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Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 15 2021, 03:56 PM

The journey has started, here is Update 1:
(If you are new to this, https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=61606 is how it started and here is the https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hot-Country-Solo/ I am practicing.)





Update 2:


Update 3:


Update 4: (80% of original tempo)


Update 5: (90% of original tempo)


Update 6: Here is my first attempt at 100% speed, it's taken me roughly two months! 😅


Update 7: My second attempt at 100% speed!


Ok, so I think this is the final version:



I have submitted it for grading https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=61984 😱

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 15 2021, 04:33 PM

Interesting, thanks for participating Kris, maybe you'll get an insight into our challenges by doing this.

I hope you can work through it and get to REC, that would be awesome.

Looking forward to more inspiring videos, it will be interesting if you do manage to learn the whole thing, to hear how you think it has benefited your playing.

Cheers

Phil

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 15 2021, 04:35 PM

@Phil - for sure!

Feel free to comment if there is something particular you would like me to focus on in my practicing.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 15 2021, 06:22 PM

Will do buddy.

Interesting how different we are regarding GP. I always use it to get the lesson under my fingers and up to speed. It's better (for me) than the slow down in the player, at less than 50% anyway, as the sound quality doesn't alter.

Once up to speed I create an MP3 of the lesson video, and put it in my DAW as track 1 and work along with that at various speeds to get used to playing along with the backing, as you know, backing can be off putting. This is also whet I work on the nuances of the instructor's version.

In track 2 I put the backing and line it up with track 1. I then play along with JUST the backing (muting track 1) at various speeds and play back along with the lesson. MP3 to check my timing. With my current https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/blues-get-that-shuffle/ I've been very pleased and Gab has too, with the fact I've been able to play in time at slower speeds which can be trickier than full speed.

That's my process, you may find some use from it.

As a suggestion, I think it would be good to make the lesson video available as MP3 along with the GP, backing and TAB downloads for use in a DAW. I could send you any that I've still got and if you want me to, I could do some each week for you.

Cheers

Phil

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 15 2021, 06:54 PM

Really interesting and it is awesome that you decided to do vlogs so we could follow your journey.

Great video and I thought it was fascinating to hear how you learn lessons and how you practice, it is something I would try and see how it works out. Also it was interesting to hear about picking lessons which you love rather than picking lessons you think are good for you.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 15 2021, 07:03 PM

I consider this crucial, it is with this in mind that I structured GMC the way it is! 😊👌




This sounds like a solid method for sure - and we can obviously see results! 😊

The mp3 thing is doable ( can be done retroactively as well)

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 15 2021, 07:22 PM

Thank you



If there's anything I can do to help just ask.

Cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 16 2021, 06:20 AM

I can't seem to get that tone or even close to that tone on my ibanez. Teles really do sound different.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 16 2021, 07:37 PM

Well I am certainly no expert but even on an Ibby with floating trem you should be able to get some twang:

* use bridge pickup

* snap the notes hard and then kill the note by releasing pressure with left hand

* start with just a clean fender style amp preset, then maybe boost a little bit by increasing amp gain

* do not drain the tone with effects! To start with, just use a barely audible spring reverb

* a country style compressor pedal can help you get the initial snap/pop even without using "true" country playing technique

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 17 2021, 12:56 AM

That certainly helped thing! First time for me trying to get anything close to this. As always a lot of the tone seems to come from the fingers. I"m editing a video for the German band that I play with called ARKASA at the moment so we can release it by the end of January. I think I'm gonna have to just watch on this one. I'm frankly amazed at how well you can get this plucky western/country style going. I think shredding is a bit easier to be honest.

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jan 17 2021, 07:54 AM

It's awesome the fact that you decided to make videos to show us your approaching in learning a lesson.

BTW I'm totally agree with you about Guitar Pro. It's an amazing program but I also can't learn a lesson using this because everything sound so sterile, soulless and this thing not work for me.
I use Guitar Pro only if I need to make a tab for someone else (because if I need for me a tab, I still like to do this in the old version...writing with the pencil on music sheet ).

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 17 2021, 11:31 AM

Sounds like a cool project! 😎

To be honest learning this lesson feels like major challenge for me as well, however I am very focused and practicing hard - so the worst thing that can happen is that I get better 😁👌



Yeah, and it's also great if you cannot figure out the rhythm by ear. So far for this lesson I have just used the ASCII (text) tab and slow down functionality of the player. However I have probably only gone though about half of the lesson so far.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 17 2021, 11:40 AM

How well can you play that half of the lesson?

