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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 29 2014, 04:36 PM

Hi Alex! Welcome to your personal thread for Gab's Army. Here I will help you to design guitar plans, routines and give you feedback in order to achieve your goals as a musician.

This is our reference video of your current playing:



I would like to have more info about you:


1. How long have you been playing guitar?
2. What level do you think you're? based on GMC lessons level.
3. What do you know about theory?
4. Favorite styles and musicians.
7. How many time a day can you dedicate to guitar?

Posted by: HiimAlex Sep 29 2014, 05:21 PM

Hey Gabriel!

1. How long have you been playing guitar? I have been playing guitar for about 2.5 years but I started taking it more serious the last 7 months
2. What level do you think you're? based on GMC lessons level. I would say that I am an intermediate so I guess I am a 4-5
3. What do you know about theory? I know Pentatonic, Major and Minor scale. I also know how to build major and minor chords and some modes.
4. Favorite styles and musicians. I listen to many different styles but my favorite musicians is Eric Clapton, Boston, Eddie van Halen and Joe Satriani.
7. How many time a day can you dedicate to guitar? I can dedicate on average 1.5 hours per day to my guitar at the moment.

Alex

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 30 2014, 03:10 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for the info. I will suggest you a routine for this first week in order to start polishing your rhythm and soloing skills. The idea is that you work on each lesson every day, as a routine and post here videos of your progress to let me give you constant feedback about your playing, ok?


ALEX'S GUITAR ROUTINES - WEEK#1

Time to practice: 1.5 hours per day


- WARMING UP

http://youtu.be/1XsLRQFV7rY
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/


- RHYTHM

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/basic-metal-rhythm/


- PHRASING

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The_tasty_etude/


- ALTERNATE PICKING

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/


What do you think?

Posted by: HiimAlex Sep 30 2014, 03:48 PM

Hey Gab!

I think it seems to be good but I am not really a fan of playing blues, I would rather prefer rock or metal. I just wonder how often do you want me to post videos? Like one per week or something?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 1 2014, 04:27 PM

Hi Alex! I added a new suggestion for the rhythm section. This are off course all suggestions, please explore our archive if you think that you can search a lesson that covers the same topic that is closer to your favorite style. As you said Eric Clapton is one of your favorite players, I thought that you liked blues. Please give me a wider list of favorite artists /styles to make the lesson choices more precise.

This is another option for the phrasing moment: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/beginner-solo-in-d/

About the videos, it's great if you can post videos weekly. However, you can do it every time you want. Maybe you start working on a lesson and you want me to check that you are practicing in the right way, you can share a video of you playing the lesson or the section that is giving problems.

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 2 2014, 09:39 AM

Hey Gabe!

Hope you are doing good, I like many diffrent styles but mainly I like music like: Slash, Journey, Boston, Eddie van Halen, Joe Satriani, Nirvana, The Offspring, Kansas and Stryper and also some pop punk music.

Hopefully this will help you otherwise just tell me and you will get a even bigger list

Alex

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 2 2014, 01:35 PM

Hi Alex! yeah, this list really helps. What do you think of the current routine? Is it ok now?

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 2 2014, 02:42 PM

Hi Gabe! I think the current routine are really good

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 2 2014, 09:19 PM

Excellent!

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 7 2014, 03:49 PM

Hey Gab!
I think that was a week, I am ready and excited now for new lessons

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 7 2014, 05:58 PM

Hi mate! Sure, we can create the new one but I would like to ask, do you have any videos or audios of you playing the current routine? It would be really cool to check your progress before we move to new lessons...

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 7 2014, 06:09 PM

Hey Gabe! Unfortunately I have not been able to get them to same speed as the original speed, do you still want videos or not?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2014, 02:33 PM

Yes! It would be very good to check your practice. We need to do this monitoring frequently to let me see if you are practicing the things right. I will check the hands movements, your posture, see if I can give any idea to make the things happen easier and off course to give you exercises and lessons that can help you to master the ones that you are currently working.

I think that at least a recording once a week would be great to keep us connected. What do you say?

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 8 2014, 07:42 PM

Hey Gabe!
I think I will manage to provide you and GMC one recording once a week atleast, So I chose to record Alternate Picking Workout 2 by Darius Wave. I recorded this in parts but you should still be able to see and listen to it properly i hope.I also saw now when I looked at it after that i misplayed some things, anyways here you go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK-RXnvejF8&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2014, 10:10 PM

Hi mate, the video is set as private, I cannot play it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 9 2014, 09:47 AM

Hey sorry my bad, it should be fixed by now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK-RXnvejF8&list=UUg9FcmrwFTD9SEGCCgwiWXQ

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 9 2014, 09:13 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for the video! I can notice that you are working good on the lesson, but off course you need more practice to feel more comfortable with the different parts. That division that you did for the video, is the division you have to to work and master this lesson. You have to work on parts, and try to master each one before you connect everything. Based on that video, I think that you need at least another week of practice so you should keep the same routine, however, I will suggest an extra Alternate Picking lesson that I'm sure it will help you to go faster with the technique. Here I will slowly start designing the second routine:

ALEX'S GUITAR ROUTINES - WEEK#2

Time to practice: 1.5 hours per day


- WARMING UP

http://youtu.be/1XsLRQFV7rY
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/


- RHYTHM




- PHRASING




- ALTERNATE PICKING

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 19 2014, 02:50 PM

Yo Gabe!

How are you?
I recorded two different takes today of me playing the Alternate Picking Workout 2, it went better when I did not recorded but anyways.
Here is take 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXcULqzdFko&list=UUg9FcmrwFTD9SEGCCgwiWXQ
Here is take 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-OX8OcJonk&index=1&list=UUg9FcmrwFTD9SEGCCgwiWXQ
What do you think about this?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 19 2014, 07:53 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the take!

Your alternate picking still needs more practice. The main problem is that both hands are not synchronized and it makes everything sounds unclear. The way to fix this problem is slowing down your practice and starting at a more comfortable tempo and be sure that both hands are totally synchronized. Increase tempo slowly trying to keep sync.

I also recommend you to practice the lesson in smaller blocks to be able to focus on your hands movements and not too much on all the notes from the lesson. Work on 1 measure played as a loop, then go to the next one, and once you can play both, combine them and play two measures again as a loop.

The alternate picking lesson suggested in the new routine will really help, so I recommend you to start working on it and practice both lessons during the next days to start polishing your Alternate picking technique.

About the recording issue, don't worry about it, you will feel more and more comfortable with experience and practice. We call it the red light syndrome, and most of us has suffered it.

Keep on the hard work.

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 19 2014, 08:58 PM

Hey Gab!

I have started to practice the other Alternate Picking Lesson by Ben, so you want me to post a video on that one also? I regret at this point that I have not practiced so much Alternate Picking before in my guitar career. And my V-picks is now on the way. Really looking forward to try them

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 20 2014, 06:02 PM

Yes! Please practice it for some days and then post a video here to let me check your progress. Don't regret about the past, enjoy the present and future. Practice every day and you'll see great results soon.

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 23 2014, 09:51 PM

Hey

I have now been practicing this lessons for some days and here is my progress so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_FzW-ywr2c&feature=youtu.be unfortunately I saw now after I already had recorded that most of the time my fretting hand was out of camera but the picking hand is most important in this exercise so it won't matter that much ^^
Also my V-Picks arrived today and I gotta say that they are much better than the picks I had before. I ordered two different V-Picks but for now my favorite is Todd's signature pick SwitchBlade.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 23 2014, 10:08 PM

Hi Alex!

I can say that your alternate picking is slowly progressing but there is still work to do. The slower sections are much better, there is still some room to improve dynamics, but timing is precise. The problem appears when you have to play 16th notes which is a figure that you can't reach tight yet. I can note that you still have sync problems, but the main issue is that the rhythm is not precise.

You should try to keep your right hand relaxed when you play the faster section, I can notice some tension in your hand when it's time for the 16th notes. Try to relax your hand and wrist when you play it. I recommend you to only practice 16th notes over a metronome to get used to the rhythm and to be able to focus on relaxing your hand while you play at this speed.

Finally, be sure that you are playing all the notes. Most of the times you have to play eight 16th notes and I can hear just 5 or 6.

Congrats on your new V-picks! Are you using it on this video? What differences do you note?

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 24 2014, 12:30 PM

Hey General Leopardi!

I used V-picks in this video, and in terms of sound I notice that they defiently sound darker well I had 0.88 before but I also notice that they sound a bit thicker. Do you want a video of me playing 16th notes ?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 26 2014, 05:52 AM

Thanks for the information soldier! and yes! I want the video.

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 27 2014, 02:20 PM

Hey Gabriel!

How are you?? Here is my video of me playing 16th notes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SfCPHAS4Fc&feature=youtu.be
Am I ready for a new mission General Leopardi?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 28 2014, 03:00 PM

Hi Alex, your 16th notes need more practice. The notes are note sounding defined and you are not accentuating the first of each 4 notes to make the rhythm sound clearer. Remember that the note that goes with the beat needs to be a bit accentuated in order to make the groups of 4 16th notes more defined. This means that the alternate picking lesson still needs more practice. Please practice it slowly and always over metronome or a backing track.

This is the new routine for the next weeks:

ALEX'S GUITAR ROUTINES - #2

Time to practice: 1.5 hours per day


- WARMING UP

http://youtu.be/1XsLRQFV7rY
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/


- RHYTHM

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pop-Punk-Lesson/


- PHRASING

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/beginner-solo-in-d/



- ALTERNATE PICKING

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

Posted by: HiimAlex Oct 28 2014, 03:29 PM

Hey Gabriel

I think this new weekly routine seems to be fun and good for me. But I have a request if I could have your Pop Punk lesson as rhythm lesson instead? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pop-Punk-Lesson/
Or this one? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Rock-Like-Brian-May/
I will also practice to accentuate the first of each 4 notes, I did not know I was supposed to do it before but I will try to apply it now.

Also I really want my alternate picking to be good But it does not feel like I make any progress.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 29 2014, 06:34 PM

This sounds great alex! I updated the routine!

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 3 2014, 11:39 AM

Hey Gabriel!

How was your weekend?

Anyways pracitce is going great since I started using Guitar Pro 6 Lite everytime I practice
Now when I has tried the 1.5 mm picks for 10 days I have come to the conclusion that I prefer 0.8 mm picks, do you want me to practice more with the 1.5 mm picks or can I start to use the 0.8 mm picks?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 3 2014, 04:03 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for asking! Check out a pic from my weekend.




I'm really curious to know how you are using Guitar Pro, and the reasons why it helped to be more motivated to practice. It's interesting!

About the pick. Well, there is not a good and a bad option, there are guitarists that prefer thicker picks while others use thinner. The most important thing is to check that the pick is not so thin that when you pick fast alternate picking is sound sloppy. How to try it? Play open string 16th notes at different tempos, record it and listen to the sound that you get. Feel free to share the audios here.

I would't choose one or the other just because it's easier, I would put tone on the first place. Difficulty can be worked.

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 3 2014, 08:01 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Also the pic of yourself looks totally awesome
From what I have seen on Facebook and Instagram I understand that you gig quite alot

I use Guitar Pro mainly to check that I play everything correctly in both timing and how it is supposed to be played. I also use Guitar Pro with the built in metronome to practice along. Something very good about it is to break down and slow down specific parts that I struggle with for example in Picking hand basics I have been having problems with these stupid 16th notes but there is also one part in Muris's Beginner Solo in D where you play 16th notes triplets and then I have taken this specific part in put it in a new Guitar Pro file so I can practice this part and get it up to speed slowly.
If you have any other tips that I can use Guitar Pro in a better way, I would greatly appreciate them

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 4 2014, 01:10 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for your words. Yeah, we have been doing lots of gigs this year. We are also working on new music so there are great things coming.

About guitar pro, you're doing the best use you can give to it. I find looping and slowing tempo as it's best tools to help you to master the tricky parts of GMC lessons. It's a great software if you use it wisely. Well done!

When are new videos coming?

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 4 2014, 02:21 PM

Hey Gab!

Well I have to practice Beginner Solo in D more, your Pop Punk lesson can maybe be done at the end of this week and Ben's Picking Hand Basics should be uploaded in a couple of days, sounds good?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 4 2014, 05:44 PM

Sounds great! Looking forward it. Feel free to post the videos at REC, to also receive feedback from other instructors, and please notify me here as soon as you post it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 8 2014, 05:43 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Here is my second take on the Picking hand basics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWRrbamZyhs&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 8 2014, 10:50 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new video.

I can notice a progress in your alternate picking playing. You are trying to accentuate the notes that I suggested and that starts to make the rhythms clearer and your playing more dynamic. The first part is sounding tight, but I think that you should try to make your right hand move more relaxed, it's a bit rigid yet. Remember to also let your arm move a bit from your elbow when you play alternate picking.

When you reach the faster sections, you keep on doing a good job with dynamics but the timing problems start to appear. There are even some notes lacking when you play the 16th notes near to the end. This means that the second half of this lesson still need more practice to feel comfortable with the tempo.

So remember, keep on improving dynamics, try to relax more your right hand while you play, do the movement smoother, and isolate the faster sections to improve picking and timing.

Ok?

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 9 2014, 02:33 PM

Hey Gabriel

I will slow down and just practice the faster sections separately so I can improve on dynamics and timing better and then get it up to speed. But your feedback sounds good to me, I will keep working hard and trying to do my best

Also I am thinking about getting myself a overdrive/boost pedal but I am unsure because I get more than enough gain from my amplifier, what is your opinion?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 9 2014, 04:11 PM

You won't regret in the future if you invest on a good overdrive pedal. You can gave them many uses when you play live with a band but also at the home studio for practicing and recording.

