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GMC Forum _ Todd Simpson _ Jim S. Bootcamp
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 5 2015, 09:06 PM
Welcome to SHRED BOOTCAMP! I'll be your Drill Instructor! And I do mean DRILL! As in a large power tool used in slasher films and Paul Gilbert concerts. Here is were you EARN THE LIVING DEATH out of your fingers and break through any speed bumps/barriers to become a MASTER CHIEF of Shred!
THE MISSION
1.)Your mission is to go all the way back to the very start. The base of the mountain.
LESSON 1. http://bitly.com/gmclesson1
Which you will play SLOWWWWWWLLY, very SLOWWWLLLLYYYY until you master it at a crawl (As You'll Do With Each Mission, and focus on left hand FORM! Make it SUPER PERFECT!). Speed it up bit by bit until you feel your ready to take it to WAR (Any speed, it's up to you) Shoot a video and post it as a reply to this post. I'll then offer a constructive and brutally honest critique.
THE AFTERMATH
Upon nailing the crap out of lesson one at a speed you didn't think possible, and playing it a clean as a freshly waxed floor, you will be given your first insignia of Rank in BOOTCAMP and will proceed to LESSON/MISSION #2. You will continue this process until you are a walking, talking, BadA** Guitar God among men!!!!
Here is the link to your OWN PRIVATE BATTLEFIELD!!!
http://bitly.com/jimsbootcamp
Practice!
Todd
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 6 2015, 09:43 PM
Dude thanks! I'll get started right away and post the results. Thanks for having me n' at
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 8 2015, 01:09 PM
So I spent an hour or two with the metronome and found a couple problems. The first is my grip changes with tempo. The faster I go the closer and tighter my hand gets. The second is changing strings, esp going from high to low. I wanted to shoot a video but couldn't at that moment.
In between 10 min bursts of practice id practice picking with a more musical context and then turn up the tempo a bit and head back to boot camp....
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 9 2015, 03:24 AM
https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/bootcamp-day-1-alt-pick-metronome-80-200
Ok Todd so as you can hear about halfway through I switch my picking technique and go full arm... Here is a pic of the metronome setting I made in logic. Its pretty sweet.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 9 2015, 08:18 AM
You are on your way soldier!!
First off, it's very normal for your body to "tense up" when you start playing fast. This is one of the first things that I want you to work on. If you don't get a handle on this early, you can spend the rest of your life "picking from the elbow" which Is fine for some people, but it honestly limits what you can play at speed simply due to the stiff arm" approach.
I really understand you want to push the speed quickly which is also natural to want to do 
But it's the journey of of playing through the middle that is going to get you where you want to go. As they say "True skill is effortless" or at least looks effortless because it's the result of 10,000 hours of work.
For this first mission you are doing quite well 
I can hear that you are playing with consistency and keeping a good grip on the pick.
However, the most important part of boocamp is the "MISSION VIDEOS" where you shoot a video (in any way possible including cell phone, audio quality doesn't matter) so that I can actually see your body and hand position in order to properly guide you towards your goals. We can get some progress just with audio but since I can't see what you are doing I can't critique your form and thus can't really help you as much as I'd like to. 
But let me try to help here, while blind.
1)Good pacing - nice and even
2.)Good pick grip - Your tone is consistent indicating the pick isn't slipping out of your hand
3.)CLean strikes - you have intent on each strike, none are half done.
4.)Good timing - you are picking with the beat
So here is your next MISSION SOLDIER!!
1.)Stay relaxed
*Play the mission without worrying about the metronome just speed up while staying relaxed focus on a zen state and pick from the fingers and wrist. once you get this down, add the metronome back in.
2.)Make a video
*Web cam, cell phone, ipad, kindle, anything. Doesn't matter. Just as long as the guitar is there and I can see your PICKING HAND and hear the metronome.
FIGHT ON!!
