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Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 9 2010, 08:10 PM

here you can post your takes for the collab!

here's the main topic with backing track
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=34087&st=0#entry467318

Posted by: Keilnoth Mar 11 2010, 09:49 PM

Here's my take :

 Hobo_Blues.mp3 ( 1.14MB ) : 257


I used my strat + Guitar Rig 4 with a custom tone + Ableton Live, that's all !
The tone is a compressor, cat disto, spring reverb and quad delay on a High White amp and cabinet.

There are a few timing problem as always.

Hope you'll like it anyway...

Posted by: OzRob Mar 12 2010, 05:17 AM

Bah humbug!

I can't get a take I'm happy with but I know why. I'm using a scale I'm just not familiar with: pentatonic blues (with some additional notes here and there) Because of that, my fingers aren't real sure where to go next so that results in problems with bending to pitch, improvising runs and timing (I stop to think about the next note resulting in missing beats).

<mp3 deleted to make room for final take>

Posted by: earman Mar 12 2010, 08:35 AM

Here's my take.. open to any criticism. I had fun with this backing track... it's so chill!

Posted by: JamesT Mar 15 2010, 06:29 AM

Ok, here's my take...
I hope you like it.

Man, Ivan, after listening to this backing track for a while, you realize how nicely done it is. The sound is just fantastic.

 20100314_IvansHoboBlues_wbt.mp3 ( 2.85MB ) : 267

Posted by: Berglmir Mar 18 2010, 09:01 PM

I really, really enjoyed doing this collab and thanks so much for this great backtrack.
I´m with JamesT all the way - I sure will be using this backtrack after this collab to further improve my "soulful playing" skills.

I´m also putting here all the things I tried to achieve BEFORE I get your feedback - so maybe you can judge even better if I could meet your AND my expectations:
-) Focus on vibrato & correct bending
-) Focus on feel
-) Focus on nice, warm, "tube-y" sound all the way - let´s make this new guitar of mine sing
-) Focus on single notes instead of speedy (in my case also often "muddy" licks)

All of you are invited to give feedback of course

Thanks a lot for your time & effort!
Cheers

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 20 2010, 10:11 PM

Keilnoth:

Rhythm: In this take, you played some very cool rhythmical phrases. The most effective way of using timing was when the chordal changes take place. However, you seem to get lost while one chord is lasting. Here I advise that you pay special care on the structure of your rhythmical improvisation. Try to analyze it, and see if you can come up with more convincing patterns that the listener can identify and recognize throughout the solo. It doesn't have to be difficult at all, often just a couple of notes will do, but you have to play them right. The lack of sustain doesn't help here, and I think you need that to connect all these phrases together to form a more fluid motion.
Phrasing: There are some very interesting ideas in this take, and I like your playing here. It has a nice sad vibe to it. Having said that, I think you can take your playing to the next level by introducing repetition and phrase building in your playing. It is a very simple, but very effective concept, and it basically means that once you play a good phrase, it may be wise to repeat it, develop it, alter it a bit, and keep the phrase flowing and evolving within the solo. This sounds much more appealing and logical to the listener already.
Technique: Gentle way of playing goes along well with this backing track. Bends are decent, and playing in general is not bad at all. What lacks here the most is vibrato. Vibrato is effect that should be applied very often over this kind of a track, on almost every note where you stop for a moment, there should be a vibrato. So my advice would be to start implementing it in your playing, cause it can only sound great with it, once you get used to it.
Sound: Reverb depth is big but goes along nicely with this track. CHoosing Hiwatt emulation is a good thing, I use that one myself often, but bare in mind that one doesn't have too much sustain, and it is not a forgiving model. What comes in, comes out, specially if you add the Cat on top of it, which will make it even more cranky. However, it was a nice tone, a bit thin and cold, but cool for this track. Bare in mind that the guitar sound was a bit quieter than needed, so possibly more louder mix would be even better.


OzRob:

