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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2014, 04:01 PM

Hello guys! This thread is to invite everybody connected (those who usually participate of the forum and also the new ones or those who are a bit shy) to tell me what you are working on right and also to give you some help if it's needed.

We can use this thread, my personal board and also GMC Chat to work on the things that are locking you.

so the question is:

What are you currently working on?

Posted by: TreyDeschamp Jun 17 2014, 04:14 PM

Currently I'm working from the bottom in terms of learning music theory. I can play things but I've finally started trying to understand the mechanics behind the fret board. I'm currently still learning the notes on the fretboard and also piddling around with trying to apply them.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2014, 04:20 PM

Hi Trey, good plan!

Expanding our theory knowledge always opens new doors in our guitar playing and composing abilities. And learning the notes on the fret board is definitely a basic thing that will affect everything you play and you learn. There are some tricks that helped me a lot to learn the notes on the fret board. The first one was to be able to find all the possible octaves of a note:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


It's awesome how much you can understand the fret board just with this concept.

How is your approach? Have you checked this thread (clickhttp://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48919)?

Posted by: TreyDeschamp Jun 17 2014, 04:31 PM

Currently I'm just learning each note of the string and then trying to say them.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2014, 06:15 PM

Ok, trust me and try to use that short cut that I shared here, It will make everything easier. I also remember an old exercise shared by Joe Satriani that consisted on turning on the metronome, naming a note and playing it on every string and octave that it appears following the beat. It's a great exercise, that can be worked starting at slow tempos and increasing it when you feel comfortable. The advantage of this one is that you practice to be able to jump from one string to the other to catch the next part of the fret boar where the note appears.

Posted by: TreyDeschamp Jun 17 2014, 07:04 PM

I'll definitely give it a try man. It's a lot more interesting than repeating notes on one string over and over again!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 18 2014, 03:30 PM

Definitely! Let me know how it feels after some practice.

You could also write a random list of notes on a paper and do the same metronome thing but now with random notes. You can start searching the notes in the same octave and then doing octave jumps. This second waywould mean that you play A on 5th fret 6th string and then a random following note that could be F# on 4th fret 4th string.

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jun 22 2014, 11:37 AM

I have also being trying to learn all the notes on the fretboard and have not seen this way before but i really like it and going to put it into practice Thanks Gabriel

Posted by: Spock Jun 22 2014, 04:58 PM

Uuuuughhh! Haven't played guitar in 9 days. I'll see how I do in the morning.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 23 2014, 09:02 AM

Hey Trey - I also have a little exercise for you which will help you learn the notes on the fret board

Check this out: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=39243&view=findpost&p=671081

What do you think mate?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2014, 03:05 PM

Great mate! also check out the Satriani's exercise that I shared earlier on this thread. It's an effective and entertained exercise.

Another thing that helped me a lot to understand the fret board has been to learn the triads and connect them with scale patterns. This workout can be very useful for understanding the fret board but also to become a better improviser and arranger. Just give a look at this lesson and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/aeolian-mode-harmonized-with-triads/

Posted by: Yash Jun 23 2014, 05:57 PM

I just got back to the world of guitar. Hi GUYS !! I missed you all !! How's everyone ? I am working on songs, and, trying to sing. I realized I am a horrible singer Currently working on In My Darkest Hour, Fade To Black, Dance of Death and Tears Don't Fall. And, a lot more. I just pick up songs, guitar pro, learn it. The problem is - soloing. I can only play the first solo in Fade To Black.

Posted by: Jim S. Jun 24 2014, 02:14 AM

I'm working on 2 lessons now and on the metronome phase. The melodic shred from Diego has been something I spent a couple weeks on and now trying to be articulate before I speed up. I'm at a semi comfortable speed around 85bpm. There is one set of licks that just destroys my timing. Now that I know what's stopping me it's just a matter of practice of control to finish, but that's gonna take done time.

Cosmin requested I look at the lesson odd grooves by Murius. It's got a faster tempo but played 1/8 notes so speed isn't a problem here. "Timing!!! It's what's for Dinner." It's complex because the meter changes with every chord so each lick has more or less time than the previous.

That's what I've been working on. Slowly chip chip chipping away

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 24 2014, 07:22 AM

Hey mate If you want to get acquainted to the styles of Metallica and Iron Maiden, I think it would be a great idea to take a look over these lessons covering both lead and rhythm aspects in the style of these bands:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Iron-Maiden-For-Beginners/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Metallica-For-Beginners/

I'd be happy to work with you in order to help out with getting these lessons under your thumb and making them sound great - in this way your skills will be greatly improved so that you will have an easier time learning the original songs.

Understanding the elements making up the style, is a crucial aspect when we want to play our favorite songs What say you?

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jun 24 2014, 07:31 AM

Thats a great exercise.A have started practicing that with the metronome

That is a very good theory lesson.I checked out the Professors lesson on how to build triads. I knew how to build Major and Minor.I learned form the Professors lesson how to also build Diminished and Augmented Triads. Before reading this lesson I never even knew what Diminished or Augmented meant.

Understanding the fretboard really does open up countless possibilities

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 24 2014, 03:52 PM

Great to see you working hard Jim. Those are really interesting lessons. Timing issues usually appears for two reasons:

- technique limitation.
- not enough concentration on it.

If you identify that you have timing issues on difficult parts, both reasons can be mixed so isolating these parts and practicing as a loop over metronome is the way to go. If you don't feel that the parts are tricky, just try to put all your attention on timing, feel the groove, mark the tempo with your foot and/or head and practice it until it gets natural.




Exactly! Keep on working on this and you'll never regret it.

Posted by: Spock Jun 25 2014, 12:31 AM

Finally playing a little again after over a week. Just finished practicing for an hour and got in an hour last night too. I hope to be up to 2 hours by the weekend - then taking a week off from work and planning on doing some projects around the house instead of going on vacation - so, if I don't accidentally run myself through with a shovel, I hope to be back up to speed by next week so I can spend lost time disturbing my neighbors - I'm itching to get loud.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 25 2014, 07:04 AM

Hey mate If you are into learning and understanding things about triads, please take a look over these lessons as well:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Triads_in_Major_Scale_Series_Part_1/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Triads_in_Major_Scale_Series_Part_2/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Triads_in_Major_Scale_Series_Part_3/

They will show you how triads are built and what happens when you mix the order of the notes in each chord - the concept of using voicings Please take a look and let me know what you think - these are pretty much applications of the Professor's theory board regarding triads, so I think it would be great to tackle a 'hands on' exercise



Hehe! Mate, I can totally feel your urge to play and that's a good thing, but make sure to watch out for the hands You only get two of them

I always watch out when pumping iron and having to use large weights, so that my wrists and fingers will stay safe and my head as well

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 25 2014, 03:26 PM

This sound very good! But take care of those hands mate!

