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Posted by: wrk Jan 8 2009, 12:19 PM

Hi OrganizedConfusion

I think we don't have to present each other in detail as we both stick around here since a while. You can call me Andy or wrk, as you like. Maybe you have seen my introduction video (http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=22292&st=20) otherwise feel free to ask.

Introduction

It could be helpful if you can write me down a few lines what you want to focus on. Maybe a list of lessons you have worked on or want to work on in the future, so that i know which sound and style you like. I think based on your uploads and collab entries i have already an idea in which direct your taste goes, but maybe you give me a few hints for future sessions.

The first session is a proposal and is base on an structure i have in mind and practice myself. Let me know what you think and we can adjust this to your liking. We may have to integrate the sylabus list which will come soon, but up to there we can already try some things out.
As a general structure, i was thinking it could be useful to split each session in two parts. A Lesson Part, which will cover basic solo and rhythm topics and an Exercise Part to concentrate on some workouts.

• Part 1 : Lessons (solo/rhythm)
  We will work together on some GMC lessons which will cover different topics and technics. I would suggest we choose lessons with the focus to gain good control of timing, dynamic, bends and vibrato. I will propose in each session a new lessons, but i would like to continue to work on previous lessons over time if you are up to this. A first step is often to get the notes down, but the real work and fun part start after when it comes to optimize timing and add some dynamics. At any point let me know if you have some other lesson ideas. Nothing is more demotivating as to work on something you don't like.
  
• Part 2: Exercises (workouts)
  Some basic left and right hand exercises/workouts. Workouts are often considered as boring, but it is extremely rewarding and you will quickly see some progress. I will keep these exercises small, so you will not need a lot of time to get familiar with them. These exercises we will continue and modify from each session to another. The idea is to build some kind of practice library of different exercises which you could use as warm-ups or to optimize and push further your technic. I try to build this exercises out of existing GMC lessons, but maybe modify or simplify them a bit. Something like a preparation lesson before to attack the real one .

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 8 2009, 12:41 PM

Hey man. Just on way to work on phone. You seem to have a very good plan. I will give you a list of lessons i have done so far on here. Basically so you have an idea my fav genres are jazz, metal and country with a bit of blues thrown. I want to get better at alternate picking, theory and jazz theory and finger picking. I would love to be able to play dire straits songs like sultans of swing. I will be on here a bit less than usual on a thursday because i have band practice for 5 hours but basically i have at least 3 hours a day every other day to practice. so about 18 hours a week. Maybe up to 20. Talk soon mate.

Also im paul or oc. Whatever you fancy lol. Just so you dont need to type organisedConfusion all the time

Posted by: wrk Jan 8 2009, 12:53 PM

Ok Paul, great .. let's fill those 18-20 hours . Have fun in band practice today...



SESSION #1

1 LESSON - Main Part

For today i have chosen Muris's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/phrygian-soloing-beginner/ lesson.

Phrygian sounds scary, but this is not our main focus this time. I think it is a nice sounding solo from Muris. Not too many difficult parts in there. This lesson have a lot of space to concentrate on basics and still play a nice peace of music. Difficulties are in good balance in this lesson.

Bar 1 - 8 : A lot of long notes in the first part, but timing can be tricky.
Bar 9 - 13 : Timing is easier in the second part, but a few more notes to play.

During the complete solo, the bends can be quite a challenge. Verify the pitch of your bends by fretting the notes you want to reach.
Vibrato can add a lot of "life" to this solo, but concentrate first on the points - notes, timing and bends. After make the awesome guitars you have "sing" and add dynamics to the solo. Let me know if you have any difficulties somewhere or if you need some further help.


I recorded a video of this solo to get familiar with this lesson myself. Maybe it's useful as a second reference beside Muris's video. There is a lot to learn on this one for me too as my bends and mostly vibrato needs some serious practice time.





2 EXERCISES - additional part

I will try to prepare from time to time some short videos to make things a bit clearer. I did this for this first session as a kick of. Let me know if this helps you.
I used a drum loop in these videos, it's more fun with drums, but try with a metronome first to evaluate which speed area you will start with and let me know. I will upload then these loops as mp3 files with different steps.

