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GMC Forum _ Ben Higgins _ Intermediate Bushido Task 9

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 22 2012, 07:05 PM

Task 9: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato-2/

If you've sneaked a quick glance at the Beginner thread then you'll probably have worked out that we're going to start focusing on legato ! wink.gif

All you need to know is in the lesson text and videos, so I'll leave you with some advice from Eddie Van Halen - imagine your fingertips are the toes of a ballerina, dancing lightly over the fretboard cool.gif

As always, you have a week with this Task, until next Thursday 28th March - get stuck in !

Posted by: gregc1 Mar 22 2012, 08:40 PM

Ahhh, legato. The true bain of my existence. laugh.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 23 2012, 09:40 AM

QUOTE (gregc1 @ Mar 22 2012, 07:40 PM) *
Ahhh, legato. The true bain of my existence. laugh.gif


It was... but not any more. You will desensitise yourself to this technique so that it's no longer the big, scary monster it used to be ! smile.gif

Posted by: maharzan Mar 23 2012, 04:42 PM

Well, since there is no advanced task, I will try this one. smile.gif

Posted by: WeePee Mar 23 2012, 09:07 PM

I have been practising similar licks but always have picked the note on b string. Now when I just hammer it I can do these hella faster. An another barrier busted (on a long journey of guitar playing). Thanks Ben !

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 24 2012, 09:01 AM

QUOTE (WeePee @ Mar 23 2012, 08:07 PM) *
I have been practising similar licks but always have picked the note on b string. Now when I just hammer it I can do these hella faster. An another barrier busted (on a long journey of guitar playing). Thanks Ben !


Awesome ! smile.gif


QUOTE (maharzan @ Mar 23 2012, 03:42 PM) *
Well, since there is no advanced task, I will try this one. smile.gif


Cool, I'll be re-introducing Advanced Tasks again next week smile.gif

Posted by: GrindGuer Mar 24 2012, 07:27 PM

Hey Ben,
I've been working on this task. It's quite difficult to stay even : sometimes, my fingers seem to rush and get out of control and it sounds awful.
I still have a problem with unwanted noise. For example, on the first position, when I hit the B string and release it, it makes some noise. I'm trying to stop it with my index finger (left hand). Is it a good way to do, or is there a better option ?
Thank you.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 24 2012, 07:37 PM

QUOTE (GrindGuer @ Mar 24 2012, 06:27 PM) *
Hey Ben,
I've been working on this task. It's quite difficult to stay even : sometimes, my fingers seem to rush and get out of control and it sounds awful.
I still have a problem with unwanted noise. For example, on the first position, when I hit the B string and release it, it makes some noise. I'm trying to stop it with my index finger (left hand). Is it a good way to do, or is there a better option ?
Thank you.


I wouldn't use my index finger, no.. otherwise you would have to have it covering the B string as well as fretting the E string and that would make your job more difficult.

2 main things I would look at to see if it makes a difference : Right hand - make sure it's covering the strings somewhat so that the B and E strings are able to be played cleanly but the hand is there to cover them if needs be.

Most likely it's the pinky itself.. what may be happening is that you're slightly pulling the string downwards when you're taking your finger off. Try to think of the finger just touchin the note and then coming straight off in an upwards direction. Also, try to concentrate your energy on the note that comes after it on the E string. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say but I've often had the feeling that you can lessen extra string noise by making the note that you do want sound stronger and louder... it seems to work for me smile.gif


Posted by: GrindGuer Mar 25 2012, 09:29 PM

Thank you Ben for this answer. When I'm taking my finger out (anyone of them), the string softly rings (it sounds like some natural harmonic). With distortion it becomes audible.

Anyway, I've made a take at 80 bpm. I've tried to play the next note louder, as you proposed. Kind of helped smile.gif Could you please tell me what you think of it. What shall I improve ?

I really do enjoy this journey in your Dojo ! It makes me play with more regularity and more diversity. I now record my sessions and it's the better way for me to progress. I needed this kind of training and I'm so glad you made it happen.

À demain wink.gif

 Ben_s_Land_Of_Legato_2_Lesson_80bpm_take1.mp3 ( 947.27K ) : 102

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 26 2012, 08:52 AM

QUOTE (GrindGuer @ Mar 25 2012, 08:29 PM) *
Thank you Ben for this answer. When I'm taking my finger out (anyone of them), the string softly rings (it sounds like some natural harmonic). With distortion it becomes audible.

Anyway, I've made a take at 80 bpm. I've tried to play the next note louder, as you proposed. Kind of helped smile.gif Could you please tell me what you think of it. What shall I improve ?

I really do enjoy this journey in your Dojo ! It makes me play with more regularity and more diversity. I now record my sessions and it's the better way for me to progress. I needed this kind of training and I'm so glad you made it happen.

