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Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 1 2009, 06:39 PM

Hi Neurologi!

I'm glad we're gonna get started with the MTP program, let's make the most out of it,

First I want you to check out the basic guidelines of the MTP program in case you haven't:

* Weekly assignment: The student has one week to complete the assignment, and must then provide audio or video of how progress is going

* Monthly REC take: After one month of mtp, the student must submit a REC take. (This take doesn't necessarily have to pass)

* One new thread per month / per student: When the month is finished the instructor closes the mtp thread. The instructors' last post in the thread should be a summary of the student's four assignments and a link to the student's REC submission. If the student has failed to complete an assignment/progress report, or the monthly rec submission - he/she will not be able to continue with mtp (this rule applies for November as well!)

First I want to know a little more about your background, knowledge and playing abilities. We'll take it from there.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 2 2009, 10:25 AM

I posted my guitar CV at the root of the sub-forum http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=32305. Even though we have gotten to know each other a fair bit already over the last month or so, I spent quite a lot of time on it to give you an idea of where I am coming from.

As for my playing abilities, I could post links to some demos of when I last played seriously? Probably not relevant though as this was years ago and not really representative of the present situation. The only recent examples I have are those of your first collaboration which I participated in and a sound-byte I recorded for a thread I started a while ago asking about advice for retubing the Triaxis which was well overdue. I could link to the latter as well or do you have enough material to give you an indication already?

I will state it again for I truly mean what I say. It is both an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to be under your tutelage.

Thank you and the powers that be.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 3 2009, 04:57 PM

Hi Neurologi!

All right!

I'd like you to work on several things (from what you showed interest in) simultaneously which are intimately correlated:

- Rhythm
- Scale patterns
- Arpeggios
- Theory

and also: Sight singing and ear training,

First assignment: (due December 10th) Recordings can be posted on MP3 or video.

- Rhythm: Perform rhythmic figure attached on guitar pro file. First with claps and secondly with voice. The metronome must be under it. As you can see it has a count-in measure and the figure repeats twice. Record and post MP3 or video.

The vocal performance can be done with syllables such as "Pam" "Tam" "Ta"

- Scales: Let's start doing something different from Up and Down. Record and post exercise from guitarpro file attached.

- Arpeggios: Record and post figure attached on GP file. (Two string beginner arpeggio)

- Theory: Recognize what 3 modes are being used on the scales figure. (There are three phrases). Post your written answers in the order they appeared.

- Sight singing: I'm gonna start with a very basic exercise just to see at what point you are at.

Record and post the singing of this lesson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_77ypJgSHA

- Ear training: Identify the 4 intervals being played on the MIDI file. (Thirds, seconds, fifths, fourths, etc). Post a written answer of what intervals where on the file in the order they appeared.

* That's the first assignment, we'll see how we go from here, let me know of questions and comments.

For the REC lesson I think the "Timing exercise" by Muris Varajic will be great, which can be found http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/timing-exercise/. And I think it's correlated with what we are doing on the exercises.

Due date for this lesson will be 30th of December.

great!

I know it's 6 assignments but they are not complicated. Anyway, let me know your thoughts.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 3 2009, 09:39 PM

Initial reaction? Pretty excited. I didn't know what to expect but I must say that I am impressed. Your regimen fits perfectly with the desired direction I am hoping to go outlined in the oh-so verbose CV of mine which you kindly took the time to read. Many thanks for putting forth the effort to compile such a well-thought out plan.

Time to get cracking!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 4 2009, 01:39 AM

I'm glad we are going in the direction you want,

This material will be very helpful for the benefit of ultimately, your playing,

If you want to start sending answers before, I can review them,

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 4 2009, 02:39 PM

You will have to excuse in advance my responses for the Ear Training component of this week's assignment. I already know it is an area I will have to focus on in the beginning for quite simply I never got that far with it. Back in the day, I even purchased a complete set of David Lucas Burge's Relative/Perfect Pitch Ear Training Course but I learnt early on that to practise one needed a means of testing identification of pitches and intervals. There wasn't an option apart from having a friend play them at random which really isn't an effective way of developing these abilities. There are tests on the accompanying CD's but very soon the long-term memory kicks in given there are only so many permutations.

