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Posted by: Lian Gerbino Apr 29 2010, 11:14 PM

well Chris, we going to continue our MTP here for the next 4 assignments.
As we agreed before, we will focus on technique this time, so I chose the following lesson for you.

Assignment 1:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/little-finger-work-out/

we going to work on two things mainly:
Alternate Picking, and fingers independence.
feel free to ask any question about this.

also, we gonna change something. after you complete the 4 assignments I will ask you for the following lesson for your last take, the one you have to upload to the REC Program.

GOAL FOR REC PROGRAM:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Metal_Patterns_1/

you already told me that you've been working on this one, so, I think we can expect better results if you keep practicing it until you have to recorded it.

have fun!

Posted by: Gitarrero Apr 29 2010, 11:23 PM

Puh, this is going to be difficult (by the looks of it)!
Shall I do the first assignment at full speed (100 bpm) or will a lower bpm rate do at first? I'll just try and practice it regularly (daily?) and see what speed I can achieve.
I must admit I'm a bit intimidated by the thought of having to record the Meatal Patterns lesson at full speed in 4 weeks, as of now I can only do it at a rate of 150 bpm. But I'll do all I can!
These lessons will be challenging yet fun for me

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Apr 30 2010, 06:06 PM

about the first assignment: let's find out in which tempo you are more comfortable, something challenging ok? ah, remember that in this time we are focusing on technique development. so it's more important a clear and tight take at slower tempo, than something messy at full speed. so, go on step by step and have fun with the practice.

Posted by: Gitarrero May 4 2010, 08:45 PM

Hi Lian,
I'm pretty frustrated right now! I treid to record the little finger lesson at 60 bpm today and totally failed...though I practiced it daily! This take is the 16th (!!) I made today, my fingers were already really exhausted and I messed it up in the end, but still I'd like to show you what I've achieved so far.
Unfortunately, my DAW didn't record the metronome...
After that I tried to master the Metal Patterns at 160 bpm (with a metronome as well), I missed a few notes, but still I'd like to show what I can do as of now. I practiced the Patterns daily as well.
As I said, I'm a bit frustrated because I already did better in the last days, but today when it comes to recording I just blew it...I'll keep practicing!

Little finger at 60 bpm:


Metal Patterns at 160 bpm:



See ya!

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 7 2010, 04:56 PM

man! do not feel frustrated! they both were great take. remember you are learning, not in a competition!

about the first take: as you said, there's a few mistakes here and there. but nothing really important man.
one thing you have to keep in mind in this kind of practice: relax yourself, massage and stretch your fingers after a while of practice. this will allow you to practice during more time, and you won't get exhausted.
one of the thing I wanted to see in this lesson, is how your fingers work in scales, and how flexible they are to have an idea of your current level. so, this was very good. your fingers are working great, no big problems about technique. and your right hand looks a bit better too.
keep practising this lesson one or two times every day, as a warming up exercise and then go for the assignment 2.

about take two: very well done! is far better than the little finger etude! there are also a few wrong notes, but, basically it was freat.
I think you will get it at full speed soon. I will add the BT asap.

well, I will come back with the assignment 2 in a while!

Posted by: Gitarrero May 8 2010, 12:38 PM

Hi Lian, I'm glad you liked the two takes. I've been practicing the little finger etude in the last few days again and sometimes it was almost flawless...of course without recording.
My goal for this week is to master the patterns at 170 or even 180, I will then make a recording with the BT (by the way, can you send it to me? with 1800 bpm please...)
Looking forward to the next assignment!

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 13 2010, 03:35 PM

well, since you will keep practising the metal patterns lesson which contains Alternate Picking technique, now we'll focus a bit on some Legato.
I found this etude pretty interesting,so I hope you like it as well.

Assignment 2:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Symphonic_Legato_Workout/

have fun practising!

Ps: I didn't forget the Bt, I will upload asap

Posted by: Gitarrero May 17 2010, 08:19 PM

Hi Lian,
sorry for being a bit late with my reaction, a good friend of mine got married on saturday and I was his best man, so there were lots of things to do in the days before...
Really cool lesson, I have already been practicing some legato stuff, I'm still a bit clumsy when it comes to that. But I'll practice this etude slowly and will post the first result on thursday.
By the way, have you seen my SI lesson? What do you think of it?
Congrats again for moving in to your girlfriends place, I hope I can do that too this year (well, to my gf's place, not yours )
See ya!

