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Posted by: Gert1973 Jul 20 2023, 11:51 AM

Hello Monica,

I have been studying and practising the rythm part of this lesson. Everything is clear to me. Except one little thing I can not get my hands on 100%.

Slow video number 5: The 4th bar starts with the E-powerchord one downstroke not muted (quarter note). Then you have a pause before you have 13 downstrokes (eight notes) and build up the sound from muted to totally unmuted.

It's the pause between the quarter note and the first 8 note where I have some trouble with. I can not seem to find the right timing. I tried out some things like counting measures but I can not find it. I try to 'feel' the pause and most of the times I get it right. But I'm guessing there must be another way to always get the perfect start of the 13 'eight notes' downstrokes.

Have a good day!

Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 20 2023, 12:51 PM

Hi Gert!

I took a look at the lesson and I understand where you have the problem.

First, you don't have there a pause. On the first strike, you have a dotted quarter note (which means the value of 3 eight notes).
To make the counting easier on that particular bar, in the moment when you strike the first power chord, start counting 1, 2, 3 and then on 4 start playing the rest of the notes (eight notes). To match this to good timing, the counting of 1, 2, 3 must be made as fast as you will play the next 13 eight notes with downstrokes.
Let me know if my explanation clarifies your problem.

Have a great day!

Posted by: Gert1973 Jul 20 2023, 03:44 PM

Hi Monica,

Thanks for getting back to me. I now understand there's not a pause but it's the duration of the quarter note. I have although already tried to count but I never get past the count of 2. Before I can count 3, the first 8 note already has to be played.

I can make it work by looking at the pulse of the backing track where I can see clear where I have to start the eight notes. So that works pretty good. But I just want to figure out how I can have a perfect timing if I don't have the pulse in front of me

I'm not at home now but I will have a try to count until 3 on the pace of the eight notes (and play the first eight note on count 4) and do stroke 2 and 3 'in the air' and on 4 start the first 8 note.

I keep you posted!

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jul 20 2023, 05:01 PM

No, it's not a simple quarter note. It's a quarter dotted note. If it was just a quarter note, it would be written "Q". On the tab from the lesson, this note is written "Q." That point near the Q means a quarter dotted note.
1 quarter note = 2 eight notes
1 quarter dotted note = 3 eight notes
This dotted note gave you trouble.

To understand better, replace in your mind that quarter dotted note, with 3 eight notes. Then add the next 5 eight notes that you have in the bar. So, the total in the bar will be 8 eight notes.

Don't worry, when you arrive at home and you apply my previous explanation, you will understand perfectly how the counting is made. The issue will be fixed immediately.

One more thing....don't forget to count fast (eight notes in 4/4 time). This means that in a bar you need to count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Have a great practice time!

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 1 2023, 02:27 PM

Hi Monica,

Here's my first take of this new lesson. I did the whole lesson because you know that's my thing

I really like to play this lesson and I was thinking about it breaking the rhythm part and the solo part up into 2 pieces. But the solo part went really smooth while I was learning it. So I kept going on and practiced the whole lesson.

Here's the result...



Analysis:
0-1.05: I have paid attention to the muting part and the correct positioning of my fretting hand. Specially the thumb on the low E-string to not let it ring. I can not hear any big mistakes in this part.
1.07: unwanted string noise
1.34: that chord should sound better
1.43: I misted the 7th fret on the slide
1.45: I think it's the correct pitch (or a few cents above or underneath )

I'm very satisfied with this take. There are no big mistakes. Of course there are some things that needs to be improved... as you will tell me

But one BIG question!! What do you think of the SOUND of this lesson?? I'm curious about that in particular

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 1 2023, 04:19 PM

Hi Gert!

Great to see your first take over this lesson.

Let's first answer your question. The sound is good. It's a little dark compared with the tone that Darius has, but it's proper for this lesson.

The rhythm part sounds awesome!!! You know, all our hard work (previous AC/DC lesson) for muting and hitting the strings hard is paying off. I'm so happy how cool this part sounds.
You know, I think Darius would be very proud of you.

