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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2016, 03:48 PM

Hey everybody! Welcome to a new GMC collab!

The title is to honor the amazing lesson series done by Piotr here, and the backing that we will use is courtesy by the GMCer ChrisGLP who recorded it and suggested starting a collab.

Backing:  Guitar_Loves_Piano_Collab_70bpm.mp3 ( 4.58MB ) : 475


Tempo: 70 bpm

We want guitar solos, arrangements, lyrics, vocals and everything you can imagine that can help us to create a new GMC Hit.


Key and Scales:

The Key is E minor, so these are the suggested scales:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/scalegenerator


Chord progression:

The chord progression can look complex but don't worry about it. You can just take the roots and notice if it's a major or minor chord. If you are an advanced player you can analyze the extensions which are very commonly used in piano rhythms.

(G - D - Em - Cadd9) x 2

(Em - Cadd9 - Em - Cadd9) x 2

Bm7+5 - Cmaj7 - Dsus4 - Dadd11 - Gmaj7/B - C - Dsus4 - D

Em9 - Cadd9 - Gadd11 - Dadd11 - Em9 - Cadd9 - Dsus4 - Dadd11 - Em9 - Cadd9 - Gadd11 - Dadd9add11 - Cmaj9 - Em7 - Dsus4 - Dadd11

(Em - Cadd9 - Em - Cadd9) x 2

Bm7+5 - Cmaj7 - Dsus4 - Dadd11 - Gmaj7/B - C - Dsus4 - D

Em9 - Cadd9 - Gadd11 - Dadd11 - Em9 - Cadd9 - Dsus4 - Dadd11 - Em9 - Cadd9 - Gadd11 - Dadd9add11 - Cmaj9 - Em7 - Dsus4 - Dadd11

G - D - Em - Cadd9

Gadd9 - Em7+5 - G




IMPORTANT INFO About files required:

In order to make the things easier for compiling takes and mixing I need that each participant shares 3 files:

- Audio file with the mix of the backing and your guitar.
- Audio file only with your guitar (If possible this audio should have the same length than the mix version)
- Video of you playing the solo, and if it's not possible a picture.

The best way to share this is compressing in a zip file to be downloaded from here or using sharing service as dropbox, wetransfer, and copying the link here.

If you decide to share your files using soundcloud please remember to "allow downloads".

Thanks!



DEADLINE: February 7th


Who is in?



Final video:

I've worked hard to make this one sound like a song. I focused mostly on taking the most melodic phrases that you've provided in order to make this one sound musical. You'll find that some players appear more than others but this doesn't mean that there were weak takes in general, I prioritized the overall song, and that why also noted that there wasn't place for me on this one, I'm just the mixer.

I want to say thanks to each student that take time to be part of this one and special thanks to CHRISGLP for providing such an inspiring backing. I can say that it's one of the best colabs I've ever led.

I've hope you enjoy it!

Participants:

Beat Zbinden
Cael
ChrisGLP
GeneT95
Jim S
Kristofer Dahl
n3m57
Phil66
Piotr Kaczor
Procyon
Pzalfa
Sensible Jones
tflava
Todd Simpson
Tom51

I'll be back with some extra comments on your takes.



COMMENTS:

Beat: What a tasty take mate! Your tone fits perfect with this backing and reminds me to Petrucci and Steve Vai. This doesn’t mean that your solo doesn’t have personality, your phrasing is very personal. It has a good balance between melody and fast playing and the note choices are lovely.

Cael: I’m glad to see you again on a GMC collab. The first thing that comes to mind when listening to your solo is that your tone is perfect! It has the right amount of drive to sound clean but with sustain. Your phrasing is interesting, it’s uncommon and not predictable. There are some parts that would sound better with some adjustment but the good thing is that you are “searching” here, that’s the spirit. You should do more of this melodic stuff.

ChrisGLP: You not only recorded the amazing piano for this collab, you also provided killer rhythm guitars and the perfect melody for the pre verse. Let me say that you rock Chris. Thanks for this inspiring stuff.

GenteT95: Your bass and drums added a lot to this collab. It make is sound like a real song. Your solo sounds good, I like your clean tone that is at a mid-point between Frusciante and Buckethead. Your phrasing has some great moments but it also has many parts that are not completely clean and defined. You should work more on this solo, isolate the strong parts and re-work the ones that are not consistent.

Jim S: Thanks for your strings contribution; it makes the final mix more epic. Your solo sounds very cool, I like how you manage rhythm and staccato. It makes it sound very unique and adds something fresh to the final mix of this collab. Your playing has a big potential, I’d like to hear more soloing from you. Good notes choices, and tone. Just need some polishing (technique and some phrases direction).

N3m57: Nice guitar! IT reminds me to my first Ibanez. Your tone is good, I would just adjust a bit presence or maybe lower some bass frequencies, to make it sound clearer. My favorite part is the chorus (starting at 1:12), the melodies there are so epic and that double guitar ending is top level.

Phil: The cooler part of your solo/video is how tasty your phrases are. It’s one of the tasties jams that I’ve heard from you and this means that all the hard work done in the previous months is making effect. My favorite part is from 00:00 to 00:50, then there are some bends out of pitch and less tasty melodies (in the chorus). Then, when the verse 2 starts, the tasty Phil comes back.

Procyon: You solo is pure melody. It’s been tricky to choose the best parts of this killer solo but I’ve decided to go for the chorus. You have to be careful with bending (pre-chorus) and maybe work a bit more your tone that has room to fit better with the style. Your phrasing and note choices are great.

