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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 22 2012, 05:57 PM

Hi Coffeeman! This is your personal thread for the http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43110 project.
Please post here your musical tastes, influences, your goals as a musician and also some videos of you playing. Also post here your own demos/compositions/ideas. We will be working on lessons every week as well as joining some collabs and working on your own compositions.

The principles of our Army are:

+ Improve your technique
+ Make music and solos
+ Have fun
+ Destroy the enemy (hahaha not realy just kidding... )

Let's start working!

Posted by: coffeeman Feb 22 2012, 06:24 PM

Hola Gabi,

My musical taste is basically rock, but I'm very open mind, so I hear grunge, Indie,jazz, classical, neoclassical, electronic, traditional colombian music. and for a time now I've been listening a lot to guys like Guthrie Govan, Alex Hutchings and Greg Howe.

My goal is to create my own music, focused on a instrumental rock basis(very melodic) with elements from electronic music, maybe colombian traditional music, but basically very melodic. Of course i think I need to improve my vibrato, alternate picking and legato, and the creation of great melodies.

here is my soundcloud: I have here a couple of short ideas http://soundcloud.com/andrucoffeeman

Here is mypace: I have here a couple of songs I made a time ago, only the backing tracks, thats wy I need to improve my composition skills , to create the melodies. http://www.myspace.com/willsguitarist1

and here is my youtube channel where I have all my REC videos : http://www.youtube.com/coffeemanR6

So let's destroy our enemies.

Thanks for taking me in!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 22 2012, 06:55 PM

Hi Cofeeman! There are some really cool ideas in your sound cloud! It's a great decision to record all that stuff recorded and ready to be continued. We have to do something with that "Imagine your reality" riff!

On this first week I will assign you to work on the first lesson of my Intensive Technique Course:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42825

The idea is that we add this course's exercises to your diary training because I think that your technique needs to move to a new level. You have to work hard on technique, gain more strength with your left hand and more speed and precision with your right hand. Work on this exercises and record yourself playing it in 6 days. Concentrate on the sound, the volume of each note, not on the speed. Play it the faster than you can but the limit must be when you start to loose clearness.

As creativity must be trained I will keep you composing new solos and ideas every week. For this week your "creativity" assignment is to choose one of the open collabs and record your take. First you can post it here to let me give you some feedback and then you can add it to the collabs thread. Let me know which collab you choose so maybe I can give you some advices or post some links from songs that could give you some inspiration.

And also keep recording every idea that appears and post it here!

This would be all for this week. Do you think that you'll be able to have all the videos by the next Wednesday?

Posted by: coffeeman Feb 23 2012, 03:28 AM

Hola Gabi,

here is my first assigment(I used a different youtube account in order not to spam my suscribers):



Ex.1 96 BPM Ex.2 126 BPM Ex.3 84 Ex.4 116 BPM Ex.5 120 BPM Ex.6 80 BPM Ex.7 112 BPM


On the other hand I decided to join Alex Feather collab, I jamed today along the BT but didn't record anything yet , I'll upload something as soon as possible.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2012, 10:02 PM

Hey mate! You are so fast!!
The exercises sound good. This exercises should be now part of your daily routine. The exercises that doesn't sound perfect are the ones that use the fingers 4 - 3 -1 (in this order). In these two exercises your timing isn't perfect.

That Alex's collab is a really cool choice! I love that backing. Please post here your ideas or some jams and maybe we can build toghether a cool solo over it. I was thinking giving this lesson as your second assigment: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/funk_lesson-saraceno_style/
It's a funk lesson that has a feel similar to Alex's Collab, so you can borrow some phrasing (however the scales used are different). Jose Lassaga has strong Greg Howe influences so you will find many licks in the style that you like (and also in the style of Saraceno)
What do you think?

Posted by: coffeeman Feb 24 2012, 03:07 PM

Hola Gabi,

I started practicing yesterday the Funk Lesson from Jose, and it's awesome, it's bit challenging but I will have it in a week or so. I did the warming & and endurance excercises for about 45 minutes. And I jammed along Alex BT, but didn't record anything, I gues i'l just jam and record an improvisation and see what it comes.

So, I'm on my way, and I'm having good results already.

Thanks my friend

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 24 2012, 03:11 PM

Hey! those are great news friend! well done!! In the near future you should play the warming up exercises faster and for some minutes without feeling pain.

Posted by: coffeeman Feb 24 2012, 03:22 PM

Perfect, I'll increase speed gradually. ON the other hand I change my pick, I saw that Guthrie Govan Video that was posted in the forums, I was using a Stubby 3.0 mm pick, and since I saw Guthrie video I'm using a Jazz III pick, we'll see how it goes.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 24 2012, 03:36 PM

Well done! Thicker picks are better for soloing in electric guitar. I've never tried those ones but I use Dunlop 1.5 mm and it works great for me.