Rhythm: You had some nice spots in the solo, where the chord progression is changing, where you kept one note going for long periods of time. On this kind of a track, those longer periods are very important - wetter they are long notes or long pauses. So, to make things better and more simple, I recommend that you think about implementing some more pauses, and throwing out groups of notes that don't really hold that big function within the solo. Less is more usually, so making 2 pauses and 3 effective notes can be lot more effective than 12 notes. It is my opinion that you need to practice exactly the use of small number of notes and pauses to develop these skills.
Phrasing: Similar to rhythm, there are some elements, specially in the parts where the chords change, that are good. The rest is pretty blurred and unstructured. I think there is room here for improvement as well. Try to work out a phrase, a melody, and build that melody, build with notes around it, and stick to simple scale for beginning, like pentatonic, dorian, or blues scale. Use some arpeggio as well, but stick to 4-5 notes to build a cool melody, and don't be afraid to sing it and repeat it then. This will be a lot more effective.
Technique: I like the fact you used vibrato, and some bends as well. As you said, vibrato needs more work (it needs to be even). Also, you should pay special attention to muting. I heard lots of string noise here that spoiled the impression a bit of a good solo.
Sound: Sound is fine as far as I'm concerned. It is scooped, so this is why it doesn't comes out, and the ammount of ovedrive is a bit too much as well, cause it compressed the signal and killed dynamics. If you want to upgrade this tone: raise the mids +(2-3)dB @ 500-750Hz, and cut down the distortion so it almost kills sustain (not quite, but almost, you'll know what I mean when you find it).

Posted by: ukyo Mar 21 2010, 12:28 PM

Here's my recording. Any criticism or comment is well appreciated.
Thanks for this beautiful backing track, I really enjoyed to play on it.

Note: And I couldn't prevent myself from playing licks similar to Pink Floyd



 blues_gmc_wb.mp3 ( 2.32MB ) : 214
 blues_gmc_nb.mp3 ( 2.32MB ) : 188

Posted by: Staffy Mar 22 2010, 10:48 PM

Hi buddy! This is my take, rather than play the usual blues-licks I tried to play like a more "over the chord" concept here, as well as trying to do some melodic stuff out of it.....

Recorded with just my Suhr & Deluxe clone with some delay & reverb added.

//Staffay

Posted by: OzRob Mar 24 2010, 07:40 AM

Ok, love all you guys work but I just don't 'feel' very dry tones, so if you think the reverb is heavy, wait until bar 5. Sorry 'bout that - just call it "industrial doom blues".

Stuck with pentatonic blues scale for most of it with some occasional blurs into Natural Minor.

'Tis what it is. I welcome feedback

I hope to get a more dry take before the end of the month: less reverb, less OD.

Posted by: earman Mar 24 2010, 04:04 PM

I liked it haha.. sounded uniquely deep and dark.

Posted by: Gitarrero Mar 24 2010, 06:42 PM

So, I've been waiting for quite some time to upload or even record something. But today was the day: the sun was shining, the temperature was rising, and for no particular reason I felt a bit sad and empty. Felt like the best mood to record a blues!
I used my Oakland guitar (bridge pick-up) through a V-amp 3 (amp modulation was a british blues with a bit of gain, reverb and tremolo).
Hope you like it.

Posted by: JamesT Mar 24 2010, 08:58 PM

Great mood to you take man. I like it.

That reminds me, it looks like everyone has posted dry tracks/takes here. Ivan, do you need these? If so, I'll update my posting.

Posted by: Gitarrero Mar 24 2010, 09:07 PM

Hi James,
thanks a lot, glad you like it.
Ivan will need your dry take to create the final mix, in the collab guidelines it says that one should upload two versions, one with and one without the backing track.

Posted by: Berglmir Mar 25 2010, 06:27 PM

sorry - wrong answer to wrong feedback!
Final feedback below!
Cheers

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 25 2010, 08:37 PM

Brandon:

Rhythm: In contrast to Ozrob's playing, your take had a bit too big pauses between the phrases in the first part. In the second part, the pauses were not an issue, but timing was. Although this kind of a track is syncopation-friendly, you must learn to play dead on the beat in order to achieve any kind of syncopation effect on the notes.
Phrasing: What can be problematic with the way you play is that melodic information isn't present. Licks and phrases are scattered without any structure or connection between them. In those situations if you don't know what to do, my best advice for you is to find a simple melody, repeat it several times, and do variations of it. This is how you will acquire necessary phrasing skills in relatively small amount of time. But be aware - in order for this practice to have it's full potential, you must learn the diatonic pattern over the neck very well.
Technique: There is a sense for dynamics within you, and the contrast between the first part of the solo and second one proves that. However, you lack technical ability to play faster passages. Try to make your fretting and picking more steady by practicing runs up & down with metronome, it will help tighten those fingers a bit.
Sound: Nice good clean sound, a bit muddy but good and well rounded. Reverb is nice too. Just the right amount of overdrive, I think everything was nice except I would added a bit more presence. Just a personal preference tho..

