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Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 29 2013, 06:50 AM

Welcome to SHRED BOOTCAMP! I'll be your Drill Instructor! And I do mean DRILL! As in a large power tool used in slasher films and Paul Gilbert concerts. Here is were you EARN THE LIVING DEATH out of your fingers and break through any speed bumps/barriers to become a MASTER CHIEF of Shred!

THE MISSION

1.)Your mission is to go all the way back to the very start. The base of the mountain.

LESSON 1. http://bitly.com/gmclesson1

Which you will play SLOWWWWWWLLY, very SLOWWWLLLLYYYY until you master it at a crawl (As You'll Do With Each Mission, and focus on left hand FORM! Make it SUPER PERFECT!). Speed it up bit by bit until you feel your ready to take it to WAR (Any speed, it's up to you) Shoot a video and post it as a reply to this post. I'll then offer a constructive and brutally honest critique.

THE AFTERMATH

Upon nailing the crap out of lesson one at a speed you didn't think possible, and playing it a clean as a freshly waxed floor, you will be given your first insignia of Rank in BOOTCAMP!

Here is your link your personal training ground/HELL!

http://bitly.com/posterboysbootcamp

Practice!
Todd

Posted by: PosterBoy Jan 30 2013, 10:35 PM

Here's what you have to work with Todd

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 1 2013, 11:33 PM

Thanks for the Mission Vid Soldier! It looks like a small tactical mishap, the vid is set to PRIVATE, so I can't see it, but set it to UNLISTED and then I can see it here but it still won't be public on youtube.

Sarge
Todd

Posted by: PosterBoy Feb 2 2013, 07:27 AM

Set as unlisted now !!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 5 2013, 08:57 AM

Well Fought Soldier!!!

You are on your way to becoming a much more DEADLY player!!!!!!! Don't let this first victory fool you. The path ahead is long and hard, but worth the blood spilled!!

You just .......

MEDAL OF HONOR


1.)Clean Pick Strikes
2.)Tight timing
3.)Military Grade Synch

Here is your first Honor Badge Soldier!. The first of many I'm sure!

Posted by: PosterBoy Feb 12 2013, 11:58 AM

Strangely today I seemed to have a technique breakthrough (or maybe I'm just doing something wrong!)

I got into a position where my pick was just grazing the string, it certainly wasn't a Paul Gilbert thwack across the string, but it did make higher speeds so much easier, that I had to keep checking my timing etc

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 13 2013, 07:27 AM

BINGO!!! The "light touch" picking technique is one of the big TRICKS OF THE TRADE so to speak. I"ve tried to design these Missions to encourage the hands towards proper techique at each stage. When you are playing it correctly, it will actually feel easier/faster. When you are having to fight it, it usually means the technique needs a tweak.

From watching these I can see that you have a really good handle on left hand position and angle as well as good hand synch which is the entire point of this lesson. That's why there are only two notes, half a step apart, at each position. To allow the brain to focus on picking about 80 percent, fretting about 20. The balance will shift as you progress through the missions.

I do have a bit of bad news though soldier, I can see your hands looking to be killing it, but I"m having trouble hearing anything but the metronome click. Can you do one more for me with the guitar as loud or even louder than the metronome? I want to hear the strikes if possible.

Congrats on making this breakthrough Soldier!! The first of many I"m sure.


Todd

name='PosterBoy' date='Feb 12 2013, 05:58 AM' post='632728']
Strangely today I seemed to have a technique breakthrough (or maybe I'm just doing something wrong!)

I got into a position where my pick was just grazing the string, it certainly wasn't a Paul Gilbert thwack across the string, but it did make higher speeds so much easier, that I had to keep checking my timing etc




[/quote]

Posted by: PosterBoy Apr 19 2013, 05:18 PM

Sorry for being AWOL. I've packed the acoustic guitar away now and back in the program.

I'll get some vids up with a better balance once I work back up to this speed!

Sorry for being AWOL. I've packed the acoustic guitar away now and back in the program.

I'll get some vids up with a better balance once I work back up to this speed!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 21 2013, 04:33 AM

No worries Soldier!! Welcome back to the fight!!

