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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 19 2012, 07:59 PM

Hehehe surprise this is YOUR thread mate let's start by letting me know how much time you can dedicate to daily guitar playing

cheerioooos

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Mar 19 2012, 10:00 PM

I'll post this here also, to "transfer the conversation" over here to my new thread!



Most days (at least 5 of 7) I should be able to commit an hour to a dedicated practice routine. Thanks to my work, I'm usually able to play much more each day. I usually play EVERY day, and if I take a full day off on my "weekend", I always make sure to hit it the next day!!

Obviously, I'm trying to figure out how much time per day I can dedicate to a NEW practice routine, and I'll work on my own band material outside of that.


I've already given a brief outline of what I'd like to incorporate into a practice routine, but you may (and are encouraged to!) have other techniques you think I should work on as well. I'm here to learn!

I may put together a quick "getting to know me" video, and put it in "my thread".... I may be able to explain my strong/weak points a bit better over video, and with a guitar in my hand!!


Thanks Cosmin! Looking forward to getting started on this journey.... and remember, if I ever say I have a "weak spot", it's just a short form of saying "a strength I haven't yet spent enough time to develop"!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 21 2012, 09:47 AM

Hey Gabe,

what do you think of the following idea:

1hr a day in which we can focus on

- technique, as out of what I've seen you need to correct a few things
- chords and arpeggios - they go hand in hand
- theory can be learned in a more fun and easy way if you pay attention to the theory parts of the lessons here at GMC

Now, tangible progress is something which will motivate you so we can work on lessons here at GMC and if you'd like, we can prepare them for the REC zone and aim for 10s so that you may become as awesome as possible

what do you think about this plan mate?

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Mar 21 2012, 08:24 PM

Sound right on!!

So....last night I got an invite to sit in at one of Portland's finest funk/jazz venues, with top-notch world class players!! I was pretty nervous coming into it, but practiced to backing tracks (and Melvin Sparks!!) for over an hour beforehand, to ensure I'd be loose and have good phrasing. I knew I couldn't kill them with chops, so I had to relax and rely on soul, phrasing and more.

It went GREAT!! I'm invited back in two weeks, and eventually I'll be able to post a recording of my performance here! It was a huge moment for me, because these guys are my heroes!


As always....looking forward to improving more every day!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 22 2012, 10:09 PM

Awesome mate! It seems like a lot of good stuff is coming your way, so you'd better be ready for it!

Let's see, since you are preparing the Vivaldi lesson for alternate picking and stamina, you can keep workin on it and let me know how it goes . In the mean time we can focus in parallel on this one to start with:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/advanced-chords/ it has interesting chord shifts and good theory which will help you enlarge your vocabulary and use of chords

what do you think?

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Mar 25 2012, 08:26 PM

Sounds great!! I'll keep on the Vivaldi, and post results for feedback. I'll start workin' on that chord vid. Also, I'd like to start working on arpeggios very soon as well. I was talking last night with an accomplished jazz guitarist, and his biggest criticism is that I play "scales, not arpeggios".... I really agree.

Thanks again Cosmin!!

I've got a busy week coming up.... gig w/many new songs, and a tough rehearsal. But I'm going to try and give an hour a day to Vivaldi, this chord video, and probably still a little on that country riff as well (Dinaga's insane lesson hunt!) which works great for a warmup if I start slow enough.

Thanks!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 25 2012, 08:44 PM

All in due time mate the jazz guitarist had a point - it's awesome to combine arpeggios with scales and chords and melodies that's a good improviser

Give some time to the first two and we can jump into arpeggios right away - waiting on your progress update

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Mar 26 2012, 09:36 PM

Here we go.....I got some time to put in today, before moving on to rehearsing gig material.


First is my "warmup" run:

I actually make sure to warmup properly FIRST, then I continue my warmup routine with this exercise, slower, and then build up to this speed. As I mentioned to Dinaga, I think I need to go BACk to move FORWARD on this. Meaning, I'm going to work on perfecting it even slower, then come back to this speed.


From there, I hit the Vivaldi lesson. I got 2 takes without much difficulty. I'm going to keep working at this speed a bit, before trying for full-speed. I feel like I'm getting there, but I can see room for improvement.

