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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Pentatonic Workshop
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jun 26 2014, 09:30 AM
Hi all,
I am back to GMC, greetings to all of you (I saw few new instructors and few new people on the forum).
Has any of you studied the Penatonic Workshop by Ivan (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-workshop-level1-caged-format-timing-exercises/)?. I am looking for some comments on it or suggestions on similar lessons.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Carmine
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 26 2014, 02:38 PM
Hi Carmine! Welcome back to GMC!
That's a great series of lessons to learn the shapes and how to use Pentatonic scale and let me say that mastering this scale will mean a great thing for your playing, it's the most used scale in blues, rock, pop and metal. It's easy to remember and also to apply over backing tracks.
If you want to get into this scale even more, I recommend you to check our Blues Guitar Theory guide where you will find all the things you need to know to play blues. You will work on Pentatonics but also blues scale, arpeggios and everything you need to know to play blues.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=50470
By the way, I would like to ask you, what are your next guitar goals? Do you already know any scale?
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jun 26 2014, 06:36 PM
QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Jun 26 2014, 02:38 PM)
By the way, I would like to ask you, what are your next guitar goals? Do you already know any scale?
Hi Gab
thanks for the answer.
I know the pentatonic scale but do not know how to use (it sounds a bit like when in the video Ivan says "Do you play like this...."). Improvising is not on my wish list but it is something I need to know if I want to learn of to play this wonderful instrument. I just play for hobby and just playing few tunes is my aim.
Once again thanks
Carmine
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 28 2014, 01:56 PM
Hello Carmine,
First of all - my suggestion is for you to take a look over Gabi's recommendation in respect to theory. I know you only want to play a few tunes as you say, but you are also saying that you want to know how to use it so, if we regard theory as a foreign language, we must understand the language in order to enjoy the lyrics written and their message, correct?
So after reading through the theory thread, I would take all of Ivan's Pentatonic Workshop lessons and I would slowly go through them with the aid and support of any of us - me, or Gabi, who you prefer
What say you?
Cosmin
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2014, 04:05 PM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jun 26 2014, 02:36 PM)
Hi Gab
thanks for the answer.
I know the pentatonic scale but do not know how to use (it sounds a bit like when in the video Ivan says "Do you play like this...."). Improvising is not on my wish list but it is something I need to know if I want to learn of to play this wonderful instrument. I just play for hobby and just playing few tunes is my aim.
Once again thanks
Carmine
Well, there are many things that we have to work to avoid playing like the video say in the beginning. There are different aspects that can make a solo / improvisation weak:
1) weak/bad technique (TECHNIQUE)
2) playing out of key, this mean that you are not using the correct scale for the progression. (THEORY)
3) playing the scale up and down instead of creating melodies or phrases. (PHRASING & EAR TRAINING)
Each of this 3 points must be worked. The first one, is worked with technique exercise to become better at alternate picking, legato, vibrato, bending, etc. The second one is mastered learning the theory behind scales and tonalities and the third one is worked with practice creating melodies over backing tracks and with ear training (making the connection between mind and fret board smoother).
I recommend you to think and if it's possible write down your weak point for each aspect and then analyze what you could do to improve it. I can help you with it if you want.
Here is an example:
1) techniqueproblem
I'm not good at bending.
solution
working on this bending lesson. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-21-String-Bending/.
2) theory problem
I don't know what pentatonic scale should I play over a progression that includes: Am - Dm - G7
solution
Learning a bit more about Theory behind pentatonic scales, tonalities and chord progressions. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=47852.
3) Phrasing & ear trainingproblem
I feel that I'm playing the scale up and down, there is no music happening.
solution
Learning some pentatonic licks from a GMC lesson, practice them over the backing track and try to create variations to make the licks of my own.
You can also just write down the problems and we can give you possible solutions, just keep us updated.
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jun 28 2014, 09:03 PM
Thanks to both of you.
Got work to do now!
Carmine
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 29 2014, 01:02 PM
Glad to have been able to help Carmine! Keep us posted and we'll surely help out further!
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 29 2014, 07:56 PM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jun 28 2014, 05:03 PM)
Thanks to both of you.
Got work to do now!
Carmine
Great! Keep us updated!
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jun 30 2014, 01:54 PM
1st day at the Pentatonic Workshop.
