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Posted by: JVM Jul 7 2007, 02:55 AM

Okay, in an effort to keep track of how you're doing, and to remind us that even when we feel we're not improving we really are in just in small ways, I say we post here weekly or so saying things we've noticed that we've improved upon. I noticed that my legato has definitely picked up in the last week, and my picking is more accurate too! It's been a big week for my guitar playing

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 7 2007, 02:57 AM

Well, ive noticed that i can play 1, 2 and 3 String Skips using Alternate picking at very fast Tempo, but still a little messy when trying to mute other strings, but im working on that.

Also, ive been noticing that stretching my hand and using my pinky is easier now, i have build alot of pinky strength too!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 7 2007, 03:12 AM

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Jul 6 2007, 09:57 PM)

Posted by: JVM Jul 7 2007, 03:13 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 6 2007, 08:12 PM)

I had a breakthrough in holding the pick in a really relaxed way at the weekend ... I feel sure my speed will rocket now

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 7 2007, 03:24 AM

QUOTE (JVM @ Jul 6 2007, 10:13 PM)

Care to share? I keep trying to adjust my pick to make it more comfortable

Posted by: The Uncreator Jul 7 2007, 03:25 AM

I figured out Iced Earth "Dante's Inferno" as kinda of a whole day kinda thing, very fun, and ive spent quite some time practicing Steve Vai's The Animal, and i got it soundin pretty good

Posted by: kethcup Jul 7 2007, 05:29 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 6 2007, 08:24 PM)

Posted by: Ryan Jul 7 2007, 07:07 AM

I have noticed something very important about my playing the past week that as greatly increased. Cleanlyness, in my speed picking and everything. My Muting is all better, and when i do speed runs now. Its acutally really good. My thumb is now naturally staying behind the neck. I can improvise a lot better now. My theoritical knowledge has greatly increased, and i understand mostly everything. Just cant apply it yet. My AP has greatly increased after figureing out, and utilizing the lesson pavel put out!!

I also think my phrasing has gotten better also. This has been a gaintly amazingly great week for me. I am now actually playing with a metrenome, and it doesnt feel wrong to me. I think i actualy might become a professional guitarist someimte in my life. Im glad I had this nice breakthrough this week. I was getting worried about my playing. I also have figured out easier fingerings for me when speed picking!!



Oh and also, my accuracy has increase the past week!!

Posted by: JVM Jul 7 2007, 07:25 AM

QUOTE (Ryan @ Jul 7 2007, 12:07 AM)

Posted by: ch00ch00man Jul 7 2007, 07:35 AM

QUOTE (Ryan @ Jul 7 2007, 02:07 AM)

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 7 2007, 08:06 AM

its good to see that many of us have been improving greatly in this week. Lets keep like that guys! Practice hard!

Posted by: mattacuk Jul 7 2007, 08:15 AM

When I picked up Gabis Neoclassical sweeping lesson yesterday and didnt have to think about what i was doing - i realised id taken a huge step forward!

Posted by: Ryan Jul 7 2007, 08:50 AM

QUOTE (mattacuk @ Jul 7 2007, 02:15 AM)

When I picked up Gabis Neoclassical sweeping lesson yesterday and didnt have to think about what i was doing - i realised id taken a huge step forward!

Posted by: mattacuk Jul 7 2007, 08:55 AM

Well Im no sweep master pavel yet! but my technique is comeing on nicely. I just set half an hour a side daily for *each* sweep arpeggio shape and just go for it with the metronome. Important to note i started of REALLY slowly, and stayed slow for months!

Its really great your putting so much effort into your alternate picking - its sure to pay off! As for sweeping, I know you can do it!

Posted by: Ryan Jul 7 2007, 08:57 AM

QUOTE (mattacuk @ Jul 7 2007, 02:55 AM)

Well Im no sweep master pavel yet! but my technique is comeing on nicely. I just set half an hour a side daily for *each* sweep arpeggio shape and just go for it with the metronome. Important to note i started of REALLY slowly, and stayed slow for months!

Its really great your putting so much effort into your alternate picking - its sure to pay off! As for sweeping, I know you can do it!

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 7 2007, 09:00 AM

QUOTE (Ryan @ Jul 7 2007, 01:57 AM)

Im gonna try , and well if i fail. Guess what!! Im gonna try again. Etc. Etc. Etc.!!!

Posted by: mattacuk Jul 7 2007, 09:02 AM

QUOTE (Ryan @ Jul 7 2007, 08:57 AM)

Im gonna try , and well if i fail. Guess what!! Im gonna try again. Etc. Etc. Etc.!!!

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 7 2007, 09:03 AM

Well i got down Marcus's neoclasical beginer and intermidiate solo's but still blown away by the advanced.I feel like i will always be held back until i learn sweep correctly.

Posted by: Ryan Jul 7 2007, 09:09 AM

QUOTE (shredmandan @ Jul 7 2007, 03:03 AM)

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 7 2007, 09:09 AM

QUOTE (mattacuk @ Jul 7 2007, 02:02 AM)

I belive the key to success is to know your going to be a great player, leave no doubt in your mind!

Posted by: JVM Jul 7 2007, 09:15 AM

QUOTE (mattacuk @ Jul 7 2007, 02:02 AM)

I belive the key to success is to know your going to be a great player, leave no doubt in your mind!

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 7 2007, 09:23 AM

I have checked out Pavels lessons on sweep but no matter how many times i read about it i feel i need someone right infront of me to get it down.I have enough speed to do some of the sweeps but making it sound clean and not sloppy and timing the pick with fret hand is a big one.Also mutting the strings you do this all especially doing upstrokes is very hard.I do believe though that you can do anything you want on guitar it's just how many times will you play it wrong till you get it right.It's all about how bad you want it and the work you put into it.Im married with 2 kids and i have lost alot of playing time along with drive like i used to have.I used to play atleast 6 hours a day and thats how i got where i am today.

Posted by: mattacuk Jul 7 2007, 10:30 AM

QUOTE (JVM @ Jul 7 2007, 09:15 AM)

Posted by: Resurrection Jul 7 2007, 12:21 PM

It's been a mixed week, some good some bad. I did think I saw an improvement in my AP until the last couple of practice sessions, where I sucked badly. I still feel there's some combination of guitar height, guitar angle, pick holding and pick angle that would help me be more consistent - but I haven't nailed it yet. I notice that I have more difficulties when I'm standing up and wearing the guitar on a strap than when I'm sitting with the guitar on my left leg in the "classical style". Any comments, advice or encouragement would be welcome

Now to the plus points! Legato is definitely better, as are the sweeps. I've also been brushing up on my (very rusty) theory and working through the lessons on the theory board. I'm pleased that I'm understanding these lessons and a lot of forgotten knowledge is coming back. Really well-written lessons Andrew!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 7 2007, 01:15 PM

QUOTE (shredmandan @ Jul 7 2007, 04:03 AM)

QUOTE (Resurrection @ Jul 7 2007, 07:21 AM)

Really well-written lessons Andrew!

Posted by: GuitarDude Jul 7 2007, 01:36 PM

I'm starting to get sweep! (currently practicing Under the influence by Rusty Cooley) and me and my band are recording our new songs in our studio

Posted by: Asphyxia Feeling Jul 7 2007, 01:58 PM

well, recently a friend asked me to help him buy guitar strings / set up his guitar. he's had it for about a year, but rarely plays and is at a very novice stage in learning. we get strings, i set up his guitar, and we play a bit. i was really suprised to see him amazed at some of the simple things i was doing, ie; Playing octave chords cleanly, going over scales, minor improv with scales. it made me realize that even if i think i'm a bad guitarist in my own right, i have really improved. it reaffirmed my guitar "studying".

(near the end of us jamming i showed him GMC and he was really impressed. maybe he'll join? haha )

Posted by: Pavel Jul 7 2007, 02:03 PM

Sweeping is not something you cam learn like Pentatonic scale. Sweeping is a very complex technique and it takes years to make it comfortable enough to use in soloing and regular playing so don't get discouraged. Just practice it at least 1 hour each day and you'll get there!

Posted by: epiphony Jul 7 2007, 02:14 PM

I've only been doing this for a few days and I've learned alot from all of you,from alternate picking to amp settings.

MUCH APPRECEATED

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 7 2007, 04:06 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 6 2007, 10:24 PM)

Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Jul 8 2007, 07:06 AM

Imo, Im going to boldly say that sweeping is one of the most difficult techniques on the guitar.


- John

Posted by: Pantalaimon Jul 8 2007, 07:42 AM

I've been workin on Muris's Pentatonic Sub. lesson - I got most of the first video down (to tempo) and I can sorta do the triplets part. Still workin on it though.

also came up with a kinda cool riff and I've been tryin over the last week to come up with some chord progressions for it. I'm pretty sure it's in A major.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 8 2007, 02:21 PM

I'm starting to get the hang of Steve Vai like tremelo dips for expression

Posted by: Pavel Jul 8 2007, 02:30 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 8 2007, 03:21 PM)

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 8 2007, 02:40 PM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Jul 8 2007, 09:30 AM)

Try to do it on your Variax Just kiddin'! hahahaha Now you feel the taste of JEM, ha?

Posted by: Pavel Jul 8 2007, 02:48 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 8 2007, 03:40 PM)

I was beaten before I started on the Variax - Jem tremelo ROCKS!

Posted by: The Uncreator Jul 8 2007, 03:16 PM

I got my 3 and 5 string sweeps at around 155 and 160 bpm this week, when i played along to a metronome i was quite amazed at this!

And still....i suck at 4 string sweeps, cant get em for some reason, and 6 is tough as well, dont know why, 3 and 5 are failr easy for me.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 8 2007, 05:38 PM

Wow - good week for me - I have been working on a new song, trying to incorporate some new techniques:

• I am starting to really get the hang of trem dips with combined pinch harmonics
• My Legato is really coming along well
• For the first time I am starting to incorporate some simple sweeps in my improv

Posted by: Ryan Jul 8 2007, 05:44 PM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Jul 8 2007, 08:48 AM)

I'm glad you are not disappointed with your JEM!

Ok - back on topic - something about my progress:

something clicked in my head and i started to mix sweeping and alternate picking in cool music pieces and also started to use 3-string sweeps starting from 6th and 5th strings which really adds a cool dimension in your playing. I already have a lesson to show you this stuff so i'll record it some time this week!

Posted by: rokchik Jul 8 2007, 06:25 PM

Been a hectic week for me work wise so not much progress on the guitar front. I've been practicing Gabriels Rocker Riff...although still having problems with the artificial harmonics. Still practicing the first part of Pavels legato lesson...am seeing improvement there especially with my pinky. It seems to be getting better. But this is onging. And I' finally got the scratching solo in Bulls on Parade down to the point were i'm happy. Still some timing issues but it sounds pretty good. Actually I guess I got more accomplished than originally thought

Posted by: JVM Jul 9 2007, 01:23 AM

Legato continues to improve noticeably, string skipping is getting better (along with my alternate picking) and now you probably won't believe this but I used to always rest my hand on the E-A-D strings out of a terrible habit, now I've made the switch to resting on the bridge and it's helping my picking. It wasn't so much that that was bad for my picking, but it was muting those three strings a lot of the time unless I picked my hand up (which I did, I haven't been playing for this long with those 3 muted ). So, thats the third bad habit GMC has helped me kick. (the others being thumb wrapping and downpicking). Woohoo!

Posted by: Anastasio123 Jul 9 2007, 02:55 AM

Ive noticed my sweeping has improved to a much more comfortable level without putting too much serious practice into it. My alternate pick speed picking is connecting a lot fast wih my left hand. I now the Dorian mode much better this week as well, and im seeing the usual improvement in connecting the boxes with the pentatonic minor scale as it is my most used scale.

