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Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 20 2015, 12:27 PM

Take it deep!

Here's the backing track.

 Badass_Blues_Collab_backing_track_140.mp3 ( 1.66MB ) : 736


Key Intel:
140bpm
G Minor Pentatonic
Gm / C7, D#, F#


Need to Know:
This is a Video collab
I'm going to give you ideas and we'll focus on a few key elements of phrasing until we build a solo that YOU are happy with!
Collab ENDS Thursday, 20th August

We have a month of badass fun together!

No need to ask permission or tell me you're in and all that crap. Just get involved. Post stuff!

During this collab process, I'd like us to work on 2 key elements:
Using different tempos to make phrasing interesting
Varying a phrase using same or similar notes

First of all, here is a very common but effective 2 blues lick.

 Badass_Blues_Collab_ex1.mp3 ( 579.11K ) : 454


I'm using this to demonstrate the free time aspect to blues phrasing where you can place the notes over the beat wherever you feel like it but notice the first note followed by two quicker notes. That's what I want you to try first of all. Using the Gm Pentatonic scale in the first box position (see scale diagram) try to replicate what I do here.

Also notice the bend that quickly cuts off on the 2nd lick. Just use your index finger to slightly yank the string downwards a semitone before cutting the note off. When you cut the note off, use both your hands to aid in muting any string noise.



To help you, the licks I play only use the G and D strings and never move off the box position shown

Ok, are you guys ready to show me some Badass Blues??????



Friends, Romans, Countrymen!

Here it is - the moment you've all been waiting for - the video for the Badass Blues Collab!





Kristofer: A very good effort. You are obviously new to the guitar and need guidance so I suggest you go check out GMC where there are loads of lessons and a forum full of helpful guitarists that you can learn from. We can help you work towards your next collab take!

Procyon: Nice opening bends here. I like your tone as well. Your flurry of notes at 0:48 is not sounding 100% coordinated which reduces the effect a bit but it still does the trick. Nice take overall, I would recommend working on synchronising the hands together for faster runs.

DeGroot: Really lovely take here. You seem to get the classic DG tone whether you're on Strat or Les Paul. Love the Friedman style bends near the beginning a lot!

Bleez: Really measured and tasteful take here from the Great Scot. Mayhem T shirt + blues. Only at GMC You've got the themes that repeat throughout your solo with little variations and you've got that nice whole tone and a half bend to end it with - one of your best.

Laurent: Nice, rounded tone here. I feel you could work on improving your hand coordination as well as there are some unwanted string noises between your intended notes. I eventually noticed that you seem to play using only upstrokes! I can't imagine doing that - does it not feel awkward? That might explain the coordination issues because your picking will always be behind your fretting hand if you want to do quicker phrases. Nice mixture of natural minor and minor pentatonic like we talked about.

Moss: Really nice ideas in here, Moss. Like Bleez, you've taken on board the idea of setting up some repeating phrases that have little variations. If you hone your bending pitches a bit you'll be getting some real sexy stuff happening - nice chewy tone as well

George: You're a bit good aren't you? Go home and stop making the rest of us look bad, ok? Seriously, though - brilliant phrasing, great control, tasteful double stops, great technique. Really enjoyed this and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

Todd Simpson: Another instructor coming to the party - I've seen you before. Aren't you the one who has trouble with his alternate picking? You need to check out an instructor at GMC called Todd, he'll sort your lazy picking hand out in no time! Great input T-Master, this could be the mellowest we've managed to get you yet!

Jim S: Great use of modal scales and arpeggios next the traditional pentatonic style licks. I also like the way you're very free with your timing and you let your runs dance across the beat at your behest, which is the way I like to play. Nice, warm tone too.

Ben Higgins: Yeah, you and Kristofer really need to get some lessons. It's nice to see you having a go... with some help from the instructors and fellow students we might see you working on yor vibrato, bending, timing and maybe even do some REC takes?

This was a great collab. I know that some of you felt a little out of your comfort zone with a blues track but you persevered with it and ended up all pulling something good out of the bag. Hopefully you all feel happy with what you did and hopefully some of you even got some new phrasing ideas during the process which is really the end goal of doing these collabs. Each one is like a stepping stone of experience where you get to test new ideas and learn from it. The work you did for this collab wasn't just for this collab, it was for the next one, and the next one after that.

Thanks for participating and stay badass!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 20 2015, 01:26 PM

IN!

Posted by: Phil66 Jul 20 2015, 06:30 PM

Out,

Shake it all about

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 20 2015, 07:53 PM

Cool, well this collab will at least have me and Mr Dahl on it!!

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Jul 20 2015, 07:56 PM

I'm in too!

Posted by: Jim S. Jul 20 2015, 10:14 PM

I'm in! Maybe I'll actually finish it this time....

Posted by: Phil66 Jul 20 2015, 11:25 PM

I'm in really, when I return from Portugal

Posted by: fzalfa Jul 21 2015, 12:03 AM

yeah, i cannot say no..... it's pathologic !!

i'am in.....