Todd

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 19 2014, 07:09 AM

Back with you Todd after last years false promises.

I've started practicing lesson 1 and will get a video to you on Monday.

I'd like to get your thoughts on my seated playing posture to see if we can get that better and through that get my body more relaxed

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 20 2014, 06:05 AM

Welcome back Soldier!!!! Great to see you back in the fight!!!!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 21 2014, 08:06 PM

Here you go Todd, I did it a little tighter in practice but it is what it is.

I was reading some of your comments to other students and I'm trying out the classical position, it's still new to me, but I am seeing some benefits.

150bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 22 2014, 01:59 AM

WELCOME BACK TO THE FIGHT SOLDIER!!!!!! It's good to see you get your hands dirty!!! No muss, no fuss, back to the KILL BOX!!!!

Let's debrief!!!

Soldier, I can tell that your time away from the range was well spent. Your playing here is tight, spot on, aggressive and outright mean!!!! Point by point then....

MEDAL OF HONOR

1.)Clean Strikes
2.)Even Pacing and Progression
3.)Blitzkried Precision/Speed.

In short Soldier, you just......

!!!!!!!LEVELED UP!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPER CONGRATS SOLDIER!!!!

You are officially back on the WAR PATH!!! Keep going!!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 25 2014, 09:27 AM

Hey Todd I've been working on Lessons 2 and 3. Left hand and arm tension is really apparent down at the lower frets, especially with Lesson 2 being on the low E.

Here's a pic, can you see anything I can do to improve posture to help relax that arm?

I know my thumb collapses down there too

http://s113.photobucket.com/user/MattKid_2006/media/Picture2_zpsabb05113.jpg.html

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 25 2014, 12:31 PM

An interesting turn of events.

Chatting to one of the guys that works at the gym about my tension problem and he brought over a member who is a bouncer and stick fighter, who showed me a stretching exercise for the shoulder, elbow and wrist, when it was my turn to try it my lack of mobility in those areas was really obvious, so we've found at least one reason for the tension and more importantly a way forward!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 25 2014, 11:15 PM

Good man!!! The more stretching the better!! Are you doing my "Warm Up Stretches" before each mission and before each practice? They are the ones we do before each Sat/Sunday Lesson? If not, ADD THESE IN!!!!!!

Also, it looks like you are sitting "Side Saddle". With your guitar on your right leg. This creates unwanted tension on the hand/wrist in certain positions as you've noticed. Which is why I suggest attacking these missions in "Classical Position" with your guitar sitting on your LEFT leg and with your left leg elevated about 8-10 inches off the ground using any means available. I use a guitar foot stool. But books work fine too. This position alleviates that tension you are feeling

Between the stretches and sitting in proper position with your foot elevated you should see a HUGE difference and get a bump up in terms of your playing!!!!!

Here is Chris Broderick from Megadeth sitting/playing classical.

Todd

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 26 2014, 06:28 AM

Hi Todd, even as a gym rat I'm very lax when it comes to stretching and at my ripe old age, I think it's starting to show. I will start doing your stretching warm ups before I play.

That picture is me in 'classical position' maybe I need to raise my left leg more, I currently put it on my sub woofer which is about 6 inches high. I'll send my wife out to get a footstool today.

I think your finger stretches will help a lot as no sooner do I go for a tone interval and even worse 2 tones, then with my small fingers my hand is just one big wad of tension.

I used to blame small fingers for the reason I can't play fast, but those pesky asian kids took that one away from me!

I'm working 2 12.5 hr shifts this weekend, but I'll get a video up for you on Tuesday to show you where I am with lessons 2 and 3

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 29 2014, 04:03 PM

Much more relaxed!

Here are lessons 2 and 3 at 100bpm,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 30 2014, 05:58 AM

That's some fine playing Soldier!! I think your new approach is paying off!! So much of playing is based in the stance and how much/little tension is employed. Much like the fighting stance in Kung Fu or the Sword stance of the Samurai. If the initial stance is off, everything is off as well.