I think by next week I want to get some new songs learned...

Steve Vai- For the Love of God
Led Zeppelin- Stairway to Heaven Solo
Led Zeppeln- Moby Dick
Metallica- for whom the bell tolls
Megadeth-Hangar 18

Definitely not gonna finishem all, but gonna give it a try...

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 9 2007, 04:37 AM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Jul 7 2007, 09:03 AM)

QUOTE (Anastasio123 @ Jul 8 2007, 09:55 PM)

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 7 2007, 08:15 AM)

I have trouble with sweeps too - of all the techniques out there, they are the hardest for me - I thinkits because you need a huge amnount of practoce to make a small amount of progress, and you need hours a day to improve (I don't have that much time because I work). I'll keep trying though, and who knows, in a couple of years I might be sweeping
Good to know - the more theory students we have the better!
This is a great topic - I'm going to make it a sticky so we don't forget about it!

Posted by: The Uncreator Jul 9 2007, 04:46 AM

I think Helloweens "Halloween" has about 14 or 15 solos in it, and any given dragonforce tune might have up to 10,000,000 solos.

Hangar 18 is indeed a difficult song, the trade offs between Marty and Dave are insane!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 9 2007, 05:01 AM

QUOTE (shredmandan @ Jul 8 2007, 11:37 PM)

Posted by: No Payne No Gain Jul 9 2007, 05:59 AM

I've a few months ago I felt like I was in a huge rut because all I would do would attempt to improve my speed and try techniques like sweeping, but thats no fun when theres people over because it's not fun to know a bunch of songs and techniques that I can't play well. So for the past week or so I've been tryin to play alot of rhythm stuff by learning all of the metallica riffs and anything else that is heavy but of course sounds good to me and also making a riffs up on my own, while trying to keep timing. After I've spent a month or two learning bends, and trying to improve on alot of difficult things it's cool how easy these riffs that I couldn't get right before really sound good now. I can actually hear what I'm playing now and can notice if I'm on time and if it sounds good. It's such a good idea to get a good arsenal of songs together that you can JAM to. It's pulled me out of what felt like rut and made playing fun again.

Posted by: fkalich Jul 10 2007, 01:20 AM

edited because i changed my mind. or i should say, experience has taught me to view things somewhat differently.

Posted by: kethcup Jul 10 2007, 03:58 AM

[quote name='The Uncreator' date='Jul 8 2007, 09:46 PM' post='41663'] I think Helloweens "Halloween" has about 14 or 15 solos in it, and any given dragonforce tune might have up to 10,000,000 solos.

haha Helloween! I forgot all about that band man. Halloween the song is a classic!

Posted by: icedern Jul 10 2007, 04:16 AM

I've been working on Pavel's Alt. picking exercises and I noticed a huge speed increase after my vacation. I can't wait till tomorrow to continue the practice.

Posted by: Anastasio123 Jul 10 2007, 07:58 AM

QUOTE (fkalich @ Jul 9 2007, 08:20 PM)

Posted by: ballistic31 Jul 10 2007, 08:22 AM

QUOTE (Anastasio123 @ Jul 10 2007, 01:58 AM)

Posted by: Pantalaimon Jul 10 2007, 08:37 AM

hmmm

I def. need to work on the skills, but I haven't been playing guitar for very long. I'll get there eventually.

I learned the Back the Future version of Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode

"All right guys this is a blues riff in B. Watch me for the changes and try to keep up."

classic.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 10 2007, 01:31 PM

QUOTE (Pantalaimon @ Jul 10 2007, 03:37 AM)

hmmm

I def. need to work on the skills, but I haven't been playing guitar for very long. I'll get there eventually.

I learned the Back the Future version of Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode

"All right guys this is a blues riff in B. Watch me for the changes and try to keep up."

classic.

Posted by: Tank Jul 11 2007, 03:49 PM

I don't know about the last week, but I can definately see improvements.

I've been asked to play a couple of gigs with a local band (which may turn into a more permanent thing, if I enjoy it). They do the classic covers, mainly songs that I really should know already, but have never got around to learning.

So in the last ten days, I've learned, (from start to finish)
Sweet Home Alabama.
Walk This Way.
Two Princes.
Are You Gonna Go My Way.
Sweet Child Of Mine.

I will be gigging the above list (and others) in a few weeks. I've got to say that 12 months ago, I'd certainly not have been able to tackle and learn these (certainly the solos) in such a short space of time. I've got to say that Pavel and Gabriels early lessons on alt picking have substantially brought my playing on. And it's quite nice to get onto the GMC, (when I have time) and working through one of the new lessons. There's a great range of stuff to choose from, (which means that you can develop a wide style of playing!)

/T

Posted by: JVM Jul 13 2007, 05:44 AM

My fingerpicking is really improving thanks to muris' acoustic lesson

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 13 2007, 06:00 AM

I have got an hour of time put into Pavel's new sweep lesson today.I've kept working on video 2-3 and getting it down right,then go to the next videos and get it all down.I have also practiced so speed picking to improve my solo's.

Posted by: Speedeh Jul 13 2007, 09:49 PM

I've been improving with speed and accuracy, and I've actually started using a metronome more regularly. I don't stay with one pattern for a while as that really got boring, and I feel that it's more beneficial to practice all kinds of shapes and finger patterns to a metronome. If I get brave, I even change types of notes on the fly (triplets to eighths and back again, for example) I'm also getting pretty good at doing this while skipping strings. Just today I started doing this with major scales, and it actually sounds quite musical, albeit very primitive

I'm still working on keeping strings muted because sometimes I'll be so focused on the metronome, I'll forget that my E string is ringing like a crack dealer's cellphone ;D

Posted by: Thomas Jul 16 2007, 05:46 PM

In the past 4 days I can already see that just learning and playing and practicing from this site, I'm starting to build up some speed in my playing, and I think im playing cleaner. My Les Paul seems to be sounding better even! Im not even close to where i am aiming, but I can tell that I am really gonna love this site!

Posted by: Smikey2006 Jul 16 2007, 06:47 PM

I guess its not a single technique that im noticing improvement in, but i decieded today to open some old given up guitar pro files (songs i couldn't play) I have three folders now for guitar pro can play.. need to play, can't play. I went back into my can't play file and managed to learn Super Collosol by Joe Satriani, Dirge For Novemeber by Opeth and the Intro to fall to Peieces by Firewind... Does anyone elce measure improvement by the new things they can play? I think its a great idea just because playing songs is a great way to practice techniques that other artists are using rather than going over lessions which sound like cool riffs but never something you can jam to with your band

Posted by: Travelin' Man Jul 17 2007, 08:09 PM

I know this wont mean too much to most of you guys, but only being here less than a week, and with alot of practice, I now know the minor pentatonic scale enough to even have put it to a practice song, using G5 and F5 as base chords. I have learned the scale up and down the board, and I feel like a million bucks. Ive also been adding some hammers and pull offs, along with vibratos and slides. Now if I could only find an imagination

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 17 2007, 10:56 PM

OMG OMG!!!! This week has definately been of great progress! My 3 string sweeps are incredibly faster and alot cleaner! i still need to work a little on muting, but not too much! Im so exited!!!

i hope that by the end of this vacations ill be able to sweep awesomely to show off to my friends!!!

Posted by: Ryan Jul 17 2007, 10:57 PM

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Jul 17 2007, 04:56 PM)

OMG OMG!!!! This week has definately been of great progress! My 3 string sweeps are incredibly faster and alot cleaner! i still need to work a little on muting, but not too much! Im so exited!!!

i hope that by the end of this vacations ill be able to sweep awesomely to show off to my friends!!!

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 17 2007, 11:03 PM

thanks alot man! these vacations have been definately worth it! every day i spent hours and hours in my room. The only place where i go is to the kitchen lol , and ive only been out with my friends like 6 days, out of 2 months! lol, kinda sucks but i got rewarded greatly

Posted by: Anastasio123 Jul 18 2007, 10:34 PM

Alternating Picking is better

My left hand thumb positioned on the back of the neck more.

Sweeping has gotten much more fluent on only 3 string shapes.

Wrote a cool new dorian/minor pentatonic lick using lots of sweeping, legato, some slides, and vibrato.

Finally, my vibrato technique on the 1st string is much more controlled.

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Jul 17 2007, 06:03 PM)

thanks alot man! these vacations have been definately worth it! every day i spent hours and hours in my room. The only place where i go is to the kitchen lol , and ive only been out with my friends like 6 days, out of 2 months! lol, kinda sucks but i got rewarded greatly

Posted by: Pavel Jul 18 2007, 10:38 PM

Over past 2 weeks i've been working only on alternate picking and sweeping. Sweeps are getting better and better - want to make them crystal clear. As for alternate picking i was working mostly on jumping between strings (and the new lesson was born - but i won't record it for now) and combining 3nps and 4nps stuff.

Right hand is the biggest problem...

Posted by: Ryan Jul 18 2007, 10:51 PM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Jul 18 2007, 04:38 PM)

Posted by: Pavel Jul 18 2007, 10:56 PM

I don't have problems with muting but with speed. Just can't seem to go faster than i am right now! I guess it's that famous plateau and it will last for some time

Btw. 6nps????? I'm sure you're joking

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 18 2007, 11:28 PM

QUOTE (Anastasio123 @ Jul 18 2007, 03:34 PM)

Dont be afraid to take a day off though, it actually helps your playing refresh itself in a way and the day after that you sound really good. It's also important to rest your hands, but I'm a hypocrite, I've been inside playing all day! Lol Definitely congrats on the progress though, glad to hear it.

Posted by: SLASH91 Jul 18 2007, 11:32 PM

QUOTE (Ryan @ Jul 18 2007, 04:51 PM)

Posted by: Anastasio123 Jul 19 2007, 07:13 PM

QUOTE (SLASH91 @ Jul 18 2007, 06:32 PM)

Posted by: Eat-Sleep-andJam Jul 19 2007, 07:39 PM

This week has been a good week. My alternate picking just keeps getting faster and faster ( And im on a fixed bridge ! ) Hopefully once I get my new guitar and im able to succesfully tremelo pick , Ill be able to pick even faster. Im becoming extremely fasicanated with Rage Against the Machine and there a big influence to me right now.

3-String sweeping is still a problem, Idk if Ill ever get it but im working at it.


Legato Runs are improving, its somewhat difficult to consistantly speed them up though.


Ive made new chord progressions using really spread out chords, its adding tremendous amounts of flavor to my playing.

My artifical harmonics have never screamed better.

And im mainly working on Roo's Farm, Marcus 3 step Neoclassical lesson, and Marcus's new Vibrato lesson number 3. As well as some fingerpicking here and there

Ive improved tremondiously in the "Theory Area" and im starting to learn enough to ask questions.


Ive mainly been experimenting with Chicken Picking in my playing and trying to make a unique sound of shred/metal going .



So yeah im practicing alot and im seeing improvments in certain areas but in others I still need to improve alot! LIKE SWEEPING!


Argh!