DRUMS 60-80 bpm :  _Drums_60_80.zip ( 10.92MB ) : 240

__________________________________________________________

Legato Exercises (hammer-on/pull-off)



I have developed this exercise to concentration on the left hand only. No picking at all, only hammer-ons and pull-offs with all four fingers.
This exercise is about strengthen each finger and accurate finger placement and timing. The idea is similar to Ian Bushell's http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato-stamina/ lessons, but much more simplified. It's not about speed, it's about accuracy!

I use a dampener in this exercise, something to really mute the strings. We use legato technics with all four finger (including index) and don't have our right hand available to mute the strings. Muting is not the goal here and a dampener is helpful to keep string noise under control. It's an exercise and you want to have your mind free of everything else and only want to focus on to place these four fingers at the right time on the right spot

You need a bit of attack in each finger, but attack does not mean you have to hammer each note like crazy , it should feel more like a reflex. A bit like you give you finger an initial impulse and after the finger is falling down. If this makes any sense (?). I have includes 2 shapes here to use all four fingers. I suggest you to practice each shape on it's own and after concentrate on the transitions between them.

 MTP_ex_Legato_Exercise_2_Strings.gp5 ( 1.85K ) : 184


Goal:

• to strengthen your fingers
• be really accurate with each note (equal to each other)
• keep constant rhythm (most important)

• keeping each stroke really steady, even when you change to the next string
• to learn the switch between 4 picks and 3 picks per note
• up- and down strokes all the time

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 8 2009, 01:42 PM

WOW. Awesome work. That sounds like a great plan for me to work to. I will download the gp5 tabs when I get home from work and I love that Phrygian Solo but I have never tried to tackle it. I did his Lydian lesson I believe. Also his Odd Grooves lesson. Carlos Melodic Solo in G I think it was. I also have done David Wallimanns Slow Pentatonic lesson and Gabriel's John Frusciante Solo 1. I think those are all the ones I have tackled so far I wish I had done more. I will start practicing that Phrygian Solo tonight after band practice and tomorrow and should be able to post a take Friday Night/Saturday Morning. I will also get those exercises in as my warm up before tackling the lesson

To sum up where I'd love to be. I want to be able to play all these songs.

Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing, Romeo and Juliet, Walk of Life and Money For Nothing
Death - Pull The Plug, Symbolic and their version of Painkiller by Judas Priest
Townes Van Zandt - Waitin' Round To Die
Necrophagist - Stabwound
Mahavishnu Orchestra - All of Inner Mounting Flame.

I'd be a very happy person when I could play all of those and that is how far I want to go as a guitarist. I'm not a shredaholic lol Although playing like Jason Becker would be nice

I wish I could get cracking straight after work but I'm practicing with band 5-10 and then will be home for 10.30 to have about 2 hours on it at least

Also don't think you have to constantly update all the time as I am quite fast with practicing and love to do it so I might post responses very quickly. Don't feel you have to come back with new things within hours of me posting lol. I know it takes a long time for you to sort out the lessons and video recording.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 8 2009, 02:10 PM

I just looked at the Beginner Syllabus and I we can stick to that as well as doing this. I will post the progress of week 1 of the MTP Syllabus by a week today (Thursday 15th January). If that is alright by you?

Posted by: wrk Jan 8 2009, 02:36 PM

Yes, the Syllabus just arrived (as a guideline). The areas are quite similar to what i have had in mind. Just the order is a bit different.

Timing : timing will be important for me over all 4 weeks, so try to be careful with this and take your time.
Rhythm : is for sure coming in the next sessions
Workouts : the same, i think it is better to use the complete period to integrate workouts instead to use one week (Week 4) centered on this. Regularly a few minutes instead a few hours in one go.
Solo : a solo needs time in my opinion as it involves a few basic technics. So i still think it's good to start with it as you are not a complete beginner, but it could be great if you can upload a few takes over time and we can discuss the progress and push this each time a bit further.

Do you agree?

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 8 2009, 02:10 PM)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 8 2009, 02:49 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 8 2009, 01:36 PM)

Yes, the Syllabus just arrived (as a guideline). The areas are quite similar to what i have had in mind. Just the order is a bit different.