Laurent

a first shot ...... one shot !!

i'm too much hot tonight !!! don" beware about false notes, only get the ideas

https://soundcloud.com/maxime-bon-3/test-blues-bad-ass

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 21 2015, 09:22 AM

Ok great! Good to have some action already.

Be careful of those 'false notes' as you called them and next time I think you should try a version with less notes. Then maybe add a bit more as the track moves on... so start slow and sparse and build it up a little as it moves forward?

Also try that lick I posted

Posted by: fzalfa Jul 21 2015, 09:29 AM

yes of course,i was a bit exited, cause yesterday was a great guitar day for me, i have another declic and my play have change the time of a session with my friends and professor Yann,(he is a professional jazz player, but unfortunatly i see him once a month) and yesterday i have change something, i rip him in two with a personnal version of Sunny, i do not record this, it's so sad.

back to our bad ass , i try to do less and better

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 21 2015, 12:03 PM

Hey that's all cool... I love it when I pick up the guitar and have a good session! It doesn't always happen, but when it does it's a nice surprise

Posted by: Sensible Jones Jul 21 2015, 01:09 PM

I'm sure I'll be able to find time to throw some Melodic ideas in here!!

Posted by: Piotr Kaczor Jul 21 2015, 02:12 PM

Count me in, Ben!

Sorry, that was a crap sentense

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 21 2015, 02:24 PM

Cheeky man - it will be an honour to have you on board!

Posted by: bleez Jul 21 2015, 06:46 PM

nice one Mr H seems like ages since there was a video collab! Im defo in.
Im feeling kinda burnt out with my playing recently so some cold ass blues will be awesome to focus on

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 21 2015, 07:02 PM

I love that phrase!!

Welcome to the party

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 22 2015, 03:37 PM

Has anybody had a play with that first 2 note lick I posted?

It can be deceptively hard to get it to sound right but stick with it!

Posted by: krakou Jul 22 2015, 04:23 PM

I'm back from work, no kids and no wife @ home now.

Perfect to play a little with that cool backing !

Posted by: krakou Jul 22 2015, 04:56 PM

Got this for the moment, based on the 2 licks proposed.
Can be improved of course..

Posted by: Shanky3286 Jul 23 2015, 07:23 AM

Nice buddy! Good try. Will post my own soon :-)



Very good going buddy! Enjoyed listening to this!

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 23 2015, 10:47 AM

Awesome to see some action! Here is my take:



I looped the backing track and jammed over it. @ Ben feel free use whatever you feel like, files coming to you shortly!

Posted by: fzalfa Jul 23 2015, 12:34 PM

you are damn crazy !!! deliciousely crazy !!

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 23 2015, 07:00 PM

Wow, I really love that bend at 0:17 - world class!!

This is a great example of blues... being able to dictate your own timing and still make it sound right.



This is an incredible tone - Kris, tell us how you got it!!

Posted by: Shanky3286 Jul 23 2015, 08:39 PM

Yeah I tried it. It sounds easier than it is. I am pulling the Bb note on the G string upwards towards the first two strings. The muting has to be more precise when pulling downwards. Let me know what you think :-)

Posted by: Jim S. Jul 23 2015, 08:40 PM

https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/badass-blues-collab-idea

I had a little time and I made this. It is an improvised take but hey that's how I roll I guess...

Posted by: Shanky3286 Jul 23 2015, 09:13 PM

Good stuff man!

Posted by: Shanky3286 Jul 23 2015, 09:44 PM

Here's my own humble offering. It's a very simple attempt at the solo. Taken off from the ideas proposed. It's played on a clean tone.

https://soundcloud.com/shashank-venkat-1/badass-blues-collaboration-lick

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 23 2015, 11:30 PM

Better late than never!! I'm in

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 24 2015, 11:48 AM

Thanks Ben and Laurent, I love this backing!

I used a Dr Z Mas kemper profile, and added the kemper tube screamer in front. I think its the dr z amp that does it, its very touch sensitive!

Posted by: bleez Jul 24 2015, 12:57 PM

great vocals as well dude I'll wager you would totally nail a vocal cover of 'mamma were all crazy now'

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 24 2015, 07:02 PM

There's some really nice stuff in there, Jim. I really like your crunch tone as well.. really percussive. Sometimes improvising gives us the magic licks that don't come any other way!

Are you thinking of working on it? I can imagine how good it will sound if you lose some of the more 'outside' bits that were probably errors.



Hi man, welcome!

Ok, great... allow me to make a suggestion with some note choices here. That bit at 0:29.. I personally wouldn't have included that note. It's an A, which would be a minor 2nd (or 9th). If you moved it up a semitone to A# then it will give you a minor 3rd which will sound much more comfortable there

Your best moment is the 2nd half - your note choice is much better and more confident. A 0:47 I was hoping you would play a root note (G) after that F but you held it and went down. It's not 'wrong' but it sounds a bit meandering or wandering, yeah? If you give those things a go it will be interesting to see how it sounds but, more importantly, what you think of it!