- John

Posted by: Ryan Jul 19 2007, 10:12 PM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Jul 18 2007, 04:56 PM)

I don't have problems with muting but with speed. Just can't seem to go faster than i am right now! I guess it's that famous plateau and it will last for some time

Btw. 6nps????? I'm sure you're joking

Posted by: Anastasio123 Jul 20 2007, 06:38 AM

6nps would be possible but you would need to have at least one position change so it would pretty much useless for shredding. I guess the licks would help to widen the range of view of the "whole" scale, not just a 3nps or 4nps box shape.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 20 2007, 11:23 PM

Great day today - I went back to metronome basics last night based on advice from Leedbreak and Tank in another thread ... practiced my alt picking for 2 hours ... today I broke through a glass ceiling I din't know was there and got a 40bpm boost For the first time I am starting to play stuff that I dreamed off when I joined GMC 5 months ago

Posted by: shredmandan Jul 20 2007, 11:47 PM

I've got 75% of Marcus vibrato 3 down and have been improving my vibrato alot this week.Also doing alot of wear and tear on my finger's,only taking a few hour breaks to were i dont beat them up too bad.Sfter awhile the vibrato bends really take there toll on my finger's,i just have to break them in and get used to it.Improving somewhat on sweeps as well.The more you play the better you get

Posted by: JVM Jul 25 2007, 06:48 AM

I've been working on my "galloping" picking like in kris' tapping lesson (at least I think it was that one, I just tried to do some maiden and discovered I needed this new technique that I wasn't able to do ) and it's really improving quickly. I'm not sure if it's just that it's easy to master, or if it's just because I've been working on my right hand a lot lately so it was a cinch. Either way, my right hand stuff is all advancing at a nice rate.

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 28 2007, 03:35 AM

Today i decided to take a look at Kris's Speedpicking/Alternate Picking lesson 1. So i watched the video, and started practicing the lick that was given. I started at a very slow tempo: 40 bpm and made my way to 70 bpm, although i can play it faster.

I must say, ive have improved ALOT in the speedpicking area lately, and i now find Metronome Practicing very addictive!!!

Posted by: Sergeant_Ant Jul 28 2007, 06:24 PM

Im happy with what ive been able to do ive been doing mostlly the excersice section since the solos and licks looked kinda intimadating but recently i finally played the fade to black solo, ive only been playon like 7 or 8 months but i think im doin pretty good

Posted by: kjutte Jul 29 2007, 08:10 PM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Jul 7 2007, 04:12 AM)

I had a breakthrough in holding the pick in a really relaxed way at the weekend ... I feel sure my speed will rocket now

Posted by: stratman33 Jul 30 2007, 03:58 AM

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Jul 17 2007, 06:03 PM)

thanks alot man! these vacations have been definately worth it! every day i spent hours and hours in my room. The only place where i go is to the kitchen lol , and ive only been out with my friends like 6 days, out of 2 months!

Posted by: FretDancer69 Jul 30 2007, 04:43 AM

QUOTE (stratman33 @ Jul 29 2007, 08:58 PM)

Dude, you shouldnt let guitar control your life....You should be spending more time with your family and friends!It's summer vacation man!(It's also pretty bad for your body not doing anything active).

Your guitar accomplishments are great though!

(I didn't mean any offence in that first part, just saying what I think).

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 30 2007, 11:56 PM

QUOTE (kjutte @ Jul 29 2007, 03:10 PM)

Never seen any vids of you, Andrew. Post some lessons?

Posted by: DeepRoots Aug 8 2007, 07:55 PM

i thort id post because this week i finally got out of my 'lazy chair' and i learned the five pentatonic positions. I've always been so lazy this way- ill see a solo i want to play and work my ass off till iv got it down...but i could never be bothered to learn any scale patterns- well i learned the first pentatonic pattern but thats it.

<<UNTILL NOW MWHAHAHA>>

Maybe my improv will stop be soo lame now. Hell its not that much of an improvement but im pleased that it'll help more improvement follow shortly. > Me thinks......

Posted by: kahall Aug 9 2007, 05:36 AM

First progress report for me: It has been 13 weeks and some change since I bought a guitar and signed up here. I played the guitar a little when I was very young so I am a beginner, with no rhythm and no musical background or knowledge at all. I could play twinkle twinkle little star and do one of the scales that's not even mentioned here that I have seen. During this time I have missed maybe a week's total of not practicing for at least 2 hours a day for various reasons.



I still cannot do more than 60 bpm with any consistency but I am making progress in that area since some nights I can go to 65. ;-) But tonight I did have a breakthrough and for some reason I feel the need to make note of it here. While practicing Gabriel's "http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/joe-satriani-style-rock/index.htm" lesson I suddenly was able to have rhythm…uhh make rhythm, no I mean keep rhythm with the backing track and Gabriel. For my money that lesson is the best one on the site at this time for someone like me to actually feel it (?), with Pavels "http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/metal-blues/index.htm" Lesson in a close 2nd for learning how to move around the fret board, timing and variety. Noting it here in case there are any other impatient newbie's out there who at times do not think any progress will ever come from practicing. 13 weeks seems like only yesterday...



Snort…I got some rhythm tonight, and yes I still hate the nome. Drives me crazy. How am I supposed to concentrate with all that beeping going on? /Stupid!

Posted by: FretDancer69 Aug 9 2007, 06:13 AM

QUOTE (kahall @ Aug 8 2007, 10:36 PM)

Posted by: lefty01 Aug 9 2007, 07:33 AM

This week has been a great breakthrough of sorts. I finally got the "CAGED" chords down...moving smoothly from one to the other, and able to mix them up. This has opened-up a ton of songs for me to play. My bending (in pitch) has improved, and knowing the notes on the neck too. Still got tons to learn, but this week I am seeing more improvement than ever.

Posted by: AdamB Aug 9 2007, 07:29 PM

I've not really been improving much in the last few weeks, I've been doing a good solid 5 hours of metronome work each day but it doesn't seem to do me any good.

I play everything I do along with the metronome/computer in guitar pro, I have 2 warmup patterns I run through, which are a simple 1234 pattern verticle all the way along the neck up the the 12 fret at 70bpm, which I do 10 times, and then the first pattern on pavels alternate picking 1 at 70bpm, which I do 100 times through. I'm then doing pavels alternate picking 1 and hand control lessons in guitar pro at 70bpm over and over and over and over to get them perfect. After I've finished my 5 hour routine I usually then just jam about for a bit. I want to get my alternate picking up to a really high standard before I attempt any legato or sweeping, but for some reason it's just not happening.

When I speed up I'm stuck in the 110 to 120bpm area playing 16th notes, where I have been for a long time now. I can't seem to get over that hump.

Posted by: AudunESP Aug 9 2007, 09:18 PM

In this week (i count from friday when i quit summerjob to thursday today, so its not actually a week though) ive bin improving my theory and my musical intelligence nearly more than i did all those years ive bin playing (seriously!), my improvisations are 10 times better, more thoughtfull and with lots of more feeling. Now i can play over a pentatonic scale without any of those "improvisations bloopers", when i play something that sounds STUPID and "not cool". I also nearly mastered the Winding Roads solo, and i've promised all my friends that ill play it PERFECTLY at the end of the vacation. Today i started practicing sweep-picking, so i hope ill master that some day.

Posted by: Nick325 Aug 9 2007, 09:20 PM

my 3 string sweeps got better

Posted by: FretDancer69 Aug 10 2007, 05:02 AM

QUOTE (Nick325 @ Aug 9 2007, 02:20 PM)

Posted by: Nick325 Aug 10 2007, 05:20 AM

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Aug 10 2007, 12:02 AM)

Posted by: shredmandan Aug 10 2007, 05:21 AM

QUOTE (Nick325 @ Aug 10 2007, 12:20 AM)

i should post my sweeps to so pavel can help me too

Posted by: Nick325 Aug 10 2007, 05:22 AM

QUOTE (shredmandan @ Aug 10 2007, 12:21 AM)

Yes you should

Posted by: shredmandan Aug 10 2007, 05:36 AM

QUOTE (Nick325 @ Aug 10 2007, 12:22 AM)

Posted by: FretDancer69 Aug 10 2007, 06:39 AM

QUOTE (Nick325 @ Aug 9 2007, 10:20 PM)

i should post my sweeps to so pavel can help me too

Posted by: DeepRoots Aug 14 2007, 07:13 AM

well since my last post, (not a week ago but hey i've achieved dammit!) i decided that i wanted to turn my picking hand into a downpicking machine gun. Even though i want to be able to solo with the best of them (some day...) i decided i'd work on making my riffs cleaner and more aggressive after reading a bunch of interviews of some of my favourite axemen. So i'm basically taking all the riffs that have that bottom string pedal note (withouth the triplet feel) , trying to mix in some string skipping also for the ultimate hand burner, and playing them with strict downpicking ( i've always cheated and used alternate) over a metronome with a constantly increasing tempo. I play till burnout then pick up the exercise a little later. Starting to see results, and i guess this will help my metal rhythm playing tenfold - or so the internet implies .

Posted by: The Uncreator Aug 14 2007, 08:38 AM

If you want to improve Downpicking, Master Of Puppets riffs are excellent practice for speed and stamina, i played that song so much till my hand went numb, but my downpicking improved alot,t in my oppinion is very good, i can do it quite fast and clean, its defiently worth the practice, your riffs will become heavier sounding and leave your foes beggin for more!!!

Also, on any given metallica album, theres always like 3 or 4 songs whose riffs provide excellent downpicking style stuff, same goes with megadeth.

Posted by: DeepRoots Aug 14 2007, 06:03 PM

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Aug 14 2007, 08:38 AM)

Posted by: FretDancer69 Aug 16 2007, 07:32 AM

YAY!!!

I can do 3-String Shapes from Pavel's 3-string Sweeping Lessons up to 70 bpm so far! Its perfectly clean! Im sure i can do it faster, but i want to go slowly and step by step

Posted by: JVM Aug 16 2007, 01:36 PM

I've finally figured out how to hold the pick with two fingers instead of the three that I've been doing the whole time. It's really helping my accuracy I think, but I still need to get used to it. It feels pretty comfortable as well.

Posted by: Smikey2006 Aug 22 2007, 12:44 PM

Well guys i noticed some improvement in my playing today when i went back to a song i couldn't play 2 months ago. The song was Hourglass + Walk with me In hell by Lamb of God. Tried to play them.. nailed all the riffs in about 30 mins ... thanks gmc.. this is a real success story

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 22 2007, 08:53 PM

QUOTE (Smikey2006 @ Aug 22 2007, 07:44 AM)

Well guys i noticed some improvement in my playing today when i went back to a song i couldn't play 2 months ago. The song was Hourglass + Walk with me In hell by Lamb of God. Tried to play them.. nailed all the riffs in about 30 mins ... thanks gmc.. this is a real success story

Posted by: JVM Aug 23 2007, 02:04 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Aug 22 2007, 07:53 AM)

I've been trying to nail bend up vibrato for the longest time - in the last couple of days I have finally started to get it to sound almost decent! Check my contribution to Muris' Blues lesson here to see where I am at - not perfect, but coming along nicely

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=6258&view=findpost&p=55481

Posted by: ezravdb Aug 23 2007, 05:06 AM

How I have improved this week?

I have improved in making lessons

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=6257&pid=55634&st=0&#entry55634

Posted by: JVM Aug 23 2007, 03:02 PM

Good work ezra, I know I already said in the other thread but it's a pretty sweet lesson.

Posted by: Wyvernx Aug 23 2007, 03:17 PM

I hope you guys don't mind but I'm going to start posting here from now on, I finally got the hang of sweep picking, still very,very sloppy, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. I My legato is still pretty slow, but that's because I still lack alot of stamina in my left hand, I feel much better little by little I feel like I'm improving

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 23 2007, 08:35 PM

QUOTE (Wyvernx @ Aug 23 2007, 10:17 AM)

Posted by: ezravdb Aug 23 2007, 08:42 PM

QUOTE (JVM @ Aug 23 2007, 04:02 PM)

Posted by: DeepRoots Aug 28 2007, 06:04 AM

I think i just (discovered? no..) realised the key to keeping your fingers close to the fretboard.
After endless months concentrating on my pinky and trying to force it to the fretboard- i decided to relax today and the results were beyond measure.

