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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 8 2014, 07:06 PM

Hi Tom! As we have been talking about your practice and designing your routine via PM and I received your first video playing one of the lessons, I decided to start a thread in which we can have everything together to make the work easier.

Based on your current levels and guitar goals, I suggested this routine for the first weeks:


Warming up (10 minutes)

Alternate Picking (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-25-Alternate-Picking/

Rhythm (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-12-Strumming-Rhythm/

Legato (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-24-Beginner-Legato/

Vibrato & Bending (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-21-String-Bending/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

Jamming: Learning and applying scales (15 minutes)


And this is the video that you send me:



It's a good first take to have as a reference to monitor your progress. Technically you are doing the things right, but you still need to get used to the chord changes to make the chords sound clearer and the changes smoother (with less silence between chords). At first the main recommendation now is to start working diary on the routine and share videos here every 3 days if it's possible.

About the REC nervous issue, don't worry about it. It's normal and will disappear with practice. The more you record videos the more normal it will feel.

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 8 2014, 07:53 PM

Hi Gab,
Great, thanks for your help!

As I make rather slow progress one recording a week seems to be a good start so that you see at least a little improvement. Is that okay? I still need several tries to get half decent through.
I am not sure if I got you right; should I record all four lessons plus Ben's open chords = 5 each time?

Cheers,
Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 9 2014, 02:49 PM

Hi Tom, this should be very flexible depending on how you feel with each lesson. You can share lessons here every 3, 4 or 7 days, and you can record the ones that you want me to check. Remember that the more I see your progress, the more I can give you tips to make a more effective use of your time and practice. Also, it will be a great practice for the REC button syndrome.

By the way, let me know how you are feeling with the routine...

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 5 2015, 12:27 PM

Hi Gab,
Happy New Year to you and all the best for 2015!
During your vacation I added the lesson videos to the REC section and used the feedback from the coaches to hopefully improve things a little.
Below are the new videos from last weekend. Happy to hear what you think.

Cheers,
Tom




Rhythm
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...rumming-Rhythm/
I tried to copy Bears hand movement to get rid of my "frozen" wrist. There is a clean and an distorted version as the last one had a too much overdrive.

http://youtu.be/u3EJh1diGck
http://youtu.be/NTr14ZCQKXc



Vibrato & Bending
Focus was on new thumb position Cosmin recommended. I also tried to hold the bended note longer and add vibrato.

http://youtu.be/O6sGLcE_Q5w



Legato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...eginner-Legato/
Tried to keep volume of picked and legato notes even...

http://youtu.be/zwpMU2C1B8s



Alternate Picking
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...ernate-Picking/
Here pick position and missing wrist movement was criticized ...

http://youtu.be/KVjNmezj_AI

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 5 2015, 09:53 PM

Hi Tom! You have been working really hard!! Well done! I'm glad to find all these videos here. Let me give you some feedback and please tell me what you think and if you have any questions:

Rhythm:
Great job emulating the original lesson’s groove! Your rhythm playing is very tight and interacts really good with the backings groove. There are just some little problems with some chord changes when the fast changes appear (for example at 00:38) so try to work on those shapes in order to be able to make all changes smooth.

Bending:
Your bending technique still need days and weeks of practice. It’s not an easy technique because it requires enough strength, and precision to reach the note, make it sound clear, keep timing and add vibrato. These are many things to think on at this moment but I recommend you to think on one of these things at a time, and practice the lesson in smaller sections. You need to get used to the movements and your muscles need to be trained be patient and keep on practicing this one.
I recommend you to add this exercise to your diary practice: http://youtu.be/Hh_pYY6UYIw

Legato:
This lesson is evolving very well, and now you have to focus on two things: make legato notes sound stronger, and make everything sound tight with the backing.
I note that many notes sound weak, mostly when you play pull offs. This happens because you are not attaching the string enough just before you do the pull off in order to make the following note sound strong. The problem is less notorious when you play hammer on, but you can make the notes sound better yet, just try to tap the notes stronger. Once again, work on smaller blocks and focus on the sound and intensity of each note.

Alternate Picking:
The comments received about pick position and wrist movement are totally valid. These problems don’t affect too much to this lesson but you will affront issues on more advanced lessons so I recommend you to give a look at this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Using-a-Guitar-Pick/
Also, try to play with your right hand more relaxed and letting it move freely from your wrist and a bit from your elbow. Check out the original lesson and emulate how Bear moves his right hand.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 14 2015, 09:45 AM

Hi Gab,
Its been a few days since my last videos. As time was limited I used it all for playing the four lessons. Yesterday I made a first video again, all the others will be recorded over the weekend. I feel I make some progress. Even the bending gets better. Still have not found the tone yet that Bear has in his lessons but I do not want to spend too much time on this yet as I have only 90 min/day which I want to use as intense as possible. For warm up I just try to play E and A based Barre Chords now.

Also found some nice new lessons...(David Gilmou style and finger picking
But sure only after once I got an approval for the current lessons.
Cheers Tom


Rhythm
(was really working hard to get chord shapes moving fast and smooth)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...rumming-Rhythm/

http://youtu.be/JC3WUA0IUI4

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 14 2015, 02:08 PM

Hi Tom! Thanks for the update! I can really note and improvement on the rhythm lesson compared to the previous take. The chord changes are starting to be more consistent, there is still more room but you are on the right track. The task for this week regarding this one is to isolate the changes that give more problem and play the two chords as a loop, one measure each chord in order to practice the change. Put all your focus on it, think on the next chord a bit before it's time for change. Do this during this week as an extra training for this lesson and let me know what happens.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 14 2015, 02:16 PM

Thanks Gab. I really know which changes to concentrate on. Hopefully a new recording can be done on Sunday.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 14 2015, 02:23 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Jan 14 2015, 10:16 AM)

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 19 2015, 10:03 AM

Hi Gab,
here are again my records from over the weekend. The videos are still difficult as I want to be as good as possible and keep all advice given in mind... therefore I am never as relaxed as was before. Maybe over time I will get used to it.


Rhythm
First version again with distortion and second clean.

http://youtu.be/pj8J-BDZr20
http://youtu.be/nI-rFKmkUMc


Bending
Was paratising Ben's exercise (half ton and full ton bending) daily to get the right pitch.
I just realized that my chair makes some noise when I move during playing that one can hear if the Amp is on low volume...sorry.

http://youtu.be/9CPTnV5kX7c


Legato
http://youtu.be/geVqaR1sUGk


Alternate Picking
with pick in hand like Ben ...

http://youtu.be/1TB6uSq1LwM

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 19 2015, 03:34 PM

Hi Tom! Thanks for this new videos. I can see you really progressing, congrats! Here I go with some detailed comments.


Rhythm:
This is getting better and better! Your rhythm is tighter on this take and the chord changes are much better now. There are some little problems at 00:44, 00:51 and similar parts where the chords sound a bit muted, but it's slowly improving. I note that your guitar is not perfectly tuned, so check it out for the next time you record this one. There are some little moments in which you tend to go a bit before the beat, it's not something really important but try to notice and avoid it during your next days of practice.

Bending:
This take is not bad but your hands still need to get more comfortable with both your bending and vibrato techniques. To make bending more consistent, your fingers need more practice to gain more strength. To improve vibrato, it's also related to strengh, but you also need to remember that the motion is from your wrist (not your fingers). Check Bear's vibrato motion carefully and try to imitate him. Also check out this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

I also noted that you don't reach the correct pitches in some of your bends. Those that are half tone are the ones that have more problem, but there are also some whole tone that don't reach it.

I recommend you to work on very little sections, comparing your playing with the original lesson and also playing along with it, to adjust your bending pitches, and your vibrato technique.

Legato:

This one is sounding nice. It's getting very close. The next things to polish are:

- Making everything sound smoother: If you listen to the original lesson, you will notice that Bear makes this one sound smoother, all the notes are long enough to make the whole exercise sound smooth and fluently. In your take, the notes are cut a bit early, and in some sections, this issue becomes more important (00:10).

- Timing: Your timing is good, but there is still some room to adjust it and to gie your playing more groove. There are some pull offs that are a bit quickly and this affects the overall groove. The issue is more notorious when you go to the higher frets.


Alternate picking:

Goo job with this one! It is starting to sound really good! Your right hand picking is starting to be more consistent and this is noted just listening to this take. Just some tips to have in mind:

- Try to relax your right hand while you play.
- Keep on working on your timing. It's better but sometimes you tend to play before the beat.



Ok mate, once again, congrats on your great work! I can see you progressing a lot these days so keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 26 2015, 09:20 AM

Hi Gab,
The new videos are here
Thanks to your advise I better understand bending now (rotating forearm movement and not finger flexing). I also played together with Bear to better get the pitch and timing. Also did this with the legato lesson.

Rhythm
http://youtu.be/6Hpb3eNokuk

Bending
http://youtu.be/HtwP_df-dDQ

Legato
http://youtu.be/-zi-MkntPM8

Alternate Picking
http://youtu.be/ZYkU3rM1Kpo


I'm curious about what you think. Cheers Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2015, 03:03 PM

Hi Tom! Great to know that the comments are helping you to go in the right direction! I can notice improvements from take to take so congrats on your good job!

Here I go with some specific comments as always:

Rhythm lesson: This one is getting better and better. Your rhythm is now very tight and there are two things that you should have in mind during the next days of practice. the first one is finally master that chord change around 00:40. Isolate this part and visualize the chords, put all your mind to think on the chord sounding and the next chord that you have to play, think where each finger will go before you move them.
The second thing is that it's time to let your body go with the groove. I notice that you are not letting your body relax while you play and move with the groove. Let it be free, move and feel the pulse, you will internalize the groove and music much more.

Bending: Great job!! I can notice that now your motion is ok for both bending and vibrato. Your bending technique needs to be polished to always reach the correct pitches and your vibrato off course needs to be more consistent but you are on the right track. Keep on practicing this one every day.

Legato: This one is also sounding better. Both the hammer on and pull off start to sound clear and defined but the biggest improvement is timing. It's not easy to keep timing tight with this technique, but you did it! You are ready for a trickier lesson. Congrats!

Alternate Picking: This one is getting close. There are things to improve like timing (sometimes your 8th notes are not being played tight and the overall sound a bit irregular) and how you reach the higher notes at the end of every phrase. Nothing of this is very serious but you should have it in mind. Another thing that I note is that you are keeping your right hand wrist very fixed, please remember that alternate picking motion should start from your wrist on first place and then a bit from your elbow, so please pay attention to how bear moves his right hand and re-check your movements.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 26 2015, 05:49 PM

Hi Gab,
Great. Your feedback always keeps my motivation high and let me enjoy everything I do. Once you feel a lesson is played good enough I would like to submit it again to REC section to "get it done" and include a new lesson instead.
Do you think the legato lesson is ready?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2015, 01:01 PM

Hi Tom, I'm glad of hearing this. That's my main goal, mark things to improve but always keep your motivation at the higher level possible. About your question, yes, the legato lesson is ready for REC. Honestly, lessons are always ready for REC because the idea of that program is to receive feedback from different instructors, so you can try with other lessons to receive some extra and valuable feedback. But if you want to adjust the most important things first, you can do a "pre" REC here off course, that's up to you.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 27 2015, 01:31 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jan 27 2015, 12:01 PM)

Hi Tom, I'm glad of hearing this. That's my main goal, mark things to improve but always keep your motivation at the higher level possible. About your question, yes, the legato lesson is ready for REC. Honestly, lessons are always ready for REC because the idea of that program is to receive feedback from different instructors, so you can try with other lessons to receive some extra and valuable feedback. But if you want to adjust the most important things first, you can do a "pre" REC here off course, that's up to you.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2015, 01:39 PM

Ok, this sounds great for me, let's continue like this.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 29 2015, 09:52 AM

First REC successfully.

That makes me even work harder tonight to get better in the remaining three lessons. As you proposed I will continue to play the legato lesson daily but put more effort on the others. Once we are through all four lessons we can choose the next step.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 29 2015, 02:29 PM

hehehe congratulations Tom!!! I'm proud of you.

Keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 2 2015, 08:39 AM

Good Morning Gab! Here are the new videos. Thanks Tom.


Rhythm
http://youtu.be/DxSbJyK-ij4


Bending
http://youtu.be/bRWXtEyJGIY


Alternate Picking
http://youtu.be/1Kc9n96OExg

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 2 2015, 02:40 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for these new videos!

Rhythm: Great to see this one evolving! I note an improvement in your groove and also in the trickier chord changes. Both things still have room to practice. I still note that you need to relax a bit more your body while you play the rhythm, and let it go with the groove. This will make it sound smoother, and will decrease the moments in which you tend to go before the beat. About that chord change that we've talked about before, please dedicate some more time to work on it as an isolated exercise.

Bending: Unfortunately this lesson has many pitch problems. Your bending is not reaching the correct pitch in most of the cases so this means that you are not paying attention to it, or maybe you are not hearing it. What's exactly the reason? Do you hear the issues while you play the lesson? Do you hear them when you watch this video? Please let me know what you think is the reason and we'll work on this.

Alternate Picking: This one is on the right track. You need to continue practicing to keep it sounding tight during the whole lesson, and also start to pay attention to dynamics. Check out the original lesson, and see how Bear picks stronger, and also how he accentuates the first of each group of two 8th notes.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 2 2015, 03:02 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 2 2015, 01:40 PM)

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 2 2015, 06:30 PM

I will record the lesson this evening again and then listen to it and describe each bend (under/ok/over pitch) and post it for you. So you will know what I think I hear.
Maybe I cannot even hear this correctly...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 2 2015, 11:36 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Feb 2 2015, 02:30 PM)

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 3 2015, 08:52 AM

I made a new recording. Guitar tuned before, no EQ changes (as in tha last one)on amp, all guitar tone knobs at full. Only some distortion. Hope that is OK so.
No vibrato this time to keep things easier for me.

http://youtu.be/w4Hhwh82Yn0

I listened to it several times, even with guitar in my hand played some notes for comparison, but only found two hafttone bends really out of tune:

at 0:11s the b/c over pitch
at 0:33s the e/f over pitch



I also made a second video where I used the original lesson with bear as backround track. (just to get the tone in my ears)
http://youtu.be/o_i-jgo52Gk

here the last tone (d) ist under pitch...

Please let me know what you hear.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 3 2015, 02:23 PM

Hi Tom! This is an awesome workout! I found more pitch issues in the first video, but the problem was minimized a lot on the second one. I just noticed that you have issues when you bend on first string, fret 7th, and also when you bend fret 8th on second string, as well as the last bend that you noted. This examples show that you need to continue practicing this technique over the original lesson for at least 4 or 5 days. This will train both your fingers and your ears. Please pay attention to the pitches, and the strength that you have to do.

Great stuff!

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 3 2015, 02:29 PM

That is really great news Gab.

So I will do this lesson the rest of the week most of the time with Bear as backround. Maybe record it for me and make a few with standard backing track plays to compare with. This will consume most mote time this week but I will not forget rhythm and alternate picking...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 4 2015, 01:37 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Feb 3 2015, 10:29 AM)

That is really great news Gab.

So I will do this lesson the rest of the week most of the time with Bear as backround. Maybe record it for me and make a few with standard backing track plays to compare with. This will consume most mote time this week but I will not forget rhythm and alternate picking...

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 9 2015, 09:36 AM

Hi Gab, here are the new videos from this week. I feel its getting better with all lessons - lets see is you feel the same

Rhythm
main focus: feel the groove, relax on right hand and getting chord changes smooth.
http://youtu.be/4Nyhj6OAzxc

Bending and Vibrato
I played along with the original lesson as backround, also added Ben's exercise to get the right pitch with half and fulltone bends in my ears. spend a lot of time with this one.
http://youtu.be/TX_uqBZfdIE

alternate picking,
the one I liked least at the beginning - now I am really comfortable with. This time with an accent on the first of each group of two 8th notes.
when I started this lesson weeks ago my hands were tight at the end of the track - that is no longer the case.
http://youtu.be/rRVXl3UPp7g

It really takes time to get things correctly. When you gave me the 4 lessons I though I would have learned them by the end of your holidays in december!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 9 2015, 02:10 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for these new videos. I can notice that you've been working really hard!

Rhythm: Great work with this one! GREAT work! I can note your goals reflected on this new take. It's great to see you focused and working on short term goals! That's the spirit, congratulations!

Bend and legato: Again, awesome! I note a big improvement comparing this take with the previous one that you uploaded. The first half is very tight! Then, the second half has some little timing pitches, so maybe you could localize this week a bit more on the second half to be able to play the whole thing right, what do you think?

Alternate picking: Good manage of dynamics on this one! I also like this take and I can say that you are very close to master it! Sometimes you have some little timing issues, you tend to play before the beat and this makes some patterns sound irregular, but you are getting close, keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 9 2015, 02:26 PM

Hey that sounds great Gab! So I will check my goals for this week.

Rhythm: sounds that I am close to REC section? Anything else I should do here?

Bending: do you mean with "timing pitches" that my bends where a little out of the correct beat, right?

Alternate Picking: I realized that when the backing track gets louder during the last 2 repetitions I am more closer to the beat that at the beginning.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 9 2015, 05:48 PM

Now I think I understand what you mean with "pitch timing"
- how fast I reach the desired bend
- how long I hold and how I let it get back

yes, this changes in the second part. Is that what you mean?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2015, 02:28 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Feb 9 2015, 10:26 AM)

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 16 2015, 08:53 AM

Hello Gab - here comes my Rhythm take for REC.Worth submitting it?
http://youtu.be/1w1_VI1DqdU


Bending: still the same procedure - I play with the original lesson to get the tone on my ears and do the half-/fullton exercise for some bends. it gets better but I sometimes do not get the right pitch while playing but when I listen to the video ... at least it seems I hear most wrong pitches now.
http://youtu.be/lVJR2YrvabQ


Alternate Picking: focus was on tight picking throug the full lesson...
http://youtu.be/rS6bmKG8LmU


Its been nearly 3 months with the three lessosn above. I am really looking forwared learning new lessons.
Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2015, 09:53 PM

Hi Tom! Thanks for the new stuff.