À demain wink.gif

 Ben_s_Land_Of_Legato_2_Lesson_80bpm_take1.mp3 ( 947.27K ) : 102


Heeeey, this is really good.. I can't hear any unwanted string ringing on the B string at all smile.gif Great !!

The only audible improvement whih I would want to improve is the timing aspect, just getting everything more tight and even, that's all !

Apart from that, you've done a really good job cool.gif

That's great to hear... the journey at The Temple isn't for everybody.. only those who have a will of steel ! ph34r.gif

Posted by: GrindGuer Mar 27 2012, 09:15 PM

Hi Ben,

I've been working on legato a lot lately. I'm starting to improve. I made a take at 100 bpm tonight. Could you please comment it ?

Thanks smile.gif

 Ben_s_Land_Of_Legato_2_Lesson_100bpm_take1.mp3 ( 767.46K ) : 101

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 28 2012, 08:26 AM

QUOTE (GrindGuer @ Mar 27 2012, 08:15 PM) *
Hi Ben,

I've been working on legato a lot lately. I'm starting to improve. I made a take at 100 bpm tonight. Could you please comment it ?

Thanks smile.gif

 Ben_s_Land_Of_Legato_2_Lesson_100bpm_take1.mp3 ( 767.46K ) : 101


Yes ! This is really, really good. Exactly the kind of thing I like to hear. Although it's not exactly perfect and clean (it's not going to be, you're still learning it) it's progressing just like I would hope it would.

You've clearly been working hard at it - well done ! You may have a donut smile.gif

Posted by: GrindGuer Mar 28 2012, 09:38 PM

Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't make it at 110 bpm. I've spent too much time eating donuts biggrin.gif
Seriously, the 16th triplets are fast at 110 bpm in the last lick...
Thanks for your kind words Ben, it made my day (how childish ! wink.gif)

Posted by: WeePee Mar 29 2012, 05:41 PM

2 days without practising so here's the result:

http://soundcloud.com/alfafirefox/bushido-9

dry.gif

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 29 2012, 06:13 PM

QUOTE (WeePee @ Mar 29 2012, 04:41 PM) *
2 days without practising so here's the result:

http://soundcloud.com/alfafirefox/bushido-9

dry.gif


Hey V-Meister !

It sucks when you can't get practice time doesn't it ? dry.gif

That's not bad though.. you've got the all the raw materials for great guitar technique, just need to hone them.. with legato I'd say the timing and control of the fingers is the biggest priority to work on and the speed will take care of itself. Thanks for your take ! smile.gif

Posted by: WeePee Mar 29 2012, 07:24 PM

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Mar 29 2012, 08:13 PM) *
Hey V-Meister !

It sucks when you can't get practice time doesn't it ? dry.gif


I was thinking that If I start with new task on every Monday and practise it as many times I can and on weekend when I have more practise time I could record/upload a better take.

Deal ?

Posted by: gregc1 Mar 29 2012, 09:38 PM

I should have my take up tonight or by tomorrow at the latest. I've been out of commission for a few days but getting back in the swing now.

I'm pretty solid on all of the patterns except for the 1-3-4 patterns. Just feels so unnatural for me. It's challenging for me to get my ring and little finger to work together harmoniously.

Posted by: gregc1 Mar 30 2012, 01:13 AM

Here's mine at 80% speed. Still very sloppy but actually much improved from when I first started.



 landoflegato.mp3 ( 766.53K ) : 110
 

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 30 2012, 09:43 AM

QUOTE (WeePee @ Mar 29 2012, 06:24 PM) *
I was thinking that If I start with new task on every Monday and practise it as many times I can and on weekend when I have more practise time I could record/upload a better take.

Deal ?


If that works for you man then I'm ok with that. smile.gif

QUOTE (gregc1 @ Mar 30 2012, 12:13 AM) *
Here's mine at 80% speed. Still very sloppy but actually much improved from when I first started.


Hey Greg, nice work. Yeah, the timing aspect is always the most difficult - keeping those fingers from flying away out of control smile.gif By the way, have you got enough delay on there ??? tongue.gif

Posted by: gregc1 Mar 30 2012, 12:52 PM

Hey Ben, yeah I should have turned off the delay, sorry about that.

It is very tough to keep control all the way through. I find that my left hand starts tightening up rather quickly and before you know it I'm squeezing the hell out of the fretboard. More like a mosh pit than a ballerina tap dance.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Mar 30 2012, 01:40 PM

QUOTE (gregc1 @ Mar 30 2012, 11:52 AM) *
Hey Ben, yeah I should have turned off the delay, sorry about that.

It is very tough to keep control all the way through. I find that my left hand starts tightening up rather quickly and before you know it I'm squeezing the hell out of the fretboard. More like a mosh pit than a ballerina tap dance.


Haha, no man, no need to apologise.. I just thought it was amusing !! 80's overkill ! laugh.gif

Yeah, more like a wrestler than a ballerina... wink.gif

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