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Posted by: bleez Mar 4 2012, 07:57 PM

Hi folks, fantastic site you have here, very impressive.

Ive been playing on and off for quite a few years however I stopped making progress a loooong time ago! It has always botherd me so I thought I'd join up here and take my playing to a decent level of awesome

My main problem in the past has been poor practice schedule and trying to play things which are a bit too advanced where I'd get disheartened and stop playing for a while.

Im currently working on at least 30 mins practice per day ( weekends I practice a lot longer) at the moment Im focusing my time between working on the minor pentatonic scale patterns / learning a GMC lesson / improvising. On top of that Im also trying to learn a few solos from various songs.

The guitarists I do my best to emulate are the likes of Dave Gilmour, Slash and Tony Iommi.

Im open to any suggestions for more efficient practising or tips on not getting disheartened when my fingers dont do things that Gilmours' fingers do

Posted by: Michael AC Mar 4 2012, 09:22 PM

Welcome to the site! I had the same experience of playing on and off and hitting a wall and not progressing and putting the guitar down frustrated. I have been here for several months now and I have had several people tell me outside of here that they can tell my playing is improving.

I owe it all to here. When you get discouraged or miss a practice or anything, the people here are great at giving encouragement if you only ask!

Again welcome to the site, will be glad to see your progress!

The REC area is one of the greatest benefits I have had on the site...check it out.

Later,

Michael

Posted by: bleez Mar 5 2012, 12:15 AM

Thanks.

I will check out the REC area for sure. Im looking forward to seeing a bit of progress for a change.

Posted by: derper Mar 5 2012, 12:59 AM

Welcome!!


The REC vids can be a huge help! Also, feel free to ask any questions in the forum as well. The instructors and students are very helpful and encouraging!

Posted by: bleez Mar 5 2012, 11:07 AM

Thanks derper.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 5 2012, 11:27 AM

Welcome mate! Check out the video chat sessions if you'd like there's a complete schedule at the bottom of the page and I'd be honored to have you as a guest at my session this Thursday 8 PM London time. If you'd like a personalized program, send me a PM and we can start working together

cheerios

Cosmin

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 5 2012, 03:14 PM

Hi and welcome to GMC

It sounds like you've got a good approach to practice already so I won't suggest loading your plate up too much at the moment. Like Cosmin said, you're always welcome to pop along to any to our video chats throughout the week and pick up some hints and tips and get involved too.

As well as Cosmin & Gabriel's mentoring threads, I've got an ongoing communal weekly challenge called Guitar Bushido.. there's always room for more at The Temple !

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42622&st=0&start=0

Posted by: bleez Mar 5 2012, 04:34 PM

thanks for such a warm welcome guys. I really appreciate it.
I'll definitely have a look at 'the temple', Ben thanks. It sounds cool and Ive always fancied myself as a bit of a warrior!
Cosmin, thanks for that offer. Ive never been confident that Im practising 'properly' so I'd be very interested in that. I'll drop you a PM.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2012, 05:37 PM

Hi man! Welcome to GMC!

You said SLASH! In my last video chat session I shared 10 licks in his style and a backing track in his style. I also started a collaboration using that backing so you are invited to join and record something.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43291
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43287

Enjoy GMC!

Posted by: bleez Mar 5 2012, 06:25 PM

Thanks Gabriel. Nice to hear from you. I actually signed up here after seeing your 'style of black sabbath' video on youtube. I thought it was brilliant. My plan was to learn it as a short term goal. however the section near the end where you play ( I think ) 16th note triplets ( I may be wrong with the name of the technique )..... its very fast! too fast for me. So learning that has changed for a short term goal to a LONG term goal!
you made it look so easy when you played it that I totally thought I would manage it at the same speed LOL!

Posted by: derper Mar 5 2012, 07:41 PM

Also, here are a few of my tips to help get yourself on a fun, and efficient practice schedule here at GMC:

-Always "mix it up" just a bit. Be careful not to overload, or spread yourself too thin either! It's important to keep a fresh rotation of challenging and interesting material to work with, or you risk getting "bored", and not progressing.