I think that the rhythm lesson is ready for REC but it doesn't mean that it's a 10 take. It's close but I note that sometimes you go a bit before the beat and some chords don't sound totally clear. I don't think that you are doing anything wrong regarding technique, I only think that you need more time of practice and also starting with a new chords/rhythm lesson while you continue practicing this one. So, if you ask me, post it at REC, it will surely pass and you will receive more valuable feedback.

Bending: yes, you are right there are many pitches issues, but there also also many that are ok, so you are going on the right track. Don't feel bad about it, it takes time, mostly to make our ear fast and precise enough to be consistent with bending. Just continue practicing and please remember to practice diary Ben's youtube video exercises.

Alternate picking: Good job with this one! It's starting to sound tight and clear. It would be helpful for the future to try to avoid that little jump that your right hand does with each up and down pick, and try to make that movement the smaller possible since it can be a limitation for faster picking.


I also agree that you are ready for new lessons! Do you have any in mind?

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 18 2015, 10:22 AM

Your feedback really helps so much Gab!

Rhythm and Chords
I will post the take to REC and play it daily as warm up.
For the new Rhythm and Chords lesson I feel Barre chords are something very useful to learn - right? There are two lessons from Bear for 6 and 5 string Barre chords. The 5 string lesson will be a good rhythm exercise too. Should I start with one or both together?
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-7-5-string-Barre-Chords/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-6-6-String-Barre-Chords/


Bending and Vibrato
Good. Will keep on working on this lesson to get the pitch right add a decent vibrato and hold bends as long as Bear does. That's a lot for me...
Maybe we can add a second lesson to make that more enjoyable?

Like this lesson really. Sounds great and has vibrato and bends.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-20-Beginner-Solo/

Guess you want me to do this one instead. It seems like all beginners have to go through this.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/



Legato
Still play the old take from REC
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-24-Beginner-Legato/
Have not found a new lesson at level 2. Anything you have in mind?



Alternate Picking
Play the existing one until REC too:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-25-Alternate-Picking/
Have not find any lesson to add here either.



If you feel I did not make the best choice and there are other lesson to be more useful at my current level of playing - let me know please. There is so many great lessons on GMC. One soon gets to wander here and there an looses focus.


As we never talked about the styles I enjoy - just picked two of them.
Long term goals: Maybe in a year or so I would like to be able to play lessons like this:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/

And further years down the road hopefully one day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaAv-n01VAk

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2015, 02:19 PM

Hi Tom, the plan looks great. I think that it's ok if you start with one of the rhythm lessons this week. It's important to divide your practice and be sure that you'll cover each lesson since, each of them has an important technique that need to be mastered. So divide your practice time on blocks with the same duration for each lesson.

As soon as you record the REC take for the alternate picking lesson, it would be good to start with a new one covering this technique.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 23 2015, 09:54 AM

Hi Gab, times was used as you said so that each technique gets the same time. I work about 90min during the week and 2hrs at weekend now.


Bending and Vibrato
Feel much more confident with bending and pitches. Where I needed many attempts to get a decent recording at the beginning I need only one or two now. Was trying to find a good tone too.
http://youtu.be/K9QSbvibHvU


Rhythm and Chords
I was really working hard but I did not manage it record the song against the backing track. I am far to slow. Barre chords seems to require a lot of wrist flexibility and strenght. Focus was that all strings ring - no unwanted muting. It will take a wihle to get this to REC level. Hopefully these Barre chords worth all the time???
As this is a diary ...here are some of my attempts. My hand position looks strange.
http://youtu.be/43tgnv0Nd4s


Alternate Picking
http://youtu.be/TrXu4MBuU8w

Also played the legato and rhythm lessons that were submitted to REC as warm up daily.
Cheers Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2015, 01:21 PM

Hi Tom! Congrats for another week of hard work! I notice that your playing is improving and this is well deserved because you are a hard worker!

Here I go with some comments:

Bending: Your bending technique is becoming more precise and this is the video that shows the biggest improvement. Now we have more bends on spot than wrong ones. And the ones that don't reach the correct pitch are close so you should continue working in this way. It seems that half step bending is giving you more problems that whole note ones. Check for example the one at 00:17 or at 00:39, both are not reaching the pitch. Pay attention to the other similar ones.

Chords and rhythm: It's ok! It takes time to get used to new chord shapes. Keep on working in this way, and then try using slower backings and maybe working on just 2 chords as a loop, and slowly incorporate the other ones. Take your time to digest this new stuff.

Alternate picking: Except the last measure where you rushed a bit timing, the other parts are sounding good on this one. I think that you are ready for a new alternate picking lesson. What about one of these?

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

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 23 2015, 06:27 PM

Bending: I will try get to get all bends closer to the right pitch. When I listened to the two spots you marked I could hear that too. it just happens during playing. When I just make a halftone bend as exercise it is much better.

Chords: great idea. will start with such loops and expand them.

Alternate Picking: As I submitted the current lesson already twice last december I would like to post this to REC again. Otherwise it looks like I gave up
OK?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hand-Synch/
I really like this lesson but ist VERY fast. Maybe too fast for me right now, esp for my left hand

So better to start with:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/
triplets (is that the right word?) are new for me too. Once I am through it I will take the hand sync lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 24 2015, 02:30 PM

Hi Tom, everything sounds great! Feel free to post the REC take, and start working on Picking hand basics.

Please keep me updated!

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 26 2015, 09:13 AM

Hi Gab,
Here comes the video with the resting point somewhere on the outer palm /wrist. This was the eposition I started with and then switched to forearm at guitarbody as I misunderstood some advise from Darius about my hand position.

I feel much better with this position (rest at bridge) although I got used to the other one. Made a few picks and immediately thereafter the video. the angle between pick and string changed too which makes it sound different.

http://youtu.be/0ZH3UsMn7pU

Is that OK now? I will get more used to it with the new alternate picking lesson we choose.


Just watched Ben at "Picking Hand Basics" again - It seems I can rotate the hand some more towards the bridge so that only the outer palm will rest on it and not the wrist ? OK?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 26 2015, 03:48 PM

Exactly Tom! I think that the best is what you detected on Ben's video. If you rest your wrist, you won't be able to make some movement from your elbow when it's requires so the best is to do it as you can see it clearly on Picking hand basics lesson.

So please try it and share a new video.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 27 2015, 09:04 AM

Hey Gab - Yes, I got it now. This resting position with outer palm at bridge/saddles is the right one.
http://youtu.be/-FSEZN0QOkM

It seems I need a 4th attempt at REC

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 28 2015, 02:08 AM

Hi Tom, the position and movement starts to look good! Well done. I notice that your hand is not relaxed while you play. Using your palm as an anchor point should let you relax more your hand to make the up and down movement more natural. If you check Ben's video, you will see that he also uses his pinky resting over the higher strings to make his right hand picking even more stable. It's another trick that we use to get a more precise picking. Try it, you will be able to relax your hand more while you play.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 2 2015, 08:43 AM

Hi Gab - here we are with some news:

Alternate Picking
Was taking your advise with resting the pinky below E-string and the outer palm at bridge. Feel really comfortable with this setting.
Here is Bear's lesson again:
http://youtu.be/SfQM89OYIpA

Also worked on Ben's Picking Hand Basics that we choose. Here is a first try at 90bpm.
http://youtu.be/UIj1JwahokU



Rhythm and Chords
The Barre chords lesson is getting better ech day. Only the large slides (e.b. C7 to F or Gm7 to C) are still a little slow as I have not found the best way to stay into contact with the strings. Next week I hopefully will have a recording against a slower version of the backing track for you.

Bending
Getting more and more comfortable. It seems all the work slowly starts to pay off...
http://youtu.be/RUIHxoOF6MI

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 2 2015, 02:53 PM

Hi Tom! Good job! I can notice that your right hand alternate picking technique is getting better and better. Bear's lesson take is really close, there us a few timing issues but nothing really serious. Picking hand basics still needs more work but it's a great choice to continue working on this technique. The process should be the same than you did for the previous picking lesson. Work slowly and focus on each part, pay attention to the different rhythms used in the second half and be sure that you are playing it right. You can use the guitar pro at slower tempos to be sure that rhythm is ok.


Your bending lesson is better too. Most of the bends are on pitch now! I notice that the half bends are still uncomfortable so please dedicate some more time to them. The next step would be to add some vibrato here.

Congrats on these new takes, I can notice big improvements!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 9 2015, 09:58 AM

Hi Gab, new videos from my side. Wish I could present more progress each week but as long as YOU do not get frustrated


Rhythm and Chords
These Barre chords are really challanging. Your advise to practise them in a loop is fine...but if I do so that for5min my hands are tired and I have to switch to a different lesson. Nevertheless I dedicated a lot of time to this one - sorry if the results do not reflect that (yet?)
http://youtu.be/jyfZaqD_ZDc



Alternate Picking
Great that we changed the hand position after the last REC again...

Bear's lesson
http://youtu.be/sHsUyMl3NA0

Ben's Picking Hand Basic's
http://youtu.be/W_qHYT6F3Lw


Bending and Vibrato
Was trying to get the all bends right and emulate vibrato like Bear does.
http://youtu.be/MrgJzC-gZvI


About Recording: I am not so happy the way I do it right now but its fast and I can spend most time on playing.
I may get a Cubase from a friend who makes electronic music and has switched to a different product (Nuendo?) and does not need his license. I understand that I can record with that but I am not sure about the video part. Would that make sense for me?

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 9 2015, 02:59 PM

Hi Tom! Thanks for this new update! I have to say that I'm seeing a great improvement in your playing since we started working together. Maybe you don't note it because you see yourself playing every day but this thread reflects that you are working really hard and that you are improving so congrats and keep going!

Rhythm & chords: This is new stuff for you so it's normal that it takes some time to get used to this bare chords that are a nightmare for all of us when we are starting to play them. Even knowing this, you are changing them and making them sound, just be patient and keep on playing this lessons since this chords will be your friends for many years. Once you feel comfortable with chord changes, pay attention to your right hand's timing.

Alternate picking: Great work with this lessons! Your picking is becoming much more consistent now. The more you play this lessons the more precise your picking will be. On the picking hand basics lesson, you should take care of the triplets which are not sounding totally tight, so re-check that figure. I think that we are ready for a lesson that cross strings, but before one question: what legato lessons have you worked?

Bending and vibrato: This one is getting better so you are on the right track. There is off course room to polish both techniques: Your bending is not always on pitch and your vibrato is sometimes weak, but I think that it's a matter of time. Your movements and technique look good. I also think that we can move to a new lesson that includes this techniques on a musical solo.


About recording guitar videos, I recommend you to check this video and let me know if you have questions:

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 9 2015, 05:39 PM

Thanks Gab! About your questions:

Alternate Picking
No, since I submitted Bear's Beginner Legato to REC I did no practice a new Legato lesson. Thought we would choose that all new together once I finished Alternate Picking and Bending...but that took a little longer. So do you have something new with both picking and legato in mind?


Bending and Vibrato
Yeah - I am ready to move to what you called a musical solo lesson with bending and vibrato.

Thanks for the recording link. I will check this later when I am too tired to play ..

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2015, 03:07 PM

Hi Tom, this is what I'd suggest to start working:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato_and_picking_beginner/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The_tasty_etude/

What do you think?

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 10 2015, 05:11 PM

Wow - really great stuff. Lets see if I can master this. I was looking for easier once like this
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-20-Beginner-Solo/

But if you fee I should try a level 3 lesson ...


So what does it mean for the exercise structure now?

Rhythm and Chords:
the 6-string barre chord lesson I am already working on

Alternate Picking and Legato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato...cking_beginner/

Bending and Vibrato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The_tasty_etude/

Is that OK so?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2015, 05:28 PM

yes! the structure looks great! Let's try it and let me know how you feel the lessons.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 16 2015, 08:05 AM

Hi Gab, not much to show this week. I have been learning the two new lessons. Its really challanging for me and reminds me that I ve been playing guitar for only five months now. So I will learn a lot in these lessons although I have some doubts that I can play at that speed soon. But when I tried my first barre chords I thought the same and now its so much better. Next week I will record "something" for both Alternate Picking and Legato as well as the Etude.

Rhythm and Chords
Barre chords and I are slowly becoming frieds
http://youtu.be/Z4x8eiaiFew

Once I mastered the 6 and 5 string barre chords lessons I will include both in my warmup routine and play them daily. Just to keep this basic knowledge in good shape.

Still working at recording setup. I will get this done sooner or later...

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2015, 03:29 PM

Hi Tom! Be positive and hard worker and things will happen.

Your take on the chords lesson sounds really good, you are now getting familiar with those chords. The changes are getting smoother and the chords clear, you are ready for the next step.

You are on the right track! Keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 16 2015, 07:53 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 16 2015, 03:29 PM)

Hi Tom! Be positive and hard worker and things will happen.

Your take on the chords lesson sounds really good, you are now getting familiar with those chords. The changes are getting smoother and the chords clear, you are ready for the next step.

You are on the right track! Keep going!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 17 2015, 02:12 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Mar 16 2015, 03:53 PM)

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 18 2015, 09:45 AM

OK - I will try to figure that rhythm thing out...

Something else: today started a new GMC collab with a backing track that really sounds great. Do you think I should give it a try or is it at my playing level a waste of time and I should better dedicate my time to the new lessons?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 18 2015, 01:44 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Mar 18 2015, 05:45 AM)

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 30 2015, 08:20 AM

Hi Gab,
back again after I lost a few days due to a cold. Thats why I had no videos last week.
The new lessons are still a big challange. As I have max 2h/day I decided not to take part at GMC collab as my basic skills are still very weak and better dedicate the time to the lessons. So mostly did about 45min Legato, 45m Etude and 15min Barre chords each day.


Alternate Picking and Legato
Its really hard, a lot of things to learn: coordination left-rigth hand, one finger per fret (mobility), hammer-on pull-off with pinky, muting of unwanted string noise and so on.
http://youtu.be/8LoH4b9OO74


Bending and Vibrato
Learned with guitar pro first and then viewed Jonathan to get the right phrasing.
http://youtu.be/EP5ar6HHBFw

Just would like to look at bit at theory side as well. I was asking myself why he can play C major against these differnet chords

Intro : C –F –C –F –G
Verse : C –G –Am - G – F (x2)
Chorus : Dm – Em - F - G - Am – G - F-
Am –G –Am/F# - F
Final: F –C –Dm –G – F

Then I looked at all chords and found that they contain notes from c major scale only, except the Fm which has an Ab included. Right thoughts ???


Rhythm and Chords
First time I recorded with Cubase and replaced the camera sound in the video with the recorded one. So I am ready for lessons that require a recorded backing track first like your very cool Buckethead Style II .

Was trying to get rhythm and groove of it.
http://youtu.be/7M8lS92NFjY

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 30 2015, 02:15 PM

Hi Tom! Great to see you on the right track and practicing hard. The first two lessons obviously need more practice to feel more used to those licks and patterns so keep on practicing, if it's possible use slower backing tracks to be sure that you are playing with the correct timing.
The rhythm lesson sounds good, just remember to try to relax your hands and body while you play and let your foot and head follow the groove.

About your theory question, you are totally right!

Give a look at this two thread:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3160
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=9562

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 30 2015, 08:40 PM

Just read through the two articles from Andrew and though it might be a a good idea to find the keys my other lessons are in.
So the barre chords lesson is C major too - tried to find out how all barre chords relate to and got soon confused as Bear listed Bb and A# chord. I always thought A# and Bb are the same?

Next thing: most chords like F perfectly fit into C major scale but some like A7 includes other notes like Db. Is that possible because A belongs to C major and Db is harmonic to A?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2015, 06:53 PM

Hi mate, just to be sure, are you talking about this lesson?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-6-6-String-Barre-Chords/

That lesson is not in C major. Please re-check the "finding the key" thread and let me know if you can find the correct key.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 31 2015, 08:29 PM

Yes - I mean this lesson. Hm ... it seems I do not understand that.
I looked the Guitar Pro file and there is no key signature between treble cleff and time signature - so I thought C major?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 1 2015, 01:59 PM

No, maybe the instructor didn't pay attention to it. Try to discover it using other ways based on the chord progression itself, and if you can't I'll give you more tips about this.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 3 2015, 06:59 PM

Oh thanks for the great advise. Was trying it very simple, looked at first chord which had the base tone F and build a major scale based on it to see if chord fit into the scale :

F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F

so a major chord progression would be

I ii iii IV V vi VI

where all chords from the lesson except one (A7) would fit. If I understand it correctly the 3rd chord in a major scale should be a minor? So I would expect Am instead of A7.

Nevertheless as all others fit I thing its F major?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 3 2015, 08:28 PM

Hi Tom! good job! You're right, this is in F major. You are also clever by noting that A7 is a stranger here. However, this chord is usually included because it's the V of the relative minor key (Dm). This V chord is usually played dominant being borrowed by other parallel minor scale like Melodic minor or Harmonic minor. So, this chord is included to give a different color to the progression and it's something that you'll find a lot in minor tonalities. (and less frequently on major ones like this one).

