue to work it!
Thanks again for your help and hopefully my next post with a take will be sooner than the last:)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 14 2014, 06:46 PM

Good decision, this depends on the patch that you create. There is a possibility of creating stereo guitar patches in which you use 2 amps at the same time and pan them. Also there are some effects that can be used stereo (like delay). If you create mono patches, you don't need two cables.



I know that it's difficult to play this lessons completely relaxed but you have to think on it to try to play the more relaxed possible. Just try to loosen up a bit more your wrist movement and also a bit from your elbow and see what happens, experiment with it. Imagine that playing a 2 hours show with your right hand tense like that wouldn't be enjoyable.

I'm glad to know that this thread is helping this. Please keep me updated.

Posted by: philm Jun 22 2014, 07:21 PM

Hello there!
Here is my first take of the stoner rock style lesson. Its by no means perfect especially in the solo section but i wanted to post a take sooner and not have such a long gap between posts. I think in the video i will try and post takes sooner even if they are not perfect so i can integrate your feedback into the practice of these lessons. Does this approach make sense? Anyway here is it..

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 22 2014, 09:28 PM

Hi Philm! I think that it's a great approach to practice. I preffer that you post videos more frequently to be able to monitor your progress and give you feedback that could definitely guide your diary practice. Let's go in this way!

Let's go with the rhythm section:

It's going well. I notice that you have timing issue on most of the legato (commonly called trills). You tend to reach the third note of each trill faster than you should and this make the overall part untight. Pay attention to it.
I notice that your vibrato technique could be wider and connect more with the backing's groove, you have to feel it, it should be more natural.
The last thing that I would like to mark is to work on dynamics. You play the whole rhythm part with the same intensity, you should go stronger and softer to give it a more organic sound. This take is lacking mostly stronger picking in some parts (for example at 00:16)

Regarding the solo section:

The solo needs more practice in general. I think that it's a great solo for improving your technique and feeling. Check our again my solo and pay attention to how I manage:

- vibrato
- bending
- dynamics

At first, it would be good if you practice the solo over the original lesson and try to emulate a bit my playing. Just at first, then you can add your own personality to it.

That's all! Let me know if you have any question.

Keep on rocking.

Posted by: philm Jun 24 2014, 08:49 PM

[quote name='Gabriel Leopardi' date='Jun 22 2014, 08:28 PM' post='689858']
Hi Philm! I think that it's a great approach to practice. I preffer that you post videos more frequently to be able to monitor your progress and give you feedback that could definitely guide your diary practice. Let's go in this way!

Okey dokey I will try to post takes more frequently even if they are a bit rough around the edges.

I thought this stoner lesson was going to bit of a long project and challenge for me, its my first attempt at a 5 difficulty lesson but its one of my favorites of yours I couldn't wait Thanks for your feedback its has already helped me with this lesson and i think i understand everything you mean.
You mention the dynamics of picking softer and stronger, which parts of the rhythm do you suggest to pick harder? I am not quite sure on this.

I also noticed your awesome new modern metal lesson on As I lay dying. These lessons are out of my reach at the moment but metalcore is one of my favorite music styles. Some other great bands to do would be August burns red, Parkway drive or/and bring me the horizon. Look forward to seeing the future lessons from you!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 25 2014, 02:33 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely cover these bands.

Great to know that you are enjoying the stoner lesson. I notice that in general, your right hand picking is a bit soft in the whole lesson. These rocker styles require more strength and aggression while you play. About the "dynamics", it's something that you have to feel while you play. I usually accentuate a bit the first beats of each measure and also those parts when the drum marks with a cymbal or fill. Giving more dynamics is giving more life to your playing, I could give you specific minutes but it's not really important that you clone my feeling, feel the tune and add your own personality to it. A good exercise is to play it with your eyes closer (if it's possible), it's awesome how much feeling you add to your take just by closing your eyes and focusing on sound while you play.

Try it and let me know how you feel!

Posted by: philm Jul 11 2014, 04:21 PM

Hey gab
I have some bad news today. I wanted to record a load of lessons takes at the weekend but my right arm jammed up completely and went numb from the index finger to my forearm from working on the computer. i have been off work this week and got the diagnosis today that i have Tendonitis through the heavy use of computer. This means i am on an indefinite break from guitar and computer. I don't know how long i will be out but i have a dose of cortisone steroids to try to get the swelling down. So u won't see me around here for a while.
I will keep u updated on it.
Stay safe and well and until next time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2014, 08:22 PM

Hi Philm, I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope that you feel better soon to be able to get back to guitar. You will have to stop playing guitar but there are other things that you can do during this time that can help you musically. Here is a list of ideas:

- Ear Training
- Learning theory
- Composing / Writing lyrics
- Analyzing the music that you like (structure, progressions, scales used)
- Learning to sing (I thing that being able to sing on pitch is an advantage for every musician).
- Listening to music
- Reading books, and music biographies.
- Learning about recording, mixing and mastering.


I can give you ideas about each of these topics.

Posted by: philm Jul 15 2014, 07:13 PM

Hey gab, Thanks for your suggestions. Yeah i cant play guitar or use the computer much(only with my left hand) but there are still things i can do. Learning some theory is one, i shamefully still haven't learned all the notes on the fretboard so that definitely one thing to do. Ear training and analyzing music also sounds interesting. I would be really grateful for your ideas on these topics thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 15 2014, 10:34 PM

Excellent! That's the attitude!

Well, for learning theory I recommend you to use this guide: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47852

Then for song analysis, you can still use this thread to check your progress to be sure that you are getting the most from each tune. I took songs and analyse them using a table with 3 columns: Structure, What's happening (arrangements)?, Theory (Scales & chord progressions). This is the most effective way to analyze songs. I use my ear to learn the songs. As you can't play guitar, maybe you can use a piano just to learn the chords or maybe use transcriptions but this is not the best way, the best is to use our ears.

I invite you to post here the songs that you would like to analyse and if it's possible your table complete... what do you think?

Posted by: philm Jul 21 2014, 03:22 PM

Hey Gab, So my arm is finally getting better. I have this week off work still and then maybe i can slowly get back to playing next week.
I am itching to get back!
In the meantime i have been learning the notes of the fretboard. I have picked some songs for the ear training i thought of looking at these three songs.

Rise Against: People Live Here
A slow rise against one from the new album that i thinks is really interesting and a great song.

Biffy Clyro: Victory For The Sun
This is also one of my favorite bands. I love the build up in this song.

The Offspring: The Future is Now
As I have been learning all these punk lessons i thought it would be good to chose one in this style.

I tried to pick relatively easy songs and a bit of a range of songs. Just to clarify, structure would be looking at the order of sections like verse, chorus, bridge etc. and arrangement is looking at what the guitar and instruments are actually doing(picking,strumming etc.) I think the theory side of working out what chords and scales are being played is going to be a big challenge for me. What is the best way to approach this as i can't play on the guitar to try and find out what chords are people played? I don't really have the ears yet to hear a chord and know what it is in the song, i guess its a matter of practice. Anyway i shall get started in those tables.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2014, 03:39 PM

Hi Philm! It's great to know that your arm is getting better and also to see you using this time to learn theory and analyze songs. You understood the song analysis table perfectly. This is the template that I use to share:

Song Analysis:

Name of the song:
Name of the band:

Structure // What is happening? // Chords & Scales

Structure: You will divide the tune in Intro - Riff - Verse - Pre chorus- - Chorus - Solo - Part C and so... You can add the letters A, B, C to the sections when you find different ones in the same tune (Ex: Verse A, Verse B, Chorus, Solo A, Solo)

what is happening?: Here you will describe each part. You can explain how is the part, if it has vocals, screams, melodies, harmonization, how much is last, how many measures, etc. Every information that could be useful to understand the part.

Chords & Scales: Here you will post the tonality, the chord progression and the scales used for the melodies and solos.


How to do it without your guitar? I think that the best would be to use guitar pro to transcribe the chords and arrangements to be sure that you are learning the chords right. Using a keyboard could be another good option but it depends on having one.

I would also like to recommend you this software that allows you to slow down tracks for learning and practice: http://www.ronimusic.com/amsldowin.htm

Posted by: philm Aug 4 2014, 08:34 PM

Hey gab, Good news! After my month long injury I can start playing again. I have been desperate to get back to playing and finally i am allowed too. My arm is still completely healed so i can't push it too hard yet. I think i will learn and practice some lessons that are a bit more easy going on my arm.

I starting your john frusciante lessons quite sometime again, i think these lessons would be a good starting point to get gently back playing. The stoner rock lessons after that shouldn't also be too much of a problem. I also want to up my practice on the acoustic.

I have been doing the ear training and have started some tables but i was really struggling trying to work out what chords and scales are being used in the songs without using the guitar. I need a lot more practice here still. So i just wanted to know that i am back playing and active and ready to get our journey rolling again

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 4 2014, 11:58 PM

Hi Philm! These are fantastic news! You are back!! I'm very glad to know this.

Please be careful and start slowly, take your time to do some massages, stretches before and after your guitar sessions. Always do some warming up and stop playing every time you feel a disturbance in your arm.

I'll be waiting for your news, videos and song analysis.

Posted by: philm Aug 9 2014, 03:44 PM

Hey gab,
Here is the john frusciante lesson first take. I am not entirely happy with the take, but i wanted to finally post sth again. I know there are some timing issues and i am not satisfied with the tone. I used my pod to create a sound but its not up to scratch compared to your tone. Do you have any advice here? I have learned the second lesson in this series and will post a take asap.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 10 2014, 10:38 PM

Hi Philm, I'll give you feedback as soon as I reach home. I'm getting back rom some Cirse's gigs.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 11 2014, 02:31 PM

Hi Philm! I'm back.

I have to say that this lesson has been a good choice for you. I can notice the different topics that you have to work to improve your solo guitar playing.

TUNING:
You guitar is slightly out of tune. This can be just a tuning issue or it can be related to other two things: old strings or calibration problems. Try to discover what's the problems and always remember to check your tuning frequently.

TIMING:
As you noted, there are some timing issues in your take. Some of these sound out of tempo over the backing and some other just sound different to the original lesson. The best way to improve this is to practice the lesson over the original take (mine) focusing on timing, rhythm and notes duration. Don't think on other things, just concentrate on going tight with my playing until you feel it more natural. It won't take so much time, you are very close.

BENDING:
There are 3 bends on this lessons, at 00:12, 00:22 and 00:32. I think that you should re-check them since the pitch that you are reaching is not totally precise. This problem can be related to the tuning issue that I'm also marking, so you always have to fix that one first. This lesson (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-21-String-Bending/) is good to train this technique.

DYNAMICS:
Besides groove, vibrato, bending and some other details, the dynamics are another important feature that must be used to give more life to your playing. What does it means? It means to use different intensities as an expression tool. Your right hand is picking each note with the same intensity as a machine, try to feel the phrases and to give them different intentions. This is the last thing to add, once you fixed the previous ones but it's as important as them. You are human, so you have to sound as a person. This lesson is a good example of how dynamics can be used in your playing: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Blues-Dynamics/

TONE:
Tone is something that we never keep on evolving and experimenting. The sound seem to be good but I would work a bit more on the EQ used. At first, I would select the bridge pick up of your guitar, increase bass and mids, and lower treble. I'm not sure about the amp that you are using, but something connected to marshal or plexi could work great for this solo. Experiment with this and share a new sample if you want more feedback.


Ok mate, please work on this things and keep me updated about your thoughts and progress.

Posted by: philm Aug 11 2014, 03:47 PM

Hey Gab,
Thanks for your very detailed analysis and feedback. I appreciate it!
I've got a lot to work on but at least I can play again:) The tuning thing issue I think is to do with the strings they need to be badly changed.
I do normally practice the lessons over your playing a few times and then with just the backing. I can stay in time a lot better when practicing over the original take but as soon as i take that away i maybe need to focus more to stay on time by myself.

I have also recorded the second frusciante lesson. I am happier with this one than the first but a think a lot of your points probably apply to this lesson too. I also make some slight adjustments to the tone that I think are better but i will try again with your advice as well.



I have also done another take of the stoner rock lesson trying to incorporate your last feedback into it. I practiced this one quite a lot before my injury trying to work on the aggressiveness, solo and timing. The solo still needs a large amount of work but i think this take is a slight improvement on the last.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 12 2014, 03:03 PM

Hi Philm! I would like to congrat you on your great work on this mentoring program. I can see big improvements on these new takes compared to previous ones, mostly on the Stoner rock take. It means that you are taking my comments and working on each of the topics discussed. I notice improvements on each topic.

Frusciante's lesson applies to similar comments to the ones that I gave you for the first part. I insist that it's fundamental to change your strings to avoid this out of tune takes that are a very bad training for your ears. Focus on timing since it's the main thing to improve but also pay attention to vibrato, bending and dynamics.

I played again the previous take of the Stoner lesson after listening to this one and I honestly felt surprised of how much you could improve this one. The take is more solid now, the trills are tighter and the whole lesson has a much better timing now. Just a two details more:

RIGHT HAND PICKING:
You have managed dynamics much better now but there are some differences with my right hand directions (upstrokes and downstrokes) that give some of the first riffs a different intention, it sounds less aggressive and definition. So check it out. I also note in the solo that your alternate picking technique is not totally consistent when the faster licks appear. What about working on this lesson? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-1/.

VIBRATO:
This technique is getting better but most of the times it's still weak and irregular. This happens on riffs and also during the solo so you have to continue practicing this technique. Let's incorporate this lesson for this: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

Posted by: philm Aug 13 2014, 05:30 PM

Hey gab, thanks for your kind words and feedback. I must say i do really feel improvement in my playing since starting this mentoring this years Its has especially helped me focus my practice and not take off more than i can chew. Also you have helped me solve and improve issues in my playing that i would never have figured it out by myself.
So here is the new plan of action.

Song lessons
To improve and work on,
-Stoner Rock
-John Frusciante 1+2

These lessons also need practicing and refining still
-Millencolin
-Rise Against
-The Offspring

Because of my injury and the speed of these lessons I may need to wait a little longer until i tackle these again.

Techniques
I will incorporate the two lessons you suggested on alternative picking and vibrato.

Alternative Picking
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-1/.

Vibrato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

Theory
Ear Training
-I haven't forgotten the song analysis, i will try to get those tables done

Note learning
Continue and finish learning the notes on the fretboard

Future lessons to learn
-John Frusciante 3
-Stoner Rock 2
-Fu Manchu Style
-Kyuss Style

Future
My long term goal maybe for the end of the year is to start developing and coming up with my own riffs/songs.

So that's the rough plan for the rest of the the year. A lot to get through but i thinks its realistic what do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2014, 06:08 PM

Hi mate, it's totally realistic, complete and organized. I recommend you to print the program and to have it always visible at the beginning of each routine. You can add notes and do some modifications that you feel can make it a better plan.

Let's go for it this week. Please keep me updated diary!

Posted by: philm Aug 14 2014, 09:15 PM

Hey mate, ok i am glad the plan is fine. I also am/have been learning a few songs on the acoustic. Ones for "around the campfire" moments .
These are;

-RHCP-Road trippin(to improve my finger picking)
-Green Day- Macy's day parade
-Coldplay - Yellow
-Oasis- Wonderwall

I am away for a few days but i can get cracking next week. I'm looking forward to it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 15 2014, 06:15 PM

Ok! Have a nice time mate. Let me know when you are back to practice.

