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GMC Forum _ Alex Feather _ Subbedchris Guitar Mentoring

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 5 2012, 06:09 AM

Hi! I am very happy that you have decided to join!!!
Here is a few questions!
-What are your goals?
-What is your weakness?
-What is your strongest point?
-Your favorite guitar players?
I am looking forward to start mentoring you!
Welcome aboard!!!! smile.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 5 2012, 10:57 AM

Hello Alex,glad to join! biggrin.gif Firstly,I'm a male from Greece who plays for about 2.5 years guitar and everything I learned is from GMC and tabs from Ultimate-Guitar or similar sites. I never had a personal trainer or help in real life and I'm quite sure GMC if filling that gap!!


What are your goals?

Truth is I've only occupied myself with tabs so I don't really know theory. Not even scales sad.gif I did an MTP two years ago which concerned mostly theory,but since then I play little guitar because of studies so I've forgotten everything! ohmy.gif

So from this MTP,I want the main goal to be learning the appropriate theory that will be needed mostly for improvising! I really want to learn improvising on a backing track and such and I think whereas melodic phrasing lines are more important developing for improvising,theory should be very helpful as well!

Another think I want discussed from this MTP is tone. My tone SUCKS!! It always did. I have just a Gibson Epiphone and Line 6 POD I use and a little Marshall MG10CD I use when I borrow sometimes effect pedals from friends!

What is your weakness?
-What is your strongest point?

Well I dont think I have something better than the other or the other way around tongue.gif All techniques really need improvement! If I were to mention something,I have to improve my Alternate Picking tongue.gif Ohh and my tone!!!!!!!


Your favorite guitar players?

I like many guitar players but If I were to mention some,it would be Joe Satriani,Guthrie Govan,Paul Gilbert and SRV... I just love all of them and I would like to be able to play in the style of all of them in the future biggrin.gif



Final


I think I might be able to manage 4 or even 5 level lessons! I will make some vids of me playing and post them these days so you can see for yourself! I'm really happy to be starting this program with you!!! smile.gif

Chris

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 6 2012, 08:42 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 5 2012, 09:57 AM) *
Hello Alex,glad to join! biggrin.gif Firstly,I'm a male from Greece who plays for about 2.5 years guitar and everything I learned is from GMC and tabs from Ultimate-Guitar or similar sites. I never had a personal trainer or help in real life and I'm quite sure GMC if filling that gap!!


What are your goals?

Truth is I've only occupied myself with tabs so I don't really know theory. Not even scales sad.gif I did an MTP two years ago which concerned mostly theory,but since then I play little guitar because of studies so I've forgotten everything! ohmy.gif

So from this MTP,I want the main goal to be learning the appropriate theory that will be needed mostly for improvising! I really want to learn improvising on a backing track and such and I think whereas melodic phrasing lines are more important developing for improvising,theory should be very helpful as well!

Another think I want discussed from this MTP is tone. My tone SUCKS!! It always did. I have just a Gibson Epiphone and Line 6 POD I use and a little Marshall MG10CD I use when I borrow sometimes effect pedals from friends!

What is your weakness?
-What is your strongest point?

Well I dont think I have something better than the other or the other way around tongue.gif All techniques really need improvement! If I were to mention something,I have to improve my Alternate Picking tongue.gif Ohh and my tone!!!!!!!


Your favorite guitar players?

I like many guitar players but If I were to mention some,it would be Joe Satriani,Guthrie Govan,Paul Gilbert and SRV... I just love all of them and I would like to be able to play in the style of all of them in the future biggrin.gif



Final


I think I might be able to manage 4 or even 5 level lessons! I will make some vids of me playing and post them these days so you can see for yourself! I'm really happy to be starting this program with you!!! smile.gif

Chris


Awesome I am very happy to have you on board!!! smile.gif
First I would like to give you some hands workout exercises those will develop your alternative picking technique very fast!!!
The trick is to practice it at a very slow tempo and get full control over your hands!!!
It is very important to master mechanical exercises you will get great results and will see progress very very fast! 
E ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|
B ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|
G ||o5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|
D ||o--------------------------|----------------------------------------|
A ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|
E ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|


