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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 9 2019, 02:21 PM

Hello Rids! This is your thread to share your videos and receive feedback.

Posted by: Rids Jun 9 2019, 07:00 PM

Awesome! Thanks my friend!

So here we go :

- the first video is an instrumental I made for my fifth wedding anniversary last week


- the 2nd one is the first solo I made for the collab to show you my picking "skills"


- and the third one I made two days ago to show how I play more legato with a little sweep added there


I like melodies, mostly instrumental stuff, music with stories. Lately I've been listening to a lot of movie scores.
Right now I've an idea and will developp it into an instrumentaL.
I will share the process here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 10 2019, 04:56 AM

Hi Rid!

I've enjoyed the feel of your instrumental song. I mostly enjoyed the last section that has two lead guitars mixed. It made me think on John Frusciante's solo albums.

I've listened with attention and with my guitar on hands each of your solos, and my comments will be mostly global because I find the same elements that I recommend focusing to polish your soloing. Some of these comments can be subjetive but I'll share everything that comes to mind in order to help you to get the most from my feedback.

- Guitar Tone: I feel that your guitar sound has too much gain. This makes your guitar sound noisy, and without dynamics. I think that you'll still maintain sustain but get a more enjoyable sound if you try lowering your gain / drive settings.

- Fast passages cleanness: I notice that you have had sync issues when playing fast alternate picking patterns. These are not easy at all, and require special practice to sound consistent. You can find some very useful AP exercises in my Intensive Technique Course. The legato licks (Satriani style), also can sound cleanner and more defined.

- Note choices: I think that you need to put some focus on "following the chords" techniques in order to avoid starting or ending your melodies in notes that doesn't sound totally suitable over the sounding chord. In many cases you stay on 4ths, while hitting a 3rd would be a goal. The solo for the collab ends on a wrong note but this happens because it's not an easy backing. It moves from D dorian to D Mixolydian. Working on this will make your playing much more melodic.

- Polish your vibrato and bending techniques. These are not bad, but some bends doesn't reach the pitch smoothly and some vibratos don't sound natural.


Let me know what you think!

Posted by: Rids Jun 10 2019, 10:28 AM

Excellent!
Just the kind of feedback I needed and thanks for taking the time to analyse my playing.

For guitar tone, I will use less distortion. Right now the gain is at 60-70%, I will try 50%. You're absolutely right my playing lacks of dynamics I already noticed that.

For improving my synchronisation on fast passages I started to implement the principles Kris was kind enough to share in this excellent video


Phrasing is an important topic for me and I will put more emphasis on it (bending on pitch and control of vibrato).

When you said "The solo for the collab ends on a wrong note", is this note a dissonant one (not in the chord playing background but in key) or is it a note not in the key?

This solo was purely improvised. At first I wanted to end on a bent note but when I ended on this one the "unresolved" feeling ot it pleased my ears and as I knew this solo will be used in a collab I thought that it will be an open door for another solo from one of our GMCer friend to take off from there with a consonant pitch.

Maybe I 'm wrong, you tell me.

Anyway I will be back soon with another solo where I will implement all that was discussed here.

Thanks again!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 10 2019, 02:53 PM

Hi mate, I'm glad to know that my feedback helped! I definitely agree with Kris words in that video.

About your question, I'm now re-checking the note and it's a 4th. Being the major third so present in the backing, it sounds as a wrong note, very dissonant, don't you think so?

Posted by: Rids Jun 10 2019, 05:07 PM

It's definitly dissonant. I'm just glad I was not out of key!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 11 2019, 04:16 AM

At first, I thought that it was out of key, but I've re-checked when you've asked and it's not.

Posted by: Rids Jun 12 2019, 03:12 PM

So here's a new solo in E minor.

Chord tone soloing on the intro theme.
Less distortion, some violin -like vibrato.
Trying to be smooth on the picking run.
Trying to be more consistent on legato lines.

Some hit and miss though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 12 2019, 03:47 PM

Hi Rid,

I notice improvements in the elements that I marked. There is obviously more room for improvements and progress is endless but you are going on the right direction. Some comments:

- I still think that your tone needs more work. Your playing is going in the tasty direction and I think that your tone could go more connected with the type of melodies that you'd like. Some inspiration: https://youtu.be/rJmyYkyav0A

- I recommend you this exercise: Follow the chords with thirds and build your melody from there. It's a very powerful exercise. Find the thirds everywhere and gradually use other notes from the scale as passing tones. Then incorporate 5ths and roots.