Trickiest that it seems. triplets and 16th notes not so easy. Anyway, slowing down and patience!
Carmine
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 30 2014, 02:24 PM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jun 30 2014, 09:54 AM)
1st day at the Pentatonic Workshop.
Trickiest that it seems. triplets and 16th notes not so easy. Anyway, slowing down and patience!
Carmine
You said it all: slowing down and patient. That's the key!
Remember to record yourself while you practice to be able to analyze your practice and also to share it with us to give you some feedback.
Keep on the hard work!
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jul 1 2014, 09:26 PM
So,
the lesson is supposed to be played along the video. I noticed I can play much better (and faster), instead, if I do not follow the video but set my metronome (or use the backing track) and go. Looking decrease concentration?
Carmine
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 2 2014, 07:48 AM
You must be an exception, because usually people are far better when they have to play along with an original recording, because the 'safety net' is there - they hear what they have to play and all they have to do is tag along.
Now, whenever you have to play using a backing track or just a metronome click, things become complicated usually, simply because if you haven't had memorized the respective piece properly, you will have trouble feeling it and thus reproducing it.
The best result by far, is the one in which you can play as close to perfection with the backing track - but out of what I understand, you are having trouble tagging along with the original recording. Am I right? If yes, it would be awesome to share a video with us so that we may see how you are faring and if we can further help out
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jul 2 2014, 09:15 AM
Thanks Cosmin
I have trouble just playing following Ivan on the video. I guess watching while playing makes me loosing concentration. Anyway since can play with the backing track or with a metronome I am happy. Just hope this exercises will led me somewhere.
Carmine
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 2 2014, 02:52 PM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jul 2 2014, 05:15 AM)
Thanks Cosmin
I have trouble just playing following Ivan on the video. I guess watching while playing makes me loosing concentration. Anyway since can play with the backing track or with a metronome I am happy. Just hope this exercises will led me somewhere.
Carmine
Well, if you are comfortable playing alone with the backing track and metronome it's ok! That's the main goal after all. However, you must be sure that you are playing the licks without timing or other issues. Sometimes we suggest to play the licks over the instructor playing just to compare rhythm, pitch, expression and other details.
It would be very good for us to see a video of you playing the lesson, is it possible?
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jul 2 2014, 04:55 PM
Gab
sure it is possible but a scale up and down is dull and boring
Carmine
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 2 2014, 10:33 PM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jul 2 2014, 12:55 PM)
Gab
sure it is possible but a scale up and down is dull and boring
Carmine
hehehe don't worry about it!
Keep on practicing the lesson but be sure to work on more musical stuff in parallel. It's not good to use all our practice time for playing things that we consider boring. That first part of the workout is great for learning the shapes and practicing to play them up and down at tempo over metronome, but it's also very important to start working on phrases and musical ideas applying those shapes.
Here you have some examples of lessons you could start practicing:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/lick-construction-class-beginners/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-licks-beginner/
Posted by: Carmine Marotta Jul 2 2014, 10:55 PM
Gab
I was looking for something like this but got lost in all the lessons on the site. Hope I can post a take in the rec with them (will take a while)
Again thanks
Carmine
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2014, 01:11 AM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jul 2 2014, 06:55 PM)
Gab
I was looking for something like this but got lost in all the lessons on the site. Hope I can post a take in the rec with them (will take a while)
Again thanks
Carmine
Great!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jul 3 2014, 07:11 AM
QUOTE (Carmine Marotta @ Jul 2 2014, 08:15 AM)
Thanks Cosmin
I have trouble just playing following Ivan on the video. I guess watching while playing makes me loosing concentration. Anyway since can play with the backing track or with a metronome I am happy. Just hope this exercises will led me somewhere.
Carmine
Hey Carmine, now I understood
Well, when playing with an original recording, you need to focus on your guitar, not look at the video. The idea is to know the piece by heart, so that you won't be needing to look at what the instructor plays. It's clear that it's very difficult to play while also being attentive to look at the video.
Aside from Gabi's suggestions, I think it would be a great thing if you could play with the original recording without looking at the video. Make sure you know the track well and the guitar lines as well, and in that moment you won't feel the need to look at the screen anymore. The key here, is to use your ears
Let me know how it feels, ok?
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