Posted by: coffeeman Feb 24 2012, 11:57 PM

Hola Gabi,

If you have time please take a look at the Funk Lesson from Jose, I don't know how to pick those arpegio licks, which way you think is better, alternate picking, economy or sweeping ?

Thanks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 25 2012, 04:48 PM

Jose is using mostly Alternate picking in this lesson (and some little economy picking in some parts). The lesson isn't fast so you could play it using AP. However I think that you should use the technique that you find more comfortable. Also note that there is a part where he use Hybrid picking. If you are totally lost with how to pick the lesson, just copy Jose's motions.

Posted by: coffeeman Feb 29 2012, 04:00 AM

Hola Gabi,

Here are a few licks on Alex Fusion Collab

http://soundcloud.com/andrucoffeeman/fusion-collab-first-take

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 29 2012, 06:29 PM

Hi man! There are some cool licks there. I would select the best ones and continue working on the other sections. I like the first phrase (from 00:03 to 00:06). The following one doesn't sound cool over the backing. Another idea that I really like is what you play from 00:13 to 00:18, I would work on that phrase a bit more. Also the sequence starting at 00:20 sounds good even until 00:30.

I would take those ideas and work on the other parts.. try to use other note values to make it more attractive... maybe some long double string bends or something a bit faster..

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 2 2012, 02:11 AM

Hola Gabi,

Quick update:

I've been doing the Warming up and endurance excercises and today I notice a little improvement, I can play all ex. almost 4 bpm faster tha last week, and I can play them a bit longer, aldo my hand doesn't hurt as much as lasta week

At this moment I can play Jose lesson at 70 BPM but no that smooth, have to improve the timing , but I'm on my way, it has taken more time than I thought bu it's an awesome lesson.

I haven't work on my last riff I showed you, I'll try to come up with something this weekend.

Today I jammed along Alex collab BT taking your advices and I have a couple of new ideas, I'll show them to you tomorrow.

So thats it, I've been busy with all the homework

saludos!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 2 2012, 03:42 AM

wou! that's what I call productivity!
It's so inspiring to know all those news from you! I'm so exited regarding all your work and also your improvements. Don't worry about lessons that takes more time than the estimated.. the idea is to keep working.. let's enjoy all the process!

Looking forward to your videos and audio files!

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 7 2012, 02:15 AM

Hola Gabi,

here is my take on Jose lesson , it was very challenging becuase of the timing , and that last lick has a strange fingering, I also notice watching the video tat I'm using my thum a lot when alternate picking, so I gues I have to work on that. I submited the video ti the REC to get the opinion from the other instructors too.



On the other hand I'm practicing at least one hour the warming up and endurance excercises and I added to my routine the alternate picking excerces too, the ones that you show on your intensive technique course.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2012, 06:34 PM

Hi Coffeman! Thanks for the video and the update! You are very close on this one. The take is good but as you said the timing is an issue that you need to work on this one. That funky groove is difficult at first but once you incorporate it you won't have problems. That thumb movement isn't something important when you are playing slow licks but it's a big problem for fast playing so you should try to avoid it. You already know the things to work on so I recommend you to keep playing this one and record a new take in some days.

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 9 2012, 02:12 AM

Hola Gabi,

In this link you can whatch my progress on the Warming up and Endurance and Right Hand alternate Picking Excercises

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AisL0K2YZUcUdG1od0wxMXl6NHBXb3RFbVptU252Y0E

And here is a new version of my take on Alex collab, I used and adapted a couple of licks from Jose lesson

http://soundcloud.com/andrucoffeeman/insanity-fusion-collab

On the other hand I was working on my latest song "Imagine your reality" and I really don't know how to develop the idea, I keep repeating the sam riff over and over. Can you help on that?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 9 2012, 04:42 PM

Hi mate! I liked that organized file with your progress! Well done! However I'm scared! You are playing the exercises number 2 at 1380bpm... you'll travel in time with that speed!!

The new take for the collab is much more in style! It's great to see that you applied some licks from the lesson. There are many cool ideas there, in some parts I feel that the patterns that you use are sometimes a bit long, I would end them before with any cool bend or something. I would also improve the first idea, I think that something with more impact for the beginning would be cool. Also try to play the licks with more confidence for the final take...

These are the comments, but let me say that you did a very good job and that I note a big improvement comparing this one with the previous take.

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 10 2012, 05:20 PM

Hola Gabi,

Thanks a lot for your comments they're really helping me a lot!

Getting back to work, since Alex collab is already closed I sent that las take. But it was a very cool excercise to work on it.

I joined Sinisa's Fanatic Collab, so I'll start working on it, what do you think? Should we work on a new lesson too, to get ideas from it? This collab is open till 15th january, and after that I was planning on working on your Slash collab.

So tell me what you think, or just tell me what to do and I'll do it , am a faithful soldier!

