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GMC Forum _ Darius Wave _ Monica Gheorghevici Improvising Workshop
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 28 2013, 12:33 PM
Hi Monica! Let's work on Your improvising skills. My proposition is to make a detailed analysis of some particular track. Do You have any favorite tracks to work on?
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 28 2013, 01:14 PM
Hi Darek, thank you very much for accepting me
Currently I’m working on an improvisation over your backing track "Soft Ballad in E minor". Improvisation is finished but I still have the feeling that my improv is not as good as the backing track. I guess you realize how much I love BT. If you want we can work on it together and try to sound much better. So far I have recorded only one version that has some pretty bad with some false bends. It was recorded at first hand, just to not forget my idea. If you want I will send you this piece and then we will make changes to it.
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 28 2013, 04:48 PM
I'm afraid that one of the things You'll have to do if You want to develope Your playing is to share All You stuff...the one You're not proud off to So...I have take a look at Yur aproach to the "poor puppy"
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 28 2013, 06:54 PM
So...I have take a look at Yur aproach to the "poor puppy" So, what can I say, I don't like to share some stuff if they are not perfect. I will suicide after I upload the file
You will see that I fail my all bends but was just a draft. I let the guitar very loud because you know the backing and I didn't want to use some tricks to make all sounds better
This is me recording at first hand just in the moment when I improvising. Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 28 2013, 08:52 PM
I forgot to tell you, in the version I uploaded, bends are without raking. In my mind bend must be with raking (not the first 2 bends). I didn't make a new recording because I thought my improvisation it's not finish yet
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 29 2013, 10:50 AM
Monica You have a great sense of melody...it fits my preferences as hell. As for the improvisation - I remember You were present at the video chat when I talked about some details. Try to add them to Your playing.
Consider one thing -
Your amount of distortion is quite ok - I mean small enough to let the dynamics breakthrough - softer strokes has warmer tone and a bit less volume. That's ok and we need this to happen. But...In some situation the bridge pickup and too many notes played with picking kills the "smoothness of the track. I would focus on some very first few phrases and make a tons of variations. Firat of all I would search how to replace some picked notes with: bends, legato, slide etc.
Let's make it more fluid.
In this kind of track I would probably use bridge pickup only on the most agressive part somewhere in the end...to increase the tension. But...to note make a listener bored...You need to pla less in the beginning or at lest makes some exchange with dense parts to get rid of the constant tension feel.
I hope It's clear...I'm not sure You get me correct
For example - the lick at 0:30. I would very softly touch the B note and then use my finger instead of the pick to hit E. Other two notes (F# and G) I would let them fade out by doing only slegato slides
Here is an example of what I would do with that short part:
monica_example_01.mp3 ( 274.29K )
: 160
I'm beginning with soft pick hit and then soft finger touch, two legato slides. Then I hit the F# with my second finger again and make two bends (no picking, just laying on the first hit sustain). Of course I mena the second finger of the right hand.
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 29 2013, 12:38 PM
I’m glad to hear that you like it. That's good because if both have the same vision of melodic sense, working together on issues of my abilities this should go
I remember all details that you said in Vchat. I still struggle to make those different bends that you showed and different approaches on a musical phrase but it’s not easy at all. When you play everything seems very easy, very natural to do but the next day every all things are different. This means I need more practice
Don’t worry I think I understand correctly. You're right I always play too many notes with picking. I will start to remove this. I also want a beginning a little soft. The main idea was to make the whole intro without picking only make the accents with volume, like your intro from video "RIFFIT guitar solo contest". But it was just an unattainable dream.
I will start to play on neck pickup.