Things are different now with the advent of interactive tools to help get the job done. To that end, I obtained a copy of Sibelius Auralia some time ago but can honestly say that up till now have not used it. Well I just dusted it off today and started with Level 1 of the included "Interval Recognition" syllabus which drills you only on Perfect Fourth/Fifth and Octave intervals. At a 50% strike rate I have a lot of work to do! I will do a little everyday from now on ...

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 4 2009, 08:09 PM

all right! great! this course looks fantastic!

Then tell me where are you at and what topics are you practicing and I'll try to help you by evaluating your ear recognition abilities,

so if you are looking at 4th 5th and 8vas, you'll be able to write the intervals I put on the file

how about the rhythm?

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 4 2009, 08:22 PM

Which course do you mean? Burge or Auralia?

Cool! I assume then that the "Ear Training" midi file in the assignment is only potentially one of those intervals you just mentioned (P4, P5, or P8)? I haven't listened to it yet as I have trouble identifying even those few with good probability let alone anything else! That is why I thought to do some basic drills to start with so hopefully my answers will be slightly better than a "pure guess".

Actually with the rhythm I did have a question I forgot to ask. The basic counting system I have always used is that of for instance:

Eighth Note: 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+
Eighth Note Triplets: 1ea 2ea 3ea 4ea
Sixteenth Note: 1e+a 2e+a 3e+a 4e+a

I hope that is all right? It would be quite difficult for me to adopt a new one ...

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 4 2009, 09:06 PM

Counting system seems fine, if you want to record the exercise with numbers, go ahead, but I think that'll make it a little harder,

just try both ways

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 4 2009, 09:20 PM

True. The numbers do make it harder which is why once I have a feel for a basic rhythm I don't actually count it anymore and just feel or tap it with my foot if the tempo isn't too fast. I might have a look into alternate ways of counting like the one you suggested.

I assume you would mean Auralia since you just mentioned it in Mirko's post ... If so, I just started with "Interval Recognition" and "Scales" lesson sections. The latter seems a lot easier to recognise at the moment than the intervals themselves. What is nice is that you can enter your answers on a guitar fretboard. So it helps to remember them in that context also which I have a problem with doing at speed in the real world. For instance, an octave on the very next string is the doozey at the moment but getting faster as I go.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 4 2009, 09:41 PM

Man, that program really sounds good,

good choice,

I mentioned it because you recommended it

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 4 2009, 09:43 PM

Haha! Glad I could be of some service!

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 9 2009, 05:12 PM

Greetings!

Ok. This is Part One of this week's assignment. I will finish the rest tomorrow.

 Arpeggios1.mp3 ( 338.71K ) : 203

 Scales1.mp3 ( 333.2K ) : 204

Bar 2 is B Aeolian
Bar 3 is F# Locrian or Phrygian
Bars 4-5 are G Ionian

I hope it is to the master's satisfaction?

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 10 2009, 12:52 AM

Hi Ken!

Before I comment on your takes, I have to apologize for an error I commited on the theory question, because there are only two phrases on the scales figure not three.

The first one is a minor (Aeolian) and the second a major (Ionian). The second was the "tricky" one because the shape suggests a Lydian mode but the ending note stablishes the major mode.

So you got it right. I see your knowledge on modes is good. Let's keep on identifying the rest.

- Arpeggios: I can hear that you have a good picking. Did you do AP or sweeping?
Notes sound clear and even.

There's a problem when you start each lick if you notice. The first note happens before the click. Try to be locked as much as possible with the pulse. This is something that has a lot to do with the rhythm exercise. That's something to focus on.

Another thing I noticed is that on the second lick the first two notes ring together. Notes on an arpeggio have to sound separately. That interval (minor third) on the guitar is two frets before on the next string. We'll focus on that for the next assigment.