Sarge
Ok Todd so as you can hear about halfway through I switch my picking technique and go full arm... Here is a pic of the metronome setting I made in logic. Its pretty sweet.
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 11 2015, 06:15 AM
here Ye the video of Me practice... Argh in a pirates voice...
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 11 2015, 02:43 PM
Here's a lick that has some picking and legato. How's the posture seem?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 11 2015, 06:10 PM
First up, YOUR DEBRIEF!!
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! The quality is fine Even better, WELL PLAYED!!!!! Let's debrief!!
You have very good technique here soldier, and I think you are gonna RIP Through these! Go ahead and do each one with Single picking and double picking. If possible, do a pass of triple picking (bonus points) and quad picking (speed points) on the next missions as you are certainly capable of it!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Good hand synch
2.)Playing with the beat
3.)Good palm mute
Best of all you used your FINGERS to control your picking and DIDN"T PICK FROM THE ELBOW!!!! CONGRATS SOLDIER!!!
In short, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!!!!!
On to your picking vid!
I like it! Your upstroke econ sweep is very nice and you have good control over your pick and your muting. You are using your pinky to "bridge" a bit but that's fine It's not "perfect" technique but I do it myself sometimes when I've been playing a while. it's a natural response as the hand starts to tire a bit.
Your technique is coming along nicely! I'd say jump on your next mission and use what you've learned/gain so far. If you push yourself you could be all the way through the missions in no time! Each one builds on the last so you will gain new skills as you go on each one.
Here's a lick that has some picking and legato. How's the posture seem?
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 11 2015, 08:52 PM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! The quality is fine
Even better, WELL PLAYED!!!!! Let's debrief!!You have very good technique here soldier, and I think you are gonna RIP Through these! Go ahead and do each one with Single picking and double picking. If possible, do a pass of triple picking (bonus points) and quad picking (speed points) on the next missions as you are certainly capable of it!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Good hand synch
2.)Playing with the beat
3.)Good palm mute
Best of all you used your FINGERS to control your picking and DIDN"T PICK FROM THE ELBOW!!!! CONGRATS SOLDIER!!!
In short, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!!!!!
On to your picking vid!
I like it! Your upstroke econ sweep is very nice and you have good control over your pick and your muting. You are using your pinky to "bridge" a bit but that's fine
It's not "perfect" technique but I do it myself sometimes when I've been playing a while. it's a natural response as the hand starts to tire a bit. Your technique is coming along nicely! I'd say jump on your next mission and use what you've learned/gain so far. If you push yourself you could be all the way through the missions in no time! Each one builds on the last so you will gain new skills as you go on each one.
That's great to hear man! Thanks!
Where is mission 2? I'll start right away. I'm having fun playing with the metronome and pushing myself.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 11 2015, 09:05 PM
I hope to see you in Vid chat today if possible. I think attending the chats would really help.
You can do the mission after!
Where is mission 2? I'll start right away. I'm having fun playing with the metronome and pushing myself.
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 11 2015, 09:45 PM
You can do the mission after!
I wish I could but I have 2 kids to watch and it is a bad time for guitar...
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 11 2015, 10:38 PM
I did a little searching and found all the lessons! Thanks
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 11 2015, 11:16 PM
Here is the link to all the missions
http://bit.ly/twtgmc
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 14 2015, 03:01 AM
Ok Todd! I believe these are lessons 2-3. I found something exciting tonight.... I tightened my grips bit and held the pick closer and it gave me some serious gains. I swear it gave me 40bpm straight alt picking of course. My problem I feel is getting used to this but it does seem to accommodate for some hybrid action. Either way I'm sold.... Your lessons are great!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 14 2015, 05:33 AM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!!!!! Let's DEBRIEF!!!
