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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Practicing Exercises
Posted by: Victor Simion Oct 22 2020, 07:19 PM
Hi,
I am practicing a lot of exercises.
I have a schedule in order to reach my goals on guitar.
I think that one of the mistakes that I made was just playing for years, without listening to how I play.
Now I started to record myself and listen to how my guitar sounds.
Then the next step I think is to get some feedback.
I want to progress as much as possible and I decided to post videos.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2020, 08:30 PM
Hi Victor!! Great thread!
Recording our practice and listening to it is the best way to evolve as guitarists. Receiving feedback from more advanced players can help us to improve much faster. That's why I can't agree more with your post and thinking. 
Some comments based on this video:
- I recommend you trying to relax more your left hand when playing legato, and what's even more important, get notice of the amount of strength that you are using to press frets. We usually use much more strength than we need, and the result is that our hands aren't relaxed. As a results of this we can't play fluentier and faster.
- I notice that your hands lose some sync when playing at 120. This is normal, you are working on it, but be sure to practice a bit slower and increase speed focusing on hands sync.
- When playing the picking version, try to keep your left hand fingers closer to the fretboard. Notice how your pinky separates too much when it's not playing. The whole hand movements should be smaller.
That's all by now, I hope that it helps! Keep on practicing and sharing your progress here!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 23 2020, 04:38 AM
This is somewhat similar to a few of the upcoming drills in bootcamp so you will be well prepped! No need to repeat what gabe said, I have to agree though about the importance of recording yourself. Nothing is more important than listening to your own playing. It's crucial to hear yourself back while your not actually playing. So I always encourage people to record themselves on youtube and keep a playlist of the videos so they can see progress over time. Too often, people will record themselves and then not actually watch it. Maybe even share it, without watching it. This is a normal instinct, as we often think our performance was more than ok even before we hear it back. As any studio engineer will tell you, it's not a take until you hear it on playback. Its often difficult to hear whats going on during playing. So picking it apart after the fact can be a great help.
I do notice your strikes seem a bit stronger than maybe they need to be on this drill. Ideally, your hand should find the minimum needed force for each strike/lick. If it's a looping lick, find the minimum force need as this will increase stamina and reduce hand fatigue.
Your timing has come a long way which is great! You do drift a bit outside the beat. This can be fixed by simple repetition and having enough clicks on the metronome to tie each strike to a click. That way on playback, if you are drifting, you will hear when a strike doesn't match a click.
keep it up!!
Todd
Posted by: Victor Simion Oct 26 2020, 08:30 PM
Recording our practice and listening to it is the best way to evolve as guitarists. Receiving feedback from more advanced players can help us to improve much faster. That's why I can't agree more with your post and thinking.
Some comments based on this video:
- I recommend you trying to relax more your left hand when playing legato, and what's even more important, get notice of the amount of strength that you are using to press frets. We usually use much more strength than we need, and the result is that our hands aren't relaxed. As a results of this we can't play fluentier and faster.
- I notice that your hands lose some sync when playing at 120. This is normal, you are working on it, but be sure to practice a bit slower and increase speed focusing on hands sync.
- When playing the picking version, try to keep your left hand fingers closer to the fretboard. Notice how your pinky separates too much when it's not playing. The whole hand movements should be smaller.
That's all by now, I hope that it helps! Keep on practicing and sharing your progress here!
I am new to playing legato like this, like in a continuous motion. I played hammer-ons and pull-offs, but it's just a bit compared to this.
I started to notice that I don't need to press the frets to hard in order to make the sound come out, so it's getting easier.
Here is my next exercise:
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 26 2020, 08:42 PM
That's a full minor scale inversion just like we do in Bootcamp! Well played Glad you have found the lighter touch to be effective. I think you might lighten up on your pick hand just a bit. If your pick doesn't have a very sharp point, I'd say grab a pocket knife and sharpen it to a fine point. This will dull after time and after a few sharpenings youll need a new pick. I've found this technique helps train the hand not to dig in too far with the pick when it's not needed.
Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Oct 26 2020, 10:58 PM
Now I started to record myself and listen to how my guitar sounds.
This!!!
This is how you do it - this is the number one key to success. Congrats on the insight!
Playing wise I agree in the first video that hand tension is your obvious enemy here. I think if you slowed down a little and worked on being totally relaxed - the other timing and sync issues would solve themselves.
The second video did not have obvious hand straining issues. In this one - I would perhaps think about more consistent right hand movement to allow faster tempos. But on the flip side it seemed you went for economy picking which is something I don't really do and can/shouldn't comment on.
Posted by: Victor Simion Oct 26 2020, 11:18 PM
This is how you do it - this is the number one key to success. Congrats on the insight!
Playing wise I agree in the first video that hand tension is your obvious enemy here. I think if you slowed down a little and worked on being totally relaxed - the other timing and sync issues would solve themselves.
The second video did not have obvious hand straining issues. In this one - I would perhaps think about more consistent right hand movement to allow faster tempos. But on the flip side it seemed you went for economy picking which is something I don't really do and can/shouldn't comment on.
As far as I know I did only using strict alternate picking.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 27 2020, 12:32 AM
I started to notice that I don't need to press the frets to hard in order to make the sound come out, so it's getting easier.
Here is my next exercise:
Great job here! I can notice that you left hand is more relaxed compared to the previous video. Maybe this is because you are not used to legato, but that soft pressure discoverment is essential. We need to always try to economize strength and movement in order to have a efficient technique.
Your hands are perfectly in sync and your timing is tight here, well done!!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 27 2020, 12:35 AM
it may be an optical illusion but it looks like you are leading from high to low string traversing with an upstroke. This is "econ" any time you do two up or down strokes in a row. Play it slow and examine your picking during string traverse. It might be just the way it looks on video
Posted by: Victor Simion Oct 27 2020, 07:31 PM
My last video called "Alternate Picking - 80 BPM" was taken from the first half of this lesson https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking-thirds/
I think there is another issue in my video like video and audio not synched
The audio starts with one musical note earlier, if you look on YouTube at 25% speed you can see that.
So my finger plays the first note the audio plays the second note and so on.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 28 2020, 02:25 AM
You can always re align the audio and video in your video editor. Just break the audio/vid apart and slide the audio a bit till it looks right. Also, snap your fingers on camera at the start of a video. In your editor you will see the snap and you can see the audio wave form so you can line them up to get good synch.
I think there is another issue in my video like video and audio not synched
The audio starts with one musical note earlier, if you look on YouTube at 25% speed you can see that.
So my finger plays the first note the audio plays the second note and so on.
Posted by: Victor Simion Nov 4 2020, 07:03 PM
Sweep Picking - Practice Exercise
Sweep Picking - Practice Exercise (High Quality Audio)
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 4 2020, 08:28 PM
Good job Victor!! This technique is definitely on the right track!
One small tip:
- Try to make your right hand movement more like a single sweep in each direction. Try to do it the smoother possible. Avoid "separating" strings. Does it make sense?
Keep on the hard work!
Posted by: Victor Simion Nov 4 2020, 08:36 PM
One small tip:
- Try to make your right hand movement more like a single sweep in each direction. Try to do it the smoother possible. Avoid "separating" strings. Does it make sense?
Keep on the hard work!
Yes, it makes sense, but I am doing a continuous motion, I am not separating strings.
If necessary I will do another video to show my right hand closer, playing slow, then fast, focusing on the movement without the metronome.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 4 2020, 09:13 PM
Im not sure but gabe may be talking about the strike on the high E. That last note can be hammered on instead of picked and saves you a pick strike. Also, it allows the hand do sweep up and down with out using the extra strike which interupts the up down flow.
If necessary I will do another video to show my right hand closer, playing slow, then fast, focusing on the movement without the metronome.
Posted by: Victor Simion Nov 10 2020, 06:34 PM
Practicing Alternate Picking by Muris.
I am practicing the lesson at 80% speed.