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 5 2015, 07:39 PM

Hi Gab, thats really interesting...so i can see below which chord would changes from major to minor. Is there a rule or can be any changed that sounds good? I tried with E to Em and C to Cm - but that was not a good idea.

F Major F G A Bb C D E (I ii iii IV V vi V)
D Minor D E F G A Bb C (i ii III iv V VI vii)

Here is the latest version of the Barre Chord lesson. Now I feel I got it, so my right hand moves much more like Bear and not so staccato like. I am also no longer before the beat.

https://youtu.be/mXmvM5rHLR0

About Etude and Legato/Alternate Picking: working on both really hard but have not yet a recoding against the backing track. It's slowly improving and I will have something next week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 5 2015, 11:21 PM

Hi Tom,

well, the only rule when composing is that you like what you hear give time to experiment and see what combinations you like and which ones not. There is a concept called modal interchange that means that you borrow chords from a parallel key but most of the rockers that we like don't really know that this exist. They just combine chords and choose the combinations that sound good.

I've checked the new video and you're right, it sounds and looks really good! well done.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 12 2015, 06:50 PM

Hi Gab - here I am with new videos...

Legato and Alternate Picking
First recording against the backing track. Was working at least 45min/day - but as always make slow progress only. A lot of work ahead.
http://youtu.be/RXcY-x4ipN8


Bending and Vibrato
same as above...
http://youtu.be/qOXx17bcARI



Rhythm and Chords
No new video due to your encouraging comment last week as I thought you gave me a "lesson passed" . Right? Or is there something you want me to do at the 6-string barre chords lesson? I still play this daily and will continue to do so to get this as basic skill. Was also playing in a different key like G-major some chord progression to apply what I learned in theory.

Time to choose a new lesson here? Shall I do 5 string Barre Chords lesson from Bear or will we keep this for later an do something different now?

Ear Training
I badly need this. Was surprised how many mistakes I made in the beginning when you changed the octave, needed my guitar to get a feeling for the intervals. Do this at least 10min/day. Here is my result:
535 835 588 353 358 835 358

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 13 2015, 09:33 PM

Hi Tom, thanks for the update!

This lessons are exactly what you need to work so we are on the right track with this routine. The legato + alternate picking lesson shows a big difference between both techniques. AP is ok, but legato is weak yet. You need to focus on making both the hammer and pull of with more strength to make the notes sound with a similar intensity than when you play it with your pick. Remember that you have to "attach" the string when you quit your finger to do the pull of, and that the tap must be enough strong to make the note sound good.

The lesson based on bending & vibrato needs more practice to feel more comfortable with the phrases and improve both techniques. You are doing a good job but you need more days of practice. A good idea would be to work on smaller sections like one or two phrases, repeat them and compare them with the original lesson to get inspired by dynamics, vibrato and bending.


Ear training workout:

535 835 588 353 358 835 358

Great job with the ear training workout, the only wrong one is the 5th marked in bold which is a perfect 8th.

Finally about Rhythm, yes, we should go for a new lesson. It would be the one that you suggested, or maybe another one "in the style of" that applies the chords and rhythms that you are currently practicing and that covers a style/band that you like.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 19 2015, 08:17 PM

Hi Gab - here I am with new videos.

Legato and Alternate Picking
Focus on hammer on and pull off. It seems I need a lot more time to get this right...
https://youtu.be/WiL4zb01hRM


Bending and Vibrato
Was taking your advice and practiced in smaller sections and compared with the original and corrected some phrasing.
https://youtu.be/jVhcC3acdy4


Rhythm and Chords
Nothing new here. Played the Barre Chord lesson daily a few times. Also put it to REC and was very happy that is passed

I did no search much about a new lesson. I thing learning the 5 string barre as well will not be a bad idea.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-7-5-string-Barre-Chords/
Would start then tomorrow with this new lesson. OK?

Ear Training
Started with the new assignment today - but I need more time to learn these intervals. I will do at least 15min a day.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2015, 02:02 AM

Hi Tom, thanks for the new videos!

Legato and alternate picking: Yes, legato is the technique that is giving problems on this one. We need to go for an easier lesson that cover this technique. What about starting with this one? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/
I recommend you to start with that lesson but working on 1 part each day and repeat it as a loop, as an isolated exercise. We need to train your left hand.

Bending and vibrato: This is evolving ok, it needs more practice to make the phrases sound smoother and off course both techniques covered more consistent but I feel that you are on the right track. I like how your vibrato is evolving, it's getting closer. In some moments it is regular and becomes a natural part of your playing, while in other parts it's not. (like at 01:23).


Working on that rhythm lesson and starting with the new ear training assignment are great plans, go for them.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 20 2015, 07:21 AM

Hey Gab - thanks much for your feedback. I will start with the new legato lesson in that way today and play endless loops
What I am still not sure about is the right tone for legato. More distortion seems to make it easier but my last recordings had terrible string noise which is hard to mute when the palm rests on the bridge and you play over all strings. Or is it only a matter of my weak playing and I should not care much about tone right now?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2015, 03:00 PM

Great question Tom!

Each kind of tone has its advantage and disadvantage so I think that it's ok to divide your time and practice in both ways. If you use more distortion, extra noises will appear and that's great! because you need to practice muting the strings that don't have to sound. On the other hand, practicing without distortion will make you do more strength with your fingers to make the notes sound, which is great to train your hands. So both things should be done.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 21 2015, 07:24 PM

Hi Gab - here are my results from ear training. Without my guitar I would have more wrong than right. Will keep on doing this until you release a new lesson. Cheers Tom

M3-M6-Oct-P5-M2-M7-M6-M2-U-P4-Oct-M3-M7-P4-P5

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 21 2015, 10:01 PM

Perfect work! So this needs more practice since it would be great if you can recognize the intervals just with your ears and voice. Create your own exercises to train it during this week.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 26 2015, 04:55 PM

Hi Gab, was really trying to show some better takes for this week but there are always some tricky details on my way

Rhythm and chords
It took me quite some time until I found out that Bear does some muting between the chords to add a rhythm detail. I really thought I would have a recording against the backing track after one week. But I still need to practice the chord changes.
http://youtu.be/H0NFkgv88w8


Legato
Its getting better each day but not fast enough yet to play against the backing track. Most problems are when my fingers have to cover more than 4 frets (e.g. 8-10-12 of B string)
https://youtu.be/TgqSSGF9jHU


Vibrato and Bending
Was working at least 45min a day on it but I miss still the faster licks like at the end. Also some phrasing missing where is should be - like this sliding out of vibrato notes.
https://youtu.be/Ka4VzUVMZ-A


Ear Training
Did it with an own recoding - without guitar between 70-80% ok. Will check the new assignment later today.

Thank you so much for your patience and support. You are really a great motivation for me. Without that tracking I would probably stumble around exercises and soon get frustrated.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 27 2015, 04:10 PM

Hi Tom! I have to say that I'm really proud of your progress and hard work on this program. You are very disciplined and this will have a big impact in your guitar playing.

These lessons still have things to improve but as I said previously, you are going forward, you're on the right track. Here I go with some suggestions and comments.

Rhythm: I can hear that you are playing the pattern correctly, however, the fact that you can't change the chords fast enough makes that the pattern is cut between each chord. I recommend you to practice this much slower but continuous over a metronome or drum loop. The idea is that you can play the whole thing at a slow tempo and keep the groove flowing. Then, with days of practice you can increase timing gradually.

Legato: The same here. You are playing each pattern at a tempo, but there is a silence in the connection. As I suggested with the previous one, work at a slower tempo but trying to play the whole thing keeping the groove.

Vibrato and bending: This one is evolving really good! There is off course a lot to polish and you already noted it. So keep on practicing this one in this way, focusing on vibrato (it's getting better!), bending and timing.

Posted by: Tom51 May 2 2015, 09:46 AM

Hi Gab -just want to share my ear training results. Do we have one week or am I a little late? Hopefully there is not too much wrong. It was really difficult for me and when I heard the first time I thought I cannot do it - so I really need more of this ...
The first 3 days I spend about 20-30 min playing intervals - those were I think they are in your assignment -all over the fretboard. This was helpful to get the sound in my ears. I was very confused that I found only 3 different intervals?

M3-P5-M3-Oct-M3-P5-Oct-M3-P5-M3


Will post new videos tomorrow. Stumbled around this and was wondering how this rhythm technique is called? It is fingerpicking chords?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXemqki688A

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 2 2015, 04:26 PM

Hi Tom! Good job with the intervals! It's perfect!! Yes, I decided to just use 3 intervals but not clarify it to make things more difficult. As the main difficulty of this week was to be able to recognize intervals from different roots, I thought that it would be ok to get back to the first intervals that we covered.

There will be a new assignment on Monday.

That's a very nice video with tasty playing and tone. That's basically finger picking rhythm, I don't know another name for this kind of playing.

Posted by: Tom51 May 3 2015, 05:17 PM

Finger picking rhythm...ah thanks. Its a great thing to take the guitar, play some rhythm and solo over it what you feel right in this moment.
So back to beginners tracks

Legato
It is a tough thing and I split it into small intervals of about 10min twice a day. Fingers and mind get tired to soon with such exercises. So unfortunately not much progress here.
https://youtu.be/Ixl_JdzI0dk

Rhythm and Chords
I need the practice the chord changes of the middle part. They do not sound clean and as I am fully focused on my left hand finders my right hand looses the rhythm.
https://youtu.be/JIgUswQDUps

Bending and Vibrato
Was trying a few times to play with full speed. But that is still too soon. Too many things that need polish (string noise - not enough muting, note is not ringing - too much muting and also timing issues. But it feels a bit better now.
https://youtu.be/ZZ9l3GMpUX8

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 4 2015, 03:17 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for the new updates!

The lessons are evolving well and you already commented and noted what you need to improve on each of them. I understand what you feel with the legato lesson, and I was thinking that it's time to let it just for a few minutes of practice every day and focus on more musical stuff. I think that you'll feel more motivated if you play musical solos and lessons and let these kind of more technical stuff just for some training at the beginning of your sessions.

So what about searching for some lessons that include licks that you like and share them here, I'll help you to choose. It's time for change, what do you think?

Posted by: Tom51 May 4 2015, 03:46 PM

Yes, great idea. So I would do legato a few minutes daily with full concentration and then go to some more musical lesson.
Although I have some bookmarked that I like I do not really know what this lesson should look like?
Do you want me to stop 5 string barre and Etude right now too?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 4 2015, 04:13 PM

Ok, so we discussed this at the chat-room, and I agreed that this lesson suggested by you is a great idea: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Buckethead-Style-II/

Posted by: Tom51 May 8 2015, 01:54 PM

Hi Gab - to have some time for correcting mistakes until the next assignment I post my ear training already today.

P5-M2-P4-M6-Oct-M3-M7-P4-Oct-M6

Hope that I have not more wrong than right...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 8 2015, 03:20 PM

Hi Tom! Good job with the intervals, there are only 2 wrong ones. Could you please re-check everything?

Posted by: Tom51 May 10 2015, 04:42 PM

Hi Gab - so here are the news from my side. Right now with all lessons and ear training I work 2hrs. So I shouldn't add more. I really need 30min per lesson to get familiar with everything. I also work on the recording with cubase. But as this add more things to prepare and later extract the audio from the video and replace this with the recorded one I would only do all that once I am able to show a decent take (REC level). Then I would also improve my tone. For ear training I spend 20min and 10 for warmup with legato and 6 string barre chords.


Ear Training
Its a shame but I am not able to clearly identify the 2 wrong intervals. There are two where I am not sure:
#7 M7 (could be an octave too but I still hear M7)
#10 M6 (as I do not find the same interval on my guitar - could be M7)
But thats all guessing. For all other I am relatively sure that I got it right.

Vibrato/Bending - Etude
Now first take at full speed. This is good as I can play together with Jonathan which helps to improve timing and phrasing. Now I noticed how long he let the vibrato notes sound...
During exercise I play mostly the difficult phrases where I often get lost.
https://youtu.be/DTC0XXzAgi0


Rhythm and chords
At "full speed" too. Yeah, the middle part is still not smooth yet. That is the part I practice most of the time and it gets slowly better. I get used to it that with me improvements come is small steps only.
https://youtu.be/iMaZU6-hXWo


Buckethead lesson
Still exploring. Working on rhythm guitar and the first part of the lead guitar. I really love it !!! and regret that my time is limited to work on it. About recording: there is the final 90bmp for download but it has already the rhythm section in it. The 80bmp has not. How should I record this? Is there a 90bmp without rhythm guitar.
I wanted to record rhythm in cubase first and once I got enough practice the lead at 90bmp over it. Please advise.

Thanks much! Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 11 2015, 03:45 PM

Hi Tom! Good job this week!

About the ear training assignment. You're right about the #7, it's an octave. The other one that it's wrong is the #5. Please check it with your guitar, you'll notice which 2 intervals are giving problems and confusion.

The vibrato and bending lesson is also evolving really good. It's cool to see you playing it over at the normal tempo, this shows a big progress in your playing. I'm not totally convinced of the position of your index and thumb fingers of your left hand. They are totally extended and I've never seen a guitarist using them like this. I'm not saying this because you must change it, but please have it in mind, and if possible ask other instructors here to know what they think. There is normal way of holding the pick which is the most used, you can check it on most on the guitarists, but there are also exceptions like Van Halen, Steve Morse and Marty Friedman who use a different way and works great for them.

Regarding the rhythm lesson, it's also on the right track, just keep on practicing it to be able to play all the chords clean and tight. You show very important progress on this one too.

I have checked my archive and as Buckethead lesson is a very old lesson, I don't have the original files to do a remix of the backing without the clean arpeggio. You can play it over me, or you can take the slower backing and make it faster with any kind of software. You should ask Bogdan to send you the file. This software is great for that: Amazing slow downer.

Posted by: Tom51 May 11 2015, 06:24 PM

Oh...yes. Did not realized that my pick holding fingers are so extended. Seems that my fingers choose the relaxed position themselves....I will try to get the right position with the first finger and thumb. What I do not feel comfortable with is making a closed fist (like instructor Dave Walliman does). Will try to emulate something like you do but with 3rd and pinky more extended. lets see next week if that is better.

Got the 80bpm track from Bogdan and made it faster with an open source software "audacity" to 90bmp. Seems to be a cool product with vst support too.
http://web.audacityteam.org/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 12 2015, 05:59 PM

Hi Tom! This sounds good, please practice with the new fingers position and share a video the sooner possible to let me check the change. Also thanks for the link, as it's a free software I'll try it since it can be good for many GMCers. Thanks!

Posted by: Tom51 May 20 2015, 05:35 PM

Hey Gab - sorry was not aware that ear training #5 is due ...here my are results M3-M6-M7-P5-M2-O-P4-P5-M6-O

As we had a family celebration last weekend I did not find the time to record new videos but I do work hard on all 3 lessons during the week and you will get new recording next weekend on all three.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 22 2015, 03:11 PM

Hi Tom, thanks for the update! The ear training answers are perfect! Good job!

About the lessons, great to know that you are working on them. Keep on the hard work.

Posted by: Tom51 May 24 2015, 12:21 PM

Hi Gab, here are some thoughts and videos from my current practice. Please let me know what you think.

Ear Training
Great to hear that - for me harmonic intervals were easier to recognize than melodic. I also tried to play some fingerpicking rhythm with some intervals to make that more interesting. I am curious about what is coming next .

Etude
Seems I am at a dead spot right now. During the week I felt I was much better than my current records shows. But as long as you see a little progress I would continue as I do not get bored (yet). Next week I will do this lesson for 2 months and we can decide how to go on. I don't thing that I will get this to REC at my current playing level. If I listen to Jonathan - thats a different world.
https://youtu.be/qK3a-KjBQ9M


5 String Barre
Getting better and here I feel I can make it to REC (just refer to REC as a level that describes a decent take) in a week or two. I would try next week to record with cubase and replace that audio. Still have not find the right tone yet. OK?
https://youtu.be/GismAyyLkO4


Buckethead Style
This lesson is so much fun to work on. This is my first lesson where I learned the notes "automatically" and immediately knew when I played a wrong one. I got the general idea but of course this is the first bumpy take.
I also played the rhythm guitar but only as cubase audio (forgot to record video). The tone is not good - too much distortion - and timing not tight yet. I will send the link if you want?
https://youtu.be/anABJa8-XTM

within future my practice (once we are done with the above) I would to include some "how to get the right tone" as well as fingerpicking. Maybe a little later some simple jamming over a backing track. Good idea?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 24 2015, 10:53 PM

Hi Tom! Interesting stuff!

If you feel that any lesson is boring you it's time to quit and go for a new lesson! There are lots of things to learn here and it doesn't make sense to practice something that you are not enjoying.

I checked your videos and I notice that on both the etude and buckethead lesson you need to focus on details related to vibrato, timing, bending and dynamics. I think that working on both lessons at the same time is too much since the topics are similar but there are many licks to polish so maybe you can switch to buckethead lesson during this week an combine it with some technique exercises to polish bending and vibrato.

The chords lesson is on the right track, you just need to continue practicing it to e more comfortable with all the different shapes used there. I also think that you'll be able to share a good rec take soon for this one.

Your ideas about things for the future sound good for me:

- Tone

- Improvisation

- Fingerpicking


Do you have some lessons in mind?

Posted by: Tom51 May 25 2015, 09:29 AM

You are so right, its not about getting every lesson to REC, its about learning and enjoying the journey. So I will continue with the Buckethead Style and explore your phrasing and timing in the lesson. The first video was all about getting through at all ...now I will get it right.


Tone:
Dont have a good idea how to do that. Maybe once I have a lesson at REC level I should pay attention to tone and explain to you what I did and maybe you can correct and we improve together the tone that it sounds good. That should be possible with different equipment too.