Timing : timing will be important for me over all 4 weeks, so try to be careful with this and take your time.
Rhythm : is for sure coming in the next sessions
Workouts : the same, i think it is better to use the complete period to integrate workouts instead to use one week (Week 4) centered on this. Regularly a few minutes instead a few hours in one go.
Solo : a solo needs time in my opinion as it involves a few basic technics. So i still think it's good to start with it as you are not a complete beginner, but it could be great if you can upload a few takes over time and we can discuss the progress and push this each time a bit further.

Do you agree?



Hm, this might be too much, i would prefer to concentrate on details as to do a lot of lessons during one month, but if you are up for more, we can easily integrate more. I will help and try to give support where i can ..

Posted by: wrk Jan 8 2009, 02:57 PM

Great, sound like a good plan

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 11:39 AM

Just a quick update mate. The practicing of Phrygian lesson is going well so far. No really tricky parts to be honest but great fun. I hope to get a take up on video when I get home from work later

Posted by: wrk Jan 9 2009, 02:34 PM

Great OC .. thanks for the update!!

phrygian lesson:
If you are already on the level to have the notes down then concentrate on the bends. This can be tricky in this lesson. You have a lot of 1/2 or full bends here. Try to play them as clean and on pitch as possible. Verify the pitch by fretting the notes one or two frets higher.

workouts:
As said, let me know on which speed you will begin with and i will upload you the drum loops.

Have fun and take care ...

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 02:36 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 9 2009, 01:34 PM)

Great OC .. thanks for the update!!

phrygian lesson:
If you are already on the level to have the notes down then concentrate on the bends. This can be tricky in this lesson. You have a lot of 1/2 or full bends here. Try to play them as clean and on pitch as possible. Verify the pitch by fretting the notes one or two frets higher.

workouts:
As said, let me know on which speed you will begin with and i will upload you the drum loops.

Have fun and take care ...

Posted by: wrk Jan 9 2009, 02:45 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 9 2009, 02:36 PM)

.... Bends are what I struggle at so I'm going to try but I think some may be a bit off. I'm getting better at them but you'll see where I'm at I guess when I post later

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 06:51 PM

Hey. Here is my disastrous take lol. I think it may be slightly out of sync. I recorded the take live with the backing on the video but had to put them together at the end so they seem weird.



As you can see I'm bad at ap and bends mostly followed by vibrato, tone and several other bad habits

Hope your ears are ok after

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 07:58 PM

Also here is my take of the first week's lesson as I thought I'd do it whilst waiting for feedback. Again it might be a little out of sync annoyingly. I'm useless at matching them up after recording video. And sorry about the tuning on my guitar. It is playing up at the minute constantly going out when I play the strings. Driving me insane

Posted by: wrk Jan 9 2009, 08:35 PM

Phrygian Lesson - Take #1

Damn OC, thats pretty good !! .. not disastrous at all.
You got this down quite fast. If you are up to we can look at some details and try to work on this a bit more (?)
You will notice the solo will instantly sound much smoother if you apply some easy slide-ins. Marked in the GP file with small letters. Try this maybe on the following notes:

Slides
BAR 1 : slide from Bb to C (3-5)
BAR 1/2 : slide from F to G (6-8)
Bar 4 - legato from Db to C (6-5). you can use slide-down with index or a pull-off with ring to index, as you prefer
BAR 5 - slide from Bb to C (8-10) and from F to G (10-12)

Bend
Then there is this part with the bend. BAR 7 - bend from Eb to F (16full). The bend is off here, but you can easily fix that. The bend has to be played quite quickly which is tricky here. I suggest you following steps to approach this part:

- check the note on the 18 fret. This is the one you want to reach.
- once you have this note in your ears try to bend it from the 16 a full step.
- practice this a few times up to you feel you get this note easily
- after try to combine this bend with these 3 legato notes before and try to make "one movement" out of this.