-Always have at least 1 video lesson that you're working towards submitting a "REC" video on.

-While working towards submitting a REC, drop videos in the "PRACTICE ROOM" forum to gain helpful feedback and insight on your progress....or, just to keep motivated!! REC vids are more to score and recieve feedback, so you cannot ask questions there. Don't submit 'til your ready! (I did, but the instructors were very nice about my "noob" mistake!)

-Share the "love" in the forums!! Ask questions, but also drop in to share your insights, experience and opinions as well! It really helps keep this community thriving, and active!

-COLLAB!! Collab vids are super fun, and a bit lower pressure than a REC video since there is no score. Still, rock hard!!! The "Collabs" are always pinned at the top of the Practice Room forum.

-Ask Bogdan! Really, if you ever have a problem or technical question about GMC....ask Bogdan. He's awesome.

-Look around, and you may find cool vids and lessons you didn't even know you wanted to learn!!

-Instructor lesson/video chat series: If you have time, get involved in 1 or more of these!! But make sure you have time to commit, or you may not get the full benefits of the training!!

-Other than that, just make sure to warm up before practicing. There are some tips/threads/vids here with helpful warmup routines, and stretches (Todd has a great vid for stretches).

Hope that helps!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2012, 07:50 PM

Wou! I feel very proud! I don't know your current level now but If you can post a sample I can help you with this one. I have a mentoring project called Gab's Army and the main goal is to help you with anything you need related your playing and composing.
Check the thread and let me know if you are interested!

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43110

Posted by: bleez Mar 5 2012, 09:13 PM

Thanks Gabriel, yes I'd very much be interested in any mentoring time you can spare. Im working on getting some way of recording myself hopefully in a day or two I will be able to do that.
To give you an idea of where Im currently at..... with your sabbath lesson I have been practising it with the metronome and if I play the lead parts with hammer ons / pull offs I can play it at around 80 - 85 but when I pick every note ( as you do ) I can only play it at about 65!
It still makes me laugh because when I heard it for the first time I thought "yeah, I could totally play that" LOL!



Thanks for the tips derper, I'll take them all onboard. especially that REC one because I would definitely have made the same noob mistake as you did!

Posted by: derper Mar 5 2012, 09:39 PM

Ivan posted a video about how to record for free! It gives plenty of helpful tips, links to download programs and more. Also, he's always helpful (as well as other instructors/students) to assist when you need it, or run into any problems.

But I DO suggest getting some type of recording interface. I am still new to recording, and just got my interface a few weeks ago (line 6 kb37). If you're not recording a full-band, some of the line 6 stuff is great for guitarists, cheap and easy to use. I think (just found this out) that the basic "guitar pod 2.0" can work as a guitar interface as well. I may pick one up to bring to work (or the basic Ux1/UX2) so I can record through a DAW at work, instead of just live video takes.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 6 2012, 05:37 PM

Welcome! Todd here. I thought I"d share the "Do Your Streetttchhes!" Video with ya after that Spiff introduction by Derp! Some great advice in this thread so far! Keep it fun, and don't overload and you will enjoy it a TON as you get more and more awesome. Jump in to some video chats, even if you are at work, or don't have your guitar on, they are still fun and a great place to learn and ask questions.

Also, hop in to a collab! The feedback you'll get is truly worth it. Our collabs here are pretty awesome!

Here is the vid. Remember!

*Don't "bounce" the stretch!
*Don't "over stretch" (you'll know because it will hurt!)
*These are just some examples, there are wads more Pinky splits are a big help for extending your reach.

Posted by: bleez Mar 6 2012, 08:11 PM

I was considering one of those, maybe in a couple of months I'll have some spare cash. Thanks again for the tips


cool vid, Todd cheers. Ive never done stretching before so I'll give that a go

Posted by: Fran Mar 6 2012, 10:55 PM

Welcome

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 7 2012, 12:16 AM

It's a good idea to stretch a bit before practice each time Helps flexibility, reduces strain, etc. Hope it helps!

Todd