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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Learning Problems
Posted by: Andrew6 Mar 14 2009, 08:18 PM
Howdy, as most of you know i've uploaded myself playing a bunch of lessons that I have completed but I have a feeling I am really missing something while playing these. I mean they work on technique for sure by recreating them but I don't think I am learning that much from them, not that there is anything wrong with the lessons but I just don't know what I should be taking away from each lesson you know what I mean? Any opinions or suggestions?
Posted by: Marek Rojewski Mar 14 2009, 08:50 PM
Well what I was thinking, when seeing how many uploads You do in short period of time is that You choose lessons that were to easy for You. To make more visible improvement, we should for example take a lesson that will require us to make us of the metronome, not just take some time before muscle memory will start to work and the lesson will be "learned" by then. Choosing lessons that seems "to difficult" at the beginning, and pushing Yourself forward is for sure a better than staying at our confident level.
Of course there is much more to take from lessons, for example practicing certain licks and incorporating them in Your playing ( something I still need to start doing ), or examine the whole lesson from theory knowledge context ( need to start on that also... ).
Posted by: Andrew6 Mar 14 2009, 08:53 PM
Of course there is much more to take from lessons, for example practicing certain licks and incorporating them in Your playing ( something I still need to start doing ), or examine the whole lesson from theory knowledge context ( need to start on that also... ).
one or two lessons were easy the rhythm ones, but AC/DC, Hendrix and Neo-Classic Intermediate all took metronome and a lot of work and still aren't 100% done yet. Yeah I dont incorporate the licks very well or the theory
I really should but not too sure of how to do that
Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Mar 14 2009, 09:06 PM
Really depends from lesson to lesson.Each lesson has a topic which it covers.Some will focus on technique some on theory and other topics.To get the best out of the lesson is to read ALL the material (spoken video, text explanations under the tabs etc).Big chunk of lessons especially improvisation (solo) ones are designed to demonstrate use of some concepts but just to demonstrate them for you to be able to mimic the same..Your goal will be to learn the theory behind it (ask the instructor in the lesson feedback if you encounter some questions) , techniques used etc and then improvise your OWN version of it against the backing track.Generally you should be able to do that with rhythm lessons as well (improvise your own version of AC/DC style guitar track over the same backing).Idea is to grasp all the new licks, concepts etc..Try to understand the lesson's topic.You can always re use those licks in your own composing...All musicians generally "recycle" ideas around.
Posted by: Andrew6 Mar 14 2009, 09:08 PM
Really? I've started using one only recently and I definitely like using it as it gives me a way to measure progress and ensure I'm keeping a good steady rhythm.
Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Mar 14 2009, 09:33 PM
Its good that you started using metronome.It will enable you to track progress and practice your time and precision..Also you will be able to make more rapid progress and focused practice + also to concentrate on cleaning your playing (when you are on slow tempos).Generally its essential to learn how to play with a metronome since you will encounter it everywhere (for example when you record with your band in studio etc)
Posted by: Ramiro Delforte Mar 14 2009, 10:07 PM
I think the best way after learning the lesson is to make it one of your own so you can apply the concepts.
For example, if you're working on the Extreme Neo-Classical lesson then take the backing track and with the information given in the lesson make a solo on your own so you can use the theoretical elements that were given in the lesson.
If you're learning a jazz lesson that's more easy to see because the idea of a jazz lesson is to give the student some new elements and then he will add them to his/her playing. But I think is the same in any lesson. Is like when you practice scales to exercise your fingers, once you've managed to play them all positions then you have to make music with it.
I hope this will help
Let me know if you want me to extend some more 
Posted by: Daniel Robinson Mar 14 2009, 10:49 PM
Something else that has not been mentioned yet.
The playing of the lessons is more than just metronomes and playing the notes. There is the intent and delivery of the musical composistion. This is where creativity comes into practice.
You could feed a piece of music into a computer, with all its notes and rhythms etc, and have the computer play it back. But it wouldnt have any interpretation. It would be flawlessly executed in theory, but it wouldnt have any heart. Music with passion is filled with alot of nuiasances that aren't written.
Subtleties of rhythm and dynamics, is what breathes life into the music. Your own intuition, dictates the interpretation. We as students, and instructors are not trying to make clones of one another, rather we are trying to get our skills to the level that we can express ourselves to the best of our abilities.
I would take each of the pieces of music/lessons, and break them down phrase by phrase, concentrate on making the phrase come alive with your own interpretation of it. That is not to say you change the music into something different, but find ways in which the piece comes alive under your fingers. Inject your creative spark into it.
When you do this, even when certain technical challanges of the piece allude you, its not very noticable to the listener, you have instilled the memories of the beauty of the music, and not brought attention to your own flaws as a player.
Attitude and intent are everything!
Daniel
Posted by: Pedja Simovic Mar 15 2009, 12:44 AM
Andrew I would recommend creating short and long term plan. In short term plan try to include lessons that are within your playing level and comfort zone, as well as some that are out of comfort zone. For long term plan include lessons that really got you to sign up and make you want to become shredder or whatever your goal might be.
It is great to see you posting videos, I feel you are doing well with lessons just with little extra effort (or with time as you play them more) you will perfect them all. So don't give up, keep up the good work and create structured practice and learning plan - it will get you long way trust me
Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic Mar 15 2009, 03:49 PM
That what you need to take, you already took! You're on good way, trust me, working on whole songs/solos is one of the best ways of improving your guitar skills. If you feel bored, maybe you should do your own improvisations, or work one some patterns/licks/phrases you can use, that will keep you interested.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 15 2009, 09:25 PM
I think you already answered your problem mate. You need more theory studying. Have you tried reading http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3351? If you read all the articles, I think you will have a solid foundation for further development. It will all make much more sense, instead of just fretting the notes without thinking why they are there etc.
Posted by: Andrew6 Mar 15 2009, 09:35 PM
Yeah I've read all his theory lessons I am also following a long with the lesson plan you posted a while back (just wrapping up the pentatonic series now, probably a vid this week
) I understand the theory pretty well I think i've read to much and not applied it on the guitar enough maybe, the hardest thing is the actual application of the theory ive learned.
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