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Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 25 2012, 12:10 PM

GUITAR BUSHIDO: ADVANCED

Congratulations warrior for taking your first step on the path..

TASK 1: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/

You're thinking 'That's strange.. he's given us a level 3 lesson'. Well, technically, it isn't that hard. Physically it's a different story. If your hands are not used to stretching for chords like this, then they will be burning after a few minutes The picking pattern is also a good test for your accuracy.

When you put this whole lesson together, this serves as a great warm up exercise. It gets the blood flowing through the fingers because it engages the muscles and tendons that you need when playing the guitar.

If you master it whilst sat down, then it will be another challenge to play it whilst standing. So, there's lots of fun to be had !

Your task is to record and upload a version of this lesson by Wednesday 1st Feb. As you are the highest group you have the biggest responsibility to the Temple. For every task that is forfieted, you will be made to 100 pushups 3 times a day with a broken arm.. for a week. Have a nice day

Posted by: maharzan Jan 25 2012, 01:48 PM

Damn.. When I first looked at that lesson before, I was like wow, that isn't a level 3 lesson. Thats the finger twister which I can't do easily. So, I thought I will skip that. And you are assigning the very same lesson hehe. Will try. I recall Joe Satriani mentioning weird chords to warm up and this one will be very good too. Have tried few weird chords like that so it will definitely be a challenge for me. Thanks for this master.

I just noticed the tab is different from what you play, right?

Wow, this thing kills my thumb. Eeeechh!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 25 2012, 02:03 PM

Hmm, the tab shouldn't be different unless I made a..... a.... a mistake !!??

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Jan 25 2012, 02:25 PM

Great choice of lesson Ben - not only will it be interesting to see student takes on this one but this lesson will also serve many purposes for advanced students (heck I should sit down with it as well!)

Posted by: maharzan Jan 25 2012, 03:07 PM

I take it back Ben. You were doing it twice and I saw the tab were same in the 2nd repeat. Its fine.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 25 2012, 03:25 PM

Great lesson Ben! This is very useful for right hand precision! This course is fantastic!! I'll follow it!

Posted by: ztevie Jan 25 2012, 03:58 PM

For further studys regarding this kind of playing I would recommend checking out Ozzy- Killer Of Giants...
Very cool sounding arpeggiated chords there...

Posted by: Dinaga Jan 25 2012, 06:00 PM

Awesome!
Master, I will not disappoint You in this guitar quest!

Just one quick question - we post the videos in this thread instead of the REC board, right?

Posted by: maharzan Jan 25 2012, 06:01 PM

Yes. Although he encouraged to post on REC as well.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 25 2012, 06:32 PM

Yes that's right.. post all takes here

Although if you want to enter them for REC too, it would be great to see them there too and then the other instructors can give their feedback

Posted by: AK Rich Jan 25 2012, 11:55 PM

Ben how did you know I havent played chords in way to long?!?! Tough chord changes but I am getting the hang of it I think, the alternate picking the chords is an extra challenge for sure. well played sir!

Posted by: maharzan Jan 26 2012, 12:17 AM

Hey Ben,

Just thought what if you keep threads to one assignment, say Advanced Assignment #1 for this thread and Advanced Assignment #2 for next etc so new comers can always post their takes in each of these threads rather than having to go through all of the posts.. say after 10th assignment. It might be too long, if someone wants to join after 10 weeks.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 26 2012, 10:49 AM

Well, you should know by now that I can see everything... I know....



Yes, Kris suggested it to me too and I think I'm going to follow that way, otherwise these threads will be HUGE and we'll die of old age before we find the posts we want !

Posted by: AK Rich Jan 26 2012, 05:40 PM

+1 that F#add9 is the culprit for me , feel the burn!

Posted by: Dinaga Jan 26 2012, 06:05 PM

I think I just learned the fireball spell!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 26 2012, 06:49 PM

This is good. It will keep your hands warm in these cold mountains !!

Posted by: maharzan Jan 26 2012, 07:18 PM

Its definitely cold in here and I live in the Himalayas!! ;-)

Posted by: maharzan Jan 27 2012, 04:39 AM

Ben and others who are practicing this,

I cant seem to stretch in the F#add9. I am trying but the Bb note doesn't ring well. Problem, middle finger hits the fret (metal?) in that stretch and if it goes right, the pinky blocks the string from ringing. My fingers are too small at this point. Any suggestions?