----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||
--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--o|||
----------------------------|--------------------------------------o|||
----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||


-------------3--3----------|--------------3--3----------|
-------4--4--------4--4----|--------4--4--------4--4----|
o5--5----------------------|--5--5----------------------|
o--------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|


--------------3--3----------|--------------3--3---------|||
--------4--4--------4--4----|--------4--4--------4--4---|||
--5--5----------------------|--5--5--------------------o|||
----------------------------|--------------------------o|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||


-6--3----------------------|--6--3----------------------|
----------4--6--3----------|-----------4--6--3----------|
o------5-----------5--3----|--------5-----------5--3----|
o--------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|


--6--3----------------------|--6--3---------------------|||
-----------4--6--3----------|-----------4--6--3---------|||
--------5-----------5--3----|--------5-----------5--3--o|||
----------------------------|--------------------------o|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||


-6--3--------------------6--3----------------------|
----------4--6--3-----------------4--6--3----------|
o------5-----------5--3--------5-----------5--3----|
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--6--3--------------6--3----------------|
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--6--3--------------------6--3----------------------|
-----------4--6--3-----------------4--6--3----------|
--------5-----------5--3--------5-----------5--3----|
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--6--3--------------6--3---------------|||
--------4-----------------4------------|||
-----------5--4--3-----------5--4--3--o|||
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-6--4--3-------------------------------------------|
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o---------7--5--3--------------------7--5--3-------|
o---------------------------6--5--3----------------|
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--------6--5--3-----------------------------3--5----|
--5--3-----------------------------3--5--6----------|
-----------------6--4--3--3--4--6-------------------|


-----------------------4--6--8--3--4--6-------------|
--------------4--6--8--------------------3--4--6----|
-----3--5--7----------------------------------------|
--6-------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
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--6--4--3-------------------------------------------|
--------------------6--4--3-------------------------|
-----------7--5--3--------------------7--5--3-------|
-----------------------------6--5--3----------------|
-----------------------------------------------6----|
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--------6--5--3-----------------------------3--5----|
--5--3-----------------------------3--5--6----------|
-----------------6--4--3--3--4--6-------------------|


-----------------------4--6--8--3--4--6------------|||
--------------4--6--8--------------------3--4--6---|||
-----3--5--7--------------------------------------o|||
--6-----------------------------------------------o|||
---------------------------------------------------|||
---------------------------------------------------|||




Please let me know if you have any questions! I am looking forward to hear your thought about the exercises!!!
They're really work!

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 6 2012, 05:15 PM

Cool exercise man!!! biggrin.gif I'll be doing it very often and will increase the tempo slowly!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwnr8ZnWWmQ

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 6 2012, 06:48 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 6 2012, 04:15 PM) *
Cool exercise man!!! biggrin.gif I'll be doing it very often and will increase the tempo slowly!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwnr8ZnWWmQ


You started to rush when you got to the second lick
This exercise is meant to fix all bad habits you might have and will get you full control over your hands which will lead to a good synchronization!
Slower you practice it better results you will get! You did a good job learning it but there are some little details that are missing!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! smile.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 7 2012, 12:02 AM

Ok then,gonna start tomorrow morning and practice it again!!! Gonna post another video of me playing it,starting from slower tempos smile.gif You can post the next assigntment if you want!

The 4th one is a string skipping exercise right??

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 7 2012, 05:50 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 6 2012, 11:02 PM) *
Ok then,gonna start tomorrow morning and practice it again!!! Gonna post another video of me playing it,starting from slower tempos smile.gif You can post the next assigntment if you want!

The 4th one is a string skipping exercise right??

Awesome! I am looking forward to hear your take! The 4th exercise is string skipping! smile.gif
What would you say if we will start getting into improvisation a little bit more or would you like to work on a few more exercises?

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 7 2012, 08:59 PM

I think we should get into improvisation!! smile.gif I may ask you for exercises some other time but Alternate Picking is ok for now!!

Just a reminder I'm at 0% at theory! tongue.gif

The only things I know are chords,how to construct major and minor scales,but I dont know any scales. Just how to construct them so I think a good exercise would be if I work a lot and construct them and apply them on the fretboard!