As the next lesson I want to record is the rhythm lesson lets start here. I have 2 options based on my gear.
1) I have the small tubemeister amp from H&K which has a RedBox XLR output that goes into my UR22 usb interface. So I can have all from clear sound to full distortion with EQ as its only 1watt out or even silent mode if needed. (can switch power)
2)Second option, I can plug my guitar into UR22 and record directly and add effects in cubase with an vst plugins. (maybe I should get GuitarRig or other vst instruments)

Honestly I would simply follow your advice as you better know the way to go


Fingerpicking and improvising
When I started playing guitar last november I thought I want to play things like David Gilmour in Echoes or Robert Smith from The Cure in A Forrest as this was the music I grew up with and I connect a lot of memories to. Great that this music brought me to guitar playing... even so late in live.
It changed a little and I find myself more interested in John Mayer style blues rock (dont know if I classify that right) or similar
That is why I want to learn fingerpicking too. I will browse through lessons - if you have something in mind just let me know.
With such style I would also try to do some improvising and understand more about music theory.

Thanks much, Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 26 2015, 03:06 PM

Hi Tom! Great stuff!

I agree that using lessons to work on tone is a good idea. In my experience, there are two ways that helped me to develop my tone. The first one has been trying to emulate other guitarists tone with my gear, this happened when I recorded backing tracks, or when I record covers and lessons. This is a great training for my ear and to get familiar with the gear settings and possibilities. Other thing that always helped me has been to see guitar rig videos or read articles from my favorite guitarist where they describe what they use and how... there are lots of these videos at youtube and there is always something to learn from them...

John Mayer? Blues? Finger picking? Here are some suggestions:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Easy-Fingerstyle-Blues/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/instructor/Nicola-Mandorino/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/John_Mayer-Neon/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/John-Mayer-Style-Ballad/

and off course all lessons in the style of Hendrix, SRV and Ford.

Posted by: Tom51 May 31 2015, 01:17 PM

Hello Gab, first track has been recorded with Cubase and GuitarRig

Chords
https://youtu.be/YaCR5ZfDrGo
I used a patch that was available and sounded good to me and did not change anything first. Or should I go from scratch and choose an amp first and then later add FX step by step?

[attachment=42085:Bildschi...13.44.32.png]

On the playing side the long change from Am7 to B7 is still not clean yet but getting better. Overall I am better with the groove now too.


Bending and Vibrato (only Video)
Second take, some wrong notes and timing was corrected
Also tried to get that subtile vibrato you show. Bends: first two are ok, the two D-E bends at the end are over pitch. (just to see if I hear it right)
Have not made much about the tone yet - just picked very gentle at the first part add added some gain as 2nd.
https://youtu.be/q331Q5aCv40


Improvising, Blues ...
Still searching about the right way to start. I thought some rhythm first might be a good idea. I do not have the courage to try a level 4 lesson now which is the John Mayer Neon lesson.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/John_Mayer-Neon/
Although I know you like pushing students out of their comfort zone

So maybe something like this would be a good idea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC54wHDKLd4
Its just some chords over a backing, but later some interesting phrasing will be added likes additional notes (9th, 13th) or slides into chord, some small licks and so on. And this is could be developed step by step.

If you do not like this idea above I would try to start with that very nice but tricky lesson:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Poor_Man_Blues_Solo/

Please let me know our thoughts.


Ear Training
Will be the next thing I will do - Its VERY hard. I spend about 30min last 3 days and still do not find the chords. Today I will try a different way with playing first chords like P5 on many positions to get the sound in my ears. Later I will listen to you assignment 6 again. Maybe that is better than trying to find the interval you played on my guitar.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 31 2015, 06:15 PM

Hi Tom! Great stuff!

Congrats on your software upgrades! I can note a big improvement in your videos sound thanks to this. Well done! It's ok to start with presets at first to experiment with all the possibilities that the plug in offers, then you can experiment tweaking the presets or starting one by yourself. There is no a right or wrong way to find your tone. Experiment!

Chords: I like the tone for this one, it's a bit dirty but it sounds cool for me. Your playing is also good, but you need to focus on timing to make it sound better.

Buckethead: This one is on the right track, and now it's time to continue polishing the different riff focusing on things based on this order:

- timing
- picking and muting (everything sounding clear and clean)
- Bending and vibrato
- Dynamics

Practicing over the original lesson a bit can help. But it's also important to practice over the backing as you did on this video.


About blues lessons and rhythm, I think that everything you suggested is great. The neon tune is tricky but if you feel motivated to work on it, it's ok! The andy timmons video is great! and it can work as a good complementary work since it's most based on sharing ticks and inspiring ideas that can be added into your own playing, so you won't regret working on some of those concepts.

I also think that working on the first fingerpicking blues lessons from this instructor could be very helpful: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/instructor/Nicola-Mandorino/

Finally the poor man solo is also really good.

So to summarize, I would divide the time between some rhythm playing (timmons, mandorino) and lead (poor man solo).

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 1 2015, 12:08 PM

Hi Gab! Thanks much for your comments!

Blues rhythm - ist this the one you mean?
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Fingerstyle-Blues-Patterns/

Maybe I as an acustic guitar way played I did not look at that. Seems to be a great basic lesson to learn some blues rhythm and fingerpicking.

But I would not add the Poor Man Solo in addition as I need min 30min per lesson to improve a little till the next video. So 3 lessons, +ear training, +legato, + some old things like open chords and 6 string barre fits my 2 hours/day perfectly. If i add too much I will end up doing everything a little but nothing right.
So blues lead would be added once I finished the 5string Barré chord lesson. OK?


Cheers Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 1 2015, 01:53 PM

Hi Tom! Everything sounds good to me, let's go for this plan.

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 2 2015, 06:31 PM

After some intense work I post my ear training results. I am confident with only the three bold marked intervals. Your advise about listening three times might be good - but I cannot hear a note and find it on the guitar yet. That is my problem. Especially in an harmonic interval where notes sound together.

P5-P4-M3-P5-O-P4-M7-P5-M3-O

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 3 2015, 02:06 PM

Hi Tom! I think that you did a good job with these ones, there are 5 right and 5 wrong. It would be great if you continue polishing your answers to keep on training your ears and getting the most from this assignment. Ok?

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 4 2015, 06:16 PM

New try - not sure If it will be better there are so many Perfect 4th...that cannot be right. It eats all my practice time

P5-P4-M3-P5-O-M6-P4-P4-M2-P5

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 5 2015, 03:01 PM

Hi Tom, there are 3 wrong now. Please practice 4th, 5th and Octaves for two days and give this a new chance.

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 5 2015, 07:15 PM

Just found #4 it's A and G# = M7 . But I won't tell you how it it has taken to get there
Will work on it the next two days and let you know - but now its time to play!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 6 2015, 03:24 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Jun 5 2015, 03:15 PM)

Just found #4 it's A and G# = M7 . But I won't tell you how it it has taken to get there
Will work on it the next two days and let you know - but now its time to play!

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 7 2015, 02:48 PM

Hi Gab, new videos here

Chords
your comment about last recording was that I should focus in timing to maker this sound better. So I played many times together with Bear and made a new recording in Cubase.
https://youtu.be/mUgizNRwhKg


Buckethead Style (Video only)
So I took the advise from your comment last week and concentrated on the first two things "better timing and picking/muting(clear sound)" . Next week I will records this in cubase too as it makes things easier for you if you get a better tone.
https://youtu.be/V9Sjdbs9Be8

blues lessons and rhythm
Just started with the Mandorino Lesson (Fingerpicking) and will need some days to get this right.

Ear Training
As recommended I only checked P4 P5 and Octave. So you made it much easier for me.
P5-P4-M3-M7-O-M6-P4-P5-M2-P5

This is really a good exercise as I also start to remember the notes on fretboard. I guess we will see some triads and other chords later.

Cheers Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2015, 07:18 PM

Hi Tom! Thanks for the new stuff!

Chords: Awesome! I can notice important improvements in your timing! There are some little sections with problems, but the overall is a lot better! I recommend you to continue working in this way since it's having killer results.

Buckethead lesson: It's on the way but it still requires hard work. The main things to adjust are pitch (guitar tuning, bending pitches), and timing (some phrases aren't tight, the same method than the one used on chords lesson could work with this one)

Ear training: Great job! The only wrong one is number 10, please re-check it.

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 8 2015, 06:34 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jun 7 2015, 06:18 PM)

Ear training: Great job! The only wrong one is number 10, please re-check it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 9 2015, 01:45 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Jun 8 2015, 02:34 PM)

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 14 2015, 09:22 AM

Hi Gabriel - here comes my long weekly update for you. First of all - sorry for making a recording with detuned guitar. This won't happen again. I will check tuning at least at beginning of each practice. Also I found out that my B and G string when tuned open string are not at B and G at 12th fret. Not massively out of tune - but quite a bit. So I will search if this is a setup thing.
Maybe that is due to using the same strings since I started guitar playing last november as they never broke. I will change all strings today. Had 009-042 and will change to 010-046 now. Hope that is OK for beginner?

Chords
Again, played most of the time against the original backing to improve timing. Also tried to get a better tone.
No idea why the autofocus of the camera made a clear picture so late in the video. I do not see this while recording.
https://youtu.be/RilDaUBNGZs


Buckethead
Also 2/3 playing with you as backing. Focus on pitch and timing. Also this video is not good as you cannot see the full fretboard.
In the mix down I had the backing at -6dB so that it makes listening easier for you.
https://youtu.be/xjOBw1lGiCI


Fingerpicking (Nicola Mandorino lesson)
Just that you see I am working on it. Only the first phrase. Will start the 2nd today to have more fun. But its much harder that I expected...always the same thing
https://youtu.be/47kaY0Yz_vo


Ear Training
Downloaded #7 yesterday and worked on it about 1hr. (skipped soccer match on TV for it!) I feel good about results but as I had so many wrong once in the last one I would like to work on it for the next 3 days and then post. OK?

Current practice schedule: about 30min for each lesson plus warmup with 6 string barre some legato plus ear training = 2hr
OK or changes?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2015, 01:44 PM

Hi Tom, great to see you focused and working hard! Your playing is showing very notable improvements and this is thanks to your hard work and dedication. Congrats!

Here I'll give you some comments about the things you said and shared:

- Tuning: yes, this can be related to old strings. If the problem still happens with new strings, you'll also need to calibrate it. Please let me know if the problem is solved or note.

- Chords: Good job with this one, just keep on practicing to make the rhythm sound tighter and all chord changes tight and clear.

- Buckethead lesson: The slow parts of this one sound very good. I note timing issues when you play 16th notes licks and besides this, I notice that your bending is not reaching the correct pitch.

- Fingerpicking: This is not bad at all! You're on the right track with this first section, keep going!

About how to organize your guitar session, I think that your current plan sounds good. Let's go for it during this new week.

Congrats again mate!

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 16 2015, 08:19 AM

Hi Gab,
Guitar cleaned and setup with new strings (thought I had 010-046 but it was 009-042 again) and yes, new strings solved the issue with the tuning at 12th fret. Maybe it is an illusion but I think the new strings sound different?
How often should I change if they do not brake? Should I go for 010 or does it not matter for a beginner?

Also I found that my way how to fret a note with the fingertip and coming vertical (90 degrees) might be good for open chords to avoid unwanted muting but if that is not needed I should better play with a flat finger. This allows netter muting and more sensitive fretting.
Hope you understand what I mean? Am I on the right track here?

Buckethead: yes, I know that 16th are not tight yet. made the mistake NOT to learn the lesson at slower speed first and then get full tempo. But its getting better. I dedicate time where I play these licks in a loop so that my fingers memorize them. Also try to get string noise out with better (flat) finger position during these loops.
And of course I do Ben's bending exercise to come closer to the pitch. At the slow part where the bends are from E-F# and D-E now I start hearing when I below or above pitch very good as I have these notes in my memory. But that is not the case the with the bends at 14th and 15th fret. here I have to play the target note first to get into the sound.
And making this rigth during exercise is still something different than during playing where are many things to care for.

have a nice day!
Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 16 2015, 02:25 PM

Hi Tom,

The strings should be changed as soon as you start to notice the pitch issues. That's the moment when their life is over. About 09 or 010, this is not related to beginner or intermediate, it's more related to the style and tuning that you use. If you like full sound, or if you like using drop D/C tunings, the best is go for thicker strings, if you play with standard tuning and you play rock/pop, 09/010 is ok. I find 010 a bit more stable so the change is a good choice. It can be a bit more difficult to bend at first but it's a matter of practice.

About your lrft hand position, I think that I understand what you mean about your fretting fingers and it seems to be ok, but a video would be good to check it.

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 16 2015, 06:55 PM

Thanks Gab!
Fingerposition - I will make a short video or show what I mean next days in Vchat. But I think we both talk about the same thing.
Strings - Thanks. Its not that I do not like Rammstein but I will rarely play drop D these days. So next strings will be 10-46.

So now the reason of the post today - Ear training results. I also added the notes that I found. So maybe I am fully on the wrong side and just guessing. (mean right interval but wrong notes which would be bad as well)

1) E and B=P5
2) A and F# = M6
3) G and D = P5
4) D and C# = M7
5) C and D = M2
6) D and F# = M3
7) D and D = O
8) A and F# = M6
9) A and C# = M3
10) B and F#=P5



Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 19 2015, 04:04 PM

Hi Tom! Good job with the ear training exercises. There are 4 wrong ones, please re-check it.

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 21 2015, 07:03 PM

Hi Gab,
last week I worked most time on Buckethead lesson (>45min/day) on bending and 16th notes. But there is still a lot of work ahead. On chords and fingerpicking I worked about 20min/day. I also changed my warm up as I now play scales (this week minor pentatonic) with singing the notes (to learn where they are on fretboard) and play pentatonic with hammer ons and pull offs.

I will post new ear training results within the next two days.

Chords
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4qQFpPBHnw

Buckethead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGmvV1NbVps

Fingerpicking (Phrase 1+2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQmW_RmN8I0

Cheers Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 22 2015, 02:47 PM

Hi Tom, thanks for this new videos.

All of them show that you are working really heard. The chords lesson is sounding very good. You are now comfortable with the chord changes, and you are very close to make everything sound good. There is still room to improvements but you are ready to keep this one for playing twice every day and start working on a the following chords lesson.

The other two lessons are on the way but there is still hard work to do. The blues rhythm is not consistent yet, but you are getting close. Buckethead lesson is the most tricky one and you still need to master all those phrases. There are basically 3 elements to improve:

- timing
- bending
- vibrato

Work on 1 at a time, starting with timing that should be the first one you fix.

Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 22 2015, 08:31 PM

Thanks much for your feedback!
I will do so and play the chords lesson daily a couple of times. I know where I have to work at. Once polished I will make a new recording (in about 4 weeks?) and we will see if that is worth submitting to REC. I do not want to end up with 5 points or less
What would be a good chord lesson to follow? There are some lessons at Bear's beginners corner that I could choose from (open chords). If you do not have a lesson in mind that would be a good next step I will simply search for a level 1-2 chord lesson.

Buckethead: Just played only the licks again and again nearly an hour. At slow speed they are much better (of course !) as I am relaxed but as soon as it gets faster there is some tension. I will focus this week on timing only.

Fingerpicking: worked on the 3rd phrase first time today and here the secret again playing it slow (!) first. I am more confident that I will get this done.

I know that there will be lessons where there is no need to finish them and its more important to learn from. But a successful finish lesson from time to time is a great motivation

Ear Training: its always the same. I do this at the end of practice when there is no time left or I am tired. At least I found hopefully 3 wrong once: #1, #7 and #8. But I think I can only correct #8 today as it is not A-F# but G-F# which would be M7. Will work on the rest these days.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2015, 02:53 PM

Hi Tom, good stuff!

Before you decide to share it at REC, let me check it and I'll try to anticipate the grading range that you can get. I honestly don't consider grade important in REC, since the more important thing is the feedback there, but if this can make you feel bad we can avoid it.

About the next chords lesson, maybe it's time to go for a more musical lesson at that level, that includes similar chords and strumming but on a musical situation (like Oasis style lesson). This can make your practice more motivating.

Your plan sounds good, keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 23 2015, 06:44 PM

Assignment #7 again ... (corrected are bold)

1) E and G# or E and A (both are close but do not sound exactly the same???) = M3 or P4
2) A and F# = M6
3) G and D = P5
4) D and C# = M7
5) C and D = M2
6) D and F# = M3
7) E and C# = M6
8) G and F# = M7
9) A and C# = M3
10) B and F#=P5

So I did not find the 4th wrong one. Can you help me with the number?


About new chord/rhythm lesson: do you thing that slash chords are something very useful?http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-16-Slash-Chords/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 24 2015, 02:28 PM

Hi Tom! Good job! The number one is 3M. The other one that is wrong is number 4, check it out!

Yeah, I like that lesson! It has some The Who vibes, let's go for it!

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 27 2015, 05:24 PM

Hey Gab, in the last week I changed my work on Buckethead lesson a bit. To improve my #1 issue timing I watched all lesson parts again to get the rhythm precisely in my mind and then played the phrases only. I did this very intense only playing a small lick over and over again. At least I know now what it should sound like and I get it right ....sometimes.
Here is a new recording.
https://youtu.be/WAp7w9t3uNw

Also learned 3rd fingerpicking exercise.
#1 https://youtu.be/Fe6LnrS2l80
#2 https://youtu.be/HUkfc-cOl0Q
#3 http://youtu.be/tvVo4p2Eh3M

Tomorrow I will start with Bear's slash chord lesson that we choose.