What lessons/songs/exercises are you practicing? Do you have a guitar plan?

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jun 25 2014, 08:23 PM

Hi Cosmin

Great lessons. I love learning more about theory

I have one question. I hope it doesn't sound stupid

The third lesson a B diminished chord is being played and the lesson is being played in C Major

C major doesn't contain any flats or sharps and a Diminished Triad = R b3 b5

So the notes of the B Dim chord being played are B F and D

How does the notes tie in with the formula

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 26 2014, 07:32 AM

Hey bro - the question is not stupid at all - it is a very good one!

Now, the formula is 1 b3 b5 - that means that the intervals are flattened with a half step not that the notes are flat!

If we would have 1 3 5 - a major chord, having B as a root note - that is a B major chord - we would have B D# F#, right?

But because the diminished formula dictates that we should lower the 3rd and 5th steps with a half step - the 'b' in front of each step, we get:

B D F

These notes belong to the C major scale, so it's all ok

The main rules that you need to keep in mind whenever you are harmonizing a natural major scale and it's modes:

- you can only have minor, major or diminished chords
- the notes making up the chords have to be a part of the scale/mode you are harmonizing

Let me know if this makes sense to ya, man

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jun 26 2014, 08:03 AM

Ah I see Cosmin. Makes perfect sense. I thought the note was getting flattened not the interval

Thanks very much mate

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 26 2014, 08:31 AM

Hehehe! I knew that's what was on your mind Do you think you could harmonize the E major scale for instance, with the newly acquired knowledge?

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jun 26 2014, 01:45 PM

Here goes Cosmin

Major scale 2212221 E major scale = E F# G# A B C# D#
F# G# A B C# D# E
G# A B C# D# E F
A B C# D# E F# G#
B C# D# E F# G# A
C# D# E F# G# A B
D# E F# G# A B C#

Triad Formula 1 3 5
E G# B = E major
F A C# =F# minor
G# B D# =G# minor
A C# E =A Major
B D# F# =B Major
D# F# A =D# minor

So these Triads Harmonize the E Major scale

Am I on the right path

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2014, 08:15 AM

It's perfect, with one little exception Why is D# minor? Think about the interval created between D# and A - is it a perfect 5th?

Posted by: dcz702 Jun 27 2014, 10:29 AM

I'm taking a short break from lessons right now concentrating on covers, working on seek and destroy, black dog, and immigrant song. Trying to put solid covers together before a try to start a cover band. Thinking it's time for me to start playing with others.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 27 2014, 11:34 AM

Smartest move, if you are to ask me, mate! Playing with people compares with nothing

How are you planning to put up the band? Or do you already have a crew which is preparing just as you are?

Posted by: dcz702 Jun 27 2014, 12:59 PM

ive been searching craiglist musician classified for months now, lots of people on craigslist looking for guitar players or guitar players looking for other people. the one thing that bugs me is that most of the adds say "we are doing covers, contact us if your interested" or " we are a originall metal band looking for a guitar player to audition", there are so many, who do i call and what are they playing and what do i need to know and learn? and i wish there were some clips and vids of them to listen to and watch, but there are none.
so i thought i would learn a bunch of tunes i really like and that are popular with most people who know these bands, and most poeple know the songs im learning even if thats not your type of music. when i learn them, ill record with video and post on craiglist, what i would like to do, and give a link of my covers with vid of my playing, that way anyone interested would know exactly where im at and what i know, then we could all be on the same page from the start. thats my idea anyway

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jun 27 2014, 09:58 PM

I'm trying to compose I guess kinda. I love watching everyone who takes songs and remakes them with their own spin/sound to them. So I've been trying to do this myself with simpler songs and in the process it's helping my ears greatly if I must add. I seem to be playing better overall since I've started attempting little clips. (Amature ) But I've been making things quite a bit longer lately and taking the time to note down lyrics to chords and then hitting up the scale generator to see what scales I can use to play over it.

2 Months ago was this , Mad World took the modern version of Gary Julez.
https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/mad-junk-test/s-DFjOV

1 Month ago , You're Beautiful - James Blunt
https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/pretty/s-SxtUp

1 Month ago , Apologize - One Republic
https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/apologize_b-d/s-DAcmj

Currently, I've been working on Let It Go - Frozen (Movie)
https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/let-it-gotracking-test

And yes Gab, since you added drums to my one Creative Lesson, I started to try to do mine own also!

Posted by: liveOASISforever Jun 28 2014, 05:17 AM

I see what you mean Cosmin. It is a flattened 5th which would make the chord a D#Dim

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2014, 07:08 AM

Good call mate! Now you got it! But what would happen if I would ask you to make the chords 7th chords How would the chords look like in this situation?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2014, 09:28 AM

Your approach is a professional one indeed. Regardless of the position in which you find yourself - the one who's looking for a spot in a band or the band who's looking for one to fill the spot, you should be offering compelling info so that you will substantially raise your chances of success.

I for one would place vids with every style I can play, both as an improv and in the context of a known song. In that way, they will see that you are also a creative person not only a good executioner.

What songs did you have in mind, man?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2014, 03:47 PM

Great job man! You are right, this is a very good training for your ears and in the end, you are also training your composition and arranging abilities. It's also great to know that you are slowly starting to add drums and other instruments to your track.

I would work deeper over these ideas to get more complete mixes. I mean, I would try to make it sound as a real band, adding bass, drums, other instruments, work on arrange, mix and mastering.

Maybe a good motivation could be setting some goals like uploading videos to youtube with your versions, starting a bandcamp or something like that.

What do you think?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jun 28 2014, 04:11 PM

My current one (Let It Go - Frozen) Is kind of a demo to learn the song. I have a ton of work involved right now (15+ hours). I made a cheat sheet giving me lyrics and chord changes, listed the key I'm using which is F Minor, and that I clocked the tempo in around 137 bpm. Also have a section which I'm working on now that I'm going to try and get some arpeggios and tapping added in that blend well with each other. Just trying to go outside of my normal skill this way it forces me to practice pieces. Plus it's musical so it doesn't have that typical practice feel.

After all that I will more than likely try and write the drums and scratch the original backtrack, from there I may add just a simple bass line. Then the guitar will be last. Which I will have to work on tones at that point also.