So...for the rhythm part, besides the things that you pointed out, I have only one complaint. Be careful at the part from 1:05 - 1:12 and don't rush.


The solo part. This requires a lot of work because it has many details that would be very hard for you. I will not mention all of them today because it would be too much and our purpose is to make you able to play and understand them.

1:45 - this bend is totally wrong. You played this lower with a semitone.

1:46 - 1:51 - after you hit the bend 4 times, you need to start releasing the string very slowly. But don't release the string completely (at the point 0 of the string) as you did in the take. You need to release just 1 semitone.
Without releasing the string completely from that semitone lowered you need to go directly on the C note (G string/fret 5). At the end of this C note, you need to make a fast down bend.
It's not hard, it is similar to what you did at 1:56 when you played again the C note.

1:56 - now let's elaborate a little more this down bend. Hit first the note, count 1-2 and then start to execute the down bend. This bend should be audible as an ornament played at the end of the note.

2:00 - 2:04 this part needs to sound more glued. Don't cut the sound after the bend. Be careful at the right hand and don't stop the string earlier.
Also, take a look at Darius' left hand and watch carefully how he pushes the string with the ring finger and how take this off from the string.

BTW I love that you understood how you must pick and stop the string between the pick strokes (1:46 - 1:52). This part is almost perfect from the dynamics point of view.

About the vibrato....we will fix this after you manage the details that I pointed out. Let's make the solo sound good and then we go further.

You did an amazing work today and I'm very proud of you!!!

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 1 2023, 04:54 PM

Hi Monica,

The first part (rhythm) feels indeed natural because of the previous easy AC/DC lesson. The rhythm part is 3/4 of the whole lesson. I was surprised when I came to the solo part, I was already down 75% of this lesson

The reason why I asked about the tone... a few days ago I had a visit from a friend. He's also guitar player and in a band for many many years. He's also an IT guy and knows one or two things about musical software. So I was telling about Kefir and the LePou plugins (Hybrid and LeXtac). He searched the internet (in a very different way that you and I do) and he could not find Kefir. He confirmed what we already knew. Kefir is gone and was designed for Window. There were options to run it on Mac but that's very technical and I did not understand what he was talking about. But he came up with an alternative for Kefir (Nadir). I told him I already have Nadir installed. But I did not have the LePou plugins. So long story short... I have Hybrid and LeXtac up and running! So the sounds for this lesson is made with LeXtac and the IR Catharsis s-preshigh in Nadir. So maybe now you can tell me what I have to tweak a little bit to come even closer to Darek's tone?

I have also tried the settings for the alternative picking lesson from Darek but that sound is totally different. So I don't know what's going on there... maybe I spend some more time trying to figure it out. But I'm happy with the sounds I'm using until now.

About the Winter ballad... I have spend some time already on that lasson but it's a hard one. I learned the first 5 bars but still needs some more practice before I will post a take.

Thursday I'm off for a holiday with my daughter for one week. And I will not take a guitar with me this time I'm going to take a break playing guitar for one week. I think it's a good thing taking a rest and restart after the holiday.

So it will take a few weeks before you will see a new take from me

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 1 2023, 07:00 PM

Awesome!!! You know, I had the feeling that it sounded like Bogner Ecstasy because of the dynamic response. The Lextac simulator is based on Bogner Ecstasy XTC amplifier.
The part from the lesson that I told you that is almost perfect from the dynamic point of view, could not respond in the same way without this kind of tone setting. A lot of bite with minimum gain. Welcome to the Poulin family.

The Poulin Hybrit simulator has two Marshall amps in one: The MCJ channel emulates a JCM800, and the PLS channel emulates a Plexi Super Lead 100.

Nadir is a perfect alternative for Kefir. A few weeks ago, I spoke with Darius about Nadir and he told me that works great.

At this moment, don't change the sound for this lesson (AC/DC). Your tone is a little dark because you also have different pick-ups than Darius (and different pick-ups that I have). But this doesn't matter because your tone has the same type of "bite" and this is exactly what we need for this lesson. Believe me, it's more than perfect!!!!
If at some point we feel the need to make some tweaks to the tone, we can use a parametric EQ (this will allow us to make thin cuts without drastic changes to the tone).
I have from Darius 2S EQ by 2nd Sense Audio. We used this a few times. From what I know, you can find this for Mac.
But...I don't think we will use this EQ in this AC/DC lesson.