Soldier, let me say you are just CRUSHING IT!!! You have made some great progress here so far!!! And your just getting started!! Choking up on the pick (getting your thumb/finger closer to the tip) is a great way to increase precision!! I notice that you are doing very proper picking from the wrist and I'd like to challenge you to try to use more picking front the fingers. Think of it as picking from the tip of your fingers back, instead of thinking of it as using force from the wrist forward. I hope that makes some kind of sense!!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Very clean strikes
2.)Very solid timing
3.)Firm plant on the bridge and no string noise
Very rarely do I "Badge Up" a Soldier two ranks in single go but you've EARNED IT!!!!!! Welcome to LEVEL 3!!!!
Ok Todd! I believe these are lessons 2-3. I found something exciting tonight.... I tightened my grips bit and held the pick closer and it gave me some serious gains. I swear it gave me 40bpm straight alt picking of course. My problem I feel is getting used to this but it does seem to accommodate for some hybrid action. Either way I'm sold.... Your lessons are great!
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 17 2015, 04:00 AM
Hey Sarge! Mission 4 has pulled out some insecurities in my hand sync. It seems my picking hand has the pps (potential picking speed) that's a Batio quote haha, needed but my left hand is a bit flimsy and throws off my balance. I'm not sure if I'm burned out a bit from practice but I may need some more time here. Thanks for the lesson and support!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 17 2015, 06:51 AM
You've NAILED the lick Soldier and your TEHCNIQUE is PERFECT!!!!! I can hear you fighting the metronome a bit and I think it's because the way the metronome is set. Try setting your metronome to make just one type of sound. Just clicks or just pops. Just snare or just kick drum. IT's the back and forth that seems to be pulling you out of the rythm. Also maybe increase the metronome way up to where there is a click for each and every pick strike. IT will help you synch the strikes to the beat. This is NOT an easy mission Soldier and you are one KILL from NAILING IT!!
Sarge
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 19 2015, 03:07 AM
Ok Sarge, I got two gems for ya. The first is the picking level 4. My hands are getting a bit wore out so I took this video in timed bursts and I found that I can pick much much much faster in bursts. I'm starting to get a sense of my picking grip too. There is a grip so perfect that it changes my hand position and relaxes it. Sometimes I can't find just that grip but I know it's there.
The second is just a legato lick I came up with after practicing. I'm getting more confident as I pick and I'm realizing most of my picking problems come from my inability to change positions with my fretting hand. For a second my brain can't process it because I never worked on my weaknesses. Thanks so much this has been so helpful!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 21 2015, 12:38 AM
Very fine work Soldier!!! The "grip" you are talking about is probably related to your best picking work. Try to pick from the thumb and forefinger as much as possible, only using the wrist to pick up the slack when the fingers wont move fast enough. You are doing a great job of not picking from the elbow and your palm mute is nice and planted.
Try (this is hard) to see if you can change your grip a bit. First I notice you are playing "side saddle". This is fine, but for the sake of our Missions, I'd encourage you to try to sit "classical style' With your guitar between your legs. This is very odd for folks that are used to playing side saddle. However, it's well worth it. It changes the angle of your entire hand/grip to make it more similar to playing standing up and gives you much more range and control.
Also, I'm having a hard time connecting your strikes to the metronome. I may have mentioned this before but let me mention it again. Try setting your metronome (if your using guitar rig just set sig to none) to one type of sound. Not pop pop click, just pop pop pop. This type of lick makes playing with the time sig you are using very hard to track. If you have questions on setting this up let me know and we will figure it out.
Try to set your metronome to 400 BPM and make a pick strike each time you hear a metronome click. That way you know you are striking right on the beat. The goal is to synch your strikes to the clicks as tightly as possible.
Take these tips to heart and see what you can do with them. Please feel free to ask questions!! You are making great progress and I like the lick you came up with on your own which is the whole point of all of this To provide the technical underpinnings you need to express yourself with your Guitar
Sarge
The second is just a legato lick I came up with after practicing. I'm getting more confident as I pick and I'm realizing most of my picking problems come from my inability to change positions with my fretting hand. For a second my brain can't process it because I never worked on my weaknesses. Thanks so much this has been so helpful!