It can be used as a preamp before your amp to shape the tone. There is something magical that happens when you turn on a tube screamer before an amp, even with drive (gain) in 1. You can also try setting drive around 4 and 5 and mayb lowering the drive of your amp. It gaves you different colors and possibilities. For playing live, it can also be used to boost solos and arrangements and to have a softer drive sound turning it on while using the clean channel of your amp.

The best option is getting an ibanez tube screamer, but there are lots of clones of it, so you can go to the music store and try some of them.

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 10 2014, 07:08 PM

Ah Thanks Gabriel, I will see what Santa can bring to me

Also regarding the Picking Hand basics lessons, I gotta learn to get good dynamics while being relaxed in my hand. At the moment I can only do one of these things.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 11 2014, 04:29 AM

hehehe that's the Santa that every guitarist love! I hope that you have been a good kid this year...

About picking and dynamics, please have a look at the section of this videos that starts at 8:00:

http://youtu.be/kCc9gnPkvts?t=8m16s

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 12 2014, 02:29 PM

Haha I hope so

The Gilbert video were good, I tried to hit to string harder before but I will try to apply the things Paul said about picking with more from the pick to get accentuate sound.

I might aswell turn into your Video chat today

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 12 2014, 02:40 PM

Yes! That video is very interesting because Paul's alternate picking is killer. His approach to be able to pick strong is effortless, so that's why I wanted you to check the video. Experiment with this trick since it's very effective.

About the Vchat session, I had to move it to Friday at 21 hs because of some family issues, I hope that you could assist!

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 18 2014, 01:51 PM

Hey Gabriel!

How were your weekend??
My weekend was good, I went to my grandma and tried to play some mandolin, it was hard but a lot of fun
I am apologizing for the lack of videos, I aim to record one video this week
The reasons my videos are coming late to you is because it has been kinda tough in school and it is so boring to practice accenting notes
So if you got any inspirational quote or video I would love to have a look at it

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2014, 02:44 PM

Hi Alex, I'm fine thanks. My weekend has been different since we didn't play with the band. I had a great time at a birthday's party on friday, I helped my girlfriend with her band (we are recording their first EP) and on Sunday we visited our family and had a nice sunny day out with Mate and guitar. So it's been cool and relaxing.

Give me a list of 5 songs that you'd like to learn to play.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2014, 03:33 PM

Hi again Alex, I have a new idea to experiment.

In order to achieve our guitar goals, it's important to have a well designed routine that keeps us working every day, motivated and sure of what we have to do. I would like to suggest a plan just designed for you and your alternate picking technique. This one can be combined with other techniques and works as it will be a 30 minutes AP routine. You won't be able to master all this stuff in just one week so this plan can be repeated as many weeks as you think you'd should do it. I can also suffer changes later but it's a good guideline to know what to do each day and also, to monitor your progress recording yourself playing the tasks. You could even record youself doing the 30 minutes routine! It would be a great way to be sure that you are totally focused and don't give up in the middle of the routine.

This is the routine:


Alternate Picking - 30 minutes - 6 Days Routine:


Day 1:

10 minutes: Learn "http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/".

10 minutes: Isolate the tricky parts and work on them with metronome.

10 minutes: Practice the lesson over the original take and using the backing tracks.

Day 2:

10 minutes: Start learning this lesson (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/) and use it as a warming up.

10 minutes: Isolate the trickier parts of this lesson (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/) and work on them as a loop.

10 minutes: Practice alternate picking workout 2 using backing tracks.


Day 3:

10 minutes: Learn the patterns used on this lesson:http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-rock-licks-1/

10 minutes: Practice each of the patterns using the backings tracks.

10 minutes: Learn a lick that you like from any lesson that uses Alternate Picking lesson and play it over the backing, combined with variations and your own phrases.


Day 4:

10 minutes: Learn the first 18 seconds of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/

10 minutes: Work on each lick over metronome.

10 minutes: Practice the licks connected over the backing track.


Day 5:

10 minutes: Learn the first 15 seconds of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking-upstroke-focus/

10 minutes: Work on each lick over metronome.

10 minutes: Practice the licks connected over the backing track.


Day 6:

10 minutes: Learn the first two parts of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking-chops/

10 minutes: Practice the licks over the backing tracks.

10 minutes: Improvise your own ideas combined with the AP licks and creating your own variations.



Notes:

- Notice that this is mostly a technique routine so you should combine it with some more creative stuff and even include it duirng this routine. Always dedicate some minutes to just play along with the backings.

- Use a notepad to transcribe this routine and write notes about how the practice was. Everything that happened and you think during the practice and be good info for the future. It's also good if you write the tempos reached and what are the apparent problems that you had during the practice.

- If you have an extra day, (7th day) use it just to learn some random licks that use AP and use them to improvise.


What do you think?

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 18 2014, 08:53 PM

Hey Gabriel

That was a large routine with a lot of different variations but I really appreciate that you has personalized it for me
Right now I think this will help me with my Alternate Picking for sure But I am gonna try it out for 6 days and give you feedback about it later on.
I am extremely grateful that you put so much work into helping me becoming a better player

Anyways I want to make sure that I understand this the way you want, this just became my alternate picking exercises but I will stick to the Rhythm and Phrasing lessons?
Do you still want the list of 5 songs that I want to learn?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2014, 10:37 PM

Well. I think that we can change a bit the direction. Let work on the new alternate picking routine which I think will be a good way to refresh your diary practice and please share with me 5 songs that you'd like to learn and I'll see how to organize the remaining hour that you have for playing guitar...

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 19 2014, 11:44 AM

Hey! Gabriel!

I am looking forward to this changes and to see what you have in mind, changes are always refreshing

My five song list would be the following
1. Joe Satriani - Summer Song
2. Joe Satriani - The Extremist
3. Joe Satriani - Always With Me, Always With You
4. Muris Varajic - Final Dance
5. Joe Satriani - Crushing Day
6. Muris Varajic - She goes by


Was to be limited to just five songs
Hope this will be good And again looking forward to see how this turns out

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 19 2014, 04:02 PM

Cool! Let's go for "Always with me, always with you".

The plan would be also a 6 days routine that can be combined with the AP one.

Day 1:

- Learn the chord progression used for the intro. Analyze it and try to find out which scales work over it. (10 minutes)
- Learn the first melody until 00:45. (10 minutes)
- Play the melody over the original song and if it's possible over a backing track. (5 minutes)
- Create your own variations of the motif combining your own phrases and changes. (5 minutes)


Day 2:

- Learn the melodies from 00:46 to 1:04. (10 minutes)
- Play the melody over the original song and if it's possible over a backing track. (5 minutes)
- Play the song from the beginning to 1:04.
- Create your own variations of the motif combining your own phrases and changes. (5 minutes)


Day 3:

- Analyze the progression from 1:04 to 1:31. Write down the chords and try to see what happens with tonality. (10 minutes)
- Learn the solo from 1:04 to 1:31 (20 minutes)


Day 4:

- Learn the melodies from 1:31 to 1:53 (10 minutes)
- Combine this new melodies with all the previous parts playing along with the song (20 minutes)


Day 5:

- Learn the tapping section from 1:53 to 2:12. (15 minutes)
- Practice the part over metronome and the backing. (15 minutes)


Day 6:

- Learn the solos from 2:12 to 2:31 and the song's final lick. (10 minutes)
- Practice the whole tune. (20 minutes)


Please check out this plan and let me know what you think.

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 19 2014, 06:29 PM

I think this seems to be a very fun a entertaining exercise
Looking forward to practice this stuff

Right now I think it looks amazing, I will write down important stuff during the week and give you feedback later on

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 20 2014, 03:27 PM

Great! I'll wait for news!

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 26 2014, 04:15 PM

Hola amigo!
About the routine, it has a total of 60 min not 90 min as I got to practice. I saw this the last days but my practice time has been 90 min everyday so far, so I have been practicing these lessons for a total of 90, do you want me to keep doing that or should we change it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 26 2014, 04:45 PM

Yes. You can use that extra 30 minutes for free jamming, playing something that attracted your attention that day like a new riff, a part of a song or a lesson, composing, playing along with songs, learning easy songs by ear or just use it for the parts of the current routine that need more time. Use it freely.

How do you feel with the current routines? Do you find the specific times for each topic possible?

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 26 2014, 07:44 PM

Sounds good to me I will use it wisely

I really enjoy the exercises and I feel like it is a good practice for me while it is fun I think you has estimated the time for each section in a good way, and I think it is perfect with time so far


I tried to practice this both Day 4 and Day 5 and I get pain in my pinky for the stretching or something, I want to play it though because it is a nice sounding lick but a bit disappointing I left that exercise for healthy reason.

And I have to admit that before I got this new routine, it happened that I would lose my focus and check some other things. But I stay a lot more focused and motivated now

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 27 2014, 02:24 PM

Awesome!! I'm so happy of reading this. We must to give priority to fingers health so interrupt the practice if you feel some hurt. Get back to guitar later or the following day. Also remember to dohttp://youtu.be/1XsLRQFV7rY before every guitar routine.

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 27 2014, 09:11 PM

Will try to do it in the upcoming days, did it today and did not felt any pain so far
Yeah I usually do stretches before every guitar session, and will start doing these massages again.

Also regarding the lesson notes, you will get them this weekend. But do you want me to post all of the notes as a reply in this thread or should I attach a file with the notes inside?

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 28 2014, 05:40 PM

I am thinking about participating in a guitar competition, so I will use my 30 extra min to see if I come up with something beautiful in the upcoming days to decide if I will participate or not

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 29 2014, 06:50 PM

Awesome! We can work on the competition solo here! Feel free to post your ideas and I will give you my thoughts in order to hep you to get the best of you.

About the notes, you can post them here.

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 29 2014, 08:07 PM

So Here is my notes for this week

Week 1

Day 1
Picking Hand Basics: I struggled most with the triplets dynamics
part so I chose to practice the just right hand along with
Guitar Pro, so I could put all my focus onto the right hand part
and forget to left hand for a moment.
But then reached 105bpm with both right and left hand.

Always With Me, Always With You: I need to work more on my
arpeggios. Reached 70 bpm.
Chord Progression: Badd11-Emaj7add13-F#sus4, with variations
first variation is that you play a G# instead of F# on the E string
in the F#sus4 chord. Second variation is that you play a F# chord after
you play F#sus4.

Badd11 got the notes: B-D#-E
Emaj7add13 got the notes: E-G#-C#-D#
F#sus4 got the notes: F#-B-C#

You should be able to play B major over Badd11
because they share B-D#-E and it sounds good.
Over Emaj7add13 E major they share E-G#-C#-D# and it sounds good.
and last but not least F#sus4 B major and F# major, they share F#-B-C# and it sounds good.


Always With Me, Always With You Melody: Reached 115 bpm.


Day 2

Picking Arpeggios: Reached 65 bpm

Alternate Picking Workout: The first 24 bars is definitly the hardest part of the lesson
so I chose to practice this separately at 130 bpm.

Always With Me, Always With You: Reached 95 bpm
Did whole song at 95 bpm

Day 3

Was little sick this day, so the results might not be my 100%
Pentatonic Rock Licks Part 1, Started at 60 bpm, reached 67 bpm.

I chose http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Minor_vs_Major_Intermediate/ section 2 Reached 80 bpm.

Always With Me, Always With You the chord progression changes to Bmadd9-Emadd9-F#sus4-Gadd9
The tonality becomes minor instead of major.

Melody: The part between 1:10-1:14 is the one that I struggle with so the solo got to 55 bpm.

Day 4

Alternate Workout: This were a real workout. This were also tough for my pinky, it even frooze at a point and after
that I decided to stop work on this for today, will try again tomorrow for a bit. Reached 50 bpm. It was also a really fun exercise,
really enjoyed it.The hardest part of this lesson is to get the hand synchronization, but I guess I just gotta work that up.


Melody so this part were pretty easy compared to yesterday's simply because this is basiclly the intro but played on a different string
and I got the intro melody stuck in my head so I can play it pretty easy.
Got to the speed 100 bpm.

I practiced the whole song today at 65 bpm. The hardest part was the legato run from Day 3.

Day 5

Alternate Picking - Upstroke Focus
Took a while for me to get down the last pattern so could only reach 55 bpm

Always with Me,Always with you tapping part, reached 65 bpm

Practices also Alternate Workout here without pain.

Day 6


Alternate Picking Chops: Reminds me a bit of Paul Gilbert licks.Reached 60 bpm.

Always with Me, Always With You: It is really hard to do a full step bend at 21 fret with 22 frets neck.The parts in this one took much time for me to get up to speed
so I wasn't able to practice the song as much as it was planned.
The tapping part needs more practice and very last part was the ones that I couldn't play decent at 65 bpm.

Regarding the competition, I got recorded something I came over tonight and I thought it sounded pretty cool. Need to practice it a bit more though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNlUjD7Nep8&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: HiimAlex Nov 29 2014, 11:07 PM

I also should add a call answer phrase in the beginning of it
I wonder if you think I should keep this melody or if I should come a new melody.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 1 2014, 07:46 AM

Hi Alex! Thanks for all the details about how you worked on the routine the first week. I can say that you've learnt a lot in just 1 week! This is so awesome! Imagine how much you can learn if you work with this energy during month and then during a whole year. I don't know what you think but I feel that this type of routines are the way to go to achiever your guitar goals! I can see great things coming.

About the melody, I wonder about the backing track since it's tricky to analyze the melody without the chords happening there. Do you have a version with backing?

