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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 17 2015, 05:23 PM

Hi Charles! Welcome to your thread for Gab's Army!

Here I'll share some info about you:

"I started playing guitar when I was about 12 and am now 19. I'm self taught and only at about intermediate level. I know I have a few bad habits with my playing. I would like to become an advanced guitar player so I can join another band and play shows. Also, I love to write music so if I had more skill in playing it would make songwriting and recording a little easier. I am mainly interested in playing metal and rock, but any lesson that involves improving my skills overall as a musician is great."


Could you please share some audio / video of you playing?

Posted by: Charles Nov 17 2015, 10:19 PM

Here is the two videos ive done so far.

https://youtu.be/Z_DWOXKql-0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ruOsyHoB4

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2015, 01:48 PM

Great! I've commented both videos and I can say that your second Megadeth video has showed important improvements!

How many time per day can you practice? Do you have any question related to my feedback for your last Pentatonic Solo take at REC?

Posted by: Charles Nov 18 2015, 10:28 PM

On 3 or 4 of the weekdays I can only practice for about an hour, then on the other days I can practice however long and how ever many times i want. No I didn't really have any questions. I realized that i've been holding the pick wrong, and changed to the right way, but that will take some getting used to.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 19 2015, 01:42 PM

Ok! I've marked 3 techniques that you have to work at the REC take. Alternate Picking, bending and vibrato.

Here are some suggestions to work:

Bending:


Alternate Picking: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

Vibrato: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

Posted by: Charles Nov 21 2015, 12:56 AM

I was only able to practice this for about 15min. since im learning other lessons to but here is the alternate picking one. Please let me know if it looks like im holding the pick right. Thank you!

https://youtu.be/tu6gGJsmJ08

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 21 2015, 06:11 PM

Hi Charles, your right hand looks good and the lesson is on the right track. You have to continue practicing to feel more comfortable with the faster rhythms, to make them sound smoother.

Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: Charles Nov 25 2015, 12:01 AM

Is this one better than the last?

https://youtu.be/Z3ymG8MUNlI

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 25 2015, 02:11 PM

Hi Charles,

yes, this new take shows improvements on some of the elements we've been talking about. However, you still need to adjust some details:

- Vibrato: Your vibrato sounds a bit nervous and the main reason is that you do it too early. You should let the note sound and then start it more naturally. Also, use the other fingers of your left hand to help the one that is pressing the fret.

- Timing: I notice timing issues when drum groove starts around 00:32.

- Bending: That bend at 00:44 is not precise.

- Tuning: Your guitar shows some pitch issues, mostly on the higher frets. Maybe old strings?

Posted by: Charles Nov 25 2015, 04:53 PM

Thank you for the feedback I will work more on the vibrato, and yes they are older strings because changing the strings on the floyd rose can be a pain.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 27 2015, 05:30 PM

haha ok, but it's very important to practice with a guitar that can be tuned well, it's fundamental for your ear training.

Posted by: Charles Nov 28 2015, 06:16 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Nov 27 2015, 04:30 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 28 2015, 04:18 PM

QUOTE (Charles @ Nov 28 2015, 02:16 AM)

Posted by: Charles Nov 30 2015, 11:48 AM

Hopefully this is better

 pentatonic_4.wmv ( 17.58MB ) : 100

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 1 2015, 03:29 PM

Hi Charles, yes it's better, tuning sounds good now, but it still needs work to polish the details that I've marked previously and also some extra attention to this parts:

- 00:41: This lick is not sounding clean. There are notes that aren't sounding and your hands are not in sync.

- Your bends at 00:46 are not consistent.

- 00:49 & 1:00: These licks needs more practice to sound clean and clear.

The overall sounds good but I feel that even the slower phrases could sound smoother so keep on practicing to get more familiar with this stuff and compare your vibrato, slides and dynamics with the original take from time to time.

Posted by: Charles Dec 1 2015, 10:55 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 1 2015, 02:29 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 2 2015, 01:51 PM

QUOTE (Charles @ Dec 1 2015, 06:55 PM)

Posted by: Charles Dec 7 2015, 11:09 AM

I think it sounds a lot better now. Let me know what you think.
https://youtu.be/kbPoHmTUMp8

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 7 2015, 03:18 PM

Hi Charles! Good job with this one! I think that it's getting really close, just some comments:

- Your vibrato makes your phrasing sound a bit nervous. The reason is that you make it start always very soon. Try letting the note sound more time and then add vibrato gradually. Listen to how the instructor makes it sound more natural.

- Your bending is not bad but there are some moments in which they are not totally consistent, mostly in the last phrases. Dedicate more time to improve this technique.

Posted by: Charles Dec 7 2015, 09:16 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Dec 7 2015, 02:18 PM)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 8 2015, 02:53 PM

QUOTE (Charles @ Dec 7 2015, 05:16 PM)