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 17 2021, 11:52 AM

I cannot play it consecutively at all, I have just isolated the licks in a way that allows me to practice them. I now need to get them into my muscle memory so that I eventually can get them up to tempo.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 17 2021, 01:58 PM

That's good really, I was getting deflated thinking you'd nailed half of the lesson already

Come on then, let's see a video of you trying

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 17 2021, 03:42 PM

Try what? 😅The best you will be able to see me do right now is play the licks as I read them from the ASCII tab (which is what I did in the video).

At this stage there is no point to push myself to play half the solo if I can't play the licks properly, because that will cause me to strain and get bad habits.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 17 2021, 03:55 PM

I only meant as part of the process just seeing your initial attempts at a couple of bars. Please don't think it's to laugh at you, it would be interesting to see someone of your ability struggling. I think a lot of students, myself in particular put ourselves under a lot of pressure when learning a lesson, I always think people are thinking I don't put enough effort in when it takes me a lot of time to get results.

I think it we see your struggle it will help us to rationalise our expectations.

I hope that makes sense

Cheers

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 17 2021, 04:21 PM

Ok I see what you mean, yes I plan on recording a new status update soon, I can then try to play through what i have learned slowly.

If you want to get a feel for how it sounds, listen to 03:10 or 03:30 here:



I can basically play the first half of the solo at this tempo, minus some subtle technique stuff which I have not worked out yet.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 17 2021, 09:54 PM

Thanks buddy,

Yeah I watched the video all the way through first time around, very interesting. Are you going to post the final version in REC? You won't be able to skip parts like you said you were going to, the judges in REC are RELENTLESS and won't allow you to get away with skipping parts

Cheers

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 17 2021, 10:03 PM

Hehe I am not planning on skipping anything 😅 I might not always use the same technique as Chris though.

I will probably also post for students to grade as well 😎 lets just hope I will make it

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 18 2021, 12:53 AM

Impressive. For anyone who has not tried, that thing he's doing combining finger picking and the guitar pick is just flat out hard to do imho. I've seen Kris do this techique in other bits and it really works well on this type of solo. Getting that plucky/twant thing going is as of yet just beyond me. I"m glad kris is making these vids to break down the basic techniques as they are somewhat alien to me for sure.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 18 2021, 08:19 AM

Agreed - hybrid picking is key here!

If you have never done it - it will feel weird in the beginning. But it's one of those techniques that you will never stop doing once you have learned it, because it's so handy to start using those right hand fingers which are 'hanging' there anyway.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 18 2021, 11:19 AM

Here is UPDATE 2 where I do a play-through of what I have so far:

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 18 2021, 08:52 PM

Very interesting Kris,

I am impressed with how much you've got down in so few days, maybe it would be good (for us students) to know approximately how many hours you've clocked up as you go along.

I'm not trying to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teaching_grandmother_to_suck_eggs but hopefully, this will help others who are following in the shadows I usually learn one bar/lick at a time, not up to speed but to get it into my fingers. What also needs work, is the transition from one bar/lick to the next. Trying to put the licks together after learning them can also be a skill in itself.

I usually do 1: 1&2: 2&3: 3&4: 4&5: At this point I usually practise all five bars/licks together for a while then go 5&6: 6&7 etc. Again, not up to speed but into my fingers.

I then work on building speed on the whole piece, this is where you really find your weak spots that need isolating and working on, mine are usually chordal parts

Anyway, keep up the good work, let's hope this helps and encourages others to enter the world of GMC and not be so shy at displaying their struggles.

Stay safe

Phil

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 19 2021, 04:07 AM

Wow. Kris is using all of his fingers to pick in one part in addition to the guitar pick. Almost like classical guitar technique but on an electric. Nice.

Posted by: HiimAlex Jan 19 2021, 09:23 AM

What do you think has been most challenging about learning it so far?
As I understand there are many challenges but if you had to pick one.

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jan 19 2021, 09:27 AM

This it start to look really good.