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 1 2014, 10:02 AM

Hi Gabriel!
I definitely think that this was a fun and productive way to work on. Seems awesome for sure! It makes me happy that you can see that I have learnt a lot in just 1 week. It is can be hard sometimes so see by yourself what you have achieved I am ready for week 2

And about the melody, I did not practice this over a backing so I am going to start practice over a backing. But am I allowed to use a backing from Guitarmasterclass to my song or do I have to find another backing?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 1 2014, 07:00 PM

I think that you can use it if you add the info about GMC in the description but you can ask Bogdan for more details about it.

Good luck with week#2! Please keep me updated!

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 2 2014, 08:07 PM

Hey Gab!

It was ok if added info in the description as you told me, so I guess I have decided what backing I want to use, there is loads of them so it was hard to chose my but I think I pretty clear with my decision. But my theoretical knowledge is missing a bit now how do I solo over a chord progressions. For example this progression D (I) – Bm (VIm) – G (IV) – A (V), can I just solo around in D major and D pentatonic major ?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 3 2014, 01:29 AM

Hi Alex, great to know that you can use the backing track. That chord progression is in D major tonality so the best choice is using D major and D Pentatonic major keys to solo over it.

Every time you want to know what's the tonality of a song or progression, there are some tricks to know it and it will give you an idea of what scale you can use over it. I recommend you to check this thread (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3160) in order to have more details about how you can know the key of a song.

Using the same scale over a group of chords that belong to the same key is commonly called key center playing and helps to make your soloing sound smooth. This idea combined with the arpeggios of each chord will give you many possibilities in order to create a good solo over this backing.

So over:

D (I) – Bm (VIm) – G (IV) – A (V)

You can play:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

and you focus your melodies on the notes from the arpeggios of each chord in order to make a solo that moves more connected with the progression.

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 6 2014, 05:53 PM

Hey Gabriel!

My practice is going great! and I will post a new bunch of notes in the coming days.
When you just practice exercises it can be hard to realize how much you have learned, but when I have been just playing around I have realized that I have learned A LOT thanks to you, so I am extremely grateful that I have joined your army.

I have chose the backing track from this lesson http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/My-Chemical-Romance-Ballad-Style/ at original speed. However here is an idea I got this afternoon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgl9YCEkht8&list=UUg9FcmrwFTD9SEGCCgwiWXQ

Also regarding the song competition it ends on the 14th of December but I think that it is better for me to make a song that I am happy with, so even if the competition ends in one week I will learn much more if I take the time I need and not stress because then my song would not be that great.

Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 8 2014, 04:19 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for your message. I'm really happy to know that you feel that you are progressing thanks for our work here. It's very inspiring for me to see you all the time totally focused and motivated. If you work on a well designed routine, baed on your goals, and practice it focused every day, you'll always be progressing. The way to note it is recording yourself, and uploading REC takes. Recording is the proof of our progress as guitarists.

About the backing track, great choice! I love that series of MCR lessons. I'm now listening to you solo and once again it becomes really tricky to understand the evolution of the phrases without the backing. Could you please upload a video in which I can hear you playing over the backing?
I notice that some licks are not clear or have sync issues, so you should isolate and work on them if you feel that they are the best choices for the songs (I'll give you my opinion about it as soon as I hear the mix).

I also agree that the competition is a great excuse to take your playing to a new level. Having this type of short term goals can be a great motivation to polish our playing and try to take the more of our creativity. We should "create" short terms goals like this one frequently.

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 8 2014, 05:04 PM

Hello Gab!

About the song, I do not have ideas for whole song yet, but I have started to get a couple of ideas so I wanted share them with you.
Here is the link with my playing and backing track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUYmZBMPuoo&feature=youtu.be
As you said there is a couple licks that need to be worked more on if I am going to keep them.

I think short terms goals can be a fun and exciting way to polish our playing and workout on creativity. So I definitely think we should create more of those in the future

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 9 2014, 02:27 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new version. I start to understand the idea behind you solo. The first section seems to follow the chords really good. You are playing phrases that connect great with each chord. However, you are not playing them with a right rhythm, it's not going with the groove of the song, and also sometimes it's played after or before the chord appears. Do you note it?

Then, the licks become less clear and you have to be sure that you are playing the correct scale. The lick at 00:36 needs to be polished, so you should base a diary exercise just on playing it as a loop. The notes at 00:46, 01:02 don't sound very good over the backing at the moment that you played them. The lick at 01:05 has many notes out of scale as well as the part at 01:28 and from there to the end. Please re-check the scales suggested in the original lesson.

This recording shows that you need to work hard on your improvisation/composing skills. There is a great exercise that I would like to share with you to start working on this:

- Choose a solo lesson from GMC archive that uses only 1 scale. It can be a major, minor or pentatonic scale.
- Analyze the chords from the backing track, and learn the scale suggested/used by the instructor.
- Learn part number 1. Play the lick over the backing track. Repeat it over the different chords and listen how it works.
- Create variations of the lick changing the ending, the first notes, repeating the first section. Try to follow the chords from the progression with variations of the same lick.
- Learn part number 2 and do the same. Then combine it with part 1 and work on variations combining both ideas with some of your own licks.
- Follow the same steps with all the other parts of the lesson.
- Play the lesson as it is, and then start progressively to make variations of the licks and parts, change the order of the licks, and add some of your own licks to it.

This is the best way to start developing your phrasing. IT would be cool if you share here recordings of this process. What do you say? Are you in?

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 9 2014, 09:09 PM

Hey Gab

Yeah I notice it that I dont have same groove as the song.
I am in for this challenge for sure!
And as you say, I definitely think and agree with your opinions that I should work more on my composing skills.
I have not quite decided what solo I should learn yet, so I am decided between one of those
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/d-dorian-mode-solo/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/neoclassical-lesson/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/B-Minor-Ballad-Solo/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/emotional-feeling-guitar/
You can tell your opinion and say which one do you think is best for me.

Here is also my notes from this weeks practice
Week 2

Day 1:
Picking Hand basics, Started by practicing the triplets alone without guitar pro for a little, then I pracitced the
triplets part specific a couple of times at 100 bpm using guitar pro. Still struggling a bit when I shall accent the upstrokes in triplets
Then pracitced the whole exercise at 105, 110 and 115 bpm couple of times. Tried also 120 bpm, but thats just a bit to fast so far.
Reached 115 bpm

Arpeggio: Started at 65 bpm, and ended on 85 bpm.

Melody: Pracitced this 10 min extra to achieve the normal speed at 148 bpm and over the original song
but now it doesn't sound so smooth yet and a bit stressed so need to pracitce it more to find that calm in it.
So I dont rush and get infront of the beat.

Day 2:
Alternate Picking Workout 2, I find it easier somehow to play this with a thinner pick(0.88mm instead of 1.5mm)
Last week the first 24 bars was the hardest without a doubt but today the just played automatlicty, but instead the parts that has been one of the easiest b4
was the "sweeping" parts and they are like the hardest now. Found out why the "sweeping" parts did not sound good, I muted the B string by mistake with my middle finger.
Reached 140 bpm.

Melody, The hardest part that I find is the part that starts at 1:00. Could reach 125 bpm.
Reached also 125 at song.

Day 3:

Alternate Picking Lick: Chose one from Paul Gilbert Intense Rock I Reached 70 bpm. I will add a screenshot so you can see the lick.

Solo: Reached 75 bpm, the legato run is still hardest part.

Pentatonic Licks: It is hard to strech from 12 to 17 fret up to speed specificly when I got small hands.
Did not changed anything in speed.

Day 4:
Alternate Workout: Had no pain today in my fingers from this at any time, so was able to reach 65 bpm.

Melody: There is really no hard part in this, but if I have to chose one it is the pinch hamonic. Like I can do pinch hamonics but I don't get them everytime I try, it is like 80% of the time I get them. Reached 130 bpm.

Could play the total song at 80 bpm.


Day 5:

Alternate Picking - Upstroke Focus: I think the last part of this one is the hardest one, and I find it easier to play it with an upstroke.
Was able to reach a speed of 70 bpm.

Tapping part: Was much easier to get up some speed when I got the pattern down, so moved from 50 to 60bpm.

Day 6:

Alternate Picking Chops: I actually think that the second part of this one is harder than the first part of it. It changed when I sat and had to guitar between my legs.
But now after I changed the position the hardest part is when you change pattern for the fingers. Like for B string to G String and D string to A string.
Reached 70 bpm.

Last part of the song: 80 bpm.

Could also play whole song at 80 bpm.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2014, 05:54 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for the update and the details about your practice. It seems that you are working on the right way each of the lessons and exercises. I would really like to see a video of you playing each part of the routine. Maybe recording yourself while practicing and sharing here a shorter edition just to check it would be great!

About the phrasing exercise. I think that this lesson http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/emotional-feeling-guitar/) is the best option for this purpose because it has many easy to learn licks and that are also easy to modify to create variations of them. The other lesson that could work is this one http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/B-Minor-Ballad-Solo/ but there are some really tricky licks there.

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 10 2014, 07:20 PM

Sounds great Gabriel!
I will be working on recording the video in the coming days, but do you want me to just recorded the whole song at the tempo I am comfortable at or should I follow the routine and divide it into parts?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2014, 09:40 PM

Both of the options could be ok for me. It's just to monitor your progress.

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 11 2014, 10:34 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Worked pretty hard tonight to get my video done to you, at day 4 my camera focused at my keyboard instead of me
However not much to say now, I will wait for your response

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 13 2014, 06:01 AM

Hi Alex! Thanks for this video! This one will be a great reference for me to compare your progress when I'm back, after 3 weeks of hard practice. Based on this video, I can say that you mostly need days of practice to feel more comfortable with the different exercises that you are practicing. This is a list of things to have in mind:

- Hand Sync: I notice that you tend to lose sync when you play fast alternate picking. This mostly happens when you play licks like the ones around 2:50 that cross strings and require speed.

- Vibrato & Bending: Both techniques need more time of practice. Please remember to add vibrato when you are practicing melodic phrases, and keep on practicing bending, using this exercise: http://youtu.be/Hh_pYY6UYIw

- Economy of movements: Try to make small movements when you are playing in order to make your technique more effective.


That's all by now, keep on practicing with these things in mind and let's get a new video in 21 days. Deal?

Posted by: HiimAlex Dec 13 2014, 04:17 PM

Thanks Gabriel for your response

We definitely have deal
Let's see how I and Cosmin develop my composing skills together

I wish you a safe and enjoyable trip and time, take care

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 13 2014, 10:38 PM

Great to know it! Thanks mate. See you when I'm back.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 6 2015, 11:19 PM

Hey Gabriel

Here is an update what has happened while you were gone.
- I got a tubescreamer clone (Joyo Vintage Overdrive)
- I got two 2.75 mm V-Picks which I really like
- I have joined multiple of Todd's Video chats
- Instead of doing the phrase exercise where I should make a variation of a lesson. Both me and Cosmin agreed on joining the Kris-must collab since I had never joined a collab before and I would work on phrasing there too. Here is the end result https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/krist-must-collab-take-199
The timing is bad but except that I think it turned out pretty ok for first collab.

And here is the video


I got some questions about my practice routine, how should we organize it now when I have reached full speed on certain exercises/part of the song, while some parts/exercises makes a small progress like 5-10 bpm per week.
I also sent you the notes so you can see my progress on "paper".
I think that's all for now

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 7 2015, 06:42 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for the great update with video, audio and notes. I note that you are having problems with Hand Sync when you play Alternate Picking and that's one of the main problems that appear in many of the things that you are practicing, so answering your question about how to organize your next weeks, I think that you have to focus on Alternate Picking and Hand Sync.

Please divide your practice time in 3 and dedicate 2/3 to Alternate Picking and 1/3 to Satriani's song for the next week. For the alternate picking work, please focus on Darius lesson and work on very small sections as a loop putting all your focus on making both hands go together totally synchronized. Slow down the exercise if it's necessary, precision is more important than speed.

Any question?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 8 2015, 10:52 AM

No questions needed

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 8 2015, 04:07 PM

Great, looking forward your news.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 12 2015, 02:05 PM

Hi Gab

I have Always learnt scales by their root note, do you think I should continue learning scales by root or is it time to learn the CAGED system?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 13 2015, 05:30 PM

Hi Alex. CAGED is a system to learn the scale shapes which are movable shapes, but the root is still the way to find them and identify the key so there shouldn't be a real difference compared to what you've been working. Caged also helps to connect scale shape with chord shapes.

What do you exactly mean by learning scales by root?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 13 2015, 10:19 PM

What I meant by that is, I have never learned how a scale Connect or relate to a chord. In the beginning I never learned the interval by a scale, I just memorized the pattern. But I have learned the afterwards, so I understand it now.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 14 2015, 01:51 PM

So now CAGED is clear and you'll work on it?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 14 2015, 05:45 PM

I will start to work on it the coming days whenever I find time or in school

Also this is the part I got biggest problem with in the song Always with me,Always with you


You got any secret tips to make this part easier?
Also original tempo is 148 bpm.

Or is it time to pause this and work on a etude phrase lesson?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 15 2015, 03:55 PM

Hi Alex. That's a very cool rocker lick that combines bending, picking and legato. It's not easy because it's a bit fast but with some practice you'll be able to play it. I recommend you to divide the lick in two or three shorter exercises and work on them looped. I would work on this:

Exercise 1: Measure 1
Exercise 2: Measure 2
Exercise 3: Measures 3 and 4

Think on each one as a different exercise for some days. Focus on details, on your hands movements and on everything that can be making it tricky. After some days of practice, start to combine them.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 18 2015, 08:35 PM

Hey Gab! Here comes the guitar notes for this week
Guitar Notes Week 6

2/3 to Alternate Picking and 1/3 to Satriani's song

Day 1:
Alternate Picking Workout 2:Thought it would be best to start extremly slow and then working my way up and see where and at what speed the problems occur.
Started at 100 bpm, fixed some issues.
After 30 min was at 115 bpm.