Thanks a lot my friend!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2012, 06:02 PM

Hi mate! Those ideas sound cool! That Sinisa's backing has some Blues Saraceno vibe on it!



So, some of those licks could work great for this one... you can use some of the stuff from Lassaga's lesson and I also selected this two ones that could be inspiring for this. You can choose one for this week's REC (or maybe both!)

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/blues-saraceno-rock-licks/

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

Gab.-

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 10 2012, 10:06 PM

Hola Gabi,

Here is take 2 of Jose lesson:

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2012, 05:45 PM

hola amigo!! This new version is better! Your timing has been improved on this one but you still should work on it. Some of the faster patterns are still out of time, and some of the slower also don't have the correct groove. However I can note a big improvement. Keep on working hard!

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 12 2012, 04:24 PM

Hola Gabi,

I was wondering something this weekend, how is it possible that I can alteranet pick at 138/144 , and do those legato licks at that same speed, but when I play in a musical context I can only play something between 110 and 120. What should I work on?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2012, 04:46 PM

Hi mate! This is normal, it seems that when we are playing a solo that has slow parts it's a bit difficult to suddenly play a fast lick... this must be also trained and the way that I think is most effective is doing something similar to this lesson... (with alternate picking and also with legato)

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/stamina-lesson-speed-bursts/

Check the lesson! It's a difficult one, maybe you can work on it using the slower backings.... you can also use this same idea to work on the exercises that I gave you.

Posted by: coffeeman Mar 15 2012, 02:55 AM

Hola Gabi,

Here's my first attempt on Sinisa's Collab, a bit(lot) sloppy but here it is:

http://soundcloud.com/andrucoffeeman/fanatic-collab-take-1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2012, 05:08 PM

Hi mate! this is a good first draft for the solo. I think that there are some cool ideas but that are a bit isolated one from the other. You should try to work on the smoothness of the whole solo.

00:03 - 00:10: This part is a good beginning. I just would add any note in the end to connect this idea to the next section. Be careful with the timing.

00:11 - 00:20: This part needs some work since it has similar phrasing to the previous one but without any surprise. The first lick is cool but then I think that the bends don't say too much.

00:21 - 00:30 - I like the two ideas of this part but I would add any other thing, maybe some killer double strings bend or something that make both patterns be shorter.

00:31 - 00:40: This two ideas are also cool but the connection between both is a bit weird. Try to work on something that make that connection smoother.

Posted by: coffeeman Sep 5 2013, 12:23 AM

Hola Gabi,

Let's get back to work. Thanks for having me back in the first place.

So I've been practicing a couple of lessons to improve my alternate picking techinique and legatto(strength). I don't practice every lesson in every practice session, I chose 2 or 3 per session and I practice them at least 10 minutes at a very comfortable and slow speed, and then I start increasing the speed gradualy.

These are the lessons than I'm practicing as a routine:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/neoclassical-etude-1/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/neoclassical-etude-2/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/modal-madness/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/modal_madness_pt_4_5_string_patterns/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Legato-Workshop-3/

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/legato-exercise-lesson/

On the other hand I try to learn a new lesson every week, theses are my latest REC takes:









So, I really want to improve my technique to use on my own compositions, and as you it's a rock(rage against the machine, audioslave, pearl jam, eruca sativa ja!, porcupine tree, nuno betancourt) style with vocals and nice rock solos(slash, saraceno, zack wild). I would also like to compose instrumental rock songs, thats one thing that I would really like.

So Im your soldier my friend, let's get to work, and thanks for having me back.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 5 2013, 03:09 PM

Hi mate! Nice job on these lessons! I check each of them and I think that these are the things to pay attention:

- Rhythm guitar: You have to be able to play riffs an rhythms tighter and more defined.
- Lead Guitar: We have to take each technique to a new level (alternate picking, legato, bending, timing)

As you said that you prefer musical lessons over exercises we will be adding a new lesson every week. By the way I recommend you to take the trickier parts of the lessons and work on them a bit as a loop an also make some variations. This is very effective when you want to adjust something difficult.

Have you checked Lucio's series?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonseries/Slash-Complete-Style/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonseries/ACDC/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonseries/Bon-Jovi/

There are some killer lessons there in the style that you like.

Posted by: coffeeman Sep 5 2013, 08:50 PM

There are a couple of nice lessons from Lucio, so which one do you suggest I should start practicing?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 6 2013, 01:56 PM

I would start with Angus Young Hard Rock Style, both rhythm and solo.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/ACDC-Complete-Style-I-Hard-Rock/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/ACDC-Complete-Style-II-Hard-Rock-Solo/

Posted by: coffeeman Sep 12 2013, 02:29 PM

Hey my friend before getting into the new lessons I wanted to do a new take on my latest REC take but it seems it sucked again.