Fzalfa: I’ve said many times to you that I love when you go melodic. This solo is pure melody and has many interesting phrases in both the verse and the chorus. In the chorus I hear pitch issues related to bending, but also to your guitar, or maybe doing too much pressure with your fingers when playing. I think that the amount of drive fits good with this backing, but some EQ tweak would make your solo stand more. I would try increasing frequencies around 3000 hz.

Sensible Jones: Great to see you back here! I like your solo, how you connect the different phrases until the chorus, and your tone. In the chorus I think that your solo loses a bit direction, but then comes the second verse and you make your guitar cry, in the good sense.

Tflava: Your playing is wise. I like how your phrases are very clear and your use of silences. You need to be careful with bending, mostly in the pre chorus and chorus where the pitch issues ruin the nice ideas that you are playing. Your tone is ok, but I think that there is room to continue polishing it.

Tom: It’s great to see that your work on the improvisation workouts is having a big impact in your playing. The thing that makes your solo GREAT is that you don’t try to play things that are over your level, you stay at a comfortable zone and focus on phrasing, simple but tasty melodies. The note choices is very enjoyable, and your tone perfect. Well done!

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 20 2016, 04:23 PM

My lord , my soul is belong to you....

I'm in of course

edit:

a sample ?

i can add some violin......

https://soundcloud.com/laurent-377054242/love-piano-1

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 20 2016, 10:27 PM

Too complicated for me All those changes

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2016, 11:12 PM

Hey Phil, it can look complicated but trust me it's really easy to jam over this one. Try E minor over it and you'll see. Forget the chords this time and concentrate on sounds.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 20 2016, 11:37 PM

Ahhhhh thanks Gab, I thought I had to change position for each chord change
Can you please explain why E minor can be used over all of these chords.
Cheers bro

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2016, 04:31 AM

Ok, we will go deeper but please don't get scared by joining the collab because of the complex info.

All these chords belong to G major tonality, or its relative E minor. So if we harmonize in thirds the scale, we will get this chords. The extensions are just embellishment to add an extra "colour" to the chords. If we go deep with the analysis, the first part (G - D - Em - Cadd9) is in G major. The reason why it's G instead of Em is that G sounds like the root chord when playing it, the progression starts with it, and if we would want to finish it right there with a release feel, we would play G, not Em. However, both tonalities include the same chords.

Then, everything turns around E minor and that why the tune modulates to the relative minor key. If you play the second progression, as well as the following one, you will notice that now Em is the root chord.

So to summarize, you could play G major over the first two rounds and then E minor, but as the task here is to focus on sounds not scales, just use Em as template and let your ear and mind create the melodies.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 21 2016, 07:52 AM

Ok thanks Gab,

That kind of makes sense, I will have to read it a few times before I fully understand (it's the kind of thing I want to know AND understand, hence the suggestion for the theory thread, which is great by the way ) but I will go for the G and Em thing for now.

Got people coming to my home tonight to view some work that needs doing so hopefully if I can get rid of them I will have a go tonight.

Cheers dude

Posted by: HungryForHeaven Jan 21 2016, 09:19 AM

Interesting!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 21 2016, 12:44 PM

IN!!!

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 21 2016, 12:52 PM

It's the same shapes and notes ...... between GMajor and Eminor melodic, do you mean Eminor harmonic or penta ?



yeepee !!

Laurent

Posted by: tflava Jan 21 2016, 04:58 PM

I'm also in.
I've recorded some of my inspirations so you can give me some advice.

Greetz Tim

[attachment=43876:guitar_p...visation.wmv]

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2016, 08:18 PM

Hi Tim! Great to find a take from you! There are some cool melodies in this solo. I like the fact that you created really clear phrases along the whole solo. I think that it's a good starting point.

The section from 00:00 to 00:31 sounds nice. You have to put special attention into your bending and vibrato technique because you don't look comfortable with them and the phrases has room to make it sound more expressive.

I can't hear well the part that starts at 00:31, the low strings aren't recorded well with your camera, but from what I can hear it seems that keeps a similar rhythm but with less interesting melodies so I would try something different here. Have you tried singing melodies and then transposing them to guitar? This can be a good trick to avoid playing similar patterns.

At 01:01: The melodies sound good but I would use some other elements to make them sound a bit different. Try using slide, more vibrato, bending, harmonics?, microbends, playing the melody in the same string, or other ideas to make your phrasing less predictable. When you are reaching the end of this section, everything starts to grow and you play a bend. It's the moment to pick stronger! Work on dynamics. If you have some time check out this video:

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 21 2016, 08:53 PM

no reaction or comment about my last take ?

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 21 2016, 08:55 PM

As mentioned by Mr Vai at 1:49

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzgoytR10As

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 21 2016, 09:12 PM

Hi laurent! I'm sorry I've missed your take! I love it. You've made your guitar sound like a violin, it fits so beautiful over this backing track and will be really useful to build the final mix. Thanks a lot mate!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 21 2016, 10:25 PM

Ok Gab,
WOW! I've just had my first go at this, I got totally lost (in a good way), I stayed in E minor, played the pentatonic e minor with root on the 12th fret, I was getting shivers down my spine . The one problem I had was that I was getting drowned out by the piano in the louder parts. Any tips to help with that?
I will post some sounds tomorrow. This is stirring my soul .
Thanks

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 21 2016, 10:48 PM

your are welcome !!

i think we can do a relly great collab !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 22 2016, 01:42 PM

I'm really happy to read this.

"The only opponent is within" - Zen Guitar

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 22 2016, 01:45 PM

Thanks Gab,

How do I keep my guitar quiet for the quiet parts and louder for the louder parts? Is it all down to dynamics? I find it hard to adjust the guitar volume while playing a I lose flow.
Cheers buddy

Posted by: Chris S. Jan 22 2016, 03:46 PM

Yes!!!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 22 2016, 04:59 PM

Count me in! Love your collabs!