Posted by: derper Mar 29 2012, 10:58 PM

Here's another vid of my morning routine. Didn't tape another Vivaldi take today yet. Still might do that. But right now I'm uploading a one-on-one vid of me demonstrating some of my weak-points, etc. It's a longer vid, so taking a while to upload to youtube.




I took Dinaga's advice, and made certain to practice this and Vivaldi EVERY day, at least for 30 mins. Also, I backed it down to a slower tempo for a while, before bringing it back to 100bpm.

Posted by: derper Mar 29 2012, 11:55 PM

A little bit of info about me, and my playing...

Posted by: derper Mar 30 2012, 12:57 AM

Just watch the vid, to critique myself, and noticed that the very end got chopped off. I went ahead and dropped some imrpov solo licks on a backing track. My memory card isn't that big.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 31 2012, 05:05 PM

Hola hombre!

there are slight imperfections here and there in the Vivaldi take, but the country one was 99,99% clean I think that the issue lies in the fact that you are moving your picking hand too much and you are holding the pick with with your thumb bent and touching it with the lower part of it, rather than holding it with the tip of the thumb, which in my opinion would provide better results

Would you like to try a very slow take with holding the pick like that?

The most important things which I think would be necessary for you to solve at this point, would be the picking hand motion and the way you are holding the pick and the vibrato

For the picking technique, try the stuff above and try to move the hand ass less as possible while for the vibrato, I highly recommend http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey/

We could also, start working on your right hand with a few hand selected picking lessons, if you'd like please go ahead and shoot a few slow vids, where you would focus on the right hand ideas

Cosmin

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Mar 31 2012, 07:56 PM

I'm certainly trying to focus on finding more accurate and efficient ways to pick.....but, unfortunately, somehow in my life I messed up my picking hand thumb and it literally will not grip on the tip of the thumb. So, you are absolutely correct in your assessment, but it's something that I cannot physically change. Due to my "lack of thumb-tip grip", I also tend to have a few different grips ready for different techniques. Again, I'm trying to pay more attention to that, because perhaps they aren't all needed. For example, there is a part in "Double Dragon Medley" for EMULATOR which requires a hard, rhythmic picking of 2 strings simultaneously at perfect speed, so I have to choke up on it and anchor my hand to the guitar in order to pick hard enough in time, without dropping the pick. Had I ANY strength in the tip of my thumb, like a NORMAL person ( ) I'd be able to avoid the grip-switch routine and keep a more solid/efficient grip at all times.

Again, I know I can still work on improving my picking hand. I'll try and take a vid of my picking hand to give you a better look, so you'll be able to perhaps give me some better input on that.


I'll certainly look into that vibrato vid. I've heard that it's a great lesson!!

Thanks Cosmin!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Mar 31 2012, 08:42 PM

Oh man I'm really sorry to hear this sure, shoot up the vid and send it this way

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Apr 4 2012, 11:40 PM

Sorry Cosmin, I've been and will be SUPER busy this upcoming week.... we've got a big EMULATOR gig coming up. I had big one with my other group, Planet Jackers, this Sat as well. I'm still running my routine nearly ever single day, but not with enough time and effort to move forward all that much.

I'll be back on it, hard, shortly.

Also, I've been putting a huge effort into picking. I've watched several vids, and am analyzing my own technique and adjusting. Also, due both to my live performances and the awesome Portland music scene, I've analyzed the picking styles of several other GREAT guitarists. I'll post a vid soon, but I just don't have time right now, and probably won't for a week. I only get away from GMC for short periods of time, but it's always bitter-sweet....I miss it, and can't wait to get back, but I'm out there growing, playing and gaining experience in the meanwhile. Although....I gig frequently, so that's not new. I NEED to study more, woodshed and nerd out on techniques.

Another note: Our EMULATOR show had a kickstarter campaign to get the show video taped and streamed live to the internet....and we DID IT!! So anyone can watch the show, live, for free!! Also, we've added a second guitarist. The kid is AMAZING!! Freaking Steve Vai amazing. GMC will dig him. It's pushing me to new levels, and I'm looking into techniques I've never messed with, like sweep picking. I don't come from a very "metal" playing background, and this guy fills out the sound quite a bit. It's gonna be a KILLER show!! I'll post vids eventually.