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 21 2015, 03:08 AM
Thanks Todd! Yes this is difficult. I am having an issue with my metronome, it is set at 400-530bpm and it can only click bars. If I click the box to sound on beats it Adds that accent. I can't change the sound of that either. Either way here is another vid.
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 22 2015, 04:57 AM
Ha! Here b sum good ol pirate video...
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 22 2015, 05:43 AM
These videos are PRIVATE so I can't see them You can make them UNLISTED and I can still see them Try that!
Sarge
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 22 2015, 07:37 AM
You picking is getting better and better during each vid! It's great to see you get this good this quick!!!! I like what your playing there and it's a very cool mod of the lick. Take a sec and watch the original demo video again and I start about half way through to play the lick in a looping type fashion which is what I'm looking for as the final for this mission. Give this a quick watch!
This one has very odd timing so if you can do it like it is in the vid, with a metronome, just SINGLE PICKING will get you the badge!! Skip the multi picking for now as there is plenty of time for that later and the timing of this piece makes it very odd to multi pick.
Sarge
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 22 2015, 12:25 PM
This one has very odd timing so if you can do it like it is in the vid, with a metronome, just SINGLE PICKING will get you the badge!! Skip the multi picking for now as there is plenty of time for that later and the timing of this piece makes it very odd to multi pick.
Sarge
Thanks Sarge!
Hey what's multi picking?
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 22 2015, 06:37 PM
Hey what's multi picking?
Ok I took a look at that vid and found I was playing it wrong. Also I realized my tendency to sweep when crossing strings. I'll report back to duty. Ah ten hut?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 24 2015, 05:23 AM
Good man!!! I'm going to try to make short demo vids for all the missions, but if there is a vid in there it's worth a watch! Looking forward to your NEXT FIGHT SOLDIER!!!
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 26 2015, 05:17 PM
Hi Sarge! Here are 3 videos the first is your boot camp
The second is a lick I'm working on in a gmc lesson. It's supposed to be 16th trips but I'm just at the 1/8 trips for now.
The third is a hybrid practice. At one point I hit a nice clean muted semi Greg Howe"ish" tone...
All three of these techniques I am gaining. So thanks!
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 27 2015, 03:55 AM
Alright sarge 2 more!
6-7
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 27 2015, 05:45 PM
IMPRESSIVE!!!!!! Soldier, it's been a while since I"ve seen such DRIVE, such FORCE, such VIOLENCE of intent! You sir are racing toward ValHalla!!!!
Some really fine playing here. Let's debrief!!
MEDALS OF HONOR
1.)Maintained splendid palm mute / right hand control in every vid.
2.)Maintained tight and precise picking in every vid
3.)Maintained control of each strike and it's timing
Soldier, it's very rare. Strike that. It's NEVER yet come to pass that I"ve EVER badged ANYONE up this far in a single review but I must say YOU"VE FREAKING EARNED IT SOLDIER!!!
Congrats Soldier, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!
6-7
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 27 2015, 07:03 PM
Some really fine playing here. Let's debrief!!
MEDALS OF HONOR
1.)Maintained splendid palm mute / right hand control in every vid.
2.)Maintained tight and precise picking in every vid
3.)Maintained control of each strike and it's timing
Soldier, it's very rare. Strike that. It's NEVER yet come to pass that I"ve EVER badged ANYONE up this far in a single review but I must say YOU"VE FREAKING EARNED IT SOLDIER!!!
Congrats Soldier, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!
That's so good to hear! Thanks Sarge I will carry out!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 27 2015, 08:03 PM
FIGHT ON SOLDIER!!! Whatever you are doing, KEEP DOING IT as it's working!~!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 29 2015, 04:51 AM
Here is a humble attempt at 8
Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 29 2015, 11:32 PM
Well fought Soldier!!! You are really ripping through these Mission!!! I see BLOOD on the fretboard and VENGEANCE in your eyes!!!!!