Todd

Posted by: ChrisGLP Jan 22 2016, 07:44 PM

In!!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 22 2016, 09:56 PM

OK, here's a first jam, clean. I've put the video and wav with backing and wav guitar only. Hopefully you can use some part of this Gab. It was a total improvisation and there are some mistakes but three minutes jamming with no mistakes is hard for me

Any advice gratefully received



Wavs are http://1drv.ms/1Veyf1g please let me know if you can't download, I've not done this before. It works at my end but ya never know

Posted by: ChrisGLP Jan 22 2016, 10:24 PM

Phil, +1!! Awesome your jamming, thx!!

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 22 2016, 10:53 PM

Thanks Chris,
That was a first one shot take, I'll try some more, it's all good fun eh?

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 22 2016, 11:20 PM

Thanks Chris,
That was a first one shot take, I'll try some more, it's all good fun eh?

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 23 2016, 10:16 AM

Another try out

sorry at 00:01:000 i made a big false note !!!

and the end is not really original..... i had to fill the time



Laurent

Posted by: Piotr Kaczor Jan 23 2016, 01:17 PM

What a great idea, and beautiful backing track! Definitely I'm in!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 24 2016, 06:50 AM

yes, you can manage dynamics with your pic, or maybe program two different tones for each part, one cleaner and softer and the other with some more drive and volume. However, it can be killer if you can manage this just with your pick and/or volume pot.

An inspiring example:






You are always welcome friend!



The master of Guitar loves piano is here!! This one will be epic.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 24 2016, 08:00 AM

Your improvisation is full of beautiful phrases! As you promised, your take is really nice and tasty! I think that you should keep on jamming and recording over this one. You have a lot to say. Congrats!




Another cool one! Except by the little passage at 1:00, the solo sounds very good. Your phrasing is warm and tasty. If you continue jamming over this one, it would be cool if you put some emphasis on dynamics.

Thanks for another nice take!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 24 2016, 11:58 AM

I'm in!

Posted by: ChrisGLP Jan 24 2016, 12:16 PM

Hi Gab, here 3 Pictures I have made if you want to use them for the Video Background.... Chris

Posted by: n3m57 Jan 24 2016, 02:49 PM

I'm in !
Some ideas :

https://soundcloud.com/mathieu-nguyen-6/guitar-loves-piano-impro-v2

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 24 2016, 03:06 PM

That's great Chris!! Thanks a lot!

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 24 2016, 03:08 PM

you can be more precise Gabriel ?? i do not handle the sense of this sentence

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 24 2016, 03:16 PM

This sounds great mate! But keep going! Let the phrases keep on evolving, going higher, adding some bending and more intensity in some sections. What you've done here sounds good. Also, focus on vibrato to make your playing more expressive.



This link is for everybody, some more inspiration:

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 24 2016, 07:54 PM

Just a small sequence that I had in mind when I listened to the piano.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/glp-emin-v1

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 24 2016, 11:27 PM

What a beautiful piano! This might be the thing that gets a little fire under the tush. Usually within the first time hearing a song if I am humming along or start predicting where it's going is a good sign that I'll have a fun time writing. There's a section about 1 min in where the piano starts a more complicated melody and I thought how cool an electric guitar would sound echoing the piano...

I'm in!

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 25 2016, 03:57 AM

https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/piano-collab

Here is an idea that came my way...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 25 2016, 02:26 PM

SO beautiful mate!

Keep on working on this one! You have a lot to say.




Awesome Jim! Your phrases are clear and very tasty. You sound very comfortable over this backing track. Please remember to share the required files to add your solo to the final mix.

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 25 2016, 09:31 PM

Hi

Another take.......

may sound like the final take i'll do. right stuff ?



Laurent

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 26 2016, 03:36 AM

https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/piano-full

Here is the Final Version. Its not perfect but I think its got some good feelz to it. What your thoughts?

Posted by: tflava Jan 26 2016, 11:06 AM

Hey Guys,

Sounds real cool.!

I'm still busy composing some lines but i can say it will be nice!

I think friday i record my final take.

Grteezz Tim

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jan 26 2016, 12:42 PM

Did a quick improv over it, maybe I'll use some lines in the final take.

Posted by: Alex5 Jan 26 2016, 02:21 PM

Hi,

I'll try to make something on it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 26 2016, 03:12 PM

Hi Laurent, this could be the idea for the final take, I like it but if possible practice it to give it more expression and also to fix some wrong notes that start to appear around 00:57. What do you think?





Sounds great! I like your tone on this one as well as your composition. Thanks for the files! Please remember to share a video of you playing it for the final video.




Hi Cael! This is very promising! It's great to see you soloing again! It's been a while since I've heard your last improvisation. There are many nice phrases in this solo and some others that could be polished a bit. I'd like to hear you focusing more on dynamics, and off course defining a bit more the direction of your phrasing.

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 26 2016, 03:33 PM

how can i do ? more bend ? slide ?

Laurent

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jan 26 2016, 03:43 PM

Do you have any tips in terms of thinking about tone? I often feel my tone is maybe too compressed to allow for dynamics, or at least that's what I feel it might be, but I could be greatly wrong. No matter if I play lightly or with harder picking it feels as if the dynamic doesn't change.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 26 2016, 10:31 PM

Still exploring ...but there are few days left to get to a final take.

https://soundcloud.com/user619267345/glp-emin-v2

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 27 2016, 01:25 AM

Thanks Gabriel! I'll have to record again as playing a play through video I have never done. It will be neat to see a video that is different from a straight shot at me playing. Hope to send it soon!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2016, 01:56 PM

Yes, bending, vibrato, slide, dynamics... this lesson is full of ideas, check it out: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Ballad-soloing-dynamics-phrasing-2/





I hear the same. You should lower drive if you want more dynamics in your tone. You'll have less sustain but you can compensate it with your picking, vibrato. You need to experiment to find the right balance.

