This might be worth watching for some advice on the bending. This is something completely different, but just something I video commented on for someone else. I talk about bending a bit and how I think about it. It's a bit off-the-cuff though, so I ramble a bit.
The "pressure" I mention is not like literal forceful pressure, it's more like counter balancing the upwards pressure of the bend on the neck.
Hi,
Watched your video with great interest! Thank you for giving me this useful information. The most important aspect I learned from your video is giving counter pressure with my thumb.
I will certainly try it out as I'm sure it will make the bends more easy.
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QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 11 2023, 12:51 PM)
Hi,
Watched your video with great interest! Thank you for giving me this useful information. The most important aspect I learned from your video is giving counter pressure with my thumb.
I will certainly try it out as I'm sure it will make the bends more easy.
Just wanted to point out that my tips in these videos are not related to the lesson you are working on. I actually haven't seen the lesson. Some bends require more delicacy of course.
It's not something where you should use great force of course in general to the point of injury, but it's just something to think about as "stabilizing" the hand/neck pressure to me. Sort of balancing it out. I wanted the guy that I taught to just kinda try it out to feel how the neck is not gonna give away when held that way to do bends and it give some more control in a way.
I don't know what Monica's and Kris' thoughts are on it of course, but it's how I like to think about it. That the thumb sort of gribs the neck to use as counter balance for control.
I'd say the exercise would more so be to feel that downwards pressure of the thumb placement at first and the upwards bend with the strings (done with the wrist) and then start to let go with the pressure down and find the balance point where any pressure put on the fretboard is ideal.
Did a further explanation of my thoughts here:
QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Feb 11 2023, 12:42 PM)
MONICA: I think you should become an instructor at GMC. You clearly have the skills and mindset. Your feedback is amazing. Well done
QUOTE (Monica Gheorghevici @ Feb 10 2023, 07:15 PM)
Hi Gert!
First of all let's fix your detuning problem because I'm pretty sure that the issue comes from the process of tuning. When you watch the video mentioned by Kris, be careful how Darius tune his guitar.
Look, when you have these kinds of lessons with a lot of bends, the guitar requires a different kind of tuning. So, keep in mind a few things.
1. Your final move of the guitar tuning pegs should always be an up move. 2. The steps for tuning each string are: - stretch the string, move up the tuning peg, check the tuning, if it's ok, make 1-2 huge bends, check the tuning again. If isn't ok, start again to stretch the string, check the tuning, make a few bends, check the tuning again. Sometimes you need to do 7-8 turns of stretching, tuning, stretching, tuning to make the strings get stable. The good news is that once you do this process, retuning the strings will not need as much effort as the first time. Do these steps until the string will stay in tune no matter how many bends you will make. Do the same thing on each string and your problems will disappear.
The process will take longer than you are probably used to, but in this way, the guitar will stay in tune.
If you need a more detailed explanation, tell me and I will send you a video.
Now let's analyze your recording.
You definitely make some progress, but you still have troubles in getting the correct pitch.
Some of your observations are correct.
0:06 - no is not too high. You reach the right pitch at some point. Try not to stay too much between the notes, because this is what will give a wrong pitch kind of feeling.
0:58 - these bends don't sound good (not a perfect pitch). Also, be careful because the release of the first bend should not be audible. Don't put pressure on your fingers when you release the bend because you don't want to make the release audible. Also, this kind of "muted" release should be played very fast. Let the first bend ring a little longer and avoid that slow release. Be very careful how Darius makes these bends. Before focusing on reaching the correct pitch, pay attention to the type of bends. How they are played, how fast the release is on each bend, etc.
1:06 - this part sounds almost good. After you make the bend, take away your ring finger from the string before playing the next note with the pinky finger. That's the key to playing that part perfectly. If you look closer at Darius' left hand, you will spot this detail.
1:11 - Yes, that note refuses to ring because you blocked her. On these bends you need to apply the same strategy as at the bends from 0:58 (no audible release).