- Scales: Good picking. You have solid sync between left and right hand. Now we have to work on the muting of strings. Notice at the end of every phrase, strings ring a little bit. You have to maintain the same technique until the very end of each phrase. You already have it, now you only have to be conscious of it. Let’s work on something more staccato on the next assignment so you can become more aware of this.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 10 2009, 01:11 AM

Thanks Daniel. Great advice and very perceptive. Bed time for me so I can't ponder on these points too much but will do first thing in the morning.

Cheers.

PS I alternate picked. I started to sweep but since the tempo in the exercise is rather slow (for eighth notes) I found it easier to pick it out!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 10 2009, 02:05 AM

All right! I'm gonna focus on that second lick for the next assingment so you have it taken care of, nothing musical, but a great exercise, I'll post your next assingment soon,

For the rhythm exercise, upload the voice if you feel comfortable only (recommended though). The clappings are a must though.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 10 2009, 07:53 PM

By the way, I really enjoyed the video chat. It was a fluke that I caught it though. I was to have my sauna at 7pm as no-one had booked themselves in when I checked a few hours earlier. I didn't put my name down as I wasn't sure exactly what time I would be ready. Well I was just about to go and in the meantime some DID book that time. So, I thought bummer I will just have it later. I checked "View New Posts" and BAM!! Your vid chat was due to start in a few minutes. Talk about perfect timing and sequencing of events!!!

You will have to write down the fingering for that stretching exercise of yours. Everything blazed by so fast I didn't catch it all except that it will be useful for those more than four-plus-fret span pinky stretches for the pull-off section in almost every sweep shape I have come across so far. That is a weak area I feel to get it to flow together nicely.

I am sure I have some more questions related to sweeping but the only one that comes to mind right now is you know how the usual advice for regular picking is to angle the pick but I find that when sweeping it seems more natural to flat pick. Is that a valid assumption? Another is would you say the pick glides over the string as it passes or it makes more firm contact?

Yeah. I know. I can't help myself. I have become quite analytical in my old age ....

[EDIT] >> Gee. That didn't take long. Thought of another question for the maestro. After playing a note do you lift the finger off from the fret or just relax? I am thinking just relax .... The fingers have less distance to travel and can then more easily play at a faster speed.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 10 2009, 08:02 PM

I'm glad you enjoyed the chat, I'll try to make it tomorrow and we can discuss this further with some examples

"the pick glides over the string as it passes or it makes more firm contact"

I think that's it, it feels a little more loose in the hand, not as hard as when you do AP

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 10 2009, 08:06 PM

Cool. Looking forward to it. In the meantime, I can think of more to hassle you with ...

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 10 2009, 09:59 PM

hehe, no worries man, I'll be glad to help you with what I can

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 11 2009, 12:43 AM

[EDIT] >> Gee. That didn't take long. Thought of another question for the maestro. After playing a note do you lift the finger off from the fret or just relax? I am thinking just relax .... The fingers have less distance to travel and can then more easily play at a faster speed.
[/quote]

you can do both depending on the situation. I tend to lift the finger off from the fret, this way if I need to do a hammer-on, they'll be ready to go!

Hi Neurologi!

Very good job with your first assignment! although I’m still waiting for the rhythmic and sight singing part,

The second assignment will be this:

Second assignment: Due December 17th /2009

- Record and post Arpeggios assignment, using sweeping technique (as shown on the video chat ). Tempo is the least important for now, what matters is that every note sounds clean and that the whole exercise is consistent from beginning to end.

- Record and post Rhythmic assignment using clapping hands EDIT: and syllables.

- Record and post Scales assignment.

- Recognize and write what two modes are being played on the two phrases on the scales assignment.

- Sing and post the next melody in G: (you can use the syllable "na")


 Sight_singing_assignment_no.2.gp5 ( 1.66K ) : 162


Let me know of any questions or comments!

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 11 2009, 04:01 PM

I am about to listen to the Ear Training exercise. I have done a take for the other two components due though ...

 Sight_Sing1.mp3 ( 2.61MB ) : 231

 Rhythm1.mp3 ( 678.38K ) : 196


Personally, I didn't find sight-singing very easy at all!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 11 2009, 05:29 PM

all right!! great job!