Could play this at 120 bpm.

Satriani Song:
Was able to play the tapping at 135 bpm.

Day 2

Alternate Picking Workout 2: Started play playing the whole exercises a couple of times at 120 bpm, could play it twice with hand synch.
Ended at 135 bpm.

Satriani Song: Played the first part of the last section at 115 bpm.


Day 3


Alternate Picking Workout 2: Decided it would be best to split this into different parts, so the first 8 bars, second clip on the gmc website. I reached 160 bpm.

Satriani Song: Was able to play the end at 140 bpm.Watched also Todd's Videochat



Day 4


Alternate Picking Workout 2: Working now with bars 9-16. Reached 150 bpm.

Satriani Song: Played it through twice at 130 bpm. Worked my way up to 148 bpm.


Day 5


Alternate Picking Workout 2: Working with bars 17-24, reached 155 bpm.

Satriani Song: reached 95 bpm on first part of the ending since I discovered that I missed one bend.

Day 6


Alternate Picking Workout 2:Practing bar 25-34 reached 160 bpm, played also the whole etude a couple of times at 150 bpm and 155 bpm.

Satriani Song:Played the ending at 148 bpm.


As you can see my Day 1 and 2 I had a bad way to organize my practice time, its better to divide it into different sections as you have said before
But you can also see (hopefully ) that I have soon reached max speed at the Alternate Picking, so you want a video from me later this coming week?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 19 2015, 03:06 PM

Hi Alex!! Great notes! It's really cool too see that you applied different methods and that the results are different with each. I think that from now, working on smaller sections is the way to go to get the most of each day and week. I would really like to see a video!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 20 2015, 09:19 PM

Hi Gabriel
How are you doing?

Here is the video


I would like to get some feedback on my tone as well, I normally use more gain for other stuff but thought this was good amount for this etude
In this video I used my new Von Hotch Octavius 3.2mm pick which I received today

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2015, 02:13 AM

Hi mate, this video shows that it's very important to slow down your practice and focus on a problem that needs to be your priority now. I'm talking about hands sync. Your hands are not in syn while you play on this video, and that makes your playing sound sloppy and with many muted notes.

This makes me give you a new task to do:

- Work on the first part of the lesson.
- Turn on your metronome at a tempo that you feel comfortable.
- Practice it as a loop over metronome, focusing on hands sync. (Be sure to pick the notes when your are pressing them.)
- Do the same with part 2.
- Record yourself playing this two parts, and share the video here.

Ok?


PD: You tone sounds good, we will get back to it then, when you solved this sync issue.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 24 2015, 04:01 PM

Hey Gabriel

How is the weather in Argentina ? In Sweden we have a lot of snow

Have been working on this the last days, recorded multiple takes and included two of them in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyl1hhSUPUI&feature=youtu.be

What do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2015, 04:09 AM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new video. It really helped me to note some details that we need to work to improve your alternate picking technique. The first one is your right hand movement. I note that sometimes you tend to do some "fingers" movements, mostly with your thumb. I recommend you to avoid this movement since it won't help in the future when you try to play faster stuff. Remember that the movement should start from your wrist, and a bit from your elbow.

Then, I still note that you are having sync and clarity problems. Sometimes it's a sync issue, other times your pick seem to lock and you don't play the full pattern.

We need to work seriously on this, so this is a new assignment:



 Alex_Exercises.zip ( 593bytes ) : 278


There you can see 3 alternate picking exercises. The idea is simple:

- Learn and practice this exercises. Focus on making each note sound clean and clear.
- Practice over metronome at a tempo that you feel comfortable, and then start increasing the tempo a bit.
- Record a video playing the exercises at a tempo that you can make it sound clean and clear and share it here.

Once you provide the video well played, you'll receive a new assignment.

Deal?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 26 2015, 09:13 AM

Sounds Excellent Gabriel!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2015, 03:04 PM

Great!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 29 2015, 08:59 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Have been having some Strain Injury beside my right shoulder blade so has been taking one day off practice and overall taking it pretty easy.
I have now practiced this exercises one per day and found a comfortable tempo, do you me to practice each of them one more day or should I post a video??

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 30 2015, 03:11 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the update. Please take care of your strain injury. About the video, it's ok if you take another day to practice it. We are not hurried.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 2 2015, 07:30 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Has been taking it easy with my pain, and now is it gone
Here is the notes for this week.

Guitar Notes Week 7

Day 1: Alternate Picking: Reached 160 bpm at bars 9-16 and still got 25 min left so starting to practing bars 17-24 at 155 bpm. finished 17-24 at 160 bpm too.

Satriani song: As Gab said I should divide this lick into different sections and work on one of them each day, so starting with first section bar 111.Reached 115 bpm at bar 111.

Day 2:
Alternate Picking: Played through the etude several times at max speed and also some times at 155 at specific sections before I decided to record it.


Day 3:

Alternate picking: New exercises. Gonna do one exercise per day. Started slow at 60 bpm. Worked my way up to 70 bpm.
Have been both trying to start with an upstroke and moving around this lick.
Satriani Song: Reached 95 bpm on section two.


Day 4:

Alternate Picking: Definitely prefer to start this lick with an upstroke. Started at 65 bpm. reached 80 bpm.
Ended earlier since I had some pain beside my shoulder blade.
Satriani Song:Section 3 = bar 3+4 of the lick. Played through the song also. Finshed at 90 bpm.

Had a day off so the pain could go away.

Day 5: Taking it a bit easy today since I dont want my strain injury beside my shoulder blade to come back.
Practiced exercise three and this one was definitely the hardest of all three. Was able to reach 60 bpm.

Satriani Song:Practicing section 1 again. Reached 130 bpm.

Day 6:
Alternate Picking Exercise 1: Practicing this with both starting on up and downstroke and also moving it around to different places of the neck. Focusing more on to make every note clear than speed.
Was able to reach 75 bpm.

Always with me,always with you: Section 2 again. I am not able to reach the full step bends. Reached 110 bpm.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 2 2015, 08:37 PM

Here is a video of me playing the exercises also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv-HRxWuoXo&feature=youtu.be

I have practiced this with clean sound so I can hear easiest when I lose hand synch.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 2 2015, 11:52 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the video and reports. I'd like to pay specific attention to the video's exercises since they are perfect to polish your technique in order to be able to play the parts that you can't master from the song and lessons. I think that you have to continue practicing the exercise but trying to make the motion of your left hand fingers smaller. Check out how the fingers separate from the fret board when you quit them. That separation should be the smaller possible. Try it at this same tempo, and once you feel really comfortable, try increasing the tempo 5 bpm and see what happens. This simple correction will have a big impact in your speed.

Try it and let me know what happens.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 4 2015, 09:29 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Tried this and it works fine
Here is a video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zkrlMbmLwk&feature=youtu.be
Not total video/audio synch since I did this pretty fast and had some issues with the PC.

Got also a question, would you recommend to play guitar while I watch TV or a movie, just some basic up and down alternate picking? Would I benefit from this or would it just be waste of time?

Take care

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2015, 03:09 PM

Hi Alex, this is getting much better! Please check out your first finger (index from your left hand). The jump from one string to the other adjacent string could be much smaller. That would be the next step.

About your question, I think that it's much better to practice less time but totally focused. The practice in front of your tv just can train a skill that is being able to play thinking on another thing instead of the technique. It can be helpful to do it a bit, but first you have to master technique.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 8 2015, 03:49 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Here is new video, it was quite challenging to make this work, both for the fingers to adjust but also to make it sound clear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpR3R9YZBBk&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 8 2015, 10:31 PM

Hi Alex, it's better but now we are on the other side. You should get used to use your index finger as a bare since it will bring unwanted noises issues when you turn on your distortion pedal. You should do some king of jump from one string to the other but it must be VERY small. Does it make sense? If not I can record a short video showing it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 9 2015, 12:21 AM

I think I have understand this correctly, but a short video will not hurt:) Will get you a new recording tomorrow

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 9 2015, 01:58 PM

Ok, so here is a short video showing my left hand playing these exercise:  Alex_Vid.mp4 ( 11.17MB ) : 275

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 9 2015, 09:27 PM

Hey Gab!

Short video, showing left hand while playing the exercise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp_lg4uyCqs&feature=youtu.be

I am soon able to play Always with me, Always with you at full speed, only need to get one section of the lick up 18 bpm.
You want a video of that later when I feel ready?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2015, 02:31 PM

Much better! Remember to always try to keep your fingers the close possible to the fret-board.

A video playing Satriani's song?? Sure!!

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 10 2015, 02:36 PM

Should I continue practice this exercise or do I get a new one?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2015, 02:47 PM

I'd like to see a full video playing the lick 30 seconds with sound. Is it possible?

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 10 2015, 08:38 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Here is the 38 sec video



Am I ready for next mission?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 11 2015, 07:11 PM

Good job! The next task is simple. Record yourself playing this 8th notes triplets exercise but this time playing it along with the backing. You will notice that the hi hat will be playing the same time figure than you. Practice until you can play it tight and share a video here.

 Backing_85_bpm___8th_triplets.mp3 ( 1.29MB ) : 273

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 11 2015, 07:25 PM

Thank you Gabriel!

Just want to make sure I understand this correctly, should I record exercise 1 with the backing? It is just quarter notes triplets that is why I am a bit confused.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 11 2015, 07:30 PM

Exactly! Exercises I & II.

These are quarter notes triplets:

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 16 2015, 01:54 PM

Hi Gabriel!

How are you ??
Here is the video with backing and the notes for the past week.
The video is not perfect, some notes is not totally clear, and the last 30 sec I play in front of the beat but I feel ready to move on to next exercise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8gHWVS5djM&feature=youtu.be

Here is the Notes.
Guitar Notes Week 8

Day 1:
Alternate Picking: Praciting Exercise 2, I think this one is the easiest of all three to play. Reached 80 bpm on this but decided to practice all three at comfortable speed to record.
Played exercise 3 at 65 and 70 bpm.

Always with me, always with you:Playing Section 3 = bar 3+4. Reached 110 bpm.

Day 2:

Satrinai Song: Practing Section 1. Reached 148 bpm.

Alternate Picking: Trying to make smaller finger movements on all exercises. Played at 60 and 65 bpm.

Day 3:

Satriani Song: Reached 125 at Section 2.

Alternate Picking: practiced at 65 and 70, then recording video.

Day 4

Satriani Song: Practing section 3. Finished at 148 bpm.

Day 5

Satriani Song: Practing Section 2. Reached 135 bpm.

Day 6

Alternate Picking: Playing exercise 1 at 85 bpm.

Satriani Song: Practing section 2. Reached 140 bpm.

Day 7

Alternate Picking:Playing the exercises at 85 bpm, trying to get it tight.

Satriani SOng: Reached Finally 148 bpm on section 2 so gonna start practing the whole song at full speed.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 16 2015, 08:09 PM

Hey Gabriel!

How was your weekend??

Because I saw that the video in the previous post is really bad, I decided to record another tonight with only exercise 2 which I hope you think is better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKOtRhM8TWM&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2015, 09:27 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the reports and the video shared. I notice that your triplets on the video are not going even with the tempo. This means that you need to practice this exercise a bit more. I consider it VERY important because it can become an important timing issue in the future.

I think that it would be really important to check if this timing issue is something general so the best would be to try some of the tasks that I'm working on a timing workout with Dieterle and Rhida.

Please work on the first task given in post 1:http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=53742&view=findpost&p=704800

And please share a video here. Ok?

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 17 2015, 10:14 PM

Hey Gabriel!

It sounds good to me, always fun with new exercises and challenges
Some days I have not much motivation to play guitar because some days I feel like I do not progress, but hey progress does not come overnight.
Lately I have started to listen to Dream Theater ( have not listened to them at all before ) and I have to say that they are really good, think they is my favorite band for now. I also listened to some Cirse and I think they are really good too
I had a pretty bad day overall today so my playing is not 100% but I thought I would record the Satriani song Always with me, Always with you anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vOY498VQPA

Take Care

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2015, 02:06 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the video. It is a good document to have as reference to see your future progress and compare with this one. I notice many things to improve regarding your playing: vibrato, bending, legato, picking. The song is over your current level, but it doesn't mean that you don't have to continue playing it. As I notice timing issues, I feel that the timing workout that I suggested is a good next step on this journey. The road is slow and long but be sure that we are going forward, so please be patient, enjoy the process, and keep the hard work.

Regarding this song, continue practicing, but focusing on a different section each day to polish details. The slower parts need to sound tighter and with more vibrato, the faster sections can be used as technique exercises.

But please focus a bit more on the workouts and exercises that I'll give you, starting with the timing exercise.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 18 2015, 10:19 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Great V-chat today
Here is my first take on the timing assignment


I would like to change my creative part of my guitar practice, instead of keep playing the Satriani Song, I really want to play a GMC lesson because I have practiced the Satriani Song for 3 months now so I am little tired of it and because the Song is higher than my skill level at the moment, I think it would be a good varation to learn a GMC lesson and maybe come back to the Song at one point. Do you have any specific suggestions for a GMC lesson?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 19 2015, 02:19 PM

Hi Alex, I think that we have discovered a very important thing to fix! You are not playing those quarter notes even with the beat and this is something that we need to work hard since it will affect all your playing. It's fundamental to be able to play these tasks totally tight to then be able to play complex licks tight over a backing track, and even more on a live band situation.