About Ear Training #7: you said this is my last wrong one

4) D and C# = M7

but I cannot find what is should be? Can you help again? Thanks! Tom.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2015, 02:54 AM

Hi Tom! It's good to see you working hard and experimenting with different methods of practice. Well done!

I checked your new take on Buckethead lesson and I have to say that your approach to practice is having very notable results in your playing. Your timing is better than the previous version, and the overall thing is better so you should continue working with this method. The finger-picking rhythms are on the right track too, but you need to continue practising to make the notes sound stronger and the whole thing more defined.

About the assignment... ups I'm sorry, this is the wrong one:

6) D and F# = M3

it's a P4 not a 3rd, it was my unconscious error saying that the 4th was wrong...

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 8 2015, 07:30 PM

Hi Gab,
here are my ear training results for #8.

1 = Min3 A-C
2 = Min2 A-A#
3 = Min6 A-F
4 = Min7 A-G
5 = Min6 A-F
6 = Min3 A-C
7 = Min2 A-A#
8 = Min7 A-G
9 = Min2 A-A#
10 = Min3 A-C

There should not many wrong once this time. Feel good about it.

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 9 2015, 07:43 PM

Hi Tom! It's perfect! Good job!

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 12 2015, 02:43 PM

Hello Gabriel,
some new lesson videos to show my current status. For the new chord/rhythm lesson I will have a recording by next week.

Buckethead
https://youtu.be/WicJpFaIkHs

Fingerpicking (its really bad - but just to show you that I am working hard on it)
https://youtu.be/DRDozd5ema4

All my training schedule is still the same as last weeks with ear training some legato the old barre chord lessons (new video soon) and the three current lessons. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

Cheers Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2015, 05:27 PM

Hi Tom, thanks for this new samples.

Buckethead lesson is on the right track but there is still some work to do to make the phrases sound smoother, avoid unwanted noises and adjust your vibrato and bending technique. Please continue practicing the solo, but focus on small sections, compare your playing with the original take to be sure about timing and to get some inspiration on expression elements.

The fingerpicking is not so bad mate! it's promising, keep working hard!

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 19 2015, 12:02 PM

HI Gab,
Just did the ear training #9 as my recording did not go well today. I only want to show you a new video if there is noticeable progress compared with the last one. But I work on all lessons hard

Maybe a bit careless to show results after listening only once. But I feel I slowly start hearing a note. So I played these harmonic intervals like melodic which is easier for me to recognize compare to playing two notes together.

Assignment #9
1 = D-A# = min6
2 = D-F = min3
3 = D-D# = min2
4 = D-A# = min6
5 = D-C = min7
6 = D-E = min2
7 = D-F = min3
8 = D-A# = min6
9 = D-C = min7
10 = D-F = min3

How many are wrong?


Just recorded the Barre Chord lesson again. Since last recording in mid June I have been playing this only a few times daily as you recommended. Also tried to get closer to Bear's sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUlv_DSyD4s&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2015, 02:30 PM

Hi Tom! Good job with the ear training! There is only 1 wrong. Making them sound melodically is the best way to recognize them. Are you doing this with your guitar or with your voice?

The chords lesson is slowly improving. Some things to have in mind:

- Try to relax your hands while you play. The groove will sound smoother.
- Be careful with the tuning of your guitar, it's not completely right on higher frets.
- Your rhythm is not tight yet. Focus on it.


Ok mate, keep on the hard work and let me know if you start to feel that some things need to be updated in your diary routine.

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 20 2015, 03:38 PM

Hi Gab,
I do the ear training with the guitar. Maybe I should try to sing too. Will check all again to find the wrong one.

About the chord lesson:
I tune my guitar so often now and especially before recording that I have no idea where the issue is? Maybe I corrupt chords shapes so that there are some minimal bends when I press the strings? Can I use the Guitar Rig Tuner for tuning or is that not OK? I will check again my notes at empty string and 12th fret but usually everything is between 1-2 cent (according to GR5)

Honestly right now I have no idea where to work at this lesson to get it better...the only idea is to play together with the original lesson to improve.
I guess you do not mean the strumming pattern itself but being tight with the beat.
Any suggestions what to do?

Thanks Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2015, 02:40 PM

Hi Tom,

I think that it's very important to start using your voice to recognize the notes. I consider very helpful for guitarists to be able to sing in pitch, it's the proof that your ear is well trained and a great tool for composing, arranging and learning songs.

About the lesson. Yeah, the tuning issue is small and appears on the highest shape that you play (around 12th fret), if there isn't a calibration problem this can be generated by the pressure of your fingers so be careful with it.

The next step to improve this lesson is to be able to play the rhythm tighter, and off course feel more comfortable while playing it. It's ok to keep on playing this one but also start playing along with pop songs that use similar rhythms and chord progressions. You could also do it with GMC lessons, for example my Oasis style lesson is a good one. You need to play many different thing to train the rhythm part of your ear too.

While you play this lesson, are you tapping with your foot to feel the rhythm?

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 21 2015, 03:37 PM

Great! I will try to sing the notes no matter how bad it sounds at the beginning. I do a lot of ear training these days as I understood how important it is for the overall progress. Also spend 5-10 min each day to learn notes on fretboard (1-12 fret, 1 note per day) and I will start to sing them too.
Does it make sense to use - think its called solfeggio (do-re-mi-la...) ?

I to not tap with my feet and it seems I loose the rhythm in my head when I fully concentrate on chord shape changes. My chair it too high to tap ...its something like this
http://www.thomann.de/de/thomann_bar_stool_passion.htm
It seems I better change it?

Do you want me to add the Oasis lesson or just use the backing and make an own chord progression?

About tuning: its NOT the guitar - my fingers are the issue. If I play the Am7/B7 shapes at higher frets with fingers slowly placed and right pressure it sounds right. Another thing to work at.

You are always a great help!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2015, 06:20 PM

Hi mate!

Great plan for ear training and singing practice. Everything you can do will help. I don't consider necessary the solfeggio but it's always nice to use the old school music methods to enjoy the music language. If you have time, do it, it's beautiful. But it won't make your practice better or worse.

About where you sit, yes, I think that it's better if you can tap with your foot while you play. If you need to change the chair or maybe move it to a place where you can reach a surface, go for it.

Both ideas for Oasis lesson are ok for me. Learning the original lesson can help, building your own arrangement is also a good idea.

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 22 2015, 12:31 PM

Hi Gab - so I would have the following lessons now.

Rhythm and Chords
Oasis
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Oasis-Style/
Barre
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-7-5-string-Barre-Chords/
Slash Chords
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-18-Slash-Chords-3/

As I am familiar with all chord shapes its "only" a matter of smooth changes and tight rhythm. I like the idea of many different songs and hope that helps to push my progress.

#4 is Buckethead Style and #5 Fingerpicking. With the fingerpicking I find myself loosing concentrations. maybe its because I miss the link how to use the patterns practically. lets see how far I will come here with. For both I will record over the next weekend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 22 2015, 03:18 PM

Hi Tom, this plan sounds good! Let's go for it.

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 22 2015, 07:39 PM

Hi Gab - I found the wrong one - hopefully.
#4 is not min6 but min3.

Assignment #9
1 = D-A# = min6
2 = D-F = min3
3 = D-D# = min2
4 = D-F = min3
5 = D-C = min7
6 = D-D# = min2
7 = D-F = min3
8 = D-A# = min6
9 = D-C = min7
10 = D-F = min3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 23 2015, 03:23 PM

Yes! It's perfect now! Well done!

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 26 2015, 03:07 PM

Hi Gab,
here comes a new take of the Buckethead lesson. Focus was on phrasing and timing in the solo part which is quite challenging at this tempo. So it seems every little improvement is hard earned.

https://youtu.be/wl9CZh_i-DQ

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 26 2015, 07:49 PM

Hi Tom, the lesson is evolving good but I feel that you should complement this work with some technique exercises that help you take this techniques to the next level:

- Alternate picking
- Vibrato
- Bending
- Legato

How much time per day do you have to play guitar?

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 27 2015, 08:02 AM

Hi Gab,
usually I spend 2 hours daily on my practise. The detailed schedule was last week this one:
(Maybe I am "overoptimzing" things - but I just try to compensate my slow learning a little with a clear to do list)

30min Warmup, theory and ear training
5min= learn notes on fret 1-12
20min= ear training (I recorded some intervals and single notes for me to hear ands sing...)
5min = stretching and warmup, playing a simply scale as clean as possible (G or Am pentatonic)

45min Chords and Rhythm (15min per lesson)
5 String Barre
Slash Chords
Oasis Style

15min Fingerpicking Pattern
Mandorino lesson (we will have to change for something new soon, I loose concentration on this)

30min Bending and Vibrato
Buckethead lesson

I always want to improve my tone but end up having no time left for this.

Not sure If I unterstood your thoughts behind the question? Do you just want me to work on technique exercises intensely to get a big improvement with the buckethead lesson?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2015, 02:33 PM

Thanks mate. Let's try a small change for this week to see how it works. Ok?

20 min Warmup, theory and ear training
5min= learn notes on fret 1-12
10min= ear training (I recorded some intervals and single notes for me to hear ands sing...)
5min = stretching and warmup, playing a simply scale as clean as possible (G or Am pentatonic)

15 min Chords and Rhythm
Oasis Style

75 min technique workout
25 minutes - Bending: https://youtu.be/Hh_pYY6UYIw (practice the exercises over backing tracks)
25 minutes - Vibrato: https://youtu.be/4Lo9DSA4wXk (practice the exercises over backing tracks)
25 minutes - Alternate Picking http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Basics/ (check the spoken videos and practice the last vid exercise)

10min
Buckethead lesson

Posted by: Tom51 Jul 27 2015, 03:02 PM

OK Gab - I will start today with the new plan.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2015, 03:03 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Jul 27 2015, 11:02 AM)

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 2 2015, 04:38 PM

Hi Gab,
last five days I worked with the new schedule that has the 75 min technique workout. I feel that it is very useful although its hard to get 75min done. I usually end up with 60min. Also the idea to have a backing track during the bending and vibrato workout is really good.

I recorded a new Buckethead take. The 16th notes licks are still not tight but its getting better each day. Bends and timing should also much better now. About vibrato: I feel its wide and fast enough. Is that right?
The more I work on this lesson the more little thing I hear that I need to improve
I have no idea how to get a good tone on this.

https://youtu.be/MaHLVoeYyEY


Oasis Lesson: Still do not get the change into the middle part (from G to F Barre) fast enough but working on it.

I will post the 5 sting barre lesson at REC to get some further feedback. I have been working on it about 3month and I will not significantly improve at my current level. I am somewhat tired now.
Will play 5/6 string barre lessons or own progressions daily a few times to keep these chord in mind. (warmup)
Maybe we find a new lesson here or use a backing where I have to play a own chord progression and strumming pattern?

All the best, Tom.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 3 2015, 06:01 PM

Hi Tom! This new video shows that the current plan is good for you at this moment. I notice improvements on the technique elements that I've marked so we are on the right track!

I extremely recommend you to continue with the current plan for another 10 days in order to keep on improving the different required elements. As you've said, picking is better and require more polishing (be careful with timing), vibrato is getting better and bends are reaching the correct pitch most of the times.

On a side note, it would be good if you can mix the backing louder on your future videos.

For playing your own ideas, what about creating your backing tracks with Reaper?

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 3 2015, 06:14 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Aug 3 2015, 05:01 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 4 2015, 01:22 PM

Hi Tom.

Yes, creating backing tracks with Cubase will work. It's good to have some training creating tracks to then be able to record your own music.

About picking lesson, yes, we can go for Tycho's style. This one seems easy but has some dynamics work that require special attention.

Finally, regrading the REC take. It's cool to post it here even at this level because you receive more points of view. I think that it's ok to use guitar rig but adding modulation can confuse the tuning when playing this kind of stuff so I recommend a cleaner sound.

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 11 2015, 03:22 PM

Hi Gab,
Please find below assignment 10 ear training. I listened to the 4 note melody once and played it then with my guitar from the sound I had in mind. Maybe I misunderstood this? Was it allowed with the guitar or should I only find the notes by listening and singing?

1 = CEGD
2 = CABC
3 = CDFA
4 = CGCE
5 = CBAF
6 = CDGE
7 = CEAG
8 = CADE
9 = CFED
10 = CAFD

Most of them should be ok?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 12 2015, 01:20 PM

Hi mate! The results are excellent!

It's ok to use your guitar but it's also really helpful to try to do this without your guitar, and trying to identify the melody only with your ear and voice. Maybe you can re-do it and then compare answers... what do you think?

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 12 2015, 02:53 PM

Yes, I will try to find this without guitar and let you know how it was.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2015, 03:01 PM

Ok. Keep me updated.

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 22 2015, 04:58 PM

Hi Gab,
some news... Its holiday season and I practiced a little less than weeks before (about 1h). But it was very focused and I really enjoyed it. Ear training without guitar is really tricky but gets better. I still use 15min for finding notes and ear training daily. Ear training helps a lot with finding the bending pitch. I no longer try to remember how much the string has to be bend to rech a certain note, I start relying on my ear.

Barre Chord Lesson
Was trying to be tight with the beat and get chord changes smoother. Sound comes from GuitarRig. Not so happy with my tone choice yet.
https://youtu.be/jj2K9S1HKmI

Buckethead Style Lesson
Did only play it about 15min daily but very concentrated and I feel I made some good progress here. At least I enjoy playing this one a lot.
https://youtu.be/bbCSbCaSAgI

I like the tone here more. Maybe if it gets better I should post a GR5 screenshot for what I used?

Tomorrow I would like to start with this lesson (in addition) because I really like the sound. Good idea?
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/john-frusciante-lesson2/

Next week I will get back to my 1,5-2h routine.
Thanks much for your time and help!
Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 22 2015, 08:46 PM

Bare chords: Your guitar has tuning issues on this take. Your playing is good, you are changing chords smoothly most of the time. Your rhythm is also better and tight but I think that a more relaxed right hand movement would be this lesson groovier and with more natural dynamics. Try to feel more the overall groove while playing.

Buckethead lesson: Good job! This one is also getting better! There is off course room to improvements but the good news are that the overall lesson sounds much better, and that the second half which have more important problems is starting to get polished. The parts that I've marked on previous comments are the ones that are improving but also the ones that still need work to do so keep going!
About the tone, you're right! The clean tone sounds really good, and the solo section is also nice for this one. It sounds a bit like "stoner" but I like it...

Frusciante style lesson is a good choice to continue!

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 25 2015, 03:22 PM

Tuning issues again...its a nightmare and makes me feel like an idiot.
I found out that my strings loose tuning very soon and B and G string are not in tune at 12th fret. (according to GuitarRig 8-9cent above tune) So just changed strings again. This time with some quality strings that hopefully will last longer. (Elixir 009-042)
Now I understand why there are professional guitar players that put on new set of strings before each stage session.
I have also learned to tune not only open string but check at 12th fret too.
Maybe I should have better bought one of these new Gibson LP with automatic tuning instead of a strat .

Thanks for the encouraging feedback about Buckethead lesson. Will work hard to get this right.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 25 2015, 07:18 PM

Strats tuning can sometimes give some headaches. Good strings usually are more resistant and can last more time but the tuning is more related to tuners and guitar calibration. Professional guitarists change strings for each show, first because they have the money, secondly because there is less risk to break a string while playing, and on third place because of the extra bright that you get when strings are new.

I recommend you to take your guitar to a luthier to adjust calibration and to ask him about the quality of your tuners. That's the best move mate.

Posted by: Tom51 Aug 28 2015, 01:01 PM

Thanks for your advise Gab. I will just give it a last try with the new strings. I tune it so often right now and except the B and C string where there is a very tiny difference at 12th fret its on spot. If I will have the same issues I will have it checked at a luthier.

Just recorded the Frusciante 2 lesson - do you hear any tuning issues?
https://youtu.be/nJhbkW8UywY

Btw: this is the first lesson I have learned in one week with 15min/day at final speed. I really enjoyed playing and learning it. Was very relaxed this time

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 28 2015, 08:08 PM

Hi Tom! Good job with this lesson! Your timing is really good! You have to continue playing it twice every day to get more comfortable and make the licks sound smoother, and also to adjust two things.

Vibrato: There are some of them that are weak and not consistent. (00:07, 00:16).

Slides: The slides at 00:23 are not sounding clear and smooth. Isolate them and make them sound strong.


Besides this, please work on the lick at 00:26, and the connection between slides and this lick exactly at 00;25.

Posted by: Tom51 Sep 6 2015, 01:55 PM

Hi Gab - here are some updates an videos.

Practice Schedule is currently (about 90min/day)

15min Ear Training
45min Improvising Workshop
10min Frusciante Lesson (new recording next weekend)
10min Buckethead
10min Barre Chords

Usually I spend a little more on the three lesson and often end up with 2h. My practice atmosphere has changed in that way that I am much more relaxed and enjoy each minute of playing. Even if progress is slow.
I stopped the learning notes on fretboard part as I now feel quite comfortable about that and can apply the knowledge at the Improvising workshop. That helps a lot.

Here is a new Buckethead - was also trying to get more dynamics in my playing (besides better timing, bending and vibrato)
https://youtu.be/Hisg5526iGA

Barre Chord - trying to feel the groove and play with a tuned guitar
https://youtu.be/1CVL4LlUtPE

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 7 2015, 04:58 AM

Hi Tom! Nice to know that you are enjoying your diary practice nowadays. That's the most important part! Improvements will come with the pass of time.

Some comments about the takes....