Posted by: philm Aug 25 2014, 08:42 PM

Hey Gab,
Just to let you know i am getting back to practice probably this week. I playing around on the acoustic a lot last week learning songs. But its back to the the lessons now. My daily plan looks kind of like this for this week.


Style lessons
Practicing the following lessons for 15 mins each or playing 10-15 times. 10 times to your playing and 5 with the backing track.

-Stoner rock (15min)
-John Frusciante 1 & 2 (15min)
-Rise against(10min)

Techniques
Vibrating lesson - start learning this one

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 26 2014, 06:02 PM

Hi Philm! Thanks for the update. The plan sounds great for me. Are some videos coming soon to check your progress?

Posted by: philm Aug 30 2014, 01:15 PM

Here you go:) I make new takes on the frusciante lessons. I practiced both these lessons around 40 times this week. I don't know if there is a big difference to the last takes but i think they are getting better. The stoner rock i didn't want to record yet as i don't think the improvement is large enough. I want to learn the vibrato and alternative picking lesson parallel to the stoner one and see what effect those lessons have on it.
Next week i want to focus on the learning the third frusciante lesson and the virbrato lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 30 2014, 04:17 PM

Hi Philm! Thanks for the videos! I can notice that you are slowly improving them but you still have to practice every day focused on these things:

- Bending: Most of your bends are out of pitch. This problem appears mostly on the first lesson but it's because it has much more bends than the second one. You definitely have to continue working every day on this technique. Please use the lesson that I gave you previously to work on it, as well as this exercise:



- Timing: This problem is more notorious in the lesson 2, but it's also present on lesson 1. You tend to go a bit before the beat. A good way to work on timing, is to practice over the original lesson, trying to copy the rhythm and groove used by the instructor, in this case me.

- Dynamics: As you are not totally comfortable with the lessons, your picking is shy, and sometimes weak. Maybe you can work on it a bit later but start to pay attention to the different intensities used in the main video to give the phrases special feelings.

Posted by: philm Aug 31 2014, 11:04 AM

Ok gab, thanks for the feedback. I will work on these lessons next week trying to improve the bending and timing. The thing with the timing is i when i play along your playing i feel i am in time, but when i play just to the backing track its when i fall out of time. I think i just need to concentrate and count more closely. Regards the bending i don't think i studied the tab and listened to the bends closely enough on your take, i completely understand what you mean now with them being out of pitch.
I am not totally sure which of the technique lesson i should tackle first (alternative picking,bending or vibrato) as i don't have time for all of them at once. Which should i focus on first do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 1 2014, 12:50 AM

Hi Philm. Great to know that the feedback is helping. Regarding timing, yes, that's normal, we use to feel more comfortable when we play over another guitar doing it right. You need to feel the rhythm with all your body in order to play it tight over a backing track without another guitar as a reference. You have to experiment, closing your eyes while you practice, putting all your concentration on it, moving your head or tapping with your foot. The idea is that you feel the rhythm instead of thinking it. This takes time but you'll be able to master it if you practice following my suggestions.

And about your question... I don't know how much time you are talking about but you should practice the 3 techniques every day, and if your time is so limited, you can make more emphasis on one technique each day. Maybe divide the time in 5/5 and you dedicate 3/5 to one technique and 1/5 to the other two ones. This can sound weird, but the best way to improve your techniques is with diary practice. You need to improve them and maintain them.

Let me know if this is clear or if you have any other question.

Posted by: philm Sep 1 2014, 08:32 PM

Ok gab i understand what you mean. I thought of learning the complete lesson in one go like with the style/song lessons and then move unto the next. Now i will learn then parallel to each other, for a start i learn the first part of each technique lesson spending around 10mins on each technique and build it up until i can do the whole lesson for each technique.
I am only getting the time to play around 1 and half hours a day about 4-5 times a week. So i am trying to get really structured with my time so i can make the most of it

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 2 2014, 02:22 PM

Sounds good. Work on 1 part each day for each lesson and you will have learnt them all in a week. 7 days, 7 parts, 3 lessons. What do you think?

Posted by: philm Sep 5 2014, 07:39 PM

Well I haven't been able to learn them at that speed but I have started all three lessons this week I must say there have already been a few eye openers within these technical lessons that I definitely think will improve my playing. Thanks for suggesting them!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 6 2014, 04:50 PM

This sounds very good. Are there some videos coming?

Posted by: philm Sep 9 2014, 08:33 PM

Not yet I am working on it, maybe at the weekend i have time to record some takes. I am working on the third frusciante lesson but am struggling in a few places and have a few questions.
Its difficult for me to hear and tell what is exactly going on at part 5. You pick and bend up on the seven fret and then do you pick and play the 5 fret or just go straight to the pull off. If I bend up and down and then straight to the pull it sounds wrong, what am I missing here? Also on the part six at the end you bend up and down, then pull off followed by picking the seven fret. Is that right? And finally I am having trouble with the last part with adding in the muted strings. I am not sure on the picking here, is it just down up and whole time and the mutes are not as long. Thanks for your help!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 10 2014, 10:22 PM

Hi mate, great to know that you are working on that lesson! This is a very interesting lesson that has many bends, legato and other expression details. Your question about part 5. I just pick the note once and then release the note (bend down without picking again). At part 6 I do exactly what you described.

Please keep me updated about the progress!

Posted by: philm Sep 11 2014, 08:30 PM

Ok thanks for the help. I just practiced intensely on this one and I now understand all the parts so its practice practice practice... I don't know why but this tune is really additive . I don't think I will be ready for a take on this lesson until next week though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 11 2014, 10:26 PM

Hi Philm! That's really cool! I'm glad to know that you are enjoying this lesson. Take your time to master the different licks and post here a take when you think you need some feedback.

Posted by: philm Sep 13 2014, 03:35 PM

Hey Gab
I made new takes of the frusciante lessons after practicing them again this week. . They are still not 100% perfect but I think they are sounding a bit smoother.





The last note is cut off a bit abruptly whoops




I will keep playing these a few times a day but I am now focusing the John Frusciante third part and the second stoner rock lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2014, 04:31 AM

Hi Philm! Good job with the lessons! I can say that the takes are better, you are slowly polishing this series of lessons. Let me mar some specific things to improve on each one:

Frusciante lesson 1:
The overall is well played, I can notice that timing is much better compared with the previous takes. However there is a big problem: your guitar is not perfectly tuned! The problem is on the higher strings and I think that it gets worse after some bends. Besides this tuning issue, the main problem are your bends. You are still having problems with the pitch on them, just check the one at 00:14 and 00:33 note it. There is also a bend at 00:22 with a small timing issue.

Frusciante lesson 2:
In this second lesson the tuning issue is much smaller but it's also there. The main problem on this take is timing. The issue starts around 00:09 and becomes more important in after the first half of the lesson. There is also a bend close to the end that isn't on pitch. i recommend you to continue practising this lesson over the original take and focus on timing.

Posted by: philm Sep 17 2014, 07:51 PM

Hey Gab!
Thanks for your feedback again! I am starting to get a bit frustrated with these lessons that they are taking so long, they are supposed to be easy lessons. I think they are deceiving though, maybe because you can't hide be-hide a wall of distortion all the mistakes are clearer to hear. I see what you mean with the tuning issue, my guitar is terrible at staying in tune but i think what happened is i played for quite a while before I did these takes and didn't tune again before I videoed them. I will keep playing these lessons a few times a day though to get the bending and timing right.
I wanted to record a take of the third frusciate lesson this weekend but I am not sure if I am quite ready yet, i will see

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 18 2014, 12:49 AM

Hi philm, don't worry about this, just enjoy the journey. It takes time to master this lessons because they require a balanced connection between spirit, mind and fingers. There is a lot of emotion happening, and as you said, one of the reason is that the sound is like naked, there is not a wall of distortion there helping, it's just you, and your guitar.

If you are getting a bit tire of these ones, start working on other lessons but keep on playing them twice every day. Do you have any lessons that you'd like to work?

Posted by: philm Sep 20 2014, 10:29 AM

Yeah I know I have to be more patient with myself Well I am working on the third john frusciante and the second stoner rock lesson. I am enjoying learning both of those plus I need to practice the technique lessons on bending, vibrato and alternative picking. I haven't really dug deep into those lessons yet.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 20 2014, 06:20 PM

Yeah, technique lessons are usually less funny to practice but dedicating at least some time every day to them can be very useful to improve your overall technique. Choose just one part each day and work on it for 10 minutes, you will notice a big change at the end of the month.

And once again, be patient and trust in you.

Posted by: philm Sep 22 2014, 08:23 PM

Yeah the technical ones aren't quite as fun to practice but i see the importance of them. I am mainly focusing on the bending one this week then maybe i can record a take at the weekend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 23 2014, 02:24 PM

Ok, it sounds good! Feel free to record yourself doing the practice to let me check that you are doing the bends correctly while you practice the exercise. It's very important to be sure that the pitch you are reaching is the required one. The recording is useful to let me check but it's also useful for let you check your playing after the practice. Sometimes is difficult to put your concentration on all the playing stuff and also on hearing what you play, that's why recording is so recommended.

Posted by: philm Sep 24 2014, 09:36 PM

Ok, i did a quick recording of the bending lessons. Now when I listen to it again I notice there is once again a tuning issue. This guitar falls out of time easily but since changing strings its gotten worst. Maybe I need to restring them again. Anyway I show you anyway I know i am also not hitting the right pitch always but here is where i am at the moment. Maybe I will manage to record some other lessons at the weekend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2014, 02:05 PM

Hi mate! Great decision sharing your video here! It will be our reference for future recordings. As you said, you know can notice the tuning issues as well as the bending problems. However let me say that it's very tricky to play bending on pitch where your guitar is out of tune.
Bending the strings can ruin the tuning of your guitar if you don't stretch the strings before tuning your guitar. Try this:

- Stretch each of the strings.
- Tune your guitar.
- Stretch again the strings.
- Tune your guitar.
- Do some random bends at different parts of the neck.
- Tune again your guitar.

Repeat this process until your notice that your guitar keeps on tuning even after bending the strings.

Posted by: philm Sep 28 2014, 07:22 PM

Hey gab! Here are two more videos to share. Thanks for your advice on the tuning, i tried it for these takes and I think the tuning is more stable in these takes.

Firstly the second stoner rock lesson below. I have a question to this lesson. Do u let the open string you pick on the first two riffs ring out over the over notes? I kind of did it like that but it maybe sounds a bit too messy at the moment.



Here is the third john frusciante take. I am struggling mostly with parts 6 and 8 i think and the whole lessons needs to be smoother i know, but here is my first go at it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 28 2014, 10:07 PM

Hi mate, good job with this lesson! Your question is very important. My answer is "so so", hahaha. If you don't mute the open string, the overall sound because too noisy and you can't understand the riff well. If you mute the open string, the riff sound will be lacking some rocker feel. My trick to solve this is to mute just a bit the string, giving the string a more palm muted sound. This keeps the noisy sound but it sounds less aggressive and let the high melody sound clearer but still rocker. You can use a weak palm muting even when you pick the open strings, but you have to experiment with different levels of pressure and palm positions to find the right sound.

About your playing on this lesson, besides that open string riffs that need some polish I think that the most important thing to work on your playing is vibrato. Your vibrato is not consistent, you seem to be using more finger movement than wrist movement and the result is a weak vibrato. Please add this lesson to your diary routine: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

The tuning issue is much better but there are still some pitch issues in some melodies and also in some power-chords. Keep on exploring with guitar tuning, calibration and off course fingers pressure.

The soloing section in the end has some timing issues as well as sync between hands problems. Isolate those licks and practice them as a loop to polish the solo.




This one is also close to be mastered but there are some things to work>

- Timing: I find timing issues at 00:06, 00:13, 00:28 and from 00:36 to the end. Please practice the lesson over the original take to adjust your timing.

- Vibrato: The same that I said for the Stoner lesson, you need to polish vibrato.

- Bending: All the bends of this take have problems (for example at 00:22, 00:28) so you definitely need to work on this technique. I've already gave you some good exercises for this so keep on working on them.

Posted by: philm Oct 1 2014, 07:52 PM

Hey gab, thanks for your great feedback! I think i understand all the points that you made on these takes. I am starting the vibrato lesson you mentioned and will focus on that this week. My little practice routine looks like this at the moment

1.John Frusciante 1&2 2-5 times
2.John Frusciante 3 15-20 mins
3.Stoner Rock 1 2-5 times
4.Stoner Rock 2 15-20mins
5.Bending exercise 10mins
6.Vibrato exercise 10mins
7.Alternative picking 10mins( haven't really started this one properly yet)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 2 2014, 01:25 PM

Hi Philm! I'm glad to know that the feedback was clear and that helped. The plan looks excellent. It's exactly how I use to organize my guitar routines. Keep going and please share some new videos in a few days.

Posted by: philm Oct 5 2014, 01:02 PM

Hey gab, your have to wait a bit for them videos I am away for a few days but i will be back working hard on my routine soon!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 5 2014, 09:04 PM

Ok! Thanks for notifying! See you back.

Posted by: philm Oct 16 2014, 07:27 PM

Hey Gab,
I'm back from my days off and have started up playing this week again. I've been doing my routine that I previously told you about over the last week.
Here is a new video from the beginner bending lesson, I think there is an slight improvement here but I let you be the judge of that



Also I starting practicing the millencolin lesson again as i haven't fully gotten this down. I stayed away from the fast lessons for a while because of my arm and back issues but I am practicing this one again. Its doesn't sound so smooth yet so I added this to my routine.



The next lessons I plan to learn are the Kyuss, Fu Manchu lessons and the alternative picking lesson you suggested.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 17 2014, 10:53 PM

Hi mate! Welcome back!!

I can notice some improvements in the bending lesson but you still have to work on the lesson. There are many bends that don't reach the correct pitch, mostly in the first section, but also in the second half. I note that you have even more problems when you bend down the strings, for any reason most of the bending down are out of pitch. However I can notice that your left hand is looking more comfortable with the technique so this means that you are on the right track. Just continue playing it over the original lesson focusing on your bending pitch.

The Millencolin lesson is sounding good!! Your timing is very tight on this lesson and that's not a small thing, it's a very fast lesson. There are some small moments that need some attention:

- 00:04: That movement in the higher string of the chord is not clear. (and every time the same idea is repeated in the intro)

- 00:12 to 00:23: Just be careful with the timing of those only downstrokes with palm muting.

- 00:46: The first chords sound a bit out of tune, be careful with the fingers pressure to avoid unwanted micro-bends.

- 00:58: Focus on making that transition smoother.


Ok mate, great to see you back! Keep on the great job!

Posted by: philm Oct 19 2014, 12:00 PM

Hey Gab! Thanks for your thorough feedback on these two lessons. I understand your comments on both the lessons and will work on those issues over the next week. I also started learning the Fu Manchu Style lesson today and will work on that intensely this week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 19 2014, 07:28 PM

Great! Looking forward your new takes. Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: philm Oct 25 2014, 03:11 PM

Hey Gab, Here I am with some new takes . First off I been learning the vibrato lesson that you suggested this past week or so. Here is my first take below, its a bit of a rough and kind of crappy take but i really feel this lesson is already helping me improve my vibrato technique.