- There is a big list of elements that can be worked. I recommend you to focus on 1 each day and focus your improvisation practice on it. Some elements or concepts that I suggest:

Vibrato
Bending
Legato
Alternate Picking Passages
Following with 3rds
Following with 5ths
Pentatonics
Triads
Arpeggios
Dynamics
Rhythm
Horizontal phrasing
String Skipping

and the list continues forever.

Posted by: Rids Jun 12 2019, 10:37 PM

Excellent!
Thanks for the guidance.
It's funny that you mentioned Andy Timmons as I've been listening to a lot of his albums for the last two weeks thanks to Deezer.
I will apply all of your advices for sure.
See you on my next recording my friend!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2019, 02:39 PM

You're welcome mate! Your phrasing made me think that you like or could like him.

Posted by: Rids Jun 16 2019, 09:39 AM

It's father's day. So happy father's day to all fathers on the forum and in the world!

I made this one in A Major.
Trying to match the tone to express my feelings with vibrato, remenbering my childhood and all the things I used to do with my father.
I don't see him very much lately as he lives in another country.

It's a one take : I had the basic idea in my head then I let the backing track roll.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 16 2019, 09:36 PM

Nice to see you playing from your heart mate.

Some comments about your playing here:

- I think that there are some pitch issues here. Maybe your guitar was not completely well tuned, or has old strings? Can you hear it?

- I feel that your solo would sound a lot better if you try any other pick ups configuration (not using only the bridge pick up), and lowering a bit your guitar volume to decrease gain and make tone a bit warmer. Also, what about adding some little delay or reverb?

Posted by: Rids Jun 17 2019, 08:06 AM

You're right on both points.
- Old strings
- And I didn't recheck the tuning before recording.
I tuned at the beginning of my practice session as I always do though.
Must remember to do it be before recording my videos also.

My guitar is a cheap one with low output and not great definition.
Hopefully I will get a new one by the end of next year.
House, wife, kids and vacation are helping me to not have GAS😊.
I also use free VST plugins.
But I will experiment and hopefully find a good sound.
For this one I lowered the delay and didn't use any reverb to work on dynamics and vibrato.

I will come back with a new solo in a few days.
I also have a new instrumental to record.
I intend to have it totally completed by the end of the week.

Thanks for your feedback as always.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2019, 06:53 PM

Hi mate!

I think that you can get much more from this guitar without a big investment. Changing strings, and working on your tone with plug ins can make a big difference. Have you ever tried this plug ins?


http://www.vst4free.com/index.php?dev=LePou

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Stoner-for-Strat-2/

Posted by: Rids Jun 22 2019, 07:25 AM

Frustrated with the instrumental I was working on so I decided to begin a new one from scratch.

Anyway I didn't want to let the week goes by without another improvisation so here it is :

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2019, 06:22 PM

Hi Rid, nice feeling here!

The things that need work here are the same elements that we've been talking about. I don't hear pitch issues here when playing melodies, but I still think that your tone needs work, as well as the fast passages which are not sounding clean and clear.

I think that your next goal here should be to work on your tone, since it will really affect your overall playing. Have you explored the plug ins that I've shared?

Posted by: Rids Jun 29 2019, 09:52 AM

I've been experimenting with plugins.
I took the backing track from the new collab and made a quick jam this morning.
What do you think of the sound here?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 30 2019, 09:48 PM

Hi Rids! Great to see you experimenting over this one!!

I like what you are playing, but I would try with a bit less distortion, have you tried? What amp are you using?

Posted by: Rids Jul 14 2019, 08:26 AM

I'm using a kind of Marshall plugin.

What do you think of this tone?
Personally I Like it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 15 2019, 03:53 PM

Hi Rids! I also like your tone here! I would only try adding some ambience fx, maybe some delay. What do you think?

Posted by: Rids Jul 16 2019, 07:34 PM

All right, more delay here for my take on the new collab.
Some hit and miss but I like the "live vibe" of it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 17 2019, 02:40 PM

Nice mate! I also like the live vibe here, and I think that delay settings are very cool. I've enjoyed your take and the tone's ambiance. I think that we can go for this one, please share it at the thread if you decide that it's the final take.

Posted by: Rids Jul 17 2019, 04:02 PM

Done!

Thanks for the kind words.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 18 2019, 08:32 PM

Thanks mate!

Posted by: Rids Jul 19 2019, 08:54 PM

Hi Gab,

here's a new improvised solo for you to review.

Thanks my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 19 2019, 09:34 PM

Hi mate! Great to see a new video from you!