Your example was very clear to me and sounds great. I’ll make changes these days
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 29 2013, 04:51 PM
Ok Monica Give Yourself as much time as necessary. Cut all the solo to little pieces. It's nothing bad to work an hour to find the perfect execution for a 3 notes
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 29 2013, 07:58 PM
I worked more then 1 hour for 3 notes
So, I played on neck pickup and I tried to respect your example. It's very hard to hit the F# with my second finger and make 2 bends because I loose sound. Maybe because I don't hit much stronger or I think I misunderstand something. You told me to hit with the right hand and I made it with the left hand. I tried to find a solution to use right hand but it was impossible
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 29 2013, 09:41 PM
I think this i very good way. I love it You can add some more notes and some more picking in the moment that full section starts to play Now try to show me same amount of bars of solo with section added This way is a good way Very smooth
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 30 2013, 11:02 AM
Today I understand what you mean when you said about "to use for that note second finger on the right hand". You wanted hybrid picking but I tried a stupid thing I tried to use my second finger on the right hand near finger on the left hand......was impossible of course When I saw my fingers crossed I realize that I am blond again 
This evening I will make the changes.
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 30 2013, 01:22 PM
I tried to use my second finger on the right hand near finger on the left hand......was impossible of course When I saw my fingers crossed I realize that I am blond again This evening I will make the changes.
Ha ha ha ha ah!!!!!! Please make a video if You make it happen
I'd love to see this happening
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 30 2013, 11:13 PM
I made the changes for intro
Posted by: Darius Wave Jul 31 2013, 10:48 AM
Well done Monica! This is very good. Now show me how can You add some more energy - only a little to next few bars
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 31 2013, 08:56 PM
I try to add a little energy for next few bars but I think is too much
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 2 2013, 09:33 PM
This concept is ok - it adds some tension but doesn't expand all the tools that will be usefull while playing with the full section. For my private taste I would think of adding some more contrast in this part. It probably the last moment when any dynamics contrats would affect emotionality of the solo that well. Try to mix some very agressive bluesy phrases (sharp tone, straight pick, full power) with warm and sotfly played notes. Treat it like a human talking about something important with all the feelings that coexist while he/she speaks
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 4 2013, 06:56 PM
I made another demo and I tried to combine softly played notes with some straight pick and full power. I think at 0:49-0:52 it still to loud, but I tried to play that part much softly only with a little crescendo but didn't sound ok.
One question: when you tell me to mix some "very aggressive bluesy phrases" you mean to change the melodic line with some bluesy lick or only the feeling?
BTW I didn't know that I can play with more feeling that I played usual It's a nice feeling to discover myself behind my issue skills. So, if something don't sound good please put me to make that thing for 100 times and "squeeze me" to the limit
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 4 2013, 08:49 PM
One question: when you tell me to mix some "very aggressive bluesy phrases" you mean to change the melodic line with some bluesy lick or only the feeling?
BTW I didn't know that I can play with more feeling that I played usual
It's a nice feeling to discover myself behind my issue skills. So, if something don't sound good please put me to make that thing for 100 times and "squeeze me" to the limit I think You get the point
It not about blues licks but the way the tone and dynamics level change in blues playing is very cool. It's a contrats in very sjort phrases. It sound like to people talking but one is screaming and the second is just softly saying "sorry". You indeed made a crescendo in that third part and it sounded very ok even if it was not 100% what I meant it still ad some good to the track. Try to make alternative version with bles geeling...like...You hit one note very hard, do a soft preband and release. Than a few soft notes as the answer...etc
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 5 2013, 07:32 PM
I made another version, I put a new very soft bend inside to make some difference in "discussion".
But I still have the feeling that something isn't right. Something missing in my puzzle
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 7 2013, 10:31 AM
I think we have this thing done - explained via video chat. Waiting for the results
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 7 2013, 08:02 PM
Another day another attempt This version is different but, I think the notes should be played very slowly are pretty strong Tell me please how far I am from the correct version?
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 8 2013, 07:58 PM
Nope....this isn't what we need yet.... To much tension, not enough breath in this ending part. We need very short moments of agression mixed with longers parts of soft responses
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 9 2013, 07:34 AM
You know what is funny? You explained me very good in Vchat and I understand. To be sure, I tried to make that contrast with aggressive bluesy phrases on another lick and was ok. When I try to make the same thing on our lick is a big fail. I don't know why this thing happens. In our part I think that notes are playing a little liniar and it's hard to make it in bluesy style. If it was a lick with some pentatonic structure were much simple because inspires me to use that dynamic. I tried to explain you what happen in my mind and maybe we find how to fix that problem.