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 25 2010, 09:41 PM

JamesT

Rhythm: You seem to have a solid understanding of the beat, and follow it nicely in highly syncopated manner. The thing with your take is that it is too syncopated, and there is hardly any anchor points where the notes can really relate to the kicking of the drum for instance. Although it is good to have this kind of non-structurized solo, there are certain places where it is good to accent the beat before your phrases go off.
Phrasing: By listening to you do your phrasing I can't help notice that it sounds repetitive. This is because several different movements with the pick have been rehearsed properly, and they are repeated over and over, in different positions and different pattern/shape. My advice to you is to start systematically go through various picking combinations so that you have more flexibility and ways to play something. Expanding lick vocabulary is a must too, so be sure to jamm some with the backing and make good licks. In the middle of the solo, there is a small improvisational attemp, you repeated the same lick several times, but altering the landing note. This kind of a method is well suited for improvisational exercise, so be sure to practice that as well on top of some simple backing with 1-3 chords. This is enhance your ability to use the licks you know in different situations.
Technique: As I said, more picking, more metronome practicing, arps, scales, chords. First the basics, then the rest. Bending/vibrato also needs work. Just take is step by step as always. There were also several whammy attempts, and although it sounded interesting, you need to tighten up that whammy a bit as well with the metronome.
Sound: Sound is pretty good, not a lot of reverb and delay, and amount of overdrive was OK. The tone was a bit flat tho.

Berglmir:


Rhythm: Excellent connection of the solo with the backing, and great rhythmical phrasing throughout. By listening your take one thing crosses my mind and that is fine-tuning. You have to fine tune all those little mistakes you have made, make timing corrections and just tighten up your take, specially the last part. There were syncopated moments in the solo, but I think in some times, specially in the middle, the solo was too connected with the drums. I think a more loosier form would do better.
Phrasing: Phrasing was very good and melodic. In order to achieve greater level of playing, you should practice more arpeggios and big horizontal movements. Every time you make an attempt to play something fast, it ends up with one familiar phrase that is usually somewhere in the pentatonic region. Try to expand your vocabulary of faster passages on other positions as well, and try to work on melody building more. Although the solo was melodic, little attention was made to the actual melodic flow, and more on the landing notes themselves.
Technique: Very well bending/vibrato control, coupled with good dynamic picking will always spawn a good result. Your playing was good, and I suggest you tighten up your picking hand a bit, it seems that there lies the problem. Try practicing some AP runs for a while to overcome that.
Sound: Sound was very good throughout the solo, with a cool dark vibe to it. The second part had slightly unnatural sound than the first one, possibly some other effect was brought in, but in overall it sounded good to my ears.

Posted by: Berglmir Mar 25 2010, 09:48 PM

Thank you very much for the feedback (see above)
Everything you said I can understand and relate to - great feedback and I´m SO happy that you seem to be satisfied with my vibrato efforts.
SO looking forward to your next collab - so much room to improve myself!
Thanks again - I´m quite happy now!!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 25 2010, 09:56 PM

No problem, glad to help in any way mate! Nice playing indeed!

Posted by: OzRob Mar 26 2010, 12:12 AM

Thanks Ivan, I see now that earlier comments were for me, not Berg.

Ps. I still want to achieve a drier take by end of the month. It's difficult for me as I don't relate well to dry tone so it's a personal challenge.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 26 2010, 10:34 PM

Sorry for the confusion there man!

No problem I will be waiting for your next take to comment on it as well.

btw, I couldn't find who was the comment for at first, since you removed the take from the original post

ukyo

Rhythm: Very good take rhythmically. You managed to create a well balanced solo with good number of faster and slower passages and good pauses in between. The first 3 phrases are rhythmically identical, which can work when the phrases are developing a bit, but if they are completely the same, I advise that you consider changing either the rhythm slightly, or the melody. This will help creating more interest with the listener. Towards the end of the take you had some great passages and cool long bends, and I think you have a nice fluid way of playing things, but you have to increase your ability to play well on the bass strings as well, since all of the problems in your take were connected to the way you descend and loose yourself in the bass string region.
Phrasing: Phrasing was quite good with great fluid melodies that track the chords very nicely. You coupled that with the licks you usually use, and I think it goes along great. It seems that you like to play the blues and understand what it is all about. My advice for you is to watch for the lower register as well. In this solo, you were in the upper register most of the time, and some contrasting with lower voiced phrases would help.
Technique: Very expressive technique. Good steady movements, but a bit stiff on moments. You lack a bit of power in your playing, touch dynamics with the picking hand. From time to time, in blues it is good to slam a note properly. Try to rehearse that and you will see how it helps here and there and makes the notes more alive. Your bending is quite good, and vibrato usage was great as well. I like how often you do vibrato, but pay attention - sometimes it needs to be a bit more tamed, even, softer. I know it may not be your style, but vibrato has a range and the whole range can be used quite effectively. Any great player uses the whole range to it's advantage.
Sound: Very nice sound, with a touch more delay than I like, but it sounds good, not bad. The sound itself has a good round character, but it is a bit muddy and lacks dynamics. Possibly you rolled off the tone on the guitar, and although this gives a good tone, this tone has it's limits.