About the tone from the alternate picking lesson. The tone that you use now is good and fits with the lesson. You don't need to change it.
But....if you want to make similar settings as are in the lesson, you need that 2S EQ (Q filter plugin that Darius used is actually 2S EQ )
Besides the settings that are written in the lesson, you also need to add FX on your chain. Darius used stereo delay and reverb from Cubase.

Yes, the winter ballad is not easy (that was the idea ). It sounds easy because of the tempo. Learn first a few bars. Don't force yourself to learn the whole lesson because it will not work.

You deserve a one week break from playing. I wish you an amazing holiday, rest yourself and make many pictures. Enjoy the time with your daugther.


Have a great week!

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 2 2023, 01:15 PM

Hi Monica,

If the sound from the AC/DC lesson is good enough then I will not change it. Gives me more time to practise instead of losing time with tweaking the sound

And also same for the tone of the alternate picking lesson. It's interesting to try to have the same sound by applying the given setting for the tone. It took me about 10 minutes and that's ok for me. But also trying to find the 2S EQ and the FX from Cubase will take more time I guess... So if the sound is good enough... then it's good enough for me too

About the winter ballad... believe it or not but it was my plan to learn the first 5 bars and not the whole take this time

So I will post a take shortly after my holiday!

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 2 2023, 03:20 PM

We will have a better image of your tone when you will play the lesson at a faster tempo. At this moment, you can focus only on playing.
Yes....tweaking the tone is time consuming. I know this very well.


Hahaha...that's a good strategy. Five bars are enough for the start. We will learn this lesson step by step.

Take care of you and see you after your holiday.

Have a great day!

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 17 2023, 03:35 PM

Hi Monica,

I have prepared a take on the solo part of the AC/DC lesson. Because that part needs a lot of work.

I have tried to fix the issues you've pointed out...



9: I think I have a good pitch now
10-16: I have counted 4 upstrokes before depending a semitone and then go to C. Picking the string and stop it is still going good as in the first take.
I have tried to make a fast down bend on both C-notes.
24-28: I think an improvement on this part
35: the vibrato here needs improvement. But that was somting for later on you said...

Ok, let me know what issues I have to work on

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 17 2023, 05:41 PM

Hi Gert!

It's great that you played only the solo part. We need to work this separately.

I like the fact that you fixed some of the things that I pointed out. The down bends sound good now.

0:09 - the first bend. When you hit this first time (downstroke), it sounds correct, but at the first upstroke you lower the string 1-2 cents and it doesn't have a good pitch anymore. Take a close look at your hand and you will notice this problem.

0:09 - 0:16 - It's great that you counted 4 upstrokes before going down with the pitch. Now we have clarified which is exactly the moment when the lowering of the pitch starts.
But....you still go down with the pitch too much and that is not ok.
Don't go lower than the pitch you have at the 9th upstroke from your take.
Look at Darius' hand and you will see how tiny he moves the string when lowering the pitch of the bends. You need to lower the string cent by cent.
Also, after the last upstroke, when you need to go and play the C note (G string/5th fret), your middle finger should let the string go down with a very fast movement. We need to let in the ears of the listener the sound of D note (we don't literally play this note...it's just an ornament). For this detail, I need you to let the string push your finger down without stopping it in the D note.
Imagine that after you pushed up the string to keep the bends in pitch, now you relax your fingers and the string goes to the point zero exactly at the moment when you are ready to play the C note.


0:24 - 0:28 - I can hear an improvement but these bends still don't sound glued enough. You stop them. For this type of bends you need to change the mechanism a little.
Push the string with both fingers (middle and ring finger...as you do in the take), but after you reach the pitch, your fingers needs to act in a different way. This time I need you to put your fingers (middle and ring), "swim backwards".
Push the string and "swim backwards" (of course don't exaggerate with the swimming ). In this way, the string will ring longer.
Compare how Darius removed his fingers from the string (slow video no 9) and how you remove your fingers. You will see exactly what I'm talking about.
I know these bends aren't easy but....don't worry, you will succeed in making them.