Next up is the stoner rock 2 lesson. I tried to work on the things you said like the vibrato and the solo section. Its still not perfect, especially the solo which needs to be more fluid and smooth but i will keep working on it. I will get onto the alternative picking lesson you suggested maybe that will help me a bit out with the solo.



Finally another take on the millencolin lesson working on the things you said. Its maybe not a huge improvement but I am feeling quite confident with this lesson now. It maybe just needs a little bit more polishing still.



I started learning the Fu Manchu lesson this week and have nearly learned all the parts my aim is to get a take of that by the end of next week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 26 2014, 06:43 AM

Hi Philm! Thanks for this new takes! I can see you working really hard, congrats!

Let's go with some comments for each video:

Vibrato lesson: Excellent!! I can also notice that your left hand is getting stronger and more confident with this important technique. Your guitar is not perfectly tuned and that makes your take sound a bit weird, but let's focus on your vibrato technique. The slower vibratos are sounding really good, both the groove and the movement are perfect. Then, when the faster ones start, I notice that you are not going with the same rhythm than the original lesson, and that you are not going well with the groove. The problem is technique limitation, so the only solution is practice. Keep on practicing this one every day.

Stoner lesson: Good job with this one! You are playing the riffs very tight. I just have to say that your right hand could pick stronger some parts of the riff to give it more aggression, and at the same time more dynamics. Try to give more wrist movement to your rhythm playing, it will help to be able to play stronger the notes that go with the beat. (Check the original lesson and pay attention to how I manage dynamics).
The solo section still needs some practice. It has timing issues, the vibrato is weak, and the last bend is not totally precise. Work on it!

Millencolin lesson: Awesome take! This one is so close man! There are not very important problems to mark! I just note that you need some more days of practice to feel more comfortable with some transitions, but the overall is close to be perfect!

So, in other words, you are doing a very good work mate, keep on rocking!!

Posted by: philm Oct 27 2014, 08:40 PM

Hi Gab, thanks for your helpful comments and positive encouragement. I really start to feel like my playing is improving in some areas. I think that has to do with me learning the technical lessons and not just focusing on the fun song ones
Its always hard to practice the "boring" technical ones but its really motivating to see how its helping my playing. So thanks for suggesting these lessons to me!

I have a question about the tone on the Fu Manchu lesson. I downloaded your patch and i am playing it through my POD but its just doesn't sound right. It sounds really bassy and I have tried to tweak some controls but I still can't get it sounding good. I also noticed you have a few effects turned off in the chain. I attached an image of them. Do you have any tips here to get closer to your tone? thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 28 2014, 03:18 PM

Hi friend, thanks for your words. I'm glad to know that you are really enjoying this work together. I honestly find it very inspiring by the way so thank you for opening me the doors to your musical life and guitar practice. I really appreciate it.

Those turned off effect are the ones that I usually add for guitar solos. Sometimes when I create a guitar tone, I create a version of the same one with tube screamer and a comp for the lead sections. Could you please share a short recording with me to let me hear what's happening?

Posted by: philm Oct 31 2014, 08:18 PM

Sorry gab for only getting back to you today. Its been an insane week at work and I have had barely any time for playing.
I can only say since I have been working with you this year I have felt real progress after struggling by myself for a few years. I've really stripped back to the basics and almost started over again but you have opened my eyes to things i would have never known or found out by myself. I'm glad you find it inspiring and can get a little out of it too

Here are some short recordings on the Fu Manchu tone. One is the original with the provided pod tone from you and the other one is me changing it a bit. The problem is its really bassy and you can't hear the notes clearly. It sounds really muddy. I am not completely happy with mine, its too far away from the original sound of yours from the lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 1 2014, 02:49 AM

Hi mate, it's true, the sound is very different compared with the original lesson. This makes me think that I recorded the rhythm guitar with that overdrive (screamer) turned on. Try using your new setting but with the overdrive one, I think that it should sound more defined and with less low end, try it and let me know!

Posted by: philm Nov 8 2014, 06:32 PM

Hey Gab, So here is my first take of the Fu Manchu lesson. I must say i wasn't able to practice this one as much as i wanted to and am not completely comfortable with it but i made a recording anyway.



I am think of tackling the kyuss or the bring me the horizon lesson next

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 8 2014, 11:29 PM

Hi Philm! Great choices! I'm proud of seeing you working on many of my lessons.

You can play the whole lesson very consistently and with a very good timing which is not a small thing, however you need to improve two techniques: vibrato & bending.

The main problem with bending is that you are not using the other fingers to help the one that is doing the bend. For example, go to 00:08 on your video and check your left hand, then go to 00:08 on my video and see how I use finger 2 to help finger 3 to do the bend. This trick use for bends and also for vibrato, so please review all bends and vibrato on your lesson and try to apply it. Also check the way I play each one to be sure that you are doing it in an effective way.

As you already can play this one at tempo, the best would be to practice the lesson over the original one trying to emulate bend's pitches and vibrato.

Posted by: philm Nov 10 2014, 09:18 PM

Well you have so many cool high quality lessons in the style of bands that I like:) Its a no brainer really
But as you keep mentioning my vibrato and bending is still rubbish so I know i should be spending more time on the technique lessons!
I always leave these until last in my practice time, maybe I need to put them at the beginning:)

I understand your points with the Fu Manchu lesson. Use those supporting fingers! I always seem to have a problem in the third part with the vibrato in the E string on the 8th fret. I always seem to slip off the string, do you also use a second finger to support here. I can't quite tell from your video. Thanks for your help!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 11 2014, 04:34 AM

Well, I'm not exactly meaning that you have to focus on technique lessons. If you don't find them inspiring you can avoid them, but focus on the technique while you play the musical lessons. Isolate the sections where you have problems and try to master the details. I think that using technique lessons is more effective but working on real music examples is more "real", it makes you feel comfortable on real music situation and for any reason it has more sense. It can take a bit more time, but once you master it, you are ready for the road (playing live, recording at the studio, recording your own ideas).

I can compare it to a soccer player. He can do gym, he can run, and he will be more trained but he won't be ready until he practice playing football. That's the real thing.

Posted by: philm Nov 16 2014, 11:31 AM

Hey gab, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Its been a few frustrating weeks where I just haven't been able to play and practice as much as I wanted too.

I wanted to say its not as if I hate the technical lessons and don't enjoy them at all. Its just simply the song based lessons are a little more fun. That being said I really see and believe the technical lessons are really helping me improve the different techniques and I do want to continue learning and using them. I just think I will put them at the beginning of my practice routines to ensure that i really do cover them in my practice as sometimes i run out of time for them.

I have started to learn the alternative picking lesson you suggested to me but I haven't gotten that far yet. Hopefully i can get some proper practice in next week. Cu around

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 16 2014, 06:57 PM

Hi Philm, thanks for the update!

This sounds great for me. Just dedicating some minutes at the beginning of your practice can create a big impact in your guitar playing. You'd even feel more comfortable with the second part of the routine (musical lessons).

Frustrating days? Why? Too much work? or no motivation?

Posted by: philm Nov 17 2014, 09:37 PM

I've learned the first four or five parts of the alternative picking lesson. Buts that's going to be a real long term project. I have to take that one real slow. Do you have any particular advice for alternative picking that i should watch out for while learning this one?

I'm always motivated to play that's never the problem, i love playing The problem is I have too much work and other commitments that get in the way of practice and mean I can only practice two nights a week and on the weekends. I am trying to negotiate with my bosses to reduce my hours but its not going to be easy!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2014, 04:14 PM

Hi Philm! Great to know that you'll work on alternate picking. Here is a list of basic things about the technique:

• It basically means alternation between downstrokes and upstrokes
• It can also help your timing for funk rhythms.
• It lets you use your mind to other things since the motion can be automated.
• Get in the habit of holding the pick between your thumb and your forefinger.
• Keep the exposed area of the pick to a minimum. (for precision)
• Try to do the movements the smaller than possible.


When you are playing AP, dynamics are important to define rhythms and give accentuation to phrases so notice how the notes that go with the beat are usually accentuated. For example, if you are playing 16th notes, the first of each four is usually accentuated to make the 16th notes rhythm clearer.

Another important thing is that the motion should be done from your wrist and a bit from your elbow. Let your hand move relaxed from your wrist but the the arm also a bit free from your elbow. Don't make finger movement, it's not effective.

Please work on the lesson and record a take to let me see how you manage the movements.

Posted by: philm Nov 23 2014, 04:49 PM

Hey gab,
Thanks for all your advice on alternative picking. It's a lot to take in but I guess the best thing is to learn the lesson and record a take to see if I'm doing it the right way. I haven't managed to learn the whole lesson yet. I think its going to take me a while still.

We are coming to the end of our first year on this mentoring program. Can't believe its gone so fast. I just wanted to lay out my plans for the rest of the year. There are two lessons i want to learn still and that's the alternative picking one and the kyuss style. Maybe I can also sneak in the bring me the horizon one as well.

Here is my plan the the moment

Technique lessons
-Beginner Bending (10mins)
-Vibrato (10mins)
-Alternative picking (20-25mins)

Musical lessons
-Fu Manchu (10-15mins)
-Stoner Rock 2(10mins)
-Stoner Rock 1(3-5 times playing)
-John Frusciante 1 & 2 (5mins)
-John Frusciante 3 (10mins)
-Kyuss(20mins)

These lessons also need refining at some point
-Rise Against
-The Offspring

I wanted to record some takes this weekend but i don't think i have progressed enough so i will delay that for a few days yet.
Cheers!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 23 2014, 05:30 PM

Hi Philm! This is an awesome plan for the rest of this year. I always talk about how important is to have a well designed routine for guitar practice and being able to design your own routine is the best you can do.

I checked each moment and I think that it's very well designed. Please work on it and let me know how it feels the first days.

Posted by: philm Nov 26 2014, 08:36 PM

Hey Gab, well I may have been a bit overly ambitious with the timing of each part in the plan. I have had to reduce the time of each section a bit because of practice time limatations but apart from that its going well.
Also I have good news, from February on I can reduce my work from 5 days to 4 which means more guitar playing time. I will have one day off in the week where I can spend a good few hours practicing!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 27 2014, 02:29 PM

Great news!!

If you feel that you don't have enough time to cover all the lessons each day, you can focus on 1 or 2 different each day of the week and play twice the other ones. Set different priorities for each day to be able to focus on the weak points of each topic or lesson. This is a good trick when we want to cover many things and the diary time practice is short.

Does the method make sense?

Posted by: philm Nov 30 2014, 06:28 PM

Hey Gab,
Yeah I understand your point with working on different things on different days, that's kind of what I did this week. I am not able to play daily so its still difficult to fit everything in. Hopefully next year with more time off work, I integrate more things into my practice time.
Unfortunately I haven't managed to record any new takes this week. I wanted to at the weekend but instead of recording takes i took the time i had to practice. I have learned the Kyuss lesson in full and want to do a take soon. I haven't learned all the parts yet to the alternative picking lesson but i am slowly getting there.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 1 2014, 07:35 AM

Hi Philm, thanks for the update. This sounds good. Don't worry about the videos, you can record them in the following days when you find some time to do it. Remember that these videos are very helpful to let you analyze and let me see if you are doing the things right and also to monitor your progress.

Another important thing to have in mind that a diary practice is always more effective, even if you just have 15 minutes for practicing on each day. It's always most effective to practice 15 minutes every day than 2 hours during the weekend. So, if it's possible, dedicate at least some minutes to your practice every day.

Posted by: philm Dec 3 2014, 09:16 PM

Hey gab, well I plan to record some videos at the weekend. I get back home late in the evenings and its already dark which makes it difficult to record. At the moment I can only play on 3 to 4 days a week. Its not ideal but that's how it is, I normally practice then for an hour and a half to 2 hours. I understand what you mean about playing daily though, its just not possible at the moment!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 4 2014, 02:12 PM

Ok Philm, thanks for the update and details. I'll wait for the videos in order to check your current progress.

Posted by: philm Dec 9 2014, 12:17 PM

Hey gab
Bad news...I don't know if you got my pm from yesterday that i sent you but unfortunately i have had a re-occurrence of my problems in my right hand from working on the computer . My hand swelled up last week and went numb which means i have to rest it for probably at least two weeks or so.
Despite this bad news i want to remain positive and seeing as i can still use my left hand i thought i could use this time to work on legato technique. I started learning ben's land of legato lesson yesterday. i cannot pick with my right hand at all so i have to do it all with my left but that should be alright don't u think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 9 2014, 02:53 PM

Hi Philm, I'm sorry to hear this. Please take care of your right hand to be sure that it gets better soon. About practicing with your left hand, it's a very good idea! This are some things that comes to mind:

- Working on legato, vibrato and bending.
- Learning chords (drop 2, drop 3 positions), arpeggios and scales.
- Learning some theory behind scales, modes, tonalities, improvisation.
- Doing some ear training.

You just cannot play rhythm, alternate picking, sweep picking and tapping but you can do lots of other things!

Posted by: philm Dec 9 2014, 07:30 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for the ideas! I have a few questions though. The legato practicing is working well with the left hand but I am not sure how i can practice vibrato and bending without picking. How do suggest I do this exactly? Learning chords also sounds interesting, what do mean by drop 2,drop 3 positions? Are you referring to learning the chords on different positions on the neck?

About my plan's over your holidays. I guess I will do as much as i can with my left hand until my right is better. When my right hand is better I will continue with my previous plan. Hopefully when you are back it's completely better and I will have been able to make new takes.

Have a great holiday and thanks again for your help,feedback and time this previous year!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2014, 05:43 PM

Hi mate! Great to know that the ideas worked.

For practicing vibrato and bending, you can do it setting the amp with a good amount of drive/sustain and tap the string with your left hand finger to make it sound and follow the tap by a vibrato or bend. It's something very similar to do tapping but with your left hand.

About the drop chords, here you will find them tabbed and explained: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=51072.

I'll be back after reading your message.

Posted by: philm Dec 10 2014, 09:09 PM

Ok Gab, thanks for the help. So with the vibrato and bending tapping, should I just pick points at random on the fretboard or are they any specific exercises i should be doing for this? I will check out the drop chords article you linked as well. The name of it put me off a bit though "jazz guitar basics" But I guess this theory doesn't just apply to jazz does it?
I have also set it upon myself to finally learn the notes on the fretboard which i started today with the "notes on the guitar" lesson by bogdan.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 11 2014, 01:58 PM

I recommend you to do an exercise similar to this one for bending: http://youtu.be/Hh_pYY6UYIw?list=UUeVnM5LIvPF83C-6NqNd9pA
and like this one for vibrato: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

About the jazz basics! Definitely! Every style can sound richer if you use this knowledge wisely and with a good taste. The guitarist of this band is a great example of applying jazz concepts to a rocker style:

Posted by: philm Dec 11 2014, 03:03 PM

Ok Gab thanks, So here is my plan until my right hand is ready again.

Techniques

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

2.Ben's Vibrato Odyssey 5(this one I have already been working on for a while)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

3.String Bending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh_pYY6UYIw&feature=youtu.be&list=UUeVnM5LIvPF83C-6NqNd9pA

Theory

Notes On The Guitar
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Notes-On-The-Guitar/

Jazz Guitar Basics
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=51072
I know incubus although I haven't listened to them since my teenage years! I am still not quite sold on this jazz stuff but I will be open and give it a go!

