Hobo Blues Collab, UPLOADS & COMMENTS Options

[Ivan Milenkovic]

Thanks Ivan, I see now that earlier comments were for me, not Berg.

Ps. I still want to achieve a drier take by end of the month. It's difficult for me as I don't relate well to dry tone so it's a personal challenge.

Sorry for the confusion there man!

No problem I will be waiting for your next take to comment on it as well.

btw, I couldn't find who was the comment for at first, since you removed the take from the original post

ukyo

Rhythm: Very good take rhythmically. You managed to create a well balanced solo with good number of faster and slower passages and good pauses in between. The first 3 phrases are rhythmically identical, which can work when the phrases are developing a bit, but if they are completely the same, I advise that you consider changing either the rhythm slightly, or the melody. This will help creating more interest with the listener. Towards the end of the take you had some great passages and cool long bends, and I think you have a nice fluid way of playing things, but you have to increase your ability to play well on the bass strings as well, since all of the problems in your take were connected to the way you descend and loose yourself in the bass string region.
Phrasing: Phrasing was quite good with great fluid melodies that track the chords very nicely. You coupled that with the licks you usually use, and I think it goes along great. It seems that you like to play the blues and understand what it is all about. My advice for you is to watch for the lower register as well. In this solo, you were in the upper register most of the time, and some contrasting with lower voiced phrases would help.
Technique: Very expressive technique. Good steady movements, but a bit stiff on moments. You lack a bit of power in your playing, touch dynamics with the picking hand. From time to time, in blues it is good to slam a note properly. Try to rehearse that and you will see how it helps here and there and makes the notes more alive. Your bending is quite good, and vibrato usage was great as well. I like how often you do vibrato, but pay attention - sometimes it needs to be a bit more tamed, even, softer. I know it may not be your style, but vibrato has a range and the whole range can be used quite effectively. Any great player uses the whole range to it's advantage.
Sound: Very nice sound, with a touch more delay than I like, but it sounds good, not bad. The sound itself has a good round character, but it is a bit muddy and lacks dynamics. Possibly you rolled off the tone on the guitar, and although this gives a good tone, this tone has it's limits.

Staffay:

Rhythm: By listening your take, it is clear to me you have great sense for rhythm, the notes are placed as you wish them to be placed, and from that side it all sounds pretty good. On the other hand, there are few problems with rhythm here. First one is minor issue of one phrase (2nd sliding one after the first IV chord) being a bit rushed to my ears. Second problem is a bit noticeable and considers the lack of definition for those faster passages. Although the problem is more of a technical nature, and the two descending passages can be described as "played loose", I have a feeling with your kind of experience you could done it in a more balanced way.
Phrasing: Whole take was quite good an interesting to hear. The only issue I can note is a little drop in the very last part of the solo. There is room for improvement there.
Technique: Technique was very good, dynamic touch, bends, slides, vibratos, raked notes, all contributed quite nicely. Only issue is the lack of definition on the descending passages. As soon as you move up the speed, there should be just a bit more sync between the hands to make it sound convincing.
Sound: Great sound

Gitarrero

Rhythm: Very nicely played take rhythmically. There are couple of things I can recommend for you. First, you seem to play a lot of sixteen triplet pairs in the take. This is because you take those eight triplets (counted on the hihat) and create a pair of swinged notes on top of every of those eights triplets. In essence, this means you are usually putting up a straightforward kind of melody that doesn't involve too much syncopation, or frequent rhythmic changes. I'm not saying that you have to do this, but in order to achiveve higher rhythmical expression level, you need the ability to dissolve rhythm, use rests and various note durations to your liking. This is done by practicing various note durations with your regular practice routine exercises. Second thing, is that the solo needs some climax, or development here and there. You kept it pretty steady here, and although it can pass, I really recommend that you start doing some more advanced runs that will help you in those moments when you have to turn on the booster for the climax or something.
Phrasing: By listening to your phrasing I notice that there are some interesting elements and phrases in there, but I think you are just going up & down on the patter, using 1 or 2 positions. Although this may work, as you are punching in the right notes, there is room for improvement. You have to develop a melody, and you need to work more on arpeggios. They will help you connect your playing with the chords beneath, so I advise you start covering arpeggio systematic exercises as soon as you can.
Technique: Playing was good and well defined, but you lack dynamics a lot. There are at least 3 ways of picking the strings: soft, medium, heavy. All 3 should be rehearsed, as this makes your playing come alive.
Sound: Very interesting sound with the vibrato, I like the use of vibrato and vintage voiced reverb, it reminds on surf a bit. Anyway, it is cool, and I think you could use just a bit less reverb, that's all.