Posted by: AK Rich Jan 27 2012, 05:05 AM

Hey Maharzan, this is a big stretch for sure, hard for me as well, it hurts basically I have just isolated the F#add9 and the G#add9 switching back and forth over and over trying to get the change smooth,also practicing the F#add9 to the Eadd11+ change. ( Hey Ben what does that + mean anyways?Is that Augmented?).Also you might try a classical guitar position, it may be better, maybe not . It seems a little easier for me if I keep my elbow in closer to my body when fretting that one, not sure if this is correct posture or not tho since I am mainly self taught but there it is for whatever its worth.Also I have been doing big stretches up there fretting index and pinky stretching as far as I can and running all the strings back and forth just to try and get a bit more stretched out and loose.
Oh one more thing is I have been taking plenty of breaks and shaking my hand out so I dont wreck it lol

Posted by: maharzan Jan 27 2012, 05:11 AM

Hmm.. Thanks. I will try the position trick. I didn't play at all yesterday as it was hurting my thumb. Today my thumb is better but stretch is a problem. I am trying to push the middle/pinky using my right hand and it seems to work but the stretch comes back to normal again. I think I need to break those tendons joining these 2 fingers .. lol.

Posted by: maharzan Jan 27 2012, 06:17 AM

Ok I found it. I have to tweak my pinky position. So, if I try to rotate the pinky a bit and not position it as I do regularly, it seems to work. Need to practice quick adjustment of this and it should be good. Cheers!! My fingers are definitely stretching by now.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 27 2012, 07:04 AM

Those are some serious chords! They sound great and they will force you to work on your stretch! It's easy to fall in to the habit of not working the pinky and the stretch but this is perfect for curing that!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 27 2012, 10:35 AM

Hey Chandra and Rich.. Rich has got the right idea. When I get to the stretchy chords I lean my body into it more. You ever watch Joe Satriani when he's playing some crazy legato licks ? Notice how he sometimes leans into the guitar with his left shoulder to reach the notes better. That's what I do, when sitting or standing.

I also do as Rich is doing.. I'll lightly fret it, just stratching out the fingers to the right frets and I'll play about 10 or so reps of it. Then I'll rest. One thing I recommend is when you take a rest, never pull your hand back to normal from a stretched position too quickly, always do it slowly, at least until yor tendons get used to the stretch and then can contract and expand more efficiently.

I also had the same problem with my index finger not fretting the B string properly. When I'm practising it, I try to hold the correct position for as long as I can. When I feel the chord shape begin to deteriorate, that's a good time for a quick rest

Posted by: maharzan Jan 27 2012, 03:03 PM

Yep, I am practicing those tips. Thanks Ben, very helpful.

Posted by: Dinaga Jan 27 2012, 05:45 PM

When I try to fret this chord, I fret with index first, then with the pinky (to do the initial stretch), and then all other fingers. This makes my other fingers and the left fist tilt towards the neck (to the left side). It looks and feels a bit awkward but it's the only way for me to stretch all the fingers enough to play the chord. That or I'll get a knife

One of my biggest problems is that my fingers are too "meaty", and sometimes they don't let all notes ring, but I've never really paid enough attention to that untill this lesson. So, this task was useful in so many ways!

EDIT: Just had to add - This is the best and fastest warmup run I ever practiced! Now I know what to do before gigs to make my hands hot

Posted by: maharzan Jan 29 2012, 11:13 AM

Great.. still hurts when practicing that stretch and can't get the perfect ringing take yet. Hope I will be able to do in a day or two.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 29 2012, 11:37 AM

Excellent ! I'm really pleased to hear that. I've been running through it myself when I pick the guitar up too



I remember that I had to practice the piece for about a week before I could record it !

Posted by: AK Rich Jan 29 2012, 07:48 PM

Whew now I dont feel so bad for taking so long in getting down whats supposed to be a level 3 lesson
I made a passable take yesturday but I am going to use the time I have left to get it closer to perfect.

Posted by: maharzan Jan 30 2012, 12:21 PM

Alright, its freezing cold here (well, its been better) but suffering badly from cold, headaches. I have a hint of sickness coming to me. So, the progress, I did get the stretcher chord correct but this take missed few notes, damn. When I get that correct, I miss other parts. I hate it. This is the best take I got this session and I just wanted to post it here.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 30 2012, 03:17 PM

All hail Chandra because this is excellent !!

Seriously.. you did a fantastic job. Those occasional 'missed' notes are to be expected, you've only been playing it a week. You've totally got the shapes nailed and the picking pattern. How does your left hand feel now ? Considering the extra things you've asked of it with this task, 3 note per string licks should feel easy in comparison

Posted by: maharzan Jan 30 2012, 03:56 PM

Thanks Ben. Well, to start with I was having problems changing chords, weird shapes. I just know like basic chords/7ths. The stretch I have tried before involved 2nd and 4th finger, such as the POLICE every breath you take song and this involved 3rd and 4th fingers which was real challenge and that too on the 2nd fret. My left hand feels more relaxed now. I was surprised I could do that stretch this morning after having so many mute/not reaching problems before. More than that I think I tamed my right hand too. I have been doing too much 3nps or 2nps and it wasn't going 1nps AP. This did it.

BTW, I am already near mastering the intermediate assignment too. Hoping to record that before Wednesday.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 30 2012, 08:37 PM

Awesome stuff ! Yeah, also check out the Police song 'Message in a Bottle' - it's got those lovely add9 chords in it

Posted by: Dinaga Jan 31 2012, 03:19 PM

Here it is master Ben. I know it's far from perfect and there are areas which need improvement but I learned a lot while practicing this Task.