And about major scale harmony which is something like I(major) II(minor) III(minor) IV(major) V(major) VI(minor) VII (diminished) VIII (major) and just a little about modes (we have to get into those wink.gif )

For example, for the most common scale (and only one I know) is

C Major:C,Dmin,Emin,F,G,Amin,Bdim and C again

So we should get started with this! smile.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 8 2012, 09:02 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 7 2012, 07:59 PM) *
I think we should get into improvisation!! smile.gif I may ask you for exercises some other time but Alternate Picking is ok for now!!

Just a reminder I'm at 0% at theory! tongue.gif

The only things I know are chords,how to construct major and minor scales,but I dont know any scales. Just how to construct them so I think a good exercise would be if I work a lot and construct them and apply them on the fretboard!

And about major scale harmony which is something like I(major) II(minor) III(minor) IV(major) V(major) VI(minor) VII (diminished) VIII (major) and just a little about modes (we have to get into those wink.gif )

For example, for the most common scale (and only one I know) is

C Major:C,Dmin,Emin,F,G,Amin,Bdim and C again

So we should get started with this! smile.gif


So I have a new assignment for you!
Here is the backing track that you can use to practice your assignments!
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/blues-mentoring

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 10 2012, 11:44 AM

Ok here is my attempt,cool backing track,I loved it tongue.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivKbcjrBe1o

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 11 2012, 10:09 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 10 2012, 10:44 AM) *
Ok here is my attempt,cool backing track,I loved it tongue.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivKbcjrBe1o

You did a very good job!
I like your phrases and ideas! The only thing that I would suggest to keep it less busy at first and build your solo gradually! smile.gif
I would like you to do one more take and after I will record and example of me playing to give you more ideas!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! smile.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 11 2012, 10:58 PM

QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Aug 11 2012, 09:09 PM) *
You did a very good job!
I like your phrases and ideas! The only thing that I would suggest to keep it less busy at first and build your solo gradually! smile.gif
I would like you to do one more take and after I will record and example of me playing to give you more ideas!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! smile.gif



Cool!!! Will do that! tongue.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 12 2012, 03:06 PM

Here it is! Messed a little on the 2nd part though..

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

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 14 2012, 12:10 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 12 2012, 02:06 PM) *
Here it is! Messed a little on the 2nd part though..

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

Another very nice take!!!
Have you ever heard about questions and answer technique?

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 14 2012, 12:14 AM

Actually,you used it on your video chat on Sunday biggrin.gif Very awesome technique!!! To me it sounded like the male was asking ''Why'' and his girlfriend responded ''Cause we can't blah blah blah''

To make things short,I think it is playing licks on different octaves,one higher and the next one lower!

Want me to try it? tongue.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 14 2012, 01:30 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 13 2012, 11:14 PM) *
Actually,you used it on your video chat on Sunday biggrin.gif Very awesome technique!!! To me it sounded like the male was asking ''Why'' and his girlfriend responded ''Cause we can't blah blah blah''

To make things short,I think it is playing licks on different octaves,one higher and the next one lower!

Want me to try it? tongue.gif

If you could would be awesome!!! Give it a try it is a very interesting technique!

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 22 2012, 10:52 PM

Ηey Alex! Sorry for being away for so long,had trouble!

I didn't manage to do another take sad.gif I don't really have any other ideas and have difficulty making something melodic!

If possible,what I would like from you is some feedback on my tone! One thing I really want to improve is the attack! Even if I use the rake technique or apply more power picking the strings it doesn't make a difference. I also have little sustain on long notes. That's why the legato is weak on the upper lesson as I have to put too much power on hammering and pulling the strings. And that's why both of these videos are full of pinch harmonics tongue.gif ( I apply too much power cause if I don't the tone sux) andI have to pick many times a note in order for the sound to not fade away!

I really want you to help me figure this out! What should I do with settings such as gain and drive on distortion pedal ( I use Screamer on POD Farm) or other effects.