@Everybody- dont make the same mistake i have been making- breath easy as you play, dont hold your breath ( you may not even realise your holding it yet...) and completly relax your fretting hand- and play those licks of yours ultra slow (like super beginnner slow) - could start of with ascending and descending chromatics just to get it going..

TRY IT!

ps how dumb am i for not doing this sooner- i bet everyone is already relaxing and iv just been on my own in the dark...

Posted by: ZeCoyote Sep 8 2007, 12:00 AM

I'm beginning to master 4 of the the Gabriel's rock lessons, not in the good tempo, neither with the fastest part. But i'm already very happy because it sounds rock and I have now a little catalog of rock riffs. Big thanks to Gabriel !!!

I gave up the "In the Style of Mark Knopfler". I'm not enough skilled in bend for now. It sounds awful with my finger and this lesson doesn't deserve it ! It is so good when Muris plays it !

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Sep 8 2007, 12:40 AM

I just discovered another muting trick! And this has the potential to make a huge difference when I get it down. I actually saw it justinguitar.com while I was researching the spider technique mentioned in another post. Anyway, the trick is to use the first finger of your left hand to mute the lower pitched string immediately above the string you are playing when you are playing repetitive runs swapping between 2 strings (you finger a fret on the higher string but let the end of your finger just touch the lower pitched string) - its hard to mute those with your right hand as you have to keep moving it backwards and forwards really fast. This also has the potential to revolutionize my ascending pure legato runs (e.g. runs across 6 strings ascending with no picking whatsoever - I can do descending fairly well but can't do ascending cleanly). So, a lot of practice and I will be in way better muting shape

Posted by: PacmanProductions Sep 17 2007, 10:57 AM

well, today my octaves have gotten ALOT better from Gabe's Octave licks lesson

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Sep 7 2007, 06:40 PM)

Posted by: JVM Sep 17 2007, 11:06 AM

QUOTE (Andrew Cockburn @ Sep 7 2007, 11:40 AM)

I just discovered another muting trick! And this has the potential to make a huge difference when I get it down. I actually saw it justinguitar.com while I was researching the spider technique mentioned in another post. Anyway, the trick is to use the first finger of your left hand to mute the lower pitched string immediately above the string you are playing when you are playing repetitive runs swapping between 2 strings (you finger a fret on the higher string but let the end of your finger just touch the lower pitched string) - its hard to mute those with your right hand as you have to keep moving it backwards and forwards really fast. This also has the potential to revolutionize my ascending pure legato runs (e.g. runs across 6 strings ascending with no picking whatsoever - I can do descending fairly well but can't do ascending cleanly). So, a lot of practice and I will be in way better muting shape

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Sep 17 2007, 04:38 PM

QUOTE (JVM @ Sep 17 2007, 06:06 AM)

Posted by: mattacuk Sep 17 2007, 04:58 PM

This week my Vibrato seems to have come on leaps and bounds, ive been studying various players techniques and it seems to be paying off

Posted by: FretDancer69 Sep 20 2007, 11:25 AM

my SWEEPS are UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! all this work lately has definately payed off!!!! im SUPER EXIITED!!!! they sound very clean to me, and i can play them a lot faster than before!!!! And i learned to play them even faster when i managed to do it while Relaxing!!, its awesome!

ill record my sweeps tomorrow hoping to get some feedback!!

Posted by: Understudy Sep 24 2007, 08:52 AM

I have been reading too much theory..... But in the short time I have been here on the site, I have memorized the fretboard, my alternate picking is getting really comfortable ( just running scales and stuff ), and I have been working on my vibrato while working on scales and alternate picking. Still working on stretching my fingers for 5 fret reaches but it is coming along nicely. And thanks to all of you guys & gals for being so supportive and helpful with everything !!!

Posted by: FretDancer69 Sep 24 2007, 10:47 AM

QUOTE (Understudy @ Sep 24 2007, 01:52 AM)

Posted by: Ryan Sep 24 2007, 11:04 AM

Lets see. How have i Improved. Well im ALOT CLEANER NOW. So much more cleaner. My alternate picking is getting not to bad imo. raised my BPMs pretty nicely. Hmm what are they at. For Sixtinth note triplets (6 notes per beat right), i got them around 120 give or take a view since i use the only metrenome, and doesnt really have nubmers like that other than 100. And my sweeps are starting to become naturally. For me just practicing. OYEAH, my tapping. o boy. I almost forgot. Its becoming great, I can tap a few licks here and there .
But yeah my sweeps, are just naturally becoming more clean. I dont konw how. I dont practice sweepign much anymore. But there becoming cleaner somehow. Better right hand techqniue I guess, i just developed, working on Alternate picking. O YEAH I GOT THE FEEL NOW WOOT. The feel, as in The blues. I just got revewing over some Gabs stuff.

Lets see, I havent posted on here in a while so there is more. My legato is becoming better. Ive always preached about staying relax, most of you should know that. But i finally got that down, and now working on the tension part. "You have to be relaxed, but have certain amount of tension" Shawn Lane. I quote that alot . Yeah well I think im getting it now.

O yeah. I am now working on getting better calisus, cus the peeled , but there coming along very nicely

Posted by: FretDancer69 Sep 27 2007, 07:54 AM

This Week:

Pavel's Luca Turilli Style Lesson

• 80 BPM
• 100 BPM
• 120 BPM
• 140 BPM
• 150 BPM

Posted by: Zephyr Sep 27 2007, 09:20 AM

I finally finished learning all seven modes!

Posted by: besip Sep 28 2007, 11:06 PM

I've ben kind of lost this weak and start have first boring on my head...when im make post usually not match people respond but thats probbaly becouse of me and my style of writing im almost donne with beghiner kick part 1 when im do power chords and scales..and im wanna move to next stuff from beghiner kick

Posted by: JVM Sep 29 2007, 11:00 PM

QUOTE (Ryan @ Sep 23 2007, 10:04 PM)

Posted by: FretDancer69 Sep 30 2007, 10:50 AM

Sweep-Tap Arpeggio



|--------------------13h-17-18p-17-13----------------|
|--15-------------15------------------15-------------|
|--------------14------------------------14----------|
|-----------15------------------------------15-------|
|--------17------------------------------------17----|
|----------------------------------------------------|


40 BPM
50 BPM
60 BPM
70 BPM
80 BPM
90 BPM
100 BPM
110 BPM
120 BPM

Posted by: chast Oct 2 2007, 02:42 AM

Alternate Picking - Thirds by muris

80 bpm:

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4
Video 5
Video 6
Video 7
Video 8
Video 9
Video 10
Video 11
Video 12

Hope to finish it soon

Finished Heavy Metal for Beginners 1 and 3

Posted by: Understudy Oct 2 2007, 08:59 AM

This week I started learning 4th intervals (using the scale of G major). It is coming along smoothly but I am a little confused by the C/F# tritone. I may need to ask Andrew for help on this one

Posted by: g-forcelover Oct 6 2007, 10:18 PM

I got better, a lot better, at alternate picking in the last week. and, I got guitar pro. but I don't know how to put more than one note in a measure. any help?

Posted by: FretDancer69 Oct 6 2007, 11:06 PM

QUOTE (g-forcelover @ Oct 6 2007, 03:18 PM)

Posted by: timono Oct 6 2007, 11:14 PM

well this week i couldn't play a lot cause of stupid homework but played for 1 hour friday and started on Kai's ''three is a charm'' and today i could just play along with the 183bpm backing track, even my mum was impressed

it still can be played more clean and will work on that rest of the day probably

Posted by: mattacuk Oct 6 2007, 11:26 PM

This week ive been improvising my own Sweep - Taps, starting to intigrate tapping into my playing regular now as it really is great fun!!!

Also have improved my fretboard skills further and worked on Vibrato.

Posted by: PlayAllDay Oct 8 2007, 02:09 AM

So happy My legato has improved bigtime since I've been focussing on it as well
as my AP speeds and knowledge of 3nps patterns,
just did a long session of soloing and throwing in all the stuff I've been working on
and felt like I never wanted to stop...
I have a B-dec and you can set that thing on a cool accompaniment pattern
and it loops so you can just get totally lost in what you're jamming on for as
long as you want to. It never complains
This is a cool thread - you know you're improving when its so much fun to play what used to be hard!!

Posted by: Arrival Oct 8 2007, 04:16 AM

This week, I signed up for GMC!

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Oct 8 2007, 04:35 AM

QUOTE (Arrival @ Oct 7 2007, 11:16 PM)

Posted by: visi0n Oct 8 2007, 05:35 AM

Well, my alternate picking goes much better !!

Posted by: Pavel Oct 8 2007, 06:08 AM

I've been glancing one of my new sweeping solos...to make things short...it's sick to play because of too many 5-3 string shapes alteration and changes, and it will soon be on my website as a free lesson. Sweeping is basically what i have been working most on, recently.

If any of you wants to see it, here is the GP tab of it (tabbed only notes, just not to forget how the solo goes, so you won't find all the slides and pull-offs i do here). 120 BPM is top speed i can pull this off to hear everything nice and clean.


 Sweeping_Solo__Damn_it__s_hard_.gp5 ( 4.31K ) : 129



Have fun! I will let you know when i upload it to my website with backing track and other stuff.

Posted by: FretDancer69 Oct 8 2007, 06:15 AM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Oct 7 2007, 11:08 PM)

I've been glancing one of my new sweeping solos...to make things short...it's sick to play because of too many 5-3 string shapes alteration and changes, and it will soon be on my website as a free lesson. Sweeping is basically what i have been working most on, recently.

If any of you wants to see it, here is the GP tab of it (tabbed only notes, just not to forget how the solo goes, so you won't find all the slides and pull-offs i do here). 120 BPM is top speed i can pull this off to hear everything nice and clean.
 Sweeping_Solo__Damn_it__s_hard_.gp5 ( 4.31K ) : 129

Have fun! I will let you know when i upload it to my website with backing track and other stuff.

Posted by: botoxfox Oct 9 2007, 07:05 AM

Well, I'm mostly practising alternate picking nowadays... Some excersise I'm using: [attachment=2048:attachment]

Posted by: Ben N Oct 9 2007, 07:44 AM

i feel a great impruvement since last week i'm working
on the sweeping and alternet picking... parctis make profection
keep playing at any time you have
and enjow!! that's the ultimate goal

Posted by: Victafor Oct 9 2007, 01:31 PM

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Sep 30 2007, 05:50 AM)

Posted by: RobM Oct 9 2007, 01:46 PM

QUOTE (Zephyr @ Sep 27 2007, 04:20 AM)

Posted by: PlayAllDay Oct 10 2007, 03:41 PM

QUOTE (besip @ Sep 29 2007, 06:06 AM)

I've ben kind of lost this weak and start have first boring on my head...when im make post usually not match people respond but thats probbaly becouse of me and my style of writing im almost donne with beghiner kick part 1 when im do power chords and scales..and im wanna move to next stuff from beghiner kick

Posted by: besip Oct 13 2007, 06:21 AM

QUOTE (PlayAllDay @ Oct 10 2007, 10:41 AM)

It hasn't taken you long to do Beginners kick then Besip - that's cool. We all feel kind of lost sometimes (well I sure do) so its good you are on this site and can get some inspiration. Just keep jamming those scales

Posted by: lefty01 Oct 13 2007, 06:32 AM

Well, I finally just got my KORG PANDORA a couple of days ago. That little box is amazing, and really inspires me to play. I'm getting some of the NEO-CLASSICAL lessons down too.