1:20- you thought that this note was too high (which isn't because that note is correct in pitch) because you played the previous bends lower than it should be.
About your bending technique. There are just tiny moments when you tend to use your fingers more instead of using your wrist, but somehow you correct this when you play the next notes. You just need more time to get used to it.
The bottom line is that you succeeded in playing half of the bends from this take quite ok (the rest of them need more work). I can see a progress and that's a good thing. This lesson will be a long term task, but it will make your life easier when you will play the bends from the AC/DC lesson.
For the next time, try to fix all the things that we both pointed out. Don't add more bars.
Have a great evening!
Hello Monica,
I've been busy for some hours now with your feedback
I have looked at the awesome lesson from Darius about his 20 tips. And I already applied one of them, namely the tuning of my guitar. I have done it as Darius describes and shows it. Now I'm ready for a spin and see how it goes. I will probably have to do some more tuning the next days but if my guitar stays tuned like that... it's worth the effort
I will pay more attention to the technique and will apply the tip I got from Storm regarding the thumb. That looks very promissing and helpful.
I also noticed the detail on the bend (1.06) and then release ring finger before the next note with the pinky. So I can start working on that.
Just one thing I can not get my mind on... you say the B string in the bend refused to ring because I block it. I already spend some time to analyse and trying to find the issue why this string sometimes does not want to ring. But I don't see where I block it. Is it because of my left middle finger? Or my right hand? Or something else? What's the cause of the block?
I noticed when I put to much force on that bend, the strings don't ring somtimes. But with a more gentle approach, I have beter chance the B string will ring. But I'm sure I'm doing someting wrong here because that should not be the case... And I need to fix this before starting on the last two bends bzcause they are more difficult to execute.
Ok, back to practise now and I will come back with a new recording. And maybe soon with a first recording of the easy AC/DC lesson with whom I already having lots of fun And also a great lesson to start practising playing open chords with muting unwanted strings with the tip of my index or with my thumb
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QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Feb 11 2023, 10:42 AM)
MONICA: I think you should become an instructor at GMC. You clearly have the skills and mindset. Your feedback is amazing. Well done
Todd, thank you so much for your awesome words, the trust given and your huge support. Over the years, I learned from all of you and also Darius (besides our work together which is now focused on composition), he constantly developed my teaching skills. Replacing him in REC (I can't even imagine that it has already passed over 1 year since I have been doing this) made me try give the best of myself and make him proud of me. Also, the fact that Kris had trust and gave me the opportunity to show what I know, helped me to choose the path that I want to follow.
QUOTE (Storm Linnebjerg @ Feb 11 2023, 12:43 PM)
I agree with Todd!
Ben, you are very kind. Thank you for your kind words and support!
QUOTE (Storm Linnebjerg @ Feb 11 2023, 12:43 PM)
I don't know what Monica's and Kris' thoughts are on it of course, but it's how I like to think about it. That the thumb sort of gribs the neck to use as counter balance for control.
I agree with everything you say. I also firmly grab the neck with my thumb and I add pressure on it to have very good control when I play the bends. Of course, the force that I apply it changes and it's related to the bend type, the place where I play the bend, etc. But, yes, the thumb should be used as a counter balance for control.
Just wanted to point out that my tips in these videos are not related to the lesson you are working on. I actually haven't seen the lesson. Some bends require more delicacy of course.
It's not something where you should use great force of course in general to the point of injury, but it's just something to think about as "stabilizing" the hand/neck pressure to me. Sort of balancing it out. I wanted the guy that I taught to just kinda try it out to feel how the neck is not gonna give away when held that way to do bends and it give some more control in a way.
I don't know what Monica's and Kris' thoughts are on it of course, but it's how I like to think about it. That the thumb sort of gribs the neck to use as counter balance for control.
I'd say the exercise would more so be to feel that downwards pressure of the thumb placement at first and the upwards bend with the strings (done with the wrist) and then start to let go with the pressure down and find the balance point where any pressure put on the fretboard is ideal.