So, please let's do this task: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=53742&view=findpost&p=706136

As it says there, for 3 days. Ok?

It would be important that you mostly focus on this so if you start working on a lesson, please give more priority to this timing task.

As a part of the timing work, I would work on a melodic lesson, like this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/john-frusciante-lesson/

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 19 2015, 06:36 PM

Awesome Gabriel! The only opponent is within, right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 20 2015, 02:14 PM

Exactly. Go for it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 22 2015, 08:43 PM

Hey Gabriel!
How was your weekend?

Here is new video with notes.
This week I practiced the timing most as you said it was VERY important, which I think too. Pretty useless to know a bunch of awesome licks without being able to apply them to something cool. So I practiced the timing assignment for 60-80 minutes each day and 15 minutes of bending/vibrato.


My timing is not tight yet, even though I have realized a progress since the first day I started practice it. I think I need some more days of practice this one.
What do you say?

 Guitar_Notes_Week_9.txt ( 892bytes ) : 268

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2015, 12:19 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new update!

Your work on the timing task is slowly evolving but it definitely need more work. The good news is that you are improving and that we discovered a very important issue that once you master it, it will have a big impact in your overall playing. There are some suggestions that I would like to give for the next 3 days of practice.

- Work on this timing issues during 3 days, in 3 blocks of 20 minutes, but before you start each block.
- Before you start the block, dedicate 5 minutes to visualize what you should do. Push play to the backing, listen to it and imagine what you should play. If you can, play along the quarter notes over it, while tapping the tempo with your foot.
- Try the same thing with your eyes closed.
- Then, when you start the block, don't worry too much about notes, you can repeat the same sequence of notes all the time, and put all your focus on timing. Once again, tap with your foot, close your eyes, move your head with the groove. Each of these things will help you to feel the groove
- Start practicing with only downstrokes, and once you feel that you can play this tight, go for alternate picking. I think that you should find only downstrokes easier for playing tight.


This workout should take 1 hour each day. Besides this, you can dedicate 2 blocks of 20 to the lesson that I suggested in the style of Frusciante to keep on working on phrasing techniques.

Any question?

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 24 2015, 09:22 AM

No question

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 24 2015, 01:42 PM

Great!

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 25 2015, 10:21 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Thanks for all your awesome tips about how to improve the timing, it feel like it helped so I hope you can here a difference Here is the video of me playing the timing assignment first with all downstrokes and then alternate picking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIfuAdZ-38&feature=youtu.be

The style of Frusciante was pretty easy to play so you might get a video of that later this week

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 26 2015, 03:03 PM

Hi Alex! Yeah! I note an important improvement on this video! You are getting closer! I'm glad to know that the tips have really helped to work on this task. As we need this sounding perfect so let's dedicate 2 more days to this task since it will have a killer impact in your playing.

So, 2 more days to go! ok?

Posted by: HiimAlex Feb 27 2015, 04:18 PM

Sounds perfect Gabriel!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 28 2015, 02:09 AM

Great!

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 1 2015, 07:21 PM

Hola Gabrielo!

How are you?
Here is the video with both the Timing Assignment and the Frusciante Style lesson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKMaY9RZnIM&feature=youtu.be
What is next?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 2 2015, 02:10 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new video.

Unfortunately the timing take is not tight this time. You are not going even with the beat and it's very notorious if you hear your take and pay attention to drums. For example follow the snare which is always on beat 2, and see how your note is just before it and it creates a double effect. I feel that there whole take is a bit before the beat. I think that you can do it with more concentration, focusing on the drums. You should be following the kick and the snare all the time, your guitar would become the percussive part of the backing. We are not ready for the faster backing yet, please continue practicing it with your eyes closed, moving the head with the beat, feel it.

Frusciante's lesson starts to sound good, I think that there are some timing issues on this one but I would like to hear it over the backing track, is it possible?

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 2 2015, 08:22 PM

Hey Gabriel!

I wonder how many this I should continue practice the timing assignment before you want a new video?
About the Frusciante's lesson I will take the timing in mind and give a new video in a couple of days because I have just focused to play it so it sounds good with bends and vibrato.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 3 2015, 02:00 PM

Hi Alex! I think that 3 days for both tasks is ok to check the progress. Ok?

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 3 2015, 03:18 PM

Sounds excellent Just wonder if you want this week's Guitar Notes because there is really not something special to them

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2015, 01:56 PM

It's not necessary!

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 5 2015, 08:41 PM

Hey Gabriel!

I think the timing lesson is starting to sound good, here you go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPuzcPh6nd4&feature=youtu.be
And the Frusciante Style, I feel like I am pretty good in timing when I play along with the GuitarPro but when I shall record and put the backing over it, it isn't correct in timing at all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWqmIMytGhw&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 6 2015, 02:26 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for this new videos. I can notice that your timing is getting better! The timing assignment is VERY close, you are now playing the notes even most of the time. We are ready for the next backing track, so please download this one and practice the same thing during 3 days, the same amount of time than you did for the previous one. It's very important that you dedicate your time and energies to this task.

 AC_DC_Backing_100.mp3 ( 1.01MB ) : 259


Frusciante lesson is also sounding good, but it has timing issues here and there that you should fix. From 00:00 to 00:20, timing is close, but there are notes on those phrases that are played a bit before or after, timing is not so bad, but it's irregular. The faster phrase that starts at 00:20 has even more notorious issues. In the second half I note the same, the slower parts are better while the faster has also important issues. So please keep on practicing this one, over the original lesson and also just using the backing track.

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 7 2015, 12:47 AM

Hey Gabriel!

I became very happy now when I saw that I finally succeeded with the timing task at 90 bpm.
I will get you a new video in the coming days 3 more days with the Frusciante lesson?

I am also considering getting a 2x12 cab to my amp instead of my 1x8 cab, would this make this a difference in volume or just how "big" the sound is?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2015, 04:12 PM

The sound will sound "bigger" which is great for me. About the volume, this depends mostly on the amp but off course it will resist more volume than a 1x8 cabinet of course. You have to be sure and check with a technician if the cabinet resist the power send by the amp, and also check impedance.

Frusciante lesson in 3 days sounds good!

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 9 2015, 08:49 PM

Hey Gabriel!
Hope you are doing great!
Here is the videos the timing at 100bpm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is7J64ZpDFM&feature=youtu.be and the Frusicante Style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1X_JhfOeTE&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2015, 04:12 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for this new updates!

The timing assignment is sounding good. I notice that you are having some problems in the section that starts at 00:15 when the drum groove changes. This part is trickier and is a good exercise for being able to keep tempo even if the drummer goes crazy and starts to do some long fills or a different arrangement. In this section, you should keep the tempo internally and to help your self you can also keep tapping with your foot.

The next step is to keep on working over this backing, improving your timing on the section starting at 00:15. Please do this during 3 more days and also instead of staying on the same note, this time try a repetitive idea that includes 3 notes.

Frusciante lesson is evolving well but it still has man timing issues and differences compared with the original lesson. Please practice it playing along with my take to emulate timing and rhythm. I'd like to see a new take in 3 days.

Deal?

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 10 2015, 08:02 PM

Sounds perfect!
Just wonder if you notice some timing issues before and after the tricky part or if problem is just the tricky part where the groove changes?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2015, 01:50 PM

The problem becomes more important when the groove change but I notice that the issues starts a bit before and continue for some measures after the part. There is a note that is played before the beat at 00:07, and it generates that the following notes are a bit like "searching for the beat". The same happens at starting at 00:19, just after the tricky part, where you need some measures to get back to the correct rhythm.

In other words, from 00:15 to 00:19, the timing issue becomes more important but you also need to work on the other parts to be able to play the whole thing totally tight. I think that working in 3 blocks can help. First working fro 00:00 to 00:14, then from 00:14 to 00:19, then from 00:19 to the end, and finally connected everything.

What do you think?

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 11 2015, 04:08 PM

Sounds good
I will try to work with it in 3 blocks for a bit and then see what I liked Better

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2015, 02:03 PM

Perfect! I'll wait for the video in 3 days.

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 15 2015, 01:20 PM

Hey Gabriel!

I am so grateful for your mentoring and I can notice that my playing has improved quite a lot thanks to your mentoring
I practiced both the timing in 3 blocks and whole song, so if I noticed I had some trouble with a section I practiced that more in a block and then played whole song all blocks together.
Here is the videos, the lights in the videos is really bad because I played late evening yesterday but the sound is most important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2VjFSwVJHg&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Non14nsOnxo&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2015, 07:26 PM

Hi Alex! It's awesome to see how your playing is improving!! I'm really proud of your work! I think that the last 3 days of work had a very important impact in your playing. Your take on the timing task is really good and I think that it's SO close to be perfect. You are playing most of the notes totally tight and I think that with 2 more days of practice you'll be able to play this perfect!

I note that the mid section (when the drum groove changes) is much better but there is room to make it sound tighter. Then, the following part has some notes off too, so it seems that it takes some time to get used to the new groove again.

Frusciante lesson is better, but there is still work to do on this one. Timing is better, but it is still giving problems. On this one, I also think that the best will be to work on smaller blocks and compare your playing with the original lesson to be sure that you are playing the parts correctly. When you do this comparison and practice please take care of:

- Rhythm (for example the second note of the lesson is played a bit before it should be).
- Timing
- Bending
- Vibrato


Please work 2 more days and then I think that I will be able to give you the next backing for the timing workout.

Keep on the great job!

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 15 2015, 08:49 PM

Wow Gabriel this sounds amazing
I became even more motivated to play after reading this, I can barely wait until I play my guitar again

Btw I actually purchased a Digitech Gnx2 Multi-fx unit today, it should arrive in 5 days or so

EDIT: Grammar

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2015, 03:04 PM

hehehe great to hear!!

Congrats on your new device!! Looking forward to hear you playing through it!

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 18 2015, 09:38 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Had very fun today at Vchat Great job I can give you a recording of the Dorian mode witg backing when I have time
Here is John Frusciante video. Had some pain in finger tops after playing this lesson for 70 min so the vibrato was not the very best
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YevawUzNuL8

And the Timing videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=masiQdCPT40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2XTiDRhAgg

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 19 2015, 03:09 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new recordings.

Frusciante lesson sounds nicer, but it still has timing issues. The problem that I note is that you tend to play the licks a bit before the beat. In other words, you play some licks, for example the first one at 00:02, a bit faster than you should. Try to think that licks slower, trying to go with the groove. Remember to follow the rhythm with your foot and/or head. However, it's normal that this happens with this lesson since we are currently working on timing through the timing workouts so keep on practicing and be patient.

The timing take is ok! We are ready for the next level! The only thing that you are still lacking is to be able to keep tempo tight during the whole thing. There are some little moments in which 1 or 2 notes aren't tight.

New assignment: 110 BPM.

This is the backing:  AC_DC_Backing_110.mp3 ( 1.68MB ) : 257


5 days of practice.

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 19 2015, 07:35 PM

Perfect Gabriel
Do the bending and vibrato need more work in the Frusciante lesson or is it ok?
Is this really the 110 bpm backing, it feels just the same as the 100 bpm?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 20 2015, 04:49 PM

Hi Alex, both techniques are slowly being polished but both still need time to sounds natural and more expressive. Vibrato sounds natural in some moments while other times it's not consistent, it's weak and irregular (for example at 00:30). Bending is close, but some pitches are not perfectly in tune. (for example at 00:18)

When you play vibrato, you should first let the note sound and then slowly start vibrating and make it grow progressively. Bending issue is more related to finger's strength so it requires more training.

To be safe, here is a new backing in 110:  AC_DC_Backing_110.mp3 ( 1.05MB ) : 257

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 20 2015, 09:21 PM

Sounds good to me

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 22 2015, 03:55 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Here is a recording of me playing over the backing track from your last Vchat, using E Dorian Mode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN7GTfTObrA&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2015, 03:44 PM

Hi Alex, cool to see you jamming over the backing. This workout should help you to become more familiar with the scale shapes and also with the sound of the notes over the chords. The next step would be to work on phrases that create a call and response effect. I think that the closer you've been of this is when you play the last melodies of this jam.

In order to continue working on your improvising skills the next task is to work on a new improvisation that has a more defined motive. A main melody that you like and that could be developed. You can try many melodies and we choose then one... deal?

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 23 2015, 07:12 PM

Hello Gab!
I think the melody between 42-52 sec sound very cool, what do you think about that? Is it a good one or should I try to find something new?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 24 2015, 05:15 PM

Ok, let's try it! Please polish the idea and record it tight over the backing and see if you can continue developing it. Use it as an starting point and let's see what happens.

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 28 2015, 02:31 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Here is timing assignment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oivoG-dCuM0 I feel like I was able to play this one pretty tight.
Here is John Frusciante Style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEW9J0c3Ojc The last phrase was definitely not tight.
And here is the E DORIAN FUSION JAM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfqFcA_KkV4
I came up with a new melody after watching some inspirational guitar playing from guitar heroes I think this whole idea is much better than video, I also tried to apply the tips you gave on the Vchat and I hope you can see the difference

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2015, 05:16 PM

Hi Alex, great job!!

It's awesome how much your vibrato and bending has improved on Frusciante's lesson! The lesson still has little timing issues but even the trickier parts are sounding tighter so all this workout is really making your playing better.

The timing assignment sounds good until the bridge that bring some little issues that keep on happening in the whole chorus which isn't tight. So I think that 2 more days of practice is a good idea for this.