Thanks Coz!! I haven't forgotten about you or what we're working on. I'll be back very soon!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Apr 5 2012, 03:16 PM

Hey Gabe! Always nice to hear from ya mate glad to know that things are moving in a good direction for your projects! Don't worry, we can work on things when you have the time and of course, I will always be here to nag you about moving your right hand lesser and lesser

Let me know when you're ready, I can even leave something for you to look at while you're away from the boards

Cosmin

Posted by: derper May 1 2012, 02:34 AM

I'm BACK!!! And I've had the GREATEST month playing live music EVER!! Best EMULATOR show, thrice invited to sit in with the local/regional pros (thus moving me WAY up the ladder!!), and the best Planet Jackers (my funk band) show ever as well!! Not to mention, all 3 shows were taped! Video soon to come.... Trust me, that will be your biggest way to help me. Rehearsal is one thing, but I'm a "live" player and I'm sure I do things live that I don't even realize. But I DO try to rehearse "for live", meaning I stand, I use the same gear if possible, etc etc.

Ok....here's a vid discussing picking hand efficiency, and my picking hand DE-ficiency!!




Other than that, since I am playing live so much, I'm going to keep working on Vivaldi when I can (and my country lesson) but I'm going to use them more as warmups/strength builders etc., and would like to move on to some lessons that have more chance to be applied to my live playing. For example, the Vivaldi arpeggios are literally too "advanced" of a concept to really use in my playing....but I just LOVE that riff/lesson so much, I had to learn it!! I'll keep working to get it up to 100%, and I'm certain that I will. It's just taking way longer than I thought. I obviously underestimated the riff a bit (because you make it look so easy and sound so CLEAN!) or overestimated my abilities. Oops!

Anyway, I started working on your lesson/Ben's Bushido task...haven't done any of Ben's Bushido yet, but your "Voice of your guitar" lesson is too good to pass up!! Upon coming to GMC I realized that I really need to work on my "touch"....ya know, bends, intonation, vibrato...."the touch"!! That lesson will certainly help. I'll post vids here, or maybe just go straight to REC with that one. It isn't too hard.

I wanted to learn arpeggios, and now I want/NEED to learn to sweep... http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/sweeping-basics/
I think that is the best vid to "start" sweeping, for an intermediate player such as myself.

AND (because I like to stay over-loaded!!) I also want to start on this Greg Howe lesson. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/greg_howe_techniques/

That one is REALLY going to be tough to get up to speed, but I like the concepts behind it. Oh, I also worked on another Stephane vid this last month... a minor 6th pentatonic vid. Sounds like John Scofield, so of course I dig it, and it really can "apply" directly to my playing.


Glad to be back!! Hope you're doing well. I'll post vids of live performance soon, and some of my progress on other stuff/lessons as well.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 1 2012, 08:55 AM

Man, you're like an energy bomb I like that very much, as I am one too mate your hand and coordination in general has evolved due to the fact that you have played a lot in that direction. As I have said, it's not the precise focus on those lessons that brought you to this point, but the fact that you have been put in live situations where you had to deliver, ONSTAGE that sort of experience is not obtainable in any other situation.

And your funky tone is very nice man

Now I TRULY understand your thumb issue and it's very admirable to see how you have evolved having to deal with it I couldn't hold a pick like that and be efficient not if my life would be at stake

Looking forward to see those vids and maybe we can focus a bit on articulation and dynamics? To make you a more sensible player

let's rock n roolll

Cosmin

Posted by: derper May 2 2012, 03:41 AM

Feels so good to be back!! I love staying busy, and gigging out live....but I miss my hardcore GMC practice!!

Today, I worked on the Vivaldi lesson (again) to get it up to speed, focus on picking, and also to work on the very minor things that are holding me back from achieving full speed. There are just little things, like a reach here to there, so I started to hit those individually again. usually, I had been just playing through the whole thing at 75% speed.... realized that I need to go back and iron out the detail. It helped a ton. Here's a vid, although I feel like I was playing it WAY better about an hour before I shot the video. Also, I started having cord issues, so that was it for that vid.