Did a further explanation of my thoughts here:
I agree with Todd!
Hi Storm,
Thanks again for getting back with more information! You definately have great skills and a lot of knowledge. Thanks for sharing that with me.
Today I have absorbed a lot of information from you and Monica (of wich I'm greatful) and nnow it's time to go and practise all these...
Hope you follow my progress here as I will be back with more recordings
And I agree with Todd and Monica... you should become an instructor here man!
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QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 11 2023, 02:59 PM)
Hello Monica,
I've been busy for some hours now with your feedback
I have looked at the awesome lesson from Darius about his 20 tips. And I already applied one of them, namely the tuning of my guitar. I have done it as Darius describes and shows it. Now I'm ready for a spin and see how it goes. I will probably have to do some more tuning the next days but if my guitar stays tuned like that... it's worth the effort
I will pay more attention to the technique and will apply the tip I got from Storm regarding the thumb. That looks very promissing and helpful.
I also noticed the detail on the bend (1.06) and then release ring finger before the next note with the pinky. So I can start working on that.
Just one thing I can not get my mind on... you say the B string in the bend refused to ring because I block it. I already spend some time to analyse and trying to find the issue why this string sometimes does not want to ring. But I don't see where I block it. Is it because of my left middle finger? Or my right hand? Or something else? What's the cause of the block?
I noticed when I put to much force on that bend, the strings don't ring somtimes. But with a more gentle approach, I have beter chance the B string will ring. But I'm sure I'm doing someting wrong here because that should not be the case... And I need to fix this before starting on the last two bends bzcause they are more difficult to execute.
Ok, back to practise now and I will come back with a new recording. And maybe soon with a first recording of the easy AC/DC lesson with whom I already having lots of fun And also a great lesson to start practising playing open chords with muting unwanted strings with the tip of my index or with my thumb
Greetz!
Gert
Hi Gert!
The B string (1:06) is blocked by your right hand. If you look close at your right hand you will see that on the first bend, everything sounds OK, but when you make the second bend, at the moment when your pick touches the strings, you change the position of your hand a little to the right side and add too much pressure on the string. From this comes the issue.
Too much force you say....no....it's not that. Grab the neck with your thumb finger, as Ben explained to you. Keep the index and middle finger a little curved when you play that type of bend. Also (only for this particular bend), you can try to change the angle of the hand a little. Darius has his hand a little angle to the left, I play this bend keeping my hand a little more straight.
I'm already back with a new recording as I think this one is an improvement of the previous one
But of course I let you be the judge of that
I think I was able to fix some problems thanks to the many great feedback I got yesterday.
I spend some time tuning my guitar the way Darius explained. Hope it makes a difference now.
One thing I like to mention is the subject of the thumb. And I adress this to Storm (or is your name Ben? )
I have tried to put my thumb more on the top of the fretboard but I couldn't do it due to anatomic restrictions. I don't have large fingers (without calling them really short ). I was afraid this would give problems in my guitar playing ability when I decided to leanr playing guitar. But So far I'm surprised everything goes well and I don't have issues yet. Until now. My thumb is just too short to get it above the fretboard and put strength on it. But I found a way to put it as much as possible on top of the fretboard and still give that counter balance. Anyway, that's my opninion. Maybe you have another one?
Here's my analysis of this take:
- 1-16: Pitches seems to be correct 24: Monica... is this note the right one now? Because in one of the previous recordings you said it did not have the right pitch. 28: double bend sounds good although not sure if I apply the right bending technnique. Look like I still use my fingers to do the bend too much. 31-42: no problems spotted 43-51: the first bend needs a little bit faster to the desired note? next 2 bends seems ok 55: 2 bends here are the correct pitch now I think. G-string rings good on both bends 1.00: I let go ring finger but must be little bit smoother 1.08-1.12: both bends ok I think 1.14: note not high enough 1.15: I think I got the 2 last bends good now with the right pitch 1.21: my face expression says: good enough???