Your overall form is much improved and your level of tension is better as well A bit of stretching before hand and sitting in proper position will do wonders! Did you get your foot stool BTW? Having the right foot elevated really helps things.

The big secret is that you are trying to find a seated position that is as close as possible to your standing playing position. That way you don't have to learn to play things twice! If you sitting and standing positions are vastly different, you have to learn to play everything two ways. Sitting and standing.

One tip. Your right position. I notice you drift up towards the low E when playing on the low E then drift higher when playing higher strings. Try to develop a "center strategy" where your hand is roughly centered on the bridge and doesn't move up and down, but instead your hand tilts/pivots as needed. That way you don't lift up and lost control of your string muting.

But on to the DEBRIEF!!!!

MEDAL OF HONOR
1.)Vastly Improved Technique and Position
2.)Very Clean Strikes and Fretting
3.)Consistent Speed/Precision

In short Soldier, you just.......

We don't usually take two levels at once, but you earned it!!! ONWARD!!!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Aug 7 2014, 08:39 AM

Hey Todd I'll have another video for you this weekend. Lesson 4 I've got up to 105bpm with 16th notes, but I want to try and push it a little farther (I know I have it in me!) I'm also using this lesson's structure for the other 2 common shapes of 2 tones and tone- semi tone, for a bit of variation during my practice

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 9 2014, 05:35 AM

Glad to hear it Soldier! Keep in mind, I'm more concerned with PRECISION than speed!! After all, "Speed is a byproduct of precision" as they say Worry about the precision, and the speed will take care of itself.

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Aug 31 2014, 12:04 PM

I promise a video tomorrow, I haven't been slacking I have just found with this lesson I can do it at 100 bpm but my 105 is sometimes ok sometimes with extraneous string noise and sometimes shockingly bad. Definitely this is my speed limit AT THE MOMENT. I refuse to set it in concrete.

It's also been interesting to be practising on my other guitars, a Tele with higher action and a Les Paul. The feel is different with each but doesn't affect my abilities once I adjust to them

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 31 2014, 06:18 PM

Good to hear you FIGHTING HARD!! Don't let the guitars dictate your playing, as you have found out Soldier, YOU are the mast of the fretboard during battle. YOU set the tone, no matter what axe you are playing!! I look forward to your new MISSION!!! Don't overpractice though as I may have you run the mission again if I see something that needs adjustment. I'd say shoot what you have! I can make a critique and let you know what to change or if it's time to move to the next FIGHT!!

SARGE

Posted by: PosterBoy Sep 1 2014, 07:13 PM

What a doofus I am

I've been practice a half tone whole tone shape all this time. Anyway here it is, I'll do lesson 4 correctly with the whole tone half tone now.

I look forward to you feedback regardless



Here's a quick lesson 4 attempt at 90bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 1 2014, 11:17 PM

NICELY DONE SOLDIER!!!!! Your picking and right hand position is making great gains. I can see blood on the fretboard!! I'm gonna put you on a SPECIAL DUTY mission soldier, I can see that you've got these chops down pat, I wanna push you a bit harder!!!

Take one more vid, do either finger position you like, whichever is more workable and DOUBLE PICK (pick each note twice) so slow down the metronome until the lick starts to come together. I think your ready for this!!!

SARGE

Posted by: PosterBoy Apr 18 2016, 09:47 AM

AWOL for a year and 7 months. I came to what I think is a big tension problem for my fretting hand and therefore preventing progress in speed and other areas of technique.

So I thought what's the best place to break things down into simple chunk like pieces to help focus on this whilst progressing in other areas so as not to get bored. Yep Todd's bootcamp!

Here's a video showing where I think my problem lies.

I have a collapsing thumb, someone else noticed it collapses more on strings 1,2 and 3 when I pull my elbow back instead of letting my wrist rotate. I also notice going up the neck my thumb drags behind my fingers rather than staying parallel with my index and middle finger. I don't put too much pressure on my neck from my thumb but I do notice my hand tenses more with the thumb collapsed.