0:36 - this bend doesn't has a perfect pitch (a few cents).

For next time, try to fix the details that I pointed out. It's hard at the beginning, but once you understand all these details, you will be able to make a killer take.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 24 2023, 02:19 PM

Hi Monica,

I have been working on the solo and here is a new take on the solo part.



7: maybe I should let it ring a little bit longer before going to the bend?
8-15: I think the bend, the dynamics and letting the bend go slowly, has improved
16: I could not fully understand or hear what you wanted me to do here. So I tried to go to C as fast as possible.
24-28: I think I have figured out the back swim on these bends here

I think this take is an improvement.

Let me know where I need to do some more work...

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 24 2023, 03:59 PM

Hi Gert!

First of all, your guitar sounds out of tune (mostly the G and B strings).

0:07 - yes, you need to let these notes ring longer before to start the bend.

0:08 - 0:15 - this part is highly improved. The dynamics it's great and that's why this part really shines.
Now you let the pitch go down slowly but not enough. Don't lower the pitch more than you have it at 0:13. This means that you need to minimize the movement of the hand even more.

0:16 - actually you succeeded in managing this detail quite nicely. Now, you go faster in C and that is awesome. I'm proud of you.

0:24 - 0:28 - l can notice an improvement but we are still far from what we need. Practice this kind of back swimming a little more. The problem occurs when you take off the finger from the string. That's the moment when you cut the sound.
Hmm....I will try to make you a different explanation.
Imagine that, with your right hand, you need to use your finger instead of the pick. This means that your finger needs to pluck the string to make it ring.
Now, for our detail, make a bend without to touch the string with the pick. Just move the string up with your finger without making any kind of noise. Now, without using the pick, you need to make the string ring when you take off the finger from it. How do you solve this? By making a "pull off" in the opposite direction. This will help you fix the hand movement for this particular section.

About your left hand index finger (0:24 - 0:28). Put this finger to press both strings like Darius did. Don't keep it rounded because when you change the pressure from one string to another, you stop making the notes sound overlapped and we don't want this to happen.

Overall, you are going in a good direction. Try to fix the details that I pointed out and everything will sound much better.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 25 2023, 10:06 AM

Hi Monica,

Aaaah ok... I think I understand the mechanism now!

Just one follow up question...

The reason why the G-string stops ringing is because I mute the G-string with my index when it comes back to 0. I mute the G-string when I put my index on the B and high E-string 5th fret. I looked at Darius and I thought he was muting the string with his index finger on the B and high E-string.

But I guess that's not the idea? I have to let the G-string ring after the 'pull off' when the G-string comes down to 0?

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 25 2023, 11:51 AM

Hi Gert!

Yes, you understood correctly, the G string must be muted with the tip of the index finger. The only issue is the fact that you stop the G string earlier than you should.
This happens because you don't let the string return to point zero. If you look closely at your take, on the release point the G string is in the bend position. This is wrong and appears because you have the index finger rounded and positioned higher.
When you will press both strings together (B and E) with your index finger, it will achieve the correct position and will let the G string return to point zero.

This is how it looks in your take the G string at point zero:

Posted by: Gert1973 Aug 30 2023, 03:50 PM

Hello again Monica,

This take was on my schedule today

I have tried to fix the issues from the previous take...



10-15: How about lowering the pitch now? I was focused on lowering the pitch and I think it loses a bit on the dynamics.
24-28: I have practiced this part very much because it was the biggest issue I had or have to fix.

You told me my G- and B-string were out of tune the last time. I had tuned them before recording. But I guess for some time now I have an issue with the G-string.
Next week I'm seeing my teacher again. I'm going to ask him to look at this guitar because my G-string is hitting against the fret board and it needs to be fixed. So maybe that's the reason why it sounds out of tune. I can see my G-string is getting in tune difficultly when I'm tuning it. And my strings aren't that old...