That's what I like to hear - bring the artillery!



That's interesting. I find it much easier to pull the string down because it's a more natural hand movement to pull down and then let off the string and mute with the picking hand.

Just to clarify.. when you say the first two strings, that would suggest the B & E because you would have 3 strings below the G: D, A & the low E.

When I say pull it downward I'm meaning towards the floor, towards the B and high E string.

Posted by: Shanky3286 Jul 24 2015, 09:12 PM

Hey Ben,
I am very grateful to you for taking out time to listen and provide some 'real' feedback. Yes, I guess I went a little wrong with the note choice at 0:29. And I exactly know the moment where it went down at 0:47. Will rework on this and even work on a couple of new ideas and post soon.

I am really enjoying this learning from the Collaboration Jam! Thanks again Ben :-)

Ya, I guess we both are on the same side. I meant the B and high E string as well :-)

Posted by: Jim S. Jul 24 2015, 09:34 PM

Thanks Ben and Shanky! Yes I do plan to work on it and have a video. I'll put my best foot forward!

Posted by: MossRoller Jul 25 2015, 03:16 AM

ok, I'll give this a shot.
Gab has me working on a string bending lesson, so I wanted to incorporate plenty of that bendy stuff.
I initially started with your Varying Phrases idea, but somehow ended up with this.

Here is my quite-sloppy and not-so-fancy take 1:  BadAssBluesCollabMossTake1.mp3 ( 690.46K ) : 143

Posted by: bleez Jul 25 2015, 11:22 AM

that's nice, dude. I liked that

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jul 25 2015, 09:59 PM

Thanks Bleez, gotta admit I dont know that song. Will check it out!

Posted by: Jim S. Jul 25 2015, 11:29 PM

Here is an update.... https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/badass-2

Posted by: Jim S. Jul 26 2015, 03:48 AM

Here's my take! I feel good about it. Probably because I may have had a giant gasball of hash fall in my lungs.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 26 2015, 10:47 AM

Excellent. Yes I can hear how you've got a similar starting point for each phrase and then take it somewhere different - that's what variation is all about

I love that bend and the following licks around 0:36 - great stuff!



Oh man, that bend and release / bend again routine around 0:36 is the bee's knees! Not just the phrase itself but the way the tone gets more trebly and screams... nice one

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 27 2015, 06:14 PM

Spiff!! Digging your take here I"m about to sit down and record one myself. Inspiring!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 27 2015, 06:48 PM

Bring the firepower, T-Sim!!

Posted by: fzalfa Jul 28 2015, 10:36 PM

i work on, but idea are poor..... don't find the right tone & effect, don"t know on witch guitar use... the mess

Laurent

Posted by: Jim S. Jul 29 2015, 04:49 AM

I decided that this is my take... It may have some messups but I like it.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 29 2015, 09:18 AM

Morning all!

I've recorded another small phrase for you to work with. This is a common blues lick that uses a slide to move from the 5th to 6th fret and back again. If you look at the screen grab you'll see that you can use just your 1st and 3rd fingers to play this lick. If you listen to the recording you'll notice an audible difference between the first slide lick and the second slide lick. The second slide lick uses an extra picked note which makes it sound more aggressive. Have a play with it and see if you can work it into your solos

 Badass_Blues_Collab_ex2.mp3 ( 742.43K ) : 159

Hey Laurent, you're doing fine my friend - don't quit on us now, you're part of our team!

A slightly distorted clean tone will work fine, which is what I've used. Or you can have a bit more gain if you prefer - it's up to you. Use whichever guitar is most comfortable and enjoyable to play.

Most blues masters would shake their heads at me for using a 7 string Ibanez but guess what? It works!

Also.. take a look at this latest lick I've posted. We will keep using this collab thread to share ideas and help each other build a solo!



Cheers Jim. Damn right.. if it feels right - it is right!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jul 30 2015, 07:38 PM

Hey guys.... check this post out for some ideas to use in the collab!

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=54740&view=findpost&p=716053

Posted by: fzalfa Jul 31 2015, 10:53 AM

Another try.....

https://soundcloud.com/maxime-bon-3/test-blues-bad-ass-2

edit:

another try

https://soundcloud.com/maxime-bon-3/test-blues-bad-ass-3

Laurent

Posted by: bleez Jul 31 2015, 07:56 PM

obviously Id prefer to get something way more sophisticated and 'widdly' but this is what Ive been working on -

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 3 2015, 09:02 AM

Sorry for the delay, guys.. obviously the site has been down and then I was collecting and stacking bales of hay into the evening yesterday... and I've got another day of it today!!