Furthermore,I would like you to help me on theory basics as far as improvisation is concerned! I mean,it was easy making these videos because the backing tracks had chords that lasted many seconds! But what if there is a chord progression of 3 chords where each bar lasts about 5-6 seconds? Wanna expand on those things!

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 24 2012, 05:24 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 22 2012, 09:52 PM) *
Ηey Alex! Sorry for being away for so long,had trouble!

I didn't manage to do another take sad.gif I don't really have any other ideas and have difficulty making something melodic!

If possible,what I would like from you is some feedback on my tone! One thing I really want to improve is the attack! Even if I use the rake technique or apply more power picking the strings it doesn't make a difference. I also have little sustain on long notes. That's why the legato is weak on the upper lesson as I have to put too much power on hammering and pulling the strings. And that's why both of these videos are full of pinch harmonics tongue.gif ( I apply too much power cause if I don't the tone sux) andI have to pick many times a note in order for the sound to not fade away!

I really want you to help me figure this out! What should I do with settings such as gain and drive on distortion pedal ( I use Screamer on POD Farm) or other effects.


Furthermore,I would like you to help me on theory basics as far as improvisation is concerned! I mean,it was easy making these videos because the backing tracks had chords that lasted many seconds! But what if there is a chord progression of 3 chords where each bar lasts about 5-6 seconds? Wanna expand on those things!


No worries we will get there! Starting very simple and I will be assigning new backing tracks! smile.gif
Lets work on your tone and attack!
To start I would like to know what kind of software are you using to record?

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 24 2012, 08:54 AM

QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Aug 24 2012, 04:24 AM) *
No worries we will get there! Starting very simple and I will be assigning new backing tracks! smile.gif
Lets work on your tone and attack!
To start I would like to know what kind of software are you using to record?


I have an Epiphone Les Paul and I use POD Farm for the sound and Reaper to record!

For this tone,I used a Brit Gain 18 (Amp)
Screamer (Distortion)
Brite Room (Reverb)
Noise Gate
Vetta Wah (Wah)

I didn't use a delay effect pedal cause I don't really know how to adjust with ms and such!

I don't know why I used a Wah,but it makes the sound better! What this POD Farm has is

Guitar Amps,Preamps,Distortions,Dynamics,Filters,Mods,Delays,Reverbs,Wahs,Gates,Compres
sor,EQ!

Thanks! smile.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 26 2012, 05:36 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 24 2012, 07:54 AM) *
I have an Epiphone Les Paul and I use POD Farm for the sound and Reaper to record!

For this tone,I used a Brit Gain 18 (Amp)
Screamer (Distortion)
Brite Room (Reverb)
Noise Gate
Vetta Wah (Wah)

I didn't use a delay effect pedal cause I don't really know how to adjust with ms and such!

I don't know why I used a Wah,but it makes the sound better! What this POD Farm has is

Guitar Amps,Preamps,Distortions,Dynamics,Filters,Mods,Delays,Reverbs,Wahs,Gates,Compres
sor,EQ!

Thanks! smile.gif

I think you have a good choice of sounds and effects!
For the delay you have a few options
Feedback ( I would suggest to keep it on 15 - 20
I would lock the tempo 8th notes
and keep the effect loudness at 20-30
Try it out!
If you like wah sound it is totally fine! Early Satriani recorded with Wah constantly on ad thats how he got his sound! smile.gif
Also I would suggest keeping gain lower and try to compensate the distortion using your right hand! this way you can develop an amazing attack and dynamic!
Let me know if you have anymore questions!
P.S. On Tuesday I will join you in the jam and will record a take to give you ideas! smile.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 26 2012, 07:52 AM

QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Aug 26 2012, 04:36 AM) *
I think you have a good choice of sounds and effects!
For the delay you have a few options
Feedback ( I would suggest to keep it on 15 - 20
I would lock the tempo 8th notes
and keep the effect loudness at 20-30
Try it out!
If you like wah sound it is totally fine! Early Satriani recorded with Wah constantly on ad thats how he got his sound! smile.gif
Also I would suggest keeping gain lower and try to compensate the distortion using your right hand! this way you can develop an amazing attack and dynamic!
Let me know if you have anymore questions!
P.S. On Tuesday I will join you in the jam and will record a take to give you ideas! smile.gif


Ok will try it out! Yeah I know but less gain has more attack and less sustain,and more gain the other way around. I wanna have both! biggrin.gif

I'll be waiting for the licks on Tuesday! smile.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 27 2012, 08:46 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 26 2012, 06:52 AM) *
Ok will try it out! Yeah I know but less gain has more attack and less sustain,and more gain the other way around. I wanna have both! biggrin.gif

I'll be waiting for the licks on Tuesday! smile.gif

Perfect! I will prepare the track pretty soon! smile.gif This will be fun!