Buckethead Lesson:

- Remember to let the note sound and then add vibrato. You tend to play it really soon when you play the notes.
- Isolate the faster ascending licks and work on them as exercises.
- Be careful with bending on the last phrases.

Barre chords:

- Nice groove! The lesson is getting better!
- Your guitar has some tuning issues on higher strings.
- Good job with the chord changes!

Posted by: Tom51 Sep 8 2015, 03:45 PM

Tuning issues

Hi Gab - just want to ensure that's really the guitar and not me with the tuning issues (pressing strings to hard or a little out of position or similar)
I tuned the guitar at open string and 12th fret - everything seems to be nearly perfect and played the higher Am7 and B7 chords note by note with first finger and then the Barre Chord shape. What do you hear?

I have guitar stores relatively nearby - but these guys are not luthiers. If tuning issues persist I could ask them to check it.


https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/barre-detuned-guitar-1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 9 2015, 02:46 PM

Hi Tom, your guitar sounds good on this sample, I don't notice tuning issues.

Posted by: Tom51 Sep 13 2015, 10:28 AM

HI Gab - so it seems besides correct tuning of my guitar I have to be very careful with my chord shapes to avoid a detuned sound. I have been working on this and will record a new Barre lesson next weekend. Sooner or later I will get this lesson right

Ear Training: I really have a hard time with the new ear training assignment and spent a lot of time but I feel its beyond my abilities right now. So I try to find the base note and then play the other notes one after each other and hear if it fits in.
Here is what I got so far. I would be happy if one or the other note is right but expect a 100%fail this time. was only dealing with the first five triads so far

1= MajA = A-C#-E
2= AugB = B-D#-G
3= AugD = D-F#-A#
4= MinE = E-G-B
5= MajD =D-F#-A

I have really no idea how to get the new assignment done.


Here hopefully some better news - the new Frusciante video. Your advice about my vibrato coming too fast from my Buckethead take was implemented. So I let the note sound before I apply vibrato. At least I tried so.

https://youtu.be/JA1i7ZV7nug

Thanks Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 13 2015, 11:26 PM

Hi Tom!

Yes, you have to take care of fingers pressure when playing chords.

About the ear training, the number 3 and 4 are right!! This means that it's possible for you to learn the whole thing!! If this is giving problems, it means that you need to keep on working on previous assignments, you need to create your own exercises based on the topics covered on previous stages of this program. I noted that many students are having problems so maybe we'll have to reinforce previous assignments...

About your vibrato on Frusciante's lesson, good job! It's much better now! The lesson still needs work to adjust timing and some of the higher licks but please keep on improving your vibrato like this.


Ok mate, all great news, keep on rocking!!

Posted by: Tom51 Sep 19 2015, 05:53 PM

Hi Gab - just recorded new Barre and Buckethead lessons. I feel it slowly starts sounding good

Barre
https://youtu.be/Z1jm7wR2-G4

Buckethead
https://youtu.be/9rNmMEZBPuY


Ear Training: I worked with a strict time limit this week (only 15min/day). I still feel its a very demanding assignment.
It would help a lot if I have only the chord quality right or only the base note correct if you could help with that information. It helps to know that maybe major is right but I missed the base note or the other way round.
Worked up to #6 this week.

Number - Chord Quality Base - Note
1= Dim-B
2= MIn-C
3= was OK last week (AugD)
4= was OK last week (MinE)
5= Min-C
6= Maj-G

Thanks much!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 21 2015, 01:32 PM

Hi Tom! Congrats on your great job!

The bare lesson sounds really good. It's really inspiring to compare your first takes on this lesson with this new one. The next steps are just play it once or twice every day to become more and more comfortable with the progression and rhythm, but it's now technically correct.

Buckethead lesson is also getting better but it still has some rhythm/timing issues here and there in the second half. I think that instead of repeating the whole thing you should isolate the parts that are not tight (like at 00:58 or at 01:12). There are also parts that are close to the rhythm but has little timing issues. By the way, this new take shows improvements on this direction so keep on the hard work.

About ear training, I'll share some assignments soon that help you make a bridge between your current skills and the last assignment, don't worry about it. There are 2 right ones, the 3rd and the 4th.

Keep on rocking!

Posted by: Tom51 Sep 21 2015, 01:50 PM

Hey Gab ...really happy to hear that about the Barre lesson. Its been a long and tough way...for your ears too
Will do as you recommended and play it every other day a few times. Do you think I can post this at REC now? Its been a long time since I has a lesson that passed there.

I will continue to work on the 16th notes licks an second part of Buckethead isolated. I am aware of the timing issue now. Dont know why I did not hear this before. Maybe I was so focused on getting the bends right.

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 21 2015, 02:00 PM

yes! Let's go for another REC win!

Posted by: Tom51 Sep 27 2015, 09:48 AM

Hi Gab,
this weekend is a new Frusciante2 lesson video here. Special focus was getting a tasty vibrato. So I was experimenting how fast and wide vibrato can be and how long let the note sound before starting vibrato and how it fits with the backing track. I feel i learned a lot with this lesson about vibrato.

Frusciante2
https://youtu.be/tb0ELnbojU0

New Ear Training assignment
I am through it but not sure if my approach is the right one. I am not trying to find the actual chord you play but just try to get from the sound if its major or minor. OK?
Will take some more days to check my results again.
Thanks also for explanations about inversions and the lesson reference. Spend quite some time to play the different triads...


Rhythm
It really was a great motivation that all instructors noticed the progress at REC. Just played the lesson a few times daily and wonder how I should go on. Maybe with some lesson like this that includes open- barre- and power chords ?
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-10-Make-a-Song/
Or should I better add some new chords to my "chord library" ?

The Improvisation course is awesome. It helps so much to apply something new instead of only playing scales up and down without use or ideas behind. Of course I repeat all the stuff during warmup to get at least part of it permanently in my fingers but that its not boring as there is always a connection to the backing.
You really a great mentor for all of us Gab! THANK YOU!
Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 27 2015, 04:47 PM

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your words about my mentoring here. It made my day.

I'm also happy to see how many GMCers keep on motivated and progressing as musicians. The future is really promising.

Your take on Frusciante's lesson 2 is really good. You can play the different phrases tight with the backing. Some more days of practice will help you to adjust even more your vibrato and bending technique so I would keep it in your diary routine to be played once or twice every day.

About the ear training, you're right, you have to identify major or minor, not notes.

Finally regarding rhythm, I think that you could choose any musical lesson that you like and learn it. Chord changes and rhythm keep on improving by playing along with songs or GMC lessons which are like song reductions. You'll find lots of lessons in my archive based on pop and punk bands. The lesson that you suggested is cool to understand how a song is arranged.

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 4 2015, 10:48 AM

Hi Gab,
here is a new recording and some feedback about my current practice which looks more or less like this
45 min Improvisation course
15 min Ear Training
45 min Lessons (Buckethead, Frusciante, Barre)
and a little playing with sounds....


This weekend I recorded a new Buckethead video. Working about 15min/d on it is right for me because I start loosing concentration if I work longer. So polishing this lesson may need a long time but as long as I enjoy it its okay. Just compared it with one of the first recordings and yes...its a very big improvement. This progress is really motivating, especially given that a year ago I did not even think about guitar playing.
https://youtu.be/zYMC4Vrby7o

With new rhythm lesson I will start with Bears Lesson first
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn...10-Make-a-Song/
Then I would choose one of your lessons like the Chris Cornell Style which I like much. But I just need something easier first

Here are my ear training results assignment 12. I thought I would hear minor or major chord quality easily but that is only for slowly strummed open chords like A-E-D that I am familiar with. Hope I hear better than my dog ...

min-Maj-min-Maj-min-min-Maj-Maj-min-Maj

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 5 2015, 02:20 PM

Hi Tom! Congrats on your great job!

I notice improvements on everything you have been sharing in the last weeks. You are a hard worker but also a very disciplined students. You have no limits if you continue with this attitude.

The routine looks perfect. It's very important to have a very defined practice routine to avoid wasting time on searching what to practice. Diary repetitions show really important results.

Your take on Buckethead lesson sounds good, it shows improvements on the things we've been talking about (bending, timing, vibrato) but there is off course more room to adjust each of those techniques, so please keep working on it.

The ear training assignment is very good, there are only 2 wrong ones.

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 7 2015, 01:29 PM

So here comes a new Frusciante video. I just polished it the last 10 day about 5-10min per day. I looked at your playing and tried to adopt your vibrato. So its is not as wide and fast as during my last recordings.
https://youtu.be/b5h_6fwEZ0k

I found another lesson that might be good for working on bending and vibrato:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-20-Beginner-Solo/
As I feel there is no much work on Frusciante left I would add this lesson. OK?

Ear Training (#12) - hope the two bold once are the mistakes:
Maj-Maj-min-Maj-min-min-min-Maj-min-Maj

Everything else is on track . Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 7 2015, 06:35 PM

Hi Tom!

Good job with your vibrato. It starts to get consistent. The more you practice and focus on it, the more regular it will be and the more connected with the backing's groove. That beginner solo is a good next step for this.

The ear training assignment is perfect now, well done!

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 17 2015, 07:15 PM

Hello Gab, did a recording marathon today

Frusciante
https://youtu.be/bo0Gc8CQHIc

Beginner Solo
https://youtu.be/0kfdftsJjrM

Buckethead
https://youtu.be/ek1DtDl6c8Y

Except with Buckethead I am quite happy with results. But maybe my expectations are getting more demanding too.

I also work on Bear's lesson #10 (rhythm) but I have not find the best way yet how to record the 3 guitars and videos. If that gets to complicated I will switch to one of your lessons (of one from Guido) or record audio only.

Worked on ear training using the 3 string major and minor arpeggio shapes from improvisation. Will start working on assignment 13 tomorrow.
Improvisation: still working on scales and sequences to get this in my hands.

Besides this I only regret that my time for guitar playing is limited.
Thanks Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 18 2015, 10:56 PM

Hi Tom! Good job!

I can see improvements in your playing. These videos are proof of hard work and focus, great job! Frusciante's lesson sounds really good but it would be good to continue practicing it to adjust vibrato and bending, improve dynamics, and make those slides more consistent. Something similar happens with beginners solo which is sounding good but bending has pitch issues here and there.

Finally I also think that Buckethead lesson is the one that needs more practice but I still notice improvements comparing this one with the previous take. You are still not totally comfortable with the different phrases so I would work on smaller blocks at first to adjust details and feel more familiar with each phrase.

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 19 2015, 05:19 PM

Hi Gab - below is ear training assignment #13. Thanks Tom.

1= c-f-g-f
2= c-e-b-d
3= c-d-f-a
4= c-b-a-f
5= c-a-f-d
6= c-d-g-e
7= c-g-c-e
8= c-a-b-g
9= c-e-a-g
10= c-g-d-e

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 20 2015, 01:27 PM

Great work with the assignment! It's perfect! How was your approach to work on this one?

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 20 2015, 03:07 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 20 2015, 12:27 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2015, 01:33 PM

Sure! It's a very important skill for composing, learning songs and improvising. Keep working on it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2015, 02:27 PM

I didn't notice that number 8 wasn't perfect, this is the right melody:

C A B E

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 21 2015, 03:38 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Oct 21 2015, 01:27 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2015, 02:53 PM

Great!

Posted by: Tom51 Oct 24 2015, 04:28 PM

Hi Gab,
I would like to change my rhythm lesson from Bears (#10 make a song) to this one:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Goo-Goo-Dolls-Style/

I get a little bored with the the other one and it simply takes to much time for recording all the three guitars and get this all in sync with videos. Hope thats not a problem and I do not see this as wasted time as I was practicing all different chord changes and thats what is was for.
If thats OK with you I would start with the new one tomorrow.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 24 2015, 07:11 PM

Hi Tom, this is not a problem, it's a wise decision. We always have to go for the more motivating stuff.

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 1 2015, 04:24 PM

Hi Gab,
last week I cut deeply into the fingertip of my first finger left hand and had some days with 3 fingers only where I could not play seriously. Did ear training and playing scales from Improvisation Workshop. Still I cannot have much pressure on this finger, so the rhythm lesson has to wait. But I will start tomorrow normally.

But nevertheless I made a few new videos:

Frusciante 2 (getting smoother slides and improving vibrato)
https://youtu.be/myYQTzcRQGA

Beginner Solo (precise bends and vibrato that goes with the backing)
https://youtu.be/WIMBDPjaBbo

Buckethead ( timing - focus on the two 16th notes licks and the first second part)
Here I did my "guitargym" the last weeks and focused on these parts playing endless loops as clean as possible with ascending tempo. Its getting much better now although I do not have this available all the time at tempo and quality. But now I am sure that I can master it sooner or later.
https://youtu.be/UKtMv8wZsGE


This is my plan for next week:

10min Warmup
(take a different key each day and play all minor and major scale positions (CAGED), all arpeggios and pentatonic in this key)
10min Ear Training
(I recorded some arpeggios and open chords)

Lessons 1h
Frusciante 10min
Beginner Solo 10min
Buckethead 15min
Rhythm Lesson 30min

Improvising 45min

Please let me know if there is anything else I should pay attention to. Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 2 2015, 01:50 AM

Hi Tom! I'm sorry about your finger, I casually had a similar problem with my left hand index finger two days ago...

I've checked your videos and I have to say that your progress is really inspiring! You are doing a great job at this workout! Here I go with some comments:

- Frusciante 2: The lesson is on the right track. You need to adjust the slides (for example at 00:22), the lick at 00:24, and the bend at 00:32.

- Beginer Solo: This one is also a promising take. You still need to adjust timing on some parts, your bending technique which is not bad but sometimes you don't reach the correct pitch.

- Buckethead: I notice improvements on everything we've talked about previously but each element has room to improvements so keep on the same direction.


The plan for this week sounds perfect.

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 13 2015, 04:36 PM

Just that you see I am working hard

Ear Training
As recommended I listened only twice, once to get the chord quality and a 2nd time with guitar to find the base note.
I would prefer to check this all again....but lets see how many wrong once are at without that.

Dm
E
A
Gm
Cm
G
Fm
Am
B
Bm

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 15 2015, 05:31 AM

Hi Tom! Good job with this assignment. There are only two wrong roots, triads quality are ok.

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 18 2015, 04:11 PM

Hi Gab - hope I found the wrong roots. (#3 and 9)

Dm
E
B
Gm
Cm
G
Fm
Am
A
Bm

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 19 2015, 01:25 PM

Hi mate,

#9 is still wrong, and now I've noticed that #7 is not minor...

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 20 2015, 09:01 PM

1st anniversary videos

One year ago I was talking to an old friend of mine about the music we listened when we were teenagers and our first record we bought. It was" The dark side of the moon" by Pink Floyd. I must have said something like I really regret that I never learned to play guitar and make music. That's where is all started. The next day I bought my first guitar. I knew that online learning would the way to go for me and I need more than just a few videos at yt. Did some search, found GMC and Ben's Beginner Series immediately convinced me to sign up. So thanks Ben I am here ;-) Great that I wasted a few days only before finding GMC.
While I started with Ben's Beginner Series I got a pm from you offering your mentoring program to me and here we are now. I really know that without you as mentor and GMC I would have probably put the guitar away after a few weeks, overwhelmed frustrated and having no idea how to go on. So it really comes from my heart when I say that I am deeply grateful for all you have done. I am really proud to have such a great musician like you as mentor.
I had no expectations where I would be after one year but I learned that most important is to enjoy the journey not only the results. And I really hope this journey will go on. Still remember the first plan you sent me assuming I play 2 hours daily. I was really shocked at that time as I was thinking of 20mins twice or three times a week playing. Hahaha! Now I play usually around 2 hours daily.

And here are the 1st anniversary videos for my current lessons. Gave my very best ...

Buckethead
https://youtu.be/Xazw-nfWmQk

Frusciante
https://youtu.be/xsonWdhSMhY

Beginner Solo
https://youtu.be/hkXJ_JuG8xQ


If any of the above has a chance to pass REC I would like to post there too. OK?
For the Rhythm lesson (Goo Goo Dolls) I will need a few days. Takes much more time than I thought.

Thanks so much for the great time Gab!
Tom.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 21 2015, 06:34 PM

Hi Tom! Congrats on your anniversary!! It's awesome how much you've learnt in only 1 year!! I'm also really happy of knowing that GMC and our work here is motivating you to keep going!

I've checked each of the lessons and here are some things to work on:

- On Buckethead, you need to isolate the faster passages (16th notes) and work on them over metronome and/or backing track.

- Frusciante's lesson is the best sounding, you could go for REC! Just keep on improving dynamics and adjust the lick at 00:24.

- Beginner Solo needs more adjustment regarding timing and vibrato. Also be careful with bending.


There is something that I'd like to mark about your right hand. I notice that you have you thumb and index extended while a more relaxed way of holding the pick could be better. In your beginner solo video you seem to be closer to what I mean. Please check my lessons, and compare my right hand (fingers holding the pick) with yours on Buckethead lesson. This is not something dramatic but I would give some attention to it.

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 21 2015, 06:57 PM

It may sound strange but my current position feels quite natural and relaxed to me. Nevertheless i will try to get more towards the "right position". ( I know what you mean)

About Beginner Solo vibrato: is it too wide and too fast or how should I understand your comment?
I just recorded a version (backing at -6db to make that easier to hear) where I thought that is the way you want me to got, its a slower vibrato I tried to connect with the tempo of the backing but relatively wide, maybe too wide at some notes. I also tried to let the note sound before I do vibrato.
(bend at the end is flat, yes I hear that too )

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/l20-vibrato

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 23 2015, 01:51 PM

Hi Tom,

this audio is promising. Vibrato is one of the most personal techniques. It's an important element that will help you to create your own voice on guitar so I consider very important to keep on experimenting with it, trying different kinds, speeds, widths, emulate your favorite players to get inspiration and everything that you can do to liberate it. The goal is to feel it natural, and proud of it. One day you'll be able to do it effortless, naturally and you will hear yourself and say, what a nice vibrato I've done. That's the goal.

