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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 30 2012, 05:10 PM

Hi Mossroller's! Welcome to your http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43110&st=20 thread!

The principles of our Army are:

+ Improve your technique
+ Make music and solos
+ Have fun
+ Destroy the enemy (hahaha not realy just kidding... )


I'll will post here what you sent me via PM. Please post some videos of you playing.

"Some other things that I'm doing or want to do:
-for warm-up, Alex Feather's Hands Workout.
-lesson (level 2), Slow Blues in A-minor by Laszlo Boross.
-Ben's Lazy Rock Collaboration (came up with a little something, but running out of time). I don't know if it's any good
or if I can even play it at full speed.
-I would like to start learning some songs in full
-at some point learning improvisation

So maybe I am ready to join Gab's Army. Ok, if you accept me in your army, i'll give it my best shot.

Here is a little about me that I wrote in one of Ben's forum posts:
Since I'm in the 40's club, I guess I'm old school rock. My favorite band growing up was Deep Purple. And I liked
Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, etc...
And being raised mostly in Mississippi, I also enjoyed Southern Rock and of course The Blues.
I did live in Spain during the mid 80's for a while, and had some good friends in Punk bands. From them I learned to appreciate and enjoy the Dead Kennedys, Ramones, etc... Nowadays I like a diverse range of music from Opeth to Them Crooked Vultures to some of the old geezers new stuff like the latest from Robin trower.

Since I was young, I always wanted to play guitar. I pretty much always had a guitar around, but never could devote much time to it. About 13 years ago, I started taking lessons for 6 months and then lost my job and had to quite because of the lack of funds. So here I am now ready to finally pursue this life-long dream of mine. It's a life-style change and I'm going for it. Also would like to say this site has really impressed me with the positive, friendly, and inspirational vibe that it has."

Posted by: MossRoller May 1 2012, 07:15 PM

Hi Gabriel,
Here is the video of the one and only REC I've done:


These next 2 videos are from Ben's Bushido Course:




Within the next couple days, I'll record the Slow Blues In A Minor lesson and upload it here first.

Posted by: MossRoller May 2 2012, 02:33 AM

Ok this is the lesson I started on for my next REC:
Slow Blues In A Minor by Lazlo Boross http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Slow_Blues_in_A_Minor/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 2 2012, 03:59 PM

Hi mate! I checked every video, so now I have a good idea about your playing and the things that we should work. I noted that your timing is good, but that your technique could be taken to a new level just with some diary practice. A good technique routine is what you need to have. This routine could be a mix of exercises and musical lessons. At the same time we could choose one song to work learn. I can guide you with it and give you exercises to be able to master the tricky parts.

These lessons could be played perfectly if you improve your bending, and make your vibrato technique more consistent. I also noticed that your alternate picking technique starts to give you problem when you play faster parts.

How is your diary routine? How many hours do you play? Every day?

Posted by: MossRoller May 3 2012, 03:58 PM

Hello Gab,

I start off with a little warm-up/stretching.
Then I've been working on a Bushido Task (starting today this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/String-Bending/ )
After that I try to work on something for the REC or work on learning a song.
Depending on available time in a day, I'll then come back and work on one of the three things above (usually Bushido though,
since it has a deadline).


Currently I have some extra free time available so I try to get at least 4 hours of guitar related practice in.


Yes (with some rare exceptions)


The only song I ever learned all the way through was Smoke On The Water (I know, very cliche)
but I could only play the solo at 80% speed. So maybe now i can learn to play it properly and up to speed?
But I'll leave that judgment up to you. I'm in no hurry, as long as I'm playing everyday and improving.

Thanks once again for mentoring and have a good day.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2012, 05:50 PM

Ok, as you are already working on lessons for the Bushido Program, let's start this week with this exercises to improve your techniquein order to get more precision and speed when you are playing.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42825

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42828

Let's work on this ones and please post a video playing the exercises in some days to let me give you some feedback.

What do you think?

Posted by: MossRoller May 6 2012, 05:48 AM

Sounds great. I'll start practicing those first thing tomorrow morning.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 6 2012, 07:04 PM

Great!

Posted by: MossRoller May 10 2012, 03:45 PM

Hello Gab,
I've been practicing everyday.
This video will be from ITC1 Warm-up Exercise 1.
I start with this exercise, beginning at 80 bpm and currently going up to 115 bpm (where it starts getting too sloppy).
I do every set of 4 strings (not including string skipping).
This take was done at 105 bpm.



More videos to come soon.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 10 2012, 09:05 PM

Good take man! It sounds very good and the timing is perfect. I'll wait for the next videos!

Posted by: MossRoller May 11 2012, 08:47 PM

OK, on to ITC#1 7 exercises for endurance.
I knew from the Bushido tasks that legato is very difficult for me.
These will be great exercises to have in my daily warm-up.

I assume you want me to loop the pattern on the same string.
Sometimes I would change the string after every 2 measures.

Anyways, I hope this doesn't hurt your ears!
This take was at 80 bpm.



And a video showing current status on ITC3 will be posted in a day or two.
Have a good day.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 11 2012, 09:44 PM

Hi Mossroller! You are on the right track on these ones. I have just two comments. The first one is that you should avoid using your pick, you should get all the notes rings just using your left hand. The second comments is to concentrate on getting the same volume for each note. I'll wait for the next videos!