Posted by: SubbedChris Aug 30 2012, 10:38 PM

QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Aug 27 2012, 07:46 AM) *
Perfect! I will prepare the track pretty soon! smile.gif This will be fun!


Ok!!

Posted by: Alex Feather Aug 31 2012, 03:53 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Aug 30 2012, 09:38 PM) *
Ok!!

So I came up with a short solo
I used the same E minor pentatonic shapes I gave you!
For a new assignment I would like you to continue my solo! smile.gif
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/subbedchris

Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything!

Posted by: SubbedChris Sep 7 2012, 07:47 PM

Hey Alex,sorry for the huge delay I just managed to do the record,had too much work!

https://www.box.com/s/83jy9amffo34ek551hge

I still have this gain/sustain problem! I put too much gain because the sound otherwise would be too weak! But anyway tongue.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris Sep 7 2012, 10:22 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Sep 7 2012, 06:47 PM) *
Hey Alex,sorry for the huge delay I just managed to do the record,had too much work!

https://www.box.com/s/83jy9amffo34ek551hge

I still have this gain/sustain problem! I put too much gain because the sound otherwise would be too weak! But anyway tongue.gif



Wrong link....This one ------> https://www.box.com/s/15o5v6m5tqfolj2gdrfq


PS: Seems I can't edit the post,moderation team could help if this is a problem!

Posted by: Alex Feather Sep 8 2012, 12:29 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Sep 7 2012, 09:22 PM) *
Wrong link....This one ------> https://www.box.com/s/15o5v6m5tqfolj2gdrfq


PS: Seems I can't edit the post,moderation team could help if this is a problem!

You did a very good job! Nice melodic playing! What needs work is your sound! You told me that it sounds weak but the sound is in your hands not in the stomp box!
Let me know what kind of rig do you use? And what effect you are used for the solo and I will help you out

Posted by: SubbedChris Sep 8 2012, 08:10 AM

QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Sep 7 2012, 11:29 PM) *
You did a very good job! Nice melodic playing! What needs work is your sound! You told me that it sounds weak but the sound is in your hands not in the stomp box!
Let me know what kind of rig do you use? And what effect you are used for the solo and I will help you out


For this one I used an Amp (Brit Gain 18) with maximum drive
Noise Gate with maximum threshold
Classic Distortion with maximum drive and 28%Gain
Vetta Wah
Delay and Reverb


I really put too much power on my picking hand and I don't think that's really necessary..but what I want is sustaion and I don't have it sad.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Sep 10 2012, 07:31 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Sep 8 2012, 07:10 AM) *
For this one I used an Amp (Brit Gain 18) with maximum drive
Noise Gate with maximum threshold
Classic Distortion with maximum drive and 28%Gain
Vetta Wah
Delay and Reverb


I really put too much power on my picking hand and I don't think that's really necessary..but what I want is sustaion and I don't have it sad.gif

I would suggest to turn down gain maybe half way, also try to lower gain on the amp! I would like you to do a take or a few notes using my suggestions and I will add a few more suggestions after! smile.gif

Posted by: Alex Feather Oct 24 2012, 01:25 AM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Sep 8 2012, 07:10 AM) *
For this one I used an Amp (Brit Gain 18) with maximum drive
Noise Gate with maximum threshold
Classic Distortion with maximum drive and 28%Gain
Vetta Wah
Delay and Reverb


I really put too much power on my picking hand and I don't think that's really necessary..but what I want is sustaion and I don't have it sad.gif

Hi I wanted to check on you and see how the things are going? Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! smile.gif

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