I am trying to rectify my posture too, bringing the guitar in more to the body and looking less at my fretboard so I don't angle the guitar body towards the ceiling.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 18 2016, 08:37 PM

Try playing THUMBLESS! We do this all the time in Vid chat. Sit in classical position and pull the guitar toward you with your right arm and lift your thumb OFF the neck. This prevents the tension issues that so many folks face, including me Then later, you can lay your thumb back down just as a guide, not as a fulcrum.

P.S. Angling your guitar toward the celing is a bit ok Sort of 45 degrees is fine or there abouts.

GIve it a try and let me know!
Todd

Posted by: PosterBoy Apr 19 2016, 04:50 PM

Its a weird feeling not having the thumb there, but it does show how little pressure is needed to fret notes.

Another interesting thing, doing lesson 4 double picked was causing me lots of picking issues where I really felt I was fighting the string and it felt awkward changing strings, then I remembered the Cracking the code videos of the downward pick slant and that makes it so much easier.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 19 2016, 05:26 PM

Bingo!! It will help retrain your hand a bit to focus on the finger tips and not focus on the thumb as a fulcrum to create pressure. Using the thumb for counter pressure can cause tension problems in the hand and eventually lead to something called "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" which is awful. Your arms hurt all the time and you have to take a six month break from guitar. I had it happen Then I developed the thumbless technique to prevent it happening again.

The pick slant is really helpful. Also, the way you hold the pick is important. Try to "choke up" on the pick so that only the tip is extending from your fingers. Also, I'd suggest a stiff pick so that "pick flex" doesn't ruin your precision. Also, I"d suggest a SHARP pick, like the DUNLOP SHOP or JAZZ series or really any sharp/pointy pick. This will help reduce the amount of pick that has to pass over the string and can make string traverse much easier. All just suggestions of course, and your mileage may vary, but I"ve seen all these things help people quite a bit Which is why I keep suggesting them.

Todd

Posted by: PosterBoy Jun 27 2016, 10:04 AM

Hey Todd I've just quit my church worship team, so much more time for meaningful guitar practice. I think playing with guys that don't take musicianship seriously (the balance between musicianship and spirituality stuff was way off) and playing uninspiring music didn't give me much motivation to get my own act together.

Now I'll have a big ol' hole in my life to fill with awesome technique and creative playing, and hopefully get some songs composed and recorded, but we'll see I know what I'm like at the start of a new chapter and what happens when life starts getting in the way!

Posted by: PosterBoy Jun 27 2016, 10:38 AM

Sorry for the bad audio quality the position of my speakers in relation to my webcam mic is as far from optimal as it gets, but it's quicker recording like this than to use Sony Vegas and sync audio and video together.

So way back when... you asked me to practice lesson 4 again but this time double picked.

Things I learnt were when going from an up pick on a higher (pitched) string to a down pick on a lower string, a down slant on the pick makes things much smoother, this is something I watched in Cracking the code, but when you actually put it into practice it really makes sense.

This is at 103 bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 28 2016, 04:24 AM

Welcome Back Soldier!! Great to see you on the FIELD OF BATTLE again!!! Let's debrief!!

First off, this is well played. Solid technique, solid timing and you have a really good grasp of DOUBLE PICKING!!!! I started you off doing doubles much earlier than I usually start most folks. I could see some good practice in your playing and thought you could use the challenge Congrats on rising to the occasion!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

1.)Precise Pick Control
2.)Good Palm Mute
3.)Aggressive style and approach

This is not an easy lick and you kept solid pace the entire way up and down the neck. Your alternate picking is quite good and your traverse (moving between strings) is quite good as well. That's part of what makes this lick tough. Soldier, you nailed it!!!

Congrats Soldier, you just ...

Posted by: PosterBoy Jun 28 2016, 12:12 PM

One thing I'm focusing on with lesson 5 is bringing my thumb with me when I move up to the next position on the neck. I have a habit of leaving it trailing behind until it need a movement all of its own to get it back with the rest of my hand and this band habit brings mistakes and tension to my playing. So I'm trying to initiate the movement to the next position with my thumb in a very subtle way as I work on the exercise super slowly.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 28 2016, 09:17 PM

Good plan If you can stand sitting in classical position, instead of side saddle, you can use your arm to hold the guitar in and go "thumbless" (taking your thumb off the neck) which is a technique that I advise everyone to at least try as it helps reset the pressure you are using on your thumb. Most folks use way too much pressure without realizing it.