In this audio I can notice that it's becoming more natural and more connected with the backing track regarding dynamics and timing. This is the road, keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 25 2015, 06:08 PM

Just recorded my lesson for the improvisation assignment and used my energy to record a new Beginner Solo too where I tried to apply your advises for vibrato, bending and timing. Curious what you think.

https://youtu.be/68Ail9RuVxs

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 27 2015, 05:35 PM

Greta job Tom! Your vibrato is getting much better! It's wide and it is starting to sound more connected with the groove of the backing track. There is still work to do to make it sound more natural, but this is exactly the work you have to do, you need to continue practicing like this to feel more comfortable can connect more and more with the backing. Well done!

Your timing is better too, and your last two bending are really good! So everything is on the right track, keep going!!

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 29 2015, 11:13 AM

Hi Gab, here comes a new Frusciante video where I tried to improve what I got as feedback at REC. This time I did not apply different dynamics and followed Darius advise to play notes more evenly. Cheers Tom.

https://youtu.be/nvBYz_5nCSI

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 30 2015, 01:26 PM

Hi Tom!! Great job! I notice big improvements on the elements that we've marked at REC board. Your timing is better and the licks that were weak are more consistent now. The last bend is closer but it still giving problems.

Please continue working in this way for some days and record a new take.

Keep on rocking!

Posted by: Tom51 Nov 30 2015, 07:24 PM

Do you think I could add the "Simple Melodies" from Laszlo I played in the last Improvisation assignment into my daily lessons?

my plan would look like this....

Lessons to polish...
Frusciante 2 - 10min
Beginner Solo - 10min
Buckethead - 15min

New Lesson with more work ahead...
Goo Goo Dolls - 20 min
Simple Melodies - 20 min

Improvisation/ other topics - 45min

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 1 2015, 01:52 PM

yes Tom! Sounds good to me!

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 4 2015, 02:13 PM

Hi Gab - here is a new Beginner Solo. Same thing as in the last video - getting vibrato pleasant and bends precise.
https://youtu.be/I5j45IudUKs

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 4 2015, 02:26 PM

Great job Tom! You are on the right track, keep playing this one trying to feel more and more comfortable with both techniques. The next goal is to be able to concentrate less and feel more, but it happens with time.

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 6 2015, 12:01 PM

Hi Gab, here are two new other videos. The Buckethead lessons is really killing me . I wonder if I will ever get it perfect. But the good thing is that all I learn at this lesson can be applied to any other playing - great hehey.
But for one year at Gabs Army all in all its not too shabby

Melodies in Am
https://youtu.be/xVnmOdyC1YQ


Buckethead
https://youtu.be/1_TqJJVCyko

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 6 2015, 09:33 PM

Hi Tom! Thanks for the new videos!

Buckethead lesson shows new improvements! It's great to see your playing improving from take to take and be sure that this is having a big impact in your overall playing. The parts that I've marked previously are still the parts that have room to improvements so keep working!

The other lesson also is sounding good but you need to put more focus on the pitch of your bends. If you listen to your bends on this one, you should note that most of them sound higher than the right pitch. Your vibrato on this one is wide, but you have to try to make it sound more natural with the backing's groove.

That's all by now mate, keep on working!

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 12 2015, 03:52 PM

Hi Gab, I just recorded new videos this morning to have more time later for the new improvisation stuff.

Rhythm
Here is a first recording of GooGooDolls rhythm lesson. Still a lot of work ahead to get the chord changes smooth and rhythm tight. But I wanted to show that I do work on it daily.
https://youtu.be/4J_AU24I8Zw

Frusciante
Much better than the one I posted at REC some weeks ago.
https://youtu.be/kR1Zz3JhlY8

Beginner Solo
Now starting to get relaxed when playing.
https://youtu.be/cjlc6KcBSDE

Thanks Tom!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 12 2015, 05:37 PM

Hi Tom!

Congrats on these new videos!! I feel that all your hard work is reflected on this ones!!

I notice improvements regarding all the elements that we've been talking about: bending, vibrato, timing, changing chords. Everything shows improvements and I can say that you've reached a level with this lessons that makes me enjoy your playing. All the parts sound warm, in pitch, nothing sounds out or weird. You are moving to a new level friend!!

Off course, you still need to practice hard to keep on polishing those elements but now it's time for details!

Please start thinking on dynamics when playing, this is a very expressive tool and deserves your attention.

Goo Goo Dolls lesson sounds like "timid" yet. You need to strum and pick stronger! and also think on dynamics for rhythm. Are you using a smaller pick on this one? Why?

Keep on rocking!!

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 12 2015, 05:55 PM

Thanks Gab - This really means a lot to me.

Yes, usually I use a thick and large 2.2mm pick but for strumming I feel better with a thinner and smaller one (Dunlop 0,5mm). The one I also used with all rhythm lessons before.
Or maybe it does not sound as the preset I used in BIAS tries to simulate an acoustic guitar?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 14 2015, 02:19 PM

I think that your strumming intensities doesn't sound consistent and I suspect that this is related to the pick which is smaller. I also don't recommend using so different pìcks for playing soloing and rhythm because you will have to change pick in the middle of a song when playing with your band! When playing acoustics, thinner picks are frequently used for strumming but when playing on electric, the best is to use the same one for everything.

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 20 2015, 08:25 AM

HI Gab - also recorded new videos for two lessons.

Beginner Solo
...trying to introduce some dynamics with my playing. Hopefully I did not overdo it.
https://youtu.be/LlR3DcRTWJE

Melodies in Amin
Tried to get my bending more precise and the vibrato more consistent like in the original. Also changed the tone and added some reverb and delay and focused the EQ to mid frequencies.
https://youtu.be/WfUdWG7mBSg

Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 21 2015, 01:22 PM

Hi Tom, thanks for the new videos.

Your playing keeps on evolving. I start to feel some dynamics work in your playing, you should keep on going on this direction.

The technique that needs more attention on this two takes is bending. Your bending is close but you aren't still reaching the pitches smoothly so you should isolate the licks that include bending to work on the issue. You should also dedicate 10 minutes each day to some bending exercises.

Your vibrato is on the right track too, just keep on trying to make it more and more natural.

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 21 2015, 02:19 PM

Thanks for your comments Gab. Yes, I do work on bends very hard daily but I simply do not hear that precise yet. I hear when I am noticeable below or above pitch during playing but not if its close to pitch.
But I feel its getting better and only a matter of correct practice

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 22 2015, 02:59 PM

Sure! This will be improved with practice. Just keep on the hard work!

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 27 2015, 11:10 AM

Hi Gab, hope you had a merry Christmas!
I record my playing usually daily as I find much more mistakes when I listen to it later without playing at the same time.
There was a Beginner Solo where my ears feel bending is good and a Buckethead with timing improvements so I thought I share this here. Thanks Tom!

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/l20-2712

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/buckethead

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 28 2015, 01:43 PM

Hi Tom! Congrats on these two new samples!

I've noticed important improvements on each of these lessons and I agree with you about the elements that show progress on these two takes. Your bending sounds close to perfect in the beginner solo and timing is much better on Buckethead's solo. This is a proof of the great job that you've been doing this year!

Congratulations friend!

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 30 2015, 02:59 PM

Hi Gab,
Recorded a new Goo Goo Dolls a few minutes ago. Its getting better but getting a good groove needs more work.
Sometimes I am singing with the songs to get into rhythm...so its not that I had too much beer ...

Goo Goo Dolls
https://youtu.be/pazmJBkI2SM

Worked also hard on my bending and that seems to get better too. Here is also a new video.

Simple Melodies in Am
https://youtu.be/fNq4zhPTQgA


Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 31 2015, 04:16 PM

Hi Tom, singing is a very good idea. We get much more connected with what we pplay if we imitate it with our mouth. I've always tried it for solos and melodies, but let me say that doing it for rhythym is something new and very creative for me! I also note that your groove is getting better on the goo goo dolls lesson. Keep working!

Bending lesson shows that your bends are not reaching the right pitches most of the times. You are close, but I think that you are doing higher than you should. So this is not related to lack of strengh, it's just aiming.

Posted by: Tom51 Dec 31 2015, 05:52 PM

OK - this corresponds with my experience that when I played together with the original lesson and later checked recording (by looking at Guitar Rig tuner) I thought I mostly ended up being always a little under pitch. But it seems that I was better in pitch due to the guidance for my ears by the original lesson.
Maybe that is a bad idea to check bends with Guitar Rig tuner after recording again. I should better rely on my ears only.

Thanks for all you have done this year. Its really great to have you as mentor.
Happy New Year! Tom.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 2 2016, 04:06 PM

Hi Tom, thanks! I hope you have a great new year full of great things and motivation.

About bending, yes, you need to train your ear in order to always bend to the pitch that you want. These are some cool exercises that can help if you do them diary. This is one of them (the first one that Satriani shares)

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 2 2016, 06:13 PM

Thanks Gab. That is a great exercise I will do daily to improve my bending neck up and down.

Just recorded a new take. Here I do not hear any bend that is over pitch - which does not mean much - for some I would even say I tend to be a little flat (like second last A - here it seems to be most obvious). But to me this take sounds more pleasant than the last one with sharp bends. Am I on the right way?

Simple Melodies in Amin
https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/amin-020116

And here is a new Buckethead too.
https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/buckethead-0301

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2016, 03:54 AM

Hi Tom!

That bending exercise is killer. Please work on it for 15 days and then we can move to more advanced exercises.

About your new takes, yes, I notice improvements on the Amin solo. The bends are sounding good most of the times. I notice more problems in the first two ones and maybe 1 then, but the overall sounds more precise and natural. Well done!

Buckethead lesson has a pitch issue, I think that you guitar was a bit out of tune. Even with this issue, your playing is tighter.

Keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 9 2016, 03:02 PM

Hi Gab - just some feedback about my current practice schedule. It looks like this:


Warmup with scales and chords 10min
(choosing a key each day and play all known minor and major scales, -pentatonic and -chords in this key; adding a new chord each 15 days)
Beding exercise (Satriani) 10min

Lessons 60min
Goo Goo Dolls
Melodies in Amin
Buckethead

Improvisation 45-60min
I decided not to do the two different workouts on one day, instead I will change weekly. currently work at Applied Music Theory

As I got feedback for Frusciante2 and Beginner Solo at REC I would like to do something new and maybe add a new lesson soon. I really like this one:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/john-frusciante-style-lesson-3/
Do you thin I can give it a try or is it too advanced?

Hare are two videos from today.

GooGooDools
https://youtu.be/5YZhSEuRe38
Melodies in Amin
https://youtu.be/z6dsb8cKojU

Cheers Tom

So, recorded a Buckethead lesson too. I am getting more and more relaxed while playing this and enjoy it. Hope it shows some small improvements too.
https://youtu.be/6_dQU5sBnRc

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 11 2016, 02:42 AM

Hi Tom! Great post!

The lessons keep on improving from take to take! Each of the elements that you need to improve sounds better on this take and now I hear that your phrasing sounds on pitch and smoother. Congrats!

The plan for the next weeks sounds good to me, and Frusciante's lesson 3 is an interesting choice. Let's go for it!

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 16 2016, 12:44 PM

Hi Gab,
Could you please let me know where I stand with my Buckethead lesson right now with this take?!
Everything else is on track. Thanks Tom

https://youtu.be/9vJ8Be1Gw9M

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2016, 12:24 AM

Hi Tom, the first half sounds good. The main issues appear on the second part where I hear pitch issues on bending and some phrases. Your vibrato also has room to be more consistent. Practice over the original lesson in order to adjust this two things.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 18 2016, 11:04 AM

OK - will do so ! Next take will be better.
Hope you do not loose patience with me at this lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2016, 01:52 PM

Hey Tom! It will never happen! I'm here to help and you can share all the takes you need. There is a natural process that you have to do and it takes some time, so maybe you'll feel that I repeat the same things too much, but it's necessary, you need more time of practice, focusing on the same elements.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 20 2016, 02:58 PM

Hi mate - still try to improve my bending precision and vibrato with the "slow melodies" lesson from Laszlo. Here is a new video. Happy to hear what you think about it. Tom

https://youtu.be/kHGEZDP4jfM

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2016, 04:38 PM

The video sounds good! Your vibrato looks more natural here and there are not pitch issues (except at 00:15 and 00:33). You just need to make the phrasing and the bends sound smoother. Keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 30 2016, 03:47 PM

Hi Gab,
its been a few weeks ago since I posted my last videos on GooGooDolls and Simples Melodies. So here they are. Working on Frusciante 3 lesson to. Maybe I records something within the next few days to show you how its going. Thanks Tom!

Simples Melodies in Am
https://youtu.be/AWFX9nyQPIY

GooGooDolls
https://youtu.be/_XY-4gkpt5Y

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 31 2016, 05:49 PM

Hi Tom, thanks for the updates.

Things keep on evolving. I see your left hand more relaxed while playing the goo goo dolls lesson however I feel that your right hand should "dance" more with the groove. Try to liberate a bit your hand from your wrist while doing the up and down movement.

The solo lesson is also on the way. But it still needs practice to improve:

- Making everything sound smoother.
- Vibrato more natural.
- Work on dynamics.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 1 2016, 08:32 AM

Thanks for feedback Gab - understand what you mean. Maybe the next rhythm lesson will be some fast funky stuff to get my rigth hand dancing

Currently I have days where I feel some progress with my lessons and then work long and with passion on them. But there are also days where I loose concentration fast with those lessons that I have been working on for a long time. Then I do only about 10min per lesson with focus on weak points and add at the end about 30 min "playing around" which means I choose a lesson - often above my level - that inspires me or that I simply like a lot and try to learn a lick from it or just play slowly a few phrases. Or I learn a few notes from a song of an artist I like (currently I try "slow dancing..." by John Mayer)
I feel this is better to work with passion and happyness instead of enforcing the lesson work when I am not really behind it and work unconcentrated.
Dont get me wrong - I really want to master all my current lessons and its a big big motivation when I reached a level that gets good review by you.
Just let me know what you think.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 1 2016, 04:07 PM

Hi Tom,

this really makes sense to me and it's exactly what I would recommend doing. It's good to keep focused on some required works, but it's even more important to keep motivation so if this keep you practicing and inspired, this is the way to go.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 14 2016, 12:17 PM

Hi Gab,
the last two weeks I worked very focused on my four lessons mostly 2hours+ per day in the late evening. So here are new videos.

As promised a first Frusciante3. Yes, that is a demanding lesson for a beginner. I know it sounds bad but that is the best I can after a few weeks of work. Work as you recommend, concentrated on one part each day with slow and clean playing and then get it up to speed which is the tricky thing.

Frusciante3
https://youtu.be/GzQqFpczjIE

Also trying hard to get Buckethead at REC level. I played many times with the lesson to get rid of the timing flaws I had in the second part.
Buckethead2
https://youtu.be/MrXVhtCdENk

Simple Melodies in Am (smoother, vibrato natural, dynamics)
https://youtu.be/H0EfhU5fJ5M

The GooGooDoll will come in the next days. Please let me know what you think.
Today I will add the Applied Music Theory to my daily practice too.

Thanks Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 15 2016, 12:00 AM

Hi Tom,

Great to see you working hard. Based on your comment you already know the things that need work but I'll give you my thoughts about it.

Frusciante 3 lesson obviously needs work but this take is promising. Your overal timing is not as problematic as it was in the past so you are going forward. There are many tricky parts that need special attention, go for them.

Buckethead lesson is better but it still needs more work. I notice that your bending is not precise in the last parts and there is also a pitch or tuning issue in this take.

The things to work on the melodic solo are bending, a bit of timing and articulation, the connection between phrases which should be smoother.

Keep on working!

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 15 2016, 08:53 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Feb 15 2016, 12:00 AM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 15 2016, 04:01 PM

yes, we need to keep motivation as the main element so you can start working on another lesson (not trickier just different) to keep motivated.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 15 2016, 06:05 PM

With music theory I have enough to work on. But will check for a new lesson level 3 or lower in the next weeks. Maybe 2nd rhythm lesson as is enough lead playing?


About tuning issues : not my fingers this time. Its really the new guitar with bad intonation. Its a nigthmare on 15th or 17th fret. That makes me really angry. So I will have to take it to a luthier or send it back with in my 30 days return period. Will decide tomorrow ...maybe more relaxed than now

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2016, 07:09 PM

Hi Tom,

If your guitar is new and has important pitch issues, I recommend you send it back. I believe that well done guitars don't need to much set up to work properly.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 17 2016, 10:34 PM

Yes there are big tuning issues and even more: the bridge pickup has much less output then the neck. If I turn the volume on 5 on neck its as loud the bridge on 10! There is something very wrong. I will return it.

Maybe I shoukd have only one guitar and fully know iit and dont waste my time with such things.

Thanks for your advice!
Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2016, 11:21 PM

Oh so you don't need to think too much. Get it back!

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 19 2016, 03:18 PM

The reason why I ordered online as it gives me the chance to get to know the new instrument for some days without having someone standing behind me and asking after two minutes if I want to buy it. But that requires consequent returns if it does not feel or sound good if has issues.

Back to more important things: making music and playing my lessons. I think I will include another rhythm lesson and stop working on this one soon as I feel I am not getting better here. Tried to have my right hand loose with the beat.

https://youtu.be/jTVFXSpKSB0


I you want to compare last with GooGooDolls
https://youtu.be/_XY-4gkpt5Y

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 21 2016, 12:11 AM

Hi mate, that shipping online trick sounds good. I always preffer to try before buying but if you can get it back it's ok.