Posted by: MossRoller May 15 2012, 01:45 AM

ITC#3 Exercises. Both exercises on the one video.

Wasted Years Intro @ 105 bpm. I start to lose timing when I go faster.

Currently using A Minor scale at the 5th fret and using the 3 patterns @ 85 bpm.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 16 2012, 04:30 PM

You are on the right track man! Your timing is good and your right hand motion is perfect! I wonder if you are using the palm of your right hand to mute the strings and that's why it sounds like Al Di Meola.

Posted by: MossRoller Jun 6 2012, 12:11 AM

Hello Gab,
I'm still here and have been practicing those lessons you gave me on a daily basis.

I also recorded your second John Frusciante Lesson and was wondering whether to post
it in this thread first or go ahead and post it in the REC Forum.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2012, 08:08 PM

Cool man! You can post it in both places at the same time.

Posted by: MossRoller Jun 7 2012, 11:47 PM

Ok here's my Frusciante Lesson 2 take.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 9 2012, 02:35 PM

Hi mate! The take is very good! The first problem that I note is that your guitar is a bit out of tune. Besides that there are some bends that are a bit insecure (but maybe it's because of the tuning issue). Your timing and vibrato are really good! I'll grade this take at the REC with a 8.

Posted by: MossRoller Dec 16 2012, 02:20 AM

Hi, I'm back with some extra time again.

I still warm-up daily with a couple of your exercises.
I've been working on your Open Chords Rock Rhythm lesson.

This is a take at 90% speed. And was wondering if it's heading in the right direction.
If you have any suggestions on the tone, I'd like to hear about that also.
Thanks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 16 2012, 06:25 PM

Hi mate! It's great to see you back and working! The lesson is going very well, there is nothing to fix on this one regarding your playing. The only thing that I could comment is that your guitar is a bit out of tune, so remember to check out it. I think that the tone is good for this style, you would just add a bit of presence or treble but nothing very serious.

Posted by: MossRoller Dec 25 2012, 01:16 AM

Hi, I'll be adding this video here and the REC forum.

In trying to fix the 'being in tune' problem,
I did find the G strings' intonation was off.
But also I think I've been pressing too hard on the strings.
Hopefully this sounds better.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 25 2012, 08:17 PM

Cool mate! This one is much better! The timing is tighter and you look more comfortable with the overall lesson! Tuning is also very good now, there is still something weird in on of the higher strings (when you play D chord) about tuning but nothing serious... maybe old strings?

Keep on the good job!

Posted by: MossRoller Jul 8 2015, 02:52 PM

Hi Gabriel!

I don't have as much time as I use to, but I still practice when I can.
I've been working on these 3 lessons:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Eric_Clapton_Style/ (I'll put this up here and in REC)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/ (In process of being recorded)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Iron-Maiden-For-Beginners/ (Having trouble with the 1st fast parts - thinking of uploading a slow version 85% for you to check out)

Being limited in practice time, I like to keep a light routine for the time being.
I am hoping you can assign me 1 lesson and 1 exercise to work on.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 8 2015, 07:22 PM

Hi mate, that's a good list of lessons. Based on your video I would just add two technique lessons to complement with exercises for your weaker points: vibrato and bending.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/String-Bending/


If you like these two lessons, work on them combined with the other three ones. Try to dedicate some time each day to each of the topics to be sure that you keep progressing balanced.

Posted by: MossRoller Aug 12 2015, 09:06 PM

Hi Gab, I've been trying to get a good take for Ben's Blues collab. I have final video recorded, but I
have limited bandwidth so I'll just upload the mp3 for now. I was having difficulty getting
that pitch right on that bend at :32. To me those higher frequencies are harder to hit.

I've been working on that string bending lesson and try to practice it daily.
Baby steps.

Thought maybe you could give it a quick listen...
 BadAssBluesCollabMossT5.mp3 ( 923.57K ) : 62

Thanks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2015, 03:18 PM

Nice composition mate! I notice that your bending is really good on this take and that you are giving this technique a very expressive use. They sound consistent and enough aggressive for the style. There are not pitch issues in this solo. I also like your groove on this take.

I'm not totally happy with your tone. It's not bad but I feel that a warmer tone would fit better with this style and backing track, don't you think so?

Posted by: MossRoller Aug 13 2015, 08:44 PM

Thanks for the feedback!

Yeah, I seem to never be able to get a good (or appropriate) tone. I've been trying to spend some extra
time on Tone each time when I practice. So I find comments and suggestions relating to Tone very helpful.
I have a Boss GT-10 with an overwhelming amount of options and am slowly learning to dig through all
those menus.

In the REC lessons I'm currently working on, I'll try to get a good sound close to the original and then
upload a sample for you to check out.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 14 2015, 09:34 PM

Yeah, GT10 is a good piece of gear but as it usually happens with multifx, there are lots of settings to try and we can get confused by all that stuff. I recommend you to start with simple stuff, just amp and cabinet and try to get the best from it. This is the basic rule, the extra stuff is to embellish your tone, but the base should sound good.

Feel free to post some new samples here.