The problem is, I was focusing TOO MUCH on picking hand, so I sound "choppy" and slightly off rhythm (micro pauses again?). Whereas earlier in the day, I was playing it super "smooth" at that speed. BUT, the picking hand is way better than the early days!! Now, I need BOTH!!


Other than that, I watched Ben's vid chat, and worked a little on those figures/riffs/exercises.

THEN, I started studying the end of this "Sweeping Etude" video.... I can't sweep (yet) but I really want to learn that end riff!! http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/sweep-picking-etude/#
Gonna take time, but I'll get there eventually. Since it's all hammer-ons and pulloffs (except the first and last note) it will build hand strength as well.

THEN, I started learning how to sweep! I wanted to shoot a vid, but CORD PROBLEMS(!!), plus I'm just starting to sweep so I'm pretty bad at it still. I'm learning it from this video: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/sweeping-basics/

And THEN (slow day at the mattress shop!!) I started working on your "Voice of your Guitar" lesson.



I just started on it today, so near the end I totally lose my place...and the phone rings!! Saved by the bell!!

Anyway, figured I'd send a vid anyway....won't take long to get that up to "REC" quality, and once I learn the first half, the second half is just an octave up (I believe).





Although I'm working on so much right now, I don't feel "overloaded" or that I have spread myself too thin (yet). If I do, I will back off of a lesson for a while. We've got another EMULATOR gig May 19th and 1 rehearsal before. I really want to start incorporating some shreddier stuff into my solos. Once the vid comes out, you'll see why....it really highlights my "weaknesses" as a player, whereas my funk band encompasses my strengths.

But I love it all, and am happy knowing that I can, and will, overcome any challenge and I will only get better, every day!! Thanks for the help Coz! I have a feeling, after I get these vids back, you'll REALLY get some ideas on how to get me "melting-faces" asap!!


End of the work day....heading out!! Day off tomorrow, but still gonna play, practice, band practice and maybe even jump on a collab tomorrow! So glad to be back to GMC.

Posted by: derper May 5 2012, 06:31 PM

Updates:



Well, this has been an interesting journey. As mentioned, I started hopping to some other interesting lessons with theory/techniques that will directly apply to my playing. What I've found is, that I have more to work on than I expected.....but it's also why I'm missing that "killer riff" that I see someone bust out live.

I play funk/blues stuff, mainly, or at least I did. What I missed out on, is the sweet legato runs, arpeggios, sweep arpeggios etc. Until yesterday, I thought "legato" meant to play long, sustaining notes. Derp!! I got out of playing much legato, years ago while trying to immerse in the jazz/funk style. So now, I almost exclusively alternate pick.

Now, I'm working on the beginnings of sweeping, and also to rock some sweet legato runs!! That will CERTAINLY help in EMULATOR!! No wonder my solos always sounded "off" and I felt slow....most guitarists aren't simply alt picking rock/metal solos!


Anyway, it was nice to uncover YET ANOTHER huge flaw in my playing!! So now, I can fix it! I'll probably warm up and be ready for Todd's chat, since he has good exercises which will help build strength for legato/hammer-ons/pull-offs and also stretching.


Also, Dinaga mentioned that my vibrato is too fast. Never noticed, but yeah....I tend to do it fast.

So much to improve on, but I'm so excited to do it!! Though I want to post vids, I feel like I need to dig into these techniques a bit, and also I'm coming into another EMULATOR rehearsal and show, so that's gonna eat up my time soon. But I won't be "away", just not quite as directly in contact here. I WILL BE PRACTICING MY ARSE OFF in the meanwhile, and coming back with some progress to post and discuss. I will also post a link to the EMULATOR vid. I've seen it, but they are doing final edits and setting up for the official release.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 5 2012, 09:59 PM

Hey man! AS I said in the PM! Love the Emulator vids! Awesome playing and in the Zelda theme there's that sweet mother of groove part you guys are getting into YES! That's the thing

I would focus on the articulation issues vibrato especially! In the 'Voice of your guitar' lesson you are generally having a good timing and nive bends but there are certain subtleties which you need to synthesize a bit better some sort of little bends. And the vibrato should be long and wide.