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QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 12 2023, 02:41 PM)
Hi everybody and good afternoon from Belgium
I'm already back with a new recording as I think this one is an improvement of the previous one
But of course I let you be the judge of that
I think I was able to fix some problems thanks to the many great feedback I got yesterday.
I spend some time tuning my guitar the way Darius explained. Hope it makes a difference now.
One thing I like to mention is the subject of the thumb. And I adress this to Storm (or is your name Ben? )
I have tried to put my thumb more on the top of the fretboard but I couldn't do it due to anatomic restrictions. I don't have large fingers (without calling them really short ). I was afraid this would give problems in my guitar playing ability when I decided to leanr playing guitar. But So far I'm surprised everything goes well and I don't have issues yet. Until now. My thumb is just too short to get it above the fretboard and put strength on it. But I found a way to put it as much as possible on top of the fretboard and still give that counter balance. Anyway, that's my opninion. Maybe you have another one?
Here's my analysis of this take:
- 1-16: Pitches seems to be correct 24: Monica... is this note the right one now? Because in one of the previous recordings you said it did not have the right pitch. 28: double bend sounds good although not sure if I apply the right bending technnique. Look like I still use my fingers to do the bend too much. 31-42: no problems spotted 43-51: the first bend needs a little bit faster to the desired note? next 2 bends seems ok 55: 2 bends here are the correct pitch now I think. G-string rings good on both bends 1.00: I let go ring finger but must be little bit smoother 1.08-1.12: both bends ok I think 1.14: note not high enough 1.15: I think I got the 2 last bends good now with the right pitch 1.21: my face expression says: good enough???
Hi Gert!
That's a very improved take. Congrats, you made huge progress and your guitar is now tuned very, very well. I love how it sounds. The strings now have good stability. I knew it was just an issue from the tuning process because your guitar sounded good in the previous lessons.
First of all, let me clarify something. I know you asked Ben (aka Storm) but I also want to answer to this because I was afraid that there would be some misunderstandings. Look, you don't need to keep the thumb finger so much above the guitar (more on the top of the fretboard) as Ben does. I also don't keep my finger in the same way as Ben. He didn't said "keep the finger in the same way as me", he talked about the technique itself. The whole idea is to understand the mechanism of this technique and apply it in the correct way. So...all you need to do is to add pressure on your thumb finger when you do the bends. In this way, you will have a counter balance. How you keep the thumb finger now is ok, but when you press on it, his movement should be in a down direction. Imagine that your purpose would be to touch the first string with your thumb tip (of course, don't literally touch the first string ). When the bend goes up, the thumb should press in a down direction.
Fingers too short.....hahaha...when I said the same thing to Darius he destroyed my theory in a few minutes. He even used a caliper to show me that it's all in my mind and I don't have any excuse to skip doing something. One week later, I was able to play a tapping lick having 6 frets distance between my index and pinky finger. It was the last time when I said to him that my fingers are shorter.
Now let's analyze your take:
0:18 - not a perfect pitch, it's a little lower 0:27 - yes, yes, yes....this double bend is perfect now. I think this is the note that you pointed out as being at 0:24. 0:33- 0:36 - beautiful, very delicate bends and with a correct pitch 0:39 - good 0:41 - not a perfect pitch 0:46 - 0:49 - wrong pitch 0:55 - 0:59 - not a correct pitch. The B string is lower than should be. But we can hear now the strings ringing correctly. Also, the release of the first bend is still too slow and audible. 1:05 - 1:16 - all these bends don't reach the correct pitch 1:18 - the last bend is correct 1:21 - hahaha...yes your expression face predicted a good result for the take. My face expressed something like "yes, that's quite good, but I know you can do it better."
Gert, maybe you don't realize but this take shows huge progress. You work hard and this is visible. I'm very, very, very proud of you.
For next time, try to fix the problem that I pointed out.
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Thanks for helping answer, Monica! I agree with everything you said!