Posted by: Understudy Oct 13 2007, 06:34 AM

I am working on minor and major scale patters in all positions. Also still working on my AP and started to look at arpeggios in the same key as the scales I am learning. I will shred some day !!! damn it all

Posted by: PlayAllDay Oct 13 2007, 05:52 PM

QUOTE (besip @ Oct 13 2007, 01:21 PM)

the other part is they are still not respondig me maybe thats becouse my face i'm dont know

Posted by: besip Oct 14 2007, 06:34 AM

QUOTE (PlayAllDay @ Oct 13 2007, 12:52 PM)

Posted by: Pavel Oct 14 2007, 06:40 AM

I always answer all mails and PM's, but if i missed the question in some posts - sorry! There are too many topics coming each day, hard to keep track of all things here!

Posted by: besip Oct 14 2007, 06:44 AM

QUOTE (Pavel @ Oct 14 2007, 01:40 AM)

I always answer all mails and PM's, but if i missed the question in some posts - sorry! There are too many topics coming each day, hard to keep track of all things here!

Posted by: Pavel Oct 14 2007, 06:45 AM

Practice makes the pro, ha?

Posted by: CatastrophE Oct 14 2007, 08:45 PM

It's been a while since I've checked into GMC's forums, since going back to College I've had very little free time, although since I posted on the Introductions forum a while back I have improved a lot in terms of playing on my own, of course I'm looking for more things to learn now in order to better myself

While I'm here I thought I'd take the time to ask a few questions on what I should learn next ^^
Basically, I know the A Minor Pentatonic inside and out, I also know how to use Power Chords effectively and a little bit of Tapping, pull offs and Hammer ons are no problem for me either.
So now I'm at this point, I believe I should look into more of the Guitar Theory (keeping in key and such and learning the whole Fretboard) since I've not really looked at theory at all, secondly I think learning some new Scales would really help, what are the most important ones for playing Rock?
Of course, any links/explanations would be welcome as well as any suggestions, and I'm happy to be part of a website with so many talented musicians

Thanks everyone

Matty.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Oct 14 2007, 09:13 PM

Hi There,

First you say you now the A minor Pentatonic - do you know all the boxes? If not, start there. Second, if you know the shapes you can move them around to get any pentatonic scale you need, in case you weren't aware of that.

After Minor Pentatonic I would suggest:

Major Pentatonic
Major
Minor

I have lessons for all of these in the theory section - the index is http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3351.

Posted by: CatastrophE Oct 14 2007, 09:21 PM

Great, thanks Andrew

I do indeed know all of the boxes and can play them up and down the fretboard, I haven't mastered playing them diagonally yet though, I'll look over your Theory section when I get home from work, thanks for the efficient response

Posted by: Understudy Oct 20 2007, 10:16 PM

I am still in the same place as last week, learning scales in all positions and working on AP. Connecting the boxes is really coming along nicely and my AP is getting stronger. Now if I could only afford to get my new amp so I would have a nice warm tone...... that's another issue

Posted by: Paul Coutts Oct 22 2007, 12:26 AM

Finger independence has definetly improved since just focusing on the Speed Tone & Theory exercises, excellent DVD by the way.
Plan on focusing on songwriting, riffing and MUSIC,....I'm far too technical

Posted by: rovert Oct 25 2007, 01:09 PM

Hello all, pretty new to Guitar MasterClass. Haven't fully found my way around yet and im wondering if there are any lessons on pinch harmonics, i have been told how it's done, but i just can't seem to make the squeels i want~HELP!!

Posted by: Zephyr Oct 25 2007, 03:07 PM

I messed around with my GT-8 and got a much warmer, clearer tone out of it... I guess that's not really an "improvement", but it made me happy!

Let's see, I finished learning the intro to Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson, working on the rest still,and started learning Steve Vai's Christmas Time is Here... Thought it would be a nice thing to play over the holidays.

I think I've improved a lot on speedpicking, I'm hitting each note much clearer now, and have sped up a bit. I've also been working on improvising in scales other than the minor pentatonic, but I'm afraid I haven't gotten very far in that... Anyways, that's all I can think of at the moment!

QUOTE (rovert @ Oct 25 2007, 05:09 AM)

Posted by: mattacuk Oct 25 2007, 04:56 PM

My practice has changed dramaticly. I am now doing less sweeping but more intensive 3-note per string alternate picking. This i feel has really started to pay off, i am keeping at low tempos for as long as possible in hope for cleanest picking !

Posted by: superize Oct 25 2007, 05:32 PM

My playing hasnt improved much since i dont have enought time to practice because i play ice hockey 5 days week. But i hope that it will be much better when i get my new guitar that i am going to order today.

see ya later

Posted by: JVM Oct 26 2007, 08:53 AM

My legato is definitely continuing to get faster, cleaner and smoother. It's awesome. Also my general rhythm skills are getting better (doing a kind of quarter note scratch rhythm with some chords and fills thrown in, lots of fun ) And also I think my playing in general is getting cleaner and nicer sounding. Yay good week

Posted by: Lester Oct 30 2007, 05:40 PM

i have finished learning the minor pentatonic scale, with the help of David Wallimans lesson and Andrews theory board, and im still trying to make nice improvisations with a metronome. after three years i start using a metronome so my timing is not that good but i am improving.
And thanks to Kris's metronome lesson i can now play 16th notes at a speed of 69 Bpm with a clean sound without missing or hitting a string half. thanks to Kris's metronome lesson

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Oct 30 2007, 05:45 PM

I am working in my equipment so I improve my live sound
I try to upload a video with my bestial equipment !!!! hehehee, I'm sooo happy !!!!!!
I spend lot of hours (I think I spend a month !!!!) but when I take my guitar and I play only a chord the sounds is really fantastic (just the sound that I want !!!)

Posted by: mattacuk Oct 30 2007, 06:17 PM

QUOTE (Lester @ Oct 30 2007, 04:40 PM)

Posted by: Lester Oct 31 2007, 05:01 AM

Thanks, I am going to try the major pentatonic and the major scale now too.
For more variety in playing solos. I have even a scheme for a minor pentatonic scale with all possible notes in between that sound good.
Im searching for it now so maybe I can post it somewhere these days.

Posted by: Owen Nov 11 2007, 01:43 AM

I started learning how to sweep, making good progress after watching Pavel's basics video.

Muting is now much better than it was, less noise from my guitar, my pinched harmonics are all the more consistant - I could do them easily already but I was having trouble combining them with the fist holding guitar pick technique.

Also learnt Fabians lesson fairly rapidly, I'm going to move on to something more challenging tapping wise fairly soon.

All in all a good week for me, my playing is developing at a good rate I feel and I'm trying to take ideas from all the stuff I learn and combining them into my playing.

Posted by: FretDancer69 Nov 19 2007, 01:05 PM

This week was of great improvement:

• Learned the C Harmonic Minor Scale
• Learned the Harmonic Minor Lesson by Walliman
• Learned to Sight Read all the Open Strings thanks to Vinod
• Learned all the note names in the fretboard for the High E string (1)
• Speedpicking is getting faster and more fluid.
• Sweeping is getting more cleaner and fluid as well.
• Tapping is more clean, fast, and more dynamic.

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Nov 21 2007, 12:24 PM

I improved my sight reading a lot last week. I am using some books, and finaly able to read all the notes. Off course, speed of sight reading will come with time but it is very usefull ability. It makes me one step closer of being a wel rounded musician.

Posted by: Vinod Nov 21 2007, 12:36 PM

QUOTE (FretDancer69 @ Nov 19 2007, 06:05 PM)

This week was of great improvement:

• Learned the C Harmonic Minor Scale
• Learned the Harmonic Minor Lesson by Walliman
• Learned to Sight Read all the Open Strings thanks to Vinod
• Learned all the note names in the fretboard for the High E string (1)
• Speedpicking is getting faster and more fluid.
• Sweeping is getting more cleaner and fluid as well.
• Tapping is more clean, fast, and more dynamic.

looking forward to more Improvement!!!!!!

Posted by: kyldeee Nov 21 2007, 01:06 PM

My playing has improved a lot, thanks to Kris' pentatonic lessons, my speed has increased a bit and my legato is improving, and also thanks to Lavendell' Neoclassical lesson I now know what is sweep picking and that I am able to do that.

I also continued learning the scales. I now know Minor pentatonic and the blues scale and the recently learned Major pentatonic scale ( In all boxes of course )

I'm so excited about my improvement, and can't wait to learn more stuff

CYA

Posted by: Owen Nov 21 2007, 10:40 PM

I just broke out the Pentatonic Minor boxes so I can more easily construct stuff all over the fretboard instead of in one place all the time!

Posted by: botoxfox Nov 21 2007, 10:43 PM

,

Posted by: chast Nov 21 2007, 11:04 PM

Finally using a metronome to practice, thanks to mattacuk

Posted by: leedbreak Nov 23 2007, 02:40 AM

Getting Muris' Pent Sub lesson to an 85, Was a 65 this time last week.

Posted by: mattacuk Nov 29 2007, 03:37 PM

Everything seems to be really comeing together for my the past few weeks. Im shredding 16th note triplets clean at 100bpm, 5 & 3 string sweep arpeggios are starting to sound really clean and speedy at 100bpm !

My overall skill level feels like its comeing up to the next stage

QUOTE (chast @ Nov 21 2007, 10:04 PM)

Finally using a metronome to practice, thanks to mattacuk

Posted by: Gerald Nov 30 2007, 02:45 PM

In the past week I have really enjoyed playing guitar. Having played before, it's nice to return to something that I use to enjoy.

In the past week I have been progressing well on alternate picking. My right hand is starting to do that on auto pilot and the dexterity in my right hand is also improving. I notice this when I do chromatic scale warm ups and scale practice.

I'm also doing well on learning the pentatonic scale. I'm starting to remember the root notes and I can play 4 out of the 5 boxes from memory. Still need to work on mastering these boxes and the root notes.

I have also started to play one string scales after reading about this on GMC. I'm starting with the E major scale on the high E.

Things I need to work on is getting a metronome! I've just been so busy lately that I haven't been able to get to guitar center. I'm going to return an effects pedal and pick up a metronome and a small amp so I don't have to play through my roommates computer/keyboard setup.

Hopefully by the end of next week I'll have practiced with a metronome to work on my timing and progressed on Pavel's heavy metal for beginners and Kris's beginner licks!

Posted by: g-forcelover Dec 3 2007, 02:01 AM

QUOTE (Gerald @ Nov 30 2007, 08:45 AM)

Posted by: mattacuk Dec 3 2007, 12:00 PM

fantastic work Gerald, keep it up!

Posted by: Bulletproof Dec 7 2007, 05:24 PM

FINALLY!!!!

I finished learning Winding Roads...it was a toughy but I finished it cleaning at least 3 times in a row so I think I got it down pack. This isn't a weekly thing but I thought it was a good accomplishment and thought I would share it

Cheers

*Proof

Posted by: FretDancer69 Dec 8 2007, 01:12 AM

QUOTE (Bulletproof @ Dec 7 2007, 10:24 AM)

FINALLY!!!!

I finished learning Winding Roads...it was a toughy but I finished it cleaning at least 3 times in a row so I think I got it down pack. This isn't a weekly thing but I thought it was a good accomplishment and thought I would share it

Cheers

*Proof

Posted by: Unleash-The-Shred Dec 8 2007, 02:07 AM

I haven't.

I haven't even really played any of my guitars. I've been sick with Pneumonia justsitting around feeling like crap.

Posted by: lavendell Dec 8 2007, 02:17 PM

QUOTE (Bulletproof @ Dec 7 2007, 05:24 PM)

FINALLY!!!!