The first day there was no way I could do that pinky stretch, but now I can do it a lot easier It also improved my chord picking technique because I usually just used sweep picking for that. Lastly, it was a lot frustrating but I'm so glad to have learned this lesson, and I can't wait for the next Task!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 31 2012, 03:57 PM

Hey Dinaga, this is really excellent ! I think you play it even better than me Congratulations on completing your Task

However, that's some interesting sportswear that you are attired in. 100 pushups for that !!

Posted by: maharzan Jan 31 2012, 04:25 PM

Awesome man! Very neat. love the tone.

Posted by: Dinaga Jan 31 2012, 04:35 PM

Thanks guys! Ben, I did the push-ups and I think I know how to avoid them on the next one.
Maharzan, your take was really great! I wish my picking hand was relaxed as yours!

Posted by: maharzan Jan 31 2012, 04:39 PM

Thanks Dinaga.

Posted by: AK Rich Jan 31 2012, 07:41 PM

Great takes guys!! But now I feel I need to make another recording while sporting some winter gear, everyone looks like they are on their way out the door to hit the slopes!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Jan 31 2012, 07:44 PM

Yeah I was gonna hit the video chat wearing swimming shorts and a vest.. but I wouldn't want to look 'weird' or anything..

Posted by: AK Rich Feb 1 2012, 07:47 AM

Ok Ben I have a couple takes neither of which is perfect and I am not sure which one is best so I will leave that for you to decide.
This lesson made me fight myself to play that alternate picking rather than a broken strum or sweep that I would usually play over the parts where there is no string skipping, the string skipping parts is where I would normally alternate pick. So I had to pay extra attention to that and fight the urge! Also I did some alternate fingerings in this lesson which I am sure you will spot. Thanks for the challenge man! Looking forward to the next task, something tells me we are going to step it up a notch but I am not really sure what this is all building up to

Posted by: Ben Higgins Feb 1 2012, 10:41 AM

Hey Rich ! I really like your interpretation of the track, with the tapping at the end

I never thought about playing the 2nd chord with my thumb - will try that !

You don't seem to have any problems with those stretchy add9 chords at all

The one thing I would want to address if it were me is a tendency to play in front of the beat. I would put this down to concentrating really hard.. it often makes us rush without realising it.

So, now your fingers are all warmed up guys, time for Task 2

Posted by: AK Rich Feb 1 2012, 07:22 PM

Hey thanks alot Ben! yeah when I was listening to the track I did I definately noticed I tended to rush it a bit. I think its because I was practicing it at a higher tempo, it actually seems a bit easier at a faster tempo , I was going to record it at a higher tempo but could'nt figure out how to do it in Reaper, I was changing the bpm but it didnt have any effect, I need to check out some more tutorials I guess concentrating to hard may have something to do with rushing it as well, good point! Mainly my concentration was to resist the urge to slowly strum rather than AP. Glad you approve of the use of the thumb for the second chord ,I started out fretting all the chords like you were but then tried the diff fingerings on the second day of practice. It made it much easier I thought.I also used a barre on the first chord and also the E chord.
This task was an awesome warmup , I never realized picking thru some extended chords could warm me up so well but it did for sure!
Looking forward to Task #2!

Peace! Rich....

Posted by: Nimrandir Feb 3 2012, 02:43 PM

I at last got a kind of "camera" (actually a photo camera, it even can't shoot HD vids ) and will record very soon. Again sorry for this delay Master, I'm prepared to accept my punishment (how do you put that ninja smiley? )

Posted by: Ben Higgins Feb 3 2012, 03:35 PM

I used a photo cam once for recording vids too.. it was pretty good.

When you got to make a post you should see the emoticons on your left. Click 'show all' and you'll find him at the bottom. However, you have been warned - don't over use him or I'll be... displeased.

Posted by: Nimrandir Feb 3 2012, 06:54 PM

Ok, this take is so embarrasing that I won't dare even uploading it to youtube . To be honest I've never really played or practiced playing chords (except powerchords and basic major/minor shapes), and changing chords was always difficult for me. And this stretch.. My fingers are too short for it . Also I've noticed that it's harder to play that stretchy chord on the second fret not only because of bigger stretch, but also because of the note order. Normally I would put index and ring fingers first, and then stretch pinky kind of from the ring finger (using it as support). When I first have to put index and pinky, the pinky assumes wrong position, and as a result the string under it becomes muted.

And timing is all over the place as I've tried not to mess up everything else so much that I didn't pay attention to it. Oh well, I need more practice with chords .

Found him

Posted by: Ben Higgins Feb 3 2012, 07:03 PM

Hey that's not bad at all ! I could tell you found the add9 chords a bit tricky but overall the piece still sounded good. I liked the tone as well

Task 2 awaits you