I looked carefully at this lesson and it's also hard for me to understand the rhythm of the licks. Mostly because most of the accents are puts in a different place than I expect or I have the instinct to put them. This thing make this lesson to be very tricky.
As an example if I look at the first 5 bars and I try to play this, same as you I also have the feeling to put the accent on that A# (G string, fret 3). But we don't have there any accent.
If I replace that accent, rhythmically sounds better and more close with the lesson but this thing works 1-2 time (if I have luck ) because the instinct to put the accent in a wrong way it's still there. It needs more practice to I make this work.

BTW I love how good you reproduce that sharp attack on the first note.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 19 2021, 09:27 AM

Thanks Phil. Right now things are going better than I anticipated - especially considering I haven't even dug out the compressor pedal or started tweaking my tone seriously, yet. However, as mentioned, I have only played with short bits of the backing so far, so this might all change as I try to play the whole thing over the backing.

I have probably spent an average of 1,5 hour per day since I started this topic (Jan 15). Goes without saying that I don't practice unless I can be totally focused, so we are speaking about very effective practicing! 😅



This sounds like a very good strategy to me, similar to what i am doing currently.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 19 2021, 10:59 AM

Yes agreed about the accents thing - I also find it difficult to understanding the rhythms/timing. I think many accents come at a "weird" place because hybrid picking is used - and its easier to produce a snappy note with the right hand finger. And since many phrases start with the pick - it means the accents will not come on the first note.



I would say understanding the timing.

In this very moment I feel comfortable about building speed - but a possible hurdle could be playing up to tempo while still incorporating all the country:ish stylistic details. That could take years... so we will see about that 😅

Posted by: azureus Jan 19 2021, 06:34 PM

as a low level player what can I say! ... this is fantastic! .. it sounds count ... am curious about the whole song when you finish it!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 21 2021, 10:44 AM

@Azureus thanks 👊

If anybody else is working on this lesson and needs tips I would say I am highly qualified to answer right now since I am practicing the exact same 😁so feel free to shoot!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 24 2021, 05:33 PM

Update 3: ( I felt like sneezing the whole time 😅)

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 24 2021, 10:13 PM

That is brilliant progress Kris, you are another level buddy.

Any idea how many hours you've clocked up so far?

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 25 2021, 10:53 AM

Thanks Phil! My estimate would be around 15 hours.

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Jan 25 2021, 03:32 PM

That's a huge progress!!!

I love the fact that you do this in a good way, not in a fast way. From my point of view, to set a deadline when you learn something it's the perfect chance to became your own enemy.
How you treat this learning process it's an example that should be followed.

I enjoy each step from your journey. Mostly because I personally love more the learning process than the final result itself (after things are learned, for the player the result became obvious and not so surprising anymore).
But...that joy that you feel when you learn something new and things start to sound good, it's priceless.

Same kind of joy I see at you in this video. You are very positive (you are not afraid anymore to not get bored after few days ) and it's very visible that you play with much more confidence and more relaxed. The fact that you enjoy to do this, it can be felt.
Looking at you hands, I could say that at this moment you already have an idea how this solo will sound in the end.

I hardly wait the next episode.

Posted by: klasaine Jan 25 2021, 04:06 PM

Great thread Kris! It's super useful to witness "the process" of a pro player.
No one, no matter how good they are, learns and absorbs something new instantly. Especially if it's a style/genre/technique that they are not that familiar with.

My only suggestion for anyone attempting this type of challenge is to listen to a lot of the style. In this case - hot country lead guitar. It will really help in understanding the "feel" and where the accents are placed within the music in general. A great place to start would be Brent Mason on any Alan Jackson and George Strait records.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 25 2021, 04:32 PM

Awesome you dig it Monica. Yes I have def reached threshold where I long to hit the clean channel and play some of these twang licks - that's a super positive sign 🤩




Very true, I have listened a bit to country stuff (like the Hellacasters). Most of my musical input probably comes from the country material at GMC though. I think just going through countless of lessons/slow videos (for publishing purposes) has probably helped me more than I realise.

So I guess this goes to show you actually practice passively without realising it as soon as you get musical input.

Posted by: Phil66 Jan 25 2021, 08:42 PM

Very impressive buddy. Obviously we have to remember the Pareto principle here, (80% of results come from 20% of the time, then the last twenty percent of results takes 80% of the time), I'm looking forward watching this one grow.