Let's debrief.
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Precise control on your Alternate Picking
2.)Planted Right Hand on the Bridge
3.)Furious Vengeance and Righteous Anger!!!
You continue to have really good technique on these. You are doing great with your right hand planted on the bridge and keeping string/fret noise at bay. Your Alternate picking is nice and clean/precise. You are ready for the challenges ahead!! Congrats Soldier, you just...
FIGHT ON!!!!!
Sarge
Here is a humble attempt at 8
Posted by: Jim S. Jul 31 2015, 03:59 AM
Sarge!!! Good evening, here lye 2 bits. The first is level 9. And the second is a lock I made and thought I'd share.
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 5 2015, 03:51 AM
Hey Todd Nice take at the blues collab btw. Here's my shot at 10!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 7 2015, 01:29 AM
Wow. Yet again, you are gonna make me break my "one badge per" rule and I'm gonna have to badge you up twice. Really nice playing here. At this rate, I'm gonna have to make lessons up faster You are seriously on a roll!!!
Let's Debrief....
Soldier, I can see your playing getting better in each vid and I"d swear that I see blood on the fretboard! Your hard work is paying off. Your finger control and picking precision continues to get better and better.
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)MULTI PICKING WITH AUTHORITY!!!
2.)TIGHT HAND SYNCH!!
3.)PRECISE CONTROL!!!!
You are ready for the next series of MISSIONS. Go forth!!!
Soldier!!! You have just .....
!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!
Hey Todd Nice take at the blues collab btw. Here's my shot at 10!
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 9 2015, 05:45 AM
Hey sarge!
I'm finding 120 Bpm is my fastest speed switching strings and playing complicated rhythms. This is the speed in which I will strive to increase!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 10 2015, 12:18 AM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! And well done incorporating the bits in to solo work. That's the entire point of all this after all!! You and Ben are just KILLING IT! Congrats to you both on being the DEADLY DUO and current MISSION KINGS.
Let's Debrief....
Your technique continues to improve by the hour it seems. I can tell you have been putting in the time which is the real secret to getting "Good". And it's working!!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Solid Technique and Tight Precision
2.)Spot on Hand Synch
3.)BONUS POINTS: using the bits in context
You are about get get your SECOND CHEVRON badge. Not many folks have ever made it that far. I don't make it easy on people. You've earned it Soldier.
Soldier!!! You have just .....
!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!
I'm finding 120 Bpm is my fastest speed switching strings and playing complicated rhythms. This is the speed in which I will strive to increase!
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 10 2015, 02:54 AM
Let's Debrief....
Your technique continues to improve by the hour it seems. I can tell you have been putting in the time which is the real secret to getting "Good". And it's working!!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Solid Technique and Tight Precision
2.)Spot on Hand Synch
3.)BONUS POINTS: using the bits in context
You are about get get your SECOND CHEVRON badge. Not many folks have ever made it that far. I don't make it easy on people. You've earned it Soldier.
Soldier!!! You have just .....
!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!
Sarge Thanks! I shall pursue the next mission. Do you have any feedback for 12? Let me know what I need to change.
Todd, these missions are really helping me. They are exciting and when I'm soloing I can hear the missed notes more and when I am nailing it I feel control and it just sounds crisp. Another great thing is the motivation that came from looking for weakness in myself. Take Care Sarge!
Is Cael "Ben?"
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 10 2015, 03:03 AM
UPDATE: Soldier, it looks like the videos "day12" etc. are getting out of synch with the missions. Just for the sake of clarity, if you are on MISSION 12 for example, please title the video MISSION 12. And if you do MISSION 13 and then MISSION 14 vids, title them as such. So that by looking at the title of the vid I can tell which mission it is. Currently "day 12" is actually two separate missions, once of which is MISSION 13.