I finished learning Winding Roads...it was a toughy but I finished it cleaning at least 3 times in a row so I think I got it down pack. This isn't a weekly thing but I thought it was a good accomplishment and thought I would share it

Cheers

*Proof

Posted by: skennington Dec 9 2007, 08:48 PM

Been playing fo bout a month now. Befor joining GMC, I was mainly just learning riffs off of you tube. Then I ran across one of Kris's video lessons, ( Fade To Black Intro solo ). Learned it with his tab and instructions in about 4 days playing an our or so a night. Thank God I found GMC. Now I'm working on the 5 minor pentatonic boxes. Know shapes 1,2 and 3 well and beginning to move around from the root notes. Also studying Kris's Alternate picking lesson to build speed. I Always look at the Riff of the Day as well.

Anyway, think I'll be around here for a while!
Thanks again for the great site!

Steve

Posted by: Gerald Dec 10 2007, 03:09 PM

QUOTE (skennington @ Dec 9 2007, 02:48 PM)

QUOTE (mattacuk @ Dec 3 2007, 06:00 AM)

fantastic work Gerald, keep it up!

Posted by: Batista Dec 10 2007, 04:44 PM

This week has been pretty important for me and good for me actually. My alternate picking is much better, I have learned to master pinched harmonics, and made myself a new practice plan, to learn to play faster and improve my speed, with legato and speedpicking. I have also, just overnight, learned to improvise better and to find out solo's and stuff myself, withouth using tab so much

Posted by: JVM Dec 17 2007, 06:29 AM

I never really spent much time on octave licks, the "grip" just didn't "click" instantly when I first tried them so I got confused in the fingers and haven't really looked at them til tonight but it just came to me without much effort. Also there was part of one of Gabe's lessons that was giving me trouble that I finally figured out and gained control over as well.

I think my speed's increasing but I'll wait til next weekend to really measure it and see how I'm doing.

Posted by: Gerald Dec 17 2007, 03:54 PM

The past week I have made some good progress on the minor pentatonic scale. I'm using the metronome now and I'm slowly bumping up the speed. I'm starting really slow though - 50bpm - and working through the scale boxes ascending and descending while playing 16th notes. When I first started I was having problems with the 2nd and 3rd box playing 16th notes, now I can play all of the first 4 boxes on time!

I have also been practicing my barre chords and the fretting of them is a little easier now and I'm able to transition from triads to barre chords a bit cleaner and faster.

Lastly, I've been working on my rhythm and it's starting to come a long a bit.

That's it for this week! Next week I am hoping to move to a clean 60bpm for the first 4 boxes and start on that 5th one. Also my 1st instructor lesson is scheduled for Saturday!

Posted by: Crazyfret Dec 21 2007, 05:33 PM

Well I've been on GMC now for a couple of weeks and picked up a couple of lessons that I liked.

What have I learned;

1. I'm a weak guitarist, technically and musically, (oh joy!)

2. I've found roughly my level with the implimentation of the bookmark system and I'm looking at lessons in the range of 3-4. (That tricky not beginner / early intermediate level)

3. Need to really get a practice routine down and stick to it.

4. I've a hell of a mountain to climb but every journey starts with one small step.

I'm sure GMC will help me improve over the coming months / years

Posted by: pat Dec 25 2007, 01:51 AM

Hi! Ißm Patrick from Germany.

I´ve benn surfing gmc for a cupple of hours this evening, and i realy found a reason to keep on playing guitar!!
This site is just great and i hope i´ll keep my enthusiasm for a while and learn something .

Merry Christmas

Posted by: muntahunta Dec 27 2007, 10:13 PM

for the first time since joining i have kept to my lesson plan for the longest time

since the 18th of december till... well, hopefully i'll keep at it

i have perfected 4 of the begginer lessons in the first day (beginner = from what the lesson planner thing said )
then another 3 accross the next few days (with alot less practice time)

anyways. i decided they were too easy so i am now working on the shred lessons including classical tapping, in the style of iron maiden, sweep basics, zakk wylde pinch harmonics, one on one tapping (the series)

its helping me so much and i'd like to thank the forum community for helping me keep at it. if it was just the videos i'd have given up by now (they are brilliant but i'd have got bored of doing the same thing).
if it wasnt for the collab's and virtual bands and the many different topics for a chat on these forums i would still be stuck where i was last month.

Thank You GMC And All Of Its Community
Chris

Posted by: JVM Jan 6 2008, 05:50 AM

Hmm, I think this week that I've reached a new plateau. I still don't know nearly as much theory as I should (and I'm definitely working on that) but I think I'm getting better at putting what I hear in my head on the fretboard and playing it. I really feel like I've made a lot of improvement in the last week, more than I have in a while, and I'm betting I'm about to hit a brick wall soon

Posted by: Smikey2006 Jan 6 2008, 06:01 AM

Well this week has been odd.. i was always amazed at the solo in Sails of Charon by Scorpians.. i tried to play it and *gasp* ive got the ap part of the solo almost to full speed.. there is a string skipping part that is less than perfect but im really feeling it coming together.. its a good week

Posted by: holoshreder Jan 9 2008, 06:21 PM

after a few days of joining GMC i notice that my coordination is increasing slightly
and my speed is also getting betteri think im doing very good for a guy whos playing for a month O.o

and im finaly going through Enter Sandman (well my solo SUCKS BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD)
but the rest is fairly easy
1--------------------------
2--------------------------
3--------------------------
4------------2-------------
5-------2-4---4-2---------
6--0-4------------4-------

this riff has helped me ALOT and i mean ALOT with my coordination

i would love to have the entire riff (since what i just wrote is a fragment)

if you guys can PM or post the entire riff here i would be very gratfull

THX

Posted by: Mark. Jan 9 2008, 06:33 PM

The past week I learned :
- All 3 note per string patterns in the e minor pentatonic! ( I'll do the minor blues pentatonic shapes this week )
When you played these big pentatonic shapes, regular minor shapes seem really small

- Diminshed 4 notes per string patterns
- Some classic music pieces for my acoustic guitar lessons.

And I reached my new years goal! : Being able to play most 6 notes per beat patterns at 120 bpm without to many problems :D

Mark.

Posted by: Moon Boots Jan 9 2008, 07:58 PM

QUOTE (holoshreder @ Jan 9 2008, 05:21 PM)

after a few days of joining GMC i notice that my coordination is increasing slightly
and my speed is also getting betteri think im doing very good for a guy whos playing for a month O.o

and im finaly going through Enter Sandman (well my solo SUCKS BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD)
but the rest is fairly easy
1--------------------------
2--------------------------
3--------------------------
4------------2-------------
5-------2-4---4-2---------
6--0-4------------4-------

this riff has helped me ALOT and i mean ALOT with my coordination

i would love to have the entire riff (since what i just wrote is a fragment)

if you guys can PM or post the entire riff here i would be very gratfull

THX

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jan 9 2008, 08:02 PM

I learned some Solos that I would never be able to nail without my six months on GMC so far

Posted by: sam47 Jan 11 2008, 04:13 AM

The last week hasn't been any break throughs in my playing BUT, I've structured a practice routine ( Kris Dahl's lesson and video on HOW TO Practice. Check it out if you need a plan or idea).
What really has been the most improvement is my motivation. For that I want to give a BIG shout out to Jerry Arcidiacono. He has given tips and support and shown geniune interest. I honestly feel apart of this "Guitar Community" and it is in no small part Jerry's contributions, to this site and to myself. I've got a long way to go and a lot to learn but the road is clear and ther's plenty of help along the way. Stick around Guys and Gals, we're gonna make it!

Posted by: Lester Jan 14 2008, 10:03 PM

I'm pretty happy right now!!
Because I have got some kind of a breakthrough in playing by ear!!
I never was able to figure any song out, but now i am able to analyse quite a bit...
Don't know where it came from, I was just trying a little something on a track and i found out the chords....
and a few minutes i gave it a shot to the song "caught in the balance" by Toto and i have got the first 30 seconds 100% right in twenty minutes!!

Posted by: JVM Jan 28 2008, 03:59 AM

Huzzah! () I've finally learned to apply a vibrato to my bent notes. It's a very slow vibrato yet but hopefully with more practice I'll get more control of it. I don't see why I couldn't before, I noticed that when I bent down towards my feet I could easily do it so its obviously just a finger strength issue. Bending upwards I just tried to analyze what I was doing when I bent it downwards, and copy that over.

Also I've been on a roll tone wise lately. Really been getting better with EQing and stuff like that, happy with my tone now. All in all a pretty good last few days.

Posted by: shellshock1911 Jan 28 2008, 04:17 AM

I've been improving like crazy every since I've adopted a new picking style. I used to close the fist up and it was ok, but I saw most of my favorite guitarist having the other fingers hanging down, kinda holding onto the pickguard, bottom strings, or pickup, not very hard like MAB, but just barely. Ever since I started picking like that, my speed in sweeping and speedpicking have both gone up like crazy everyday. I used to use Hangar 18 2nd solo for sweeping practice because it has 4-string sweeps at 152. When I had the closed fist, I could do it cleanly at about 120-125, and was getting maybe 1 BPM higher per week. When I adopted the new picking style, after 5 min of practice, I nailed the whole thing 152 BPM cleanly (I film myself playing.) I am working on Under a Glass Moon solo now by Dream Theater, how quickly I have learned the fast licks is astounding compared to how slow it was in the past.

Also just got done blowing Tornado of Souls solo to pieces, even the insane fast 2-string arpeggio part. Now that I comfortable with my speed, I can concentrate on improv and phrasing.

Posted by: fongy Feb 1 2008, 05:34 PM

I've been playing with the Spanish Romance by Kosei and recently I've noticed my lower picking fingers including little finger have started to hook almost clawlike which feels much more natural and increases my accuracy and speed. I've had a great week in fact also with Gabriel's muse style. Its an incredible feeling when you start getting the timing right and it actually starts to sound as it should! Rock On!

Posted by: Duncan Feb 4 2008, 10:08 PM

Just been working on alternate picking and stuff. Before I could play triplets at 160bpm, but I was always concentrating quite hard whilst doing it and putting in some effort. Then I get back to Uni today, and after not having played guitar since last tuesday I can now play triplets at 160 bpm with ease. And all the other stuff I was practising I can play fluently now. Crazy how leaving the guitar for a few days can benefit you.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 4 2008, 10:09 PM

Unfortunately I never improve. I hope I can get to the next level with guitar.

Posted by: Duncan Feb 4 2008, 10:25 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Feb 4 2008, 09:09 PM)

Unfortunately I never improve. I hope I can get to the next level with guitar.

Posted by: sam47 Feb 7 2008, 04:42 AM

QUOTE (Duncan @ Feb 4 2008, 04:25 PM)

Posted by: bliopster Feb 10 2008, 04:56 PM

last week was amazing i went from barely being able to do a scale toalt picking through some of them @ 180 bpm triplets! i did spend about 5 hours a day on alt picking thought lol this week is all legato! GL Guys

Posted by: D-loader Feb 12 2008, 03:43 PM

I started out here last week, and its been really good I spent -days- trying to figure out tapping x.x; finally it just came to me today, so now its all about raising the tempo! . I can "sorta" do triplets, I gotta improve the speed there as well.. going good though =)

Lesson I'm practicing: Beginner Solo In D by Muris, mostly because it contains many different techniques, but also because it sounds really nice.

Posted by: xChrisx Feb 12 2008, 07:44 PM

I sprained my thumb on my right hand so no progress for me this week

So I've been spending my time trying to find some better gear and looknig at songs I might want to try playing in a bit.