Posted by: fzalfa Jan 27 2016, 07:10 PM

Hey Gabriel

very usefull lesson !!!

tonight i'll go to play with my friend Yann, i certainely do some nice improvisations ans learn some licks !

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 28 2016, 12:44 AM

Nice Laurent! Record your session and share it with us! Have a great time.

Posted by: Tom51 Jan 28 2016, 07:35 PM

So here comes a first video from Mr Slowfinger...I guess I overplayed the vibrato stuff a little

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 29 2016, 01:28 PM

Mi first take..

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 29 2016, 05:54 PM

I made a nice video and I can't export it in any fashion... The app crashes evertime and its so frustrating. I'll have to mix it on my computer and try again.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 29 2016, 07:21 PM

This is very nice Tom! There are many nice phrases on this solo. I would continue polishing this take, trying to define phrases even more, and also adjusting vibrato which is not totally connected with the groove, it tends to be faster. Also remember to let the note sound and then add vibrato gradually.

By the way, this sounds good!




Hey Beat! Great to know that you are working on this one! This is a good first work! The main issue to fix here is bending because in many cases you don't reach the right pitch. So my recommendation is to keep on practicing this one, defining some lines and focus on making bending more precise.

Deal?

Posted by: tflava Jan 29 2016, 07:58 PM

Hello Guys,

Here is my final take.
Hope you guys like it.

Do i need to send also the video rec only?

Greetz Tim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PHDqYCgPhM&feature=youtu.be

[attachment=43921:guitar_p...y_guitar.wav]
[attachment=43922:gitaarpi...bacdking.wav]

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 29 2016, 09:43 PM

Here are my files, Ill upload the video asap! The drums may not fit in the final mix but I had fun practicing with my new keyboard...

Posted by: Jim S. Jan 30 2016, 07:13 AM

Posted by: Procyon Jan 30 2016, 06:05 PM

Finally found some time to play over this really beautiful backing... still needs some polishing (my guitar track - not the backing ) but hopefully you'll get the idea.

Posted by: n3m57 Jan 31 2016, 11:03 AM

Hello mate,

This collab will be awesome, nice playing !
I think this is my final version. ( for the melody)
I have to polish some vibrato/bend before share the true final version.
Hope you like it.

https://soundcloud.com/mathieu-nguyen-6/guitarlovespianoimprov3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 31 2016, 06:02 PM

Wou! Lots of music here! Thanks guys for sharing your takes. I think that this is going to be an epic collab full of GMCers. The world will know about us!

You have 7 days to continue polishing your takes so take your time to give the best of you. Isolate the parts that aren't clean, improve vibrato, add more dynamics, and find the perfect tone for this one.

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 1 2016, 09:10 PM

7 days, i was afraid it was tonight the last one !!

so i can polish my take !

Laurent

Posted by: Jim S. Feb 2 2016, 02:48 AM

While you polish your take I'm gonna polish my...

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 2 2016, 08:43 AM

while you polish your Tone

i'll polish my




Laurent

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 2 2016, 09:53 AM

Hi Gab, here a first try for the beginning of the collab... The files for the whole backing (audio and video) I send you at the end of the week... I wanna make a mixture between clean and distortion sound....

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 2 2016, 10:29 AM

Very nice to see lots of takes coming in. I will attempt a recording today

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 2 2016, 12:58 PM

Here is my take (I will upload files later) :

https://www.facebook.com/kristofer.dahl/videos/10154173689622069/?l=2031224406764540534

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 2 2016, 01:43 PM

Hi Chris! Great to know that you are part of this one! I like your ideas, very musical! If you'll record this again, work a bit more on your tone to make it sound warmer. I refer to both your distorted and clean arpeggios. It's interesting that you've shared those clean arpeggios! Rhythm works will add a lot to the final mix.

Thanks!




I've just found this one at facebook! Very tasty playing master and I have to say that I love your tone.

I'm glad that you are part of this one! Thanks!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Feb 2 2016, 04:07 PM

After polishing my bending ......

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 2 2016, 04:34 PM

Beat - this is absolutely wonderful and I really like your tone!
So here are my files. Gab - please let me know if there is something else. I really enjoyed my first collab

[attachment=43955:GLP_Final_Guitar.wav]
[attachment=43956:GLP_Final_Mix.wav]

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 2 2016, 08:24 PM

Hi guys

This is my take, sound good for you or i must another one ?
the pressure is great because the other show nice quality take !

i have the guitar only and the mix Wav file if needed !



edit: oops i do not edit the file, it's too long !! and i can notice some bad notes......

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 3 2016, 03:43 PM

Fantastic Beat! Your bending is good on this one.



Awesome! Thanks Tom. Please edit the post because the files aren't there.




Sure laurent! This sounds nice! I like it. Please share the files.

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 3 2016, 03:57 PM

Really ? cool. i have done this one shoot between my son's first cuddle and the second one !
yes i like to have two cuddle before sleep....

And this is the files ! 48k wav, you'll find a lot because i have already edited the start of the video.


Axe only
[attachment=43953:Loop_Layer_1.wav]

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 3 2016, 04:08 PM

Here are the links again. Is it okay now? Thanks Tom.

[attachment=43956:GLP_Final_Mix.wav]
[attachment=43955:GLP_Final_Guitar.wav]

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 3 2016, 10:30 PM

@Gab: Hi Gab, after some sleepless nights to make the piano backing and guitar parts, here the result...
I hope you can enjoy it a little bit.... thats the best I can give at the moment....