Hi Laurent, your 2nd take here is more sophisticated and controlled than the first. I'd like to encourage you to allow more empty spaces between your phrases. At the moment, you're filling most of the space. In blues you want to leave little gaps here and there

You're using mainly the natural minor scale which has 2 extra notes than the minor pentatonic. This can make it sound too dark sometimes.. too dark for blues even. Maybe try using only the minor pentatonic as it will suit the backing more. Or try a bit of both??



This is great stuff by the great Scot(t)!

You've got a good mixture of slowness with business. My fave bit is how you outline that chord turnaround at 0:44-0:45 - excellent! I only wished for that whole tone bend at 0:48 to be a semitone higher, so it would be a minor 3rd instead of a 9th... if you had hit that note and let it hang (or picked it a few times at the top of the bend)and then brought it down a semitone for the F chord it would have been just perfect!

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 3 2015, 09:17 AM

ok Ben, i'll do another try with penta only

Laurent

Posted by: bleez Aug 3 2015, 11:30 AM

thank ye kindly sir
I wasnt 100% on that last bend, sometimes it sounded really nice and other times I thought it was a bit iffy. I'll defo try that extra semitone though, still got plenty time before the deadline. Thanks for the pointer

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 4 2015, 04:55 AM

Here's one from me Of course, per usual, I am still struggling with leaving any gaps of any kind in a solo I found a tone that didn't lend itself to shreddery which helped keep me in check a bit. I"m using only the built in tone bits inside of LOGIC X.

https://soundcloud.com/techniqueswithtodd/blues-project-logic-x

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 4 2015, 08:55 AM

Yeah, 9ths can be a funny interval.... it's all about how you resolve it with what note comes next - it's all trial and error!



That's a dang nice tone there, T-Power! Is that traces of an auto wah on there??



Ok great, I look forward to it!

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 4 2015, 10:51 AM

Hi

hard for me to play only with straight penta....

i have done this

https://soundcloud.com/maxime-bon-3/test-blues-bad-ass-1

and this too

https://soundcloud.com/maxime-bon-3/test-blues-bad-ass-4

not fixed about tone and gear to use

Laurent

Posted by: GGTopGuitarist Aug 4 2015, 07:20 PM

OK! I just did my video! I'll give it a mix another day and send it here Spent a lot of time on it (y)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 5 2015, 02:02 AM

Thanks Ben Believe it or not, I put aside my beloved auto wah, this is a patch using the pedal board inside LOGIC X.

I think what your hearing is the SPIN BOX and TOTAL TREMOLO doing a bit of a wah impersonation Here is a grab.

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 5 2015, 10:53 AM

hey !! i love this track mate!!!

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 5 2015, 03:21 PM

Hey Laurent, this 1st take is really good - this is really in blues territory now. The tone is the best one you've tried so far. The note choice is also the best. I can hear more pauses between the phrases which allows everything to breathe. As guitarists, we don't have to fill every single space with something.. we're just like vocalists. Sing a line here and there

Great job - how do you feel about it?



Ah right.. it's got this really nice quality where it seems to open out on the extended notes

Posted by: Procyon Aug 6 2015, 04:30 PM

I finally managed to record my take... I planned to do it earlier but then I slightly injured my hand and couldn't play for some days. It should be ok now...

Well, bleez, I just realised that my take starts exactly the same way as yours! Of course I did not steal your idea (I just saw your take right now) - but it must be a really good idea since I absolutely like your take, it's awesome!

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 6 2015, 05:29 PM

yeah, i love it !

Laurent

Posted by: bleez Aug 6 2015, 05:45 PM

LOL!
It is a rather sophisticated bend, that's for sure
very nice take dude, and lovely SG as well.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 6 2015, 06:23 PM

Thanks! I'm digging your latest take as well I think this collar is gonna RAAAWKKK!!!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 7 2015, 08:16 AM

Excellent work, my friend.. and that tone is lovely.. just the right amount of sizzle

Posted by: Danyl Aug 8 2015, 06:41 PM

Hi Guys,

Just few days ago joined to GMC - cool site, cool lessons, cool community
I want to join to this badass collab and introduce my version of playing it. Open for comment, critics, etc.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 8 2015, 06:59 PM

WELCOME TO GMC!!! Is that a TRIAXIS I see? Nice I'm digging your tone and playing. There is a bit of an off note right after the start but it's blues so it's not meant to be squeaky clean, so maybe leave it in. I like your licks and note choices I'm sure Ben will have more!!

Posted by: Danyl Aug 8 2015, 09:57 PM

Thanx Todd. Yes, I'm using mesa boogie triaxis preamp with tc electronics g-major as effects unit. I tried to find bluesy tone - not so distorted, but at the same time with a punch and wide dynamics

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 9 2015, 05:36 AM

What do you guys think of this?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 10 2015, 01:13 AM

Your playing is very good indeed! Note choice etc. Sadly, I'm having trouble hearing your take Are you using the mic built in to a laptop or something? Can you record direct and use a plugin or something so we can get more detailed sounds from the guitar?