Posted by: JVM Feb 13 2008, 05:47 AM

My rhythm playing seems to be improving, or at least I'm faster

Also without having really tried it before I kind of stumbled upon kind of a demented circus kind of style I hadn't done before. You'd recognize it if you heard it... just basically kind of a ska/reggae beat but you're also playing the bassline on your e string along with it, quite fun to do.

Posted by: ch00ch00man Feb 13 2008, 06:23 AM

QUOTE (bliopster @ Feb 10 2008, 11:56 AM)

Posted by: Paul Coutts Feb 13 2008, 06:51 AM

Um...let's see....I've FINALLY figured out most of the Fretboard....as in all the little bits that connect everything up
Great help, I can now play all CAGED triad arpeggio, scale, and chord shapes in all positions, (now I am going to go throught he circle of fifths etc, and learn to play completely in key without guessing)
I'm also half way to memorizing the 7 3-note-per-string scales, (which I realized are the modes ).
Anyways, I'm quite happy with my progress.
My legato is improving, as well as sweep picking, albeit slowly, but still some improvement. I feel much more endurance whilst playing, stronger, and more confident (in the hands). It's an awesome feeling, after all the exercises it's paying off a littel
Cheers

Posted by: Outlaw2112 Feb 13 2008, 07:05 AM

Since all i do is play rhythms on the guitar, ive decided to run pavels speed picking lesson.. Im still having problems with the metronome, i can play it at 200 bpm at one note per beat, but im totally confused on anything else.. I always seem to lose count when counting fast... I have been learning one to two songs a night on rhythm guitar though... Mainly easy metal that sounds cool... Just finished learning F***ing hostile from pantera tonight.. Hopefully ill get better at using the metronome and my scale runs soon.. 3-4 hours of practice a night should start to pay off soon..

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Feb 13 2008, 07:59 AM

Now I'm improving my video quality I wish you enjoy my next lesson
(well I'm improving my speaking too, but it's more difficult )

Posted by: ch00ch00man Feb 13 2008, 08:13 AM

QUOTE (Outlaw2112 @ Feb 13 2008, 02:05 AM)

Posted by: wrk Feb 13 2008, 12:17 PM

QUOTE (ch00ch00man @ Feb 13 2008, 06:23 AM)

Posted by: ch00ch00man Feb 13 2008, 06:21 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Feb 13 2008, 07:17 AM)

Posted by: DeepRoots Feb 13 2008, 06:27 PM

This week i got more comfortable with playing modally- next step is to be able to play each mode in all 7 positions in every key- then take it all over the neck. Bit of an improvement thats almost worthy of mention i guess

Posted by: Capt.Z Feb 29 2008, 06:59 PM

I've improved my alternate picking. and i got alot faster!

Posted by: superize Mar 8 2008, 07:17 PM

I feel that i have improved my sync between righ and left hand.....I cn now play alternate picking faster and more relaxed witch i feel is great....i feel that my playing is more smoth now

Posted by: Roko Mar 9 2008, 09:15 AM

I can go into little speedpicking breaks between riffs, it makes my playing a lot more varied and soon I hope i'll be able to get it all along the fretboard.

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Mar 16 2008, 05:14 PM

My skill in painting walls improved big time during the last weeks, and along with this my vocalulary for cursing

Posted by: audiopaal Mar 16 2008, 06:22 PM

QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Mar 16 2008, 05:14 PM)

My skill in painting walls improved big time during the last weeks, and along with this my vocalulary for cursing

Posted by: audiopaal Mar 18 2008, 07:11 PM

Oh, and I have improved my playing by practicing very hard on a few songs I'm about to record, to make my playing tighter and and faster. Not any new techniques or other fancy stuff, just repetetive practicing to get my playing tighter and smoother

Posted by: RIP Dime Mar 30 2008, 08:49 PM

I've seen huge improvements in my lead improv, speed and phrasing! I honestly belive it was mainly because I was lacking confidence. Confidence is a huge aspect of playing! And I never realised it!

Posted by: Milenkovic Ivan Apr 1 2008, 09:52 PM

I've relaxed my right hand a lot!

Posted by: Canis Apr 6 2008, 06:43 PM

Holy crap, I've improved the last week!
I'm able to use my pinky 100% now =) I realized I had to use my pinky on the intro of "Over the Hills" by Gary Moore (which I also nail on over 200bpm now )
And I learned Alla Turca Part 1 from a lesson of Pablo Vazquez, which also trained my pinky =)
I also inspired my cousin to start playing, I learned him "Smoke on the Water" and "Run to the Hills", and some other easy intros. So maybe we'll see him here soon

Posted by: Melodicintenions Apr 7 2008, 07:40 AM

Well Thanks to my Friend David his lessons done these things for me I've only been apart of this Wonderful Community for what 7 days? I've been playing guitar for 6 years learned stuff on my own most of the time but had suggestions thrown at me all the time heres how Dave improved my style!
I've improved on my Perfect Pitch thats hearing your chords and knowing what and where to place your fingers on what scales and modes!
2 I've developed sight reading I don't know how but playing constantly and practicing with proper breaks
and soaking up the explanations really work I cant stress that enough Drinking water helps muscles Remember that!
my accuracy has improved from say 60% to about 87.5% in only 7 days I know how much because I feel it!
3:being able to hear and feel the music and follow the colors of its contours and Tones!
4:guitar doesn't scare me of not being able to do what I wanna express with my fingers and my heart!
being able to hear and improvise other music on radio t.v whichever I don't know how I've done it
but I could not do it without G.M.C Thank you All for the Feed back and comments!
maybe some day I'll be the new instructor I'm going to university for it now I'm so Inspired from using this site
You really can Go from Zero To Guitar Hero in No time! Believe in yourself and work out your problem points if anyone wants to send me their problems I'd be glade to help to if your fav instructors not around and when he gets back ask him what I said . And get him or her to verify that for you I'm no pro but I have the Confidence now and the Know how to do it
All Because of G.M.C Love you all Thank you!
No Ones Better than the next guy who plays.. its how the player that changes the music and improves it's style to create their own music that is truly trying their best! and Always learning lets keep learning people we need it!
I still have a Long way to go and I want you all to try your best you cant ever be the best you can only do your own personal best set yourself goals for lessons ! stick by them give yourself a time line but be realistic it'll help Direly!
I will always be here for this has turned out to be my new home for my musical Creativity you Have Done yourself Well everyone keep up the good work and hope to see most of you on stage one day Keep on Rocking to Finally Free the World! Metal will get respect! yours Truly Preston Ouimette of MelodicIntentions

Posted by: Melodicintenions Apr 7 2008, 08:36 AM

cant wait to see everyone! reply to my Improvements I need you all to give me the inspiration to get better like you all do I support you all! got suggestions for me try me I wanna listen and help to! I want music to make things better for all of us! just like the next guy and anyones welcome to say hi or chat about favorite bands and stuff to or even give me some ideas of what I should check out I'm here for everyone like everyones here for me Peace Friends GMC Will Always live on as long as I still breathe! keep all this wonderful informative place going we needed this Long ago keep in touch keep the music going and most of all Work Together !
I'm headin it to bed All of you Inspired me so much and will continue to force better lessons out in the future! not better but lessons I would have wanted when I was learning ! for me thats my idea of better but you all have great material to and its all important! keep it all coming hope I make lots of friends and hope you all learn as much as you can from GMC
Preston Ouimette Melodicintentions

Posted by: superize Apr 8 2008, 07:20 PM

QUOTE (Melodicintenions @ Apr 7 2008, 08:40 AM)

Posted by: JVM Apr 11 2008, 03:16 AM

I can't really explain it.. but things just seem to be falling together a little.. things are smoother, more relaxed, faster, etc etc. I really need to start working on theory more though. I just wish learning theory was an "ah ha moment" kind of thing rather than repetitive practice.. but I might as well start now. I just need some encouragement I think.

Posted by: Preston-Melodicintensions Apr 11 2008, 03:38 AM

QUOTE (JVM @ Apr 10 2008, 06:16 PM)

Posted by: audiopaal Apr 14 2008, 12:28 PM

Well, my riffing is tighter and at least I feel I'm somewhat faster than I used to be..
This is of course not just from last weeks practice, but still feels good

I've also learned a few new tricks

Posted by: Preston-Melodicintensions Apr 14 2008, 03:51 PM

QUOTE (audiopaal @ Apr 14 2008, 03:28 AM)

Well, my riffing is tighter and at least I feel I'm somewhat faster than I used to be..
This is of course not just from last weeks practice, but still feels good

I've also learned a few new tricks

Posted by: JVM Apr 16 2008, 05:01 PM

I've been churning out riffs lately Not like, dozens of them, but I seem to be getting better at it. So that is to say, I think my vocabulary is growing, and my technique is becoming more accurate. And as we all know, accuracy is the basis of speed.

Posted by: muntahunta Apr 16 2008, 06:08 PM

today i started playing lessons again after having a long break due to a bad pinky.
i started with the classical taps, last time i played i could play it at 120bpm, after just 3 try's im playing at 140bpm with ease.

ive also picked up sweeping straight away (not great but alot better than i could) and im starting on marcus' three-level intermediate solo

all that in one day

Posted by: Enucleation Apr 22 2008, 03:43 AM

I dunno about a week, but i listened to a recording of a collab im waiting for and I think my sweeping may be getting better.

If that is my imagination or maybe a bad recording, I was really insipired yesterday by Chris Broderick. I always respect great guitarists, but even though I had been a fan of Chris before Megadeth and knew his skill, seeing him last night was so incredible. Right at the front row i saw his fingers perfectly...I gotta get better.

I guess inspiration, especially at this level, is a step in the right direction of improving. So, i guess it's alright to post here

Posted by: Skalde Apr 22 2008, 09:47 PM

I increased my 'recording' skills. Finally I found a way to record my guitar sound, that pleases me.

Posted by: Nathan333 Apr 24 2008, 12:27 PM

I just realized that I'm not as slow as I though I was after playing Marcus' pentatonic solo lesson! I must have had the backing track on loop now for about 100 times!! Now to grit my teeth and get on with some theory learning...

Posted by: Canis Apr 25 2008, 05:14 PM

QUOTE (Nathan333 @ Apr 24 2008, 01:27 PM)

I just realized that I'm not as slow as I though I was after playing Marcus' pentatonic solo lesson! I must have had the backing track on loop now for about 100 times!! Now to grit my teeth and get on with some theory learning...

Posted by: superize Apr 25 2008, 06:28 PM

My sweep picking is faster and cleaner

Posted by: ZeCoyote May 2 2008, 01:07 PM

Because a new rythmic guitarist joined our band, I had to learn and now play quite well ACDC solos ! <-- happy newbie

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion May 2 2008, 01:11 PM

My drinking alcohol technique has improved and I've seen an overall improvement in my laziness. Oh and I think I'm getting a lot better at improvisations as we do them all the time with my band

Posted by: audiopaal May 2 2008, 08:30 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ May 2 2008, 02:11 PM)

My drinking alcohol technique has improved and I've seen an overall improvement in my laziness. Oh and I think I'm getting a lot better at improvisations as we do them all the time with my band

Posted by: FrankW May 13 2008, 12:50 AM

I'm getting faster and cleaner, as well as adding a few more ideas to my playing. It's mainly because of the inspiring videos.