The improvisation also shows that your timing is becoming more precise! Even your jam is sounding tighter with the backing! I think that there are some cool ideas in the first half, that could be polished a bit but then your jam lacks a bit of direction until 00:39 when you get back to the first idea. It would be a good idea to continue jamming over this one but also use some other backings. Maybe some more chord changes and section can give you more inspiration for melodic themes.

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 29 2015, 08:12 PM

Wow Gabriel!
I can not do anything else but smile when I read this
Do we say 2 days for the Frusciante lesson too?

Btw, saturday's night I played a three chord song live for 9 people while they sang, it was not really hard but still good training
You have played quite much live lately, right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 30 2015, 01:36 PM

Nice to know that my feedback brings happiness and motivation.

Frusciante lesson will need of course more than 2 days but a new take in 4 days could be ok for this thread. What do you think?

About playing live, yes! I'm doing it very often lately. My band is very active and we have many gigs scheduled for this year as well as some new music. Congrats on your experience, try to make it happen the more often possible and you'll enjoy it more and more. It's just practice.

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 30 2015, 07:55 PM

4 days sounds excellent.
Are you coming to Europe/Sweden with Cirse or are you staying in Argentina? Would be cool to see you and your band live sometime.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 31 2015, 06:38 PM

Hi Alex! It would be a dream to go to Europe and play with Cirse there! There are no plans on the sight but big wishes!

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 1 2015, 09:42 PM

Hi Gabriel!
Here is 110 bpm timing video https://youtu.be/Du_zU2-YCa0
I received my Digitech Gnx2 yesterday, so trying to get some spiff tones out of it
If you are curious how it sounds Todd has made a demo with another Digitech unit that has same sound processor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StVKFxhnwr8

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2015, 01:52 PM

Nice! Congrats on your new piece of gear! I love the moment when we receive new stuff. Enjoy it! I'm checking Todd's video and I can say that the sounds there are cool. Looking forward your new takes.

The timing take is not tight. This one doesn't pass. Please listen to it carefully and you'll notice that you are not going even with the beat. Let's continue with this one.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 3 2015, 01:53 PM

I also love when we get new stuff whether if its guitar gear or not

I heard that the timing was not tight. I forgot to practice with the basic tips the last days i.e keeping my eyes closed and stomping my foot.
Here is a new and better take according to me where I had my eyes closed and stomping my foot.
https://youtu.be/QFXATxkNhdY

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 3 2015, 08:29 PM

The new timing take is much better than the previous but it sill needs more work to be completely tight. Please work following the suggestions for 3 days more.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 7 2015, 01:44 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Had a bit of issues with my audio this morning so could not edit the Frusciante lesson video but managed to get a take on timing.
https://youtu.be/H-LxsvmtVIo

About a backing track for jamming, I had not enough time to jam over a backing last week but I am ready now. Do you have any recommendations for a new backing for me that will fit my level?

EDIT: The soundcard worked again and I was able to edit the Frusciante video but youtube could not upload the video so I uploaded it here.
There is some timing issues on some places in my opinion.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 7 2015, 02:23 PM

Hi Alex, this new timing take is better than the previous one but it still has many issues here and there so I think that you need to work a bit more on this. Please remember to have this in mind:

How to practice the timing workout?

You don't need to work on this during 2 hours long without any rest. This kind of works need to be trained but also thought, so we need to give our mind time to assimilate it. That's why it's good to have blocks of practice, and if it's possible do them at different moments of the day. I recommend you to do 2 or 3 blocks of 20 minutes practicing this one, one in the morning, another during the afternoon and the last one before you go to sleep. This off course depends on your diary works and obligations so please organize it based on your schedule but practice at least 40 minutes divided in two blocks. (if you practice 3 blocks of 20 minutes it's even better!).


Frusciante lesson: It's slowly being polished which is a good thing, but it is still not tight enough. You need to continue working on this one. The main problem appears when you have to play 8 notes but I still notice it when you play longer notes. Here I will list some notes that aren't played tight:

- 00:02
- 00:05
- 00:07 (wrong/missed note there)
- 00:12
- 00:13 not totally consistent bend
- 00:16/17
- 00:18 note played before.
- 00:21 different rhythm for that bending part.
- 00:27 different rhythm
- 00:29 late note.
- 00:32 bending doesn't reach the pitch.

This is the detail that you need to have now to polish this one. Work on each of this notes, listen to the original lesson, listen to yours, notice the differences and fix it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 7 2015, 06:17 PM

Hey Gabriel!

I am nothing else than disappointed at myself, I am not happy with my progress the last videos. I will work my hardest to get all this perfect. I will try to come to your V-chat.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 8 2015, 03:16 PM

Hi Alex, that's not the idea! My comments become more and more strict and precise from week to week because I'm here to take the best of Alex. You are working hard, and you are progressing as a musician, no matter how the fingers show it today or these last days, the important thing is that your mind is growing, you are evolving as a musician and as a person and the real results will be noticeable in many weeks / months, so please be positive and keep on practicing.

Another important thing. Don't try to fix everything at once, focus on one thing at each time. We are not working on timing, so don't worry too much on the Frusciante lesson, it's obvious that it will be full of timing issues. We are working on easier stuff with the timing workout, so focus on it, and use frusciante lesson for fun by now. As soon as you advance on the timing workouts, you will notice it reflected on Frusciante's lesson, it will be natural.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 9 2015, 07:59 AM

Hi Gabriel, thank you.
I think my teenager feelings was overreacting abit, I have made huge improvments since we started to work together back in september. This helped me quite much. I understand what is important to work on now.
When do you want a new video for timing/Frusciante?
Shall I focus mostly on vibrato and bending on the Frusciante lesson and Let the timing reflect at it natural?
I have considered to work on your ear training workout, is it good to work on it now or should I wait some months?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 9 2015, 03:25 PM

Hi Alex, I think that it's ok if you work on this three things during this week.

- Timing workout (40 minutes)
- Bending & vibrato / Frusciante's lesson (30 minutes)
- Ear training workout (10 minutes)

What do you say?

I'd expect a new video from you in 7 days, as well as the results for the ear training exercise.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 10 2015, 12:00 PM

Sounds excellent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 10 2015, 01:50 PM

Great! We have a deal!

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 19 2015, 07:58 PM

Hola Gabriel!
Time for update

Frusciante Lesson, I feel like both my bending and vibrato has improved quite much. My timing is still awful on this one.https://youtu.be/QHFjz8sRq1c
Timing 110 bpm, I have practiced this one in blocks some days and in my opinion it is better than last take. https://youtu.be/iSzUuFWH5ZM
Here is my answers for the ear training. 1. Perfect 5th 2. Major 3rd 3. Perfect 5th 4. Octave 5. Major 3rd 6. Perfect 5th 7. Perfect 5th 8. Octave 9. Octave 10. Major 3rd 11. Octave 12. Major 3rd 13. Major 3rd 14. Perfect 5th 15. Octave 16. Octave 17. Major 3rd 18. Perfect 5th 19. Major 3rd 20. Perfect 5th 21. Octave

What is next?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2015, 01:52 AM

Hi Alex! Good job!

The timing workout still has issues but it's much better! We can continue with the next backing (120 bpm):  AC_DC_Backing_120.mp3 ( 1.52MB ) : 295


5 days of practice.

About Frusciante, yes, timing is giving big problems, but we are working on this.

The timing workout exercise is perfect. How did you feel it? Easy? Tricky? There is a new assignment on the original thread, check it out.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 20 2015, 02:08 PM

Hey Gabriel
Wooho, new backing Is this last backing for timing workout?
I felt that the där training was quite easy actually.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2015, 03:06 PM

heheh yeah, but this is just the beginning!

What's " the där training"?

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 20 2015, 03:49 PM

Woops autocorrect, meant the ear training .
Hahah What do you mean by this is just the beginning?? Now I get a little bit worried...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2015, 09:59 PM

I mean that we will continue working on timing, but with trickier tasks once you master the current one.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 21 2015, 07:55 AM

Sounds interesting, I like challenges

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 21 2015, 09:41 PM

Great.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 22 2015, 05:58 PM

You want a Frusciante video too in 4 days or not?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 22 2015, 06:01 PM

As you wish. I'll be open to check it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 26 2015, 08:26 PM

Hey Gabriel!

How are you?
Saw pictures that you played on TV! Amazing!!
Here is new timing video and answers to ear training, some days I did not find the time to practice the Frusciante lesson but I have practiced bending atleast 10 min each day so no Frusciante video this week.
I felt like this was a pretty good take actually, just a couple of notes I missed.
https://youtu.be/vRrmInlcQ4Y
The ear training was quite much harder this week.
Ear Training Assignment 2
1. Major 2nd 2. Major 6th 3. Major 7th 4. Perfect 4th 5. Major 2nd 6. Octave 7. Major 6th 8. Major 2nd 9. Unison 10. Perfect 4th11. Octave 12. Major 3rd 13. Major 7th 14. Perfect 4th 15. Perfect 5th

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 27 2015, 04:14 PM

Hi Alex!! I have to say that you did a very good job with the timing workout!! Most of the notes sound totally tight on this one. So we are ready to make an experiment. The work for the next days is to play the same rhythm (quarter notes) but now using A minor pentatonic scale random notes. The idea is to see if playing different notes distracts you and makes you lose timing... I give you 4 days to work on this, ok?

The ear training assignment has many wrong ones, could you please re-check it using your guitar?

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 27 2015, 07:03 PM

Sounds like a interesting challenge, I have actually tried the last 2 days to not stay on same 3 notes all the time but playing 5-6 different notes.
EDIT: Checked the ear training
Ear Training Assignment 2

1. Major 3rd
2. Major 6th
3. Octave
4. Perfect 5th
5. Major 2nd
6. Major 7th
7. Major 6th
8. Major 2nd
9. Unison
10. Perfect 4th
11. Octave
12. Major 3rd
13. Major 7th
14. Perfect 4th
15. Perfect 5th

Am I ready for next ear training mission?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2015, 08:59 PM

Perfect work mate! Yes, you're ready for the next ear training assignment!

Posted by: HiimAlex Apr 29 2015, 01:57 PM

Excellent Gabriel

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 29 2015, 11:11 PM

Keep on the great job.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 1 2015, 11:43 PM

Hey Mate!
Had a nice talk with you at chatroom, always becoming more motivated after talking with you.
Here is my answers for ear training
Assigment 3 Ear Training

1. Major 3rd
2. Perfect 5th
3. Major 3rd
4. Octave
5. Major 3rd
6. Perfect 5th
7. Octave
8. Major 3rd
9. Perfect 5th
10. Major 3rd

And unfortunately the video of the timing workout messed up so I just have an audio file for you

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 2 2015, 04:10 PM

Hi Alex! Good job with the assignments! The ear training is perfect! And the timing workout is very close, there are some parts where you play everything very tight. The only part that shows problems is the bridge from verse to chorus, where the rhythm changes.

So well, the next timing assignment is now playing 8th notes over the following backing. If you pay attention to the backing you will notice that hi hat is playing 8th notes.

 Funky_Backing_105_bpm_2.mp3 ( 1.38MB ) : 256


As this is the first assignment with these rhythm, we will get back to repeat the same note instead of random notes.

Deadline: May 7th

Posted by: HiimAlex May 3 2015, 05:14 PM

Awesome Gabriel!
Should I tap my foot in 8th notes or quarter notes?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 4 2015, 02:57 PM

Quarter notes. That's how you'll tap when phrasing and playing solos so you need to be able to tap quarter while you play 8th notes.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 5 2015, 03:21 PM

Ahh, that is what I thought. Great

Posted by: HiimAlex May 6 2015, 08:06 PM

Hey Mate!
This weeks assignments were a challenge.

When I heard the backing the first couple of times, it felt like this is way too hard for me but now in the end it felt like it turned out in my opinion surprisingly good
The ear training was not easy either, and here is my answers for this week.
1. Perfect 5th
2. Major 3rd
3. Perfect 4th
4. Major 6th
5. Major 7th
6. Major 2nd
7. Octave
8. Perfect 4th
9. Major 6th
10. Major 7th

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 7 2015, 03:25 PM

Hi Alex! The video is set as private.

I checked the ear training answers and there are 4 wrong ones. Please re-check them all.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 7 2015, 03:34 PM

Hey Gab, Video is now fixed.
Will look more to ear training.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 7 2015, 04:29 PM

Hi Alex! Good first take for the timing assignment. Please work on it some more days and share a new take. You are close but it's not totally tight. Sometimes the problem is the second 8th note of each beat which is played a bit before it should. But this is not a bad work, you are on the right track. Just more practice!

Posted by: HiimAlex May 8 2015, 08:30 AM

Excellent Let's see if I can manage to record a Frusciante video too now when my timing has improved.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 8 2015, 03:27 PM

Ok, but please have in mind that there is more work to do before you could master timing on phrasing.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 8 2015, 09:24 PM

I guess it is better to wait until the timing work is finished before uploaded a frusciante video.
Just out of curiosity how much more of the timing work remains?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 9 2015, 04:08 PM

We'll do everything we need to do until you could play solos with good timing. I think that timing is more related to our mind than to our hands and fingers, so we need to work on this until your mind does that click we need.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 10 2015, 12:18 PM

Okay, Sounds good

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 10 2015, 08:52 PM

great.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 11 2015, 08:39 PM

Hey Mate!