Pentatonic Scale
Pentatonic Workshop Lesson
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-workshop-level1-caged-format-timing-exercises/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48917

Once my right hand is better I will practice the rhythm lessons and other technical lessons again.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 12 2014, 06:46 PM

Hi Philm, great job organizing the whole routine. It seems that this days with only one hand available will be really effective to focus on some techniques that need to be polished so you will get something positive from a momentousness limit.

The routine is long so maybe you won't be able to cover everything every day. So please organize each of the 3 weeks to cover everything. Remember that the "theory" and "improvisation" stuff need more time to assimilate the concepts.

Let's go for this one during the next weeks, and start with some rhythm as soon as your right hand is ready.

Posted by: philm Jan 4 2015, 11:12 AM

Hey Gab
I hoped you had good holidays. Despite my limitations with my right hand over the last weeks I've managed quite well with my routine. I focused mainly on the technique lessons but I also learnt a little theory. After three weeks of having my right hand out of action I managed to again practice some rhythm lessons this past week and have done some takes on the stoner style lessons. I am maybe a little rusty after the break but I thought i would do the takes anyway as I was practicing this lessons before my injury.

Fu Manchu Take 2
Here is the second take on this lesson. I tried to focus on making the bends more accurate here.


Kyuss
Here is my first take of this lesson. There are a few issues here but here's the first look at my progress on this one.


Stoner Rock 1 Take 3
The third take of this one, i am not entirely happy with this take but i have tried to be the more aggressive on the vibrato here.


Stoner Rock 2 Take 3
And finally the stoner rock 2 lesson.


So that's the four stoner rock lessons that i have been working on for a while. I want to do new takes on the frusciante lessons and also the technique lessons perhaps next week. Then we can see where I am and make a new plan for the next weeks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 5 2015, 09:23 PM

Hi philm! I had a great time, thanks for asking! It’s great to see that you have been working really hard during these days. I can say that I note improvements on your playing so you are definitely on the right track. I’ll give you specific feedback for each lesson to mark those details that you need to have in mind.

Fu Manchu Take 2:
Great job with this one man! It’s sounding smooth and groovy most of the time. There are some little things that I’d like to comment and that should be the things that you keep in mind during the next days of practice. The first one is that you should relax your right hand a bit more; it looks and feels to rigid. Try to make the motion from your wrist freer and also add some movement of your forearm, starting from your elbow. It must not be a dramatic change in your motion but try to tend to it.

Technically your take has strong points. Your palm muting is sounding good and your timing for the rhythm section is getting close to be completely tight. You still have to adjust your vibrato technique which is a bit weak yet in both soloing and riffing.
Your take is lacking dynamics. Most of the downstrokes during the rhythm section sound with the same intensity and doing is quits life to the overall feel and sound. Close your eyes while you practice, feel the drums, how the kick and snare hits and after some minutes just listening try to follow this intention with your right hand.

Your bending technique is getting better but the pitches are sometimes a bit off yet. Remember to use other fingers to help the one that is bending.

Kyuss:
Nice! You can play the whole lesson without problems! You keep timing most of the time tight and your playing is precise on this one. The next thing to work on this one is once again “giving more life to your playing”. Now that you can play the whole thing, it’s time to add that extra value that can be achieved focusing on groove, dynamics and vibrato. It’s time to stop thinking and start feeling so turn off the lights, close your eyes, feel the groove, feel each note, experiment! And let me know what happens.

Stoner Rock 1:
This one is evolving really good but I think that there is a little issue with timing yet when when you do the hammer on and pull off in the mains riffs. You tend to play it a bit before the beat and that makes the overall groove sound weak. This is not a big issue but it’s a small issue that should be fixed in order to make your rhythm playing sound tight and professional. Please work it. Besides that thing, the overall is good, however the work on dynamics, vibrato and bending for the other lessons will surely affect this one.

Stoner Rock 2:
The rhythm section of this one is sounding really tight! You are really feeling the groove of this one! Well done. Except from the lick at 00:46, I can say that this one is ready to rock! Congrats!

Posted by: philm Jan 7 2015, 09:16 PM

Hey gab!
Glad to hear you had a good time. Thanks for your extensive feedback, its really helpful!

I guess this is the key point from your feedback besides the timing and techniques issues. I just hope my wife doesn't walk in while I do that though, i might get some strange looks ha! But yeah i am concentrating so hard on not making mistakes and taking all your feedback in that perhaps i need to relax a little more, i will try it out!


So here is my revised plan for the next two weeks or so.

Plan

Rhythm

Section1-Stoner Rock
Fu Manchu(5x)
Kyuss(5x)
Stoner Rock 1(3x)
Stoner Rock 2(3x)

Section 2- John Frusciante
John Fru..1(3x)
John Fru..2(3x)
John Fru..3(5x)
Too be honested I am still struggling on this lessons i just can't seem to master them. I tried to record a new take last week but its still not good and i need more practice on these.

Depending on how much time i have to practice, i will alternate these on different days

Section 3 - Metalcore
Bring me the horizon(10-20mins)

I would like to start with this metalcore lesson, i'm not sure if it maybe too difficult but I will give it a go.

Techniques

Land of Legato(10mins)
Vibrato Odyssey(5mins)
String Bending(5mins)
Alternative picking(Got to take a little break from this one, its too hard on my right hand at the moment.)

Theory

Notes On The Guitar(5mins)
Nearly completed this one, I'm quite confident now in naming the notes.

Pentatonic Scale
Pentatonic Workshop Lesson
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...ming-exercises/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...showtopic=48917

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 8 2015, 03:49 PM

Hi Philm! The plan looks so great! Be patient with the lessons and as you said, enjoy the whole practice a bit more. Alternate from moments in which you put all your focus on what you practice and some others more relaxed in which the playing is more natural and maybe less precise. Both kinds of practice combined are very useful.

Let's go for this plan, keep me updated and please don't scare your wife!

Posted by: philm Jan 11 2015, 08:27 PM

Hey Gab, Here are the updated takes on the bending and vibrato techniques lessons. I am not there yet with the legato one yet, i need to work on that one some more still.


Vibrato



Bending


Cheers!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 12 2015, 11:37 AM

Hi Philm! Thanks for the new videos.

These two exercises are very related because both require the use of bending technique. The first one is to train your vibrato and the second one includes longer bends that require the addition of vibrato. After listening to both takes, I can say that you are going on the right track with these ones and that you still need to keep both in your practice routine, but the one that is more important to focus in the vibrato lesson since it will help both techniques.

Vibrato lesson has a good thing that is that you are starting to reach the correct pitches, you should continue working on this because you sometimes tend to go higher but you are getting close. However, the main thing to improve on this one is the timing of the "vibration", the up and down groove which is not going with the drum rhythm. I suspect that you are putting all your attention on reaching the right notes and that's the reason why you don't pay too much attention to timing. Just check your take starting at 00:14, and pay attention to the rhythm of your vibrato and compare it with the drum's beat, are you going faster on slower than the backing's groove?

I have to say that the bending lesson is better, you are reaching the pitches most of the time. Sometimes you tend to do the bending release a bit fast so once again timing is an issue to focus. Also, vibrato is not consistent on this lesson, but the work on the previous lesson will really help. Play along with the original lesson and try to emulate Bear's vibrato used on long notes.

So to summarize,

- Take care of timing on phrasing, vibrato and bending release.
- Be careful with vibrato's pitches.


Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: philm Jan 12 2015, 09:09 PM

Hey Gab, thanks for the really helpful comments on both these lessons. I think you are right with both this lessons I have really been focusing on trying to get the right pitches with the bends that the timing is not so precise. This is something I will work on the next days but its cool to see how this techniques lessons are slowly helping me with the rhythm ones as well. The only thing I find with these two lessons especially the vibrato ones is it destroys the ends of my fingers, this doesn't happen with other lessons but i must be really digging down hard on those strings!

Onto another subject I have started the bring me the horizon lesson which I am finding a bit tricky, especially with the timing. I am already stuck on the second part, I am not sure how to count this part(see picture attached). Is it like 1,2...1,2,3....1,2,3, i'm struggling on that a bit!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 13 2015, 06:24 PM

Yes, I think that this technique lessons are really helping to develop your technique, but the real responsible of this progress is yourself. You are doing a very good job and have a very positive energy, keep going!

About the rhythm lesson, I basically count 1, 2, 3, 4 with my foot while I play this rhythm pattern since all stronger notes of the riff go with the strong / first beat. I recommend you to slow it down, turn on a metronome and try to sing the rhythm over it. Do it while tapping with your foot the beat. Once you can tap with your foot and sing it, you should then be able to play it with your right hand.

Posted by: philm Jan 14 2015, 09:17 PM

Ok great thanks for your advice on the bring me the horizon lesson. I've been practicing it for the last half an hour and slowing it down to 80bmp I can start to play it now. It works! I guess this is the approach i will have to take for this whole lesson. Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 15 2015, 04:04 PM

Great! Please keep me updated.

Posted by: philm Jan 25 2015, 02:28 PM

Hey Gab,
Just letting you know that i haven't been able to play much last week as my hand and neck issues have reoccurred again. I was restricted to one practice session last week, but i have had some heavy treatment this week and I have slowly started up again practicing again today. I hope I can have some new takes on this lessons I am learning done soon!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2015, 04:21 AM

Hi Philm, I'm sorry to hear about it but I send you positive vibes that you feel better this week. Please take care of your hand and neck and let me know if everything gets normal again.

Posted by: philm Feb 2 2015, 09:12 PM

Hey gab!
Thanks for the positive vibes . My hand is a lot better again now and i am able to get back to practice! I have also reduced my hours at work which means I have more free time for playing too. I'm looking forward to getting going again!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 3 2015, 12:01 AM

Great news!! That's awesome. You really received the vibes!

Posted by: philm Feb 4 2015, 05:25 PM

Hey Gab,
I have a question regarding cubase. I have been learning the bring me the horizon lesson and I wanted to use the LePou plugin that you used for the tone. I have installed it into the plugin folder but I am getting this problem that I can't preview the effect before recording. I have the effect plugged into the inserts for my audio track but I can only hear it after the track has been recorded. I attached an image of my set up in Cubase LE AI Elements 7. Do you know the solution for this?
Also I can't seem to load the presets into the LePou plugin. I am able to get the open preset dialogue box open but its empty. Where to I have to place the presets so it finds them, i tried pasting them in the presets directory of cubase but its still coming up empty in cubase. I appreciate your help on this one I want to the tone sounding right for this lesson!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2015, 02:34 PM

Hi mate, from what I can see, the monitor should be working!

Check out this settings:

"ASIO Direct Monitoring

If your audio hardware is ASIO 2.0 compatible, it may support ASIO Direct Monitoring. In this mode, the actual monitoring is done in the audio hardware, by sending the input signal back out again. However, monitoring is controlled from Cubase SX/SL. This means that the audio hardware's direct monitoring feature can be turned on or off automatically by Cubase SX/SL, just as when using internal monitoring.

• To activate ASIO Direct Monitoring, open the Device Setup dialog on the Devices menu and check the Direct Monitoring checkbox on the VST Audiobay page.
If the checkbox is greyed out, your audio hardware (or its driver) doesn't support ASIO Direct Monitoring. Consult the audio hardware manufacturer for details.
• When ASIO Direct Monitoring is activated, you can select a monitoring mode in the Preferences dialog (VST page), as when monitoring via Cubase SX/SL (see above).
• Depending on the audio hardware, it may also be possible to adjust monitoring level and panning from the mixer.
Consult the documentation of the audio hardware if in doubt.
• VST effects and EQ cannot be applied to the monitor signal in this mode, since the monitor signal doesn't pass through Cubase SX/SL.
• Depending on the audio hardware, there may be special restrictions as to which audio outputs can be used for direct monitoring.
For details on the routing of the audio hardware, see its documentation.
• The latency value of the audio hardware configuration does not affect the monitor signal when using ASIO Direct Monitoring."



About the presets, this is where I save them to be found. Depending the amp for which it's done, you have to save it on its folder.

Posted by: philm Feb 8 2015, 01:59 PM

Hey Gabs, Thanks for your help on this issue. The good news , I have finally managed to get it working!. Just turning of this direct monitoring option in device menu fixed the problem. I have also managed to load in the preset now as well, i had to load it in a different place then you said but I found out where eventually...
Now to the bad news , the sound doesn't really sound much like this lesson at all its way too harsh for some reason. Am I missing something else here, i saw in the zip file there is a file called s-preshigh.wav. Do I have to do something with this? Or did you do anything else to the sound as well, like adjusting the EQ levels or something to get the sound in the lesson? I attached an image again.

Oh also could you possibly also send me the backing tracks for the lesson at lower speeds, I am learning it at 85bpm at the moment. I am taking this lesson slow I am finding the lesson quite difficult but maybe I can do a take soon at a slower speed. Thanks a lot!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 8 2015, 10:27 PM

Hi mate, yes, you are missing the cabinet. You have to also download keFir to open that impulse that you've found in the zip file.



Please check this video exactly when it starts playing and let me know if you can do it: http://youtu.be/Vdo7mXOih5Y?t=44s


Do you need slower backings for BMTH lesson?

Posted by: philm Feb 9 2015, 08:47 PM

Ah ha! we are slowly getting there gab. I have done what you have instructed me as you can see below but unfortunately something is still not quite right. Its sounding closer to the lesson now but its still coming out too harsh. Any suggestions?

Yes that would be brilliant if you could send me the 105 and 125bpm backing tracks. Thanks! I am enjoying this lesson btw. Its my first time learning rhythm patterns like this but its a lot of fun and I think slowly I am getting somewhere with this lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2015, 02:37 PM

Well, there are some differences regarding the guitar used and the other gear so maybe doing some little EQ adjustments should work. Try lowering some presence and/or treble. You need to have in mind that my version in the lesson has an extra guitar and also a mastering process., as well as a different guitar. Try it and share samples here.

 bmth_backings.zip ( 7.33MB ) : 82

Posted by: philm Feb 11 2015, 11:54 AM

Ok Gab so I have attached a few samples below. One is of the original tone with no adjustments and the other with EQ adjustments. As you can hear its sounds, well umm... terrible . It just sounds really muddy and I tried a quite long to tweak around with the controls and the EQ but I am obviously not happy yet. I did a third sample where I tried out my blackstar ht-dual distortion pedal . Also please don't pay too attention to the playing, I know there are many mistakes and I need more practice yet! Thanks for the slower backings btw.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 11 2015, 07:28 PM

It's true, it still sounds weird. Could you please try downloading Poulin Recab II from their blog?

It would replace the Kefir:

Posted by: philm Feb 16 2015, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Gab. I already have that also installed its sounds a bit better but still not completely right. I shall hopefully do a take of the lesson soon and until then I will keeping tweaking until i get closer to the tone!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2015, 07:43 PM

Ok, here you have more impulses to be opened and tried with the LeCab, please try other ones and let me know what happens.

 catharsis_awesometime_fredman.rar ( 24.79K ) : 77

Posted by: philm Feb 25 2015, 06:48 PM

Hey Gab, Sorry I haven't posted for a while I have still been struggling with some health issues which just means I can't practice as much as I want to. So many setbacks lately but I have finally managed to record a first take of the Bring Me the Horizon lesson. It's a far way off from perfection and its at 105bmp not full speed. I tried the other impulses you sent but it's still sounding terrible as you can hear in the lesson. I don't know what else to try!
Anyway I found this lesson quite difficult with these rhythm patterns and also I am having trouble with the pinched harmonics. Its not so much the pinch harmonics themselves, I can do these by themselves isolated but its going from the pinch harmonics to the palm muted part I find difficult which makes the pinch harmonics parts sound weak.