Posted by: Canis May 13 2008, 07:35 PM

I keep getting faster, and my left hand dexterity has increased ^^
My vibrato and bending has improved a crapload as well

Posted by: Pizzoaro May 14 2008, 09:03 AM

I am getting faster and cleaner, and it feels really good

I''ve become better at improvisation and creativity:)
GMC is getting huge
Lifestyle:D

Posted by: Speedeh May 17 2008, 03:01 AM

I've been a member here for 14 months, and I'm very surprised with how well I'm able to play after looking back to when I started guitar 16 months ago. When I first started, all the tips I got told me to start slow, practice every day, and use a metronome to record technical progress. All of these tips combined with the great lessons have allowed me to play like I never thought was possible, and I'm still improving every day. I can't wait to see next week, let alone next year

Anyway, I've greatly improved my sweep picking this week. I've even begun to start sweep picking + tap licks which sound ridiculous when played to speed (at least to my ear). Also, just this week, I've noticed how much faster I'm able to do speed picking licks, especially scale runs up and down the fret board.

Posted by: [email protected] May 21 2008, 05:07 AM

Thanks to Andrew Cockburn I now know the theory behind this kick ass instrument. I've learnt how to play some kick ass lydian/mixolydian shred's and soloing thanks to Muris and David Walli and some sweet roided out scales thanks to kris. I'm still doing some sweep and alternate lessons by muris and david and im seeing some pretty good results.

Posted by: GuitarsANDtattoos Jul 25 2008, 04:22 PM

The biggest thing I'm noticing is my ability to actually reach a lot of positions on the guitar that I never could before, stretching is no problem anymore. Hoping to get down to the nitty-gritty with picking stuff in the coming weeks. Will report in the future.

Posted by: Canis Jul 25 2008, 04:27 PM

My tapping has improved significantly thanks to David Wallimann's Classical Taps
I've also got more control and get much less noise by improving in muting the strings I don't use =)

Posted by: JVM Aug 12 2008, 05:51 AM

BUMP!

My right hand picking has gotten much more solid lately! Especially with chords, complex right hand rhythms and changes are easy for me now.. I could use some more speed but that will come with time.. probably all the sooner now that I've got it on autopilot.

Posted by: audiopaal Aug 12 2008, 08:12 AM

My playing's tighter, playing after click in cubase is easier.
I've learned a few new chords, and I'm faster than I used to be.

I haven't had the time to practice too much lately but I've played guitar everyday none the less

Posted by: Nazgul Aug 24 2008, 04:09 PM

My tapping is now at 270 BPM, in eigth-triplets, progress of 70 BPM. But I don't think I can get any faster.

Posted by: superize Sep 14 2008, 11:12 AM

I have really improve my alternate picking it is faster and cleaner

Posted by: dtb Sep 14 2008, 03:59 PM

My playing became a lot more accurate. Even my guitar feels better in my hands - I somehow got more familiar with it. It is no longer just playing around but serious practicing and the improvements I've made keep me motivated. As someone said before - if I fail - I'll do it again! I am tired of playing like I did before I came here ...
just my 2 cents
tom

Posted by: Toroso Sep 14 2008, 04:15 PM

I've noticed that my muting has improved some lately and power chords are sounding, well, more powerful.

I'm also feeling a little more confident and relaxed when jamming.

Posted by: CompleteNewbie Sep 14 2008, 05:33 PM

I only joined the site on Tuesday.

I have studied the beginers lessons for Power Chords and Smoke on the water, and I have to say that in only 4 days, basic as it may be, I am actually producing what can be described as a bit of a tune, and not just a noise....

Practice makes perfect.......

Posted by: JVM Oct 1 2008, 09:20 PM

I've been noticing my AP speed has been creeping up here and there, and theres a nice newfound sense of confidence in my playing.

Posted by: Skalde Oct 1 2008, 09:31 PM

Finally I know how to play triplets and can change between 8ht notes and triplets.

Posted by: JVM Oct 2 2008, 12:38 AM

QUOTE (Skalde @ Oct 1 2008, 04:31 PM)

Posted by: valentino Oct 2 2008, 07:37 PM

Hi guys, I have read your improvements and I hope one day I'll post something like that but at the moment I post little progress.

The fact of hardly know anything do much easier than the improvements arrive, anyway during this first week, thanks to Kris's lessons and Andrew's theory, I have noticed improvement in the way I do the exercises and understand better what the things mean. Although it's a low-level advance always gratify to see improvement and encourages to continue.

Cheers

Posted by: JVM Feb 7 2009, 04:06 AM

So this thread hasn't been updated since last year, but I think now is as good a time as any as tonight I finally figured out pinch harmonics, really got control of sweeping, and I feel a big increase in speed and legato, really of synchronization I guess. I think I finally got the 'relaxed playing' thing down! Or at least, I'm on the right path. Playing feels really natural and smooth now. How have you improved?

Posted by: besip Feb 7 2009, 04:18 AM

i'm did't improve last week i'm have new axe but i'm didn;t play almost month becouse my hands are injured{probbaly from playing}
but good thing is i'm geting better and hope maybe next week i'm be can start to play again

Posted by: Mandos Feb 7 2009, 07:25 AM

I've figured out pinch harmonics and I can almost get them perfectly every time.

Posted by: dl6kbg Feb 7 2009, 09:29 AM

Hi !

This was my first week here at GMC and with guitar playing. i love it.

I improved in http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/fingers-independence-I/ and began the fist lesson of http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/beginner-strumming-and-arpeggios/ (Am,C, Em).

Cheers, Oliver

Posted by: Jesse Feb 7 2009, 11:57 AM

Definately jazz stuff:D

Posted by: Kristian Hyvärinen Oct 28 2009, 10:28 PM

Let's wake up these useful threads!

I've improved during the past week mostly in alternate picking, sweep picking and vibrato (all of which are crucial parts of Mr. Lavendell's Neoclassical three-level intermediate solo). The most important thing, however, is my training routine and motivation. Improvement in motivation and determination are underrated, since they are the keys to learning everything else.

Posted by: superize Oct 28 2009, 10:57 PM

The past month i have really improved my right hand trenght and stamina....... I am very close to be able to play John Schaffers gallop rythm

Posted by: djohnneay Oct 29 2009, 03:55 PM

I learned Sex on Fire, The Unforgiven III, and came to the conclusion that, by playing along to a backing track that is 20 bpms faster then the original song, am able to play most of the riffs from Master Of Puppets flawlessly, up to speed, using downstrokes, which made me very happy

And I am getting quite acquainted with the A Harmonic Minor scale because of Zsolt's Modal Madness lesson!
Thanks Zsolts! This scale rocks!

Posted by: Frej10 Oct 29 2009, 04:21 PM

I am able to play the intro of Unchained by Van Halen in normal speed now. God I love that song !

Posted by: JVM Oct 29 2009, 04:32 PM

It's been over two years since I started this thread. It's good to see its still twitching

I've been working on song ideas lately, one of these days I'll get around to recording them all decently and put them in the uploads forum.

Posted by: Kristian Hyvarinen Nov 5 2009, 07:50 PM

QUOTE (Kristian Hyvärinen @ Oct 28 2009, 11:28 PM)

Let's wake up these useful threads!

I've improved during the past week mostly in alternate picking, sweep picking and vibrato (all of which are crucial parts of Mr. Lavendell's Neoclassical three-level intermediate solo). The most important thing, however, is my training routine and motivation. Improvement in motivation and determination are underrated, since they are the keys to learning everything else.

Posted by: JVM Nov 5 2009, 11:08 PM

I just started on the dick dale lesson today. Though I can play it easily enough, it reminded me that I need to work on my AP more.

Posted by: djohnneay Nov 5 2009, 11:16 PM

Today I found out I'm very bad at legato, and my AP is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better
So I'm gonna work on that instead, any suggestions would be welcome, 'coz I know there are different ways to practice it.

Edit : typo

Posted by: audiopaal Nov 6 2009, 12:39 AM

I'm stuck at the moment...
But I keep playing, knowing that it'll be good for something

Posted by: Kristian Hyvarinen Nov 6 2009, 07:40 AM

QUOTE (djohnneay @ Nov 6 2009, 12:16 AM)

Today I found out I'm very bad at legato, and my AP is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better
So I'm gonna work on that instead, any suggestions would be welcome, 'coz I know there are different ways to practice it.

Edit : typo

Posted by: djohnneay Nov 6 2009, 12:42 PM

QUOTE (Kristian Hyvarinen @ Nov 6 2009, 07:40 AM)

Did you mean you're gonna work on your AP or legato?

For AP there are several possibilities, for example Modal Madness, Mr. Vold's Picking exercise, and Mr. Lavendell's Neoclassical etude #1 and - #2, not forgetting the three-level neoclassical solo series.

For legato I'm not so sure, but from the "Shred" exercises you can find "legato" lessons.

Posted by: Kristian Hyvarinen Nov 6 2009, 02:51 PM

QUOTE (djohnneay @ Nov 6 2009, 01:42 PM)

Sorry, I meant legato. I've already done Modal Madness 1 and 2, and can play them at about 160 bpm(triplets), which I think is already pretty fast About legato I'm pretty much clueless because I never seriously practiced it, to be honest.

Posted by: sonny_NL Nov 6 2009, 02:55 PM

Last week i only played on myn bass guitar and learned some songs like
Supermassive blackhole by Muse!
Dani california By RHCP
a Certain romance by the arctic monkeys!

It was an good week for me for myn bass playings!

Posted by: djohnneay Nov 6 2009, 03:01 PM

QUOTE (Kristian Hyvarinen @ Nov 6 2009, 02:51 PM)

Well, I think http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/chromatic_legato_modal_nightmare/ would be a good starting point then, since most the scales are probably familiar to you already, and you can practice that piece slowly, too. Also pieces like "Hammer on dude" and so on are good.

Check out the "Legato" part for the "Shred guitar" area. There are many good lessons there.

Posted by: JVM Nov 6 2009, 05:08 PM

QUOTE (sonny_NL @ Nov 6 2009, 08:55 AM)

Posted by: sonny_NL Nov 6 2009, 05:35 PM

QUOTE (JVM @ Nov 6 2009, 05:08 PM)

I like your taste

Posted by: Kristian Hyvarinen Feb 9 2010, 09:35 PM

I have learned the first three parts of Lian's Viking folk metal concepts series. There's got to be something I have gained from this.

Personally, I think I have trained too little during the last five days - I've only spent an hour or so every day with the guitar. And half a year ago it felt like such a long time... now it feels like I'm slacking off.

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Posted by: loundzilla Feb 9 2010, 10:40 PM

In the last 3 weeks I've learned the E, A, D and C shapes ( in that order ) Of the CAGED system across the fret board, I've learnt the barre chords across the bottom 3 strings including major minor and dominant seventh, I've learned the notes across the bottom three strings and how to find the next octave of a note (2 down, 2 across), I've learned how to tune the guitar by ear using the 5th fret and I've learnt a better way to restring my guitar! All on all it's been a fantastic month! The time and effort is really paying off!


Zilla.

Posted by: Bjaron Feb 9 2010, 10:55 PM

I've noticed that i get more relaxed with my left hand and my picking is much better.
I've learnd much melodic stuff last week and try to get more accuracy with my left hand.

But i've also noticed that i'm getting so much better as i learn lessons here

Posted by: superize Feb 9 2010, 11:43 PM

I feel my speed has increased in both sweeping and AP

Posted by: djohnneay Feb 10 2010, 08:35 PM

My left hand (fretting hand) pinky and ringfinger have improved somewhat, by killing them with exercises. They are actually almost usable, after a long time of 3-finger playing. I started right hand 4-finger tapping, and with that 8-finger tapping. It's still really hard, but I feel I'm getting calluses on my right hand. Last but not least I learned the first 4 licks of the Smoke on the Water solo and the first 2 licks of the Beat it solo. I noticed that with this, my improvising has also improved