The good side of this improvisation is the main melody which is introduced at the beginning and continues evolving until the end of the jam. This melody follows the chords with thirds (Is it intentionally?). Well done!!

Some comments or tips to improve this jam:

- I still think that you need to work on your tone. The tone has too much distortion for the type of licks that you are playing and the result is that your solo lacks dynamics. You need to work on dynamics, but before that, you need a tone that helps you with this element.

- I feel that your phrasing needs some experimentation with bending, vibrato, and other expressive elements. Even some slides and legato could bring fresh air here. Not sure if you like this guitarist, but I reffer to this type of elements:



Notice the use of double stops, slide, legato, some longer notes, vibrato, and dynamics.

- Your faster licks are not tight yet. I would try to play those licks but at a tempo that allows you to play clean and clear.

Posted by: Rids Jul 20 2019, 09:11 AM

Thanks for the comment!

For the melody, I listened to the backing track and this is what cames from the top of my head.
It's pure improvisation and it's a one take , a big achievement for me! Lol

I'm familiar with Mateus Asato's playing but I've never really liked his stuff although he 's a very talented musician.
But I could certainly be influenced by his use of dynamics and phrasing to enhance my own playing.

I will listen more closely to his playing now.

Thanks for the tips.

By the way, I 'm on vacation for the next 10 days.

I will post a new improv when I will be back.

See you!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2019, 11:34 PM

Great mate.

Mateus was just an example that come to mind yesterday. You can look at your favorite guitarists. We've talked about Andy Timmons here. He is another great example.

Steve also is....

Posted by: Rids Aug 11 2019, 11:05 AM

Hi Gab,

I just uploaded two videos for "Jam with Kris".

I worked on my tone and wanted your feedback.

I tried to go for some Hendrix vibes with the first one.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 12 2019, 02:41 PM

Hi mate,

I think that your tone has improved a lot in these takes! Your clean tone is very tasty and fits great with the backing track. The second tone is also good and enjoyable. Well done!

I like that fact that you are experimenting with some Hendrix type licks. Those are usually called "double stops" and we have many lessons covering it.

In the second solo I feel that you need to polish the phrases. It's not necessary to do it for the collab, but to train your own playing. What about practicing it a bit more and trying to make your playing more consistent there? I feel that timing, cleanness and dynamics can be improved there... do you note it?

Posted by: Rids Aug 12 2019, 06:57 PM

I'm on it and will focus on all these things for my next solo!
As usual thanks for your guidance!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2019, 02:02 PM

Excellent!!

Posted by: Rids Aug 16 2019, 11:46 AM

All right here's a new one.

As always looking for the sound.
Trying to incorporate new stuff like natural harmonics and open strings as this one is in E minor.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 16 2019, 03:25 PM

Hi Rids, good job here!

I can see interesting improvements here regarding tone and also phrasing. I like the fact that you are tending more to longer notes, shorter phrases and bends. These elements make your phrasing more consistent.

The faster licks like the one at 00:23 are the ones that require more attention because that's where your timing is not tight. The slower phrases also have timing issues but much smaller.

I would try to continue working like this, making your phrasing tighter, and also trying to target chord tones.

Keep going!!

Posted by: Rids Aug 16 2019, 11:54 PM

I will!
Thanks for your kind words my friend!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 18 2019, 12:35 AM

You're welcome!

Posted by: Rids Aug 28 2019, 11:39 AM

So here's my new improv.

I made this one with a theme I found when messing around with a C minor arpeggio at the 3rd fret.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 28 2019, 02:07 PM

Nice mate! I like this melody! It made me think on Omar Rodriguez from The Mars Volta. Have you ever heard him?

I would just work more on feeling and expressing elements.

Posted by: Rids Aug 29 2019, 07:33 AM

Great and thanks for the link.
Very good guitar player I will definitely check his playing more.
I intend to play more with dynamics for the next one.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 29 2019, 03:53 PM

Nice to know that you like it. Check out the collab album that he recorded with John Frusciante. It's not precise technique but it's beautiful music.

Posted by: Rids Sep 7 2019, 09:21 AM

Thanks for giving me some new things to listen.

Here's a new improv, trying to be more "funky" this time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 7 2019, 11:21 PM

Hi Rids! Great to see you trying some funk! I have a question for you.

Do you have experience playing Funk Rhythms?