BAR 9 - 13
You use already the right picking here which is great!
To optimize this, i only can suggest you to play each bar separated as a loop to really get these shapes in your hands and it will sound quickly much more fluid or "secure". The legato exercise i gave you is quite similar and can help you here at least for the first notes of each shape.
The Hi-Hat of the drums are really helpful for the timing, but you got this quite well already. Just listen to the Hi-Hat consciously and everything will move in place automatically


I really didn't expected that you will play this solo already on this level, so give this a bit polish and you will be surprise about the difference.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 08:59 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 9 2009, 07:35 PM)

Phrygian Lesson:

Damn OC, thats pretty good !! .. not disastrous at all.
You got this down quite fast. If you are up to we can look at some details and try to work on this a bit more (?)
You will notice the solo will instantly sound much smoother if you apply some easy slide-ins. Marked in the GP file with small letters. Try this maybe on the following notes:

Slides
BAR 1 : slide from Bb to C (3-5)
BAR 1/2 : slide from F to G (6-8)
Bar 4 - legato from Db to C (6-5). you can use slide-down with index or a pull-off with ring to index, as you prefer
BAR 5 - slide from Bb to C (8-10) and from F to G (10-12)

Bend
Then there is this part with the bend. BAR 7 - bend from Eb to F (16full). The bend is off here, but you can easily fix that. The bend has to be played quite quickly which is tricky here. I suggest you following steps to approach this part:

- check the note on the 18 fret. This is the one you want to reach.
- once you have this note in your ears try to bend it from the 16 a full step.
- practice this a few times up to you feel you get this note easily
- after try to combine this bend with these 3 legato notes before and try to make "one movement" out of this.

BAR 9 - 13
You use already the right picking here which is great!
To optimize this, i only can suggest you to play each bar separated as a loop to really get these shapes in your hands and it will sound quickly much more fluid or "secure". The legato exercise i gave you is quite similar and can help you here at least for the first notes of each shape.
The Hi-Hat of the drums are really helpful for the timing, but you got this quite well already. Just listen to the Hi-Hat consciously and everything will move in place automatically


I really didn't expected that you will play this solo already on this level, so give this a bit polish and you will be surprise about the difference.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 10:48 PM

I think this is possibly worse lol. I practiced it for another hour or so



I always seem to exceed my expectations lol. If only it wasn't going backwards

I have been practicing the legato technique also now a bit and I will add a video to that tomorrow

Posted by: wrk Jan 9 2009, 11:00 PM

I'm proud of you my friend !! You have practiced well today.
I listened to your 2nd take and already can see it is much better and you integrated the suggestions.
A detailed feedback of this take is coming after.

I will give a feedback about the other take (Strumming and Arpeggios lesson) as well, just have to get familiar with this one first

Did you use a metronome for the legato exercise? Which speed is comfortable for you ?

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 9 2009, 11:04 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 9 2009, 10:00 PM)

I'm proud of you my friend !! You have practiced well today.
I listened to your 2nd take and already can see it is much better and you integrated the suggestions.
A detailed feedback of this take is coming after.

I will give a feedback about the other take (Strumming and Arpeggios lesson) as well, just have to get familiar with this one first

Did you use a metronome for the legato exercise? Which speed is comfortable for you ?

Posted by: wrk Jan 9 2009, 11:25 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 9 2009, 11:04 PM)

Posted by: wrk Jan 10 2009, 01:19 AM

Phrygian Lesson - Take #2

Bar 1-8 :
Nice, you integrated the slides (bar 1 and 2), bend is on pitch in my ears and legato at the end (bar 4). Great!
Bar 7 : the legato and bend is great. I really like the release of the bend !!

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 9 2009, 08:59 PM)

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 9 2009, 08:59 PM)

Bar 9 to the end I wont lie is tricky to me. I can play it but it feels uncomfortable. It just feels like I'm doing something wrong. Something that doesn't affect me at slow tempos but you know when you know for sure that if you speed it up by 10 bpm say that your technique will be wrong for it and you'll have to change. Can you see from the video if something isn't right in that bit or is it just a case of practicing it over and over. I've only had an hour on this so far so I know I can improve greatly

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 10 2009, 02:57 PM

Thanks for the feedback Andy. I think the Phrygian sounds a lot smoother but like you say I really need to improve vibrato so I will try practicing the first 8 bars and focus on vibrato within them. Also will aim to get a recording of the legato workout at some time today and will try and record a small bit of clean strumming with maybe a clean solo with it in a kind of verse chorus solo layout.