Staffay:

Rhythm: By listening your take, it is clear to me you have great sense for rhythm, the notes are placed as you wish them to be placed, and from that side it all sounds pretty good. On the other hand, there are few problems with rhythm here. First one is minor issue of one phrase (2nd sliding one after the first IV chord) being a bit rushed to my ears. Second problem is a bit noticeable and considers the lack of definition for those faster passages. Although the problem is more of a technical nature, and the two descending passages can be described as "played loose", I have a feeling with your kind of experience you could done it in a more balanced way.
Phrasing: Whole take was quite good an interesting to hear. The only issue I can note is a little drop in the very last part of the solo. There is room for improvement there.
Technique: Technique was very good, dynamic touch, bends, slides, vibratos, raked notes, all contributed quite nicely. Only issue is the lack of definition on the descending passages. As soon as you move up the speed, there should be just a bit more sync between the hands to make it sound convincing.
Sound: Great sound

Gitarrero

Rhythm: Very nicely played take rhythmically. There are couple of things I can recommend for you. First, you seem to play a lot of sixteen triplet pairs in the take. This is because you take those eight triplets (counted on the hihat) and create a pair of swinged notes on top of every of those eights triplets. In essence, this means you are usually putting up a straightforward kind of melody that doesn't involve too much syncopation, or frequent rhythmic changes. I'm not saying that you have to do this, but in order to achiveve higher rhythmical expression level, you need the ability to dissolve rhythm, use rests and various note durations to your liking. This is done by practicing various note durations with your regular practice routine exercises. Second thing, is that the solo needs some climax, or development here and there. You kept it pretty steady here, and although it can pass, I really recommend that you start doing some more advanced runs that will help you in those moments when you have to turn on the booster for the climax or something.
Phrasing: By listening to your phrasing I notice that there are some interesting elements and phrases in there, but I think you are just going up & down on the patter, using 1 or 2 positions. Although this may work, as you are punching in the right notes, there is room for improvement. You have to develop a melody, and you need to work more on arpeggios. They will help you connect your playing with the chords beneath, so I advise you start covering arpeggio systematic exercises as soon as you can.
Technique: Playing was good and well defined, but you lack dynamics a lot. There are at least 3 ways of picking the strings: soft, medium, heavy. All 3 should be rehearsed, as this makes your playing come alive.
Sound: Very interesting sound with the vibrato, I like the use of vibrato and vintage voiced reverb, it reminds on surf a bit. Anyway, it is cool, and I think you could use just a bit less reverb, that's all.

Posted by: JamesT Mar 27 2010, 02:47 AM

Thanks for the feedback Ivan.
I'll work on all of these things. Lot's to practice here.

Posted by: OzRob Mar 27 2010, 03:55 AM

Final take.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Mar 27 2010, 10:48 PM

Here's mine Ivan.
Great BT!!

[attachment=20469:Sensible_Hobo_WBT.mp3]
[attachment=20470:Sensible_Hobo_NBT.mp3]

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 28 2010, 12:58 AM

OzRob:

Rhythm: This time, drums were followed more carefully with good development in the second part. I couldn't help noticing that you are using lots of 16 triplets here, and I think the solo would benefit from longer notes in the first section, and syncopation in the second section.
Phrasing: the solo was good, but it didn't contain enough melodic richness, usually there are licks played, tied together, and most of the time it sounds repetitive. I recommend more arpeggio workouts.
Technique: Nice use of vibrato on some places, and in general a very decently played take. I think you need to work on your bending and muting the most. Tightening up the picking hand wouldn't hurt either.
Sound: Sound was good, vintage type with plenty of mids. It lacked low end, and had buzy character with low dynamic range. Try choosing a more cleaner, fuller, open preset, and add gain with care.

Posted by: OzRob Mar 28 2010, 01:28 AM

Thanks for the feedback Ivan. All taken on board.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 28 2010, 03:07 PM

You're welcome mate, I hope it will help.