Darius recomended this lesson on the REC take post http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bending-Ballad/

So I wont take any decisions I'm a bit tired of choosing the wrong lessons. You tell me what to do and I'll do it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 16 2013, 08:11 PM

Hi friend! I just gave you feedback at the REC thread. Please check my comments and let me know what you think.

That bending lesson is fantastic, but I think that it has some advanced bending that maybe will distract you from the things that you still have to work basing on this rocker riff lesson, don't you think so?

Posted by: coffeeman Sep 17 2013, 02:59 PM

Hey Gabi,

I started learning the AC/DC rhythm lesson. The verse part is giving me more work than expected but I hope I will have it today or tomorrow at least.

Should I focus only in one lesson at a time or should I start learning the solo lesson too?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 17 2013, 03:42 PM

Great! Let's focus on one lesson at a time, until you can play the whole thing and it needs just some adjustments.

Posted by: coffeeman Sep 25 2013, 03:18 AM

hey Gabi, here is the take for the first AC/DC lesson.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50199&b=1&st=0&p=0&#entry0

And I've been practicing a lesson here is the take, I know there are a cuople of slides and a bend that I have to improve, and the legato part is still sloppy but I wanted to give it a shot and track my progress in a couple of weeks. here it is http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50200&pid=659678&st=0&#entry659678

Let me know what to work on, if I should repeat de AC/DC lesson or should I start working on the solo lesson. Thanks my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2013, 02:39 PM

Hi mate! I've just given you feedback on both takes. Please check them out and get back here with your thoughts.

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 2 2013, 07:53 PM

Hey Gabi, just wanted to ask you what are your thoughts on my take for the Extraordinary axemen collab?

regarding the AC/DC lesson I agree with you I'm having a couple of problems with the rhythm patterns but I'll upload a new take before saturday.

Any more stuff I should be working on? Thanks a lot my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 3 2013, 10:47 PM

Hi mate! As I said at the collab's thread, your solo is really cool. I think that your phrasing is very tasty on this one and I think that your sound fits great with the backing. Maybe the second half could some variations, longer notes, or bends, to keep it as interesting as the first part. There are some long patterns that could be more worked. That's the only thing that comes to mind, being strict.

What about starting the solo version of the AC/DC lesson?

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 23 2013, 02:26 PM

Hey Gabi,

These lessons from Lucio are giving me a hard time, for instance the rhythm one only has one ryhthm guitar explained and on the main video you can hear two. There are no slow videos, and on the section that you say that I play it differently I'm playing it exactly as the tabs and exactly as the explanation video, but I don't know why does it sounds different on the backing track.

The lead lesson, doesn't have slow videos either and on the explanation videos Lucio plays the licks faster and different as in the main video so I'm a little stuck with a couple of licks.

So I'm a bit frustrated with these lessons, it's been more than 3 weeks since you gave them to me and there is no progress. But you tell me what to work on.

On the other hand I wanted to let you know my prcatice routine and ask if if we should change something:

20 minutes warm up - Improvising over different backing tracks

40 minutes Alternate Picking -
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/modal-madness/ 80 bpm max speed
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/neoclassical-etude-1/ 120 bpm max speed
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/neoclassical-etude-2/ 115 bpm max speed

40 Minutes Legato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Legato-Workshop-3/ 118 Bpm max speed - almost full speed
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/legato-exercise-lesson/ 90 bpm max speed

1 hour - GMC Lessons

What do you think? Should we change something?

Thanks my friend

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 23 2013, 04:37 PM

I found this http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato-stamina/# in Doug Lane's routine and I thing it can be very nice to add it to my routine.

I'm on your hands Gabi, as you noticed you know that I'm practicing very hard and I really want to improve my playing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 23 2013, 04:53 PM

Hi mate, the difference in that part that I was saying is rhythm. (talking about this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/ACDC-Complete-Style-I-Hard-Rock/) If you check the tab, the changes goes in the last 8th note of the beat, instead of the first beat of the following measure. I marked the part that I mean with bold font.

                  E5         G5    D        A5       E     A     E     E5  
  H.           E  E     Q    E  E  E  E  E  E     E  E  E  E  E  E  E  E   
---------------------|-------3--3--2--2--2--5--|--5--4--4--5--5--4--4--0--|
---------------------|-------3--3--3--3--3--5--|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--0--|
--L------------L-----|-------------------------|--------------------------|
--L------------L--2--|-------------------------|--------------------------|
--L------------L--2--|-------------------------|--------------------------|
------------------0--|-------------------------|--------------------------| 
    

The main issue in your take is timing, you change the chord a bit after or before. I think that you need to make your internal timing count more precise. Following the rhythm with your foot can really help. Regarding the lead lesson, please tell me which licks are giving issues.

