Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.324
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
Hi everyone!
I just stopped by to present you my new guitar solo composition. It's a bluesy ballad. As most of you know, my purpose is to always push my playing and my composition skills at a high level. I constantly learn new things, I approach different styles, etc. Also, Darius is more demanding than ever, but I'm addicted to this.
Less shredding today than I usually do, but my main idea was to show something else: more advanced articulation, dynamics, speed, more phrasing, etc. Anyway, the blues playing is a totally different school of playing: laziness bends, delayed notes, many rhythmical variations and fast notes that shine, especially because of the fact that they are not match in an exact time (of course, each note is very well calculated).
I know you guys have got used to seeing me playing on my Jackson. It's still my favorite guitar, but unfortunately, I have to admit that it has some limits. In this particular blues style, those limits would have been visible and also would not let me be able to translate the emotions in a good way. Today I introduce you my second guitar. It's a premium guitar and I was very lucky because I can't afford such a guitar, but Darius helped me to have it at half of the price. It's not black, but sometimes we need to make compromises and the quality is much more important than color. The sustain, the feel, the quality especially visible by the equality of volume on the higher frets are amazing. I can just touch the notes very softly and it keeps singing and it reproduces 100% my emotional state. I know that this guitar will never let me fail to translate what I mean.
Hahaha...I didn't want to write so much but....I couldn't resist not sharing with you guys some thoughts.
Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.324
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Sep 9 2023, 11:17 AM)
Hi Monica,
I just watched your take and it's AMAZING!!!
I'm blown away by your skills... really!!
If you put this into REC, you get 20 (not 10) from me
Congrets on this very high skilled peace you put together!!
I'm very proud of you, hahahaha
And your blue colored Music man sounds awesome
Enjoy your day!
Gert
Hi Gert!
Thanks very, veeery much for the appreciation, kind words and for the grade. I never thought that at some point I would receive 20.
BTW I counted and guess what....I put 99 bends in this solo. The calluses of my fingers are so strong that if I hit a window with my fingers, I bet I could break it.
I'm glad you like how my Music Man sounds. Just one more month and you will can test it.
Thanks very, veeery much for the appreciation, kind words and for the grade. I never thought that at some point I would receive 20.
BTW I counted and guess what....I put 99 bends in this solo. The calluses of my fingers are so strong that if I hit a window with my fingers, I bet I could break it.
I'm glad you like how my Music Man sounds. Just one more month and you will can test it.
Have a great day!
You are now definitely a bend master!
And yes, I'm looking forward to play on your Jackson and on your Music man. The only thing I'm worried about is I might want to buy a Music man afterwards
And about the window... only try it in case of emergency please, hahahaha.
Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.324
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
QUOTE (Gert1973 @ Sep 10 2023, 10:17 AM)
You are now definitely a bend master!
And yes, I'm looking forward to play on your Jackson and on your Music man. The only thing I'm worried about is I might want to buy a Music man afterwards
And about the window... only try it in case of emergency please, hahahaha.
Hahaha...now I'm worried too. Maybe I should hide my piano and Dan's drums and basses to assure myself that when you return home you will not buy an entire orchestra.
Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.324
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Sep 14 2023, 05:59 AM)
This is amazing Monica. I have been listening to it for several days and it really works as a song - which you can't say about too many guitar tunes.
I can really tell how you have been focusing on improving your touch, dynamics and phrasing, it sounds stunning!
Also your tone cuts though like a knife without any harsh top end - this is some world class stuff!
That axe gives me Steve Morse vibes, are you a fan? (huge fan myself).
Kris, thanks so much for your awesome words!!! I knew you would notice exactly on which details my main focus was. I'm really happy you like it.
I tried to make this sound like a song but I must say that it was very challenging to build the tension in a good way on a straight/repetitive backing track (no chorus, no bridge). On the final part of the solo (between 3:19 - 3:24), Darius taught me to put an automation on the backing track (I went with the backing from -0.7 to - 3 db) to create the same effect as in real life where you can put the band to play lower in volume and let the guitar talk.
About my tone, you know this is made very simple. I don't have "fancy" gear for it. All I use are 2 pedals (Plexitone and Taurus Zebu Delay/Reverb) and in DAW I add Kefir impulse loader and Impulse - Catharsis s-preshigh.
Yes, I like Steve Morse. He is awesome!!! When I decided to buy a new guitar, I didn't have in mind a particular brand. I searched with Darius for something that has: 22 frets, HSS, rosewood fretboard, hardtail bridge, sweeter neck pickup response, etc,...because I wanted my second guitar to have a totally different sound than my Jackson. After around 6 months of testing different models/brands of guitars (Darius tested and made videos for me and my ears chose the winner ), this Music Man melted my heart.
Yes, I like Steve Morse. He is awesome!!! When I decided to buy a new guitar, I didn't have in mind a particular brand. I searched with Darius for something that has: 22 frets, HSS, rosewood fretboard, hardtail bridge, sweeter neck pickup response, etc,...because I wanted my second guitar to have a totally different sound than my Jackson. After around 6 months of testing different models/brands of guitars (Darius tested and made videos for me and my ears chose the winner ), this Music Man melted my heart.
Very cool guitar shopping strategy. I think you have played the same guitar for decade(s)? Be sure to never sell it (I have done that mistake )
I must admit I would love to have that exact guitar
I tried to make this sound like a song but I must say that it was very challenging to build the tension in a good way on a straight/repetitive backing track (no chorus, no bridge). On the final part of the solo (between 3:19 - 3:24), Darius taught me to put an automation on the backing track (I went with the backing from -0.7 to - 3 db) to create the same effect as in real life where you can put the band to play lower in volume and let the guitar talk.
Yes, that's a very cool recording trick. For example if you do it on the drums (and you have a dynamic drum plugin with lots of different samples) it can sound totally realistic.
Learning Tone Master Posts: 2.324
Joined: 12-July 13
From: Bucharest, Romania
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Oct 11 2023, 07:20 PM)
Very cool guitar shopping strategy. I think you have played the same guitar for decade(s)? Be sure to never sell it (I have done that mistake )
You are right, I played on my Jackson for 11 years. At least I'm sure I've reached its limits and it took me a lot of time to admit that I arrived at the point when my guitar limits my skills. I did not believe Darius, I needed almost two years to convince myself.
Kris, be sure that I would never sell it. Actually, I have a rule....I don't sell instruments because I'm very attached to them and it would be like selling a piece of myself. I really like to explore and reach the maximum potential of each instrument I own. So, Jackson will stay with me forever and I still play on it.
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Oct 11 2023, 07:20 PM)
I must admit I would love to have that exact guitar
This Music Man is worth every penny. It responds amazingly and I'm sure you would love to play on it.
colored Music man sounds awesome 
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