@Kris: Kris, the next time when you go out, please lock your entry door. Now your guitar is mine!! (see video)

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 3 2016, 10:50 PM

OMG that was fast!! Was it easy to buy it from Germany? Wha are your first impressions? We're two now!!

Great take on fantastic backing btw

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 3 2016, 11:28 PM

Hi Kris, yes it was difficult to receive this guitar in germany. The most guitar dealers can't deliver this guitar at the moment.

But one week ago one dealer had only ONE on stock.... this was my chance. I drove to Frankfurt and bought it.

This guitar is completely different to my LP... but the first impressions are awesome... complete other sound and feeling...
and that was what I wanted... I think a very good experience for me as a beginner...

And the best thing is, we are all making music together here at GMC.... beginners and guitar heroes!!! I love it!!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 4 2016, 01:08 AM

I"m digging all of these! Going to try to record mine on Thurs

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 4 2016, 09:16 AM

Hehe that's a really neat story! For the records, I waited more than 6 motnhs - hehe!!

And indeed - this is like the polar opposite of a Les Paul - and least in terms of feel.



YES!! This is the key - you learn much faster if you get to play with people that are better than you!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 4 2016, 02:14 PM

hehehe congrats on your new guitar! I also fall in love with it the first time I've seen it at facebook with Kris jamming. It make me want an ibanez again.

Thanks for your take and for this inspiring backing mate! This collab is a total success!




We want Todd on this one!! Come on mate! I'll be out until 9th so you have some extra time.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Feb 4 2016, 02:25 PM

If it's OK I an get something done by then. Been away with work and then away Guitar Tech-ing at a Festival, but will be able to record Monday/Tuesday!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Feb 4 2016, 05:57 PM

My files

Posted by: n3m57 Feb 4 2016, 08:36 PM

Hi,

I think it's my final take :

Posted by: Piotr Kaczor Feb 4 2016, 08:59 PM

Fantastic take!

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 4 2016, 09:20 PM

Hi

Another take, choose your favorite between the first or this one



Laurent

Posted by: GeneT95 Feb 5 2016, 04:15 AM

Great Collab. I decided to practice creating a score. I added drums using ToonTracks and some progressive hits. Then played the bass over the track and finally guitar. Surprising, at least for me, by the time I got to the guitar part I did only one run. I think going through the motions of arranging a track and then playing the bass part hammered in the structure so unlike when I usually try to jam over a track and take a lot of time to find any lines I simply didn't have to do as much searching and went with my first guitar take. I played with my fingers giving a kinda percussive attack at times.

Anyway. Here it is. Of course, I didn't do video. I gotta work on that part.

https://soundcloud.com/shallowlines/pianalovesguitargt

Posted by: Piotr Kaczor Feb 5 2016, 12:30 PM

Here is my take

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unSMjZAb0RM&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 5 2016, 10:32 PM

Here's the same take but I've tweaked the guitar a little bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0d66UokT4&feature=youtu.be


You can download the "reamped guitar only" file http://1drv.ms/1Veyf1g

Posted by: GeneT95 Feb 6 2016, 02:19 AM

After listening to it on monitors instead of headphones, I decided to adjust some levels. Here is the adjustments and the individual files. I originally mixed it with headphones and found that I wanted to change the balance after listening it through my monitors during the day since I could' t really do that when people were sleeping.

The whole :
https://soundcloud.com/shallowlines/pianalovesguitargt2?in=shallowlines/sets/pianalovesguitargt2

Guitar only:
https://soundcloud.com/shallowlines/pianalovesguitargt2guitar?in=shallowlines/sets/pianalovesguitargt2

Bass:
https://soundcloud.com/shallowlines/pianalovesguitargt2bass?in=shallowlines/sets/pianalovesguitargt2

Drums :
https://soundcloud.com/shallowlines/pianalovesguitargt2drums?in=shallowlines/sets/pianalovesguitargt2

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 7 2016, 11:46 AM

Hi Gab, here is my zip-file with sound and video for the collab.
I have the video shortened to the half, but there are all parts in it...

Posted by: Procyon Feb 7 2016, 07:37 PM

So here are my files. I wanted to shoot a nice green screen video - but BOOOM!! there went my second spotlight... So what could I do without enough light? Hmmm - I finally tried to make some kind of inverted green screen video
Hope you like it anyway...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 8 2016, 12:29 AM

This one is going to turn out really cool Love the takes from everyone so far!

Posted by: n3m57 Feb 8 2016, 09:47 AM

Hi,

My files :

video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFhLH0nkogU
 BT___Guitar__n3m57_.wav ( 25.96MB ) : 84

 Guitar__n3m57_.wav ( 25.96MB ) : 105

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Feb 8 2016, 07:41 PM

Here's another little take:

Posted by: Sensible Jones Feb 9 2016, 10:37 PM

OK, here's mine, unfortunately it's audio only as my Camera has decided to stop working!!!


https://soundcloud.com/neilwaller/glp-collab

https://soundcloud.com/neilwaller/glp-collab-nbt

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 10 2016, 06:50 AM

Very cool! THese just keep getting better!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 10 2016, 09:21 AM

Todd here I used my new grip clip and my iphone 6s front facing camera to shoot this with very little light in the room. I wanted to test the low light function. It's the "selfie" cam on the front so It's not as good as the one on the back, but you can see what you are shooting on the screen which is handy. Will need to hit it with more light next time maybe. Despite what you may have heard, even the iphone 6s can't really shoot in the dark

I hope you guys dig the solo! I"m using TH3! Specifically the harmony patch that I shared in the TH3 preset archive in my thread.