Now let's talk about your routine. It looks great but I think that we could make it even more complete. Let's start with the basic sub topics:

Warming up (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=26140

HOUR 1

- Alternate Picking (25 minutes)

- Rhythm Lesson (10 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/ACDC-Complete-Style-I-Hard-Rock/

- Legato (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato-stamina/#

HOUR 2

- Vibrato & Bending (15 minutes)
Lesson suggested: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The_tasty_etude/

- Rhythm Lesson (20 minutes)

- Theory (15 minutes)
Learn 1 new thing every day from this thread: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47852

- Jamming (10 minutes)


What do you think of something like that?

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 23 2013, 05:02 PM

Awesome let's do it. I can add another 30 minutes to the routine.

I'll practice the AC/DC rhythm lesson as you say, and I'll let you know tonight about the licks on the lead lesson that are giving me a hard time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 23 2013, 08:59 PM

Ok! I'll start adding links into your routine.

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 23 2013, 09:26 PM

Thanks a lot for takeing the time to coach mi my friend, I'm really greatfull about that.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 24 2013, 02:16 AM

My pleasure mate!

I added some lessons in the routine plan, have you checked it?

We could add the 3 AP lessons that you were already working... what do you think?

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 24 2013, 02:39 PM

Awesome Gab, let's add the three alternate picking lessons.

I did the practice routine yesterday, so I spend a couple of more minutes learning the warming up lesson from Ben, learning the legatto lesson, and the tasty Etude. But it was a very fun practice. I found my rhythm mistake on the AC/AC lesson, thanks for pointing that out.

So should I upload videos for the AP, Legatto lesson or just should I keep you informed about my progress. I think I can upload a new version of the AC/DC lesson today or tomorrow , and I'll upload a take for the tasty etude tomorrow or saturday.

Thanks for the help mate.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 24 2013, 02:55 PM

Hi mate, great to know that your did the routine and that you enjoyed it! Regarding posting videos, it's not necessary to post videos of the lessons that we use for training but feel free to do it if you want some feedback.

Posted by: coffeeman Oct 30 2013, 02:49 PM

Update.

Hey Gab. Just a quick update. I did 4 sessions of 3 hours last week, on saturday I practiced only acoustic guitar and on sunday I took a break.

This week I did a 3 hour session on monday and a 2 hour session yesterday, so far I haven't increased the speed on legato an alternate picking lesson.

I already learned the Tasty Etude but haven't had the chance to record because I'm moving to a new place. Still working on the rhythm lesson I'm practicing very slowly to get it right.

I hope I can upload something this week, but I've been working disciplined and I wanted to let you know.

Thanks my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 30 2013, 04:03 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the update. I think that practising on acoustic on Saturdays is a good idea, as well as resting on Sunday. Do you find the routine enjoyable?

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 22 2013, 02:31 PM

Hey Gabi,

After a couple of long weeks I got back to practice, as I told you I was moving, but now I have everything in place. So to get back with the workout ou I manage to upload a REC take for the Tasty Etude, one of the lessons you gave me. Please take a look at it and let me know if I should work on another lesson or if I should re upload a better version.

Thanks my friend, and let's get back to work.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 22 2013, 02:46 PM

Hi mate! Welcome back! Nice to hear that you are ready to continue working hard. I think that your take on the Tasty Etude is really good and that you just need more days of practice to make some of the faster licks sounds even clearer and then give an extra feeling to it. But I'll grade it as 9 so there is just a bit of room to improve it. Well done!!

Let's start working on a new routine.



Warming up (20 minutes)



http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Major-7th-Chords/


HOUR 1

- Alternate Picking (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/move_your_little_finger!/

- Rhythm Lesson (10 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Ratt-Style/

- Legato (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato-stamina/

HOUR 2

- Vibrato & Bending (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bending-Ballad/

- Rhythm Lesson (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Rage-Against-The-Machine-Style/

- Theory (15 minutes)
Learn 1 new thing every day from this thread: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47852

- Jamming (10 minutes)


Ok, I added suggestions for each topic. Please tell me what you think and feel free to suggest other lessons in the cases that you prefer.

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 22 2013, 03:15 PM

Awesome workout, that Rage Against the machine lesson was on my list of lessons to learn you know that I love that band, and it inspires me to write my own songs.

I did a REC take on the Jimi Hendrix a couple of years ago, take a look a it http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=27048&p=374670&#entry374670

Of course I'll learn it again.

Nice workout. I'll start today and I'll let you know.

Thanks a lot Gabi.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 22 2013, 03:18 PM

Cool! I'm glad to know that you liked the new routine! I checked your take on Hendrix lesson and it was really good! Let's use other lesson, here are some suggestions:


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bending-Ballad/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/String-Bending/

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 22 2013, 03:24 PM

Both lessons sound awesome, I'll start with Max lesson.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 22 2013, 03:37 PM

Great!! Added to the routine.

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 26 2013, 04:16 PM

Update

Hey gabi just to give you an update. I already learn the alternate picking lesson and I can play it at 80bpm at the moment, I'll be increasing the speed slowly and I'm confident that I will be able to play it at full speed. The legato lesson I'm playing it at 100 bpm, and I'm feeling my fingers stronger everyday.