Posted by: Rids Sep 7 2019, 11:26 PM

No experience.
Just putting some double stops here and there.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 8 2019, 07:21 PM

Ok, I'm asking because I think that your overall playing can improve with some funk rhythm practice. I suggest one of this lessons (or both):

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Funk-Workout/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Single-Line-Funk-Technique/

Posted by: Rids Sep 9 2019, 05:17 AM

Just added the first one in my practine routine!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 9 2019, 02:18 PM

Great!!

Posted by: Rids Sep 11 2019, 06:57 PM

I put the links to the videos for the new collab here also to have them in my thread.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 12 2019, 02:11 PM

I love them mate. I'm ready to record my responses!

Posted by: Rids Sep 12 2019, 05:23 PM

Thanks my friend!

Your response is top notch!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 13 2019, 02:42 PM

You take was very inspiring mate.

Posted by: Rids Sep 15 2019, 09:00 AM

Something different with this blues improvisation mixing dorian, aeolian and blues scales.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2019, 10:11 PM

Hi Rids! Great to see you experimenting with scales and different styles.

It would be cool if you get any phrasing ideas from any lesson. What guitarists do you like in this style?

Posted by: Rids Sep 16 2019, 01:43 PM

Most of the time I find the melody by ear after listening to the track a few times.
Then I will check some licks in the style, in the lessons here or other ressources I've got.
Finally I improvise a solo until I'm satisfied with its flow, then I record it.
My recordings are not perfect but I use them as a diary and to keep track of my progress. There are no editing, it'srecorded "live" every single time.

I've never find a style that sticks with me. I love so much the sound of a beautiful melody.
I can listen to Andy Timmons, Gary Moore, some stuff by Yngwie Malmsteen, David Gilmour, Slash, Peter Green, Neal Schon or some movies scores like the ones by Hans Zimmer. I just like when a guitar solo tells a story.

That's why I don't bother to learn complete lessons or songs.
My main goal is to make my own music and take some ideas here and there.

Your guidance has helped me a lot with tone, phrasing and timing so far.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 17 2019, 02:37 PM

Great! I think that you have nice ideas there, but you still need to polish the phrases to make them sound more consistent. Your timing is not bad, but when phrases incorporate trickier passages or more advanced techniques like slides or alternate picking, the licks become a bit sloppier. I think that you could get great idea by learning and polishing some of these phrases:

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Guidorist-My-Top-30-Phrases/

Posted by: Rids Sep 22 2019, 11:39 AM

Excellent lesson.
A lot of licks to steal for sure.

Anyway, my brother challenged me to come up with a solo over this backing track.

Not very happy with the result but it's a part of my journey that's why I share it here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 23 2019, 02:45 PM

I'm very familiar with this backing. Again, I feel that you need to dedicate some time to learn one or two licks that you love and work on variations.

Have you ever seen this lesson?

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Your-First-Phrases/

Posted by: Rids Sep 23 2019, 08:00 PM

I will certainly learn from them.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 24 2019, 01:34 PM

Great!!

Posted by: Rids Oct 13 2019, 07:38 PM

Hi Gab,

I've been workong on Ben's Land of Legato 1 lately.
I will share it soon here.
Anyway, here's a new short improv, playing in a major key but with a minor mood I think.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 13 2019, 08:30 PM

Hi mate! Great to find a new jam from you!

I like how this solo begins. Your phrasing is melodic and you have a nice use of rhythm. I feel that the overall solo has a good structure, and a clear idea, but you definitely need to polish your technique here. There are basically 3 elements that require attention:

- Bending: I notice that most of your bends don't reach the right pitch. I really recommend you to dedicate at least 5 minutes every day to practice the first exercise from this video: https://youtu.be/JNDyI5b3Fh8, and maybe add this lesson to your practice:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginner-Bending-Workout/

- Timing. I think that your phrasing has interesting rhythm, but you need to polish your timing now.

- Hands Sync: This problem appears when you play fast passages with alternate picking. We have really cool lessons here: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/search/alternate+picking/

And why not... THIS: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/10-Ascending-Descending-Rock-Licks/

Posted by: Rids Oct 20 2019, 06:01 PM

When working on my bending technique it's ok but in playing situation I have a tendancy to overbend.

I will maybe focus on training with licks involving bends rather than the technique in isolation.

I tried to relax my picking hand when picking.
The last run in my new solo shows that I think.

Thanks for your feedback.

I will maybe share my take on Ben's Lagato lesson by the end of the week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2019, 02:22 PM

Hi Rids,

Great to see you working hard. I also think that practicing over backing tracks , and combining some technique exercises with real music licks will help you.

Have you ever tried this lesson?

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bendy-Blues/


I'll wait for your land of legato take!