You da man

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 26 2021, 10:31 AM

Yes this is key, getting that last bit of mojo at a high tempo can be insanely difficult and time consuming.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 27 2021, 05:18 PM

I continue to be hugely impressed by your ability. I was always impressed, but this is beyond.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 27 2021, 05:20 PM

Wow thanks so much Todd, is it the change of genre that impresses you? 🙏😍 Because I still feel I have quite a way to go before mastering this one

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 3 2021, 01:06 PM

Here we go..!

Update 4: (80% of original tempo)

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 3 2021, 01:44 PM

That's incredible Kris,

Obviously the final 20% is usually the hardest but I'm sure you'll get there. You seem slightly tense at 80% but who wouldn't be?

Great words about using different muscles/movements when playing faster, we touched on this with Gab and Troy Stetina over at the GMC Facebook group and I think it could be a useful discussion/lesson on its own right. Many of us just try to increase the tempo using the same mechanics that we use at slower tempos.

Thanks for the update and keep up the good work.

Stay safe

\m/

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 3 2021, 02:04 PM

Cool idea! Controlling tension is a great topic idea.

And yes for my playing here I also think controlling tension will be key to reaching the original tempo.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 4 2021, 03:11 AM

Your ability to leverage your hybrid picking technique to apply to an entirely different style of play is very impressive, not to mention just playing something so far outside your typical wheelhouse. It's great to watch to be honest.

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Feb 4 2021, 08:16 AM

This started sound amazing. Even the accents are more close to the lesson. I love it!!!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 4 2021, 08:50 AM

Thanks Todd 😍🙏

I think this is because i have always liked how poppy/snappy you can get with hybrid picking - and this goes right into the heart of chicken picking. If I had only used hybrid picking for smooth high gain legato this would be much harder for me.



Thanks Monica 🙏 Fingers 🤞

Posted by: liveOASISforever Feb 4 2021, 08:55 PM

You are absolutely incredible Kris. Has being really interesting to see you go out your comfort zone and try this lesson. Am pretty sure you will get it up to speed very soon. All the best with it

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 5 2021, 10:51 AM

Thanks the support mate - fingers crossed 😊👊

Posted by: jstcrsn Feb 8 2021, 11:24 PM

these are very interesting, thanks

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 9 2021, 10:43 AM

Thanks bro, I hope to record a 90% version next update!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 23 2021, 10:51 PM

How's it going Kris?

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 24 2021, 08:54 AM

I am working on 90% speed currently, I hope to have update for you guys soon!

As you pointed out earlier, things are a bit slower now that I am getting closer tot he original speed. I need to be super careful in order not to try advance too fast, and get some bad technique habit along the way.

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 24 2021, 10:08 AM

Yeah I know, it's usually at this point I start to get bored because it can be played well just not at the speed of the lesson. I sometimes wonder if there's a mental block at 90% and even if the track was 10% slower I would still hit that wall at 90%. I now make my target speed 100%

Looking forward to the next update

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 24 2021, 11:32 AM

Update 5: (90% of original tempo)

Posted by: Mertay Feb 24 2021, 11:44 AM

I'm impressed

Obviously I have zero experience with this style but can you try lowering the bridge pickup a tiny (very small, like maybe bit less than 4/1 screw turn) bit? I felt the "spank" response of the guitar maybe could be improved to make things a bit easier for you.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 24 2021, 12:16 PM

Cool, will try for sure - thanks mate 🙏

I will start to focus on tone now that the final recording is approaching

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Feb 24 2021, 08:06 PM

Wow....that's awesome!!! I hardly waited your update 5.

You lost a little from the excitement that you had in the previous updates. Don't loose the motivation. The progress is also highly visible when you are in the polishing things stage.
I personally enjoy more this part of the "game" because even if it's quite boring, has a particular beauty and it change the final result in an amazing way.

The differences between your takes are huge and the progress it's truly impressive!!!
I love how good and clear sound now the lick from 0:50 - 0:55. You were afraid that this particular lick, will gives you troubles at fast tempo. Look how good you play this at 90%.

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 24 2021, 08:46 PM

Where did the video go????

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 24 2021, 09:17 PM

Weird! Restored now



Thanks Monica! Yes you are right about the excitement - but now I am back on track because I feel I am close to nailing it up to tempo (much cleaner than this take hopefully). And that feels exciting! I am actually already pondering what to do next - I feel like tackling new genres, and material I am uncomfortable with, might be a working strategy for me considering where I am now.