Already learnt the RATT lesson, but I feel that I have to play it tighter. I hope I can upload a rece take soon.

I'm learning the bending lesson and I'll start learning the Rage lesson today.

On a side note, I decided to practice AP with an angle, and I change the pick, I was using a 3.0 mm stubby and now I'm using a Jazz III, but sometimes I feel that I'm going to lose the pick, it's like because of the sweat a lose the grip of the pick. What can you recommend me to improve that. This started when I started playing with the picking angle, before that I didn't feel that.

Thanks my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 26 2013, 11:01 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the update. It seems that the routine is working successfully and I'm feeling very proud of you. I'm very curious to see videos of your current progress and to give some early feedback. I think that we will be able to add new lessons to the routine in a week or maybe less.

Regarding your pick, this is interesting, because it's something that happened to me when I tried a smaller pick (playing standing up) and my solution has been to use a bigger one. I didn't find any advantage of getting used to the smaller pick so I got back to normal or even bigger picks. My favorite is Dunlop Tortex Sharp and nowadays my custom Vonhotch picks which are very similar in shape.

Are you using these ones?



If you are using them, the max grip should be helping to avoid loosing the pick. My suggestion would be to hold the pick stronger and experiment a bit more with the angle, to see if you feel comfortable.

Posted by: coffeeman Dec 2 2013, 05:14 PM

I'm going to look for those kind of picks the Jazz III that I'm using doesn't have that kind of grip.

Here's my entry for the Day and Night Collab, what do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 2 2013, 07:05 PM

Hi mate! It's cool to see you creating music. To be honest, the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the solo, is that the composition needs more development. I think that is has a good balance between melody and more technical stuff but while the melodies could be more memorable, the trickier parts sound a bit like exercises. Sorry if I'm being too dramatic but I think that honest comments are the ones that help us to become better. By the way, the take is ok, it's very well player and it works for the collab but I think that these things are the things that you should have in mind to work on. What do you think?

Posted by: coffeeman Dec 2 2013, 10:50 PM

Totally agree with you. What can I do to improve creating melody line?

Did you checked my latest song? What do you think about the guitar solo?

https://soundcloud.com/andrucoffeeman/uno-draft-no-vocals

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 2 2013, 11:18 PM

Nice track! I like it! It sounds groovy, rocker and could be a hit with a powerful vocal melody!

Regarding the creation of melodies, there are some tips that helped me and I think that with practice will help you too.


- Ear training: Play the scale over the backing and sing the notes of it. Try to incorporate the sound of each note and pay attention to how it sounds over the backing. This will train your ear but it will also make the connection between your mind and guitar stronger.

- Sing melodies over the backing. If you've already done the ear training, you will be able to sing ideas on scale so let your mind create the melodies without the guitar as a distraction and once you like a melody, transpose it to your guitar.

- Learn the arpeggio of each chord from the progression and create the melodies using only chord tones, following the chords. Start with long notes, maybe 1 or 2 per chord. Then you can use other notes from the scale just as passing notes to connect the chord tones.

Interesting video about it:


- Sing over songs that you like, use them karaoke tracks and try to create variations to the melodies.

Posted by: coffeeman Dec 4 2013, 03:50 AM

Those exercises look awesome I'm going to try them.

Here is my first REC take of one of the lesson of the new routine:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50788&b=1&st=0&p=0&#entry0

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 4 2013, 02:06 PM

Nice take! I just commented there.


Let's add some melodic work in your diary routine. You can do it during the "Theory" & "Jamming" moments.

1. Play A minor scale and sing each note while you play it. Be sure that you sing on pitch. (5 minutes)

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator



2. Learn Am, G major and F Major arpeggios. Singe the notes while you play them. (5 minutes). Learn one arpeggio position of each chord each day. (5 minutes)

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

3. Play the scale over the backing of this lesson. Play it in order, then random notes, but always singing along.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Buckethead-Style/


4. Follow the chords of the same backing with arpeggios. Sing the notes while you play them.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Buckethead-Style/


5. Compose one new melody every day. I expect 7 different melodies from you this week over Buckethead's lesson. The first day, compose it with your voice first and then play it in the guitar, the second day compose it directly using arpeggios and the scale with your guitar, third day voice, fourth day guitar, and so.


I'm really excited to know what happens with this.

Any question?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 11 2013, 01:48 PM

Hi mate, how are you? I was wondering how was your routine work this week and if you could add the melodic work.
Please keep me updated!

Posted by: coffeeman Dec 17 2013, 04:55 PM

hey my friend, how is everything going?

Congrats on your concert this weekend, you're a true rockstar!!!! Im your fan!