This is the first time I am recording from my Phone it seems easier for me than using my old camera.
By filming landscape it's easier for me to show more of the guitar in the video.
Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Nov 10 2020, 06:47 PM
Nice!
It's looking pretty good. A couple of pointers:
* You fluctuate up and down in tempo. Since you are currently doing the 'ground work' - practicing at a slower tempo and making sure you get the details down, why not use your foot to tap the pulse? If you can get this going it will be an insanely useful tool in your practicing and playing
* There are a few missed notes here and there. I am going to assume you uploaded this video because you felt it was a decent take. This tells me there probably are some missed notes here and there when you are practicing as well (without recording).
If so, it means you are practicing at tempo that is too fast for you. If you cannot avoid the missed notes when practicing, there is no way you will refrain from doing them when gigging or recording. Practicing is your chance to play perfectly - so never practice with recurring mistakes. Instead - adjust the tempo/exercise so that you can repeat it over and over without any mistakes. Let me know if it makes sense!
Keep up the hard work 👊
Posted by: Victor Simion Nov 10 2020, 07:10 PM
It's looking pretty good. A couple of pointers:
* You fluctuate up and down in tempo. Since you are currently doing the 'ground work' - practicing at a slower tempo and making sure you get the details down, why not use your foot to tap the pulse? If you can get this going it will be an insanely useful tool in your practicing and playing
* There are a few missed notes here and there. I am going to assume you uploaded this video because you felt it was a decent take. This tells me there probably are some missed notes here and there when you are practicing as well (without recording).
If so, it means you are practicing at tempo that is too fast for you. If you cannot avoid the missed notes when practicing, there is no way you will refrain from doing them when gigging or recording. Practicing is your chance to play perfectly - so never practice with recurring mistakes. Instead - adjust the tempo/exercise so that you can repeat it over and over without any mistakes. Let me know if it makes sense!
Keep up the hard work 👊
Thank you for your answer.
Where did you hear the missing notes? (or where didn't you hear the notes)
The only place I can spot is at second 47, where it sounds like a muted note.
I think that this lesson is pretty long for me and changes to miss something are getting bigger.
I started practicing a few measures every week, the another few measures next week and so on.
And now I am starting to put all together.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 10 2020, 08:06 PM
If necessary I will do another video to show my right hand closer, playing slow, then fast, focusing on the movement without the metronome.
Yes! I know that you are not separating consciously but I feel that the movement can be even smoother. Just put some focus to make it even more like a sweep and you'll get the effect that I mean.
Where did you hear the missing notes? (or where didn't you hear the notes)
The only place I can spot is at second 47, where it sounds like a muted note.
I think that this lesson is pretty long for me and changes to miss something are getting bigger.
I started practicing a few measures every week, the another few measures next week and so on.
And now I am starting to put all together.
In addition to what Kris said, I think that the "missed" or not completely clear notes are happening because of hand sync issues. It seems that your right hand is going a bit faster in some parts and that why I notice missed or not completely consistent notes, for example between 00:46 and 00:51 and around 00:57.
Posted by: Victor Simion Nov 11 2020, 06:14 PM
Yes, I am practicing and I want to improve my hand sync and my timing.
I record and then listen to my playing:
I compare my playing to the click by looking in reaper to see if I am playing 100% on time, and I see that in some parts I am playing in front of the beat.
This is the reaper screenshot from this recording
What do you think of my playing?
Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Nov 11 2020, 10:31 PM
I record and then listen to my playing:
I compare my playing to the click by looking in reaper to see if I am playing 100% on time, and I see that in some parts I am playing in front of the beat.
This is the reaper screenshot from this recording
What do you think of my playing?
Cool! I think this is better - I cannot hear any missed notes or serious hand sync issues.
About timing - bear in mind that we all fluctuate up and down in tempo, since we are humans. The more we practice the more we can tame the beast, but it never gets perfect.
Your playing here moves back and forth timing wise a little bit - but it only really gets very obvious at 00:27-00:28 where I think you abruptly slow down to get back on time.