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This post has been edited by Ivan Milenkovic: Mar 26 2010, 10:19 PM

[JamesT]

Thanks for the feedback Ivan.
I'll work on all of these things. Lot's to practice here.

JamesT

Rhythm: You seem to have a solid understanding of the beat, and follow it nicely in highly syncopated manner. The thing with your take is that it is too syncopated, and there is hardly any anchor points where the notes can really relate to the kicking of the drum for instance. Although it is good to have this kind of non-structurized solo, there are certain places where it is good to accent the beat before your phrases go off.
Phrasing: By listening to you do your phrasing I can't help notice that it sounds repetitive. This is because several different movements with the pick have been rehearsed properly, and they are repeated over and over, in different positions and different pattern/shape. My advice to you is to start systematically go through various picking combinations so that you have more flexibility and ways to play something. Expanding lick vocabulary is a must too, so be sure to jamm some with the backing and make good licks. In the middle of the solo, there is a small improvisational attemp, you repeated the same lick several times, but altering the landing note. This kind of a method is well suited for improvisational exercise, so be sure to practice that as well on top of some simple backing with 1-3 chords. This is enhance your ability to use the licks you know in different situations.
Technique: As I said, more picking, more metronome practicing, arps, scales, chords. First the basics, then the rest. Bending/vibrato also needs work. Just take is step by step as always. There were also several whammy attempts, and although it sounded interesting, you need to tighten up that whammy a bit as well with the metronome.
Sound: Sound is pretty good, not a lot of reverb and delay, and amount of overdrive was OK. The tone was a bit flat tho.

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[OzRob]

Final take.

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[Sensible Jones]

Here's mine Ivan.
Great BT!!

[attachment=20469:Sensible_Hobo_WBT.mp3]
[attachment=20470:Sensible_Hobo_NBT.mp3]

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

OzRob:

Rhythm: This time, drums were followed more carefully with good development in the second part. I couldn't help noticing that you are using lots of 16 triplets here, and I think the solo would benefit from longer notes in the first section, and syncopation in the second section.
Phrasing: the solo was good, but it didn't contain enough melodic richness, usually there are licks played, tied together, and most of the time it sounds repetitive. I recommend more arpeggio workouts.
Technique: Nice use of vibrato on some places, and in general a very decently played take. I think you need to work on your bending and muting the most. Tightening up the picking hand wouldn't hurt either.
Sound: Sound was good, vintage type with plenty of mids. It lacked low end, and had buzy character with low dynamic range. Try choosing a more cleaner, fuller, open preset, and add gain with care.

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[OzRob]

Thanks for the feedback Ivan. All taken on board.

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

Thanks for the feedback Ivan. All taken on board.

You're welcome mate, I hope it will help.