Here is new timing video. You will have ear training answers tomorrow


EDIT: Here is the ear training answers
1. Perfect 5th
2. Major 2nd
3. Perfect 4th
4. Major 6th
5. Major 7th
6. Major 3rd
7. Octave
8. Perfect 4th
9. Octave
10. Major 6th

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 12 2015, 07:33 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this take. Your timing needs work with this note value. You are not going tight with the tempo. If you listen to the backing with attention you'll notice that hi hat is going in 8ths, so you have to go tight with it. Please continue practicing it, and if you don't find it we have to go a bit slower with this one.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 12 2015, 09:36 PM

Hey Gabriel, just listened two times to be sure that I can find the hihat, and I think I found it. So a new video in a couple of days or what time do you think?
I think I will be able to attend your V-chat this week, what is the subject?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 13 2015, 03:44 PM

Excellent! I'll be online for questions and feedback regarding the things that students have been working so be sure to be there with your guitar to ask me or show me everything you'd like. We can talk about the different workouts and courses:

- Timing
- Ear training
- Improvisation
- Creativity

Posted by: HiimAlex May 14 2015, 01:26 PM

Hey Mate
I am sorry I missed your V-chat last night, I went to cinema with some friends.
However I did not forgot to practice so I think I will have a new take ready tomorrow or on Saturday

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 14 2015, 04:29 PM

Hi Alex! Don't worry, that sounds good. I'll wait for the new take.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 16 2015, 10:20 PM

Hey Gabriel!
I am back with a new take on the timing assignment, and my opinion on this take is that I do not play it tight so I assume we have to go with a slower backing.

https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/105-funky-rhythm-timing

This weekend I have wanted to do a jam, so I jammed a bit this morning with the backing from Carlos Carrillo's lesson http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/melodic-solo-in-c-sharp-minor/
I feel like in the somewhere in the middle I was out of ideas but I was able to come back ok in the end.


I really enjoy doing these jams, I will definitely try to do them more regularly in the future, both because I think I can learn much from it but also because they are really fun to do

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 17 2015, 06:20 PM

Hi Alex!

Yes, you're right, we need to go slower with the timing workout. Could you please practice and record and audio playing 4th notes over this funky backing?

About the improvisation, it's really good to see you improvising. Let's do an exercise this week:

- Play the chords along with the backing track. Just rhythm. Try to make the chord changes on the same area of the fret-board. Using the caged system shapes, play the chords that are closer to be able to play the whole progression on the same place.

- Once you can visualize each of the chords. Play again over the backing but this time instead of playing the chords, play 1 note of each chord when the chord is sounding. Once again, it's better if you play notes that are close. For example, if the first chord is A, start playing 6th fret on 3rd string, then when C sharp minor sound, play 5th fret on 2nd string... and so.

- Practice this on different parts of the neck and using different notes from the chords. Record your self doing it and share it here.

- If you feel that this backing has too many chords, you can try it with another ones that has less chords.

Is the task clear?

Posted by: HiimAlex May 17 2015, 08:18 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Here is a attempt playing quarter notes over the backing
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-quarter-notes-funky-105-bpm

The task sounds definitely interesting and clear to me.
I want to share a cool video I found on YouTube a while ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKshNVElKuc

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 18 2015, 03:46 PM

Hi Alex,

The 4th notes are not totally tight yet so please work on them for 3 days and share a new take here, ok?

I'll also wait for a video of you playing the improvisation task in 3 days.

The video sounds very cool! Besides the use of the fret capo which makes it unique I think that there are many killer riffs on that track. Very interesting.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 18 2015, 08:09 PM

Hey Gabriel!
Sure 3 days sounds perfect.
I wonder if you possibly knew a backing with less chords, it is easier I think if I start with a backing that has less chords.

Great you liked the video, I like it very much myself. Possible that you will do a similar lesson?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 19 2015, 03:46 PM

hehehe yeah, that would be cool!

About backing tracks, I think that you could play along with the chords lessons from the beginner series:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/instructor/Bear-Rose/

There are also many at youtube: https://youtu.be/2Q1WmwhEiAg

Posted by: HiimAlex May 21 2015, 08:11 PM

So here we go again

I think this timing sounds better than last one atleast.
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-4th-notes-funky

The melody task were much much harder than I thought from when I first heard it, I am quite sure I played wrong notes sometimes, especially in the end where the progression changes. I chose to play over a G D Em C progression ( Keep it simple in the beginning ) http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners_Corner_1_Open_Chords/


I also know that I should play the 3rd of the chord as you said in yesterday's V-chat but I will keep that and try it next time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 22 2015, 07:06 PM

Hi Alex, good job!

The timing issue is not bad but there are many notes that aren't going tight with the backing so please continue working on it for 2 or 3 days.
About the melodic task, good job! This is an excellent training for your ear and connection between mind and guitar. The next task is exactly what we've talked about at the chat-room: following the chords with thirds. Ok?

Posted by: HiimAlex May 22 2015, 08:35 PM

Hey Gabriel!

Sure sounds good to me.
Here is my ear training answers
1. Major 3rd
2. Major 6th
3. Major 7th
4. Perfec 5th
5. Major 2nd
6. Octave
7. Perfect 4th
8. Perfect 5th
9. Major 6th
10. Octave

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 23 2015, 03:35 PM

The ear training answers are perfect! Great job Alex!

Posted by: HiimAlex May 24 2015, 09:31 AM

Awesome Gabriel! Your feedback helps me keep me motivated.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 24 2015, 10:39 PM

Nice to know it!

Posted by: HiimAlex May 25 2015, 08:13 PM

Hey Gabriel!
How are you doing?

Here is new update
Timing, feel like this has improved a bit. Some bits is not totally tight yet.
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/funky-backing-timing-1

It also feels like the Melody Workout was quite much easier this time compared to last week.
I play each note twice before changing, I also think I was able to play right note at right chord this time. Please forgive me that I forgot the vibrato at the end of the video

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 26 2015, 03:20 PM

Hi Alex!

The timing workout is getting better. Remember to close your eyes and feel the beat of the backing track. You still need to connect more with the overall groove in order to be able to go tighter with it. Please practice 4ths and 8ths during 4 days over this backing.

About the melody workout, great job! The next task is to start using G major pentatonic around those notes, as passing notes to start creating phrases. Could you please experiment for a while and share what you get?

This is the scale at that part of the fret board:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

Posted by: HiimAlex May 26 2015, 07:50 PM

Hello Gabriel!

I have some questions about the melody workout, the major 3rd of D isn't in G major pentatonic should I still play it over D chord?
And also should I try to follow the chord progression like I have done previously, for example when Bear play G chord shall I play 1-2 chord tones from G and some passing notes to create a melody?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 27 2015, 02:08 PM

Hi Alex, yeah! that's exactly what you have to do on this one. You'll always find notes that are out of the pentatonic scale and that's what will help you to jam with pentatonic but keep connected with the progression. It's a great help for playing over more complex progressions.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 28 2015, 08:02 PM

Awesome to hear that
Do I have to play a phrase on every chord change? Or should I take pauses sometimes?
This melody workout is similar to your newest workout "Beyond The Rec Program", right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 29 2015, 02:22 PM

There are no rules about how long a phrase should be so experiment with it. And yes! the new workout is where you can post your takes if you work over GMC lessons backings.

Posted by: HiimAlex May 29 2015, 10:47 PM

Hey Gabriel!
Here I am with a new update again

First of we have the 4th notes, I have paid quite much attention and concentrated much to get this right. And I think the sound quite ok.
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-4th-notes-105
However the 8th notes is a work in progress, which will need some more practicing. I play it decent the first half but then it just collapse and I am not going tight.
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-8th-notes-105

I need some more practicing with the Melody Workout but I will try to get it uploaded this weekend, same with the creativity workout.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 30 2015, 05:15 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new audios.

You are getting very close with 4th, it turns better in the second half. The 8th notes are not going tight yet, so as you commented, it needs more practice. My question is, do you note the problem while you are playing this or just after you recorded it when you only listen?

Posted by: HiimAlex May 30 2015, 07:26 PM

Hey Gabriel!

When i am playing 4th notes I can pretty easy note the problems while I am playing, but I think its hard to note the problem while I am playing 8th notes.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 31 2015, 05:24 PM

Well, it would be easier to note if you follow the groove with your foot or head. You'll feel the beat and if the notes aren't going with your body you'll instantly note the problem. Closing your eyes also helps... try it and let me know!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 1 2015, 09:21 AM

I have noticed closing my eyes helps a lot. Also following the groove with my foot. I did this the last week.
When do you want new takes? I think I will dedicate my time today to the Creavity Workout and the Melody Workout.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 1 2015, 01:52 PM

Great Alex. Work on everything you need to work during this week and share new stuff on friday, if it's possible. Is it ok?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 1 2015, 07:44 PM

Sure, definitely sounds good and works for me

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 2 2015, 01:36 PM

Great!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 5 2015, 11:16 PM

Hey Gabriel!

How are you doing? It is summer weather in Sweden now, very hot outside.
As you know this will be a huge update, about the Creativity Workout I have posted in the thread.

Here is my ear training answers, I did not felt that the assignment was that hard. Though I think it is hard to separate the perfect 5th and perfect 4th.
1. Perfect 5th
2. Perfect 4th
3. Major 3rd
4. Major 7th
5. Octave
6. Major 6th
7. Perfect 4th
8. Perfect 5th
9. Major 2nd
10. Perfect 4th

WOW I can't say anything else about the melody workout, this is so AMAZINGLY FUN I enjoy it so much I absolutley LOVE this workout!
I can notice how my ear training has improved, here I can hear when I play over wrong chord easily which I thought was really hard for some weeks ago. Even if I can not always hear what the chord is ( The G and Em sounds really similar). I think I messed up little at the ending. I usually play a similar phrase over each chord, but I think this turned out quite catchy




The timing, I have practiced this over the week with my eyes closed and feeling the groove with my head and foot.
I feel like I have improved my 8th notes and I am almost 100% sure that these are better than last week.

https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-funky-8th-notes


And here are the quarter notes same here, practiced with eyes closed and feeling the groove with head and foot. I am not fully sure about if these are better or if I am ahead of the beat.

https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-funky-4th-notes

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 6 2015, 04:33 PM

Hi Alex! Great stuff here! You are doing a great job with all the different topics and tasks that we are covering! Congrats!

At first, the ear training answers are perfect. Well done!

I'm glad to know that you are enjoying the melody workout. You are getting familiar with the scale and note choices, You still need to continue doing this, in different parts of the neck and slowly start to focus more on the melodies and phrases. What do I mean? I can see that you are focusing on the note choices and that's exactly what I asked, now, you gradually should focus on the structure of your phrasing as well as some other elements, one at a time: rhythm, articulation, vibrato, bending, etc. The first thing I recommend you to do is to try use more rhythm variation and different notes duration. You tend to play with the same rhythm and with a staccato effect all the time. That's our next goal, ok?

The timing workout shows improvements but there is still a lot of hard work to do to master these ones. There are some moments when you are tight but most of the time you are not there. But don't worry, you're in the right track, just keep on working hard!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 7 2015, 01:34 PM

Hey Gabriel!
Thank you Gabriel for this feedback, it put a smile on my face
I will work more on rhythm variation different notes duration. What exactly is articulation?
To my ears I tend to play behind the beat, I know I should play on the beat but I just wanted to make sure that I heard correctly.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2015, 07:03 PM

Hi Alex! You deserve this feeling, you are working hard and results are very notable.

Articulation is related to the musical performance technique that affects the transition or continuity on a single note. The two extremes could be staccato and legato, but off course there are many possibilities.

About timing workout, it's irregular, sometimes you go before and other times you go after the beat.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 8 2015, 08:30 AM

Hey Gabriel! I am pleasent to hear that

I will practice the upcoming weeks to imrpove my articulation.
I wonder about the Melody workout as I should play in different places of the neck, should I play it in the pentatonic boxes one at time?
When do you want me to share new stuff again?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 8 2015, 02:24 PM

Yes! At first work on 1 shape at a time, maybe one each day could be a good idea. Then we'll work on some stuff to connect everything.

I'd like to receive news from you on Friday. Not necessary new takes for everything, but at least some updates, and everything on Monday 15th.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 9 2015, 10:13 AM

Woho sounds excellent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 9 2015, 02:01 PM

Great!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 11 2015, 01:39 PM

Hey Gabriel!
I am not sure if you will get updates by tomorrow, my little brother got graduation and such stuff today so if you do not have a new update from me tomorrow, you will have it on saturday
And just wanted to make sure that you saw my PM I sent you?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 11 2015, 02:10 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for the update!

I got your message, we are still defining the first group.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 12 2015, 11:04 PM

Hola Amigo!

I have summer holiday now which means, I have more time to practice and that I hopefully can attend more of you inspiring V-chats.
I have two new timing takes for you. I have practiced this with closed eyes and feeling the groove with head and foot.
The 4th notes
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-quarter-notes-105-bpm
and the 8th notes.
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/timing-8th-notes-105-bpm

I have almost practiced in ever G major pentatonic box now. Do you want me another take where I play within a pentatonic box or shall we do some stuff to connect the different boxes with each other first before I give you a new video on the Melody Workout?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2015, 06:43 PM

Hi Alex! This takes show improvements but there is still room to make the 4th notes tighter and even more for 8hs. Remember to follow hi-hats while you play 8th notes.

It's great to know that you have more practice time now, we should organize your diary sessions. This should help you to focus more on the areas that are giving issues and also to keep on progressing.