And to Gert regarding thumb: I'll get back to you later with some more thoughts, but I noticed when I watched your video that your thumb is in a good position right before the bends that you do, but as soon as you bend the string your thumb actually lifts off the top of the fretboard and goes in the same direction as the bend you do with your other fingers. It's just something to think about, because I think maybe this can cause some instability and lack of control, but we're all built different - and different things work, so I try to advice to try some different things but also notice small possible "mistakes" like this.
And I agree with Monica! You are making fantastic improvement, that you can be very proud of! Guitar can sometimes be a cruel instrument where we feel we don't make fast improvements or we can't see it ourselves, but then all of a sudden we look back and we have taken big steps. You can be proud of your journey and your determination!
Side: I am actually surprised how much I naturally move my thumb around when playing. That can be good or bad of course - because there are limits to where and when you ideally should use different thumb positions. It was interesting to see the angle in my video above even for myself. I got a bit surprised at times
Back with another take in which (I think) I made some improvements.
I feel to start having more control with the bends if I use the thumb technique. But I notice when I'm recording, after many many takes it starts to slip on me. But with more practise, I'm sure it will grow more on me.
Here's my analysis:
40: not a correct pitch 43: release not smooth enough 46: pitch too high 58: I think correct pitch if I compare with Darius and the release now is not audible anymore. 1.10: little pause between two strums is not good 1.14: note not high enough Good finish I think
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QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 17 2023, 05:18 PM)
Hi Monica and Storm,
Back with another take in which (I think) I made some improvements.
I feel to start having more control with the bends if I use the thumb technique. But I notice when I'm recording, after many many takes it starts to slip on me. But with more practise, I'm sure it will grow more on me.
Here's my analysis:
40: not a correct pitch 43: release not smooth enough 46: pitch too high 58: I think correct pitch if I compare with Darius and the release now is not audible anymore. 1.10: little pause between two strums is not good 1.14: note not high enough Good finish I think
Hi Gert!
You definitely seem to have much more control, but you still have a lot of moments when you make the bend and your thumb finger goes in an up direction instead of a down direction. The good news is that you learned to add pressure on the thumb and this brings you a counter balance.
Your analysis is correct.
Now I will point out a few things that need more work.
0:13 - lower pitch
0:29 - the double bend. After you play the second bend, don't make that release. Stop the strings immediately after the second bend because you don't have an audible release here. Use your right hand to completely mute the strings.
0:34 - wrong pitch
0:58 - yes, that's exactly the type of bend that you need. The first release is not audible, which is perfect. Just when you finish the second bend, let this ring a little longer and make the release very faster. Congrats on these bends. I'm proud of you.
1:00 - you have not fixed this detail. Don't stand with your ring finger in the bend after you finish it. Take your finger away and let the string return to point zero. Also keep your pinky finger longer on the G note (15 fret/E string) and don't do such a long pause between this note and the next G note (12 fret/G string). Stretch your fingers a little to avoid making a kind of jump.
1:06 - similar issue as on 1:00. Take away your ring finger and let the string return to point zero.
1:09; 1:13 - wrong pitch
These are the most important details that need to be fixed. I will leave the tiny details for the moment and I will come back to them after you will be able to play this part correctly.
Overall, I like how this lesson is going. You succeeded in managing some harder types of bends and that's really awesome.
Back with another record of which I think it's an improved one...
Analysis: 28: the double bend is played a little too soft 49: unwanted string ring (D-string) 55: first bend sounds little different then second one
Overall I have the feeling I'm getting more and better control over the bends and I start to make less mistakes. Although when I look at my left hand, it does not always look good.
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QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 23 2023, 02:43 PM)
Hi Monica,
Back with another record of which I think it's an improved one...
Analysis: 28: the double bend is played a little too soft 49: unwanted string ring (D-string) 55: first bend sounds little different then second one
Overall I have the feeling I'm getting more and better control over the bends and I start to make less mistakes. Although when I look at my left hand, it does not always look good.