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 19 2010, 06:43 PM

there's no problem with delay man and I hope you had enjoyed the celebrations.
I was busy too with the moving, so I had no time to check you SI lesson out. so, I will do it right now

cya!

Posted by: Gitarrero May 19 2010, 08:31 PM

Hi Lian, hope you liked the SI lesson? I mean, you already knew it, I just added cymbals...
About the legato etude, I'm having trouble recording it or even playing it over an amp. The finger movement seems okay, but I think I lack some strength as the notes sound really weak when I do pull-offs and hammer-ons. I cranked the gain up, but the sound gets way too noisy. It works a bit better when I turn the volume up, but still it sounds so weak when I record it.
Do you have any advice for me on this?

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 19 2010, 09:52 PM

yes, I already knew about the tune for your SI lesson, but now I saw all the work you have done! congrats! I left a comment on the SI thread.

well, if you are using the pick for the first note and then you play hammer ons and pull offs. this first hit with your pick must be soft. if you hit the string hard, you will get more volume on the first note and then all the notes will sound slower than the first one.
also, find a palm muting position to block that unwanted noise, even if you are not using your R-hand at all.
as you may know, the hammer ons are far easier than the pull offs, so pay attention and train every finger with this technique and keep the fingers relaxed and stretched and add some massage after practice 'cause this technique can make you feel tired soon.

hope this is what you are needing, if it's not. feel free to explain me more deeply what is going on there.

cya!

Posted by: Gitarrero May 20 2010, 03:42 PM

Hi Lian,
yes, that was exactly the kind of advice I needed! I was hitting the first note very hard to get some loudness going on, but it works so much better the way you described.
Anyway, I made this recording at 70 bpm, it works out okay on the 3 high strings but then I kinda fail...especially my attempt on the A and E string is kinda embarassing
I actually think I need to build up some finger strength...my hands really sore right now, maybe I can make another try at recording later today.
But, I've made good progress on the patterns lesson and am now able to play it at 180 bpm, so the BT would be really nice! My goal for next week will be to master it at 200 bpm so I can submit a decent rec take the week after that.
Unfortunately, I am not allowed to start a new MTP round with you right away, but we can finish our third month and then I'll have to wait for the next round. But this mtp is not over yet!
So, lots of talking...here is the video:

Posted by: Gitarrero May 26 2010, 06:00 PM

Hi Lian,
this is my next try, this time only at 60 bpm, but I think it's cleaner than before. I practiced it almost daily (though I had a busy schedule the last days) but I think it will take much longer to develop more finger strength.
I've also practiced the other to assignments of this month and I've made great improvements! The little finger etude works pretty good now, and I am finally able to play the metal patterns at 200 bpm, but with still too many mistakes. But it feels almost comfortable at 180 bpm now, so I'd love to have the backing track
I think we have to speed up our MTP, although Chris told me we can finish in whatever time we need. But it seems like you're getting a bunch of new students next week...I hope you'll still have time for the next two assignments of this month and the 4 assignments for the third month.
Anyway, here is the video now:

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 27 2010, 09:44 PM

well Chris, this is far better than the first take. you looks more relaxed and more comfortable with this technique.
hammer ons have improved a lot, not the same with pull offs, they need more work.
so, I suggest you, to keep this lesson as daily practice and let me know through more vids how this technique is going.
as I told you, I'm getting a webcam to be able to do some video-lessons on the chat room, so there I gonna show you how I play this technique, and this will help you a lot. til then, keep practising this lesson daily.

I will come back with the next assignment in a while.
btw, I added the Bt for the Metal Patterns above.

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 27 2010, 10:11 PM

well, this gonna be your next assignment. it's quite rocker, sorry for that , but here the technique is well focused, so I think this one will be a good lesson to work on.
we spent a week or so more on legato and then we'll come back to picking stuff

have fun!

Assignment 3:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/hammer-ons_and_pull-offs_for_beginners/

Posted by: Gitarrero May 30 2010, 07:45 AM

Hi Lian,
I really like this lesson and it already works much better than the one before I will still practice it a few days longer and submit a video on tuesday. And I like the fact that it's a rocker
I focused mainly on my hammer-ons in the last video as I was not so happy with them in the one before, but you're right, now it's time to focus on the pull-offs.
Oh, is the BT for the patterns on full speed? Sounds so...could you also send me the 180 and 200 bpm version, so I can submit a video by tuesday? Thanks!