Have a great evening!

Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Aug 30 2023, 04:40 PM

Hi again Gert!

Yes, it seems that your G string has an issue. It still sounds out of tune and, from what you say, it's definitely not because of the strings.

About your take, I can say that I'm impressed by the fact that you fixed all the problems. Great work!!!

0:10 - 0:15 - the lowering of the pitch is perfect now. The dynamics is a little bit lost, but I understand why. Don't worry about it. It's much more important the fact that you fixed the issue from this spot.

0:24 - 0:28 - the first bend has a wrong pitch (too low) but the rest of the bends are played great. You succeeded in fixing the most important problem and I'm very proud of you. This is exactly how I wanted to see you playing this part and it's absolutely awesome!!!

0:36 - beautiful raking

I have no complaints this time. You applied everything I told you and the result is great. You did a really awesome work!!!

For next time (because you can play the rhythm part very good at this speed), raise the tempo a little (5 - 10 BPM). But...prepare both parts (rhythm + solo).

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Sep 10 2023, 03:26 PM

Hi Monica,

Here's a new take of the AC/DC lesson at 70bpm (10 more then the previous one )



Analysis:
12: unwanted string noise
13: unwanted string noise
0-58: the strumming part goes well again
59-1.04: this part needs some improvement
1.05-1.28: no issues spotted
1.36: missed 1 upstroke
1.44-1.48: those bends are going good I think
1.57: no raking

I'm happy with this take. The mistakes I made do not happen all the time so they are not big issues. Just the middle part 59-1.04 needs some work.

Await your feedback!

Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 10 2023, 04:43 PM

Hi Gert!

You came up with a great take!!! Also, your analysis is good as always.

I really like how awesome the rhythm part sounds. Take care at 0:57 - 1:04. As you already pointed out, this part needs more work. At this moment, it doesn't have a good dynamics. You need to make a very visible crescendo.
On the first 4 strikes, your pick needs to softly touch the strings. The more strikes you make, the more force you need to add on the pick. When you release the palm muting, it's the moment where you need to use the maximum of the picking strength.

1:44 - this bend doesn't have a perfect pitch.

1:48 - 1:50 - in this section your left hand looks very tense. Try to minimize finger movements a little.

You did an amazing work. I like very much how this lesson started sounds and I'm very proud of you!!!

For next time, you can raise the tempo with 10 BPM.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Sep 17 2023, 03:46 PM

Hi Monica,

I worked some more on this lesson at 80bpm. The rhythm part does not give too much trouble at this speed. Only the solo part needed some practice.

And I have my guitar back from my teacher. He improved the problem but I don't think the problem with my G-string is solved entirely. Let me know if you hear anything in the take.

Here's the take:


0-48: As already mentioned, this part goes really smooth
48-57: I think the dynamics have improved now. Maybe a little more work and practice...
57-1.17: no problems spotted
1.18: I think the dynamics in this bend have also improved. Maybe I have let the pitch down a few cents too much?
1.30: the bend starts to go really well

I'm very happy with the result of this take

Let me know if there're some more issues to take care off..

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 17 2023, 06:02 PM

Hi Gert!

That's a really nice take. The rhythm part sounds awesome!!! I love it!!!

The G string sounds definitely better now. It still has an issue and it's audible in the final part of the solo.

0:50 - 0:55 - in this section, you improved the dynamics, but be careful at the beginning to strike both strings. In your take after the first strike, the next 6 strikes hit only the E string. Also, don't forget about the sweet spot when you make the palm muting and don't press too hard on the strings.

1:18 - no, you didn't go too down with the pitch. It sounds correct.

1:30 - yes, you are right, these bends started to sound good. I like it!!!

1:34 - 1:36 - try to minimize the left hand movements a little. These notes should sound more legato.

1:40 - this bend doesn't have a perfect pitch.

You did an awesome work today. I like the result very much!!!

For next time, you can again raise the tempo with 10 BPM.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Sep 18 2023, 01:01 PM

Thanks Monica!

Always happy when I may raise tempo...