Hi Gert!
Yes, you are right and your overall control over the bends is getting better. Each new take of yours, show improvements.
0:18 - at the beginning the pitch is a little too high but somehow your ears noticed this and you fixed it. Try to catch more precision when you do the bends. You tend to search a little more the pitch. Keep in mind that you will not have the same amount of time to search the pitch when you play at full speed.
Also, be careful because now you have gotten used to the bending technique and your hand react in a different way. That's why you tend to go higher with the pitch and then you let the string slip until you reach the correct pitch. You need to always have high control on your hand. To understand better what I say, do two things: 1. Close your eyes and listen to this bend (0:18). You will hear how you go higher and then you start to lower the pitch until it reaches the correct point. 2. Look at your hand and you will see how the string slips.
0:28 - you have right, is played too soft. Also, don't forget after you play the bends to stop the sound immediately with your right hand. When you start playing these bends, count in your head 1, 2 and when you say 3 stop the sound.
0:33; 0:46 - wrong pitch
0:58 - you do not keep the right pitch on both bends. The second one is lower.
1:00 - wrong pitch. I like the fact that you fixed the ring finger issue, but it's a mystery for me to understand why you put the middle and index fingers to still keep the string in bend. Hahaha...I did not predict this. Let me clarify, when you take away the ring finger from the string, also remove the other fingers. The string should comeback at point zero. Look close at Darius and you will understand.
1:05 - not a perfect pitch. Also you forgot to remove your ring finger.
1:14; 1:17 - wrong pitch.
As a conclusion, you go in a very good direction. I'm very satisfied with how things work and I'm very proud of you.
For the next time, you can choose from two things (I'm ok with anything you decide). 1. Start learning the final part of the lesson. 2. Play the same part as today but at a faster tempo.
QUOTE (Monica Gheorghevici @ Feb 23 2023, 05:39 PM)
Hi Gert!
Yes, you are right and your overall control over the bends is getting better. Each new take of yours, show improvements.
0:18 - at the beginning the pitch is a little too high but somehow your ears noticed this and you fixed it. Try to catch more precision when you do the bends. You tend to search a little more the pitch. Keep in mind that you will not have the same amount of time to search the pitch when you play at full speed.
Also, be careful because now you have gotten used to the bending technique and your hand react in a different way. That's why you tend to go higher with the pitch and then you let the string slip until you reach the correct pitch. You need to always have high control on your hand. To understand better what I say, do two things: 1. Close your eyes and listen to this bend (0:18). You will hear how you go higher and then you start to lower the pitch until it reaches the correct point. 2. Look at your hand and you will see how the string slips.
0:28 - you have right, is played too soft. Also, don't forget after you play the bends to stop the sound immediately with your right hand. When you start playing these bends, count in your head 1, 2 and when you say 3 stop the sound.
0:33; 0:46 - wrong pitch
0:58 - you do not keep the right pitch on both bends. The second one is lower.
1:00 - wrong pitch. I like the fact that you fixed the ring finger issue, but it's a mystery for me to understand why you put the middle and index fingers to still keep the string in bend. Hahaha...I did not predict this. Let me clarify, when you take away the ring finger from the string, also remove the other fingers. The string should comeback at point zero. Look close at Darius and you will understand.
1:05 - not a perfect pitch. Also you forgot to remove your ring finger.
1:14; 1:17 - wrong pitch.
As a conclusion, you go in a very good direction. I'm very satisfied with how things work and I'm very proud of you.
For the next time, you can choose from two things (I'm ok with anything you decide). 1. Start learning the final part of the lesson. 2. Play the same part as today but at a faster tempo.
Have a great practice time!
Hi Monica,
Let me solve a mystery for you
1.00: I only let go my ring finger and bring down the G-string with my middle and index because I always have unwanted string noise when I just let it go. It's of course the D-string that starts ringing when I let go the G-string. I thought that's what Darius is doing but after watching it more close now, I can see he's muting the D-string after he let go the G-string. So now I know what I have to do
About the wrong pitches... before I start practising a lesson, I always listen to the instructor and how it's played. But when I play it over and over again (especially this lesson), I think the pitches start to become wrong and I don't hear it and it goes in a wrong way.