DEBRIEF ON MISSION 13
This one needs just a bit more blood. You have got the lick down! But I want to see you do clean double picking and clean triple/quad picking as well on this. Which means you may need to slow the metronome down. MISSION 13 is the double chevron badge up. It's mile stone. So I want it perfect soldier!!
Also, as your playing gets better, I"m hoping I can help you get better recordings. Your guitar is a bit hard to hear and I can't hear individual pick strikes. I'd like to try to work with you to get your recordings up to the level of your playing. All part of BOOT CAMP SOLDIER!!
Sarge
P.S.
I"m glad the missions are helping You are really making great progress so keep it up!!!! These are built to show any weak bits in your range/technique/etc. I make use of every string in some of them to show you if there are gaps in your muting, some focus on gaps in picking technique etc. I can tell you've worked through many of the things that troubling your playing and i see you getting better every single day!!!!!
Sarge
Todd, these missions are really helping me. They are exciting and when I'm soloing I can hear the missed notes more and when I am nailing it I feel control and it just sounds crisp. Another great thing is the motivation that came from looking for weakness in myself. Take Care Sarge!
Is Cael "Ben?"
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 16 2015, 03:02 PM
mission 12 doubles
mission 12 singles
mission 13
Hi sarge! I'm having a hard time syncing my audio with my videos because I can only do it with my phone and it's taking forever. I can upload the MP3 and you can hear the quality. I have the ability to do it but it's so hard on an iPhone.
Let me know if that's ok. Thanks!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 16 2015, 05:16 PM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! The quality is fine In the upcoming lessons you may need to record some of these the same way you record for collabs by synching vid due to the complexity of the bits for the near future, iphone works just fine
Let's Debrief!! (Double debrief actually! I don't typically like to double debrief but I have the same feedback for both and you sorta KAAARUUUSHED it so here goes!)
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Great hand synch on both missions
2.)Tight playing with the beat on both missions
3.)Barruutal and Tight Palm Mute on both missions
Soldier, you are really moving along. I can see the work you are putting in and it's paying off!! Your MULTI PICKING is tighter, you palm mute/string control is very good and your hand sync gets better every time I see you play.
BLOOD ON THE FRETS!!!!!! That's how I like it! The only tick is that I see your pick hand starting to "ball up" a bit and rely on your left hand for muting. I"d like to see your right hand stretch a bit and try to cover all the strings for the upcoming licks that won't let you mute with your left hand.
Many of the licks so far focus on one or a few strings. Many of the licks to come will force you to pick every string and push your muting ability. That's in the future. for now.. congrats are in order. You have just joined the very few folks who have EVER made the DOUBLE CHEVRON PATCH.
In short, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!!!!!
FIGHT ON SOLDIER!!!!
mission 12 singles
mission 13
Hi sarge! I'm having a hard time syncing my audio with my videos because I can only do it with my phone and it's taking forever. I can upload the MP3 and you can hear the quality. I have the ability to do it but it's so hard on an iPhone.
Let me know if that's ok. Thanks!
Posted by: Bas Cuthach Aug 17 2015, 01:15 AM
Nice, well done, keep shredding
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 17 2015, 01:19 AM
He badged up two missions at once! Rare but well earned
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 18 2015, 10:24 PM
Hi Sarge! Here is mission 14....
Just 1/2hr before this shoot I had one of my wisdom teeth pulled out. The Dental block Novocain still had half my face completely numb and with the narcotics I was feeling pretty good.
3 hours later I was in excruciating pain lol!
Mission 15! I'm this was my third take and my last take never recorded. My hands were on fire during this one. I'm using both economy and hybrid picking. I'm learning to control my legato rolls in time not just flung. I do it during this video but correct myself which is nice to see.
Bas!!! I'm coming for blood!
Hey your pretty highly ranked officer... Congrats man! I get motivation from it! Thanks!