Now more than ever I want to manage to make that parts sound as it should. I must to make a perfect version.
This is another version
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 9 2013, 08:23 AM
Now more than ever I want to manage to make that parts sound as it should. I must to make a perfect version.
This is another version
You are right...We need to chabge the whole lick
One of the reasons is that it's linear in case of rhythm. Maybe try to mess with it a bit more. Add some breaks and some dense moments
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 10 2013, 06:50 PM
Before to change whole lick I was thinking again what I'm doing wrong. Then I decide to change position of playing for that part with one more comfortable. I realised that I "walking" with big movements like a mad man, without reason. And then I was losing the essential, to fix my full attention on feeling not on the movements. Of course is not perfect but I think is a big difference because is more emotional
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 11 2013, 02:51 PM
Yes...now we're back on track I think You can do better! But now You found the way... This is what I meant
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 11 2013, 08:16 PM
Ha,ha....between us, you are the only one who believe that I can do better I made another demo but the differences between the versions are very small. I tried to analyze again the whole lick and I think that something is missing between the two bends with raking. In the last version between bends we had a little crescendo. This idea is ok but not satisfactory. I thought the good thing would be to add another 3-4 notes aggressive in that part and then to make a very small crescendo in the final. But it was not a good idea and didn't sound like it was in my mind. Where I do wrong and what can I do to sound as it should?
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 12 2013, 10:05 AM
I think the dynamics are ok...You could only try to mess with some rhythm. I mean more very short but fast licks at the higher strength moments. Maybe try to treat those soft notes with triplet feel too
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 13 2013, 11:13 AM
After many issues with my computer today, another version is ready I tried to make some notes with triplet feel. I think this time, soft notes is not really soft because I don't know what happend but when I saved the demo everything was to loud but the volume of the guitar was at half.
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 13 2013, 03:40 PM
I think You should go to next part. There is no "correct" version. Otherwise we would all play exactly the same 
You csan always go back and add some changes if You feel something is missing but for now the tension grows in a very good way
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 14 2013, 09:53 PM
I tried to lower the guitar volume at the end of the intro and the difference is hearing disturbing. Do you think I should play more soft that part of the end? I think I made the same mistake and again I have too manny notes played with picking and because of that the sound is not warm.
About the second part for intro you have right and always go back and add some changes. So, after we will finish the whole song I think we should go back to the second part I don't know how to explain it to you, but I have the feeling that part is good only half. I didn't taken full advantage of this part.
But now I will concentrate for new parts
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 14 2013, 10:38 PM
It's exactly what I do very often! It's good choice because If You'll put 100% into some middle parts and it will sound like they're not ok with the rest of the song the this time is wasted You can always go back. My only advice for that part is that there is no breath. To many notes. Good dynamics concept...But You didn't left the "relaxation" moment for the listener. I would only remove a few notes so it won't sound so dense
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 15 2013, 03:14 PM
You said the magic words “to many notes” and then my mind was lighted and I went back to make changes. I left more space So, how do you think it sound now? Am I removed too many notes?
One mention, the first bends from the first part of intro is around tone I concentrate only for the new part and I made some mistakes
You didn’t say anything about the last part of intro. What do I do wrong in that part?
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 15 2013, 10:19 PM
I like those changes in the part before...it's smoother now But...I would remove some more notes from the last part
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 16 2013, 12:56 PM
Mission accomplished, I removed more notes from the last part
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 23 2013, 09:31 AM
What you say about the last modified? You listened, it's ok or you want me to do others changes?