The new recording has a better sound, your guitar tone improved a lot. Your playing is also tighter on this one. When playing the arpeggios try to make the higher notes sound more, sometimes you mute them too early. You can go more connected with the rhythm in the last section, so try to go more with the drums there.

The lesson is VERY close. Congrats on your hard work.

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 21 2016, 10:38 AM

Thanks - your words are really motivating. I can hear what you mean - will work on it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 21 2016, 09:18 PM

Great! Keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 6 2016, 07:52 PM

Hi Gab, a new GooGooDolls take is here. Was working especially on the arpeggio part. What do you think about the tone - I like it but maybe you feel its too much gain?
btw:. If you think that this take is good enough I really would like a new rhythm lesson ....

https://youtu.be/88-ex49MFso


Applied Music Theory: I really struggle with the current assignment. The good news: I learned the triad shapes, the bad news I cannot get anything out with the fast backing track that sound good. That frustrated me as I was spending quite some time. So last week I did not work on this (except triad shapes) and dedicated the time to my four lessons.

What else: taking your words "not to consider any guitar before playing it" I went to a small guitar store where the owner is a luthier. So I discovered guitars I would never bought online and realized that used guitars in mint condition are often half the price of a new one. And I found out that I really like thicker necks. Ended up with a 2013 PRS that plays so great. Very happy

Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2016, 04:20 PM

Hi Tom! Great stuff here!

GooGooDolls lesson sounds really good! You playing is very good, and now the arpeggios are tight! Congrats on the great job! You can keep playing this one once or twice every day to give more feeling, using elements like groove and dynamics, but I'm impressed of your improvements. You rock. The tone is a bit dirty but it sounds good.

Applied Theory: Don't worry! If this work helped to learn the triads we can say that it has been a very productive month! Try to keep on practicing them to avoid forgetting the shapes. Move the shapes to different roots. This assignment will definitely make easier the next one. Please share your experience with the assignment there to show other students that there are GMCers working on it.

New guitar: Well done! I'm happy to hear this, congratulations!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 7 2016, 04:45 PM

It took me a while to understand why you want us to work a long time at one lesson: you get attention to details if you do not have to care about basic things any longer (like chord changes). If you stop too early and learn a new lesson you never get at this point and miss a lot. So I will play GooGooDolls daily as warmup and also submit it to REC

Have you any rhythm lesson in mind that would be a good next step based on developing my skills or am I free to choose by taste?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 8 2016, 01:55 PM

QUOTE (Tom51 @ Mar 7 2016, 12:45 PM)

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 8 2016, 03:50 PM

Great, here are a few that I bookmarked - not problem if you had something different in mind.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chris-Cornell-Style/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Him-Style-Love-Metal/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Snow-Patrol/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Weezer-Style/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 9 2016, 02:11 PM

I would learn the four of them but in this order:

1. Weezer
2. Him
3. Snow Patrol
4. Chris Cornell

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 10 2016, 09:26 AM

Deal! Building a solid rhythm fundament is a good idea. Lets see how long I will need to get a decent take. Hope I will get faster with each new lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2016, 01:39 AM

Enjoy it, and keep me updated!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 13 2016, 08:09 PM

Hi Gab,
here comes a new take of my all time favorite
I thought I just let you know that I still work hard to get this right. All other lessons are on track and I enjoy learning and playing.

https://youtu.be/W9b6vBwRjEs


Cheers Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 13 2016, 08:48 PM

Hi Tom,

nice take on this one. There is still obviously work to do but it's good to see that you are slowly polishing your playing. The overall need to sound tighter and with more feeling, while there are some moments that need even more work (for example the phrase at 00:59, or the bend close to the end) and that I recommend isolating for practicing.

The elements to improve are mostly:

- vibrato
- articulation
- bending
- timing


Nothing is really dramatic but are the things to have in mind during the next days of practice.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 14 2016, 08:15 AM

Thanks Gab, I will concentrate on these details and also check your playing with the last bend again.
Tone: Its not the same tone you have but to me it sounded better than previous attempts?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 14 2016, 02:04 PM

Yes, I like your tone on this take. I would just add some more presence or treble, but I like it a lot more!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 14 2016, 04:54 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 14 2016, 02:04 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2016, 02:37 PM

Hi Tom!

Thanks for the new take! Your timing is good on this one but your bending it not totally precise. I recommend you to focus only on it during the next 3 days and share a new take. I mean, isolate each bend and practice it, play the target note and then bend, do it for 5/10 minutes on each bend and then play the whole lesson.

After 3 days share a new take and we'll compare, deal?

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 15 2016, 05:28 PM

OK - Deal!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2016, 02:05 PM

Great!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 18 2016, 03:38 PM

Hi Gab,
after three days of bending exercise I recorded a new video. I will continue to practice this way until you are back.
Wish you have a great tour with your band!

Tom

https://youtu.be/sVxr2ib5XR8

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 18 2016, 08:22 PM

Hi mate, your bending is getting better. Keep on practicing for a few days and be careful with timing!

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 21 2016, 06:17 PM

After another 3 days doing the "bending exercise" comes a new recording with hopefully more precise bending and better timing?

https://youtu.be/dYwFgnEHqWQ

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 22 2016, 02:32 PM

Hi Tom! Yes! I note improvements in both elements.

There is still work to do to feel more comfortable with bending and also tighter with timing. I notice that you have some insecurity with triplets so identify the parts and put some more attention to them.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 22 2016, 04:15 PM

Yes thats right, I feel only comfortable when I play the target note before and then bend and fully concentrate on pitch. In the lesson with backing track its much harder. Give me a week for a new take. Next video will be Weezer or Frusciante3 .

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2016, 01:20 PM

yeah, that makes sense. Ok, take your time.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 26 2016, 01:57 PM

Hi Gab - here is my first recording of the Weezer lesson. I did no sync the two videos of lesson part 2 and 5 with the main video yet. I simply do not know how to do that at the moment. But I played everything
Tone is also not where is should be as the power chords have more gain than the intro chords and I have no idea how to switch this during playing so fast. Thanks for your comments !

https://youtu.be/y3sBFGIsc7A


Also recorded a second take of the Frusciante lesson after some weeks of practice.

https://youtu.be/hP_gZ9uUq44

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 28 2016, 02:32 AM

Hi Tom.

good job here! The lesson is on the right track. You just need to continue practicing to get more comfortable with chord changes, and also to be able to play everything more relaxed. I think that your left hand is the one that need to be more relaxed while playing. I notice that you are not liberating it from your wrist when playing, and this makes your take less groovy. Try to let it move freely from your wrist, let it dance with the groove of the backing track. At first it will make everything less controlled but then, it will give a lot of life to your playing. It takes time off course, so be patient.

Posted by: Tom51 Mar 28 2016, 06:05 AM

Thanks Gab - I understand what you mean.

What do you think about the Frusciante 3 ?

https://youtu.be/hP_gZ9uUq44

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 28 2016, 01:20 PM

Hi mate, sorry I missed the lesson in the previous post.

The lesson is also evolving well. The most important elements to fix on this one are: bending & timing. Bending issue is related to the pitch of your bends. Timing problems appear on the octave chords melodies but also on the faster pentatonic licks (the most classic rock style).

I think that it's better if you isolate the trickier parts of this one to get more familiar with the licks and adjust timing and bending.

Keep on the good job!

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 1 2016, 03:31 PM

Hi Gab,
still doing the bending exercise daily and also play the Simple Melodies in Am lesson daily. Here is a new video:
Thanks Tom


https://youtu.be/d7LRpZPH_4I


Update: Buckethead video added
corrected the lick around the last bend, more presence in my tone, played better

https://youtu.be/f5sNezQJ_bw

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2016, 06:20 PM

Hi Tom!

Great videos! I can notice important improvements regarding all the elements that we've been talking about! I'm personally impressed by how better your timing is on this videos. Congrats!

How are you organizing your diary practice?

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 3 2016, 09:46 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Apr 2 2016, 06:20 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 4 2016, 02:31 AM

Awesome! I think that your plan is very reasonable, creative and very personal. I wouldn't change any detail on your practice routine because you are being wise on how to work on the weak points without losing focus and motivation. I was asking just because I was curious, since I also note good results in your playing so everything is on the right way.


I think that it's ok to set a deadline with those two lessons that have been on your practice sessions for a long time. This will be positive for you so let's go for it.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 13 2016, 06:11 PM

Hi Gab,
Here is the last take of the "Simples Melodies in Aminor" lesson. Not sure if there is improvement since the last one. But its time to change the lesson to keep motivation up.
Please let me know what you think. Maybe I can put it in the REC section too?

https://youtu.be/rCAX2MvdeP4


Tom

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 14 2016, 02:16 PM

Hi Tom, yeah, I think that this one is obviously at the level of the latest takes that you've shared. You are getting more and more comfortable but those bends need still more practice. I think that going for another lesson that includes bending is a good idea.

What about giving a try to this one?

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginner-Bending-Workout/

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 14 2016, 02:39 PM

Thanks Gab - I am sure it will take some years of practice to develop a good bending technique and vibrato.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 14 2016, 07:33 PM

Sure, just keep going!

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 17 2016, 03:24 PM

And here is my Buckethead video. Wow...it has really taken a very long time to get there and it must have been very hard for you at the beginning Hope you can enjoy listening to this one now. Sure there is room to make it better but I am a little proud of the result.

I also want to put it in the REC section for feedback from the other instructors.
Without your patience and advise I would have never got to this level. Thanks so much Gab!

https://youtu.be/F_sbixGk04w

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 18 2016, 06:29 AM

Hi Tom,

Great to have your final (by now) take of this lesson. I think that your progress on this lesson is very notable if you compare your first takes with this one so congrats on your hard work. As we decided previously, it's time to move to new lessons and maybe get back to this one in the future to see how your playing keeps evolving.

I also think that sharing this one at REC is a good idea, go for it!

Finally thanks for your nice words. I feel proud and happy.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 19 2016, 11:35 AM

Hi Gab, still searching for the next bending and vibrato lesson. I would still do the "bending exercise" (play target note first then bend) in addition.
Therefore maybe we can look for a more musical lesson that motivates me over a long time?

Just a few ideas that I would like:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pink-Floyd-Influences/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bend-And-Slide-Exercises/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-licks-beginner/

Sure if you feel the best choice for me would be the new lesson from Darius I would trust your decision and would go for it .
Also I want to add HIM style rhythm lesson so that we have my practice schedule (60-90 min for summertime is more realistic )

4 lessons 15-30min (Weezer and HIM , Frusciante 3, and new bending lesson)
Music Theory 30min ( I realized that I slowly forget some of the things we did before and will start repeating it)

Just let me know what you think. Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 19 2016, 02:59 PM

Hi Tom,

I prefer that you choose the one that motivates you more to practice. Each of those lessons will do the job of making you practice bending so it's up to you. I consider Darius lesson cool because it's like the bending exercise but in a musical context but don't worry about it, choose the one that you like more!

The plan sounds perfect.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 22 2016, 02:57 PM

Hi Gab, just recorded a new Weezer lesson. Was working to improve my right hand moves in the last weeks.
For the two middle parts I just recorded audio to save a little time. I would merge all 3 videos for a final take then.

https://youtu.be/J4pFfnlmJ2E

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 25 2016, 03:56 AM

Hi Tom, nice take.

During the next days I suggest you to pay attention to two things:

- Right hand movement: I think that there is something to adjust on your right hand movement, mostly when you play the first part and the last melodic riff. It's hard to explain with words but it's something related to how much you start the motion from your wrist. Please compare your take with my video and tell me what conclusions you take.

- chord changes: I note that you are not comfortable with some chord changes yet, mostly in the chorus section. Focus on it.

Posted by: Tom51 Apr 25 2016, 02:32 PM

Hi Gab,
thanks for your feedback. I just revisited the lesson and can see what you mean. Your right hand only moves in one axis vertically up and down adn stays more or less at same hight above guitar body
My hand moves vertically and horizontally like I would be trying to paint a curve. I know how where the turn of my hand came from: at the beginning I was trying with my hard 2mm pick to strumm which requires to change the pick angle for ups and downs. Now I usually use around 1mm for strumming which is easier.

To me my hand feels good and loose but I will try to get closer to your hand position. Maybe I should record the full arm next time so that you can see it better.

Did I get what you want me to see?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 26 2016, 01:26 PM

Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Take your time to see other guitarists and how they move their right hand. I think that you will have more control if you adjust a bit your motion and it will be very helpful for more advanced stuff.

Posted by: Tom51 May 5 2016, 02:42 PM

Hi Gab, was working on the movement of my rhythm hand to get this more in the direction we were talking about and recorded a new Weezer lesson. Curious what you think. Cheers Tom

https://youtu.be/Ihw5AZRTPKE

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2016, 10:04 PM

Hi Tom, yeah, this is better! It's more relaxed so I can say that this is a new step into the right direction. Keep on practising trying to make your hand get more and more relaxed.

Posted by: Tom51 May 6 2016, 06:25 PM

Great to hear that I am on the right way with the rhythm hand. So I will practice Weezer lesson for the next 4 weeks and make a final take. OK?

Here comes my first recoding on the Bending lesson after about 3 weeks practice. I focused on getting timing and bending right first. Sorry for bad light in the video which is due to sun today afternoon. I did not see it during recording.

https://youtu.be/IezW35_onvk



Currently I repeat arpeggios and triads from former theory lessons. What so you think about getting back to the improvisation course from your video chat? Or will we have further theory assignments in our forum?

Thanks for feedback Gab!
Tom

I should have mention that I choose this lesson
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/david-gilmour-style-lesson/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 8 2016, 05:49 PM

Hi Tom,

Great to see you working on Gilmour lesson. Your bending is reaching the correct pitch in most of the times which is a great thing. Here are some things that I would have in mind during the next days of practice and for the next take:

- Vibrato: Your vibrato needs some attention. Check your phrasing on this take and compare it with the original lesson. You'll notice a different treatment of vibrato. Take your time to make it sound more consistent. It requires very deep attention.

- articulation: Some phrases could sound smoother, mostly when you play 16th notes. The notes sound like "cut" too early, try to make your alternate picking runs sound smoother.

- Tone: I think that your tone needs some polishing on this one. It sounds much thinner than the original lesson. Experiment with EQ balance to make it sound "bigger" as Wallimann's.


Getting back to the improvisation course sounds good. That course has a structured program so you should go for it. The work outs are more like "complementary" works.

Posted by: Tom51 May 21 2016, 04:21 PM

Hello Gab - new videos with Weezer and Gilmour lesson.

Weezer Style
Still working on my rhythm hand movement. I practice this lesson only a few times daily as I get bored soon. So maybe we change this for another one soon.

https://youtu.be/YFRvOguEjrw


Gilmour Lesson
This lesson is the last in my daily practice because I really like it am very motivated. So I can play this again and again. Its really interesting and shows me how important it is to practice music we deeply enjoy.
Was trying to improve my vibrato and slowly add small vibrato at some bends.

https://youtu.be/NyGwOvqBVjM

Also working on HIM (hmmm not with that fascination) and Frusciante 3. New recording will be here soon.


About Music Theory Assignment: I really work on it but its a big challenge. I understood that its not the best idea to just play pentatonic without keeping attention to the backing chord notes. At the moment I try to make some melodies just using Em7 Am7 and Bm7 notes but that is not easy. Just wanted to say "I am working" even if you do not hear something new.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 21 2016, 10:11 PM

Hi Tom!! Congrats on these new videos.

Both lessons shows notable improvements so you are working on the right way. I'm impressed of how precise you managed rhythm on Gilmour's lesson and how better your vibrato and bending are becoming.

There is obviously room to keep on improving both lessons (we've talked about the things to focus) but you are on the right track.

I'm still not convinced of your right hand picking. There is something weird regarding the way to pick the strings, hold the pick and the overall movement. I would like to see you working on this lesson, and trying to emulate Ben's right hand movement:

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

Posted by: Tom51 May 22 2016, 11:13 AM

You are a big motivator Gab
I will continue working on both lessons to get a good take.

We will have a hot day today and I promised to help the family to make some tasty lemon ice cream and so I started immediately in the morning with Ben's Picking lesson. Here is a video. I positioned the camera so that you see my picking hand.
Also I did not use my usual 2,2mm fat Chicken Pick as it is very round at the peak. I remembered a Darius lesson and used a 0,85mm pick after trying some around 1mm.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks a lot!
Tom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5jltv-tCrE&feature=em-upload_owner

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 22 2016, 04:45 PM

Hi Tom! Great job!

The new video looks good! I think that it's a good idea to keep this lesson in your diary routine to train your right hand and to try to relax more your right hand when playing it. I would also try to hold the pick a bit more with the tip of your thumb, to have more precision.

Posted by: Tom51 May 22 2016, 05:50 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 22 2016, 03:45 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 24 2016, 02:03 PM

Well done! Keep going mate!

Posted by: Tom51 Jun 12 2016, 10:20 AM

Hi Gab, an update of the Gilmour lesson... was working to improve the vibrato for bended notes. Thanks Tom

https://youtu.be/NNXyxdVV7hs

Update: recorded Ben's Picking Lesson too...

https://youtu.be/QqeiOqSJBb4

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2016, 12:18 AM

Hi Tom,

This is going well but there is off course room to improvements on both lessons. The picking lesson is much closer, it just has some timing issues while the other lesson still need work on bending and vibrato.

As always, your playing keeps on progression. Congrats.