Posted by: Nick6373 Aug 12 2015, 12:52 AM

Here's my first take (the end is kinda shit since I couldn't get anything)
https://soundcloud.com/nick-peacock-7/blues-collab-roughtake
I love the backing track!!

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 12 2015, 04:02 AM

Sorry Sarge! Here's a new take with new licks n bends And.... Mixed to the best my ability. Compression and a little eq. I boosted up 2 areas in the mids and cut the bass way before noticing it. This one was a fun one!

The backing track seems to clip at times. Is it my headphones or is it clipping in the high end???

Posted by: MossRoller Aug 13 2015, 09:23 PM

Hi.
Starting at about :15 seconds I'm liking and find interesting the note choices. I was wondering
if your adding in the 2nd (9th) interval to the Gm pentatonic. Or is there something else going on?

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 14 2015, 03:07 AM

Hey Moss! Thanks. From that arp with the 9th I play what I believe to be...( I'm in the emergency room waiting for a doctor) F dominant.... Now it's not actually F dominant just all the notes... It's a succession of patterns from F Dom but I have no other way to describe it. I'm actually confused now... I'd have to pick up my guitar and tell ya...

Posted by: bleez Aug 15 2015, 10:42 PM

yo Ben, Ive tried to hit the bigger bend at the end to get that extra semitone, I think I got it in this take. I did try some different ways of picking it like you suggested. In the end I seemed to get on better with just the one pick and big bend.

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 16 2015, 01:08 AM

What a nice take man! So controlled and I like how you come back to the opening phrase!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 16 2015, 10:42 AM

Hi Danyl, wow man this is really tasteful. You've got nice pacing.. space between the phrases. Great tone and interesting note choice. Lots of dynamics too.. some soft picking and harder picking.

Welcome to the collab and welcome to GMC!

There's an unusual note near the beginning which I had to listen back to a few times. Not sure if it was intentional?



Really great playing! Love that tumbling legato lick around 0:24



Hey Nick this is cool stuff. If you spend some time to maybe compose a few pre-determined phrases then you'll have a much stronger take with no "shit" bits in it, as you say



Another tasteful take with some interesting neo classical ideas in too. You've got several takes with loads of good bits to choose from so will be interesting as to how you're final solo will turn out.



There it is - the magic!

Just a semitone makes the difference, doesn't it?

Posted by: bleez Aug 16 2015, 12:33 PM

Hey Darryl, Im really loving your tone here. It sounds excellent. What model of Les Paul is that, it kinda looks like it has a bit of a Bonamassa about it with those volume / tone knobs.


thanks Jim Im looking forward to hearing what you decide on for your final take, Ive really dug all your takes so far,


It really does! I compared both my takes and that last bend sucked balls in the first one. I dont know why I didnt hear it at the time.

Posted by: Danyl Aug 16 2015, 03:27 PM

Hey Bleez, I like your last take, so tastfully
I have Gibson Les Paul Bonamassa Studio. I've made refinish... more darker body as you can see here: https://www.dropbox.com/sc/qpzufmjkqp8bwit/AADhq28EYXHY_YDYzMVhvlwba

Posted by: bleez Aug 16 2015, 03:55 PM

That's awesome. As soon as I saw those volume knobs I knew it had to be a JB! those pics are stunning and it sounds fantastic. What a lovely guitar indeed. Ive only ever seen the goldtop version over here in the UK, and even those seem few and far between.
very impressive, mate.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 16 2015, 05:39 PM

(Production files: here is a zip of project file LOGIC PRO X format. I don't know if more than one or two people have LOGIC X, or use Mac computers for that matter, but here goes. Anyhoo, unzip and check the pedalboard on the guitar channel. Guitar is recorded dry and using only logic built in bits for fx)
 BluesToddFullProject.logicx.zip ( 15.67MB ) : 84


Here is my guitar only track and track with backing.

 Todd_Solo_Only.mp3 ( 1.09MB ) : 84


with backing

 BluesProjectBounce.mov_copy.mp3 ( 1.09MB ) : 80


And here is the vid
Download Link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9IcD8RC26b1d1IxNzBGNHBVaWc/view?usp=sharing
Preview


P.S. I'm switching away from DROPBOX to GOOGLE DRIVE as Google drive is 2bux per month for 100 gigs.


SIGNAL CHAIN:
Rick Hanes (prototype) "Crusher"
Spectraflex Cables/VonHotch Picks
USB direct recording clean (via 11 rack) / LOGIC X for all tone/fx.

Posted by: DeGroot Aug 16 2015, 06:11 PM

Hey all, Here is what I came up with for the blues collab. I was going to record it with video at same time but realized I loaned my camera out. A video will follow soon and I can re-record with suggestions.

Posted by: bleez Aug 16 2015, 06:38 PM

that sounds excellent Joe. proper badass sounding its good to hear some of your solos again

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 16 2015, 08:47 PM

Hey guys thanks! I sent Ben a PM but thought it might be more appropriate as a group response. I asked Ben how he would merge the best from all my takes and I'm not sure which parts hit home the best. Does anyone have any specific spots where you thought wow that's good or " meh blah blah?" Let me know!