I suggest you to try and record over my take by trying to mimic it as best as you can see what comes up, k?

I'm curious to see how you feel it!

Cosmin

Posted by: derper May 6 2012, 01:11 AM

Interesting.... I will certainly do that! It will be a great way to match speed on vibrato, or hear the clashing consequences!!

Also, I'm working hard on building legato stregth/chops, and starting to learn some "3 note per string" shred shapes. It's old news to most people here, but a new concept to me. Which is why my solos are so LAME in that band!! Argh!! I'll get there. Although I "created" the band, at this point I'm lucky to play with them! They are a powerhouse! It was the 2nd guitaristst first gig with us, which is why he was making mistakes. But an AWESOME player!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 6 2012, 12:18 PM

It sounded solid to me, man! Well, don't get tangled into frames dude these are elements and I have heard a lot of other interesting elements in your playing in time. That does not mean you suck It just means you have to add something else in your playing vocabulary and you have to give yourself time for it

Keep me updated and let me know if you want some recommendations

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Aug 29 2012, 10:26 PM

Copied from my "I'm back!" thread:


Today, for the first time, I hit Ben Higginseses's "Kirk Hammett" lesson. Not full speed, and I really need to clean it up....but I was surprised at how far I got on it, for one day.




I also re-visited Cosmin's infamous "Vivaldi Winter Arpeggios" riff that I was working on over a month ago. Still, it is NOWHERE NEAR full speed...but, though my time here at GMC I feel like I've grown and changed quite a bit as a guitarist, and it shows when practicing the Vivaldi run. NOT saying that "it shows" because I'm better....but because my technique has changed drastically since when I first started on this. I'm playing way more towards a "classical" grip, my picking has changed, and I'm paying way more attention to the timing and playing clean notes. This actually makes me practice it slower, but it's the only way I will EVER get it up to full-fluid "Coz-speed"!! Watch Cosmin's original lesson to be blown away by how easy he makes it look.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 30 2012, 10:33 AM

Hello there you married man, you!

Well, it's glad to have you back on track here and I must say that indeed I see progress, comparing these takes with the ones you got when you first arrived here. One thing that I could not help but notice, is the fact that you move your right hand too much - you should focus on a vertical movement rather than on a circular movement like you tend to use. I hope I am making sense here - but practice really, really slowly and focus only on moving vertically, when doing AP - after all it's only up down up down and you're also adding a perpendicular movement somehow, thus creating a sort of a circular all around picking technique which is only wasting your time

Let's try the following thing - pick up one, just one of the Winter arpeggios and record it at the slowest possible speed, while focusing on moving your right hand on a vertical axis for AP.

What say you?

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Aug 30 2012, 08:56 PM

Great observation, and great advice! I'm sure it will take me a bit to break the old habit, but I'm up for the challenge! So far every bit of advice you've given has helped me improve, so I'll certainly slow it down and focus on picking clean and efficient over 1 arpeggio at a time. As it stands, I'll "never" get to full speed the way that I'm doing it....so it makes sense that, "to go forward, sometimes you have to go BACK" and in this case, meaning that I have to slow it down and simplify it in order to eventually speed it up and shred it.

I'll post results when I get a chance, probably within a week. I'll be incorporating this practice into the tail end of my warmup routine, to ensure that I'm hitting it EVERY day.