Do you have any ideas on the practice structure?
What things are you currently practicing every day?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 13 2015, 08:30 PM

Hey Gabriel!
When I am not playing guitar and just listening to the backing track I can hear the hi-hat, but when I play I find it hard to hear the hi-hat.
I do not have any ideas at the moment how to organize my upcoming practice sessions, I just know that I want to be able to play tight and not have all these timing issues

My current daily practice session looks like this:
Timing 30-40 min
Creativity ( Melody Workout or Creativity Workout ) 20-30 min
Ear Training 10 min
But now when I have holiday I have much more time to practice, so do you have any ideas to organize my time in a better way or should I add something to my practice session? Perhaps something that would help my play be able to play tight with backing track?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2015, 01:32 PM

Hi Alex,

I think that it would be a good idea to divide your practice like this:

30 minutes - Timing practice (It would be a good idea to join this http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=54317&st=0&start=0 and start from assignment 1)

30 minutes - Technique practice (Musical lessons are also welcome here).

30 minutes - Creativity workout

15 minutes - Ear training.


What do you think?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 15 2015, 01:47 PM

Hey Gabriel, I like it very much.
Should I play both 8th notes and 4th notes or only 8th notes?
Do you have any suggestion for a musical lesson?
Also could you share some stuff to connect the different pentatonic boxes?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2015, 02:15 PM

Hi Alex, practice both 4th and 8th.

About the musical lesson, I suggest this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-20-Beginner-Solo/

and finally, about combining different pentatonic boxes, here are two ideas:

- Play the pentatonic scale on 1 string, horizontally, like this:

A minor pentatonic (this is just an example, you can do it with Major Pentatonic too)

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

- Repeat the same idea on all the strings.

- Practice over a backing track and try to create melodies using this horizontal shapes. (change strings when you feel it's necessary)

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 16 2015, 10:59 AM

Hey Gabriel!
Thanks for your help with the pentatonic boxes, seems like this will help my playing.
At first I was little surprised that you suggested a level 2 lesson but after listening I was not surprised anymore and saw why, it is really a great sounding lesson that I hopefully will master

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 16 2015, 02:28 PM

Yeah, it has a lot of bending and different rhythms so it will be good to see how you are progressing on this two elements.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 16 2015, 10:55 PM

Hola Gabriel!
How are you today?
When do you want me to share new update for the all these things I am working on?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2015, 02:16 PM

The first days of the next week would be ok...

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 18 2015, 01:30 PM

Hey Gabriel!
I just wanted to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and hoping that you will have an awesome day!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 19 2015, 03:50 PM

Thank you friend!!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 21 2015, 10:19 PM

Hey Gabriel!
I have worked harder this week than last weeks to get some real improvements. Especially with the timing, which I have practiced with my eyes closed and feeling the groove with head and feet. Even if it is hard to see on the video I also recorded the timing videos with my eyes closed and feeling the groove with head and feet.

Timing

I feel that the 4th notes are tight for the most part.

I accidentally stopped recorded this because the backing track was very loud so I couldn't hear my guitar very well, and then when I listened to the take it is tight for most part but there is some places where I speed up. (Usually when the groove changes)

Musical Lesson

I am quite happy with take 1, it is not REC level yet. It needs some polish with timing and vibrato. But I have to say it was very fun to play a musical lesson again

Ear Training
1. Perfect 4th
2. Major 6th
3. Major 3rd
4. Major 7th
5. Major 2nd
6. Perfect 4th
7. Major 6th
8. Octave
9. Major 3rd
10. Perfect 5th

Creativity
Unfortunately it became too dark in the room before I could record so I will have a take ready tomorrow.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 22 2015, 02:52 PM

Hi Alex!! I'm impressed! This is the dedication that you need if you want to take your playing to a new level. The improvements on timing exercises are awesome, you are playing tight MOST OF THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This shows that you need to dedicate the amount of time and attention that you did during this week if you want to see your guitar playing improving fast. This is the way to go man. One year like this, and we'll need to set new higher goals!

I'm so happy, congratulations.

The musical lesson should be practiced over the original lesson since there are many phrases played with a different rhythm, so please re-check it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 22 2015, 03:31 PM

Hey Gabriel!
Wohooo!! I smiled so much when I first read this! Thank you for this amazing feedback, you made my day!
Now that I improved so much this week, I will try to dedicate this time and attention every week!
Should I go to timing assignment 2 in timing workout and play 8th triplets or polish this?
How was the ear training results?
Here is the Melody Workout result:

I am not totally happy with it, as there is some parts that doesn't sound great. But I tried my hardest to have the things you said last time (rhythm, articulation, vibrato, bending) in mind when I played this.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2015, 02:37 PM

Hi Alex! What ear training assignment is it? Please always include the number of assignment.

About the melodic workout, I think that this new take is one step forward. You are now starting to create phrases that make sense and that are connected. However you're still not comfortable, there are too many notes and your playing is nervous. Relax while you play, try to use even less notes and silence between phrases to let your playing breath.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 23 2015, 02:51 PM

Hey Gabriel!
It was ear training assignment 7.
Should I go to timing assignment 2 and play 8th notes and 8th triplets? Or should I polish timing assignment 1?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2015, 03:03 PM

Hi Alex, there are only 3 wrong ones on the ear training assignment. Please re-check it.

We can go for the timing assignment 2.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 23 2015, 10:51 PM

Hey Gabriel!
Great ! Here is my new answers:
Ear Training Assignment 7

1. Major 3rd
2. Major 6th
3. Perfect 5th
4. Major 7th
5. Major 2nd
6. Perfect 4th
7. Major 6th
8. Major 7th
9. Major 3rd
10. Perfect 5th

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 24 2015, 02:31 PM

It's perfect Alex!! Great job mate!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jun 26 2015, 03:04 PM

Hey Gabriel!
I have practiced the last days over the original lesson to try to get it as close as possible and I just wanted to say THANK YOU after your comments of last Timing assignment, it has made my motivation become really high so the last days now I have practiced even more and trying to practice between 2-2.5 hours a day!

I am sorry that the light is so bad in the video but it is beautiful weather today.

I saw some killer pictures of You and Cirse when you played at Zadar Club, look amazing !!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 26 2015, 03:52 PM

Hi Alex! Good job mate! This new take is closer so it seems that you've found the right way to practice this lesson. There is a lot of room to make this one sound better, and to play all the licks with the right rhythm, but the improvements are notorious so keep going mate!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 2 2015, 09:54 PM

Hey Gabriel!
I had been looking forward to your V-chat the whole week, but unfortunately GMC was down I know I need more practice on the Beginner's Corner 20 solo so I can post a take in the following days, to know exactly what I shall improve on

https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/8th-triplets-80-bpm
I decided to practice the triplets at 80 instead of 90 because one of the most valuable lessons I have learnt from you is: Start slow and speed it up later. (This isnt anything that I have learnt few things from you but I did not understood the value of starting slow before you started to mentor me)
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/90-bpm-8th-notes
I tried to practice this one as much as possible this week but triplets took most of my practice time.

And here is the melody workout, I tried to take away even more notes while keeping it melodic and connected.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2015, 04:34 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the new takes. This new stuff is more demanding and you still need to work more on everything. Triplets and 8ths at 90bpm are not tight yet so you need to keep on working hard. You already know how to work, re-check my previous tips and suggestions.

The melodic workout sounds a bit confusing because video and audio are out of sync but there is an extra camera audio sounding there, so it's weird. From what I can hear, I think that you should get back to simpler ideas with less notes, but again, it's a confusing take because of the audio and sync...

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 4 2015, 11:05 AM

Hi Gabriel!
I am sorry for the bad video for the melodic workout mate.
Is there any specific parts you think I should have simpler ideas or should I do a completely new where all parts are changed?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 4 2015, 08:18 PM

It's not about a specific part, I think that the whole thing needs this tweak. Go simpler.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 5 2015, 09:25 AM

I will do my best Gabriel!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 5 2015, 11:30 PM

Great!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 8 2015, 12:52 PM

Hey Gabriel!
As I have told you before I am really enjoying create my own stuff very much as we do in the Melody Workout.
I tried to make this one even better than last one, and in my opinion this is better.
My timing isn't 100% here but I paid attention to vibrato, less notes, not to pick every note and to end the whole composition on a major 3rd.

What do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 8 2015, 07:12 PM

Hi mate!! This is a lot better! This is exactly what I suggested to do. Your phrases sound much nicer and the overall solo is more enjoyable! It makes me remember to John Frusciante! Well done!

Please keep on working in this way for a few days and share a new take when you have it.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 9 2015, 01:23 PM

Great to know that you like it mate I have barely listen to John Frusciante but I think I have to look into him more now

Have your band Cirse released a new album called Pulsiones? I have listen to couple of the tracks Cirse has uploaded to YouTube the last days and it sounds Great!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 9 2015, 07:54 PM

Yeah! We have a new EP! I'll share it at the forum later today or tomorrow.

Check this compilation, you'll really enjoy it:

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 10 2015, 11:23 PM

Hey Mate!
That compilation of John was brilliant, just watched the beginning of it yet but have to watch it more.

I have worked on vibrato, timing and bending. From what I can hear bending is the biggest issue. I got this Jackson guitar last wednesday so still getting used to it and it is much easier to do bends.

I have worked hard not to get in front of the beat and practiced this of course with eyes closed.

I think for sure that triplets is the hardest part so far, but with some more practice we will get there, right?
I struggle to play the triplets even while I try to play tight.

Ear Training Results
Assignment 8

1. Minor 3rd
2. Minor 2nd
3. Minor 6th
4. Minor 7th
5. Minor 6th
6. Minor 3rd
7. Minor 2nd
8. Minor 7th
9. Minor 2nd
10. Minor 3rd

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2015, 06:41 PM

Hi Alex! Thanks for this new stuff!

It's great to see you working hard on this tasks. Everything shows improvements but still need hard work. The phrasing lesson has some important thing to have in mind:

- Your guitar is not perfectly tuned.
- When using vibrato technique, remember to let the note sound and then add vibrato. It should be a natural part of the note... check some videos by Satriani, Timmons, Vai and see how they manage it.
- Be careful with timing, mostly on the last licks.

The timing workouts are on the right track, the 8th notes are better, the triplets are getting closer but aren't tight yet. Please continue working on it. And again, listen! that's the key, check triplets lessons at GMC and listen how this rhythm goes with the backings, try to get more familiar with it.

Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 13 2015, 07:00 AM

Hey Gabriel
Thank you for the feedback and tips!
I am happy that you can notice improvments but I will try to work harder.
I think you forgot to comment on the ear training results.
Ear Training Results
Assignment 8

1. Minor 3rd
2. Minor 2nd
3. Minor 6th
4. Minor 7th
5. Minor 6th
6. Minor 3rd
7. Minor 2nd
8. Minor 7th
9. Minor 2nd
10. Minor 3rd

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2015, 03:53 PM

Hi Alex, the ear training answers are perfect. Good job!

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 18 2015, 09:34 PM

Hello Mate!
I got a a new triplet take for you.
https://soundcloud.com/alex-arvedahl/80-bpm-8th-notes-triplets
I have been trying to come up with something cool and melodic for the Melody Workout the whole week now but mate, I can not come up with anything better or in same class as my previous take in the Melody Workout. I have kind of a small idea in my head but it isn't anything special, do you want me to share it with you?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 19 2015, 10:31 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for the update.

The triplets are not going tight, do you note it while playing it? The note duration are irregular... please keep on working on it and if possible search for some triplets lessons from GMC archive to get used to the sound of them.

About the melodic workout, feel free to share it, or to start working with a different backings. Maybe you are bored of the current one. A new backing can bring new ideas.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 20 2015, 06:06 AM

Hello Gabriel.
I did note that the note duration was irregular for some notes and also that I played several triplets in front of the beat but I assumed that I was going tight for the most part... I was check out some more triplets lessons.

I can record the melodic workout tonight on the current backing and maybe after that we chose a new one

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2015, 02:54 PM

Hi Alex! This sounds good. I'll wait for your new videos.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 20 2015, 08:58 PM

Hey Gabriel!
As I have mentioned many times before, this melodic workout is by far the most fun moment of my practice

It turned out quite well in my opinion, if I would do another take I would remove some of the notes.
I composed most of it this evening so that is why I am not totally happy with it.

What do you think? And do you have any ideas for next backing?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2015, 05:36 PM

Hi Alex! Nice video.

It's good to see you playing simple melodies and trying to make the phrases say something. You are doing a very good effort on this workout and it will have good results.

The thing that this improvisation is lacking is to apply a bit more the "following the chords" approach. I mean trying to end the phrases on a note from the chord. Maybe you can keep the same phrases but try changing the last note of each phrase and play a note from the chord, preferably the third but you could also experiment with the others... what do you think? is it possible?

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 21 2015, 08:10 PM

Hey Gabriel, my amigo!
Thanks for your feedback! Of course it is possible, I will keep working.
Do you think this is a good video to practice triplets? Or has you found any better? http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beat-Basics-2/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 22 2015, 02:08 PM

Hi Alex. Yes, it's a good lesson to understand the feel of triplets. This is another one that will help.

This one is also good: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 25 2015, 11:08 AM

Hey Gabriel, I think you missed one link. Sorry that my videos are delaying, will record as soon as it feels good.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 25 2015, 04:47 PM

This is the link: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/timing-exercise/

Posted by: HiimAlex Jul 26 2015, 08:47 PM

Hi Gabriel!
Here is my video of the beginners solo, I tried to fix all the problems you mentioned in my last one.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 27 2015, 02:16 PM

Hi Alex, thanks for this new video.

I can notice how your bending and vibrato are getting a lot better. Both techniques still need to be more consistent but the good news are that I note progress on your playing. There are some moments where you are not playing at the right rhythm so it would be good to practice over the original lesson, record over it and then compare what you are playing. You'll notice that you are not going tight with some phrases. Please try it and let me know what you find out...

Also, I'd like to ask, how much time per day are you practicing and how are you organizing your routine?