I know this is a huge step out of what I normally do. But every little bit of progress I make all I can do is sit there and smile. Because I am so proud of myself for making these kind of accomplishments.

Posted by: dcz702 Jun 29 2014, 12:28 AM

the list of covers im going to post to the add are rise against- prayer of the refugee, help is on the way. Led Zepplin- black dog, immigrant song. ACDC you shook me all night long, highway to hell. Social Distortion-reach for the sky, far behind. guns and roses sweet child o mine. metallica seek and destroy
most of these im learning the rythym or know already but can use improvement to play it like how its supposed to be played, im giving myself a few weeks to get these down before posting my add.
and in my add i will ask anyone interested to give me songs they would be interested in playing and i will learn them, hopefully i can find a kick ass guitar player to play these leads or maybe just get close with his own solo to pass, but i want to state in my add that im looking to get as close as we can to the sound and play them accurately.
also i will state that im interested in writing and working togther to come up with originalls, i just thought starting with covers would keep it fun and give us something to work on, once were comfertable we can do both.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 29 2014, 12:59 PM

Alright - another set of details which can make your announcement more valuable and interesting for the target audience. You know, learning who you want to get to and what they like/need and addressing this properly, is nothing short of success. So, I think you should bring some tight recordings on the table to do the talking as far as the music goes and add all the details you spoke about.

You can also state what qualities you think that you find important in the people you want to collaborate with and also what qualities you have that they might find important - not only musical but the ones required for teamwork.

I'd be very curious to see how your announcement looks like man If you formulate a text, please post it here as well and we can tweak it together if you wish



Hey Travis! I totally agree with Gabriel here. Learning and arranging these tunes is a great educational endeavor for you. I am doing a similar thing, but by transforming the tunes and turning them into acoustic versions in which I try to lay down my own touch. So making other people's music sound like me, in a basic manner of saying.

Why do I do this? Because it's a great training - singing and playing guitar in the same time and a great way of working my arranging skills. I perfectly understand how it feels when you record something, regardless how short, but when it sounds amazing and you know you nailed it.... there are no words I can listen to some things for hours and then I am a bit ashamed, because it feels just like I would stare at myself in the mirror for an annoyingly long period of time and that is very far from being right

Keep going!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 30 2014, 02:35 PM

Everything sounds great here man. This is definitely an excellent workout for many aspects of your musical skills. This also sounds like a very inspiring method that could motivate many other students here to do similar things so I was thinking that starting thread where you share with use your progress, recording and conclusions could be awesome for us and also for you, to fix and digest concepts even more.

What do you think?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jun 30 2014, 06:42 PM

I was thinking about this at work. Because this really is a whole new world for me and many others. I think your creativity thread really pushed me into trying to branch out. For instance I'm so use to having this set playing. I just pick up a guitar and run a lesson or just picking exercises. This experience has me seeing music in a different view now. Like I hear music on the radio and think man I wish I could just improvise over this. Which would come down to even working on my own music down the road. It is very self satisfying.

I've gotten stumped over some parts when I was trying to work on a tapping pattern. First bit of it fit well and then the last little part didn't seem to click. I got it but I know others may hit that little block when beginning writing and learning theory. So I honestly agree it would be a great thing to add a thread over this kind of work. I know Cosmin's ask a question thread was a hit. I loved reading it and knowing you could ask a question if needed. Which I was planning on using here soon because on my song it breaks into kind of like an orchestra break and I'm not sure what to do with that whole area of my song.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 1 2014, 02:49 PM

Great! The thread can be also a place where everybody can help you and give you ideas on how to continue a song or what things you could improve from it, so it would have a double goal!

And about your way to making practice creative, congrats! Keeping our practice creative makes us more creative and help us to slowly find our voice which is the most important thing, it's even more important that master many techniques, so keep on that track.

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 1 2014, 03:34 PM

These are some things that I wish I would have known years ago. Yes metronome work helps with being accurate and clean, but if over done you get burnt out. Have to find that nice area where its not too much or too little. I may do my stretches, then get into just running some exercises without a metronome, then say 10 minutes later I will kick it on for say 15 minutes. Then start working on a project for some ideas, then kick in a snare or something as my metronome and start to add everything in. This way you are truly practicing your techniques just never come to realize it in the least because you see it as well I'm writing music. This has made me feel as if I've become a better player, but a musician as well.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 2 2014, 07:40 AM

You pointed a very important thing here mate: practicing without purpose can quickly get you burned out.

Now practicing in order to nail a lick which you need in your improvisation or song, that's a purpose

I think that at the end of each practice/guitar playing session, we should be able to 'put our hands' on what we have achieved that day - playing a song better and more expressive, nailing 5%BPM more on our favorite lick, learning a new chord progression and applying it into a personal composition. Have you ever tried practicing in this manner?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 2 2014, 09:45 AM

Everything I come across tends to have the basic chords. No need for the majors and the 5ths and such. So really no matter the order its pretty easy, then again when I toss in distortion it goes into power chords. So I try to work my picking and see if I can add maybe a groove into it so you can get a feel for things on top of just hearing the music.

Licks, I can tell I grew up listening to Metallica/Zakk Wylde era. I tend to do the 2 note per string runs up and add a bend before and maybe after. But I do notice that when I practice other songs not really the notes but the technique ends up in something I was working on. Just because it feels so much more natural.

As much as I love speed, I try not to even be concerned with that. I know some days you may gain 0 increase on the BPM, but you can use less concentration and nail it better like your body is getting use to it and can autopilot the lick. Then after a day I may worry more about speeding it up because by then you are way cleaner and getting that nice smooth tone from start to finish.

Thats about what I've learned in my 2-3 yrs of GMC. There is more involved in playing than just picking and weedling on a some strings.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 2 2014, 03:00 PM

There is fantastic stuff happening here Spase. Thanks for sharing your experience here. You are practicing and creating music at the same time so I just have words to congrats you on your approach.

I'm curious to know if you record and keep all those ideas and if you use to finish the song and have some demos. Do you have a library of ideas? Do you have some finished songs? Are you planing to do anything with them?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 2 2014, 07:36 PM

I really can't just pick up and write a song quite yet. I can get a backing track and go from there if something clicks. I have all my collaborations since I started in a folder, minus a few maybe, but I think its all of them.

Let It Go, I've got I think 2 recordings I had a junk play over to see if it matches. Then the next one was to kind of get the timing and feeling before I start the main tracks which replaced the junk play. Considering it's the same thing just longer and a bit more detailed and closer to the timing. I now have a test tone track which has both rhythm guitars panned as if I have 2 players, I have more than a click track as I've been working on the drums a bit. Still need to extend the song just a hair then the rhythm half is completed minus all the eq/mixing half.