Keep up the hard work, you are doing excellent progress! 👌
Posted by: Victor Simion Nov 19 2020, 07:58 PM
Still working hard on my timing and hand sync,
Let me know what you think
Alternate Picking by Muris - 100 BPM, that means full speed.
I attached the Reaper screenshot, and from what I see there I am playing on time most of the time, with a few exceptions where it's not perfect.
Even though you can see in the screenshot of the Reaper written 60 BPM, I used the slow backing track and than I gradually increased the speed until I reached 100 and a little above.
In the mp3 attached I play at 100 BPM.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 19 2020, 08:14 PM
Hi Victor! Nice to see that you are playing this one at 100 BPM. At this tempo, I notice that the hand sync issues appear but these are not very dramatic. You are getting close mate. The hand sync issues give timing issues, but you'll be able to fix this soon if you continue practicing.
You are definitely on the right track!
Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 19 2020, 08:56 PM
Progress! Your synch is improving. keep it up. Your work in bootcamp is paying off. Each mission is getting better. Keep it up!!
Posted by: Victor Simion Dec 17 2020, 08:18 PM
G Major Scale played at different speeds:
Exercise inspired by:
Hand Synch - Ben Higgins
Let me know what you think!
I think my hand synch is good until 100BPM or 120BPM. (From here the the hand synch issues are starting)
The Speed at 140BPM was impossible for me to even try (before)
But now I can try it.
At 140BPM the last measure is the one that gets my hand out of synch, from what I can hear.
I try to:
- Record
- Listen to my playing
- Analyze my playing
Because if I can't hear my mistakes, I cannot improve, that's why I wrote what I think.
G_Scale_60_BMP.mp3 ( 253.47K )
: 47
G_Scale_80_BMP.mp3 ( 204.08K )
: 48
G_Scale_100_BMP.mp3 ( 319.59K )
: 43
G_Scale_120_BMP.mp3 ( 260.41K )
: 50
G_Scale_140_BMP.mp3 ( 119.59K )
: 55Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 17 2020, 08:51 PM
It's very important for me as an instructor to actually see the student play so that I can diagnose any problems with technique that can't be detected by just listening. Can you do a quick cell phone video of you playing these? Any type of video will do as long as I can see both of your hands?
Todd
Exercise inspired by:
Hand Synch - Ben Higgins
Let me know what you think!
I think my hand synch is good until 100BPM or 120BPM. (From here the the hand synch issues are starting)
The Speed at 140BPM was impossible for me to even try (before)
But now I can try it.
At 140BPM the last measure is the one that gets my hand out of synch, from what I can hear.
I try to:
- Record
- Listen to my playing
- Analyze my playing
Because if I can't hear my mistakes, I cannot improve, that's why I wrote what I think.
Posted by: Victor Simion Dec 18 2020, 07:37 PM
Here is the Video
Playing at 75, 90, and 105.
I didn't make it to 140 since it's harder on video.
But if this is ok I will try to push the speed for the next time.
This was shot in one video from beginning to end.
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 19 2020, 12:37 AM
Hi Victor, I think that this is sounding good at this tempos. Your hands could be a bit more relaxed, and your right hand could move a bit less when crossing strings (mostly at 105 bpm), but this will be fixed with more time of practice, and focusing on it.
The key to be able to play this at faster tempos is to work on smaller blocks. If you start feeling uncomfortable at 110 or 115, work on the first part as a loop (2 strings), then add a 3rd string and so...
Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 19 2020, 05:32 AM
You are doing well!! It looks like your progress in bootcamp is carrying over to other things which is great! As gabe says, your hands could be a pinch looser. Also, your pick hand is still waggin a bit further than it needs to after each strike. I do notice you fret hand is staying closer to the strings that previously which is a great thing to see. Maybe a bit harder mute on the lower strings to give it a more aggressive chunkyness on the way up?
Playing at 75, 90, and 105.
I didn't make it to 140 since it's harder on video.
But if this is ok I will try to push the speed for the next time.
This was shot in one video from beginning to end.
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