I plan to learn a few more metalcore lessons(i started the day to remember one too) so I have then covered a few different rhythm styles, punk, stoner rock, the john frusciante lessons and now metalcore. Afterwards I would like to maybe come up with my own stuff.Maybe something for each style. What do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6Ljge5v94

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 26 2015, 02:33 PM

Hi Phil, could you please give me details on these things:

- How you connect your guitar to your computer.
- Some print screens of the guitar channel inserts in Cubase.
- Some print screens of the head amp and also of the cabinet simulator.

If there is any other detail that can help me to decipher what's the problem with the tone please share it here.

About your playing, I can note that the lesson is still giving many timing issues. It's not an easy lesson, it requires a big control of your right hand picking and palm muting. You know how to play all the riffs correctly, now it's time to polish each one. I note that you tend to play a bit before the beat most of the times, and that you are not comfortable playing 16th notes with palm muting at this tempo.

My suggestion is to work at a slower tempo, and over each riff as a loop. You could open the slower backing track on Cubase and create loops for each riff to put all your focus on each ones at a time. You have around 6 parts/riffs so you can divide your practice and work on 3 riffs each day, and dedicate 30 minutes to each one. So your week would look like this:

Day 1: Licks 1, 2 and 3. 3 x 30 minutes.
Day 2: Licks 4, 5 and 6. 3 x 30 minutes.
Day 3: Licks 1, 2 and 3. 3 x 30 minutes.
Day 4: Licks 4, 5 and 6. 3 x 30 minutes.
Day 5: Licks 1, 2 and 3. 3 x 30 minutes.
Day 6: Licks 4, 5 and 6. 3 x 30 minutes.
Day 7: New video!

Posted by: philm Feb 28 2015, 12:20 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for your feedback. I have taken your suggestion on board and slowed down to 85bmp and practiced each riff isolated. 30 mins per riff seems like a long time but I already feel the riffs getting tighter so I can understand it's the right way to go! About the tone, I attached two screenshots below. I simply connect my guitar through my steinberg UR44 audio interface which is then connected to my computer via USB. In Cubase I then add the inserts via the effects slot. I have to turn of the direct monitoring so I can preview the inserts. I don't what else to try anymore, its a bit strange

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 28 2015, 05:24 PM

We got it!! The problem is the order or plug ins! You need to insert the amp before the cabinet emulation. This means, first lecto and then leCab. Please try it and let me know if it works ok now!

Posted by: philm Feb 28 2015, 06:13 PM

Yes finally works! I thought I had already tried that but I think I tried it only with Kefir plugin. Now its sounding real nice just got to get the playing in order now!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 1 2015, 04:23 PM

hehehe awesome!! I want to hear it now!

Posted by: philm Mar 2 2015, 10:30 PM

Soon soon...i will make a new take I was wondering if you could send me the slower backing tracks for the lesson a day to remember. I have learned all the parts to this one as well and I want to take the same approach as the BMTH lesson with focusing on each riff slowly.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2015, 03:33 AM

Good idea! Here you can download the backings:  backings.zip ( 6.37MB ) : 75

Posted by: philm Mar 4 2015, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the backings! I am aiming to do a recording of both the BMTH and A Day to Remember lessons at the weekend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2015, 02:04 PM

Great! Looking forward your new videos!

Posted by: philm Mar 8 2015, 11:10 AM

So here we go Gab here are the two takes on the lessons. First of all the Bring Me the Horizon one, i slowed this one down to 85bmp but it's still causing me a lot of struggles. Especially the palm muted alternative picking sections, I a feeling this one is going to be a long term project until i get it mastered. The A Day To Remember lesson seemed to come a lot quicker together, I did the take at 100bmp so not full speed yet.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 8 2015, 05:13 PM

Hi Philm, good new videos! I also notice that these are evolving but there is still more work to do. Your right hand needs to be used to this movements. There is something that I'd like to mark on your technique and it's the fact that you are doing some fingers movement with your right hand while the best should be to focus the motion starting on your wrist. Try to make a block that starts from your wrist to make your picking stronger and I think that it will help to make it smoother and more precise. Compare your right hand with mine in the original lessons and you'll see what I mean.

Besides this VERY important thing to work, I think that everything is going ok, it's just a matter of time. I would isolate the different parts and work on 1 riff at a time as a loop to be able to think on the efficiency of your technique instead of the tune. Try it for 1 week and let me know the differences that you note.

Posted by: philm Mar 11 2015, 08:26 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for your feedback. I tried it out today and I must say your completely right I am not utilizing my wrist enough at all. I noticed straight away more control and the notes coming out clearer like you said! At the same time its a bit of an adjustment for me so I think its going to take me a awhile to get used to this movement but it will be worth it. I will keep practicing these two at the same tempo this week with the technique adjustments and post you new take then. I am also revisiting the rise against lesson as i never finished that one of probably.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2015, 02:51 PM

Hi Philm, great to know that you could get what I mean. Please continue working on these lessons this week having this in mind and keep me updated about your progress. New videos in around 4 days can be a good idea to let me check.

Posted by: philm Mar 22 2015, 11:57 AM

Hey Gab, Short update... I have been focusing most of my practice time on these two lessons but I haven't managed to get around to recording some takes yet. Hopefully by the middle of next week I should have some new takes done!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2015, 03:04 PM

Ok Philm! Thanks for the update!

Posted by: philm Mar 25 2015, 07:50 PM

Hey gab, So I have finally got around to recording takes on the two metalcore lessons. Still plenty of work to do but I have really been focusing on the wrist movements of the right hand over these last days. One of the parts I am really struggling with on the BMTH lesson is the breakdown section. Going from a pinched harmonic to the palm muted parts I find a challenge. Its difficult to change the angle of the thumb quick enough before I get to the palm muted sections.
I will continue practicing these lessons but I don't want to spend as much time on then as I have lately as I haven't had much time to practice anything else. Let me know what you think!

A Day to Remember(100bmp)


Bring Me The Horizon(85bmp)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 26 2015, 02:52 PM

Hi Philm! thanks for this new update.

Both lessons are very similar and I can notice that you are at the same level with both. The two lessons has typical Metalcore rhythms and techniques so covering both is a good way to master this style. I think that your technique is evolving well with these ones and that you just need time of practice to be able to feel more comfortable with this and also to play them faster as it's required.

There are some parts that are giving more trouble than others so it would be more effective to isolate the faster and trickier sections and work on them as a loop. This is much more effective than playing the whole thing over and over and it will help you to have more time to practice other stuff.

There are some little differences in a part of each of the lessons comparing it with my playing / tabs. The first rhythm in ADTR lesson and the second part in BMTH are not totally perfect so please re-check the tabs. You are playing some extra note repetitions.

Posted by: philm Mar 29 2015, 11:23 AM

Hey Gabs, Thanks for your comments! Your right I am not completely comfortable with these lessons yet . They are proving to be a lot of work and its going to take me a while to get them up to speed. I have looked at the tab and I realized in both lessons the extra notes I was adding. Its easier to play taking those notes away! I don't know if I should maybe try to increase the tempo yet. What do you think?

So I will keep working on these lessons focusing on the parts I find difficult but I may start another lesson at the same time because its getting a bit repetitive just practicing these two lessons. I also want to work on the rise against style lesson which I never finished properly.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2015, 04:51 PM

I don't think that you should increase tempo, it's better to be able to master them at this tempo first and then increase it gradually. This style comes from Thrash and Hardcore so working on some easier rhythm thrash metal lesson could be a good idea to get used to this type of riffs.

So the plan: focusing on trickier part and starting some new lessons is a god idea but please don't go for higher level ones since I think that these ones are over your current level.

Posted by: philm Mar 30 2015, 08:31 PM

Thanks for the feedback again, I will keep working on these two lessons at this tempo. I did realize these lessons were a above my level but metalcore is one of my favorite styles of music which was why I was so eager to get onto them I was rather thinking of learning something easier alongside these lessons as I don't want to get frustrated!

Rather than learning another lesson I thought perhaps of doing a cover of a whole song. I thought of learning a punk song by Lagwagon called automatic. I have tabs and backing tracks for this lesson and I started learning it a long time ago but never finished it of. Here is the track i mean below.



So this is what my new plan could look like.

Rhythm

Metalcore
BMTH(mainly riffs 2,3,4) 15mins
ADTR(mainly riffs 1,3) 15mins

Punk
Rise Against (15mins)
Lagwagon Automatic Song(15mins)

Techniques
Vibrato Odyssey(10mins)
String Bending(10mins)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2015, 06:57 PM

That's a great track! I like this band. I think that this is a very good idea. Feel free to share here a video of you playing the parts that you've learn after some days of work. In the last days I've been listening a lot to Rise Against and Bad Religion, I could add Lagwagon to the list, and maybe work on a lesson....

The plan looks great, go for it.

Posted by: philm Apr 1 2015, 04:06 PM

Glad you like the idea! Lagwagon are great, have you listened to their "newish" album Hang? That's one of the best punk records I have heard for a while. That what be awesome if you did a Lagwagon lesson .
I starting learning the track today, I already attempted this lesson a long time ago but didn't managed it but since I have learned a few of your punk lessons it might be easier now. I will post video as soon as I am ready, I am away for the next few days over Easter but will get back to it after that.

I also have a cubase question. I only have a backing track of the Lagwagon song at full speed is it possible to change the tempo in Cubase? I need it a bit slower to start off.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2015, 01:35 PM

Hi Philm, thanks for recommending that album. I'm listening to it right now.

Yes, you can slow down backing's tempo in Cubase. You have to go to audio - process - time stretch. Try it and let me know if it works. There is also a very useful tool called "Amazing Slow Downer" that is very cool for this:

Posted by: philm Apr 6 2015, 03:56 PM

Thanks Gab that works fine for slowing the tracks down. Maybe by Wednesday I will have new takes on the metalcore lessons and the beginning of the Lagwagon song.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 7 2015, 01:33 PM

Hi Philm, thanks for the update. I'll wait for your news.

Posted by: philm Apr 9 2015, 07:42 PM

Hey Gab, So here are the new takes. First to the two metalcore lessons. I am not happy with these takes yet, there are still mistakes at this tempo but I think I have got the tab right at least now. Tone is also a little messed up on thees takes for some reason. I am still struggling on the same parts so I will just keep at it.

A Day To Remember


BMTH


I have already learned quite a few parts to the Lagwagon song automatic. Here is a very rough take below. The parts I can't play yet I left out and I messed up near end so I cut the video off short.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOPBmoXBfM

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 10 2015, 01:43 PM

Hi Philm! Good work!

I can notice improvement regarding playing an tone on Metalcore lessons. Both lessons have parts totally tight and sections that still need more practice. On ADTR lesson, the main problem appears when you have to play 16th notes, and also re-check tabs for the last riff since the same old extra note appeared there. BMTH has more parts sounding tight and the part to isolate and work is the amazing breakdown starting at 00:53.

Great to see you playing Lagwagon song! There is nothing relevant to mark on that video, just keep on playing it to polish each part. This song is easier than the metalcore lessons and that's great because I feel that it's at your current level. Keep on adjusting it.


PS: I've been listening to the album that you suggested and I like it.

Posted by: philm Apr 11 2015, 11:00 AM

Hi Gab, Thanks for your inputs! The parts you mentioned on both the metalcore lessons that are not polished are the parts I struggle with the most and I have been practicing them isolated. I see more and more these lessons are going to be a long term project. That teaches me for attempting lessons above my level!

Regarding the Lagwagon song I surprised myself how quickly I learned the parts and its coming together. I guess your right, because its closer to my level in playing at the moment I think I can do a take soon of the whole song.

I am glad you like it! I especially like the songs "The Cog In The Machine" and the over 6min masterpiece "Obsolete Absolute". I am listening to it again now.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 12 2015, 06:18 PM

yeah! it's always better to choose lessons that you¡ll be able to master in a reasonable amount of time to keep motivated but this depends on each person. The good thing is that you are working them at a tempo that is at your level so that balances things.

PS: I'm now re-checking those two songs.

Posted by: philm Apr 15 2015, 03:47 PM

Hey Gab, I suppose it is still good to try out lessons above my ability to test where my limitations are. However I think I am improving the ability to know what lessons are better suited to my current level.
I did another take of the Lagwagon song today. Its by no means perfect but I have learned the full song now. The solo and the quick riff before the solo I find the most difficult. Here it is below...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 16 2015, 03:41 PM

hehehe great job mate!! This is sounding really good! The parts that need more practice are the solo and the riff after it when drums stop the groove. The solo is still sounding like "hurried" and vibrato is not consistent. It would be better if you let the note sound and then add vibrato and make it grow progressively. The riff has timing issues.

Before this, the next thing to give this is "aggression". This is punk hardcore, your right hand should kill those strings! but off course manage dynamics to go with the groove.

Keep on the great job!

Posted by: philm Apr 19 2015, 09:54 AM

Thanks Gab! I'm enjoying this one . Those are good points you made about the solo, I am too concerned about adding the vibrato that I don't let the note sound properly. Ok I will try to add more aggression to my playing on this one, attack those strings!. I am still working on the metalcore lessons and will maybe post a new takes sometime this week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2015, 01:05 AM

That sounds great Philm, please keep me updated.

Posted by: philm May 6 2015, 07:29 PM

Hey Gab, Sorry that I haven't posted for a while. I was sick for a while and then was on holiday but I have been back practicing this week again. I am still working on the two metalcore lessons plus the lagwagon song and the rise against lesson. Maybe if I can find the time at the weekend to make some new takes I will.
I have been resisting the urge to start new lessons until I master these but then I stumbled upon your awesome skate punk lesson and had to start learning that as well Is it possible to have some slower backing tracks for that one? Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 7 2015, 03:16 PM

Hi Philm, thanks for the update. It's great to see you back and working hard.

As I couldn't find the backing tracks in my computer I just asked Bogdan for them, I'll be back with the files.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 8 2015, 03:09 PM

Hi Philm, here you have the slow backings needed.

 Slow_backings.zip ( 10.79MB ) : 77

Posted by: philm May 10 2015, 08:57 AM

Great Gab, Thanks a lot! Time to get cracking on the lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 10 2015, 08:52 PM

Great. Enjoy it!

Posted by: philm May 14 2015, 08:31 AM

Hey Gab, so I have managed to get a few new takes together.Here we go...

Rise Against Style
I started to practice this one again as I haven't fully mastered it. I think there are some timing issues on this take as well, here is the first take i posted a while ago and the new one below that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW-_w71f5mk



Lagwagon Automatic Song
I am now able to play this from start to finish. The two areas that I struggle a bit on are the solo and the first downpicked section. I also missed a note on the solo which really annoys me!



A Day To Remember
I went a little faster on the tempo here to 110bmp. The part 16th note part and the main riff still need polishing and work on.



Bring Me The Horizon
This still needs a lot of work, I tried this also at a faster tempo. The part that's still really hard for me is the breakdown section. I find it really difficult hitting the pinched harmonic and then going to the palm muted notes. Its always hit and miss if I manage to get the pinched harmonic part or not. In this take its more often that I don't hit it. Do you have any advice here?