Posted by: Lian Gerbino May 31 2010, 04:39 PM

cool, it's great you like the lesson.
I will upload the bts at 180 and 200 btm asap.
have fun!

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 1 2010, 10:01 PM

Hi Lian,
here is my take of the hammer-ons and pull-offs lesson at 100 bpm. I requested the full-speed BT but haven't got it, yet.
I think I was having a bad or something today, as I had some trouble playing this lesson at full speed. I was able to do it on sunday, but today it just won't work...anyway.
I tried to focus on the pull-offs today, but they still sound so weak. I've got a question concerning this topic: I once read that you have to make a downward movement with the finger you are pulling of, while the other finger already frets the next note. In the video it seems like Stephane is pulling of one finger and simultaneously hammering on with the other finger (do you get what I mean?). I tried both techniques, I think the pull-offs sound stronger when I already fret the next note, but sometimes it is just not possible because of the quick string changing...I hope you understand my problem here.
It's about time you get that new webcam and show me this stuff in the chat
btw, I'm also doing a bass MTP with Bogdan now, obviously this is allowed, so I'll be able to create some great songs in the near future. My Scorpions-ballad lesson will most likely be finished on sunday, so I'll send you the first version of it on sunday afternoon.
Lots of talking again...but that's just me
Here's the video:

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jun 2 2010, 03:14 PM

It's a very good take man I think you've improved a lot on this technique but yes, the pull offs are still a bit weak. Keep practising them every day, include them into your routine and in time you will get it.
Would be great a take at full speed with the bt to upload it to the rec program.
About the technique: Yes, there is something you can do while pull offs which, it's too difficult to explain for me LOL, it's something like a pinch (?) I dunno if the word "pinch" works well here, but I hope you get me or just wait to the video chat XD.
There's not an ultimate word on how to do it. Once you are getting the technique, and feel comfortable with, you'll find many ways to do it in order to get: Different sounds, more volume, less volume, less Luthor (kidding LOL) well, you got me... I hope

Can't wait to listen to your Scorpions-ballad lesson! ... Sunday? That sounds awesome! have fun and good luck!

I'm uploading BTs and preparing your last assignment for this phase!
Cya!

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 3 2010, 04:14 PM

Man, just my kind of (stupid) humor!

Glad you liked my take, I just got the BT from Stephane and will make a video for the rec take within the next days. I'm at my girlfriends place right now until sunday, that means I'll have to use my Strat to record. The action is rather high on this guitar, maybe this helps with the pull-offs (sometimes I get that feeling).
Looking forward for the next assignment!
See ya
Christian

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jun 3 2010, 09:41 PM

well here we are. the next assignment is this one.
I'm only need you play the 2 first exercises, the sweeping ones.
this is not that easy as it looks, so, pay attention on the fingers you have to use, and find a good tempo you can play it well and fluent. it's not important to shred it.
also, here we are adding some sweeping for your right hand, so we'll see how it works.

have fun!

btw, have you seen the bts above right?
Assignment 4:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/finger-independence-IV/

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 3 2010, 10:18 PM

Hi Lian,
yeah, I've seen the BTs and am gonna record a take at 180 bpm tomorrow. Cool new lesson, I think I'm gonna record a first take tomorrow as well, it works out pretty well already. But I'm not sure if my sweeping technique is right...
See ya!
Christian

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jun 3 2010, 10:39 PM

cool! looking forward them!

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 4 2010, 12:29 PM

Hi Lian,
here are my first takes of the finger independence exercise. I recorded it at 70 bpm, left-hand-wise I could have done it a bit faster, but I really focused on my right-hand technique, so the left hand kinda suffered from that...I'm not sure, is my sweeping technique right? I played a bit with the pick angle to create a fluent motion. but I don't have a clue if I've done it correctly.
Oh, and I did a first record of my Scorpions lesson, there are still a few wrong notes in it and I need to brush up the second part of the solo, but I'd really like to hear your opinion on it. I had to record it with my Fender Stratocaster, so the sound is not that aggresive and sometimes out of tune (especially in the picking part). Really need to work on the set-up of that guitar.
Anyway, here are the videos and the first try of my hard rock ballad/Scorpions-style SI lesson (yes, you guys who follow this thread silently may also download it )

Edit: First video is completely out of sync, I don't know why. It works completely normal on my computer. Must be a youtube error, I've uploaded it three times now...