- Sight singing: I now know that you can adapt your voice to whatever tone you are hearing which is the only thing you need actually. The C scale is on a very uncomfortable range for most male singers. In this case is good to change octaves as you did coming down on the A, but also you can change octaves again when the range is too low, just jump up to next octave so your voice is more comfortable.

It's a matter of technique rather, but our intention is not to make you the best singer in Europe, but only to let your voice be comfortable doing melodies which ultimately will help your writing and improvisation. We'll keep on doing some exercises to polish this part if it's ok with you.

- Rhythm: The exercise was performed excellent. The right notes on the right time. It's interesting to hear that your rhythm exercise was very locked with the pulse but your arpeggio post was a little off. That only means, it's in your head, it's not a technique problem.

What I do sometimes is to sing the part rhythmically, like you did on the exercise (with "ta"), and then record it. You'll see that is a lot easier and it comes out more relaxed and secure.

Now, for the second rhythm exercise. It is on 4/4. In an even time signature there's always natural accents. In this case they fall on 1 and 3.

The 1 is a very strong accent and the 3 is a more soft one. 2 and 4 are sort of passive pulses.

So for the next assignment, accent 1 and 3. Notice that on the first assignment you naturally put an accent on long notes regardless of where they were. In your sung part you did your accents with "taa" and non-accent notes with "tee", this is a good way to differentiate weak and strong pulses. So this time, everytime a 1 and a 3 comes you would sing them as "taa" and also accent them dynamically.

Do both clapping and syllables as well. Later on we will do polyrhythms using both at the same time.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 11 2009, 07:03 PM

I am still struggling on the Ear Training section but here are my answers anyhow. In order of appearance within the provided MIDI file:

P5 P4 P8 P4

Just in time to jump onto your video chat ...

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 11 2009, 08:27 PM

That's ok, that's why we have to practice this

right answers are:

P5 8va 8va P5


so you confused the fourth with the octave, work on those two intervals with the ear master pro, once you have them down move on...

The 4th is easily recognizable when compared to a typical cadencial gesture, play G and then C, and you'll hear that.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 11 2009, 08:35 PM

Yeah. I like Ear Master Pro better for interval recognition drills. Since I get so many wrong I was getting constant dialog boxes popping up in Auralia and what is more you can't turn them off in settings or preferences. In Ear Master Pro it is a lot more seamless in design. It does lack some of the more advanced stuff that Auralia has though. So, I guess, once I improve I can use that but for the time being it is EMP for me since I am such a hopeless case ...

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 11 2009, 08:46 PM

yeah but for what we are using it, Ear master is good enough,

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 11 2009, 09:13 PM

I gave you a sight singing assignment for the second week, I edited the original post

Let me know how do you feel about it,

The idea is to do it by looking at the score and not use the GP file but just in case you need to hear what it sounds like I attached the GP file.

For this you need to know what key you are in so before you practice it, play a G chord to stablish the key.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 11 2009, 09:37 PM

Cool. Thanks. Just reading over and digesting your points and observations from the past few days now that I have completed the first week's assignment. I take it you mean doing the singing assignment with no backing (guitar or piano/keyboard) just a cappella? If so, I can tell already this is going to be tough but that's fine. I like it!

[EDIT] >> What was that book you were referring to in your video chat today? Loved how you played your own composition right at the end there. That is the one I most enjoyed of those I have checked out on your YouTube (or was it MySpace?) page sometime ago. Such a great song!! You need to get a full latin percussion section behind you and you'll really be kickin'!!! I would buy that single in a heartbeat .... Could you provide the tab? It will only take me about a year or two to learn how to play!