Posted by: Darius Wave Aug 23 2013, 12:44 PM
I'm gibing myselft some to to analyse. Something is not right with the ending....not enough contrast. I'm searching for some tips for ya
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 29 2013, 07:10 PM
I made a new attempt. I know that you don't gave me yet new instructions, but I think You will don't mind if I tried to put some contrast in the final part I try to follow your advice that you gave me in the last Vchat. I do not know how well it came out In the first part bends are not in tone
Posted by: Darius Wave Sep 1 2013, 08:28 PM
Monica...I spent all day finishing mentholwhore collab but I found one thing we have to seriously fix. Watching Your take I found You're holding the pick on the flat side of the first finger. I did the same through a few first years of playing...but I had to switch to the side of the finger to be able to make one step further....We have to talk about it on the next video chat...please remind me
Also I would like You to try this lesson:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Blues-Dynamics/
There some dynamic and rhythm groups we might like to use in poor puppy workshop I think You're gonna like the lesson
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 2 2013, 11:52 AM
You busted me I have a big problem with holding pick. I never thought, you will see this thing in that short video. But.....your vigilant eyes miss something, I hold the pick with 3 fingers not with 2 fingers It's hard to explain how can I do that big stupid thing.
You're right and I like Piotr's lesson. Coincidence is that I just looked at it this morning (until you to give me the new task) and that part with Gary Moore style is awesome The only strange thing for me is that I love to listen blues but You can't imagine how much I hate to play blues. Maybe because when I tried, I failed to play with correct feeling
I will make this lesson, but I will not rush to finish very fast because that phrasing is not easy to imitate. I don't want to ruin the lesson
Posted by: Darius Wave Sep 2 2013, 01:08 PM
So You accept the challange Will You be able to participate in tomorrow's chat? I'll explain some thing about the picking hand grip
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 3 2013, 06:43 AM
Of course, I will be present at Vchat. I will never miss your lessons
Posted by: Darius Wave Sep 6 2013, 08:44 AM
How about Your take over blues phrasing lesson ? There are many usefull licks and concepts!
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 6 2013, 09:37 AM
Your task stuck me between two conceptions. First conception is that I hate to play blues and second conception I hate to cover somebody. I'm the unsuitable person to play the blues. I try to catch that feeling but.....big fail. And bend, after bend, after bend......another fail. I stop and I start to thinking what can I do.
So, I try another idea until to return at my challenge lesson.
I made my take for Patrik collab with another phrasing. More different that I used the listeners Much happy take version with more bends, hammer on and different accents. Now is finished but I want more attitude in play and some changes
But, in this weekend I will work only for that challenge lesson The bad parts is I forgot almost all my initial version for "poor puppy". I spend a lot time making another things and I feel like I'm getting away from the initial task.
Posted by: Darius Wave Sep 6 2013, 01:33 PM
You hate blues as long As You don't know it well Descent blues players have a lot of emotional stuff to learn from them. It's very good school of building emotions and avoid "square playing"
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 15 2013, 07:30 PM
This is my take for Patrik metal collab. New version and good version of course, with some pinch harmonics and all bends in tone
I want to ask you if you could tell me please if it's sound ok, because you know that I have some problems when I try to improvise on metal style. If you think that I must make some changes please tell me or let me know if it's ok to let it in this version
Posted by: Darius Wave Oct 16 2013, 09:22 AM
Very nice take! You don't have to be a shredder to play cool solo over metal track. You took care about some details that needed fix in the demo version of Your take. I like the pinch harmonic going slowly down. The only thing You could consider while making progress with next takes for next collabs is how to remove some of the picking while You go to the second part of the solo - it's about adding some fluency, replacing constant picking articulation with some longer legato runs etc.
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 16 2013, 10:22 AM
You have perfectly right about my abusive picking I didn't like the sound of constant picking because it gives a linear sound.