Thanks Cosmin! Boy, I really underestimated the difficulty of this lesson originally. You play it so clean and fluid that I never thought I would struggle this much to go full speed. But the results on my playing/picking overall will be GREAT when I eventually get there!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 31 2012, 08:05 AM

Hey Gabe - great observations mate! I enjoy working with you because you are tedious and analytical about your playing on the technical side, thing which will only lead to improvement

It's a good approach and please keep in mind to minimize all movements and keep the picking trajectory vertical. Ok? I am looking forward to seeing the first video and in the mean time - how is your vibrato my friend? Out of what I remember, we were talking about this element as well

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Aug 31 2012, 10:57 PM

Perhaps I will try and get my wife (feels weird saying that) video my picking from a few angles "real-time" to get better suggestions on my technique. I'll also re-demonstrate my thumb problem, which may prohibit me from fully "doing it right"....BUT, if I can grasp the real meaning behind the technique, I can find a way to still attempt for the same results, but perhaps with my own personal "Django-grip" or something.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 2 2012, 07:56 PM

This is a good idea I don't think that the thumb is hindering you in this direction - it's just about the fact that you have this way of picking so deep within you, that now it feels totally awkward when you try something else!

Let's see what Mrs. Derper is going to film for you

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 4 2012, 11:21 PM

I ended up shooting a quick vid at work, before working on EMULATOR stuff for our 2 big gigs this month ( ). Hopefully this will help you to give me some more feedback on my picking inefficiency/"circular" picking that you mentioned in my last video. I THINK I get what you're saying, and am starting to really dissect my picking mechanics more than ever. I guess that's half the battle.

Thanks Coz!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 5 2012, 08:05 AM

Gutten morgen there!

Mate this is starting to look a lot better, but take care and don't move the thumb/ index group - they tend to move a bit by themselves - think of your hand as if it is a big chunk that can only be moved from the wrist. Watch some Petrucci or Andy James vids and you'll see my point exactly.

Anyway, you are most definitely on the right track - how does it feel? I just found myself leaning over to the monitor so I could get to see better when you turned around

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 5 2012, 07:11 PM

Well, I'll be honest and say that it doesn't "feel right" quite yet. I'm still in that new beginning stage of "I can do it 'right' if I concentrate", but it's gonna take some more time to get it to be my "natural" picking stroke.

But, all the feedback is REALLY helping me to focus on what I'm doing wrong/right, so I'm not just dreaming up ways to improve by myself. I will keep working on it, and mixing it in (concentrating on efficient picking) with some of my other routines and warmups, and then it will continue to spread to more and more of my playing!!

I'll keep working, at slower tempos, on the individual arpeggios as you mentioned, and then come back to a more realistic speed. By then, I bet it's smoother, and also that I can play it a bit faster. But I'm not going to rush it.

Posted by: derper Sep 6 2012, 03:50 AM

Upon a long hard day of practicing guitar, er, uh....I mean "work", I decided to jokingly take a shot at the vivaldi run full-speed. I was actually surprised at how close I was!! But....the CAMERA BATTERY DIED during the best take!! ARGH!!

Take a gander at what you helped create....



I have a feeling, a REC take is soon withing my reach!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 6 2012, 08:10 AM

Awesomeness! Gabe, your approach to taking your right hand on the right path is very good. Stick to being the consistent fellow that you are and it's only going to be better The Vivaldi take was very promising! I think that pushing a bit, from time to time, while focusing on being as precise and relaxed as possible and oh, ANTICIPATING your moves, will prove very useful!

Mate, one question - where's Derper coming from?

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 6 2012, 08:53 AM

Thanks! I realize that full speed is still beyond my reach, but I tried and got closer than I thought. BUT, I got there by scaling back to a very slow tempo and focusing on picking. So I will continue to do that, then bump it up to faster but not quite full speed, so I can actually play it accurately. And THEN go to full speed when I can do it accurately.


Are you asking where the name "Derper" came from? I actually was using a trial account at GMC because my credit card didn't work for some reason, and I was skeptical to try the site. So Bogdan was nice enough to set up a trial account, and the "fake" name I chose was Derper. There is an episode of south park with "derp" and for some odd reason that was the name I chose because I thought I would be able to change it when I signed up....but it stayed with the same name, and I never complained to change it to "audioinjection" which has been my default email/forum name for years.

(Watch til the end for the explanation of Derp)

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 6 2012, 10:50 AM

ahahaa, I know the episode I just didn't remember it!

Mate, I wanted to ask - how's your vibrato/ bending doing, eh?

Posted by: derper Sep 6 2012, 06:25 PM

Well...I think it's much better, but certainly has a long way to go!!