Here is the track with backing
 toddwithbacking.aif.zip ( 30.59MB ) : 66

without backing
 toddwithoutbacking.aif.zip ( 24.56MB ) : 77


This is the link to the video file to download

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9o8obnrwbk0d77x/ToddVIdeoPreview720p.mov.zip?dl=0

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 10 2016, 10:40 AM

My files: http://we.tl/pXX19WqcKR

The files in action:
https://www.facebook.com/kristofer.dahl/videos/10154173689622069/?l=2031224406764540534

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 10 2016, 04:21 PM

Very cool solo and I still love that guitar

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2016, 04:36 PM

Thanks for the takes and files guys! I'll start downloading and organizing everything today and will tell you if I need anything more.

Posted by: PosterBoy Feb 10 2016, 06:45 PM

I would have been part of this and had most of my solo composed and just had difficulty recording it because my fingers kept failing on me.

It shows I need to practice more and record myself more to see exactly how good I am, it's easy to lie to yourself when you're just playing in the moment!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 12 2016, 12:02 AM

Playing in the moment is great fun BUT your brain tends to fill in the bad bits with good bits. This is why recording yourself as much as possible is good for your development. I always press record whatever I am doing. If you get your setup sorted so that recording yourself is simple and all you have to do is press one little button you will reap great benefits
Cheers

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 12 2016, 12:04 AM

like you, i do it too.... alway record any stuff i do....

Laurent

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 12 2016, 02:56 AM

This is a great idea even if you just put up your cell phone and record that way. Just having a handy recording to listen back to is very helpful. It will keep you very honest as you can hear things when you are listening back that you don't hear when you are playing.

Todd

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 16 2016, 04:14 PM

working!

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 16 2016, 05:27 PM

GOOODDDDD !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2016, 08:03 PM

Ok friends!! I've finished the mix and video for this collab!!

I've worked hard to make this one sound like a song. I focused mostly on taking the most melodic phrases that you've provided in order to make this one sound musical. You'll find that some players appear more than others but this doesn't mean that there were weak takes in general, I prioritized the overall song, and that why also noted that there wasn't place for me on this one, I'm just the mixer.

I want to say thanks to each student that take time to be part of this one and special thanks to CHRISGLP for providing such an inspiring backing. I can say that it's one of the best colabs I've ever led.

I've hope you enjoy it!

Participants:

Beat Zbinden
Cael
ChrisGLP
GeneT95
Jim S
Kristofer Dahl
n3m57
Phil66
Piotr Kaczor
Procyon
Fzalfa
Sensible Jones
tflava
Todd Simpson
Tom51

I'll be back with some extra comments on your takes.


PS: Also special thanks to GENET95 for drums and bass, and JIM S. for the strings.


COMMENTS:

Beat: What a tasty take mate! Your tone fits perfect with this backing and reminds me to Petrucci and Steve Vai. This doesn’t mean that your solo doesn’t have personality, your phrasing is very personal. It has a good balance between melody and fast playing and the note choices are lovely.

Cael: I’m glad to see you again on a GMC collab. The first thing that comes to mind when listening to your solo is that your tone is perfect! It has the right amount of drive to sound clean but with sustain. Your phrasing is interesting, it’s uncommon and not predictable. There are some parts that would sound better with some adjustment but the good thing is that you are “searching” here, that’s the spirit. You should do more of this melodic stuff.

ChrisGLP: You not only recorded the amazing piano for this collab, you also provided killer rhythm guitars and the perfect melody for the pre verse. Let me say that you rock Chris. Thanks for this inspiring stuff.

GenteT95: Your bass and drums added a lot to this collab. It make is sound like a real song. Your solo sounds good, I like your clean tone that is at a mid-point between Frusciante and Buckethead. Your phrasing has some great moments but it also has many parts that are not completely clean and defined. You should work more on this solo, isolate the strong parts and re-work the ones that are not consistent.

Jim S: Thanks for your strings contribution; it makes the final mix more epic. Your solo sounds very cool, I like how you manage rhythm and staccato. It makes it sound very unique and adds something fresh to the final mix of this collab. Your playing has a big potential, I’d like to hear more soloing from you. Good notes choices, and tone. Just need some polishing (technique and some phrases direction).

N3m57: Nice guitar! IT reminds me to my first Ibanez. Your tone is good, I would just adjust a bit presence or maybe lower some bass frequencies, to make it sound clearer. My favorite part is the chorus (starting at 1:12), the melodies there are so epic and that double guitar ending is top level.

Phil: The cooler part of your solo/video is how tasty your phrases are. It’s one of the tasties jams that I’ve heard from you and this means that all the hard work done in the previous months is making effect. My favorite part is from 00:00 to 00:50, then there are some bends out of pitch and less tasty melodies (in the chorus). Then, when the verse 2 starts, the tasty Phil comes back.

Procyon: You solo is pure melody. It’s been tricky to choose the best parts of this killer solo but I’ve decided to go for the chorus. You have to be careful with bending (pre-chorus) and maybe work a bit more your tone that has room to fit better with the style. Your phrasing and note choices are great.

Fzalfa: I’ve said many times to you that I love when you go melodic. This solo is pure melody and has many interesting phrases in both the verse and the chorus. In the chorus I hear pitch issues related to bending, but also to your guitar, or maybe doing too much pressure with your fingers when playing. I think that the amount of drive fits good with this backing, but some EQ tweak would make your solo stand more. I would try increasing frequencies around 3000 hz.

Sensible Jones: Great to see you back here! I like your solo, how you connect the different phrases until the chorus, and your tone. In the chorus I think that your solo loses a bit direction, but then comes the second verse and you make your guitar cry, in the good sense.