I have learned all the parts to whole skate punk lesson now but am not ready for a take yet. I also need to get back working on the bending and vibrato lessons which I have been a bit slacking on lately.

In general I haven't been able to practice as much recently due to a number of reasons one of them being my job. Which I have quit now! I am planning to to take a few months break before I commit to a new job which means in the next few months I will have more time to practice! Which I very much look forward to

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 14 2015, 04:12 PM

Hi Philm! Thanks for these new takes!

Rise against: It's a very good take that need a little adjustment in timing, mostly on the main riff, the first one, which also appears in the end. That's the one that is giving more problems. So please isolate it and practice over metronome.

Lagwagon song: This one is also close and you already know the things you have to isolate and work for a while, so for it.

A Day to remember (wrong link but I found the right one at your channel): It's great to see that now you are playing the riffs right, with the correct quantity of notes. The intro break down as well as the bridge starting at 00:37 need to be polished. You have timing issues on both parts, but on the bridge is even more notorious.

BMTH: This one is sounding tighter! The fact that you are playing at a more comfortable tempo helps a lot. By the way, there are some moments that need to be polished. Every time your play 16th notes like at 00:26, your playing doesn't sound tight so once again, practice palm muted 16th notes over metronome every day. At 00:43, some extra timing issues appear so be careful there.


Well, I think that you are doing a good job with this stuff. During the next week, I think that you should put more focus on the parts that give problems instead of playing the whole thing over and over.


- 16th notes with palm muting at different tempos.
- Rise against intro
- Lagwagon Solo
- Lagwagon downpicking section.
- A day to remember riff and bridge
- BMTH breakdown

Posted by: philm May 15 2015, 05:29 PM

Hey Gab , thanks for your helpful feedback. Everything is clear to me on what I need to be working on. It seems like much less to work to work on just the parts I am struggling on rather than practicing the whole lessons over and over again so this makes sense. .
I will try to practice each part of the lessons for 10 mins a day and then see where I am. The skate punk lessons I will try practice for 20mins a day.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 16 2015, 04:22 PM

Exactly! That's the best plan for the next week. Enjoy it and keep me updated.

Posted by: philm May 27 2015, 07:29 PM

Hey Gab,
So I am back with some new takes. I wanted to be able to do weekly takes but that hasn't worked out at the moment, its about everything two weeks for now.

A Day To Remember
I am starting to feel a bit more comfortable with this lesson now. I focused mainly on the first riff and the 16th note patterns these last two weeks.



Bring Me The Horizon
This one is also getting more comfortable and I recorded this first take. I noticed that I have timing issues on the second riff where I am a bit ahead of the beat. I just think I wasn't concentrating here enough as in the previous take it was tighter.



Rise Against
I just can't seem to the get the intro riff timing right, I think its a little better but it needs work. Also the first bar of the palm muted section has bad timing too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1vwI4A3cmM

I was thinking of doing a take on the skate punk lesson at 150bmp but I recorded it and I have timing issues so I will try to sort that out first before I do a take.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 28 2015, 03:59 PM

Hi Philm! Good job!

I can notice improvements on the 3 lessons. I can also note that you have problems in some specific sections of each lesson. For example, the main problem on ADTR lesson is the bridge, on BMTH the main issue starts at 00:52, and finally on Rise against the main problems are on the first section (intro + down picking rhythm). So, I recommend you to isolate and work on this sections a bit more. Practice over the drum loop or metronome and focus on timing which is the main problem.

Also, have you thought on trying some of these assignments?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=54317&st=0

Posted by: philm Jun 1 2015, 09:15 PM

Hey gab, Thanks for your feedback on these lessons. I understand that timing is my main issue on them, thanks for the the really cool link to your assignments which I will definitely start straight away. I think its just what I need!
I was wondering if you could provide me with the pod tone for the skate punk lesson. I couldn't find it on the pod tones board. I am having some timing issues with that lesson as well, I will try to do a quick audio take of the lesson for you to check. I am unsure how to count it especially the first riff, the timing is always off when I record back.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 2 2015, 02:13 PM

Hi Philm! Here you can find all the Pod patches that I have available:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=49266

If the lesson is not there, it's because it was recorded with my previous pod which I lost my tones.

However you can go for a similar tone used in other punk lesson.

Posted by: philm Jun 3 2015, 08:01 PM

Hey Gab, I couldn't find the patch but never mind your right I can use one from another punk lesson. I am really struggling with timing on this lesson. I feel like when I play along I am in time but when I listen back on the recording its sounds terrible. I attached a very rough audio take at 150bmp for you to hear.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2015, 01:55 PM

Hi Philm, yes, I can note the timing issues. It would be good if you practice this one at a slower tempo to be able to think on each riff and try to go tighter. Once you can play this tight at a slower tempo, you can gradually increase it.

The tone sounds good!

Posted by: philm Jun 8 2015, 08:04 PM

Hey Gabs, thanks for this advice. The slowest backing track was 150bmp so I just started there but now made me realize I need to go painfully slow and build it up . Gotta be more patient with myself!
I haven't been able to practice much this last few days so I won't do any new takes yet. Next week I will have more time again as I finish my job on Friday and take a few months out of work. So I plan to be practicing every day then.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 9 2015, 01:51 PM

Hi Philm! This sounds very good. We need to organize your time wisely to get the best of it. How much time each day are you planning to practice?

Posted by: philm Jun 15 2015, 03:26 PM

Hey Gab, Sorry for taking a while to reply last week was my last week at work and was quite busy. I am planning to play around one and a half hours to maybe two hours a day for the next 3 to 4 months. I may not always be able to play every weekend.
Here is want my plan could look like.

Rhythm
1.BMTH Style - Breakdown riff(10mins)
2.ADTR Style - 16th notes riff(10mins)
3.Rise Against Style- Intro riff and outro riff(10mins)
4.Lagwagon Automatic song - Solo and downpicking section(10mins)
5.Skate Punk Syle - Whole lesson(20mins)
6.Timing Assignments(10mins) - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_fo...=54317&st=0

Lead
1.Bending Beginner(10mins)
2.Vibrato Lesson(10mins)
3.Alternative Picking(10mins)
I would also like to lesson song style with more lead in, i haven't picked one yet.

Theory
Still quite sure where to start here.

What do you think? Any suggestions or something else to add or take away?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2015, 05:59 PM

Hi Philm, this plan sounds very good. I wouldn't add more stuff except by these ideas for the theory moment:

Instead of reading about theory I would take two roads:

a- Song analysis

b- Improvisation


On part a, the idea is that you choose 10 songs that you like and analyze their structure, arrangements approach and theory (tonality, chord progressions, melodic work). I will help you with the concepts that you don't know with links to theory board and explanations. The idea is that you get the most used concepts in your favorite music.

On part, you will choose a backing that you like, check the scales possibilities and improvise over it. I'll give you feedback and ideas on how to improve your jams.

What do you say?

Posted by: philm Jun 16 2015, 04:31 PM

Yeah Gab this sounds like a much better idea. I will try to get together 10 songs for analysis. It's probably best to chose simpler songs at this start right? I'll also take a look for a backing track for the improvisation.

I attached my first attempt at the timing assignment. I have only practiced it for ten minutes so far. I can notice some little jumps in the timing so I will keep practicing it this whole week. I think these assignments are going to be really good for me though!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2015, 02:00 PM

Hi Philm, that sounds good. I also think that it's better to start with simple songs and see what happens. By the way, some songs that seem to be simple, aren't while other ones that seem to be tricky can be simple. It's time to explore.

About the timing, yeah, this workout will have a very important impact in your playing. This sample shows that you still need to work this rhythm and this tempo. Check my suggestions at the thread and keep going. Feel free to share your takes there to inspire other students to join.

Posted by: philm Jun 18 2015, 05:08 PM

Hey Gab, So I just scrolled through spotify and picked out 10 possible songs for analysis.
The first five are punk songs as this is one of my favorite styles and I have learned a few punk lessons now.

1.Rise Against – Saviour
2.Sum 41 – The Hell Song
3.Millencolin – Penguins and Polarbears
4.Lagwagon – May 16th
5.Pennywise – Yesterdays

Some of these songs below I learned parts to pre - guitarmasterclass days I don't know if it that's good for song analysis or not.

6.Biffy Clyro – Moutains
7.Billy Talent – Rusted By The Rain
8.Rage Against The Machine – Bombtrack
9.Foo Fighers – D.O.A
10.Weezer – Back To The Shack

So what do you think any of these songs suitable to start with?

Regarding the improvisation part. I was practicing the rise against lesson and stumbled across your rage against the machine lesson. I just started playing over it and came up with this riff. I have no idea if it comes from the correct scale or anything but it just kind of happened. It's almost a little embarrassing to share I have never done anything like this before but I attached a rough recording. It's basically one riff with a few variations. Do you think we can expand on this?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 19 2015, 03:18 PM

Hi Philm, the list of songs is perfect. Some of them are simpler and some others have some advanced elements, but it's ok to start with whichever you want. I can help you with the concepts that you can't get so please share your analysis here.

About the riffs improvisation, it's a great idea and it's suitable for the "Beyond the rec program" thread. That's exactly what I usually encourage students to do with gmc lessons. You can continue working on these ideas or save the riff for the near future when you have some song analysis and we decide to apply the concepts you learn.

Posted by: philm Jun 22 2015, 03:08 PM

Ok Gab, I think I will start the song analysis with the Rise Against song "Savior". I am not quite sure how I should approach this. What should I exactly analyzing? The structure of the song, what techniques that are being used and what chords/scales are being used? I should have time tomorrow, to have a first attempt at it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 22 2015, 03:30 PM

I use a template that is a table with 3 columns: Structure // What's happening? (Arrangement) // Theory (Chords and Scales)

Complete this three columns based on that song, share the analysis here and I'll help you to get the most important elements from it.

Posted by: philm Jun 24 2015, 08:03 PM

Hey Gab, I did some new takes on the lessons today that I am learning. Check them out below.

BMTH
I have increased the tempo to 125bmp for this take.


ADTR


Rise Against


Skate Punk
This first take for this lesson at 150bmp.


I have also recorded the lagwagon cover again but it hasn't finished uploading to youtube. I started the song analysis the other day but haven't quite finished, maybe I can send it tomorrow. Cheers!

Posted by: philm Jun 25 2015, 02:30 PM

Hey Gab,
Here is lagwagon take to go with the others. I am getting more comfortable with this one but I messed up the solo and the downpicking part again where i went off too fast. So those two parts still need work.


I also attached the second attempt of the first timing assignment and a chart of the first analysis of the rise against song "savior".
I am struggling with the the chords and scales section. I know the the guitars are tuned half a step down. I find it hard to find out what chords and scales are being used, I don't think I can work it out by ear. What is your suggestion to get started here.

https://soundcloud.com/pmpm101/timing-ex1-take2

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 25 2015, 02:32 PM

Hi Philm, good job! I can notice improvements on the lessons that you've been working and that means that you are working really hard.

BMTH: This one is getting better. You just have to polish the 16th palm muting parts, and also the section that includes the pinch harmonic. Both things are not sounding tight enough but sound better than in previous takes.

ADTR: The same here, it is a much better take than the last that you've shared but there is still room to improve on the sections that we've talked before. So please continue polishing this one, isolating the tricky parts and working on them as exercises.

Rise against: This one starts with timing issues on intro but then it gets better. The pre-chorus and chorus could also sound tighter so we can say that timing is the elements to pay attention on this one during the next days of practice.

Skate punk: This lesson is a very good choice to continue! I can say that this one is on the right track. You'll have to pa special attention to the intro riff since it's not sounding smooth. Then, the melodic verse has some little timing issues to adjust, as well as the pre-chorus for the song. The chorus sounds better but there is also some room to go tighter with the drums.


Ok mate, you are doing a very good job with this lessons. As you can see, the main thing to improve here is timing so please focus on it and work on smaller sections to polish each part.

Posted by: philm Jun 25 2015, 07:04 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for your comments. I will the adopt the same plan as the previous week and then record new takes. These lessons are taking a lot of discipline to keep going on. It's also tempting to start new lessons and exercises but I really don't want to take anything new on until I get these lessons right.

I feel like my technique is improving as these lessons kind of get "easier but I to have noticed these timing issues I practiced a lot of these parts with the metronome last week at slower speeds and then full speed. The problem is as soon as you play over music it becomes much more difficult to stay consistent which the timing I think is your point demonstrated with timing assignments. I really notice this with the 16th note part in the ADTR lesson. I feel in time and it sounds smooth with the metronome but then over the backing it's not consistent.

I posted another take on the Lagwagon and timing exercise above we must have just crossed paths

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 26 2015, 03:21 PM

Well, I think that it would be interesting if you create backing's loops with the parts that are giving problems. This will allow you to work on the tricky parts over the musical backing. Then you can get back to the whole backing.

Posted by: philm Jun 26 2015, 07:34 PM

Yeah that's what I have been doing for the past week. I guess I just did to keep working on it.

I posted the lagwagon song, timing assignment and song analysis exercise above. You missed it, no worries here they are again

Lagwagon Automatic


Timing Assignment
https://soundcloud.com/pmpm101/timing-ex1-take2

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 27 2015, 04:46 PM

Hi mate! Good job!

The Lagwagon lesson keeps on polishing! There is still room to improve some little details about timing in the first riff, and also at that part at 2:14. When playing the melodies, remember to let the note sound and then add vibrato to avoid making everything sound a bit nervous. Other than that, it's on the right track!

The timing exercises shows some problems on this area. You tend to play a bit before the beat most of the time. This means that your 8th notes are not sounding tight and need more work. Please continue practicing trying to go totally tight with the hi-hat that is also playing 8th notes.

The song analysis is very cool! It's a great design to have all the analysis organized! Good job! The structure and arrangements are detected well, now it's time for the progressions and scales. Are you on it?

Posted by: philm Jul 3 2015, 04:37 PM

Thanks for your feedback again. It's been hard work practicing these last days with GMC being down and the temperature here this last week in Switzerland has been around 35° everyday

Glad you like my song analysis layout, I have started to add in the progression and scales part. I don't think I am ready yet to work this out my ear so I found a tab which I think is quite accurate(I attached it too). I am having trouble with parts like arpeggios and the intro, I can find out what the individual notes are on the fretboard but how do I determine what chord they are based on and what scales are involved?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2015, 05:04 PM

Hi Philm,

the progression used on the introduction and verse of this one is: F#m - A - D - A D/G#. This means that the song is in F#m tonality.

the pre-chorus is: D - E

and chorus is the same than the vesre and intro.

Please re-check now the guitar arrangements and notice how they arranged the progression to make it sound more interesting.

Posted by: philm Jul 8 2015, 01:57 PM

Hey Gab,
Thanks for your help on the song analysis. I have a question how do find out what the tonality of a song is? I know you look at the chord progression but how do you know what chords go under which tonality? I have updated the analysis its not quite finished yet.
Hmm I am not sure what exactly makes this arrangement interesting. What I find interesting is how the lead player plays octaves and the rhythm plays chords underneath, I noticed you did this in your rise against lesson.