Back when I had my POD HD500 I use to loop a few chords from songs and play them that way. I've been thinking after I finish this song I may do some backings in the loop style and see what I can get then see maybe a few months down the road if they get better.

I play for me, but I'm sure if I was better and got the whole mixing/tone down things may change.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 3 2014, 08:16 AM

As Gabi said, it's amazing that you are on this journey and you are slowly discovering music as an ensemble and not just guitar playing in its technical aspects It takes a bit of time, I know, because I was also absorbed by 'how to do THIS' instead of 'how do I express THIS?

Now about those chords I was thinking that if you want to enrich your vocabulary, I would like to recommend these two:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Inverted-Chords-Progression/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melodies/'

Let me know what you think

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 3 2014, 08:45 AM

I'm working on Ben's Land of Legato, my left hand is lagging behind my picking hand, so this is a great way to focus more on getting it up to speed and working efficiently.

Also going back over Murius' Alt Picking and Legato beginners lesson, even though I passed it (my only rec take!) it could still be better and with a lot of slacking off in terms of practice, it needs some work to even get back to where I was.

Other than those, just going over pentatonics and major scale positions in interval sequences, to nail the patterns into my brain but also to do something more useful than just going up and down the scales, no one actually plays music like that!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2014, 03:13 PM

A cool trick to practice scales and get out of the up and down boring practice is to create very short phrases and play the same idea in different parts of the scale over a backing track. Then you can make it evolve a bit.

Here is an example:

Let's say that you are practicing A Pentatonic minor scale and you create this short phrase:


 Phrase_1.gp5 ( 1.48K ) : 41


Then, you can move the same idea to other parts of the scale:


 Phrase_1_moved.gp5 ( 1.63K ) : 34


Then, you can create a variation and do the same thing:


 Phrase_2.gp5 ( 1.53K ) : 37


This could be a endless but very creative practice. It's funnier and also much more musical than just playing scales up and down or even than playing intervals. It can be used for any scale, and the best is to use a backing track.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 4 2014, 01:43 AM

Been working on a song that I've been struggling with for a while. Finally adding a "chorus" type section. Hopefully it will have vocals soon from our very own JANICE HO!!!

https://soundcloud.com/techniqueswithtodd/memento-mori-updated-feat-janice-7314-538-pm

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 4 2014, 11:37 AM

Great idea Gabi! I heard Steve Vai talk about this sort of routine - he said that whenever he wants to master a phrase, he plays it in as many parts of the neck as possible, with as many techniques and in as many keys as possible.

So posterboy could also apply this idea to yours and make an even more crafty exercise:

- create a phrase in your favorite scale
- play it in as many parts of the neck in a certain key
- play it in as many keys as possible
- play it with alternate picking, legato, hybrid picking and tapping

A little bit of Steve Vai knowledge never hurt anyone, right?

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 4 2014, 12:55 PM

Some great ideas from you and Gab there, and they fit right into my current mindset for my practice routine.

Thanks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 4 2014, 07:57 PM

Excellent mate! Keep us updated about your creative routines and the results you get!

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 4 2014, 10:27 PM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/frozen-let-it-go

Guitars:
Rhythm - HPF @ 80hz , Notched @ 4k -6DB , LPF @ 10khz
Leads - HPF @ 120hz , Bump @ 500hz +1DB , LPF @ 8.5khz

Master:
Waves L3-LL Ultra - Threshold -6.0 , Out Ceiling -0.2
API-2500 - Used a preset

Kemper Rhythm: Bass - Noon , Mids - 11 o'clock , Highs - Noon
Kemper Lead: Bass - 1 o'clock , Mids - 2 o'clock , Highs - 11/12 o'clock
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All plugins used, a whopping 3! I think I got a good sound for the minimalist approach.
Considering I'm a noob with all of this multi-recording and tracking! It's pretty much
the first time I ever attempted to do a song for more than just a loop or collab solo.
But! I'm happy with my results, it can only get better from here. Been practicing some
techniques today and getting a new feel for playing as I've changed how I use my picking
hand. Doing the closed hand and I seem more relaxed with my soloing this way.

Also you guys are talking note books, I just picked up 2 blank sheet music notebooks!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 5 2014, 01:37 PM

Hey mate I am not too much of a fan of these digital devices so I will let Gabi tell you a thing or two about parameters, so that you will achieve a better tone here. Instead, I wanted to talk to you about timing a little bit. It seems that your timing is a bit off pretty much everywhere in the tune, both in the riff part and in the lead parts.

I suggest you to isolate each and every part and practice it thoroughly before recording, so that each one may fit nicely over the track.

Since you can alter the speed of the drums, you should slow down the track and try practicing each part slowly. Have you tried that so far? I am sure that once you record at a slower tempo and isolate the tracks you will see where the timing is a bit faulty.

What do you think?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 5 2014, 02:54 PM

I <3 my Kemper, I just tend to leave it flat or a little bit of a notch that way its not overpowering. I did the same thing when I had a real amp as well.

Edit: Drumming, I had to toss the metronome on and kick off the drums. I marked a few spots and I want to say I'm slightly ahead of the tempo at the start. Then towards half-way to the end I kinda feel back in a better timing. I think maybe later today I may just re-record the entire thing. I can play with the tracking just fine, the minute I see the red circle on I go downhill fast. I feel like I'm trying so hard to get it right. But the drums may be slightly off as well considering I can't really get an idea as to a true tempo I had it at like 135 but then seemed maybe 137 was more fitting. I really don't have a clue with drums other than click click click.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 5 2014, 02:57 PM

Hi mate! This audio shows clearly that you are applying the way of practice that we have been discussing and that's great! This exercises are musical, and mastering them will give you both precision and musicality.

About the guitar tone, if you are using Kemper, I'm sure that you can improve your sound a lot. You have to keep on experimenting with different settings and possibilities. You have many amps, cabinets, mics, mic positions, effect. Also, I think that you must be a bit light headed with all those possibilities, and even more now that you are producing and mixing your backing tracks.

To start, I think that you guitars are lacking some frequencies around 3000 hz and 5000 hz. There is some definition lacking. Take a look at this video:




I'm curious, what amp and cabinet are you emulating with the patch you used?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 5 2014, 03:13 PM

I am actually using an Orange Thunderverb 200 matching cab. Most other things off the start didn't give me a decent mid range sound or lead. Which I tend to use an Engl or 6505 and both are true to that nature majority of the time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 5 2014, 03:32 PM

Oh, I see. That's why you have that dirty distortion which is very characteristic of Orange amps. Have you tried adding a tube screamer emulation before the amp? This trick will give you more sustain and drive and you will be able to lower a bit the drive from your amp.
I use to have more defined tones when I use this trick, mostly for lead guitar but it can also work for rhythm guitar.