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 18 2023, 01:35 PM

Posted by: Gert1973 Sep 28 2023, 04:04 PM

Hi again Monica,

Last (but not least) take of today!!

Take at 90bpm this time...



My analysis:
0-44: the rhythm part is again going very good
45-49: I have practiced this part and I think I improved the dynamics. Do I have to mute it a little bit more? Or is this a good sweet spot?
50-1.08: no mistake spotted
1.09-1.15: good dynamics again!
1.25: this note was not well played
1.28: good pitch this time I think

Overall very satified again with this take! This lesson is going smoothly

Have a good evening!

Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 28 2023, 04:51 PM

Hi again Gert!

It seems that you let the take with the sound from the camera, not with the sound from the DAW. Don't worry about that.

You made a really nice take. The rhythm part sounds awesome!!!

0:45 - 0:49 - yes, the dynamics it's highly improved. Now we can hear clearly the crescendo. Also, you are now on the sweet spot and it's muted enough. You don't need to make any adjustments. I like how this part sounds.

1:09 - 1:13 - good dynamic but the first bend is under the correct pitch.

1:15; 1:17 - try on these two places to work a little on vibrato. You need to execute this a little wider. It's the same type of vibrato as you have in the middle part of the alternate picking lesson. Apply the same technique.

1:27 - nope, this bend has a wrong pitch (too higher)

As you can see, I don't have many complaints. This lesson works great and I'm very, veeeery proud of you!!!

For next time, guess what? You can raise again the tempo with 10 BPM.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Sep 28 2023, 08:23 PM

Ahaaaaa.... raise the tempo!!!

And damn... I indeed choose the wrong file


Here's the good one! Sounds soooo much better



Thanks for the compliments and I start at 100 bpm! Almost there...


Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Sep 29 2023, 06:18 AM

Hi Gert!

Thanks for posting the take with the sound from DAW. It's normal to sound more awesome.

Just two additions to my feedback from yesterday.

1:14 - be careful when you need to go and play the C note (G string/5th fret) and your middle finger makes that fast movement because this detail doesn't sound perfect. You make a tiny pause between notes and that is not good.

1:23 - 1:24 - please review the picking here. You played these notes with alternate picking instead to make pull off. Too many picked notes destroy the dynamics.

Have a great day!

Posted by: Gert1973 Oct 6 2023, 04:38 PM

Yes Monica... it's me again!!

I have put some new strings on my guitar and then went for this take!!



Analysis:
29: little unwanted noise
42-45: I love the dynamics now!
1.12: I have worked on the vibrato here. I think it's better now
1.13: second vibrato maybe a little bit more vibrato?
1.18: pull off is present now
1.22: good raking and now the pitch is ok?

Ok, I'm very happy with this take! Need some more work but I feel satisfied with where I am now...

So, I gave you a lot of homework today

But until next week friday I don't have a lot of time to post some takes. So now we have some things we can work on when we meet next week


Have a nice evening!
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 6 2023, 06:44 PM

Hi again Gert!

Hahaha...3 takes today. You seem to be more than ready for our music boot camp. The countdown has started.

The first part of the lesson sounds awesome!!! I have no complaints.

1:05 - this bend has the pitch too low

1:13 - the first vibrato looks better but on the second one you pressed so hard on the string that it sounds out of tune. Use your wrist to make the movement for vibrato.

1:16 - 1:17 - in your take the pull of is present only on the G string. You need to play with pull off also on the E and B strings.


1:22 - the raking sounds great but the pitch of the bend is not ok.

Great work!!! This lesson works amazingly!!!

For next time, you can raise the tempo again with 10 BPM.

Don't worry, all the tasks that I gave you today at the lessons are for the moment when you will return home. Next week, when we meet, we will work on those details, techniques, pinky finger position, etc.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Oct 8 2023, 08:16 PM

Yesssss.... 3 takes and 3 times raise the tempo!!

I definately feel ready for Romenian musical booth camp!

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 9 2023, 07:21 AM

Posted by: Gert1973 Oct 27 2023, 03:38 PM

Hello again Monica,

I'm on fire today!!