Sensible Jones:


Rhythm: On of the better rhythmic usages I've heard. Great sense for rhythm and syncopation, but in the same time, very well connected on the places it should be with the backing. Having said that, there is room for fine tuning the style you are expressing here. Timing needs to be more tight, there are several places where notes need to be dead on the beat, and there were not. Practicing only strong sharp raking on all strong notes of chords that are used in the progression is one great way to achieve proficiency in this area.
Phrasing: Your phrasing is very good and it is really nicely balanced, with proper use of the pentatonic but also a minor scale as well. I specially like the bends within a minor scale, it sounds really cool. The problem with this take is that it is focused in one register only. During the solo it is good to "travel" over the neck a bit, playing in low, middle, high register. This will increase the range of notes you are using and really make the part sound cool. Since you are familiar and use this position well, I now advise more improvisation practice in other positions too. You can use the same licks for starters, and invent new along the way, that would be one easy way of starting, if you aren't sure what to do on those positions.
Technique: You have a good slow bending technique and use it quite well, and the bends are precise. However, you need more strength in those faster bends that you use on the faster passages. They need to be faster, tighter, stronger, and of course precise. Vibrato is cool, but needs more work to become more steadier and even. Pressing the string nicely and evenly during the vibrato is very important for you tone, so try to acquire a good control over that kind of pressure. The faster passages are good, and I see you use them often since they are polished, but some tightening up wouldn't hurt in that area as well.
Sound: It would be better to keep the signal clean for this take, because the overdrive isn't particularly good on this one. It sounds raw, almost as if pedal was used without cabinet emulation, if you know what I mean. Try to smooth it out a bit, I think the character of it is cool, but need something more in the chain, like a cab emulation. Otherwise it is good.

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[ukyo]

Sorry for the confusion there man!

No problem I will be waiting for your next take to comment on it as well.

btw, I couldn't find who was the comment for at first, since you removed the take from the original post

ukyo

Rhythm: Very good take rhythmically. You managed to create a well balanced solo with good number of faster and slower passages and good pauses in between. The first 3 phrases are rhythmically identical, which can work when the phrases are developing a bit, but if they are completely the same, I advise that you consider changing either the rhythm slightly, or the melody. This will help creating more interest with the listener. Towards the end of the take you had some great passages and cool long bends, and I think you have a nice fluid way of playing things, but you have to increase your ability to play well on the bass strings as well, since all of the problems in your take were connected to the way you descend and loose yourself in the bass string region.
Phrasing: Phrasing was quite good with great fluid melodies that track the chords very nicely. You coupled that with the licks you usually use, and I think it goes along great. It seems that you like to play the blues and understand what it is all about. My advice for you is to watch for the lower register as well. In this solo, you were in the upper register most of the time, and some contrasting with lower voiced phrases would help.
Technique: Very expressive technique. Good steady movements, but a bit stiff on moments. You lack a bit of power in your playing, touch dynamics with the picking hand. From time to time, in blues it is good to slam a note properly. Try to rehearse that and you will see how it helps here and there and makes the notes more alive. Your bending is quite good, and vibrato usage was great as well. I like how often you do vibrato, but pay attention - sometimes it needs to be a bit more tamed, even, softer. I know it may not be your style, but vibrato has a range and the whole range can be used quite effectively. Any great player uses the whole range to it's advantage.
Sound: Very nice sound, with a touch more delay than I like, but it sounds good, not bad. The sound itself has a good round character, but it is a bit muddy and lacks dynamics. Possibly you rolled off the tone on the guitar, and although this gives a good tone, this tone has it's limits.

thank you Ivan, I will study on these issues you suggested.

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

thank you Ivan, I will study on these issues you suggested.

Glad to help in any way man, cheers

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[Gitarrero]

Thanks for your feedback, Ivan! I'll work on the things you suggested, especially arpeggios seem like a good idea.

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

Thanks for your feedback, Ivan! I'll work on the things you suggested, especially arpeggios seem like a good idea.