Tflava: Your playing is wise. I like how your phrases are very clear and your use of silences. You need to be careful with bending, mostly in the pre chorus and chorus where the pitch issues ruin the nice ideas that you are playing. Your tone is ok, but I think that there is room to continue polishing it.

Tom: It’s great to see that your work on the improvisation workouts is having a big impact in your playing. The thing that makes your solo GREAT is that you don’t try to play things that are over your level, you stay at a comfortable zone and focus on phrasing, simple but tasty melodies. The note choices is very enjoyable, and your tone perfect. Well done!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 17 2016, 08:26 PM

Brilliant. Thank you Gab and thanks to everyone who joined in this one. THIS is what makes GMC so special

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 17 2016, 08:31 PM

not Pzalfa..... Fzalfa

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2016, 09:05 PM

I'm glad to know that you've liked it Phil! Thanks for your words.






Ups! So many things to take care on such a big collab! It's now fixed.

Posted by: Piotr Kaczor Feb 17 2016, 09:21 PM

Congrats, Gab! You did a really great job! And yes, it definitely sounds like a very cool song. Big thanks to everyone

Posted by: n3m57 Feb 17 2016, 09:38 PM

Awesome !

Thanks all

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 17 2016, 10:22 PM

Congrats Gab - you had the hardest job from all of us. I am impressed by your mixing magic
Thanks for this great collab to all.

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 17 2016, 10:34 PM

thanks a lot Gabriel

Laurent

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 17 2016, 11:02 PM

Sounds awesome - well done everybody!

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 17 2016, 11:17 PM

i'm a bit sad cause my nice solo wasn't used....

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2016, 11:43 PM

yeah mate, it's very difficult for me to edit these type of collabs with lots of great solos from everybody. Most of the times the selection is related to how the different phrases and tones connect with each other instead of how great a solo is. In this case, I prioritized the most melodic parts since this is a piano ballad. This final mix is what I think is the cooler song I could create mixing everything and trust me that I took the time to hear carefully each take.

By the way I would love to hear new remixes of this collab made by students, what do you think? Would you create your own final mix of this collab? It's a very creative process and and I can help you if you need assistance with mixing stuff.

And I have to say that I feel sad of knowing that this collab can make someone feel sad. I put all my love on this and my only intention of making music together, have fun and learn in the process.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Feb 17 2016, 11:44 PM

Very cool collab and mix, Gabriel Looking forward to the comments

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 18 2016, 04:47 AM

What an awesome work from you Gab to mix all these different parts to such a brilliant result!!!! I am speechless, thx so much...

Its a great honor for me that all of you awesome guys and guitarists have played to the piano backing with this passion!
I think something like that is unique, its GMC!!!

Therefore let us celebrate...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2016, 05:07 AM

Comments added!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 18 2016, 06:38 AM

WOW!! This could not have been easy. To put all those takes together in a musical way and layer them over each other and get the whole thing to work. Gabe you are quite the producer to be sure!! Well played everyone and hats off to gabe for putting this together!!

Todd

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 18 2016, 09:26 AM

I agree, Gab is of superhero status. Thank you Mr Leopardi. Killer production and I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone at GMC, we all appreciate your dedication to helping us to become better players and your time spent doing these productions.
Thank you

Posted by: tflava Feb 18 2016, 10:27 AM

Souns great!

Thanks guys

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Feb 18 2016, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the comment, Gabriel

Posted by: Sensible Jones Feb 18 2016, 12:35 PM

Great job Gabi!!!
Well done and congrats to everyone! These really are getting bigger and better all the time!!

Posted by: bleez Feb 18 2016, 12:42 PM

Epic beard, my good sir. Most impressive

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2016, 01:41 PM

Thanks for your words friends! This new tune is addictive, I've been listening to it a lot since yesterday.

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 18 2016, 01:42 PM

Gab,
Just read your comment about my playing, Thank you, it's nice to know you think I am improving. We don't always notice our development because we hear ourselves every day, like a child who doesn't notice they are getting taller then a relative who hasn't seen you for ages says "wow! Haven't you grown?".
Thanks again, much appreciated.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Feb 18 2016, 04:14 PM

If only it had Samson like qualities and improved my playing!!

Posted by: n3m57 Feb 18 2016, 04:52 PM

Thanks for your comment Gab , you did a fabulous job !

Posted by: Procyon Feb 18 2016, 06:03 PM

Wow - this is absolutely gorgeous! Once again I am amazed by Gab's ability to create an awesome song mixing all these very different takes, great job! I usually don't have much time to play my guitars - unfortunately! But I really like to be part of these collabs and always enjoy listening to the other takes - I really learn a lot from other ideas and the comments. Thanks a lot everyone here at GMC!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 18 2016, 11:05 PM

Yeah, we all have that feeling but it's cool to have people in who we trust to tell us if we are on the right track.




Thanks for your words mate.

Posted by: PosterBoy Feb 19 2016, 09:33 AM

Good job everyone and especially Todd for holding back on the npm

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 19 2016, 01:42 PM

So.....

Next one ??

Laurent

Posted by: DeGroot Feb 19 2016, 02:52 PM

Sounds amazing! Good job to all involved.

Posted by: Jim S. Feb 20 2016, 08:45 PM

Thanks Gab! I'll keep better mind of phrasing and technique on the next one!

All y'all did a kick ass job on this congratulations!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 21 2016, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the comments guys! It's time to start thinking on the next one...

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 21 2016, 10:05 PM

Guys. .. you are all so awesome. ..
I can here the collab 10000 times. ..
Thx so much. ..

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 22 2016, 08:24 AM

Whats about something Epic in the style of Nightwish or Within Temptation, with orchestra and vocals?