Would anyone like to harmonize 1 lick? Maybe the neo classical lick Ben referred to?

Posted by: DeGroot Aug 17 2015, 01:24 AM

Thanks bleez. Been away from guitar for a bit. Feels good to get back at it.
Looks like you got yourself a strat now? I don't think I've ever seen you record something with out a LP. Sounds real good man.

Posted by: bleez Aug 17 2015, 08:21 AM

thanks dude Ive really got into the sound of fenders lately. I borrowed that one from a mate but Im really liking it though. I think Im gonna trade my newer LP for a tele or strat Im getting sooo old!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 18 2015, 09:51 AM

T-Maxx brings the heat! Thanks T - grabbin' yo' files now



Bloody 'ell. Joe DeGroot wins the internet for today. I think I'll go home.







Hint: I like it. A lot.

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 18 2015, 09:51 AM

is this take match ?

the sound is awefull , i must re-done it




edit:

or maybe this one



yes i know, i do not have the mojo theses time

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 18 2015, 09:53 AM

I really like Jim's 1st take and the take he uploaded on August the 6th. However, I believe they can all stand alone as their own solos because they're all really good. It can stay all bluesy or it can go more modal and even classical, like it did in your last take. I think a bit of both worlds works best as it's what I'd most likely do too

Posted by: GGTopGuitarist Aug 19 2015, 06:22 PM

Here is my take on the Baddest Blues Backing track in the world! |,,| () |,,|

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 19 2015, 06:42 PM

NICE!!!! Great combo of blues licks with modal stuff and full on Satch hammer/pull bits!! Well played

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 19 2015, 07:03 PM

'Kin 'ell, mate - that's stupendously good! What a pleasure that was to listen to - glad to have you aboard

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 19 2015, 07:28 PM

Wow.... That was just great

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 19 2015, 08:10 PM

Nice George !!!

Ben, what's up about my prestation ?

Laurent

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 20 2015, 01:05 AM

I can't hear anything!!! Sounds like a vidro game in a fish bowl. It must be something goofy when uploading or something. Can you send again?

Posted by: GGTopGuitarist Aug 20 2015, 01:30 AM

Haha thank you guys It's a lot of fun and a great collab |,,|

Posted by: DeGroot Aug 20 2015, 03:53 AM

Hey Ben, Here are the files for this badass collab!

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 20 2015, 08:09 AM

you might have troubles ...

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 20 2015, 11:05 AM

Hi Laurent, this is your best take! Your note choice is SO much better and the pacing and spacing of your phasing is really good. The tone is also just right

I can hear that you spent some time and composed some of your phrases? This is a good approach and I encourage players to do this. If we improvise everything it can be hit and miss but these collabs are a good opportunity for us all to sit down, share ideas and practise writing solos. Now that you've done so, you've achieved the best take yet - it's really good.

P.S. Sorry I missed your videos. I think what happened is that you posted them just as I was writing my post so when I posted my reply I didn't see yours.

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 20 2015, 11:16 AM

thkx for listening

yes i try to compose some part of this solo, i had an otherall idea , but it's not always easy to play what you can hear in your head.... even more when you are a (almost) beginner.

now i'm impatient to see the results with all our takes

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 20 2015, 11:23 AM

Hey all, don't forget that TODAY is the FINAL day of the collab!

You still have the rest of today but tomorrow I will have to say the collab is officially closed, ok?

So, if you can get me your files over the next few days that'll be great and I'll start putting it all together

Reminder: I'll need -

Video
guitar only mp3 or wav. Hint: mp3's are smaller and we won't notice the quality difference tbh

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 20 2015, 11:26 AM

damn !!!

i do not have the guitar only..... i must redone it.......... pfffffffffff i sucx

Laurent

Posted by: Alex5 Aug 20 2015, 11:56 AM

Same problem for me. Resolved by watching it in lower quality.

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 20 2015, 12:06 PM

no clue, i must start again, one more......

Laurent

Posted by: GGTopGuitarist Aug 20 2015, 01:12 PM

Here is a link to the isolated solo audio for my take:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aelxmt3ke0zy7mb/Badass%20Blues%20solo%20ISOLATE%20SOLO.mp3?dl=0



And here's my video again. Did you need the video without the audio? Or I guess you can just swap that out yourself on your end?

Posted by: bleez Aug 20 2015, 01:44 PM

great take , george.
I watched a bunch of your vids on youtube, incredible playing dude. The sky guitar star vid especially was fantastic, great stuff

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 20 2015, 02:46 PM

Ok

i re done all from scratch, next time 'll pay attention to record the axe only track

Because of my son is sleeping now, i cannot play with my hollow guitar, so i use my LP studio, the sound and the feeling is not the same, but it work too.

this is this records, done in urgency...



and this is the associated guitar only wav file

[attachment=42733:guitar_only.wav]

edit: the first note is false, too much bended, just swap the guitar and the string jauge.... can you do a bit makeup ?