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 11 2009, 10:13 PM

I think that is probably due to a couple of technical issues with my recording setup. I will program my MIDI foot controller before my next recordings with all the major transport controls and other niceties in my DAW so that I can be more settled and comfortable as I do a take. The arpeggios are especially difficult to get my right hand back from the keyboard to playing position in time. Not a good situation for a technique I am a rank beginner at. Also, I need to play around with an adjusted headphone mix so that I can hear the metronome better. The transients kinda get lost to my ears as I play. Hopefully, the next round of recordings will be a bit tighter.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 11 2009, 11:17 PM

As I assume this to be a moveable minor shape arpeggio throughout, should the two-string version of it (rooted on third string) be of the form:

------------------
------11--15--11--
--12--------------
------------------
------------------
------------------

and not ....

------------------
------10--14--10--
--12--------------
------------------
------------------
------------------

as it appears at the end of bar 4 in the GP file? Just want to clarify before I go nuts on it!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 12 2009, 03:39 AM

I hear you,

yeah that sounds like it,

nothing like being comfortable to play, it's even imperative

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 12 2009, 04:48 AM

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-New-Approach-to-Sight-Singing/Sol-Berkowitz/e/9780393969085 is the book,

For the sight singing assignment, you must be near a piano or guitar, unless you have perfect pitch, but don't play over the melody, use the instrument only as a guide before you start. You can sing some of the steps of the scale you are going to use. For instance, play the G chord and sing an entire major scale, and four steps below the G, which is what you are gonna need for that particular melody,






well, what I want you to do for this particular case is to practice that shape on the guitar so I'm not going for the minor sound necessarilly, rather the shape of the hand.

so only move the shape as shown on the GP file, record on the fastest and cleanest tempo possible

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 12 2009, 10:09 AM

Oh but good sir! I thought that was very much the intention?!


Cool. Looking a little closer at the melody I see that all intervals are either major or minor seconds. So you didn't throw any curve balls my way which will make it a little easier for me. Gonna practise some major scale pitching exercises then with an emphasis on the descending portion as I find them trickier to pull off comfortably. Thanks for the advice.


On a side note, I am reminded of something that occurred to me during your first video chat. You fired up the metronome at some point and it sounded to me as if it were a MIDI drum loop playing in the background? That is such a great idea. I should have thought of this before. I say this for I have always found metronome clicks to be rather grating on my ears even if I EQ them a little. Only so much you can do in that area really. In the past, when jamming, rehearsing or performing in a band context I would always be listening very carefully to what the drums were doing at any given moment and take my cues from it pretty much ignoring everything else including the bass. I already feel very comfortable with that as my pulse setter. So much so that I caught myself whilst recording the rhythm exercises for last week doing my drum rudiments all over again (that was oh so long ago!) with the hands going LRLRL .... Could I do the same here with the posting of upcoming exercises? That is to say, I would set up a tempo matched groove appropriate for the given exercise. Nothing too fancy. Then I would record that along with the guitar rather than a click track which I find sounds really dull and feels even more so. A fine point yes but I thought to ask you beforehand. Your thoughts? What do you use by the way? Just curious.

Thanks for your time, Daniel. I am firing a lot of questions your way lately. The video chats just reminded me of lots of questions I should have asked you already. I just forget sometimes that I don't have to always work everything out on my own. That is one of the many reasons this experience has been so valuable for me already.

Grateful.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 12 2009, 05:35 PM

I've always liked drums!, I even bought one electronic kit sometime, don't have anymore though,

As long as there is a steady pulse on the back and you can perform over it, it's fine,

I have a keyboard that has some built-in rhythms, so I can use that as a metronome. It certainly feels different from a click track, but it's good to practice on both. Sometimes when you are recording there will only be a click.

These guys use percussion tracks instead of clicks to record

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 12 2009, 05:45 PM

Haha! That's cause Megadeth are way cool! This begs the question as to why you got rid of the kit? You had some mean chops doin' blast beats I saw. Maybe the challenge just wasn't there anymore, eh?

Gonna play around with both before I record next time but I am pretty sure I will prefer to have a percussive backing track to play over even if I am just playing a humble C Major scale up-and-down ...