I'm going for option 1 and will start learning the whole song at this tempo. I prefer to learn the whole song at this tempo as I think it will go easier when I master the whole song at this tempo and then increase speed. Otherwise I have to learn the most difficult part at a faster tempo.
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QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 24 2023, 11:50 AM)
1.00: I only let go my ring finger and bring down the G-string with my middle and index because I always have unwanted string noise when I just let it go. It's of course the D-string that starts ringing when I let go the G-string. I thought that's what Darius is doing but after watching it more close now, I can see he's muting the D-string after he let go the G-string. So now I know what I have to do
Now I understand why you have made that move. Just work to mute that string as Darius and the problem will be fixed.
QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 24 2023, 11:50 AM)
About the wrong pitches... before I start practising a lesson, I always listen to the instructor and how it's played. But when I play it over and over again (especially this lesson), I think the pitches start to become wrong and I don't hear it and it goes in a wrong way.
Don't worry, at some point you will be able to play all the bends at the correct pitch. It's hard at the beginning, but you have already made huge steps. If you compare your first take with the last one, it's a day and night difference.
QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Feb 24 2023, 11:50 AM)
I'm going for option 1 and will start learning the whole song at this tempo. I prefer to learn the whole song at this tempo as I think it will go easier when I master the whole song at this tempo and then increase speed. Otherwise I have to learn the most difficult part at a faster tempo.
You misunderstood the option 2. I meant you to play the current part at a faster speed and then learn separately the difficult part from slower to faster tempo. After that, you can play the entire lesson at full speed. BUT...the option 1 is a perfect choice.
Of course I also have been practising this lesson and especially the last part.
My analysis:
- I'm starting to get a better feeling on these bends as they become more and more natural and easy. Although they still need a lot of work. But this lesson isn't finished yet in a long way. So I will be bending some more...
8: pitch sounds little too high I think 23: pitch not high enough 37-41: I hurry too much
I'm pleased with the last bends and ending. It starts to sound good. I don't have to do so much effort anymore as in the beginning to make these bends.
Look forward to your feedback.
I will try to make a take of the whole lesson now at the same speed. Maybe I will post it today. Or if I don't succeed in making a good take today, I will try again tommorow.
Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.328
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Mar 7 2023, 03:34 PM)
Hi again
Of course I also have been practising this lesson and especially the last part.
My analysis:
- I'm starting to get a better feeling on these bends as they become more and more natural and easy. Although they still need a lot of work. But this lesson isn't finished yet in a long way. So I will be bending some more...
8: pitch sounds little too high I think 23: pitch not high enough 37-41: I hurry too much
I'm pleased with the last bends and ending. It starts to sound good. I don't have to do so much effort anymore as in the beginning to make these bends.
Look forward to your feedback.
I will try to make a take of the whole lesson now at the same speed. Maybe I will post it today. Or if I don't succeed in making a good take today, I will try again tommorow.
Cheers, Gert
Hi again Gert!
So, it seems the new part doesn't look so scary anymore. I can hear some good things in your take.
What happens because your guitar sounds a little out of tune? I had the same feeling when I listened to your AC/DC takes. Check if it's a tuning issue or if the strings should be changed.
Now let's analyze your take:
What you pointed out is correct. So, I will skip over these details.
I particularly like the fact that you managed to keep some notes ringing while you add the bend (as you do at 0:53). Even if that bend doesn't reach the right pitch, the fact that you understood the mechanism behind it's already a success.
0:08 - You are right, the pitch is a little too high. Also, try to make the sound more fluid between this bend and the next note. At this moment, you make a pause between these two notes.
0:14 - let the D note (B string) ring more. Don't stop it so fast.