Laurent

Posted by: Procyon Aug 20 2015, 07:31 PM

Sorry guys for not replying or writing any comments... my job is so demanding at the moment. For some reason I just remembered that today must be the deadline for this collab... So here are my takes:

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 20 2015, 07:46 PM

nice one procyon !

Laurent

Posted by: bleez Aug 21 2015, 08:24 AM

I forgot to post my files last night! sorry Ben, I was totally about to do it but shiny things distracted me. I'll post them today after work

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 21 2015, 01:04 PM

Hi guys, I've grabbed all your files - thank you!

Don't worry - it'll take me a few days to get it together so it's alllllllll good




Yeah it'll be fine



Nice work, man - love the tone!



Either is fine - I've got the vid now, cheers!

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 21 2015, 01:08 PM

I had a potato gun explode in my left ear yesterday and the sound is highly distorted and rings.... I'm not sure I'll be putting on headphones today for another take. How many days do I have?

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 21 2015, 01:17 PM

I have no idea what it is you get up to A potato gun??

Do you think you can get another take together for sometime early next week?

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 21 2015, 01:49 PM

Let's say I put too much acetylene in and blew the mixture chamber apart

Posted by: bleez Aug 21 2015, 06:09 PM

here's the things with the stuff -

Vid - [attachment=42738:badass_blues_bleez.mp4]
Geetar only - [attachment=42740:guitar_only_bleez.mp3]

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 23 2015, 08:28 AM

Thank you sir!!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 24 2015, 10:53 AM

Update:

Just to let ya's know I'm putting the collab mix together.

I cut my finger the other day so it's put my guitar playing on hold - I'm seeing if I can play tomorrow

It's just my take and Jim S. that I need to finish it and then it'll be onto the joyous process of video editing

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 24 2015, 01:17 PM

Am I ok if I get something up this afternoon mate?

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 24 2015, 01:47 PM

Of course Cap'n

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 24 2015, 02:15 PM

Ok Ben! I'll have it done for you tonight!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 24 2015, 05:48 PM

OK, it's a little bit rushed to get it done but here's the files:-
 Badass_Blues.wav ( 19MB ) : 150

 Badass_NBT.wav ( 19MB ) : 79

 Badass_Blues.wmv ( 11.87MB ) : 117

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 24 2015, 05:54 PM

nice take Sensible jones !!!!

Laurent

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 24 2015, 06:12 PM

Thank you Laurent!

Posted by: bleez Aug 24 2015, 08:40 PM

nice dude
your strat sounds great btw, is it something of your own making or a fender? sounds cool as hell either way

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 24 2015, 09:03 PM

Cheers Bud!!
The guitar is an original 72 with a 73 neck. That's how I bought it. It also has original 70's DiMarzios in the Neck and Bridge. Not sure of the Neck model but I'm fairly sure the Bridge is and original SDS-1! (One of the first stacked Humbucker models.)

Posted by: bleez Aug 24 2015, 09:10 PM

no wonder it sounds so awesome! what an amazing piece of kit to have. I would love to have a guitar from the early 70s.... its my favourite decade of all

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 24 2015, 10:01 PM

It does sound nice, especially when coupled with a Valve amp. It was really good with the Selmer but is even better through my Traynor, even at bedroom volumes with a very minimal pedalboard!! I am planning some mods for it though. It came with a particularly nasty, lightweight cast Bridge. I'm thinking about installing a heavy Block Wilkinson, two pivot instead. Hopefully get a bit more sustain out of it, maybe some modern style tuners too and the Pots are getting a bit crackly too! But apart from all that it's as good as new!!

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 24 2015, 10:31 PM

Hi Benjamin! Here is my final take.... I had real fun playing all sorts of things over this track and I wish I could have gelled the best into one cake but I figured it's not all about packing the crap out of a track. Even though I probably packed the crap out of this track... Haha.



Btw I did get my hearing back!!!! I was really really scared for a few days of distrortion and ringing in my left ear... I also fixed my exploded potato gun and found an appropriate way to mix the propellant.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 25 2015, 09:12 AM

Excellent - nice work Jim and I'm pleased your hearing is ok! Don't be messing wi' no unstable home made weapons during a collab!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Aug 31 2015, 04:17 PM

Friends, Romans, Countrymen!

Here it is - the moment you've all been waiting for - the video for the Badass Blues Collab!

Kristofer: A very good effort. You are obviously new to the guitar and need guidance so I suggest you go check out GMC where there are loads of lessons and a forum full of helpful guitarists that you can learn from. We can help you work towards your next collab take!

Procyon: Nice opening bends here. I like your tone as well. Your flurry of notes at 0:48 is not sounding 100% coordinated which reduces the effect a bit but it still does the trick. Nice take overall, I would recommend working on synchronising the hands together for faster runs.