And yes that particular lick is the one I have practiced the most - glad it shows!

Posted by: Phil66 Feb 24 2021, 09:38 PM

+1 on what Monica said, but you are doing an outstanding job buddy.

I've been trying a new tactic, new for me anyway, I set GP to 70% and each loop increases by 2% or sometimes 1% and I play through the whole cycle three or four times. I found that there was an area of speed, around 88%-92% where I was less tight than the slower tempos (as expected) but also less tight than the higher tempos.

Maybe give it a try, it may help with the tedium a little bit.

Keep up the good work.

You will nail it, we all know you will.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Feb 26 2021, 01:50 PM

@ Cool Phil - that's an interesting strategy to loop while slowly increasing speed!

Currently I am dying to get some practicing time because I feel I am really close on this one!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 27 2021, 12:39 AM

This is really sounding cool. It's got a lot of pop to it which is perfect. your hybrid pickin
is really serving you well on this. You rawk!!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Mar 18 2021, 07:16 PM

Thanks a million Todd! 🙏

Here is my first attempt at 100% speed, it's taken me roughly two months! 😅

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 18 2021, 08:47 PM

That's brilliant Kris,

Obviously there are a few tiny glitches in there but I am amazed how well you've got it down in a couple of months, any estimate on the hours?

You really have the twang of the original and I think it would go down a storm at the local open mic night.

I think you should now go for the whole GMC experience just to get a full student experience and post a proper REC take for Gab, Darius and Todd to critique, it would be interesting to see what the big guns say and what score they give you plus you would know how we feel in the hot seat

Well done buddy, you are an inspiration. We should make this a feature maybe alternating instructors if they are up for it, I think it is good for students to see instructors putting the time in to achieve a result, many students think that instructors have a "gift" and that they'll just be able to pick something up in an hour or so, it's a good reality check.

Thanks again for doing this.

Stay safe.

Phil

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 19 2021, 03:09 AM

Wou!! Congratulations Kris!! It's great to see you playing this one at 100%! I've been following your progress here and I have to say that this whole thread is very inspiring! This is a very demanding lesson and style, and even more if you are not familiar with it.

At this point, I only think that you need more days of practice. Sometimes I feel that you are able to play the licks tight, but that your hands get tired and that's why it doesn't sound precise. Am I right?

Now I want to give this one a try. I'm not familiar at all with Shofner's style so I think that this could make an important impact in my overall playing as I'm sure that is making it in yours.

Again, congrats on your amazing job!

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Mar 19 2021, 08:41 AM

That's an awesome progress!!! It's visible how much work you have put behind. To be able to play this killer lesson at full speed it makes you already a winner.


I will point only two things (I hope you will don't mind) which for me make visible the difference between your take and the original take.

1. Definitely you became so friendly with this speed that you have moments when you hurry a little. I think this "hurry" thing it comes from the fact that you put some accents and you play some licks rhythmically different than in the original lesson.

2. Also at this tempo you make things sound more like are played with a normal hybrid picking than chicken picking (I don't know if this make sense for you). I mean, are licks where you should use that sharp attack (snappy) on some notes (as an example...the part after the bends from 0:55).
I think if you will use more strength in the right hand things will sounds more close (exactly as you made at slower tempo). At this moment your right hand make things sound a little too soft for this style.

Few more days of practice and things will shine. You are almost done with this. Anyway....you already have proved how awesome player you are!!!

Posted by: HiimAlex Mar 19 2021, 09:03 AM

You are doing a great job! And I'm also very impressed by your work. It is interesting to see your improvement in this and also hear about your practice tips.

I have to say it has been inspiring to see you play this since its a style you are not familiar with and you are playing it so well

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Mar 19 2021, 10:20 AM

That is def still the plan. However for various reasons I suspect I will still not get quite the same experience as a student..

I have received an insane amount of comments on various platforms since I started out on the web more than 10 years ago. And although some of it has been really harsh, it is still nowhere near my own opinion about my playing. So in my case, I def think I give myself the hardest critique... for better or worse



Yes maybe they do get tired. I think I am relaxed though, but the problem is that I am not yet ready for this tempo. However if I only record when I have got it all down I don't think this thread will provide as much value (plus the wait would be looong 😅).