Sensible Jones:


Rhythm: On of the better rhythmic usages I've heard. Great sense for rhythm and syncopation, but in the same time, very well connected on the places it should be with the backing. Having said that, there is room for fine tuning the style you are expressing here. Timing needs to be more tight, there are several places where notes need to be dead on the beat, and there were not. Practicing only strong sharp raking on all strong notes of chords that are used in the progression is one great way to achieve proficiency in this area.
Phrasing: Your phrasing is very good and it is really nicely balanced, with proper use of the pentatonic but also a minor scale as well. I specially like the bends within a minor scale, it sounds really cool. The problem with this take is that it is focused in one register only. During the solo it is good to "travel" over the neck a bit, playing in low, middle, high register. This will increase the range of notes you are using and really make the part sound cool. Since you are familiar and use this position well, I now advise more improvisation practice in other positions too. You can use the same licks for starters, and invent new along the way, that would be one easy way of starting, if you aren't sure what to do on those positions.
Technique: You have a good slow bending technique and use it quite well, and the bends are precise. However, you need more strength in those faster bends that you use on the faster passages. They need to be faster, tighter, stronger, and of course precise. Vibrato is cool, but needs more work to become more steadier and even. Pressing the string nicely and evenly during the vibrato is very important for you tone, so try to acquire a good control over that kind of pressure. The faster passages are good, and I see you use them often since they are polished, but some tightening up wouldn't hurt in that area as well.
Sound: It would be better to keep the signal clean for this take, because the overdrive isn't particularly good on this one. It sounds raw, almost as if pedal was used without cabinet emulation, if you know what I mean. Try to smooth it out a bit, I think the character of it is cool, but need something more in the chain, like a cab emulation. Otherwise it is good.

Posted by: ukyo Mar 28 2010, 07:08 PM

thank you Ivan, I will study on these issues you suggested.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 28 2010, 11:58 PM

Glad to help in any way man, cheers

Posted by: Gitarrero Mar 29 2010, 07:54 AM

Thanks for your feedback, Ivan! I'll work on the things you suggested, especially arpeggios seem like a good idea.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 29 2010, 01:30 PM

You're welcome mate, glad if I could help you with those advices. Hope to see you on the next collab too. Cheers

Posted by: Sensible Jones Mar 29 2010, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the comment Ivan! All taken on board and to be worked on!!

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Mar 30 2010, 02:56 PM

Thanks for participating my friend, and I'm glad if I could help with the comment

Posted by: NoSkill Mar 31 2010, 04:29 AM

Hey Ivan. It think I'm in under the wire. Good luck with Funk Week!

http://www.box.net/shared/8fky3u2idt
http://www.box.net/shared/89g1rl4cso

Posted by: Hammerhead Mar 31 2010, 09:08 PM

Aloha all,
I cannot post a take for this great collab!?! I'm sorry but my computer is seriously ill... I have to post these remarks from ny PHONE !?!... anyway I look forward to hearing all the takes when I can cure my computer... about $200 ) usd., that only have half of... :- (

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 2 2010, 03:07 PM

NoSkill:


Rhythm: You displayed very good rhythm in this solo, and the timing was fairly accurate throughout. The thing that will help this take to become a bit more live is syncopation. I believe that you followed the rhythm too precisely, using straight feel, or swing, but not really taking the liberty to use play behind, after the beat, or just use several different note durations tied so they form a bit more complex rhythmical patterns. I'm not saying that this should be done intentionally, but taking the liberty to play something out of the beat can definitely be useful sometimes too, right next to the great rhythmical elements you did here.
Phrasing: Your phrasing was very good in this take. I like the fact you used both higher and lower register, and the soloing doesn't sound flat. It flows between the low and high very nicely, and I would say - securely. You have a good sense on were the licks are, and how to use them to your advantage. You could make the take a bit more interesting tho, by adding more minor scale usage, and specially bends within a minor scale. It sounded bluesy, and I like that, but breaking out of the pentatonic box should be your focus possibly.
Technique: Very nicely played take, I like it a lot. You have a good muting technique, specially with the picking hand, and this may explain often palm muting usage too. VIbrato and bends were also great, but I think you need to work more on bended vibrato, try to make it more even.
Sound: A good warm vintage-type sound that is really suitable for this kind of track.

Posted by: NoSkill Apr 6 2010, 12:45 AM

Thank you for your comments, Ivan. I will work on the elements that you mentioned. I have to learn how to incorporate modes into blues playing. I've taken a couple of stabs at it, but I'm not sure I've pulled it off. Good things to work on. My vibrato on bent notes is inconsistent. I'm quite tentative to add vibrato to bent notes so I will work on that more. Great collab, and thank you for taking the time to give all your comments!

Cheers!

Tom

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 10 2010, 02:23 AM

no prob my friend, I'm glad if comments helped you in any way!