Should those be my tasks today? I should be able to have a look at the alternate picking exercise also today

Posted by: wrk Jan 10 2009, 04:33 PM

I love to see you that motivated OC. I thought i gave you enough for the whole week and you put your daily tasks that high and for sure i don't want to stop that!!
Just to follow a bit some guidlines and structure, i will more concentrated on the tasks of the weekly session and if you are faster will try to give you some extentions about the same topic if your are ok with that (?). But i will gladly try to help and give feedback on other things you practice on.

Workouts
The drumloops are uploaded. I have added them on the top (session #1)
As it's part of the first session i really suggest you to use some time for these workouts. Your picking will become more controlled and your left hand more fluid over time. Even if it seems to be boring, it can be really fun after a while .. even addictive as soon you feel the first improvements.

Phrygian:
Try to get as much out of it as you can. Take your time with vibrato and the other things you already integrated and if you see some improvement you can upload another take of course.

It's not a task, but a next step for you and good extension lesson could be Muris "http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/harmonic-minor-for-beginners/" lesson, which involves mainly the same technics. A lot of slides, bends and vibrato. Again with the goal to play it really smooth and connected. A bit more difficult as you have bends on the lower strings, but should be doable. There is a tapping part at the end, which is not complicated ..


Strumming and Arpeggios
Next week will be rhythm guitar time, but i will not choose this lesson as you already did it. So feel free to work on it and share takes. Play with sounds and try to keep it high polished pop clean

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 10 2009, 04:54 PM

I will probably practice these 4 things for a while actually and maybe post on Monday my progress and hopefully it should be massively improved in all areas If I get stuck I will post sooner of course. I'm just very keen to progress and use this time to really help me and also I really want you to get that Muris Mentorship as you deserve it. You're doing a great job so far and I'm very happy after just 24 hours Your feedback is spot on and you bring up things that I didn't notice like the slide grace notes.

Posted by: wrk Jan 11 2009, 12:13 AM

Thanks OC, i'm glad that it was of help already.

If you continue like the last two days, i'm sure you will progress massively as you said . Let me know whenever you need help.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 12 2009, 03:05 PM

Hey mate. Just to update you I've been practicing these lessons and workouts and it's going fairly well I think. I'm staying at a friends tonight but I'm free to play some guitar again tomorrow night and I will record an update video on where I'm at.

Posted by: wrk Jan 12 2009, 03:13 PM

So you have had a good practicing weekend ?

You once gave a good feedback about your difficulties concerning the phrygian lesson or solo in general. If you could give me similar feedback for the workouts as well could be helpful. Something like, you get tensed easily, or you miss attack in the middle finger, to keep all note constant ... stuff like that.

Thanks ... and have a nice evening tonight !

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 12 2009, 03:19 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 12 2009, 02:13 PM)

Posted by: wrk Jan 12 2009, 03:34 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 12 2009, 03:19 PM)

.... I think it's mainly differing attack though. So different fingers are more powerful than others which gives an uneven sound. I can play it fine but I'm working on really getting it very laid back and putting power in without totally hammering the frets

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 12 2009, 03:38 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 12 2009, 02:34 PM)

Great, thats exactly what you should get aware of with this legato exercises.
The differences of attack will cause you difficulties when you play legato parts or runs. So if you concentrate on this, a lot of things you play will quickly sound much more fluid.

You are right, don't hammer the strings too hard. You kind of have to release the tension direct after the finger hits the string.

I'm often laughing when doing these exercises, the fingers look a bit like cylinders inside an engine which goes up and down .. don't know if you get my picture, but the technic is quite similar actually

Posted by: wrk Jan 12 2009, 03:55 PM

.. don't snap the low E string with your pinky.

It will stay melodic, promised. If you want to apply some theory, you can try to transpose the shapes up and down the neck on these two strings, but stay in the same key. I will explain this in more details in the next session, but you can try to figure it out on your own already if you like.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 12 2009, 03:56 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 12 2009, 02:55 PM)

.. don't snap the low E string with your pinky.