[EDIT] >> That reminds me of a recent conversation I had with an ex-drummer of mine. We had only just caught up with each other again after many years. So, the obvious topic gets onto the subject of what have you been doing lately in a musical sense? Well he has only gotten back into the "I'm in a band, man!" thing recently but up till then he had tried to jam with some guitarists here and there. His take was that it just didn't work out. To quote: "They just don't get it. They can't hold a beat to save themselves!" So that is the flip side of the coin. It is all well and good to rock out in one's bedroom but another matter entirely if you expect to do the same with other musicians. It might well explain my sentiments about not being very impressed with most guitarists noodling and wailing about. The real test is can you put the same in a musical context and not sound like a complete wanker?! I find drummers so refreshing. I always thought they were the coolest guys in almost any band you could care to mention. They just don't feel the need to grab all the limelight. Preferring instead to being the backbone that keeps the sublime from turning into the ridiculous.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 12 2009, 07:00 PM

"They just don't feel the need to grab all the limelight. Preferring instead to being the backbone that keeps the sublime from turning into the ridiculous."

well, I know of cases when this doesn't apply. The drummer for a band I have always plays in between songs, he does drum solos actually. I would like to say "we came to rehearse, all of us, not just you" but it can get uncomfortable so I don't,

I sold the drumkit cause I didn't play anymore, now I want to get another one

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 12 2009, 07:10 PM

Heh! I bet it would get a tad "uncomfortable". Not a good idea to get a sweaty, hulking, pumped-up dude all pissed off like ...

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 13 2009, 02:22 AM

hahah, yeah, you know what I mean

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 16 2009, 06:29 PM

Howdy!

Gonna upload as I complete segments and edit the post as I go rather than trying to do a whole bunch at once. I suppose it is my birthday today, too?

 Scales2.mp3 ( 551.04K ) : 187

Phrase 1 is G Lydian
Phrase 2 is A Dorian

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 17 2009, 01:24 AM

I forgot to mention in the video that it would be a good idea to practice with both a distorted and a non-distorted sound so you can get a good feel for dynamics,

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 17 2009, 01:39 AM

I must admit to being a bit sick of this arpeggio exercise. I suck at it. It sounds really disjointed everytime I play it back after what I thought was an OK take. Argghhh! I was hoping to have it done before I go to bed so I can just concentrate on the stuff with voice and claps in the morning.

Dynamics? I thought I was working on keeping it even and clean? I get TOO carried away with dynamics most times ... Don't encourage me! =) Ok. My apologies. I read the comment first before watching the vid. I see what you mean now. Keeping the notes even and clean but according to a particular dynamic. For example, the ones you mentioned - fortissimo and pianissomo. Good idea.

[EDIT] >> Gonna take a break and watch your vid. Thanks for putting it together.


Cool. You make it look so easy. Some more approaches to prevent the same exercises from getting stale. It is true. Using a cleaner sound at times would be helpful allowing me to change things up a bit and rest the ear a bit also from all the distortion.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 17 2009, 02:42 AM

Well here it is! Warts and all! Maybe I shouldn't have tried to nail it at 180bpm to begin with? I ended up at 140bpm ... but even that might be too high for my current abilities?

 Arpeggios2.mp3 ( 342.26K ) : 197

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 17 2009, 10:23 AM

You are such a brilliant man! It took me all this time - quite a few hours - for it to click as what you were trying to say in your video response.

As I play, I am focusing so hard on a number of things - pick/string noise, patterns, fingerings, tone, rhythm, and just plain hitting the notes. That is, all except for the actual dynamics. It didn't even occur to me. Sometimes, I suppose, it is quite difficult really in many ways for the player to remove themselves from the playing which is the case here. That is when it is oh so valuable that somebody else critically evaluate the same. Thank you, Daniel, for lending me your ears.

I do feel that dynamics may well be the hardest thing for me to even out but those exercises you demoed really pinpoint that aspect with laser sharp focus and will go a long way. Also too, I suppose it can't help itself but that the rough edges just slowly smooth out over time as I get more comfortable with my execution over the course of more extended time with the instrument. Dunno. I feel like a rank beginner which is weird given I didn't just pick up a guitar yesterday.