Thanks a lot on the comments on the RATT style lesson, I've been practicing this days but less than 2 hours, and one thing that's been happening is that I start practicing on the alternate picking lesson and I get to excited and I spend a whole hour on it, and then I change to the rhythm lesson(It's an amazing lesson I love it all the way) and I spend the other hour on it. Ja!

So, I started working on the Rage lesson, it is awesome I love it and I hope to upload a REC take today or tomorrow. Do you have the patch for the tremolo part, I haven't been able to get a nice sound for that particular part.

On the other hand I've been practicing the melody exercise, and it is awesome also. I joined this http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50761&hl= so I made yesterday the same exercise of playing and singing the scale and the arpeggios over it, and I hope to come up with a nice melody to upload it.

Please let me know if my messy way of working on the routine is not beneficial and I'll stick to the times on the routine.

Thanks as always my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 18 2013, 03:58 AM

Hello friend, thanks for your kind words! Not a rockstar, a rock hard worker. It's been an amazing weekend that ended on Sunday playing a song as a guest with a known local band very close to Blink 182.

Well, your update sounds really good. I don't think that it's a problem that you change a bit the routine since the most important thing is to keep you motivated and practicing. One good trick that you could try is to use this idea for routines:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50683

Regarding the tone, I remember that I added the tremolo in the daw but it's simple to set it, It's a tremolo set in 16th notes, but you have to be sure to set the fx tempo in 175. What pod are you using?

And about the melodies, exciting stuff! but I want to hear... when are the melody ideas coming to this thread???

Posted by: coffeeman Dec 21 2013, 02:38 AM

Hey gaby here is my entry for whit snake xmass collar from Ben , what do you thing of the melodies and of the take in general?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 21 2013, 02:00 PM

Hey friend!! Now we're talking!! The first half of this solo is awesome! I'm really happy to see that your melodies are becoming more defined. Then you play some scale patterns, that at first sound good but then the part becomes a bit long but the overall works great!

How was the composition process?

Posted by: coffeeman Jan 9 2014, 04:50 PM

Happy new year my friend!

To get started on our workout what do you think if we establish the 2014 goals?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 9 2014, 10:01 PM

Happy new year! It's a very good way to start... we have phrase in Argentina that says "soy todo oido" and means that I'm open to what you have to say.

Posted by: coffeeman Jan 9 2014, 10:43 PM

hahaha we use that expression too.

So my biggest goal of the year is to record an EP with 5 of my original songs with vocals, I have already composed the music of 4 songs. And starting from that point I would say the following goals:

• Create great melody lines on the guitar and singing
• Know all the modes by memory(by ear, not on the guitar)
• Play 16Th note triplets at 120 BPM in alternate picking and legato
• Play 16th notes at 140 BPM AP and Legato
• Improve my vibrato and bending

What do you think? Should I be more specific, less specific? The goals are to high , to low?

Thanks my friend!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 10 2014, 02:14 PM

Hi mate, the goals are very well focused. I think that having this goals in mind will really help us to keep the right direction during this year. I think that it's a very complete program so we can start working. I think that having a weekly routine will really help.

How many hours a day do you think you can dedicate to music?

Posted by: coffeeman Jan 10 2014, 03:11 PM

I miss two goals

• Improve my rhythm guitar playing
• Improve my riff and rhythm composing skills

I'll practice 3 hours a day for at least 4 days a week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 11 2014, 10:53 PM

Hi mate, this sounds very good for me. I was thinking that your routine could look like this. Please tell me your thoughts and variations!


Warming Up:

HOUR 1:

Alternate Picking.

Legato.

Feeling & expression.


HOUR 2:

Rhythm.

Modes.

Learning melodies by ear.


HOUR 3:

Working on your music.

Posted by: coffeeman Jan 13 2014, 03:47 PM

Excellent, let's do it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 13 2014, 04:05 PM

Great! Could you please post here your lesson suggestions for each topic?

Posted by: coffeeman Jan 14 2014, 08:27 PM

Hey Gabi,

These are my suggestions, what do you think:


Warming Up: John Petrucci warm uo


Alternate Picking.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/move_your_little_finger!/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/modal_madness_pt_4_5_string_patterns/

Legato.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Legato-Workshop-1/


Feeling & expression.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bending-Ballad/



Rhythm.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bullet-For-My-Valentine-Style-Lesson/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Rage-Against-The-Machine-Style/

Modes & Learning melodies by ear.
What do your think if a I learn this one by ear, and only from the main video, and after this one we choose another mode and so on? What do you think?
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/rock_solo_nr3dmajor/

That exercise you gave to sing the scales and arpeggios over a progression was very cool , I think it would be very helpful.

So what do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 15 2014, 12:40 PM

Hi mate, you lesson choice is very precise. Let's go for those lessons! When you say "Petrucci's warming up", do you mean stretches but also the warming up exercises that he shares in the guitar?

If not, let's add this lessons for the warming up moment:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/

The alternate picking exercises as well as the legato workshop are very demanding but effective so I think these ones will help if you practice them patiently at comfortable tempo and increase it slowly.