It will stay melodic, promised. If you want to apply some theory, you can try to transpose the shapes up and down the neck on these two strings, but stay in the same key. I will explain this in more details in the next session, but you can try to figure it out on your own already if you like.

Posted by: wrk Jan 12 2009, 04:33 PM

As i said, i will explain this in more details, but as you are a PHD:er, maybe you like a little quiz

If you don't know what i mean, don't worry .. the explanation will come. Even if its an workout, it's just for to understand as well what you play.

You play cord notes in this each shape in this legato exercise:
1. Bbmaj7 (root chord)
2. Cm7
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?

- Figure out which notes you play in each shape
- understand the structure
- transpose this structure to each notes of this key (harmonizing: have a look http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=3630)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 12 2009, 04:40 PM

1. Bbmaj7 (root chord) - You play Bb, A, D, F
2. Cm7 - You play C, Eb, G, Bb
3. Dm7 - You play D, F, A, C
4. Ebmaj7 - You play Eb, G, Bb, D
5. F7 - You play F, A, C, Eb
6. Gm - You play G, Bb, D, F
7. Adim - You play A, C, Eb, G

Is that correct?

The structure is 1 3 5 7 degrees of scale?

Posted by: wrk Jan 12 2009, 05:05 PM

Correct! ... you only need the 7th as well for Gm? and Adim?

Try to find a shape for each of the 7 chords. If it becomes to uncomfortable on the higher frets go lower (octave lower) .. use the whole fretboard. Maybe complete the GP file for yourself.

If you have all of them, you can mix them as you and ears like and build you own exercises out of it. By now stay only in this key. Later you can move them to other keys.

It's of course just an add-on to the main goal to equalize your legato, but like this you can give these workouts different purposes.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 12 2009, 05:11 PM

I will add the different patterns to the guitar pro tab and upload tomorrow and hopefully I'm correct and I will upload a video.

Thanks again.

Yeah I forgot to add the 7 for some reason. Not sure why on the last 2.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 14 2009, 12:03 AM

I've been totally slacking off lol. I have done this tonight and that is it I have tabbed out legato exercise with all patterns. And recorded this collab. That is it. And the collab recording is awful and the tab is right hopefully. Sorry to let you down

 Legato_Exercise_2_Strings_EDIT.gp5 ( 2.81K ) : 94
 OC_Up_Tempo_Blues_with_backing.mp3 ( 1.03MB ) : 157

Posted by: wrk Jan 14 2009, 09:37 AM

No reason to be sorry OC. You did really great so far
You managed the phrygian lesson quite well and hope you learned something to keep in mind when approaching other solos. This was the main part of this session, so no reason to be worried !!

With the rest (workouts) i just want to give you some ideas for you to work on over time. This will need more time as just one week of course. I will extend this in each session a bit if it is interesting for you, but take it as a long term practice plan proposition ... something like that.


Our little theory exercise:
Your GP file is nearly correct, just the last shape, Adim7 (i prefer Am7b5, but it's the same), On the g-string you play an Ab (13) but it has to be A (14) . All the other shapes are correct. Great !

You added something extra to this:). I initially was meaning to stay on the e and b string and transpose the shapes here, but you managed to do it on the b and g string, so it's great and useful for the future. A good extension for you to work on, so keep it.
You maybe noticed that these shapes on the b and g string are not as easy. To shift the index finger position can be difficult. For the purpose of this exercise to work on your legato, stick to the e and b string first and when you feel comfortable move to the b and g string .. and even further if you like.

As you see, with these kind of workouts you can apply some theory knowledge on the guitar as well. You quickly will learn the fretboard like this, shapes/chord notes you can play over a specific chord, etc. Try to remember as well what each note represents in each shape (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th). Over time it will help you to see the fretboard as chords and not as scale diagrams.

Up Tempo Blues Collab:
Nice take, i like those kind of crazy blues solos ... wild and noisy to make the guitar scream . I think Jose will tell you more about it in his comments.