Try it and let me know how is sounds!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 5 2014, 03:44 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/test-1



Working on a new cover song for youtube cause it's summer and I have nothing better to do.

It's the first time i've tried triple tracking lead guitars (just the verse and chorus); 1 center, left and right. I assume that's what he did in the video too. Normally I record just the harmonies, this time around I recorded the lead guitar three times all the way through.

EZDrummer 2 sounds amazing btw, can't believe this is the default kit.

How does the mix and the solo at 1:53 sound? Didn't want to do a shreddy solo like in the video and I don't really like covering songs exactly like the original, so I went for some phrasing stuff instead; not sure if it sounds out of time or not at some parts.

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 5 2014, 04:41 PM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/lig-test/s-5lkeF

@Gab/Cosmin
4 Guitar Tracks - 2 High / 2 Low (100/70) Just like in the video Gab
2 Bass - One clean one slightly dirty Panned 20 L/R
2 Leads - Panned 40 L/R
Drums - The devils instrument!

@Socky42
Lol, you definitely are looking at the same guy I am.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 5 2014, 06:25 PM

Probably just down to personal preference, but i'd make it so your bass guitar fills up more of the bass and have your rhythm guitars be a bit brighter. Don't even bother panning your bass, have both clean and distorted bass in the middle. I do what Ola shows in his bass video, works for most things I work on. (Around 1:20)

This is what my guitar and bass normally sound like, but you'd want less distortion on your bass because your track is less 'busy'. https://soundcloud.com/socky42/bassdrumguitar/s-GFeW7

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 7 2014, 07:43 AM

Hey mate, the timing is definitely better Can't actually complain about anything in respect to that and the tone is better as well. Let's see what Gabi has to add here



Hey mate! I wanted to congratulate you on your very melodic and fresh phrases! Very nice and that solo has good timing in my opinion! I would suggest you to watch out for the timing of the phrase beginning at about 02:24 - that's where your timing is shaky. Otherwise, I like the tone and you have some very nice and interesting ideas and good direction in your soloing! If you fix the timing there, it's all nice and good!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 7 2014, 02:03 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/timing-solo

Thanks for taking the time to listen man, how's this?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 7 2014, 04:05 PM

Hi mate! Congrats on this and the previous recordings! Your guitar playing is very good on both, this last one has a tighter timing so you could improve it. The improvised section is interesting but it needs some more practice to sound as tight and polished as the other parts of the song.
It would be very good for your playing to take those parts and practice them, because those licks are your pure personality expressing. That's what you have to continue developing.

Your guitar tone sounds good, I like the trick of recording many guitars, it sounds modern and fresh. This is very subjective, but I would experiment a bit more with EQ to make your guitar sound deeper, with more "body", closer to the guitar sounding on the video you shared. It sounds like more professional, and less "by line", like more real. Do you note it?







Hi mate! Did you delete the audio from soundcloud?

Posted by: Spock Jul 7 2014, 04:46 PM

You get a 12 out of 10 on this one from me man. That's quite the setup you have - wish my jam-room looked like that!

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 7 2014, 05:34 PM

Weird, the script doesn't work but the link does.

Edit:
https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/let-it-go-02-remake

I spent my afternoon working with a Marshall AFD #2 amp. Hope the timing is there this time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 8 2014, 04:32 AM

Hi mate! Timing is not bad but there is some room for making it sound tighter. The problem appears when you play melodies with palm muting so that's what you should isolate and practice over metronome. Create a loop with those 4 notes of each phrase and work on it.

About the tone, I like it. Here in my home it seems to be needing some high frequencies around 3000 Hz to make it sound brighter, but not too much. Also, try making some wholes with you an EQ aroung 800 hz / 1000 hz, it could improve but I'm not sure, just try it and let me know.

Keep on rocking.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 8 2014, 03:12 PM

I totally agree with Gabi It is better, but it could be even better Plus, I love the composition and it is very personal indeed.

Try this drill:

- pick up the parts which you find the most difficult
- slow them down and practice with a metronome until you are perfectly confident on the shape, articulation elements and timing
- gradually raise the speed until you reach the original one
- implement them back into the context and there you are

Have you already tried this?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 9 2014, 09:40 AM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/let-it-go-03-remake

Definitely liking the Marshall sound for this. A bit different EQ'd re did the mute parts. Also learned you can turn the drums up and guitars down, I really feel like a noob.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 9 2014, 04:45 PM

Hi mate! This new version sounds much more balanced than the previous one. If you compare both tracks you will notice that the previous one sounded like "saturated", now this disappeared and your track sounds clear and balanced. I feel that guitars are not lacking just a bit of treble but we are now reaching the taste details.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 9 2014, 06:30 PM

I think it's definitely a thing related to taste, because I for one don't feel the need for more treble Well, each to his own and since Gabi brought you this far with tones, he is definitely stating the right things!

In my opinion, this sounds a bit like Slash Maybe it's the composition as well, but, the tone in combination with what you are playing takes my mind to some of Slash's most recent compositions! Good work!

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 9 2014, 09:19 PM

I think the timing helped a lot with the clear part, kicking the beat well over the guitar so it dominated helped a lot. And Cosmin's tip in another thread, tapping of foot, that helped a ton!

I like the big wide open sound that I got. Most other amps I tried I think would require work as this was pretty much out of the box. Other than I asked Ben for his settings on his Marshall I think that helped a bit also.



Drum Roll Please! I used a Marshall AFD #2 amp. Which is spot on with your comment.

What I may do is since I have 4 tracks 2 are full range and 2 are low/mids. I may take the low/mids and change the LPF from 2500hz to something a bit higher up.

Up next, get a lead tone to match.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 10 2014, 07:32 AM

Hehe! I am also happy that my ears are not deceiving me Well, I heard some single notes in your take that would make for a good lead tone already - would you consider working on this one and boosting some of the frequencies to get a nice lead tone? I think Gabi can help with this, as he knows his parameters well!

On another note, I'm also happy you are using the foot tapping technique I for one can't play without my foot automatically kicking in It's one of the greatest methods of developing and strengthening your internal clock!

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 10 2014, 11:05 AM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/let-it-go-01-lead-remake

The intro that sounds like lead is actually just the rhythm tones.

