Soloing Over Guido's Backing Track, Help me spot the mistakes Options

[Kristofer Dahl]

I had a lot of fun over this lesson's backing track:



Tone wise I was striving for this kind of touch sensitive distortion:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Ballad...s-And-Phrasing/

...but obviously with more gain.

Can you spot the playing "mistakes" in this video? Is there something you think should have been done differently?

You owe me some, after all of my collab feedback! Please don't be afraid to speak your mind (and focus on what you think could be improved).

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[Jim S.]

I had a lot of fun over this lesson's backing track:



Tone wise I was striving for this kind of touch sensitive distortion:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Ballad...s-And-Phrasing/

...but obviously with more gain.

Can you spot the playing "mistakes" in this video? Is there something you think should have been done differently?

You owe me some, after all of my collab feedback! Please don't be afraid to speak your mind (and focus on what you think could be improved).

Comparing both takes Id say you can't. Both you and Guido have different personality on the guitar. Your take seems a bit free spirited. Mistakes. Pfft If you made them only you or anyone at a pro level would be able to tell. Great playing Kris!

What is that thing Guido has on his cab deflecting sound up?

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[Storm Linnebjerg]

I thought it was a great, great take. I've tried soloing over the backing track since I saw this video on facebook a few days ago, and for me it's kinda difficult to get something good down.

Anyway, one thing that's kinda weird is that I really like your tone, and while I think it's a good enough fit for the backing track, I felt Guido's tone did it more justice from what I remember.

I don't really have much else to say, sure I could point out little things in your solo, but I wouldn't even consider them mistakes.

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[Kristofer Dahl]

Comparing both takes Id say you can't. Both you and Guido have different personality on the guitar. Your take seems a bit free spirited. Mistakes. Pfft If you made them only you or anyone at a pro level would be able to tell. Great playing Kris!

What is that thing Guido has on his cab deflecting sound up?

Thanks Jim, I should probably say that I was not in any way trying compete with Guido's take. I just used his backing to come up with my own lines.

I am not sure what those deflectors are, but as you suggested I think he might use them to get sound coming from the bottom speakers of the 4x12 into the mic.

Anyway, one thing that's kinda weird is that I really like your tone, and while I think it's a good enough fit for the backing track, I felt Guido's tone did it more justice from what I remember.

Yes good point, and I also use a reverb that does not really match Guido's mix (so there is a bit of a clash happening).

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[Kristofer Dahl]

I don't really have much else to say, sure I could point out little things in your solo, but I wouldn't even consider them mistakes.

Please do so!

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[Storm Linnebjerg]

Please do so!

I'll give it a try.

I didn't feel like the part around 0:32 was quite up there with the rest and it didn't feel as connected for some reason for me. Then I think you miss a note around 0:39, or was that intended?

Okay, I think that's actually it.

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[Kristofer Dahl]

I'll give it a try.

I didn't feel like the part around 0:32 was quite up there with the rest and it didn't feel as connected for some reason for me. Then I think you miss a note around 0:39, or was that intended?

Okay, I think that's actually it.

Well spotted, I agree with pretty much all of these.

00:39 was intended as a soft note, but I played too soft. And it almost sounds like a missed note.

I personally think the section starting at 00:32 is cool, but others have also said that's where the solo somehow l drops a bit. I like it because it gives some dynamics to the solo. However the first phrase in there ends with a staccato note (00:33) and in retrospect it think it was a mistake not to give that note some kind of shake/bend. It sounds a bit sterile - and starting a section of with a sterile note can impact on the whole thing.

There are more stuff to comment on though. Anyone?

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[Storm Linnebjerg]

You inspired me to work a bit more on this track, and I did quite a few takes over it and this is what I ended up with. First part was composed, then I went into improv mode:

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[Kristofer Dahl]

You inspired me to work a bit more on this track, and I did quite a few takes over it and this is what I ended up with. First part was composed, then I went into improv mode:

Very cool Cael!

00:20 - this is the start of you playing modern fusion!

The way you integrate bends and vibrato more into the phrasing and not just "at the end of notes" is very promising.

Playing wise - the big thing for you will be to fix you vibrato as mentioned in the collab thread. I still don't think you have got that much practicing to do, I think its more of a mind thing. Try this:

* Halve the vibrato speed

* and double the depth

Perhaps you have tried this but it didn't really work out? It's probably because it requires the vibrato arm movement to be slightly different - so be sure to check out some instructor videos before you give it a go.

I think that to get this down - your movement should maybe be coming more from your biceps.

Would be very interesting to see you try this!

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[Storm Linnebjerg]

Very cool Cael!

00:20 - this is the start of you playing modern fusion!

The way you integrate bends and vibrato more into the phrasing and not just "at the end of notes" is very promising.

Playing wise - the big thing for you will be to fix you vibrato as mentioned in the collab thread. I still don't think you have got that much practicing to do, I think its more of a mind thing. Try this:

* Halve the vibrato speed

* and double the depth

Perhaps you have tried this but it didn't really work out? It's probably because it requires the vibrato arm movement to be slightly different - so be sure to check out some instructor videos before you give it a go.

I think that to get this down - your movement should maybe be coming more from your biceps.

Would be very interesting to see you try this!

Thanks, Kris.

Vibrato seems a difficult beast to concur, especially when having to concentrate on a track. I'll try and upload a take on another track in another topic later today if I remember. It seems easier to do vibrato once I'm more familiar with the track. But I do agree with you.

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[Kristofer Dahl]

Thanks, Kris.