DeGroot: Really lovely take here. You seem to get the classic DG tone whether you're on Strat or Les Paul. Love the Friedman style bends near the beginning a lot!

Bleez: Really measured and tasteful take here from the Great Scot. Mayhem T shirt + blues. Only at GMC You've got the themes that repeat throughout your solo with little variations and you've got that nice whole tone and a half bend to end it with - one of your best.

Laurent: Nice, rounded tone here. I feel you could work on improving your hand coordination as well as there are some unwanted string noises between your intended notes. I eventually noticed that you seem to play using only upstrokes! I can't imagine doing that - does it not feel awkward? That might explain the coordination issues because your picking will always be behind your fretting hand if you want to do quicker phrases. Nice mixture of natural minor and minor pentatonic like we talked about.

Moss: Really nice ideas in here, Moss. Like Bleez, you've taken on board the idea of setting up some repeating phrases that have little variations. If you hone your bending pitches a bit you'll be getting some real sexy stuff happening - nice chewy tone as well

George: You're a bit good aren't you? Go home and stop making the rest of us look bad, ok? Seriously, though - brilliant phrasing, great control, tasteful double stops, great technique. Really enjoyed this and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

Todd Simpson: Another instructor coming to the party - I've seen you before. Aren't you the one who has trouble with his alternate picking? You need to check out an instructor at GMC called Todd, he'll sort your lazy picking hand out in no time! Great input T-Master, this could be the mellowest we've managed to get you yet!

Jim S: Great use of modal scales and arpeggios next the traditional pentatonic style licks. I also like the way you're very free with your timing and you let your runs dance across the beat at your behest, which is the way I like to play. Nice, warm tone too.

Ben Higgins: Yeah, you and Kristofer really need to get some lessons. It's nice to see you having a go... with some help from the instructors and fellow students we might see you working on yor vibrato, bending, timing and maybe even do some REC takes?

This was a great collab. I know that some of you felt a little out of your comfort zone with a blues track but you persevered with it and ended up all pulling something good out of the bag. Hopefully you all feel happy with what you did and hopefully some of you even got some new phrasing ideas during the process which is really the end goal of doing these collabs. Each one is like a stepping stone of experience where you get to test new ideas and learn from it. The work you did for this collab wasn't just for this collab, it was for the next one, and the next one after that.

Thanks for participating and stay badass!

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 31 2015, 04:21 PM

YEAHHH !!!!!!

WE RULEZ !!!!

Laurent

when i'm tired i do this way, it's a bad habit who come sometime !! i fight against evcery day

Laurent

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Aug 31 2015, 04:35 PM

I just found this place, I promise I'll do better next time!!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 31 2015, 05:28 PM

WHAT, NO SENSIBLE????

Posted by: Jim S. Aug 31 2015, 08:54 PM

Man George's take is just fantastic. Makes me rethink everything. Nice Zjob man!

Posted by: fzalfa Aug 31 2015, 09:43 PM

yes George is awesome !

the track is slow down no ? i don not reconise my own , seem to play out the timing

what do you think ?

Laurent

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 1 2015, 09:02 AM

It's very unusual! But Paul Gilbert said he started with playing only upstrokes so... maybe it's a secret technique of the genius?



Great - we await your questions!



HOW IN THE HELL DID I MISS THIS???

Man, I'm so sorry - I didn't see your take at all... it got buried in the other posts.. I could have sworn I got everything I was waiting for your take after you said you'd record one but I assumed you didn't do it. Damn!!!



No the track is the same... that's definitely the definitive take that you sent me, I'm sure

Posted by: fzalfa Sep 1 2015, 10:09 AM

i must be crazy or i use a different timing than other, maybe a bit in front of the time, i'll do better next time !

Laurent

Posted by: Sensible Jones Sep 1 2015, 12:09 PM

Maybe I should have PM'd you with them, just to make sure!
Never mind.
So, to your grade...
B-, must try harder!!!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 1 2015, 01:14 PM

That's generous... I was expecting an F

Posted by: Sensible Jones Sep 1 2015, 01:27 PM

Well, I have to be a bit generous, after all, the rest of the Vid was OK!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 1 2015, 08:14 PM

Great job guys!!! I promise to work on my ALTERNATE PICKING with this TODD fellow!!! I made sure to play this just near bed time so I was half asleep and couldn't play very fast and it worked out!!!

Posted by: fzalfa Sep 1 2015, 09:01 PM

i can drive you todd ! i have a wonderfull alternate picking tech wtih the tongue !!! scream granted !

Laurent

Posted by: mad Sep 2 2015, 08:02 AM

Just WOW!!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 2 2015, 08:34 PM

Thanks!! My lazy picking hand is a big problem of course I"m sure we can work it out!

Posted by: Procyon Sep 6 2015, 05:11 PM

This turned out awesome! Great work everybody - and George's take is really... G(e)ORGEOUS! Wow!
Thanks a lot Ben for this great collab and your feedback, I really appreciate it an will be working on synchronization.