So I took the settings which are. Low - 8 o'clock , Mid 8 o'clock , Treb 10 o'clock and adjusted slightly to Low - 9 , Mid - 10 , Treb - 10 and added a slight reverb.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 10 2014, 02:29 PM

The lead guitar is sounding really good! Once again I would add a bit of mids and treble to make it bright more in the mix, it should stand out more in the mix and I think that it could work adjusting a bit the EQ. The sound has good sustain so the drive used is enough for me. Try it and let me know!

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 11 2014, 12:32 AM

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/let-it-go-04-remake

I know the taps/sweeping is bad. After playing something like 7 hours today my fingers just didn't want to work with anything fast. But just wanted to see a glimpse of how everything would sound in the end.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 11 2014, 10:57 AM

Hey mate! It sounds nice, rich and creamy! Just like a good rock lead tone should be! You know what Now that you have established your 'voice', why not take a day's break and then the other day start working on recording and arranging the details. Make each little bend and vibrato matter What do you say?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 11 2014, 11:08 AM

A break does sound nice, considering the last 3 weeks I bet I averaged in 3 hours a day with working and 6 when off. This will give my fingers to recover and not be so fatigued! Then get up tomorrow morning and enjoy a day of working on the lead lines!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 11 2014, 03:21 PM

It's sounding very good man! Now the lead guitar stands out from the mix, good job! I'm with Cosmin with this one, you just need to let your ears and mind rest from this one a bit and get back to work on details.

Keep on the good job!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 12 2014, 05:18 PM

I usually have great surprises after spending a lot of time working on something and then having a little, but little break A day, maybe, as I said. I currently had this sort of surprise, while learning the solo for Alter Bridge's 'Open your eyes'. I have to record it tomorrow, for a PRS review of the PRS Tremonti model and I was a bit bummed because I couldn't play the solo at full speed properly articulated and clean, but after pushing it at about 95% of the speed and taking a break yesterday, guess what - today I managed 100 % 3 times in a row, relaxed So, breaks should be regarded as a very useful thing - use one wisely and let us know how it feels

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 17 2014, 10:07 PM

I didn't forget about you all!

Not thrilled with this video, my first one was way better, just I had a smudge on the lens that I didn't know and well that just upset me. So I cleaned it re-did the video it's good, but I know it can be way better. I know the sweeping is kinda bad as its super hard to do it that slow, I may increase the speed when I do it for soundcloud as I will just go go go and then lay the track on the spot instead of in a long single take. Tapping is off as well, I need to get the feel of a single, double, double, single, tap with each drum hit. But I just felt the need to post up so you guys didn't think i gave up. This has been an extremely great experience it makes me loving to pick up the guitar more and more.

Also taking that day of did wonders, I just didn't listen or play this song just did some noodling and exercises instead. Great idea I must say.

But anyways,

Posted by: Spock Jul 18 2014, 01:33 AM

I hate to say it, but I am very unmotivated musically lately. I don't understand why either. Maybe I'm just tired or burned out from work or something, but mentally, I have got nothing left when I get home.

I started working on the drum part to that old Loverboy song I'm wanting to remake for the heck of it, but that is as far as I've gotten.

Experiencing burn-out and lethargy and sure hope this goes away quick, I have too much I want to accomplish to feel this unmotivated. I want to "do it" not dream about doing it.

There are days I can't wait to get home to play guitar, weekends that I have spent hours and hours playing - but I seem to just have a lose of motivation for some reason. It's like, I don't have an ultimate goal, no sense of urgency - just lots of equipment and nothing in my head or spirit that feels inspired.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 18 2014, 07:59 AM

Hey mate, don't worry, there are times and times - I spent last year in a state similar to yours, only playing the guitar to keep my chops up. But otherwise, I felt like doing totally different things. It'll pass the same as it came Just don't think about it - the more you do, the more frustration it'll cause. Just let it cool down for a few days - but in the mean time, watch concerts, listen to music, on short, fill yourself with musical energy and chances are, all of this will explode in practicing/creation sooner than you have imagined.



Hey mate glad to hear the break payed off If you are to ask me, I'd slow down the piece around 20% and I'd practice focusing on tightness with the drum groove, articulation and expression, as right now, you are playing with the same dynamics all around and the phrases could catch very nice nuances, if you would take things at the next level and think about what you want to express with each of them. Also, the more technical parts, like the sweep should be done slower, as difficult as it mights seem. If you can't do it slow, you won't be able to do it fast

I'll let Gabi comment on the tone as he is far more experienced in explaining parameters than I am.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 18 2014, 01:56 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for the update! It's good to see you working hard. This video sounds and looks very good. It has a balanced lightening and tone, well done!

You already know the things that you have to work on this one: tapping, sweep picking, vibrato, timing. Each of these things must be worked to make your guitar playing better. I think that the best to improve each one would be to isolate the sections for practicing but also to work on some other exercises that cover those techniques.

Here are some suggestions:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/sweep-picking-lesson/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Tapping-in-16th-Triplets/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 19 2014, 08:19 AM

Hey mate!

Great suggestions here from Gabriel I would also like to tell you that the tapping technique needs good legato technique to function, so practicing some legato is also a good idea. This is why, I'd like to add some suggestions as well:

- http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/ - this one may be the first in the series, but it has a very important focus on pretty challenging position shifting, so I strongly recommend it to strengthen your left hand
- http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Sweep-Picking-7th-Arpeggios/ - this one has a lower tempo and is focused on definition and playing sweep picking with a clean tone It will work wonders on your technique Focus on clean and articulated playing and on the general flow of the piece

Please do tell me how you feel about these recommendations, ok Travis?

Posted by: Opetholic Jul 19 2014, 11:18 AM

This is what I am currently working on

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 19 2014, 12:44 PM

I was rather shocked of the quality of the video myself. I've still gotta change 1 light out in my ceiling fan, 2 are daylight 1 is "warm" so most of the room looks like I have giant florescent lights in it.

I was planning on setting the metronome down to 120bmp and work it up to 145bpm as the track is 137bpm. This way I can play it at the correct speed and it should be easier to do as I'm use to faster.

Those are all great looking lessons.

Those all look great. I just recently started to do trills as I'd like to gain some speed with fingers and add to finger independence. So this will make it a bit more fun with gaining to speed/strength instead of just 1-2-1-2-1-2, then all the rest of my fingers.

Sweeping for me has to be one of the hardest things for me to do. Worked it for years, I can do it on certain things but can't just pull it out mid playing.





Looks like I have some working to start on today! Thanks guys!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2014, 02:15 AM

yeah, keeping the same lightening temperature is a good choice to get better color balance so it can be a good improvement, but even with the current settings, your video looks good!