You're welcome mate, glad if I could help you with those advices. Hope to see you on the next collab too. Cheers

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[Sensible Jones]

Sensible Jones:


Rhythm: On of the better rhythmic usages I've heard. Great sense for rhythm and syncopation, but in the same time, very well connected on the places it should be with the backing. Having said that, there is room for fine tuning the style you are expressing here. Timing needs to be more tight, there are several places where notes need to be dead on the beat, and there were not. Practicing only strong sharp raking on all strong notes of chords that are used in the progression is one great way to achieve proficiency in this area.
Phrasing: Your phrasing is very good and it is really nicely balanced, with proper use of the pentatonic but also a minor scale as well. I specially like the bends within a minor scale, it sounds really cool. The problem with this take is that it is focused in one register only. During the solo it is good to "travel" over the neck a bit, playing in low, middle, high register. This will increase the range of notes you are using and really make the part sound cool. Since you are familiar and use this position well, I now advise more improvisation practice in other positions too. You can use the same licks for starters, and invent new along the way, that would be one easy way of starting, if you aren't sure what to do on those positions.
Technique: You have a good slow bending technique and use it quite well, and the bends are precise. However, you need more strength in those faster bends that you use on the faster passages. They need to be faster, tighter, stronger, and of course precise. Vibrato is cool, but needs more work to become more steadier and even. Pressing the string nicely and evenly during the vibrato is very important for you tone, so try to acquire a good control over that kind of pressure. The faster passages are good, and I see you use them often since they are polished, but some tightening up wouldn't hurt in that area as well.
Sound: It would be better to keep the signal clean for this take, because the overdrive isn't particularly good on this one. It sounds raw, almost as if pedal was used without cabinet emulation, if you know what I mean. Try to smooth it out a bit, I think the character of it is cool, but need something more in the chain, like a cab emulation. Otherwise it is good.

Thanks for the comment Ivan! All taken on board and to be worked on!!

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

Thanks for the comment Ivan! All taken on board and to be worked on!!

Thanks for participating my friend, and I'm glad if I could help with the comment

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[NoSkill]

Hey Ivan. It think I'm in under the wire. Good luck with Funk Week!

NoSkill WithBT
NoSkill NoBT

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[Hammerhead]

Aloha all,
I cannot post a take for this great collab!?! I'm sorry but my computer is seriously ill... I have to post these remarks from ny PHONE !?!... anyway I look forward to hearing all the takes when I can cure my computer... about $200 ) usd., that only have half of... :- (

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

NoSkill:


Rhythm: You displayed very good rhythm in this solo, and the timing was fairly accurate throughout. The thing that will help this take to become a bit more live is syncopation. I believe that you followed the rhythm too precisely, using straight feel, or swing, but not really taking the liberty to use play behind, after the beat, or just use several different note durations tied so they form a bit more complex rhythmical patterns. I'm not saying that this should be done intentionally, but taking the liberty to play something out of the beat can definitely be useful sometimes too, right next to the great rhythmical elements you did here.
Phrasing: Your phrasing was very good in this take. I like the fact you used both higher and lower register, and the soloing doesn't sound flat. It flows between the low and high very nicely, and I would say - securely. You have a good sense on were the licks are, and how to use them to your advantage. You could make the take a bit more interesting tho, by adding more minor scale usage, and specially bends within a minor scale. It sounded bluesy, and I like that, but breaking out of the pentatonic box should be your focus possibly.
Technique: Very nicely played take, I like it a lot. You have a good muting technique, specially with the picking hand, and this may explain often palm muting usage too. VIbrato and bends were also great, but I think you need to work more on bended vibrato, try to make it more even.
Sound: A good warm vintage-type sound that is really suitable for this kind of track.

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[NoSkill]

Thank you for your comments, Ivan. I will work on the elements that you mentioned. I have to learn how to incorporate modes into blues playing. I've taken a couple of stabs at it, but I'm not sure I've pulled it off. Good things to work on. My vibrato on bent notes is inconsistent. I'm quite tentative to add vibrato to bent notes so I will work on that more. Great collab, and thank you for taking the time to give all your comments!

Cheers!

Tom

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[Ivan Milenkovic]

no prob my friend, I'm glad if comments helped you in any way!

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