Just an advise maybe. To improvise a complete take and fill it with brilliant licks, structure and everything what defines a great solo is an art on it's own. Still a secret for me
What you can try is to improvise a few takes and record them. Listen to it afterwards and keep the licks you like. Try to remember these licks and apply them on your next take. Like this try to find licks for each part over the complete backing and compose your solo that way. Finally, play and record the complete solo as best you can. It is not 100% improvised of course, but you use improvisation to build your solo. The advantage is that you remember what you have played and you can apply this again on your next improvisation. Otherwise good stuff you have played before is gone quickly after.
I don't know how you practice (?), but i have always my DAW open with a drum loop or a backing track and can easily hit record.


Let me know when you are up for the next session. I planed to have the next session online tomorrow (15.01)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 14 2009, 01:45 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 14 2009, 08:37 AM)

No reason to be sorry OC. You did really great so far
You managed the phrygian lesson quite well and hope you learned something to keep in mind when approaching other solos. This was the main part of this session, so no reason to be worried !!

With the rest (workouts) i just want to give you some ideas for you to work on over time. This will need more time as just one week of course. I will extend this in each session a bit if it is interesting for you, but take it as a long term practice plan proposition ... something like that.


Our little theory exercise:
Your GP file is nearly correct, just the last shape, Adim7 (i prefer Am7b5, but it's the same), On the g-string you play an Ab (13) but it has to be A (14) . All the other shapes are correct. Great !

You added something extra to this:). I initially was meaning to stay on the e and b string and transpose the shapes here, but you managed to do it on the b and g string, so it's great and useful for the future. A good extension for you to work on, so keep it.
You maybe noticed that these shapes on the b and g string are not as easy. To shift the index finger position can be difficult. For the purpose of this exercise to work on your legato, stick to the e and b string first and when you feel comfortable move to the b and g string .. and even further if you like.

As you see, with these kind of workouts you can apply some theory knowledge on the guitar as well. You quickly will learn the fretboard like this, shapes/chord notes you can play over a specific chord, etc. Try to remember as well what each note represents in each shape (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th). Over time it will help you to see the fretboard as chords and not as scale diagrams.

Up Tempo Blues Collab:
Nice take, i like those kind of crazy blues solos ... wild and noisy to make the guitar scream . I think Jose will tell you more about it in his comments.

Just an advise maybe. To improvise a complete take and fill it with brilliant licks, structure and everything what defines a great solo is an art on it's own. Still a secret for me
What you can try is to improvise a few takes and record them. Listen to it afterwards and keep the licks you like. Try to remember these licks and apply them on your next take. Like this try to find licks for each part over the complete backing and compose your solo that way. Finally, play and record the complete solo as best you can. It is not 100% improvised of course, but you use improvisation to build your solo. The advantage is that you remember what you have played and you can apply this again on your next improvisation. Otherwise good stuff you have played before is gone quickly after.
I don't know how you practice (?), but i have always my DAW open with a drum loop or a backing track and can easily hit record.


Let me know when you are up for the next session. I planed to have the next session online tomorrow (15.01)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 14 2009, 04:01 PM

I am going home shortly and I will give a progress video tonight for sure before you update tomorrow with new session.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 14 2009, 09:34 PM

I'm really struggling with the legato exercise. I suck



I've uploaded me trying. I can't do it. It really is hurting my fingers a lot also Also I know that I don't do it on the beat but I did when it was live. I just for some reason but it on the offbeat now.

 Rubbish_Legato.wmv ( 4.17MB ) : 141

Posted by: wrk Jan 14 2009, 09:37 PM

I will listen to it. Don't worry ..

Don't force it !! Do those exercise for just a few minutes and then stop. It will become easier with time.

Posted by: wrk Jan 14 2009, 10:07 PM

Just saw your video! Don't worry OC, this is harder as it looks like. I only can repeat. This is NOT a speed training exercise !!
Do it much slower. I guess you used 80 bpm, right? Use 60 and stick to one shape only, so that you really can concentrate on each finger.

Example:
I noticed in your video, your index finger has the less attack. When you change the shape, the index is more doing a slide as a hammer-on. This is why it is important to do it really slow, so that you know what each finger is doing.