Awesome! I love it when someone is even more perceptive than me. Refreshing to say the least ....

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 17 2009, 08:59 PM

Still one more to go after this. That will have to be tomorrow as I ran out of time due to technical difficulties. This was the first time I had used a DirectX plugin to record and they seem to be a bit more sensitive than a VST with regard to preload cache and buffer settings. The recorded take just wasn't sounding anything like when monitoring until I tested out a few different configurations. Anyway. It should be sorted now for the next batch of recordings.

 Rhythm2.mp3 ( 755.52K ) : 180

This was surprisingly more difficult than I had imagined - placing a strong accent on the 1 and slightly less so on the 3 with passive pulses on the 2 and 4. I still insist that that is due to me working off of the backbeat a la jazz and slightly ahead of the beat a la salsa ....


Your idea of backing off the volume knob a tad on the guitar should be a great trick to practise this week's scale assignment dynamically (i.e. fortissimo/pianissimo). I really don't want to go down the road of tweaking a clean guitar patch instead. That would take me forever to come up with a sound I could live with ...

[EDIT] >> Might be a bit hard for you to hear the claps over the metronome I am thinking? Will have to adjust the levels for that section in future. Trading one technically difficulty for another. Oh well. You get the idea.

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 18 2009, 12:08 AM

This was fun. My first spot of MIDI programming within my DAW to set it up so that I can practise the sight-singing melody along with a piano accompaniment. Then once lodged in my memory, I can simply mute it and record the vocals 'a cappella' after a short G Major arpeggio on the piano to get the ear into tune. That is for after I wake though as pretty late but wanted to get it all setup ready to go for first thing in the morning.

Dunno. Just felt like sharing a screenshot for the heck of it!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 18 2009, 06:16 PM

I think your take is what is supposed to be. Sounds like you are easily controlling the pick, very good job! Actually I'm glad that you put the effort on it because you definitely mastered that shape.

Now I'll think on a something for the next assignment to take you a little further



I'm very glad that you liked the input I gave on your take. The point is by separating both dynamics, you can isolate even further (and that's something I know you like to do) the actual picking technique.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 18 2009, 07:03 PM

That's a great idea!

You can also use the guitar when you don't have the daw around

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 19 2009, 02:47 AM

Hi Ken!

This is the third assigment: Due December 29th

- Record and post rhythm in the GP file attached. Notice it is on 2/4 time signature. This time signature uses two beats. One strong and one weak like bouncing an imaginary ball. So accent the first beat and don't accent the second.

- Record and post arpeggios and scales assignment. Notice that this is a phrase that uses both scales (chromatic) and arpeggios. There's some strange positioning on the fingering for this exercise but it's doable. The interesting thing is to be able to do a musical phrase with it. Tempo is up to you, but do it clean always.

- Record and post sight-singing assigment in G.

Fourth assigment: Due December 30th

- Record and post REC lesson. Post it on the REC submission board.

Let me know of any questions or comments.

 Arpeggios_and_scales_assignment_no.3.gp5 ( 2.1K ) : 148


 Rhythmic_Assignment_no.3.gp5 ( 1.99K ) : 145

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 19 2009, 04:14 PM

Had a quick muck around on the new scales/arpeggios assignment. Good fun. I like how it gives an idea as to how to interlink the two approaches to phrasing. It may sound rather counter-intuitive but it seems to me that three-string shapes are easier than the two-string shapes? Weird.

The rhythm exercises are way hard. How weird also that that should be the case. All the more reason that I should continue to plug away at them.

Thanks for another great set of exercises to work on.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 19 2009, 09:50 PM

Do the rhythm exercise first at a slower tempo so you can get it completely right, then go do it at the tempo written

I know two-strings shapes can be more difficult sometimes cause you don't have enough notes where to "grab" from. That's why I consider important to practice these first, then the complete 6 strings feel much more easy.

I'm glad you liked the exercises

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 19 2009, 09:59 PM

Silly me. Why didn't I think of that before?


