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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 2 2013, 03:52 PM

Hello there!

This here is your personal thread, in which we shall deal with helping you achieve your guitar playing/ musical goals

Please tell me a few words about yourself and your music/ guitar playing achievements so far - where are you now and where you'd like to be and if you have any recordings of yourself, please do share

Cosmin

Posted by: Mataal Jan 2 2013, 04:29 PM

Hi Cosmin, great to work with you so let me tell you the history

I've played for around 1 and half years, 17 years ago and had a metal band etc. then got girlfriend, married, children, work and in the last 15 years didn't touched the guitar

Last 2 years or something were very hard, lost one of the companies, debts, etc., was able to keep one company and things are going ok but just got to bottom and felt down, even depressed and I remember my guitar, lost my marshall, not idea where it went, the guitar was in bad shape also. I've got a new guitar, a white Schecter Omen-6 which I love it and have an Ibanez small amp with 17 years old which sucks lol and since I'm playing mostly at night when kids are sleeping it's complicated so I got one amp that connects to guitar and outputs to phones at the moment.

Now there is google and learn a lot, been playng for around 2 months maybe less now.

My problem is that time is not much, if I have one hour a day is good, so I need to make that time COUNT and for that I need help . A minute will be important in my case.

I don't expect to live from it but I want to be able to play as much of the bands and artists I ear for years as much as possible and that is a realistic goal.

In the site, I've started to see what level I am, and seems that I'm around 3, LOL, can play the solo of http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/neoclassical_solo_for_beginners/ but the bends just destroyed my fingers LOL

Now I was trying to get into http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Winter-Tune/ just love it

That was a resume of it

Best regards,
Pedro Gonçalves

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 2 2013, 09:41 PM

Hello Pedro! I read your story and I intend to make your time here worth while

The lessons you chose are simple and not so simple - the technical level is not that high but the interpretation level is high so I think you chose well, if you aim to improve yourself as a great interpreter

Before starting to discuss, I was curious if you are able to record yourself? Your recording is my way to see how your playing is going, so it would help a big, big lot

Cosmin

Posted by: Mataal Jan 2 2013, 09:51 PM

Yes, I believe I can do that tomorrow, not sure if the sound will be good or not but will try

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 3 2013, 09:15 AM

Alright mate, we'll take it from there

Posted by: Mataal Jan 8 2013, 12:11 AM

Can I save it with GarageBand or what do you recommend to use?

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 8 2013, 08:59 AM

Hey mate, as long as the recording ends up in a conventional format, use whatever you see fit to work with

Posted by: Mataal Jan 11 2013, 06:40 PM

Hey Cosmin, ok made a first save was fighting with computer to save it lol.

Need to learn a little more about it, I'm a webdeveloper but music apps never used.

For now, I've done this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiL6mskKrpQ
It's over http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/neoclassical_solo_for_beginners/
Should have saved it over the backing track.

I'll do some more now that I'm getting into it

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 11 2013, 11:36 PM

Hey mate! This is not bad at all! The timing is good, the tone is nice and it seems like you got it pretty tight! Oh there was one bend that didn't come out just right in there

I would like you to start vibrating and bending using your wrist though and also, the right hand seems to be working extra with that pick The wrist should be going into action here as well. Have you ever tried to bend/ vibrate and pick using your wrists?

Posted by: Mataal Jan 12 2013, 06:12 PM

Hey Cosmin,

"Oh there was one bend that didn't come out just right in there"
Yes, bends are not good yet

"I would like you to start vibrating and bending using your wrist though and also, the right hand seems to be working extra with that pick The wrist should be going into action here as well. Have you ever tried to bend/ vibrate and pick using your wrists?"
Nope, no idea about that Any lesson about it?