0:28 - 0:34 - the unison bends. It doesn't have a perfect pitch yet, but we talk about a few cents difference. From the hand mechanism point of view, you played these bends very good. You keep the index finger in a good position without pushing the string up. Also, your middle and ring finger show good strength (this is what we need). Look how well your left hand works. Try to add the same hand mechanism when you play the bends from AC/DC lesson.
0:35 - nice bend, I like the fact that you let the bend ring over the next note (E note). That's perfect, but try to make the next notes sound more glued.
Overall, you started to have less bends played with wrong pitch. That's a really great thing and proves how much you practice.
What I would like to see, is more fluidity in your playing. You have moments when you play some notes shorter than you should. I know it's normal to do this because it's the first time you have played this part. But, try to avoid the pauses between phrases. Change the hand position at the last moment and the song will flow.
At the beginning of this lesson, I made a take of the entire lesson. Today (after 9 weeks) I made a new take of the entire lesson.
I'm happy to see there are some differences
As promised... here's the take. There are some mistakes but I feel there's progress.
My analysis:
50: This last bend comes little too quick. And I think it is the first mistake in this take... 1.00: That bend is not high enough I think 1.22: Fraction too late to start the bend 1.24-1.26: These bends don't sound good yet 1.34-1.40: Although not perfect, I'm happy how these bends start to sound 1.41: That note did not ring enough 1.50: End note needs to be higher I think
Overall I'm satisfied about this take. After this one, I did 40 more but none of them could top this one. Also after 30 takes, I start to feel tired little bit and should built in a rest in the future.
Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.328
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Mar 13 2023, 03:23 PM)
Hi Monica,
At the beginning of this lesson, I made a take of the entire lesson. Today (after 9 weeks) I made a new take of the entire lesson.
I'm happy to see there are some differences
As promised... here's the take. There are some mistakes but I feel there's progress.
My analysis:
50: This last bend comes little too quick. And I think it is the first mistake in this take... 1.00: That bend is not high enough I think 1.22: Fraction too late to start the bend 1.24-1.26: These bends don't sound good yet 1.34-1.40: Although not perfect, I'm happy how these bends start to sound 1.41: That note did not ring enough 1.50: End note needs to be higher I think
Overall I'm satisfied about this take. After this one, I did 40 more but none of them could top this one. Also after 30 takes, I start to feel tired little bit and should built in a rest in the future.
Let me hear your feedback
Hi Gert!
I'm glad to hear that you are happy and you notice how many steps you have made so far. Each new take of yours shows improvements.
Your analysis is almost perfect. So, as usual, I will not repeat the things that you pointed out and I agree with them.
Overall, your take definitely sounds cooler. I like the fact that you started to play the notes more glued. That improves the sound of the take. Also, your left hand looks nice and has better control. This can also be felt in your playing, because you are not so tense anymore.
0:12 - bend under the right pitch
0:34 - bend under the right pitch
0:37 - 0:42 - very beautiful this part. I absolutely love it.
0:43 - 0:54 - another cool section with really nice bends. Of course, without that spot that you already pointed out where you rushed the bend.
1:05 - wrong pitch bend
1:14 - 1:17 - try to play these notes more glued. Don't make pauses between them. These notes need to deliver a legato sound.
1:32 - you rushed these notes.
1:37 - wrong pitch bend
1:47 - no, the end bend (last note) should be played a little lower, not higher.
I'm also satisfied with your take. It's not perfect, but compared with your previous takes, this one is much improved. For next time, try to fix all the things that we both pointed out. We need to take care of these details at a slow tempo before going to the next tempo.
It's normal to feel tired after you record so many takes, but this thing will disappear in the future. We will work on this. The more you play, the more you will get used to staying focused for a long period. This is built on time and usually it works for those who find the practice a pleasure not a chore. I know you enjoy the practice, you are very positive and you can laugh when something is not working. So, I'm pretty sure things will turn out really great for you.
On these bends you need to apply the same strategy as at the bends from 0:58 (no audible release).