This is a very good point, I must admit I have not focused much on this yet. That's the kind of polishing I see myself doing the weeks before the final recording. Also my nails/fingers tips on the right hand are kinda worn out, so popping harder is the last thing I want to do 😅




In the beginning of the solo I am not playing on time. This is a classic problem we see among students trying to play something fast before they are ready for it. Instead of grooving along and feeling the tempo, I just dive head-on into something I am not yet prepared for.

After a while though, I do find the right pulse - but by then it's a little too late since I have already messed the intro which kinda disqualifies me 😅



Thanks mate! 🙏

This solo has been a hell of journey. And if this is like any of previous learning I have done, I predict that a couple of months after i have stopped practicing this - I will start seeing elements from this style appear in my "natural" repertoire.

Posted by: Phil66 Mar 19 2021, 11:36 AM

I think we're all like that buddy, I know I am definitely my own worst critic. I think you've done an AMAZING job on this though, it's been inspiring all along, nice one buddy

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Mar 19 2021, 07:32 PM

Thanks mate for the support 👊

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 20 2021, 07:46 AM

WOW. Impressive. I don't think I could do this if my life depended on it.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Apr 9 2021, 04:43 PM

Thanks Todd - but I think you could, however let's hope we never have to put you in that situation 😅

Here is my second attempt at 100% speed:

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 9 2021, 06:22 PM

I can see it now! Play hot country using all your fingers or you die right now!!! That's a tough one. You are doing great on this. I can see how much progress you've made and it's killer. You had a good head start with your hybrid picking technique and it's turned in to a great new path of creativity. I see what you mean about using the arm for this type of play.

When i'm shredding at high speed I'm mostly using the thumb/first finger and some wrist but that's only using one string at a time. When i was playing classical guitar, and using multiple strings at the same time, using multiple fingers to pick multiple notes, my arm had to come in to play. It was very much from the shoulder down where as my shredding is from the fingers back to the wrist and I keep my arm relaxed. What your doing here looks much closer to what I experienced playing classical than it does to more linear shred type stuff. Then again I don't use hybrid picking at all when I shred and I notice that you sometimes do! so your always doing a somewhat classical picking approach that needs more arm to help leverage the fingers. Your doing great work on this style. Congrats!

Posted by: Phil66 Apr 9 2021, 06:45 PM

I was just wondering how you were getting on and then I came across this.

Incredible Kris, I am seriously impressed, I only spotted a couple of minor mistakes. I reckon this would get a 9 at REC, 9.5 if half points were allowed.

This is inspiring buddy, thank you for sharing

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Apr 10 2021, 03:46 PM

Thanks much mate for the support 🙏

I have to disagree about the the REC grade though, to me this is a probably 6-7. But then maybe I am not the best person to judge myself.



Good point here, the arm movement is mostly needed when string traverse is involved. For "one string" speed picking the only reason to use the whole arm would be to generate a lot of volume - ie on a steel string acoustic guitar.

Thanks Todd - this sure has been an amazing challenge in terms of progress for me 🤩 And it's not over yet!

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Apr 11 2021, 08:47 AM

That's an amazing take!!! You get closer and closer and from my point of view this is your best approach for this lesson.
What I love most is the fact that you started to work at details and this change the overall feel of the take.
Also I love the fact that you play with much more confidence and you succeed to transmit a good feeling. That's a very good thing and personally it give me a good mood.

You are definitely much cruel with yourself but from my point of view that's a very good thing. For me this take it's somewhere between 7-8.
At this moment I would give 7 for technique because you have some timing issues (I can't close the eyes on this area ), some notes that can't be heard and other tiny details but these are NORMAL things that appear in the polishing stage.
It's clear that you are focused to play more aggressively (which I love because it takes you much close to Chris's original take) and that's why when you play some snappy notes you get off timing.
For the attitude and the feeling that you transmit I will give you a 7.5-8.

But it's a REC grade simulation just for fun because the take it's not finished and I know how huge is the difference between a take not polished and a take polished. I'm pretty sure that your final record will sound absolutely killer.

Posted by: Phil66 Apr 11 2021, 10:33 AM

You're probably more right than me buddy, I'm only just getting up to level four lessons, my ear isn't as good as yours and it all happens so fast is have to put it into my DAW and slow it down to hear the timing errors.

You're doing an amazing job mate, very inspiring and as I've said before, it's comforting seeing you having to work for it, I don't mean I take pleasure from your struggle but it makes me feel like I'm not as bad as I thought when it takes me weeks to get a lesson to even score a 7 in REC. With only around an hour a day it's quite good really.