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 7 2016, 08:57 AM

Here's lesson 5 ascending, I'll send one of me descending the pattern too, I couldn't get a clean enough take this morning

101bpm (as always I do everything in 1/16 notes!)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 7 2016, 09:41 AM

Well fought Soldier!!! Do the heading down version and you have earned your LEVEL UP!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 17 2016, 11:18 AM

I'm not sure why descending gave me so much trouble

Lesson 5 descending 101 bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 18 2016, 07:05 AM

Well fought Soldier!! Descending is tough since there is less than a beat to get your hand in to position and ready for the pick strike. Going up it's almost like sliding in to position, going down, it's more like having to find and then plant in to position. The good news is I see blood on the frets!

Let's Debrief!!!!


MEDALS OF HONOR

1.)Precise picking control
2.)Tight palm mute
3.)Spiff right/left hand synch

You are killing it Soldier!! I think it's time for MISSION 6!!! These will get harder as you go and I"ll require more from you so reload and go for it!

BTW you just LEVELED UP!!!!!!

Congrats Soldier, you just ...

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 23 2016, 12:19 PM

Todd you said you'd require more and more from me as the levels go up, but I think I require more of myself, so with each lesson I try and take the main object of the lesson and expand on it to get the most out of it I can

With Lesson 6 I came up with this expansion of the lick (see pdf) nothing groundbreaking but nice to try a couple other shapes and to realise when another string comes into play how much the difficulty goes up and the speed must come down!


Here's a rough video of the expanded exercise at 130bpm, excuse the overreach on the first bar!!, I'll post up the proper lesson video at a faster tempo in the next day or so.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 23 2016, 11:26 PM

Nice!! That's sorta the entire end point of all this, is to get you to be able to use this stuff in a musical context. So super well done on that Otherwise, all of this is just pointless imho. It looks like you have a good grip on the MISSION. In light of your obvious ability, I'd like to see (if possible) an example of "Multi picking" on your next MISSION VID in addition to the lick as posted. So play the lick as posted at any speed that is comfy, then "Double Pick" the lick. All this means is that for every single note in the original, pick it twice for the duration of the lick.

There are TWO VERSIONS of the lick in Mission 6 so you need to show both versions as posted. Also, you'll need to show double picking versions of both licks. For the second version of the lick as posted, it alternates between two strikes on the 11th fret and one strike on the pedal tone. If you "Double" this, you get 4 strikes on the 11th fret and 2 strikes on the pedal tone. This may confuse your fingers at first, but they should adapt quickly. If this becomes a huge sticking point (some folks just find it difficult) let me know in your mission post and just do the two versions of the lick as posted.

I'm stoked to see you taking these and making them your own and using them in a Musical way. Score!!!!

Sarge

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 1 2016, 06:25 PM

I wanted to follow up to see how the double picking was going? I know it can be a big hurdle. Let me know if I can help

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Sep 29 2016, 05:05 PM

Here we go. I had trouble getting the right time signature for the 2nd exercise double picked so it does sound a little weird to my ears.

Lesson 6 double picked at 140 bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 30 2016, 10:11 AM

ONGRATS SOLDIER!!!! Your hard work is continuing to pay off!!!!!


MEDALS OF HONOR

1.)Tight hand synch (This Mission requires serious hand synch)
2.)Smooth looping (Timing is spot on especially in the first vid
3.)Precise pick control (No way around it, pick control is required to play this and you got it!)

Now this is what I'm talking about!! You nailed the mission and then nailed it on DOUBLE PICKING!! Well played and well fought soldier!!! You are ready for MISSION 7!!!!

Congrats Soldier, you just ...