Hmm....I'm now remembering that you asked me to work on the first "voice of your guitar" lesson that you did. I will try and get back through that today and submit a take. There is certainly some room for improvement there.

Also, I would like to get some feedback on my vibrato for some EMULATOR parts. I will take a video of my practice takes of a few parts in particular (w/backing) to see what feedback you have for vibrato on those parts as well.

Dinaga was kind enough to mention my "rushed" vibrato on early EMULATOR tracks, but also pointed out on a later show that I had improved quite a bit. BUT, I know I can improve MORE with your help!!


Ok, time to get the guitar out. Getting an early start. Eager to get my chops back up, and get back to heavy daily practice routines. I strayed a bit last month for the wedding. But it really was the most stressful part of the wedding....knowing that I was backsliding a bit, on guitar practice. Once you get hooked on your routine, it feels awful to take time away!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 7 2012, 07:35 AM

Eh, I know exactly what you are talking about I hate it when life mocks at our desire to become good players...

Anyway, I will most certainly help out with the vibrato and bends too, so send me watcha have

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 7 2012, 06:19 PM

Very soon. I worked on the "Voice of your Guitar" track a bit yesterday, to refresh my memory on the fingerings and such. Went well, but I still need to go over/memorize it a bit so that I can truly focus on vibrato.

I think, like picking improvement, the vibrato will come along quickly with focus and repetition. Can't wait to make it "natural" at some point.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 8 2012, 03:00 PM

Precisely mate

Posted by: derper Sep 10 2012, 06:53 PM

This sucks....I can't find my camera battery charger!! And it only takes that battery pack. I'll be practicing, but I may not be able to submit a vid for a few weeks, fyi. I hope it turns up soon.

EMULATOR gig this friday, then end of month. Our 2 biggest yet. So I'll also be turning my focus to that, this week. But I will still hit the arpeggios during warmups, so I can hopefully submit a REC next month!! Getting very close...

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 11 2012, 07:57 AM

Gabe, take it easy man, tend to your stuff - I'll be here

Posted by: derper Sep 11 2012, 06:21 PM

Ah HA!! Found my camera battery charger. Gonna get that plugged in now, work on EMULATOR for a while, and hopefully post another vid of how AMAZING my picking is becoming!! Well....amazing compared to before.


Really, just that last tip you gave me, helped my picking so much! I just try and relax, and focus on the very minor mechanics of picking that arpeggio (and other riffs, of course) after warming up...and it's so much better than before.

I really think there is a chance I can get a solid REC take soon. I would say by today, but I don't want to jinx it. I'm already about 3-4months over my original estimate for how long it would take to REC. Oops!! I guess it will be that much sweeter to achieve a full-speed REC passing grade when I get there. And I WILL get there!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 12 2012, 06:59 AM

Right, right! Don't Jinx it man!

I'll be waiting for that post aaaand vid

Posted by: derper Sep 18 2012, 10:00 PM

Here's a vid from a few days ago, when I put in a little time to the "Voice of your Guitar" video. It's not the whole thing, just the first half in the lower octave.

This video really shows my weak spots. Ugh! Vibrato has improved a bit, since arriving to GMC, but still not a strong point for me. Also, I didn't put enough time in, to TRULY learn/memorize the notes, so I am a bit sketchy due to that as well.

Really, I've already learned a ton by forcing myself to take a video and watch it. I'm sure you'll have some pointers as well, but I can see many points for improvement on this "easy" lesson. Funny, but this "easier" lesson is "more difficult" for me, because it represents a style of music/guitar that I don't ofter play. BUT, that makes it more fun to branch out and work on new techniques!!

Posted by: derper Sep 19 2012, 07:39 AM

Also, here's something else I started working on for fun! Just started, and wow is it some awkward fretboard maneuvering for me! Just watch (at the end you get a GREAT shot at my picking hand!)....




Perhaps there is some advice you could give? Maybe I'm not even playing the proper position for this. Or picking and such. Here's the (streaming) link to the original, if that helps: http://grooveshark.com/s/U+Got+Me+Rx/3FIDA8?src=5

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 19 2012, 09:16 AM

Hey Gabe! It's not bad bro, you need more flow - which will come with knowing the whole piece and also, I was ALWAYS wondering why does everybody tackling this lesson, forget about those little bends which are appearing at min 0.7 in the original recording, for instance?