Let's talk about Sweep Picking. Have you worked on any GMC lesson that covers mostly this technique? Do you have a video?

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 20 2014, 06:49 AM

I used a video maybe 2 years ago, just to play a sweep in 1 single song, past that I've never really used it.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 20 2014, 08:32 AM

Glad you like the lessons - I chose the sweeping one at that tempo, because I knew that's where you need to orient your focus - mid level speed and control

I think it's more of an anticipation thing, Travis - focus on being in control at a low speed when playing and implement the technique there. For me, it was always a matter of control and relaxation. Maybe you are over thinking things and thus you tense up unconsciously?

Let's talk about this and maybe I can help you with the relaxing tips You must be in control, not your mind




Hey Mert!! Very nice rendition, man! For me, one of the reasons that makes it difficult to play Dream Theater songs, is remembering a lot of information

I think that as an overall ensemble, everything sounds good out of what I can perceive, judging by the fact that you have recorded over the original. The timing seems good, the tones as well. I would like to suggest you to focus a little on the part around 02:44 where that little solo is played - the bends are in good pitch, but they could be a bit more expressive, so take some time to rehearse that part having this in mind, ok?

Great work, man and maybe you would like to work on your bending skills with a GMC lesson as well How about this one?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bending-from-Outside-Notes-Marty-Friedman-Style/

It's something a bit unusual, but it will definitely work out your control on bending Let me know what you think man! Congrats once again!

Posted by: Spock Jul 20 2014, 10:19 AM

I've spent probably 10 hours so far on trying to write a midi drum part for this song I'm trying to redo - I'm not using stock beats but making my own (midi and EZ Drummer) -for the first time. and it is apparent that this song was not recorded in the studio to a metronome which would make the copying soooo much easier. But at this point I'm on a mission to see this through.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2014, 06:40 PM

Well, this means that you'd need a more serious Sweep Picking practice to master the technique. It's not a difficult technique to master but it requires some diary practice to ahieve different things:

- Sync between both hands.
- Good timing
- Clean playing (muting the strings that you are not playing when a new note sounds)

These three things are the basics once you understand the details about the motion.

This is a good lesson to start: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/sweep-picking-lesson/

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Jul 20 2014, 09:21 PM

I want to say yes? Because when I use to play it was open handed placed across the strings, it was easy for say rhythm but lead picking it would be like playing a record almost pick the hand up and place the needle on a different groove to change the track. Which after some boot camp work with Todd, I started to close my fist, it effected my muting because I can't rely on my full hand. So I've started to look at songs by Lamb of God that mixes the 2 styles. Which has greatly helped me start to open close my hand without even thinking about it.

So this is probably why my sweeping has taken a slight detour. I'm thinking to much about it now due to how should I place my hand to mute and cut through notes as my hand is in a fist. But once I get in the motion I'm great until I change it up, lead into it with anything other than sweeping. I tend to dig in deep instead of the rustle of wind going through leaves. I shall have to pay attention to that. Maybe start with the basics again and add a few notes to lead and out so I can get use to blending it all together?

Posted by: bahadirpeker Jul 20 2014, 10:52 PM

Nowadays I am working for shorter but very rhythmic musical sentences!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 21 2014, 01:45 AM

That alone will burn you out Just a friendly suggestion, but if you are working on a cover for fun, I'd suggest focusing on the fun part maybe? Killing yourself on tedious tasks will probably just make you resent the entire thing. For more any song under the sun you can find a midi track with bit of googling, and probably the specific midi drum track to that song. Toss that on a track in your daw with EZ Drummer applied and Bingo, you've got the drums sorted It doesn't have to be perfect, it's for giggles right?

Then you can focus on the fun bits and play guitar and such. Having to spend too much time on the other bits will start to make it feel like "work" which the exact opposite of what it's supposed to feel like

Todd

Posted by: Spock Jul 21 2014, 10:45 AM

Right again Todd - it is a little draining, plus the fact that I don't know what a drummer would do in certain circumstances. Except for a couple of rolls, I'm doing everything on hi-hat, snare and bass drum. But it has become a mission at this point - THIS POP/ROCK WILL NOT BEAT ME!!!!! And I'm close to the end, only have to finish the last chorus, which I tried to copy and paste from the one before but it was out of sync.

Anyway, my son is a monster at this midi stuff, so once I get it down with the timing right, he's going to noodle with it and put in ghost licks, some toms, and cymbals. But while he's doing that I can start on the bass and guitars.

I'm hoping it will sound more like what a Loverboy song would if 7-Dust covered it. But it will probably sound like a very drunk Alex Lifeson, emulating Adam Jones trying to play a Loverboy song. I guess that's the "voice" of my guitar. A barely conscious Alex Lifeson trying to sound like Adam Jones playing something other than Tool. I can work with that!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2014, 04:28 PM

Interesting stuff Spock! I specially refer to your trick to explore and find your own voice on guitar. If you feel that "your thing" is around the combination of both guitarist, it's a great starting point to combine their style to create an original style that will be a first great step in order to reveal your own personality as a musician and guitar player. You are definitely on the right track, keep going!

You are great Baha! Your approaches to practice are always very fresh and creative.

What type of phrases are you working? What influences? How is this approach? Do you have any video working on it?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 21 2014, 06:35 PM

I respect your defiant persistance!! That's honestly the only way I learned to play guitar! I was considered "unteachable" by my instructors so I had to teach myself and I was pretty stubborn about not giving up. Sometimes that's just what is required. March on!!!!!

Can't wait to hear the 7 Dust version of LOVERBOY BTW, if you would be up for me doing some guest lead work or rythm work or what not on your track I'd love to!! Big fan of RAWKING covers of 80's tunes

Todd

Posted by: Spock Jul 22 2014, 12:42 AM

I would LOVE to collaborate with you on something Todd. I already have an idea in my head for this tune, but how about I figure out another 80s song we can work, something I know I would not be capable of pulling the solo off on.

Would you be interested one of these - I always loved them... and some of the licks would be difficult for me...



^^^^ If we did this one we would have to talk Cosmin into cutting the vocal track.

or



or

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 23 2014, 05:48 PM

Hey guys what's cooking here? Cosmin would love to throw some vocals in and some guitar leads as well if you guys are willing to work on something that doesn't have anything to do with the 80s , because I can't sing like that But first things first - Regarding the MIDI tracks importing in order to get the drums - well, I could never make due with this method unfortunately, regardless on how much I would've wished it to work for me - but each time, the drum track was messed up to say the least... Todd, am I doing something wrong, or is there anything we should particularly be aware of when importing MIDI tracks?