By the way, any chance you could post a close-up pic of your technique of rolling the pick into the palm for tapping or for thumb passages? That looks darn useful. My index finger nail is a little shorter than the others so that may be the only option for me if I want to explore these techniques further. The middle finger would be just too awkward and I may not even be able to make proper contact with the string given its usual finger nail length.

Much appreciated.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 19 2009, 10:29 PM

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 20 2009, 11:45 PM

Thanks, Boss. Been learning and practising more sections of the REC assignment today as well as the scales/arpeggios exercise. I can feel and hear my technique improving. Good thing!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 21 2009, 03:19 AM

I'm very glad to read that! let me know if you want to change the focus in any way. I think for January it would be good to apply some things to real songs from repertoire you like

Posted by: Neurologi Dec 23 2009, 03:03 PM

I am happy to continue as we have done. A lot of it is new to me (sight-singing and ear training - even arpeggios for that matter) so progress is a little on the slow side but I consider them valuable aspects to work on. Some application of the concepts to repertoire would be great too! Looking forward to it.

Any tips and tricks for internalising the sound of 32nd notes? At this point, I have learnt and can play (sort of) all sections of the REC assignment except for the final one which comprises 32nd notes. At some stage I just lose it and the notes just get plain sloppy. I can barely play those last bars at 50bpm let alone at full tempo of 70bpm. It is surprising what a big difference a few bpm makes with that passage.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 23 2009, 10:55 PM

Well, practice that part isolated first of course,

if you can't get it, then practice two strings, at the right tempo, then 3, then 4

When you are practicing the whole lesson, just before you get to that part you have to be ready and don't let it take you by surprise. So to internalize, you kind of have to have the part prior to the 32nd notes very comfortable and "automated" so you can easily arrive at the more challenging part as well.

And I'm sure you can easily do that!

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 31 2009, 06:09 PM

Hey Ken!

I hope everything is going well with the technical issues, I know that can be a pain in the arse,

and also I want to wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Let's have a very productive 2010! on every level!

Posted by: Neurologi Jan 4 2010, 03:18 AM

Thank you my dear friend. I hope and trust you had and will continue to have the happiest of new years!!

2010 has an epic sound to it. So big things are required by one and all ..

As you rightly guessed, my silence has been due to those very same technical issues I alerted you to over a week ago. I didn't want to say more until I had something new to tell. In that time, I have at least managed to get my computer to behave to some degree in a low-latency recording context. It began there. The system was practically unusable for that purpose - audio glitches, stuttering and sometimes even system freezes. I have no idea why these symptoms all piled upon each other in the first place all of a sudden. Maybe it was just the use of the computer in general had changed substantially due to the MTP where I was doing some manner of recording every day for a continuous period which would tax the system and highlight any deficiencies very quickly as I just found out. So, it has been a slow and painful process trying to troubleshoot the likely causes. As it turned out, it was a multitude of things. No easy fix in any sense of the word. As things tend to go, the fixes turned up other problems in their wake and the process perpetuates. As such, I still have some mopping up to do. Although, the difference now is that I know what I am dealing with whereas before I was flying blind.

I must say that this has really tested my engineering skills to the limit. A re-format and re-install solution - which is support speak for we don't give a damn and couldn't be bothered looking into the real root cause - was simply out of the question and wouldn't have made the problems go away in any case. That would take three weeks with all the technical stuff I have setup on the computer. That is the problem really. I don't use this as a dedicated audio-only system like a lot of guys recommend.

Everything music-related has been put on hold. I haven't even been checking the GMC forums. That was weird being a junkie and all! It seems pretty obvious to me at this point that I won't be back on track any time soon to recover in time to pick up where I left off in December to make the January MTP possible. I hope that I could start afresh with you in February if possible? Of course, I have the remainder of my assignments and REC submission to complete before that time but I hope you could reserve a space for me in the near future once they are done?

Best wishes.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 4 2010, 10:20 PM

Hi Ken,

I really hope your machine is better now. I know how annoying that can be.

We can continue on February, there's no problem, the only thing is you have complete the assignments for December and submit the REC take.

Sounds like a re-format is needed.