Regarding the rest of my practice routines its going OK and I am working on the parts of the lessons I am having difficulty with, I won't be able to play much these next two weeks so I am not sure when I will have new takes ready.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 8 2015, 07:17 PM

Hi mate! It's cool to see that this analysis is starting to make you feel curious about some theory stuff. Please check out this thread and let me know if it clarifies your question: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3160

About the arranging of the song, yes, the use of octaves is something that I've found in many of their songs and that's why I decided to use it in my lesson in the style of. I also consider the intro guitar very cool, how he took simple chords and built a chords riff that fits great with the vocals. Then, another thing to pay attention is how drums are arranged on each part and how they are related with guitar rhythm.

Posted by: philm Jul 9 2015, 04:34 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for the link "finding the key of a song", I don't find this very easy but I guess it will get easier with practice.
I too find the the intro to the song really interesting, it's probably the main reason I like this song so much and it caught my attention in this first place. Its kind of like he is sounding out emphasizing the lyrics with the guitar, if you get what I mean One thing I noticed about the drums especially in the verses how the drums drop back when the guitars do and then start up again as the guitars build up again to the pre-chorus and chorus. Do you mean this?
What's the next step, should I start another song analysis or try to compose something of own based on this song.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 9 2015, 07:37 PM

Hi Philm, yes, that's what I refer when analyzing how drums are arranged. Before you start applying these concepts, let's start with a new song. Unless inspiration appears and you need to record your own idea, let's focus on these analysis for 2/3 weeks and then we'll start applying concepts. Deal?

Posted by: philm Jul 13 2015, 10:27 AM

OK gabs sounds like I good idea, I will keep going on the song analysis then. Like I said the next two weeks I am not going to have much time but I will get straight to it after that!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2015, 04:18 PM

Ok, so we can extend the plan 2 weeks.

Posted by: philm Aug 10 2015, 04:53 PM

Hey Gab,
I have been away for a few weeks as you may have noticed I am back now and started up practicing with my plan again today. I am a bit rusty so I think it will be 2 weeks or so until I can post new takes. I am planning to start the next song analysis asap in the meantime.

Its good to be back!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 10 2015, 06:02 PM

Hi mate! Great to see you back here! Please work on the current routine this first week and then tell me how you feel with it. Sometimes we are not as rusty as we think, it's just a sensation!

Posted by: philm Aug 19 2015, 02:55 PM

Yeah at least I haven't forgotten any tabs though! I am finding it a bit hard getting back into my routine but I have practiced a few days in a row now and have recorded a new take on the skate punk lesson. The other lessons I will work on for another week before I post new takes.

Skate Punk Take 2 170bmp

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 19 2015, 10:27 PM

You know the notes of this one but it has many timing issues everywhere. Also, the first riff has some sync issues so you should practice it at a slower tempo to be sure that you are playing with both hands in sync.

The main timing issues appear on intro, pre chorus, and chorus so please pay attention to it during the next sessions.

Posted by: philm Aug 22 2015, 10:10 AM

Hey Gab, Thanks for your feedback. I can understand what you mean with the timing issues, I will practice it at a slower tempo again. I am trying to keep in sync with the drums and I feel like I am until I listen back to the recording and I realize that I am not.
I am starting to get a little frustrated how long it is taking me to master these lessons I am currently working on which makes me thinkthat I will maybe integrate an easier lesson into my routine for a bit of motivation .
Yesterday I went to see bad religion for the first time and it inspired me to work on the bad religion lesson again as I never truly finished mastering it. Plus I will chose maybe another easier new lesson to work on.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 22 2015, 08:25 PM

Hi mate,

this are not easy lessons, the tempo is fast and even being "punk" rock (a style that people things is easy) require a good control of rhythm playing and palm muting, very close to heavy and thrash metal. It's important to practice at a slow tempo and being able to play everything tight. The goal is to play this kind of lessons well not fast, so if you find your comfortable tempo and record everything sounding good we can see it as a goal achieved (plus motivation will come).

Posted by: philm Aug 24 2015, 07:41 PM

Yeah thanks Gab that makes a lot of sense what your saying. Lots of people seem to think that Punk is an easy style but getting to that speed in the original lesson is by no means easy at all. I have to accept that I am not at that level where I can play it at that speed and that the speed will come with time.
I started up on the bad religion lesson again today, that's a real fun lesson btw. I have had that bad religion song "american jesus" in my head since the concert so I had to revisit the lesson again! My aim is to record some new takes this week of the other lessons I am working on. I am trying to build up some momentum again!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 25 2015, 06:51 PM

Excellent mate! That sounds good to me. Keep on working hard and enjoying this journey.

Posted by: philm Aug 26 2015, 06:01 PM

Hey mate, here is a new take of the BMTH lesson. Still some mistakes here and there but this lesson is getting more and more comfortable for me now. More videos on the way...

BMTH 125bmp

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 26 2015, 06:57 PM

Hi Philm! Good job!

The lesson still has obvious timing issues, but I note a big progress comparing this one with the previous take. This means that you are doing your practice right. Please keep on practicing in this way, and try slower tempos to adjust the trickier parts (I've already marked the tricky part on previous feedback).

Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: philm Aug 27 2015, 12:40 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for the feedback. I still am having trouble on the breakdown part in that lesson. I find it difficult going from the pinched harmonic to the palm muted notes, my thumb also seems to get trapped under the strings when I adjust it for the pinched harmonic.

Here are the rest of the lessons below.

ADTR


Rise Against
I know there are still timing issues here, I don't know what is taking me so long to get this lesson right!


Lagwagon
I am quite proud of this one, I know there are still some issues but I recorded this first take and I think its slowly getting there now!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 27 2015, 03:06 PM

Hi mate! Good job with these videos!

I can say that the one that gives more problems is Rise Against and the reason is clear. It's really fast! So it will require more time of practice. However, I think that it would be good to let it for playing twice every day and start working on other lessons that are a bit below this one regarding speed and difficulty to use them as a bridge to be able to play this one. What do you think? I have many punk/hardcore lessons that are a bit below in difficulty, just check my lessons archive.

About your right hand technique. I'd like to ask you to compare your take on ADTR lesson with mine. Check both and pay special attention to the right hand movements. You'll notice important differences that make my technique more natural and that allows me to play some riff with more intensity, making the take more aggressive.

Then tell me what you notice.

Posted by: philm Aug 31 2015, 05:02 PM

Hey Gab,
Thanks for the feedback! I agree, that's a good idea to learn a easier punk lesson to help me get the rise against one up to speed.
I was thinking of learning your sum 41 lesson or/and the song, "the hell song" by sum 41 which your lesson reminds me of. I already started learning this song some while ago and sometime I would like to finish learning it plus I think this would be a next good song for song analysis. I also am working on the bad religion lesson which is a bit easier than the rise against one. Another lesson I like that isn't strictly punk is your Hives lesson.

Regarding the ADTR lesson and my right hand technique. When I look at your right, you have more movement at the wrist? You also hold the pick at more of an angle that I do. Do you mean this? In general it just looks a lot smoother when your playing it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 1 2015, 04:02 AM

Hi Philm, I think that it's a good idea to work on that lesson, as well as the song. It will be also more motivating to be able to master lessons, but keep on playing twice every day the tricky one.

About the right hand, yes! That's what I mean. My way of moving my right hand is smoother and the variation in amplitude allows more dynamics work. It would be good to try to apply it a bit into your own technique. You can do this with my lesson, and you can also do it by analyzing great rhythm players like James Hetfield, Dimebag Darrell, Van Halen or even Malcolm Young. Let's focus on details.

Posted by: philm Sep 1 2015, 04:59 PM

Hi Gab, thanks for the tips with the right hand. I feel this has improved if I compare videos from last year where my hand looks really stiff but I have someway to go yet, I will keep trying it. Here below is my revised plan that I will try to practice at least 5 times a week.

Rhythm
1.BMTH - Breakdown Riff (5mins)(2x All)
2.ADTR - 16th Notes (5mins)(2x All)
3.Lagwagon - Solo & Downpicked section(10mins)(1x All)
4.Skate Punk(10mins)
5.Rise Against (2x All)
6.Bad Religion (5X All)
7.Sum 41 Style (20mins)

Lead
I have been neglecting this area lately.
1.Bending Beginner(5mins)
2.Vibrato Lesson(5mins)

Theory
1.Song Analysis - Sum 41 - The Hell Song

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 2 2015, 04:17 PM

Great plan Philm! Yes, I also think that your technique has improved a lot in the last months so you are on the right track with our practice. The plan looks great, so let's go for it and let me know how it feels at the end of the week.

Cheers.

Posted by: philm Sep 3 2015, 05:57 PM

Ok Gab, I have been trying to adjust my right hand over the last two practices and it's a bit of adjustment but I can see what you mean. I seem to be able to attack the strings a bit harder and with more control when I change the angle of how I hold the pick plus moving from the wrist. I have nearly learned all the parts from the sum 41 lesson, could you send me the slower backings? I want to build this one up nice and slow

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 4 2015, 02:22 PM

Hi Philm, great to know that you are adjusting your right hand technique. It will have a very important impact in your playing.

Here you can download the backings:  sum_41_slow_backings.zip ( 4.9MB ) : 53

Posted by: philm Sep 15 2015, 04:58 PM

Hey Gab
Sorry its been a while again. I have been following my plan for the last week but I didn't feel like I progressed enough to record any takes last week. I have learned the whole sum 41 lesson, when I record it though I notice timing issues also. I have been building it up at a slow temp and I notice when I play it slow my timing is more off than when I play faster. I am often ahead of the beat, the problem is I am not comfortable playing all the parts at a fast speed. I will keep working on it and try to record a first take by the end of the week.

I have also been trying to focus on my right hand a lot especially with the metalcore lessons and palm muting. I think its going well it is just taking a little time to adjust but I shall keep going on it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 16 2015, 01:43 PM

Hi Philm, thanks for the update.

My recommendation is to try to work on smaller sections, don't try to play the whole lesson and adjust it. Take the parts that give problems and work on them as a loop, the smaller the part is, the easier will become to stay focused and polish details to master it.

Posted by: philm Sep 18 2015, 05:37 PM

Yeah Gab. that's my usual approach to learning lessons, first to learn the whole lesson slowly. Then as I increase the speed I notice which parts need to be worked on isolated.

I managed to make two takes yesterday, I wanted to make takes of all the lessons I am working on but I only managed the sum 41 and bad religion. Here they are below!

Sum 41
I can't play the sum 41 at full speed yet, the second part is giving me the most trouble but here is a first take at 160bmp


Bad Reglion
I am not happy with this one yet, I notice my right hand could be looser here in the first riff. I move mainly from my hand.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 19 2015, 04:17 PM

Hi Philm! There is something weird happening with Sum 41 lesson, there is some kind of delay or something on your guitar, do you note it? Maybe there is latency....

About Bad Religion lesson, you are not ready yet for this tempo, please practice this one at a slower tempo and focus on timing, mostly during the intro melodies/riffs. Ok?

Posted by: philm Sep 21 2015, 05:21 PM

hmm yeah I think there is a latency problem. I was having problems recording this lesson that is would pop and crackle every once in a while. I researched the topic a bit and maybe I have the wrong buffer size set. I had it at 1536 samples but some articles say to have it high and others low, I am not quite sure what's right. Also I am having problems with my network card which may be inferring too. I will try to solve this problem.

Do you have any slower backings of the the bad religion to download, so I can make some slow loops of the intro riff?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 22 2015, 01:44 PM

Hi mate, yes, I usually set a smaller buffer size, close to 128 or 256. This is related to your processor so you have to experiment what's the best setting for you, but I think that you've found the problem.

About the backings, I don't find them in my computer, I'll see if we can get them from the lesson. I wonder if you know this software, it's very useful for practicing:

http://www.ronimusic.com/amsldowin.htm

Posted by: philm Sep 29 2015, 02:58 PM

Hey Gab,
It's been a while, well I still haven't managed to fix this issue with the latency and its starting to get really annoying. I have tried setting the buffer size at all different sizes and it's still not fixed the problem. If anything it's gotten worse, the sound cuts out completely for like half a second and then resumes at a later part in the track which makes it impossible to practice!
I have tried the following.

1.Setting buffer size lower reduces the latency but the sound cuts out completely every once in a while. Having a higher buffer size reduces the latency but cuts out more.
2. I thought it may be an issue with connecting my pod hd500x into my steinberg audio interface but I have always done it this way. I changed the xlr button to ground and the 1/4" to amp and it worked yesterday but now today i am getting the same issues again.
3.Updated all the drivers on my laptop.
4.Tried different USB ports.
5.It seems to depend also on what track or file , for example the sum 41 one is the worst for cutting out.

This is really starting to frustrate me, I have been struggling a bit for motivation as it is lately but I really wanted to get back practicing hard this week and this is just stopping me. Do you have any other ideas what the problem maybe? I'd appreciate it

BTW, killer lesson on royal blood! I saw them last year in concert and its amazing what a killer racket of sound those two can make live. It inspired me to get going on the current lessons I am learning so I can start learning that one!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 30 2015, 01:52 PM

Hi Phil! Nice to know that you liked my new lesson!

About the latency issue, I imagine that you are using your pod's guitar tone, don't you? In this case, the easier/faster solution would be to listen directly what's entering to the sound card instead of what's being recorded in the daw. If this is possible to be set with your soundcard, the problem will be solved. Latency appears when you activate monitoring from your daw, but you could try activating the input of your interface. With my M-audio Fast Track, I just have to move a mix level that mixes input with computer's sounds.

Is this possible with your soundcard? If not, I think that this will be possible if you use your pod as interface instead of your soundcard.

Posted by: philm Sep 30 2015, 03:56 PM

Yeah I am going to start on that royal blood lesson asap

I think I understand what your saying regarding the latency issue but I am not quite sure to set up the soundcard like you mentioned.
What I normally do is connect my pod to my audio interface with a xlr cable and it works fine and for lessons with the lepou plugins I connect the guitar directly to my audio interface.
The problem is I was still having cut out problems even without the pod connected. I tried recording through the pod by itself and it had a weird echo in cubase.

Anyway what I tried today was connecting the pod with the usb and the interface with the usb at the same time and now it worked! Weird huh?

Anyway if it is still working like that tomorrow I will try to make a new take on the sum 41 lesson

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 1 2015, 02:24 PM

Great news!! Well, computers and audio are sometimes trial and error... it can sometimes be illogical...

Looking forward your new takes.

Posted by: philm Oct 2 2015, 03:34 PM

Hey Gab, so here are a few new takes. I didn't recorded takes on all the lessons I am currently working on, just the ones I thought I have made some progress on.

Sum 41 160bmp


Rise Against
I think there is some improvement on those although I have only been playing it twice a day.


Skate Punk
Of all the lessons, this one seems to be causing me the most problems. I am no not quite sure how I should be counting the first riffs and the fifth part of the lesson. I just can't seem to connect with the drums, what am I doing wrong here?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 3 2015, 07:48 PM

Hi Philm, great to find new takes from you!!

I notice improvements on this takes based on the things that we have been disusing,, mostly on the Rise Against lesson which is getting really close. Then, Sum 41 is getting better while Skate Punk is the one that is still showing more important problems.

I recommend you to practice these two ones even at a slower tempo to be able to think on your hands movements, in order to make them small and effective. Working on smaller sections is also a good idea. For example, you surely can identify the riffs that are giving problems, isolate them and practice as a loop. That's the most effective plan.