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 4 2010, 09:37 PM

Hi Lian,
here we go with the Patterns at 180 bpm. I'm gonna shoot a few more videos of this exercise at 180 and 200 bpm this weekend, just wanted to show what I can do now. There are a few mistakes, but I think I'm pretty close...I'm pretty good at it when I've played for two hours before, now it's only 15 minutes, but anyway...
Oh, have you noticed? My status just got updated to learning rock star!

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 5 2010, 09:49 PM

Hi Lian,
I got the BT for the hammer-on and pull-off lesson, so here is the result. As I said before, I really need to fix the setup of the guitar (good that Marcus did a lesson on that) as the sound is really bad once I go beyond the 12th fret.
I'll be at my place tomorrow so I can record with my Ibanez guitar again.
See ya!

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 8 2010, 08:38 PM

Hi Lian,
looks like you're really busy at the moment!
Anyway, I recorded myself playing the Patterns at 200 bpm now. I'm still not comfortable with it, and I'm pretty desperate cause I just can't play them at 220...any suggestions?
See ya!

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jun 9 2010, 04:55 PM

well man, both take are good. beside the out of sync of the first vid, it sounds good.
how you felt with this kind or exercise? how you found your fingers, were they hard?
this kind of exercise really helps. I use to play these 2-3 times a week, not for hours but I always include some of these into my warming up routine.
so, I suggest you to keep these exercises close.
the sweeping hand is very good too. it looks cool and efficient so we'll see what happen once you get it and you be able to play this technique faster.





yes, you are! you're pretty close on this one. just a few mistakes on the higher string mostly, and also a tiny timing problem mostly on the last pattern.
well done man! and congrats for the new status!




very very good man! much better than the previous one! it's nice to see you keep practising lessons you already passed. this is so good for you.
not to much to add here, may be you can be more careful with some vibratos on the long notes. you are carrying the string too down. (00.11) per ex.
very good take man!



yes, sorry about it. so busy last days I was (yoda's)
about this take: as the previous one, it's closer, not completely good tho.
it should be clearer. the are some messed notes and some timing problems at the end.
anyway it's very good. just I think you are not comfortable with the tempo yet.
keep practising that's all about.
one tip you can use to increase speed:
let's say you want to play it at 200 bpm, like this last vid. well, once you have warmed up, you give it a try at 200 bpm, then, you give it two tries at 220 bpm. then stretch and come back to 200 bpm. and stretch once again. then repeat this cycle a few times.
of course, you'll find you can't play it at 220 bpm, but this is where the mind make its enter.
after a few cycles, you'll see your mind "understand" the 220 bpm, but still can't play it, but you'll see what happen now with the 200 bpm.
also, it's too important you try to play all the notes, not just do nothing at 220 bpm.
hope this advice helps.


let me congrats about all the hard work you are doing man!!!
I'm now listen to your SI lesson!

Posted by: Gitarrero Jun 9 2010, 08:27 PM

Hi Lian,
cool that you like almost all my takes! Yeah, I really have some more work to do on the patterns...but I'm sure I'll get there soon.
So, what are we going to do now? Is it right that we can only go to the next month's program once I submit the patterns at full speed for the rec program? (Of course, I could do that right now, but it would end badly )
So what do you think about my Scorpions SI so far? I actually submitted the little tune I did for my girlfriend as SI lesson in the style of the Shadows, I'm just waiting for Chris to announce it...
Just want to tell you, I think that I have made great progress in this mtp so far, thanks to your great advice here. I hope there'll be a similar program in the future so that we can work together again, I really like your teaching style! But no need to get sentimental now, we still have one month to go...

Posted by: Lian Gerbino Jun 15 2010, 09:09 PM

hey man, yes... we just close this thread. it was enough work for this phase.
I will open a new thread for the next and final phase.

about your SI lesson, it sounds very cool... I don't know if you already uploaded it or not, since I am answering this a bit late, so anyway, congrats for this new one, and let me tell you that you are doing very useful things with these SI lessons. I think it will encourage many members

well man, thank you so much for take this MTP so seriously. we will continue on a new thread for the last part of our MTP.

keep practising!

Lian!