Posted by: PosterBoy Oct 5 2016, 10:14 AM

Todd

On lesson 7 do you add another note to the pattern at the end (B string 14 fret) to make it feel more completed and give 18 notes to the pattern?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 7 2016, 04:47 AM

That would certainly work and make it more symmetrical Good call!!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Nov 10 2017, 09:26 AM

Yet again I'm back after over a year of being AWOL.

This is where I am with lesson 7 @ 100bpm my fingers seem to be fatiguing quite quickly at this speed

Posted by: PosterBoy Nov 10 2017, 07:45 PM

Dear God, look at that pinky flapping about like it thinks it's a flag!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 11 2017, 02:54 AM

NICE IBBY!!!! You start out really strong on this!! It gets a pinch wonky after a few bars but I think you've got the lick down!! Don't worry about pushing the speed on this, it's more important to play with precision than play fast. As you work through these, you'll notice that speed just happens almost by itself the further you dig in to the Missions. Also, once you know these licks/drills, you can play them on solos and in warmup so you have as long as you need to get them up to speed. For Bootcamp, I just need to see good form. You have great form on the first part of this and if you would have edited out the rest I'd have never known!! But I appreciate the effort and honesty. Back off just a pinch and you'll have this licked.

You've got all the production elements down. Video/Audio/Synch/metronome, it's all there. That's half the battle. Just being able to produce vids with the elements in them. So kudos there!! Keep your rig "hot" and ready if you can so that it's ready for you when you are ready for it. I keep mine in sleep mode so I can just tap space bar and record.

You have good form here but I fear you may be tensing a but much in your left arm due to the speed. It's tough to relax at speed, takes a bit of practice. Once way to force your hand to NOT tense is to use the THUMBLESS TECHNIQUE! Just take your left thumb off the neck. It makes you press with just the finger tips and prevents your hand from clamping hard which causes fatigue. Let me know if this helps!

Todd

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 11 2017, 08:24 PM

I'm going to hold QUICK LICKS #3 for another week to give you a shot at it. It's a great lick and a great pull off drill in one here is a link!

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=58674&view=findpost&p=753628

Todd

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 30 2017, 10:23 PM

Happy Holidays Soldier!! I hope you have a great new year as well! I watched your vid again and I think you are probably ready to do your MISSION TAKE on #7 whenever you get the chance. Looking forward to it!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jan 2 2018, 10:35 AM

Hey Todd

I think if I make one new years resolution it is to stay focussed. So I am going to focus on the bootcamp and record one video a week. Other things can come and go from my practice sessions but I will make this my mainstay.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 4 2018, 02:03 AM

Sounds like a plan Soldier!! Here's to a killer 2018!!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jan 13 2018, 01:54 PM

I can fairly comfortably do this bpm with minimal warm up, but 5 bpm faster and I still run into some trouble after a few cycles

This is using Bias FX rather than my Axe Fx, it feels like I'm being unfaithful!!!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 13 2018, 10:54 PM

WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!!! This is what I like to see!! I dig how you took the Drill and made it in to something musical, something your own. Nice!!!!!! Let's Debrief!!!

MEDALS OF HONOR
*TiGHT AS A DRUM!: Your hand synch is TIGHT! No drift, no rush, no lag, perfect lock step!

*GETTING LOOPY!: Found a loop point and kept in the groove the entire time. Nice!

*GETTING PICKY!: Your Picking is spot on here, precise, and controlled.

You are making it look to easy Soldier!!! The good news is that crazy bits are coming your way Soldier!! Lean in to it!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jan 14 2018, 04:57 PM

I've started on Lesson 8 and trying to push the tempo upwards!!!
Also giving myself some extra work by doing the lick in the original position, up 12 frets and also over on the G and B string to get that pesky rolling finger action going.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 14 2018, 07:23 PM

Keep in mind Soldier, ZERO points for Speed! Only for precision. You'd be better off spending one hour each on 5 Missions than 5 hours making one mission faster. Onward!

Sarge

Posted by: PosterBoy Jul 13 2018, 08:37 PM

So Todd yet again I'm back tail between my legs.

A lot has been and is going on in my life, my wife and I are separating and I'm getting counselling to sort some issues out.
But this is a place of happiness and guitar and I need to add some structure to my life so enough of that.