I saw a lesson from Ben about slides and bends which is something I want to check it out.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 12 2013, 10:48 PM

Please do, there's also this little movie I've done that you can take a look at if you wish Let me know when you'll have new stuff to show me

Posted by: Mataal Jan 13 2013, 06:49 PM

Hey Cosmin, thanks I'll keep working on bends. It's the pinky that doesn't have strength yet to make it go upper on that note eheheh

Also, I've been playing to work the fingers out, what do you think?
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/little-finger-work-out/

I'll also start work on:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Slides-Bends/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hand-Synch-II/

Need to find one for rhythm also to work with chords which I've not been doing much, if you remember a cool one let me know.
I'll probably try http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/basic-metal-rhythm/

Thanks a lot
Pedro

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 14 2013, 09:20 AM

Hey Pedro! Looks like you already packed a list here These are good, especially if you get them up to tempo and play them clean and tight!

For rhythm, I think this one could be a good catch -> http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/hard-rock-rhythm3/

It sounds more like 80s hair metal, but it has good dynamics - bends, vibrato and it works with groups of strings, which I think can work wonders for your playing

What do you think?

Cosmin

Posted by: Mataal Jan 14 2013, 11:46 PM

Sounds good

The bendings are killing the fingers lol

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 15 2013, 08:28 AM

Glad ya like it Well, that's what's usually going on when having to deal with bending - even in my case, when I'm dealing less with bends and I need to use them again extensively, my fingers start knocking me out

Posted by: Mataal Jan 15 2013, 03:04 PM

I've saved another one, there's a few timing issues and the bloddy bendings but I've tried it only for a couple hours so, will improve it lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UksdvZu7So

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 15 2013, 11:06 PM

Hey Pedro - this is good stuff! A bit rigid in some spots and there were those bends at about 0:58 that need to be taken care of. Mate, I think you are on the good way with playing in general, but you need extra focus and determination to get to the next level! I'll be here to assist you on that path

Posted by: Mataal Jan 16 2013, 10:50 AM

Yep, going to exercice bends, last night saw some cool videos are they are getting better, I now know that the bends should sound notes down in the string that we do it, now I know what is the tab information saying 1/4, full, etc hehehe

In a week will do the same videos and can compare if it's better (crossfingers, lol).

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 16 2013, 11:15 AM

Mate - I would recommend using your ears more than tabs when it comes down to tackling expressiveness in a piece Looking forward to your new videos

Posted by: Mataal Jan 16 2013, 12:49 PM

Hears are getting better, but was important to learn how it worked

The issue is time, only play an hour a day (some days don't even play) in around 2 months, what I think the struggle will be later on is to increase speed with the time I have, we'll see

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 16 2013, 10:45 PM

Well, keep me updated with the progress mate - as I said, I am looking forward to help you on your journey

Posted by: Mataal Jan 17 2013, 01:18 PM

It's getting better. I have one question, I need to work scales, I can do them at slow speed, what's the best way to train them, just keep doing the scales up-down for as much time as possible to improve the speed or any other technic or should do certain scales first?

Thanks for your time mate.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 17 2013, 03:09 PM

Hey Pedro! In order to learn a scale, you should first understand it's structure and internalize it's sounds and also, understand when and where to play that scale

I will record a short video consisting in my experience with learning a new scale - I am currently studying a bunch of Japanese scales which I want to use in a song, I will shoot after gathering my thoughts.

Anyway, learn how to reproduce that scale using your voice, in various octaves. Then, sing it against the chords over which it can be played. Learn how to harmonize that scale and see examples from various famous songs where that scale is applied. You could then look at that scale on your guitar neck and understand the positions - horizontal, vertical, diagonal, 3 notes/ string, 4 notes/ string, 2 notes/ string

Sounds like too much? It isn't really, but it will work

Posted by: Mataal Jan 17 2013, 09:23 PM

"Sounds like too much?"
Hell yeah lol

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 18 2013, 08:53 AM

Trust me man, if you won't clutter yourself with wanting to know all the scales in one day, you will achieve more in a year's time than you would imagine Make a test - try the approach above on a scale of your choice and persist on all those activities I wrote there for about 1 week or two See what happens

Posted by: Mataal Jan 18 2013, 12:42 PM

Trying to understand all the explanation

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 18 2013, 07:04 PM

If you have questions, please let me know

Posted by: Mataal Jan 30 2013, 10:09 PM

Ok, made a new video of the same songs, hofully better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_IMgwaplLw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW6_K3oRxZM

I feel my right hand it more "free" in movements than before.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 31 2013, 08:44 AM

Hey mate It is better - although, you should take care of some bends which were not reaching the pitch and also, the vibrato in the Piano loves guitar lesson should be wider. I can see that you have started using your wrist which is awesome, but you still use your fingers sometimes Keep working hard and it'll be there mate!