My two cents here This lesson was categorized as Level 3 or easy lesson, just because it doesn't have 'fast stuff' in it, but the thing is, there are more difficult things than just 'fast'

In my opinion, anyone taking enough time and focused practice regarding playing with the metronome, will acquire speed and precision in picking and legato, or other resembling techniques, but being expressive is a thing of self exploration that goes far beyond 'practice'. It is a connection with oneself's deepest feelings which are allowed to come out through the guitar: anger, happiness, guilt, saddness ... A wide array of human emotions which can be emulated with the aid of an instrument, IF you learn to let go of 'braces' and use your ears more than anything else:

- inner ears - they dictate the music inside
- outer ears - they tell you how to connect the music inside with the instrument

Pretty much philosophical, but this is how it works

My suggestion here would be to memorize the lines and sing them As accurate as possible! Then sing AND play in the same time - you'll have a nice surprise

As for the other vid - great tune man! I had no clue about this one

It seems you got it down an I really like the dynamics and the tone - but watch out at the note found on the first beat of the 2nd bar (at full speed and at lower speed) You tend to miss it

I want to see this one fully recorded and I will look into it myself as I like it very much!

Thanks

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 19 2012, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the insights! Very great suggestions, all around. I certainly need to put some more time into getting "familiar" with this tune, before ever playing it from the heart. BUT, I figured I should show you where I'm at, before disappearing for a month into "practice land"!!


And yeah....I do tend to miss that note, almost every time!! I noticed both while practicing it, and while watching the video.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 20 2012, 10:48 AM

Easy does it mate! I am glad you can use my thoughts to your advantage

Let's see some bends, aye?

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 20 2012, 07:27 PM

I watched Max's new bending lesson today, and saw that Kristopher mentioned the "exercises" in the last videos... http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bending-Ballad/


They really are some GREAT little exercises to improve bends. I think, after next week's EMULATOR gig (at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo!!) I'll put a little time into those exercises, and apply those skills to your "Voice of your Guitar" lesson!! Max's whole lesson is a little "beyond me" at the moment, but after nailing your lesson perhaps I'll be better suited to give it a run.

Thanks Cosmin!


**Also, yesterday I found a way to eliminate that "bad" note on the Melvin Sparks funky/jazz riff. It was a very simple change of grip that allowed me to bar the pinky and play the same fret from B to high E string w/out "muting" the note as I was.

This whole GMC thing is great because I learn how to LEARN better each day!

Posted by: derper Sep 21 2012, 02:39 AM

Also... (boy, it is fun to be BACK at GMC with time to learn!! ) here's a video with a quick picking question regarding the vivaldi lesson. Also, it applies to picking in general. Watch, as I reveal my picking ignorance before your very eyes!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 21 2012, 08:17 AM

Hey Gabe Good call man! I don't do the downstroke there because it would definitely ruin my flow! It's as you showed it the first time, with an upstroke

There are certain times when I go against the normal flow to get 'my flow' - if that makes sense But, the idea is that usually, with time annd experience you will 'sniff out' the natural and flow wise movements which you have to follow

I started rehearsing this piece again myself Please do ask anything you need to know! I super like your videos and the fact that it's always easy to understand what you need because I can see and hear Thanks man!

Cosmin

Posted by: derper Sep 21 2012, 05:18 PM

Thanks Coz! I practiced HARD yesterday, and was close....but still not accurate enough to submit a take full-speed. But, I'm still regaining hand strength I lost last month during wedding month. I think the original says "130 bpm" and I'm able to get some clean runs at about 113 or so. I'm going to keep at it, and also keep going back and practicing each piece slower, and hopefully get there soon!

No vid, but I was working on your "Voice" lesson too....wow, I really was missing some stuff in that one!!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 22 2012, 05:22 PM

Hehe! Good going amigo! Glad to hear you are practicing hard and discovering new things as well!

Looking forward to one of your vids!

Cosmin