Posted by: Bas Cuthach Aug 19 2015, 03:16 AM
thanks, im looking forward to it, it will be nice to have some players to run with 
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 19 2015, 06:15 PM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! You are really earning the living daylights out of it!! Your technique continues to improve and your aggressive approach is impressive!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Clean Palm Mute
2.)Great Finger Control
3.)Musical Dyamism
HOWEVER!::
Now that you are in the "HOT ZONE" past MISSION 13, these will get more technical and thus I need to be able to match up your picking with the beat. So from now on, in ever future mission, please do not use that jazzy drum beat. I like it It's musical! But it's not going to work for the missions. Just a solid click track, one snare or one drum is what I need to make sure you are playing on the beat. Since you are using the iphone to record, it's difficult to hear you and the drum track. And when the drum track is doing fills, using cymbals, etc. It makes it really tough for me to judge your playing. So from now on, when you hit RECORD just use either a single snare or single click just keep the drums/clicks as simple as possible. Now then.....
you just ...
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 22 2015, 11:50 PM
mission 16
mission 17
mission 18
Hey Sarge! Start mission 17 halfway through. Somehow it took my previous take
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 23 2015, 04:31 PM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! HOLY CRAP SOLDIER!!!! I really don't often do a triple badge, but you really did KRUSH these!!!! You are on a ROLL soldier!!! Keep it up and don't spare the whip!!!!!!!
Let's Debrief!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Very clean and precise playing
2.)Tight righ/left hand synch
3.)Solid Palm Mute
Let's dig a bit deeper!!!
Soldier, I can see how hard you are working on these and I can appreciate it!!! These lessons are not simple and you are really burning it up!!! Even the dreaded LESSON 17. You are developing very quickly as a player and it's great to watch!! I do see some not great bits creeping in to your playing though.
1.)You are starting to ball up your right hand under picking stress. This reduces the amount of the hand available to mute strings and requires the left hand to pick up the slack when muting.
*This is a very common technique and isn't "bad" or "Not correct" as such. It just limits certain things that you can play cleanly. I would suggest you focus a bit more on the right hand and see if you can make it spread out a bit more to cover more of the bridge for muting. This will help in the MISSIONS you are about to fight through.
*One way to force your hand to do this is to pull a GEORGE LYNCH and force all your right hand fingers straight out. At first this feels IMPOSSIBLE. But your hand will adapt so that only the parts hitting the bridge stay extended. TRY THIS IN YOUR NEXT MISSION!!!
Here is a quick picture to demonstrate what I"m talking about.
Keep this in mind during your next MISSION. For now, GOOD NEWS!!!!
you just ...
Posted by: Bas Cuthach Aug 23 2015, 05:28 PM
That lesson 18 was sick yo, your badge says 17?
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 23 2015, 06:32 PM
Hey thanks Bas! It was a surprise to see a jam mission. There are a few other licks from the lessons I could have incorporated and mixed better. I'm proceeding with lesson 19... The tap. I have some familiarity with this style of tapping but am excited to slow it down and gain control of the beat. My tapping is not very strictly even so this next lesson will be great!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 23 2015, 07:44 PM
Sorry about that I'll fix your badge Soldier!! Well fought!! It's so rare to do a triple, my fingers wouldn't let me do it. I fought through it though. Your new badge is up!
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 23 2015, 08:18 PM
I'll fix your badge Soldier!! Well fought!! It's so rare to do a triple, my fingers wouldn't let me do it. I fought through it though. Your new badge is up!Thanks Sarge! I'll try and flatten my hand and get closer to the strings!
Ps I fixed the audio in mission 18
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 24 2015, 01:30 AM
Sounds like a plan SOLDIER!!!
Ps I fixed the audio in mission 18
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 26 2015, 01:28 PM
Sarge these missions are killing it. Coupled with the auto sped up snare track and good concentrated practice I'm finding such joy. I'm excited to out do myself and discover flaws in my technique.