What do you say if I shoot another lesson towards you? This one has a lot of bends

Cosmin

Posted by: Mataal Jan 31 2013, 12:11 PM

YES send it out

Yes bends and vibratos still need some work, I'm starting to hear and get them closer now and using the wrist yeah, fell much more "lighter"

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 1 2013, 10:50 AM

This one will work your hands mate http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/String-Bending/

The clean/ crunchy tone helps in hearing things better and trying to get more control if you like country stuff, you can always try this one as well: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pedal-Steel-Guitar-Country-Solo/

Let me know how these two feel

Cosmin

Posted by: Mataal Feb 1 2013, 01:46 PM

Thanks mate, probably will work on the most with the first one

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 2 2013, 09:16 AM

Very good! Keep me updated and don't forget to focus on large fluid movements and using your wrist, ok?

Posted by: Mataal Apr 20 2013, 02:59 PM

Hey mate, been busy with lots of work but tried to train as much as possible. I've done a bunch of videos last weekend, if you can take a look and see if there's any bad habits I need to fix would be great

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlNCeW3-zRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk4liv0tMvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLDeq8z7tGI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcXRqEJk0nA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hll4ibOK2Sk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79sFo4HPgD8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M8g2lYyTwE

There are some stuff that it's not perfect but I'm getting better (hopefuly, lol)

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 21 2013, 05:19 PM

Hey Pedro! Wow, this looks like a very impressive collection!

Well, I'll take them one at a time:

Winter tune - basically, it's clear that you know the parts, but in the lead section there are a lot of bends that are not yet there - they aren't reaching the correct pitch - and various timing issues in the phrases.

Seek and destroy - aside a few spots where you haven't been very clear (missing some notes without losing the groove though ) it sounds tight and correct to me. It was actually the first song I ever learned from them I used to play it on the acoustic guitar though

Neoclassical for beginners - sounds like you nailed it pretty good mate. The vibrato sounds wide, the flow is there, but some of the notes you are bending, sound a bit forced, because you are uncertain about how much to bend. They reach the pitch, but they don't sound natural yet.

Iron Maiden for beginners - Be careful in the first lead part especially, because this is where it's the most obvious - there are some notes you are missing and the general timing is a little bit shaky, as a whole take. I would suggest more slow practice with this one for certain!

Hand synch - mate, I'd redo this one, as it is not yet ready to be recorded and presented. Practice slowly and most importantly - study a bit the note lengths based on the rhythmic subdivisions you are playing in the piece. It will help you feel the pulses that change throughout the take. Ok?

Epic metal beginner solo - This one is almost there. The part that needs your attention, would be the bends around 0:37-0:39, which are out of pitch. Otherwise, there are minor hesitations here and there. Practicing this one slow and understanding all the parts, will most certainly increase your certainty. Also, watch out on the vibrato - don't vibrate with your fingers, but do it from the wrist, k?

Guitar Loves Piano #3 - It is obvious that you practiced this one and you know the parts, but, it sounds a bit rigid and in some spots you are vibrating with your fingers again. I've noticed a very beautiful vibrato, around 0:36 - that's what you should aim for mate And also, the bends around the ending (0:55 onwards) are out of pitch.

I think you did a good job with the tracks and now you know what your needy spots are: timing and bending mostly. These and the missing notes that appear in the takes, can be fixed with more attention to detail, slow practice and understanding of what you are playing.

It is a LOT of information man - you gave me 7 takes and this is no little thing! Keep up the good work and write more often, ok?

Cosmin