By the way, you playing shows improvements, you are on the right track, keep going!

Posted by: philm Oct 7 2015, 06:58 PM

Hey Gab, Thanks for your feedback on the lessons, I am very glad you can notice some improvement. Technically I think these lessons are in my range it's just the speed that is taking time to catch up. I noticed how just playing the rise against only twice a day can make a difference though. This encouraging me to really try and play everyday. So I will slow down the lessons and work isolated in the tricky parts and get back to you in a week or so. I really what to master a lesson soon, so I can move onto something new!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2015, 03:40 PM

That sounds great Philm. Congrats on your great job here, keep on rocking.

Posted by: philm Oct 19 2015, 05:01 PM

Hey Gab, Sorry there has been no update the last two weeks. I decided to take a spontaneous holiday but have now returned refreshed and newly motivated. I started playing back today with my same routine.

I noticed something while practicing the skate punk lesson, I think I have been playing part five of the lesson slightly wrong. I thought you only palm mute the notes on the fifth string and then kind of let the fourth string notes ring out. Now I realised you slightly palm mute all the notes right?Also do you alternate pick this part because I have just been down picking it?
I think because of these two issues it hasn't helped me with the timing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 20 2015, 01:21 PM

Hi Philm! Welcome back! Howidays are always welcome to refresh our mind and spirit.

You are right, I'm using alternate picking and I'm also muting a bit (less than the lower string) the 4th string. to make this sound clean.

Posted by: philm Oct 22 2015, 02:08 PM

So I have got back to practicing now(3 days in a row) my aim is to practice this revised routine everyday(ok maybe I won't manage it at the weekend ). I have reduced the amount of time on a lot of things I am learning so I fit everything at just over an hour a day. Also this frees up a little space for other lessons as this plan is starting to get a little repetitive and I want to get on to new lessons.

1.BMTH - Breakdown Riff (5mins)(2x All)
2.ADTR -(2x All)
3.Lagwagon - (1x All)
4.Skate Punk - Part 5 slowed down(5mins)(3-5x all)
5.Rise Against - (2x All)
6.Bad Religion - Solo section slowed down(5mins)(3x all)
7.Sum 41 Style - Part 2 slowed down(5mins)(2x all slow,3X all faster)
8. Song - Passenger Let Her Go (my acoustic guitar playing has been very neglected so I decided to learn this finger picking song)

I also wanted to get going again on the song analysis but I have been a bit lazy there. I will try again this week.

Btw really cool new papa roach lesson! Another cool lessons that is tempting to start

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2015, 04:17 PM

Hi Philm! This sounds good for me! The plan is very complete and the fact that you cover many lessons seems to keep it entertained and motivating.

It's also a good idea to get back to song analysis, it's very important to keep on training this stuff to start developing your creative side. It's needs practice as the other techniques.

Posted by: philm Oct 28 2015, 10:49 AM

I know I should be focusing more on this but I always think when I have time I rather play than study . But here is the second song analysis of the track "The Hell Song" by Sum 41. I struggle massively on the theory side of things where I truly have no idea but I think the song is in
the key of G#m. I am not sure what scale is then being played for the solo. I also plan to learn this song after I have mastered your sum 41 lesson.

I hope to make some new takes tomorrow of some of the lessons

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 28 2015, 01:18 PM

Fantastic analysis man! I like how you worked on details and went deep with the "what's happening?" section dedicated to arrangement and production. This will start adding vocabulary into your mind that will be really helpful for music creation and production.

The theory behind this one is simple, it's in G# major and the chord progression is one of the most used in pop music: I - VI - III - VII. Check my picnic panic lesson where I talk about this: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/picnic-panic/

The scale used for the solo is also G# major. I don't consider it Pentatonic because they are also using the 2nd and the 6th of the major scale.

Posted by: philm Oct 30 2015, 11:19 AM

Hey Gab, Glad you liked the analysis. Thanks for the help on the theory, I didn't realise how simple this song really was. I will try to spend more time on these analysis and get them out quicker so we can move on to the creativity.

I recorded some new takes yesterday on a couple of the lessons, let me know what you think

Sum 41


Bad Religion
This solo is too fast for me at this tempo. I have been practicing the solo slower but I recorded the whole lesson at full speed.


Skate Punk
The dreaded difficult lesson, still struggling on this one. I have also been practicing the trickier parts slower but it hasn't made much of an impact yet. I will keep working.


A Day To Remember
I think this is improving I am trying to focus on the movement of my right hand. I think I could still be moving more from the wrist though right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 2 2015, 02:22 AM

Hi Philm, thanks for the new videos.

I've noted that the main problem here is timing. The first one is the most problematic and I think that it can be related to some latency issues, is it possible? Because the whole take sounds with the same timing issue.

The other lessons are better. Bad Religion style shows issues on the intro riff while Skate Punk has more notable timing issues in the whole take. ADTR is the best of these takes and it's very close to perfection.

Posted by: philm Nov 2 2015, 08:57 PM

Hey Gab, thanks for your feedback on my takes. Yeah I think you are right there is a latency problem in the sum 41 take, I have had problems recording this track before. I think my timing is also off though, I don't think I concentrated enough on counting. On the bad religion one I started to practice over your original take I think this will help me get the timing right on the first riff.

I am struggling on the skate punk lesson, I am just not sure how to count it. I think it would help if I could hear and play along to the original track with the guitar at a slower speed. Do you have the original track with your playing? I could slow this down in cubase and practice over it.

I am glad the ADTR one is finally getting there! This lesson has taken me so long. I think my right hand palm muted has improved because of this lesson. Maybe soon I can increase the speed a bit

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 3 2015, 04:31 PM

Hi Philm! Great to know that the comments helped. I'm checking my back ups and I don't find Skate Punk lesson. I'l see if I find it later. By now you can use guitar pro file to practice along with the lead guitar. You can also turn on metronome to have a clearer rhythm reference.

It's very important to solve those latency issues because they can affect your practice in a very negative way. Be sure to solve it before each practice session, and also before your recordings.

Keep on rocking.

Posted by: philm Nov 5 2015, 06:10 PM

Hey Gab, ok I will try out guitar pro for the skate punk lesson. I have never used guitar pro before but I saw there is a trial to download. Can you also slow down the tracks in guitar pro?
I am not sure what is going on with this latency problem because it just seems to be only on the sum 41 lesson although I use the same tone and settings for the other punk lessons. I reloaded the tone on the pod for this lesson and that seems to fixed it for now.
I will keep on rocking for the rest of this week and get some new takes done in a week or so!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 6 2015, 01:50 PM

yes, you can slow down tempo in guitar pro. Also check out this tool:

Posted by: philm Nov 10 2015, 06:27 PM

hey gab, this looks like a cool software that I think will help me out! I downloaded the trial but I don't think I can open a file for example the skate punk guitar pro file? I guess this must be a trial restriction or maybe I am not opening from the right place. I just get a list of examples to open and I can't import a .gp5 either.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 11 2015, 01:13 PM

Hi mate, that's weird. You should be able to open the files.

Check out this free software which is the same than guitar pro and also opens gp files. It's called Tuxguitar.

http://tuxguitar.uptodown.com/descargar

Posted by: philm Nov 11 2015, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the link to the other software, i downloaded it and it worked to open the lesson! I read now that you can't open external files with the trial version of guitar pro. Would you say there is much difference between tuxguitar and guitar pro? Does guitar pro have any major advantages?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 12 2015, 01:15 PM

Great! Honestly I don't know it the differences because I've used guitar pro for more than 5 years. But the basic, and most important stuff will be in both so if you are comfortable with Tux guitar, keep on it.

Posted by: philm Nov 16 2015, 05:43 PM

Yeah Tux guitar is working out well for me, its maybe not as user friendly as guitar pro but it has all I need for the moment. I am still working on my guitar plan,

I don't think i am ready for new takes yet I will push that until next week. I started to learn your royal blood lesson, I couldn't wait! I have a question regarding the fuzz tone from waves that you used. This isn't free is it? Do you know of a good cheap/free alternative fuzz emulator to use with cubase that would suit this lesson?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 16 2015, 06:32 PM

no, it isn't free. Fuzz is not a complex effect so there must be many good free plug ins for this.

I recommend you to try some free stuff, I used google and I got this:

http://atoragon.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/fuzz-with-pree-vst-plugins-inside.html

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2012/04/03/dirty-fuzz-free-fuzz-guitar-pedal-vst-plugin-by-damyfx/


Let me know if it works good!

Posted by: philm Nov 26 2015, 06:34 PM

Hey gab, sorry long time no reply. My internet was down for a while plus my time and motivation. But it's sorted out now and I am ready to get going again. Thanks for the links to the fuzz pedals I haven't tested them yet as I am still learning the lesson clean with tuxguitar(this software is really good for learning). The lesson is a lot harder than I first thought though, with the tricky timing! Do you have the slower backing tracks for this lesson that you could send me?

I may have time to make some takes tomorrow, but if not I will try really hard to next week so you can check my progress!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 27 2015, 05:48 PM

Hi Philm, thanks for the update.

Here you have the slower backings for Royal Blood lesson:  backings_Royal_slow.zip ( 9.94MB ) : 55

Posted by: philm Nov 28 2015, 09:33 AM

Hey Gab, thanks for the royal blood backings. I managed to make a couple of takes yesterday. Still not quite there but I think there is some improvement!

Sum 41 160 bmp


Bad Religion


Skate Punk 170bmp

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 28 2015, 06:32 PM

Hi Philm! Thanks for the new videos!

I notice that your playing is really improving, but there is off course more work to do. The parts start to sound tighter but there are sill tricky sections that need special attention, mostly the single string riffs and solos. These parts are the ones that you should isolate and start polishing focusing on your hands movements in order to make everything efficient. That's the main problem that I note in your playing, you tend to do extra moment or movements that aren't small enough to make the riffs sound at tempo or smooth. This should be the next goal.

Other than that, this still shows important improvements so keep on the hard work!

Posted by: philm Nov 30 2015, 08:48 PM

Hey there gab, thanks for the feedback on my takes. I have compared your playing on there lessons and my own takes and I think i can see what your getting out with the extra movements and large movements. Are you mainly referring to the right hand or the left hand?
I think I notice these parts that need improvement and need to be isolated,

Sum 41 - First riff and the fourth and fifth palm muted parts.

Skate punk - Definitely the first riff here which is not so smooth. I think its probably my alternative picking technique is a bit of a weak point of my playing. Plus i think my left hand also does some big movements on this first riff.

Bad religion - This first riff I guess and the solo.

How do you suggest I improve this or how should I focus on this issue in my playing exactly? Is this something that will come with practice or are there any other exercises I could do to improve this area?

I have been focusing on my right hand these last weeks, where I have adjusted how I hold the pick and I have also been trying to move more from wrist and not just pick from my fingers. I think this adjustment also makes me do these extra movements, maybe because I am not quite used this adjustment yet.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 1 2015, 01:45 PM

It's a matter of time and practice. At first you will find some adjustments in your technique uncomfortable but then they become natural. You need to focus on one thing at a time. For example, take the first riff of Sum 41 lesson. Compare your right hand movement with mine, notice if you are doing any extra movement, if not, you can check the other hand, if you notice extra movement you should dedicate some time to adjust this. The same for each part that needs practice.

Write your analysis, write down the things that you need to remember every time you play each riff to be sure that you keep on using the right technique the following days, until it becomes natural.

Don't practice the whole lessons (you can play it once or twice every day) during this week, isolate the problematic areas.

Posted by: philm Dec 5 2015, 10:44 AM

Ok gab thanks for the explanation. I understand now what you mean, I am glad i am not doing anything majorly wrong but that I just need to practice more focused on these parts. I will take a look and compare videos and then work on just the individual riffs next week. Thanks for the help!

Ok gab, I just looked at the first riff of the sum 41 lesson after writing this and just wanted to ask if I am on the right track with my analysis.

Sum 41 - Riff 1
Right hand- One problem is i am trying to pick from the wrist and this causes my to do larger movements than necessary. These movements are also not smooth because i rest my pinky finger on the 6th string which doesn't allow full control of the movement of my right hand in and up down motion.
So i need to still pick from the wrist but lift my pinky finger off so I can smoothly pick up and down from the wrist. Ok this is hard to explain but I think i already after 5mins practice identified these problems.

Left hand- Here the main issue i think is that my fourth finger is always so far from the fretboard when not being used.

Bad Religion Riff 1
Right hand- very similar to the sum 41 lesson with the movements too large and the resting pinky finger issue.
Left hand - here my fourth finger really goes wandering and flies of the fretboard. It's really hard to force my fourth finger to stay close to the fretboard!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 5 2015, 06:30 PM

Awesome analysis Philm!! This is exactly what you need to do now. Please practice trying to get used to the fixes and share a new video in around 1 week.

Posted by: philm Dec 6 2015, 05:40 PM

Thanks gab, glad to know I am on the right track with this. It takes a lot of concentration and time to break down these riffs like that, so I can't break down each lesson completely because of time so I have made this plan. After two practice sessions I already notice some differences though!


1.Sum 41 - Riff 1, 5mins right hand and 5 mins left hand focus(10mins) All(2X)
2.Bad Religion - Riff 1(5mins) Solo(5mins) All(2x)
3.Skate Punk - Riff 1 (5mins right hand and 5 mins left hand focus(10mins) All(2x)
4.Rise Against - All(2x)
5.Lagwagon - All(1x)
6.ADTR - All(2x)
7.BMTH - All(2x)
8. Royal Blood - Lesson learning(10-20mins)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 6 2015, 09:34 PM

Great mate! Keep on the good job!

Posted by: philm Dec 17 2015, 06:36 PM

Hey Gab, an update from me. I have been working the last week and an half on reducing the hand movements in the left and right hand on the sum 41, bad religion and skate punk lessons. Below are some new takes to check out! Cheers


Sum 41 160bmp


Bad Religion

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 18 2015, 01:59 PM

Hi Philm! Good first step! I note that you are making smaller movements now. The next goal is to feel more comfortable with this movements until it becomes natural and everything sound with more groove and more connected with the backings rhythm.

Please keep on working always rechecking your movements and trying to make everything become more and more natural.

Posted by: philm Dec 22 2015, 10:56 AM

Hey gab, thanks for your feedback. Its hard to focus on everything all at once, timing, groove, making small movements but I will keep working on making these small movements because its a bit of an adjustment. I am away for a while, but I will get back playing and practing hard next year!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 22 2015, 03:53 PM

Yes, it is not easy to focus on everything at a tempo that you are not used to. That's why you need to practice in smaller blocks and at a tempo in which you can think on each element. That's the secret.

Posted by: philm Jan 7 2016, 06:35 PM

Hey Gab,
Happy new year! I'm back and ready to get going again. First off thanks or all your help last year, I really felt like I have made progress. Progress i wouldn't have made struggling on my own like I used to. So thanks for all the feedback, pointers and critic this last year and I look forward to getting started again.

I started yesterday back on the same routine i was on. I have learned all of the Royal Blood lesson at a very slow tempo and I will practice it for a further couple of days and then I shall do a take for you to check.

I couldn't resist also starting on your spectacular "20 Punk Bands in One Song". I think this lesson would be good for me, I have learned a few of your punk lessons but I think this is the master test of 2016 is for me to learn this lesson.