Rather than keep creating a pressure on myself and create a losing environment where I make the lessons harder trying to get the most mileage out of them. I'm just going to do them as prescribed

So here is lesson 8, at 105 bpm not taking it up 12 frets or doing it on a different string set (although doing those did pose interesting problems to tackle but another time for that)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 14 2018, 05:07 AM

NAILED IT!!!!! I'm glad to hear you are adopting this approach. I"m reminded of a post I just made for another GMCer about the very same thing. I"ll share it here as it applies directly.-------
It's more important that you keep moving forward than get too stuck on any one drill or lesson or mission. I know this goes against the grain of your natural instincts, but it's something that's worth spending mental energy to try to address IMHO. In the long run, learning new things and maintaining a general forward direction is the most important thing. Repetition happens along the way as time progresses. I know it's tempting to want to reach a level of mastery on something before moving on to something else, but I've seen that instinct eat many players alive and spit them out as burned out husks. Once you have a given drill/bit/sequence down, head toward the next one and just put the ones you know on repeat during warm up, practice, cool down, whenever you can toss one in.

It's a long road after all. Momentum is important. It's easy to lose momentum when one gets too focused on a given chunk of notes. In the thousands of repetitions of various chunks of notes to come, things will smooth out in their own good time.-----
Sometimes it feels like you have to almost force yourself to let go of something in order to reach for the next thing. That too is something that takes practice, and repetition in order to get good at it. It feels wrong at first. It feels better as you go. Keep going Let's Debrief!!!...
MEDALS OF HONOR

*SYNCH: Hand synch is very good here. If your hand synch is sloppy on this bit, it will show. There are no gaps, no extra spaces, each note is right next to each other note. This is to make it easy to tell if there are issues with hand synch. Good news. No issues!!

*PACE: Smooth!!!! It's easy to rush or drag this one based on which parts feel easier vs which parts feel more difficult. This is where the "no gaps" thing comes in to to play again and the steady marching of notes. It's easy to hear any rush/lag. More good news, none heard!
*MUTE: This drill has constant string traverse. If you are sloppy on your mute, you get unwanted string noise. Yet more good news, no string noise!
You've got this one down Soldier. You are ready to move on!!!! In other words you just...
LEVELED UP!!!
WELCOME BACK SOLDIER!!

Posted by: PosterBoy Aug 4 2018, 01:45 PM

Pretty pleased that without a warm up I had this at 105 bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 4 2018, 07:27 PM

Look at him go!!! Well fought Soldier!!! This is a great one for finding out of your hand synch is going to drift once you start marching your way up the neck. The good new is that your synch stayed solid all the way!! Let's debrief!!!!..
MEDALS OF HONOR
*SYNCH: Hand synch is critical in this one. It's easy to lose synch during string traverse and during fret traverse. Not so with you Soldier!!
*PINKY POWER: Some folks end up using the first three fingers for licks like this. It's good to see you using the PINKY to full advantage!!!

*MUTE: Since this involves constant string/fret traverse, keeping string noise to a minium is key. Nailed it!!!
You made short work of this one Soldier!! You are more than ready for what lies ahead!!! Onward!!!In other words, you just ...
LEVELED UP!!!

Sarge

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Posted by: PosterBoy Jun 15 2021, 04:01 PM

Your most inconsistent Soldier is back

I do need to arrange a private lesson with you to go over my many technique problems

I picked up where I left off and it's my tiny pinky that's causing the most problems with this one, trying to create an arch to avoid touching the higher strings, as soon as I'm concentrating on that I f*&k up.

Here's a warts an' all example

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 16 2021, 11:11 PM

Well Fought Soldier! This one is not easy as it requires a LOT of pinky power. I applaud your work here despite of a non paul gilbert pinky! You might try lighter strings, I use 8 gauge and lowering your action as much as possible. Also this lick is tougher lower on the neck and much easier higher on the neck. Feel free to move a lick around if it's not working where I set it. The goal is to get you to play the lick and it's fine to play it in a different spot. It will still work all the muscles and techniques.

You got this one. You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

Onward
Sarge