Here's a take on the AC/DC lesson at 110 bpm

As we discovered already together, this lesson is going very well. And I'm proud of this take. This one only needed 7 takes to come to this one



Analysis:
0-42: flawless until here
42-48: Here the dynamics misses a 'middle' part I think. It goes from soft to hard and not too much something in between if you know what I mean.
48-1.06: again nothing to report in the area
And also at the last part I can not hear an issue worth mentioning.

I feel very good about this take. Hope you do too..

Have a good evening!

Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Oct 27 2023, 05:07 PM

Hi again Gert!

Hahaha.....two takes today...awesome!!!

Yes, we both agreed that this lesson works really well. Also, the fact that you recorded only 7 takes before having this one is a proof of how good things work.

Now let's analyze your take.

0:08; 0:18; 0:27 - this chord still needs a little more work because it sounds wrong almost every time you play it. We spoke about it but this time you need to fix it as fast as you can. You almost done this lesson and if we want to have this in REC, we need to fix this problem.

0:42- 0:48 - the dynamic is not bad at all. But...I think you can hit even harder the last 2-3 strokes. In this way, you will get a much more proper sound in the middle part and the overall contrast will shine.

1:10; 1:13 - the down bends from the C note (fret 5/ G string). Remember how we studied them. Play the C note and execute the down bend at the last moment. The movement is fast and a little more aggressive because for this detail we need to achieve a kind of bite in sound.

1:18 - 1:20 - put a little more force in your finger when you do the pull-offs. Play it with more intention.
Hahaha....I don't know why but I feel that you will receive a pull-off lesson after you end the alternate picking lesson.

1:23 - the last bend doesn't have a perfect pitch.

1:22; 1:24 - take care of the vibrato. Apply the same type of vibrato (same movement) as we worked together at Winter Ballad.

Your take sounds good and I'm very proud of you. All the things that I pointed out are just tiny details that need a little polishing. Apart from the problem with that particular chord, you don't have critical issues.
You did a great work today!!!

For next time, you can learn to play this lesson at full speed.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Nov 15 2023, 12:57 PM

Hi Monica,

Almost 5 months ago, I started this lesson.Today I proudly present to you a first REC attempt!



I'm very satisfied how this result sounds and I really like playing it. IF this take can go into REC, I will really miss playing and exercising this lesson.

Excited to hear your opinion!!

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Nov 15 2023, 02:22 PM

Hi Gert!


Great to see you playing this lesson at full speed. Killer attitude, I love it!!!

That's a nice take, but unfortunately not good enough for the REC section.

The rhythm part sounds great. I like the fact that you fixed that chord issue and that is awesome!!! Be careful because between 0:25 - 0:27 you rush too much.


The solo part doesn't sound good at all and that is what destroyed your today's recording.

The down bends from 1:01 - 1.05 don't have a good pitch. Also, you need to play them at the last moment and without staying between notes.

The vibrato's from 1:03 and 1:05 are also out of tune because you pressed too hard and nervous on the string.

1:06 - 1:10 - on this part you don't have a perfect timing (it's a little off).

1:14 - the last note doesn't have a good looking or sounding vibrato. What you have done is more a shake of the finger.


It seems that today you will not say goodbye to this lesson. Look...I know you can play the solo part highly better. Probably, if you listen to this take tomorrow, you will have the same opinion as me.

Practice the solo part a few more days and make a new shoot. Keep in mind that each take from now is considered to be a potential REC candidate.
So...be careful of timing (don't rush), control the strength and movements when you execute the vibrato and pay more attention to the down bends (remember how we repeated these bends).

Have a great day!

Posted by: Gert1973 Nov 22 2023, 05:37 PM

Hello again Monica,

You would have never guessed I would post another take today, right??

I have practiced some more on the solo part... Especially the force on the strings.



Again, I will not put an analysis as I'm going for a REC take.

Let me know if there's some more room for improvement!

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Nov 22 2023, 06:57 PM

Hi again Gert!

Hahaha...exactly, I had not a clue that you would post another take today.