We should get Todd and Gab to do one now. Something nice and slow for Todd, to challenge his runaway hands

Thanks for doing this Kris. It's a great incite into a top player's skill set.

Stay safe

Posted by: petitkyu Apr 11 2021, 10:45 AM

Thanks Kris for sharing this experience...

It's really nice for us, beginners, to see that hard work always leads to progress! And that we share the same challenges when tackling a new difficult lesson (of course, for me a difficult lesson is level 3...)
You made a great work and it was a great idea to share this!

Laurent

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Apr 11 2021, 02:33 PM

Agreed Monica, now is where gets really interesting - as I work on the tonal and stylistic aspect of this solo.

If I can get this down, these licks are much more likely to stick with me. Because anytime I sit down to play something I try to hear an awesome line in my head, and if the line does not sound awesome - I am not likely to use it "just because it's country".

So fingers crossed I will be able to nail this one!


Thanks mate and don't underestimate your skills 👌 being able to understand/hear fast rhythms is not a very important part of music in general, although it is something we guitarists tend to focus on!

I can definitely recommend anyone to go public with their guitar struggles like I have done here, it is incredibly rewarding... And if any instructor wants to submit their REC take that is also really cool 😎



Thanks Laurent - and agreed. The struggle is there regardless of your level, you just have to keep at it! Keep up the hard work 👊

Posted by: PosterBoy Apr 11 2021, 04:54 PM

Hey Kris
When you isolate the licks do you include the 1st note of the next lick to make it easier to join them together?

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Apr 11 2021, 05:32 PM

Cool question!

I can't say I generally do that, but sometimes yes.

When I isolate a lick, any chunk that I can repeat to a steady pulse and that focuses on the problem area is fine.

If it turns out I also have problems connecting the lick to the next one, I might create a larger chunk, OR one that specifically focuses on the the new problem area (the notes that connect the licks)

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Apr 29 2021, 11:24 AM

Ok, so I think this is the final version:



I have submitted it for grading https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=61984 😱

Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici Apr 29 2021, 03:04 PM

Huge congrats Kris. The result it's amazing!!!

I love the fact that you polished a lot of things and definitely this make your take shine.
I'm curious what instructors will say in REC. Are few details that can be pointed but comparing with your last take I can hear a huge difference. I'm pretty sure that the grades will be somewhere between 8-9.

I really enjoyed this topic. Was truly awesome to see your approach in learning a lesson.
Thank you because you done this. I love the fact that you never say no when it's about a challenge.

Posted by: jstcrsn Apr 30 2021, 12:21 AM

this was so much fun , I had started to do this lesson , but morphed back to my style as I wanted to master shred before ,so hopefully soon I can get these 9 lessons I been practicing up

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Apr 30 2021, 10:00 AM

Thanks Monica and thanks for the support throughout 👊

To be honest I can't quite listen to the original because I feel my take is sounding so far from it, but that's probably just because I have spent the last months listening to all the details (and I just hear all the misses). I am sure if I give it some time I will be really proud and happy of this take.

I also think Gab gave me some good advice to keep playing this one 1-2 twice every day - I tend to drop things as soon as I am done with them, though it would be really cool to get these ideas into my improvs as well.



If you already have 9 lessons going that seems more than enough indeed 😅 Of course nothing is preventing you from stealing a lick here and there, that's what I typically do 😼

Posted by: Phil66 Apr 30 2021, 07:40 PM

This has been an amazing and inspiring journey Kris. Thanks for doing this. This final take is probably as close as it can be, I bet Chris couldn't hit a 10 every time.

Well done buddy, you my friend, are inspiration personified


Stay safe

Phil

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 30 2021, 09:56 PM

Super congrats on this! Your existing finger pick style certainly came in handy and this is just some tricky playing no matter how once slices it. I hope to see this stuff work it's way in to your solo bits!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 1 2021, 02:10 PM

You might just be good enough to quit your day job
in all seriousness thats really well playe Kris!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl May 3 2021, 10:51 AM

Thanks mate 👊and thanks again for your feedback which always makes these community ideas better 👌



Indeed, without my experience from hybrid picking this would def have taken longer! Thanks Todd 👊


hehe 😁 Thanks bro 👊