Posted by: Spock Jul 23 2014, 11:05 PM

Sure you can, you just have to wear spandex pants to do it.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 24 2014, 04:04 AM

When I use an imported drum track, I typically reduce the drums to a simple stereo channel. Whereas I would normally use the multichannel method for better mixing. But with cover music, it's a cover after all, so usually I can find a midi file of the drums and throw it on the ez drummer track and it will mostly match up. EZ eh?

Those are cool But they are already "Metalized" so to speak. I liked the LOVERBOY idea as it's FAR from be Metal so making a HEAVY version of it could be cool. You got any fave songs from the 80's that are not Rock/Metal/Pop Metal, but are more like loverboy and straight pop?

Posted by: Spock Jul 24 2014, 01:42 PM

I sure do - I'll PM you about it.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 24 2014, 10:42 PM

Thank you Todd!

I'll try it and see how it goes

Spock - nah man, I can skip the spandex I don't feel too comfy in tight stuff... But if you need my playing Just gimme a sign

Posted by: Spock Jul 25 2014, 10:29 AM

Will do man, as with anything like this, how quickly I move on it depends on the drum part - if I can get the foundation laid the strings can start to come together - but me and drum parts have a love-hate relationship.

The good thing about the song I'm considering is that it sounds like it was written to a drum machine in the studio - which means a steady even beat which could easily be created on a grid in Logic - and I would be able to use pre-programmed (HEAVIER) drums to replace the stiff robot that was used in the original recording.

The song I'm thinking about remaking is "Shout" by Tears for Fears.

I told one of my friends about it yesterday and he turned me onto Disturbed's remake of it. The version I would like to do would sound much more industrial (in my mind) than theirs - moodier, and just as, if not heavier.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 25 2014, 02:25 PM

Good choice of a song, but very difficult task - at least for me it would be, because I can't even think about this song without having Disturbed's version in my mind Plus, it's already been done by them, why not pick something which hasn't yet been tackled?

I was thinking of this maybe



It's got good groove which can surely be transformed into a killer riff

Posted by: Spock Jul 25 2014, 02:59 PM

I had no idea about Disturbed's version until yesterday, so I had in my head a different version, which to me, I think I would like better. It may have some of the same "junk" components - but it will sound more like something Korn would do than Disturbed.

Posted by: Kalkilla Jul 25 2014, 03:12 PM

I am working on my picking hand and my left fretting hand. I'm starting to understand some of the Theory in regards to the modes, thirds, fifts etc. I understand the building blocks of chords from the scales, but for the life of me, I can't seem to learn the notes on my fretboard. I know them if I go string by string, fret by fret etc. I can also play some of the stuff from here at level 3 but can't seem to move on beyond that. I need a strict regiment as far as my practicing is concerned. I see the speed building up, but I don't need to play 300 bpm. I also don't understand key signatures and what chords go together. I'm also terrible with chord fingering, "I know open and power chords", but would love to know more. Can anyone help!!! Please!!! I usually practice about 2 hours a day. Need guidance

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 26 2014, 04:05 AM

I forgot all about the disturbed version!! I had been thinking about doing a cover of this for a long time as well actually before I heard the disturbed even. I was glad to see SPOCK bring it up!! SERENDIPITY!!!! I think it will be a fun one There are plenty of songs to choose from for the next one. But as they say you gotta start somewhere! I'm pitching in a bit and we have some starting tracks so we will keep you guys in the loop!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 26 2014, 12:59 PM

If you have any ideas or a structure, post them here so we can see what you have in mind I think that starting out with the song structure would be a great first step. I very much liked Korn's version of Pink Floyd's hit song, except for the solo - they are definitely not lead players

Is this the kind of sound you are trying to achieve?





Hey man Welcome back Are you interested in picking up where we left with your mentoring program based on your current needs? If so, please let me know and we can begin right away!

Posted by: Spock Jul 26 2014, 02:14 PM

I have a working idea and Todd is helping me behind the scenes. I'm aiming for more of a hybrid sound, not all Korn-ish. To be honest, I'm not sure what it's going to sound like, that remains to be seen, but it will be heavy, and slammin, and nothing like Disturbed's version.

Once I get the parts down, there are 2 places in the song that would be great for solos and Todd suggested it would be a good idea to open the song for a solo collab.

So, that's my working plan, to complete the song, then put it up for a solo collab for anyone that wishes to throw something on top of it.

Posted by: Kalkilla Jul 27 2014, 07:29 AM

Thanks. Yeah, by all means I do man. My arm is ok now. I do alot of stretching before playing and it seems fine. I would love to pick up where we left off, that would be great.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2014, 03:35 PM

Great to know it mate! Welcome back to the site and guitar! Be careful with your arm now that you get back to practice. Doing stretches and massages before and after every session is fundamental. Have you ever seen this clip?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 27 2014, 04:05 PM

Great! Glad to see you back in action and the fact that your arm is in good shape is amazing! Let's rock then! I just sent you a PM And since Gabi posted the famous Petrucci stretches and massage routines, I will also share a massage form I learned a few years ago:

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 27 2014, 04:30 PM

Hah! Good plan mate Let me know if you want me to throw a solo or something and please post some progress here, if you wish I'm curious on how it's going and maybe I can help too at some point.

Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 4 2014, 07:48 PM

Have not forgotten about you all. Been working some alt picking and slowly increasing sweeps. But then I took a turn for the worse...

https://soundcloud.com/spasemoonkey/test-lig_01

As for clip everything is as is, no eq nothing except a limiter to boost the sound levels. The tones are some rolled downs knobs on clones from some guy named Lasse Lammert, the solo is a slightly tweeked clone of a lead from some other weird guy named Nolly I dunno they claim he's famous. But thats all right out of the box. Critique the sound/tone I'm sure the timing is off minus the synth due to that's a fast 5 minute lay down of guitars.

The reason I posted considering the wide changes. I was wondering how would I incorporate synth better? I've started to fall for bands that do that heavy riffing and add some industrial/electronic sounds.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 5 2014, 09:27 PM

Hey matey I think that if you want to achieve that sort of sound, you should definitely think about the way in which the tone builds up with the drums, bass and synth. I too like the industrialized, electronic sounds mixed with metal and from your example, I can say that the whole context is lacking the punchy rhythmic rhythmic section that could make the tone sound completely different. I will let Gabi talk about the parameters, but in the mean time, you should analyze the bands whose sounds you wish to come close to. How are they being implemented in the contexts?