Let's analyze your recording:

I don't have complaints about the rhythm part. This sounds awesome!!! The only thing that I miss is a little more energy (as you had last week).

0:58 - this bend doesn't have a good pitch. In your previous take you played this bend absolutely amazingly. Be very careful at the pitch.

1:03; 1:05 - both vibratos sound out of pitch. You control the force applied a little better than last time (not perfect) but the big issue comes from the fact that you don't do the oscillation of the vibrato in a good way. You don't let the string comeback to the point zero between oscillations. That's why your vibratos sounds so bad.
To fix this issue, you need to clean up the movements. Pull the string down, then let the string come to the point zero, pull the string down and let the string come to the point zero and so on.
Exactly how we practiced together on winter ballad.

1:11 - this vibrato sounds even worse because of the same issue, but this time you succeeded in making me laugh. Look closely at your hand. You pulled the string so much that your finger almost make the vibrato under the guitar. Actually, your E string is already in the air, far away from the guitar.

1:05 - 1:10 - these bends are very beautiful and also the pull-offs sounds great!!!

1:14 - be careful at the end of the take to not make any additional noise.

My suggestion for you would be to have a little more patience (I know you have ). Please, practice the vibrato a little more and make a new take. You worked enormously at this lesson and it would be a shame to get lower grades. I know you can fix the issues that I pointed out. Just a little more polishing before the final take.

But anyway....please keep this take as a back-up (for the worst scenario ).

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Dec 9 2023, 03:10 PM

Hi Monica,

Here's another attempt for a REC take. I have used a little bit more force in the first part.

And I have also spent a lot of time trying to improve the vibrato's. I think they have improved a little bit comparing to the previous REC attempt.

But I let you be the judge



Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Dec 9 2023, 04:39 PM

Hi Gert!

It's great that you used a little more force in the first part of the lesson.

Overall, you did a nice take but there are a few tiny things that would need more polishing.

0:36 - this chord doesn't sound great because it resonates a string that should not be heard.

vibrato - it still doesn't sound and also doesn't look good. I know you worked to fix this, but from my point of view, your today vibrato is less shining than the last time.
1:03; 1:05 you make more a kind of a down bend (it doesn't sound like vibrato). Your finger does not make the vibrato movement.
1:11 - you failed this vibrato
1:12 - the last vibrato is too nervous and it sounds out of tune because you do not let the string return to point zero between oscillations. You made the movement keeping the string bent down.

You know, vibrato is one of the hardest techniques and requires a lot of time and practice. We've all been through it, but don't worry, we will fix this. I know it's stressful at the beginning, but trust me, at some point it will come naturally.

1:04 - this second down bend should also be played at the last moment (same as the first one).

1:12 - the last bend doesn't have a perfect pitch.

Now it's up to you if you want to give to this lesson one more week of practice, or you want to post this take in the REC section. I'm very proud of you no matter what decision you take.

Have a great evening!

Posted by: Gert1973 Dec 28 2023, 03:53 PM

Hello Monica,

Very proudly present attempt number 4 for a REC take!! I have worked hard on the vibrato! Maybe it still needs work but I can hear improvement.

Question now is... is this take THE ONE for REC or not

Here it is...


I don't want to sound too excited because it will make it harder for you to bring bad news But in my ears, it's a killer take, hahahaha.

But if it needs further practice... then I will try and make it better

So no pressure for you

Cheers,
Gert

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Dec 28 2023, 04:59 PM

Hi Gert!

Compared with all the other takes that you have made, this one sounds really awesome!!!
The vibrato is not perfect, but it's highly improved. The fact that we studied the vibrato separately was a good move and improved your performance.

There are just a few things which could have been done better.

0:55 - unwanted string noise

0:59 - 1:02 - the down bends aren't played exactly as Darius. You know that we have spoken about it and they should sound more like an ornament played at the last moment.

I think this is your best take and I want to congrats you for all your work and patience. I'm very, very, veeeeery proud of you!!!

So...no bad news today. You did an awesome work and you are ready to post this take in the REC section. Let's say goodbye to this awesome lesson and go further with a much harder one.

Have a great evening!