Vibrato seems a difficult beast to concur, especially when having to concentrate on a track. I'll try and upload a take on another track in another topic later today if I remember. It seems easier to do vibrato once I'm more familiar with the track. But I do agree with you.

Ok. Bare in mind that if the tempo of that backing is different, then the "halve/double" advice might not necessarily apply.

I guess another option would be to really simplify your playing so that you can focus on vibrato.

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[Storm Linnebjerg]

Ok. Bare in mind that if the tempo of that backing is different, then the "halve/double" advice might not necessarily apply.

I guess another option would be to really simplify your playing so that you can focus on vibrato.

I'd like to work on it for sure, I just don't know how to go about it really.

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[Kristofer Dahl]

I think if you could go for my advice below, over any backing of your choice to start with. Maybe you goal should just be to break your old habits - and don't care too much about the result (at this early stage).

Try this:

* Halve the vibrato speed

* and double the depth

Perhaps you have tried this but it didn't really work out? It's probably because it requires the vibrato arm movement to be slightly different - so be sure to check out some instructor videos before you give it a go.

I think that to get this down - your movement should maybe be coming more from your biceps.

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[Guido Bungenstoc...]

Hi guys,

Kris & Caelumamittendum, I really like your two different versions. Totally different but very cool.
I'm happy that finally someone started to solo over my backing track, hoping for some other versions as well. :-D


The sound deflection system is a very cool thing to spread the sound on stage/room so the guitar player can hear himself a lot better. It also kills this terrible speaker beam. The system normally is made for 1x12" or 2x 12" cabinets. It works for 4x12" too but you get the most out of it when you play 1x12" or 2x 12" . Now I only use 2x 12" cabinets and thanks to this system it sounds like a 4x12" and no more need to carry a bigger cabinet. Its just awesome!
I'm endorsing this great product beside Jennifer Batten, Carl Verheyen and a lot more others.
Check it out here http://hoovi.at/deeflexx-2/what-is-deeflexx/?lang=en

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This post has been edited by Guido Bungenstock: Feb 10 2015, 10:37 AM

[Kristofer Dahl]

Here are some more mistakes:

00:14 - I mess up in the middle of the first fast run

00:18 - this run starts completely off time , but I somehow manage to find my way back- So I guess this could be perceived as "on purpose". Still the first impression is that it starts off wrong.

00:52 - No real mistake here, but the bend + vibrato is not very convincing, it shows I am very concentrated on the coming fast run. This is not good - if that run felt so tricky I had to stop and think about it, I should probably have skipped it.

In my opinion, the biggest mistake solo construction wise, was probably that I threw in too many fast runs. Some of those were not motivated musically - and usually if licks don't contribute to the whole, they do the opposite.

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[Guido Bungenstoc...]

Here are some more mistakes:

00:14 - I mess up in the middle of the first fast run

00:18 - this run starts completely off time , but I somehow manage to find my way back- So I guess this could be perceived as "on purpose". Still the first impression is that it starts off wrong.

00:52 - No real mistake here, but the bend + vibrato is not very convincing, it shows I am very concentrated on the coming fast run. This is not good - if that run felt so tricky I had to stop and think about it, I should probably have skipped it.

C'mon, don't be so picky. We're human, so mistakes are normal. ;-)

In my opinion, the biggest mistake solo construction wise, was probably that I threw in too many fast runs. Some of those were not motivated musically - and usually if licks don't contribute to the whole, they do the opposite.

You're right. this is a really important point in general. Like all us guitar players, we have the tendency to play too much or play too fast, specially when there should be room for less notes e.g. ballads. . To avoid this I try to think and feel more like a singer(who needs to breathe between the phrases) rather than a guitar player. ;-)

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[Kristofer Dahl]

C'mon, don't be so picky. We're human, so mistakes are normal. ;-)

Can't you tell I'm a computer with bugs that need fixing?!

No seriously - I am certainly not saying mistakes can't be part of keeper takes. Or that mistakes must be avoided. Mistakes is one of the beautiful things that separates us from machines, and who wants to sound like a computer?

However - for the sake of learning, analysing both the good and bad stuff is very important. After analysing we can make informed decisions about how we want to do the next time!

Speaking of which - does anybody want to comment on the good stuff in this solo? (if any )

If we analyse this stuff as well - others will be able to replicate the thought process (and this is far more useful than borrowing the licks)

You're right. this is a really important point in general. Like all us guitar players, we have the tendency to play too much or play too fast, specially when there should be room for less notes e.g. ballads. . To avoid this I try to think and feel more like a singer(who needs to breathe between the phrases) rather than a guitar player. ;-)

Yes, this is a very good guideline for writing leads!

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[Guido Bungenstoc...]

Can't you tell I'm a computer with bugs that need fixing?!

No seriously - I am certainly not saying mistakes can't be part of keeper takes. Or that mistakes must be avoided. Mistakes is one of the beautiful things that separates us from machines, and who wants to sound like a computer?

However - for the sake of learning, analysing both the good and bad stuff is very important. After analysing we can make informed decisions about how we want to do the next time!

Speaking of which - does anybody want to comment on the good stuff in this solo? (if any )

If we analyse this stuff as well - others will be able to replicate the thought process (and this is far more useful than borrowing the licks)



Yes, this is a very good guideline for writing leads!

You're a computer with bugs that need fixing! :-D

Seriously. we all make mistakes. But it's important to learn from these and to find out why they happen always on the same spot.
It's a looooong journey . But don't overestimate this by searching every tiny note or small noise for years and years and years... ! :-D

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