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 22 2016, 11:51 AM

and what about a big prog track ?

a 10 minutes long one, with a lots of parts, like DT, fate warning etc....

everyone can do a nice part , and we can add orchestra part , epic parts, metal parts, sad parts , any parts for every taste etc.....

a or some good singer (not me......i cannot ), a cryfull theme and lyrics, and we do a killer !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 22 2016, 06:51 PM

How about something along the lines of Stairway To Heaven? What I mean is, something that starts gentle and then builds slowly into a proper rocker

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2016, 02:25 PM

Many different ideas, we need more votes for one.... maybe a poll?

Posted by: n3m57 Feb 23 2016, 10:27 PM

Totally agree !

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 24 2016, 03:43 PM

Two votes for the epic track?

Posted by: Tom51 Feb 24 2016, 04:08 PM

my vote goes to...a long version of Stairway to Heaven

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Feb 24 2016, 04:31 PM

My vote goes to.... epic track!!

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 24 2016, 04:31 PM

i vote for epic long track with a bit of prog and orchestra !!!

Laurent

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 24 2016, 09:08 PM

My vote goes to a "builder" like Stairway To Heaven. Reason! The gradual build up of tempo will develop other areas of composition

Posted by: GeneT95 Feb 24 2016, 10:14 PM

Epic.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 25 2016, 01:36 PM

Thanks for voting. I'm thinking on something...

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 25 2016, 01:36 PM

Maybe epic stairway

Posted by: Darius Wave Feb 25 2016, 02:04 PM

Ha ha You don't make it easier people I think it is possible to make epic Nightwish kind of backing with Orchestra. If someone (night)wishes to add some prog elements, those can be included in the solo part How about that?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 26 2016, 06:42 AM

Whatever works for you guys will work I"m sure! Epic has a nice ring to it ;0)

Posted by: Darius Wave Feb 26 2016, 11:46 AM

So If You approve I can take care of the collab. It will take few days to prepare the orchestrated, epic Nightwish backing track and post the files and feedbak Awaiting you approvement

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 26 2016, 11:53 AM

Fine with me

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 26 2016, 02:12 PM

Yes Darius !!! Go i'll follow !

Laurent

Posted by: Darius Wave Feb 26 2016, 04:29 PM

Ok then - awaiting jus ta few more approvements and we can go on with it

Posted by: GeneT95 Feb 26 2016, 11:15 PM

Onward. I go where the bass and drums go. Sometimes the brass but rarely with the woodwinds. I have a hard time just remembering to breath playing the guitar. I'd be a terrible flutist.

Nightwish/epic sounds good to me.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 27 2016, 06:45 AM

I'm in!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 27 2016, 10:15 AM

Shouldn't we wait for Gab really? See what he says first as it was his collab to start with

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 27 2016, 12:19 PM

Phil, +1

Posted by: Darius Wave Feb 27 2016, 12:48 PM

Yes! Of course. I wrote to Gab. Awaiting his response

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 27 2016, 12:50 PM

We always find the same squad for the bad ass stuff !!

Laurent

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 27 2016, 03:58 PM

An epic backing track with Nightwish influences created by Darius??? This sounds SO PROMISING. Let's go for it!

Posted by: Darius Wave Feb 27 2016, 05:58 PM

Thanx for your blessing Gab! Sooo....Within days I'll post the "NightWitch e-peak collab" thread )))

Posted by: bleez Feb 27 2016, 06:51 PM

Awesome, you had me at Witch!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 27 2016, 07:57 PM

Great to see you back in the loop Scott
I'll be honest, I've never heard Nightwish. Please don't shout at me folks just recommend an album please
Nice one Scott

Posted by: bleez Feb 27 2016, 09:23 PM

thanks mate, Im trying to get myself back on track
I dont really know Nightwish much either tbh. Ive heard a few songs but couldnt actually name one! I just hope to fit minor pentatonic over it

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 27 2016, 09:49 PM

It's very rare the passion dies mate, most of the time it takes a rest but it wakes up fully refreshed ready to roll.
Looking forward to your take mate, you always put a good one up
Cheers dude

Posted by: ChrisGLP Feb 28 2016, 07:54 AM

Awesome, a nightwish backing from Darius..... easter and christmas at the same time!! Gab prepare your DAW, you will get a lot of work....

Darius, please please tell us the key and scale....

Posted by: fzalfa Feb 28 2016, 12:22 PM

YESSSSS !!!

who is about to sing ?? i do not have the Tarja's personal number........

Laurent

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Feb 28 2016, 01:06 PM

Hahaha...I couldn't have said it better myself

I'm not a Nightwish fan but "NightWhich" name caught my attention. If I will have some nice ideas I will be in

Posted by: Darius Wave Mar 1 2016, 09:14 PM

Actually it's a nightWITCH Sorry but it simply love those word games...same was with Mentholwhore collab ))

For those who are ready to rock!

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=56689&hl=

See you there!

This time will give Gabriel a moment of breath so he could rest or...rather....do his awesome job over mentoring thread So...it's actually my DAW that's getting warmer now ))

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Mar 1 2016, 10:01 PM

Hahaha...damn.... this english, I wrote Nightwhich instead of NightWITCH but guess what....I know a person who named his track from zippyshare NightWITH As you can see, we are always a great team

Posted by: Darius Wave Mar 1 2016, 10:16 PM

ha ha that's what happens when you name the track too fast. I often "loose the" letters while typing

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 2 2016, 02:36 AM

This is gonna be killer!

Posted by: Darius Wave Mar 2 2016, 03:49 PM

hope so Thx Todd

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 3 2016, 01:36 PM

I agree. The backing sounds great and is very jam friendly.