Regarding BFMV lesson, here you can download a link in dropped D, to make your practice smoother and avoid having to change the tuning of every string when you are doing your routine. You just have to change 6 string pitch. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=35341

Finally, your idea for ear training sounds great for me and also let's re-activate the workout that I gave you but now with new scales, modes / arpeggios.

We could choose a new backing track, maybe Winter's collab, or any other that you have in mind... post it here and we can analyze which scales work over it.

Posted by: coffeeman Aug 4 2015, 08:34 PM

Hi Gabi,

I'm back.

So, is there a chance to start working again? I'm playing in a new band, I'm playing guitar(sometimes lead, sometimes rhythm) and I'm the lead vocalist. So I'm learning a lot of songs(Mostly covers) and I'm working on my own songs too. So I'm practicing 1 hour vocal technique, 1 hour songs(Singing and playing) and 1 hour only guitar.


Please let me know if there is room to start working again.

Abrazo.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 5 2015, 01:28 PM

Sure mate!

What are you exactly working during each hour?

Posted by: coffeeman Aug 10 2015, 05:11 PM

Hi Gabi,

1st Hour vocal Technique: Warmup, Scales, Ressonance exercises, Mix Voices , Excercices, Agility(Intervals, runs, etc..)
2nd Hour: Singing and playing songs. These are the songs I'm working at the moment: Maybe Tomorrw-Stereophonics, Interstate Love Song- Stone Temple Pilots, Wheels-Foo Fighters, Are You Gonna Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz, De Do Do Do- The Police, No dejes Que- Caifanes, Texturas-Soda Stereo, Billie Jean- Michael Jackson, Like a Virgin-Madonna.
3rd Hour: A couple of GMC Lessons(Solos), and I'm Looking for good Rhythm and Riffs lessons.

That's it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 10 2015, 05:58 PM

Hi mate, that's a really cool plan, and it also seems to be entertained to do. Feel free to share here videos or audios of you playing the tasks to let me give some feedback about your performance and progress.

About rhythm lessons, this can be a really wide topic. Do you have some styles or bands in mind?

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 4 2015, 05:03 PM

Hola Gabi,

As I told you a couple of months ago I was focusing on learning covers both guitar and vocals for a gig I had las month, it went very well.

Now I'm working on these 3 lessons:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/toto-the-early-days/
I learned the licks, and I'm working on timing.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Fast-Progressive-Metal-Riffing/
Learned the licks and I'm buldiing it up to speed, the first riff is the one which is giving me the most trouble but I'm practicing it slow.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Papa-Roach-Goes-Djent/
I'm learning the riffs.

On the other hand I'm composing a new song for my girlfriend, I want to record it at a friends studio before christmas. I have the main structure and almost the whole lyrics. it's a song I guess ala Andres Calamaro, but I want to give a more POP/ROCk Sound.

Should I record guitar and voice so you can here it? It would be awesome if you could help me with it, so I can record it in a couple of weeks? Or maybe I can make a demo in garage band, what do you suggest.

Thanks a lot my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 5 2015, 01:35 PM

Hi mate! Great to see you back here!

The list of lessons to work sounds great so let's go for them and share here your progress to let me give feedback and monitor your practice.

About the song that you are composing, sure! Please record a demo to let me hear and I'll give you my thoughts and suggestions.

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 17 2015, 05:09 PM

Hola Gaby,

Here is a RAW draft of the new song I'm Composing. Please give me your feedback.

https://soundcloud.com/andrucoffeeman/dia-perfecto-draft-2/s-VJy6w

On the other hand I was trying to record the Papa Roach Lesson, but I couldn't get to work the LePou plugin , I don't know if the cabs are missing or what, but couldn't make it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 17 2015, 05:32 PM

Hi mate!

It's cool to see that you keep on developing your composing and singing skills! This tune sounds cool. I think that your voice sounds good for this music style. You have the soul of the song, now you could give it and structure, and add a solo section and a part C, which works as an emotive bridge with vocals that connects with the last chorus.

About arrangements, I feel that the chorus could have an extra guitar, and the overall song any minimalist synth that give a more modern feel. Have you ever tried Massive VSTi?


Would you like to share some print screens of your plug ins set up to let me see if I can help with the poulin issues?

Posted by: coffeeman Nov 17 2015, 05:54 PM

I used to use NI Komplete it was awesome but I changed my computer to a MAC and now I don't have, I was looking for a good PAD vst. Massive is from NAtive Instruments too right?

Yes I was thinking of a Part C , but didn't know if to make it vocal or maybe a guitar solo. John Mayer style or something like that(coffeman style).

I'll send you a printscreen tonight

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2015, 01:32 PM

yes, massive is by Native Instruments. Keep on giving shape to the track and then you'll feel if part C should include or not vocals.

What album of John Mayer is your main influence?