Last night I worked on mission 19 "tapping" and while learning it I found position shifting to be the real challenge with left hand strength. I found the hardest position shift and I just looped it and sped it up until my hand nearly fell off. Blood was on the fretboard last night!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 27 2015, 01:11 AM
Glad to hear you are EARNING IT soldier!! But don't killer yourself!! You can't stay in the fight if you are wounded and laying in Medical Tent!!
I'm very happy to hear that these Missions are motivating you to fight harder and get better an I can see the results!!! Keep at it soldier! There are many, many, mine fields along the way that will serve to show you where the gaps in your technique are. Just like you mentioned, that's a good time to isolate and loop until you work through it.
Once you can do that, you can put the entire bit together and play it smooth. BINGO!!!! Well done Soldier!! Looking forward to your next Mission!!!
Sarge
Last night I worked on mission 19 "tapping" and while learning it I found position shifting to be the real challenge with left hand strength. I found the hardest position shift and I just looped it and sped it up until my hand nearly fell off. Blood was on the fretboard last night!
Posted by: Jim S. Aug 31 2015, 03:08 AM
Mission 19
I did make progress with mission 20 but I want this to be a bit special and really push my abilities. In mission 20 I'm going to have a benchmark video on picking and hybrid picking to see my top speed on each of the 3 locks on mission 20. Also I plan to walk up the shapes of the pentatonic. I don't ever want to play the standard shape ever again. I am sick of it!!!!
Here is the first lick of Mission 20. I get pretty fast for me
Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 3 2015, 12:58 AM
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!! These are two VERY different missions and you are doing quite well on both. Let's focus on 19 for our Debrief as you are still knee deep in 20!
Let's Debrief!
MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Precise hand control
2.)Clean pattern shifting
3.)Solid Palm Mute
This lesson is quite stressful on the hands until you get to the point where you can actually lighten up on the touch. Initially, you may notice your hands want to clamp down which makes it hard to shift to the next position. The Mission is designed to train your hands to strike lighter and focus on the finger tips rather than the entire hand. From the look of if, you GET IT!!!!
Nicely played Soldier!
you just ...
LEVELED UP!!!!!!
As for the next mission, you seem to be quickly getting it down!! Just like the previous mission, try to use as little left hand pressure as possible, keeping your wrist loose, and focusing on the very end of your finger tips. This will allow your hand to glide over the pattern.
You are really doing well on these soldier! KEEP IT UP!!!
Sarge
I did make progress with mission 20 but I want this to be a bit special and really push my abilities. In mission 20 I'm going to have a benchmark video on picking and hybrid picking to see my top speed on each of the 3 locks on mission 20. Also I plan to walk up the shapes of the pentatonic. I don't ever want to play the standard shape ever again. I am sick of it!!!!
Here is the first lick of Mission 20. I get pretty fast for me
Posted by: Jim S. Sep 9 2015, 03:08 AM
Sarge! Mission 20
It's split into 3 videos of all the work.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 9 2015, 05:01 AM
Well fought Soldier!!! Welcome to the wonderful world of running Pentatonic scales in wacky ways!!! Being able to add open strings and being able to slide through the various positions of the pentatonic scales can really open up great avenues for solo work.
So then, Let's debrief!!
MEDALS OF HONOR
1.)Solid understanding of the mechanics of play and musicality of the scale
2.)Tight repetition
3.)Clean Strikes combined with strong legato
Congrats Soldier, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!
Your playing is getting better and better. I can see that you are getting tighter control and more reach. You are more than ready for the FIRESTORM That awaits you in the Advanced lessons Soldier!!! You are already close to your THIRD CHEVRON BADGE @ Level 26! KEEP IT UP!!
Sarge
It's split into 3 videos of all the work.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 5 2015, 07:27 PM
Soldier!! Where are you? I hope all is well! Have not seen you BATTLE READY in a bit?
It's split into 3 videos of all the work.
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