I managed to control this thing in other melodic improvisations that we work together. All you taught me was successful But when I hear this metal beat I don't know why I play with pick after pick. This is a big issue that we must fix together for others similar metal stuff. I'm scared when the beat is over 160 BPM
Posted by: Darius Wave Oct 16 2013, 10:47 AM
I didn't like the sound of constant picking because it gives a linear sound.I managed to control this thing in other melodic improvisations that we work together. All you taught me was successful
But when I hear this metal beat I don't know why I play with pick after pick. This is a big issue that we must fix together for others similar metal stuff. I'm scared when the beat is over 160 BPM Nothing to be scared of
First step to the solution is just knowing the problem is there. It's not a huge issue but indeed You could play the same notes trying som basic tricks like just replacing some longer picking parts with legato or just make it for exchange. Also vibration notes between two differen notes (like B to C bend and release matched to the song tempo) is something that could keep the "motor going on" but also will help to leave that constant picking feeling
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 22 2013, 11:41 AM
Until I will finish your lesson for our mentoring (I take 3 days holiday to finish that ), I want to ask you something. I don't know if you saw but I made a video with some techniques for expression played separately. It's obvious that I made more mistakes trying to show all of that. Why I made this video....you will see it in my topic
Can you tell me please what am I doing wrong on those techniques? Of course when I mix all this techniques sounds decent, but separately the errors appear. I want to fix that and I don't know where is the problem (I guess it's something wrong at the right hand like usual). One thing before you tell me that....I know I hold the pick on the flat side of the first fingers I still try to repair this but it takes much longer time Until now I can do only some things in the correct position but I work on this
You can find my video here:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50435
Posted by: Darius Wave Oct 23 2013, 09:43 AM
We already cleared a few things in the messages so let's get back to work Overall You did a very good job - as I said in PM - I like the improvised part most The tone cuts well through the mix and nicely interact with tha backing.
Unfortunately I see one big problem to fix. We already spoke about it. It's time for You to make very hard decision. I watched closely to Your right hand for quite some time. I'm surprised that Your teacher didn't help You fix that since the very beginning. Hands positions and movements are the key to be efficient player. With Your current right hand position You will hard to progress any further 
I know exactly how hard decission it is and how much time it takes to change some habbits we have but usually there is no other way to progress. I had picking hand problems myself but i decided to switch because I couldn't go any further with my playing.
Let me shortly explain. Your right hand is very often resting nowhere - some of the strength get lost for holding the hand in the air while instead of this You could have two resting points - forearm (edge of the guitar body) and wrist (a few different concepts but mostly on the bridge). This will also help to hold the whole guitar more stable...fox example while playing in standing position
When Your hand is hanging too much perpendicular to the strings. You loose too much of a wrist movement range and maybe this is a reason for almost only circle picking in Your case. With this hand position You couldn'tfind my pick grabing advices usefull because it just ain't work with this hand angle.
You have to make a choice. I won't lie - this would be hard and for some time You won't be able to play a lot of stuff You already can, but this is for Your own good. I'm praparing detailed lesson about picking hand (because of need to help You and other people with similar problems). Before it will be finished and published I'll try to help You diffrent ways but...
first of all...it's a matter of Your decission...
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 23 2013, 05:09 PM
What can I say, some teachers want their students to perform, unfortunately others don't want this thing But all this are in the past and now I follow a new way.
I know it will be very hard to fix some habits, because I used them every day. But it's not a choice for me it's a must. I can't reach the level that I wish if I let all this things in such way. I'm lucky because you know which are my problems and together we can fix that
So, I will concentrate only to repair this problem and I gave myself 48 hours to be able to make a video in correct position. It's only about practice with maxim focus, nothing else
If you are agree (I hope you will be ) I will sent you (in PM ) a short video next days to be sure that the new position it's the good one
I don't want to make some wrong practice again.
But I have a big problem after this killer day with new hand position. I can play only new things, I can't play the old improvisations or our lessons. And I worked hard for your lesson and that blues lessons and now I can't play neither 2 bars. It's very frustrating.
Posted by: Darius Wave Oct 24 2013, 09:11 AM
I wouldn't try to make You do this so much If I wouldn't be going through exactly the same issue. I know how hard is this and for some time You might feel like You can't play anything at all but this will pass and later You'll be able to get higher with Your right hand technique..Everything's gonna be fine - You'll see! Just give me regular vids of Your progress. Please try to record Your right hand with similar camera angle / view like the one on slow parts in my lessons...this will make me able to see exactly what's going on with Your hand
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