Remember:
- do it slow
- only one shape
- equalize each finger ( focus on the index for a while)
- only a short time, stop immediately when you start to get tensed !

Leave it for now, play something fun and from time to time come back to it. Alright ? ..

Posted by: wrk Jan 14 2009, 11:02 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 14 2009, 01:45 PM)

What a silly error with the tab lol. I know you don't have an Ab in as I listed the notes you play above for each chord in the key of Bb I'm just a bit of a fool and yeah some of the stretches are quite tricky for me but it's helping me and I'm gradually getting better at doing legato with larger stretches thanks to this. My theory is vastly improved over the last 4 or 5 months. Any chance on you putting together a mini theory quiz including scale, interval and harmonising knowledge? That would really help me as PhD students love quizzes lol I'm sad I know.

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 14 2009, 01:45 PM)

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 14 2009, 01:45 PM)

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 14 2009, 01:45 PM)

Thanks for your mentoring as I think you are doing it brilliantly. I understand everything you say and agree with your comments fully and you're helping me get to being a better guitarist and we aren't just learning licks. These exercises will help me with anything I do in the future. So thanks again and I look forward to tomorrow. I'm going to try my hardest to get something recorded tonight but it depends on how things go. I played guitar for 7 hours last night and hurt my hand a bit but recorded several riffs for my virtual band, a collaboration, the legato exercise, the alternate picking exercise and also the phrygian practice as well as working on riffs for my real bands songs.

Cheers Andy. You're a very inspirational guitarist who makes me want to get better.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 15 2009, 01:23 AM

Hey man. Cheers for the comments. A theory quiz would be great. I know my theory a fair bit and I'm progressing quickly with it Pearl Jam are incredible live and Eddie Vedder is just amazing to me. I do have a toneport for recording and I kind of only use 3 settings I've created depending on song. I need to create more I feel and play around but the worst problem I have is transfering any sort of decent tone to my band. I really struggle but I guess I would as I only use a Metal Zone pedal

I'm quite happy that I play guitar because I can jam along with some simple songs like Pearl Jam and Audioslave and enjoy them lots. It gives me great pleasure being able to play them and I'm very thankful. Can I send you a link to me trying to sing lol? I don't want others to hear

Posted by: wrk Jan 15 2009, 01:44 AM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 15 2009, 01:23 AM)

Hey man. Cheers for the comments. A theory quiz would be great. I know my theory a fair bit and I'm progressing quickly with it Pearl Jam are incredible live and Eddie Vedder is just amazing to me. I do have a toneport for recording and I kind of only use 3 settings I've created depending on song. I need to create more I feel and play around but the worst problem I have is transfering any sort of decent tone to my band. I really struggle but I guess I would as I only use a Metal Zone pedal

I'm quite happy that I play guitar because I can jam along with some simple songs like Pearl Jam and Audioslave and enjoy them lots. It gives me great pleasure being able to play them and I'm very thankful. Can I send you a link to me trying to sing lol? I don't want others to hear

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 15 2009, 02:01 AM

Cool I sent you the link obviously by PM but it isn't to do with guitar mentoring I guess for thanks for your time and I'm dying to know what Session 2 is lol. And those workouts are going to be done every day. I need to get something to wrap around top of my guitar to mute strings.

Posted by: wrk Jan 15 2009, 11:55 AM

Resume: Session #1

Each session will cover different topics, but for you it should not stop there. Take the time and come back to each topic and continue from there. For this i would like to give you a small resume of what we have done.

Our first session was Muris's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/phrygian-soloing-beginner/ lesson. A nice solo, which you played really well and you did some great progress between the two uploaded takes. I think you got an idea how to use technics like slide-ins and legato to make a solo more connected and in this case more smooth. Bends and vibrato need a long time, but you started to focus on this during this lesson. Choose some lessons of the same kind, easy nice melodies, long notes and apply the same tools. Just continue like that and all will come together. Here are some examples for you to continue on your own:

Muris's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/beginner-solo-in-d/
Muris's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/harmonic-minor-for-beginners/

You did your first experiences with hammer-on and pull-off exercises. You told me you feel some progress, but you mentioned as well that it is stressful for your left hand. This is completely normal and you have to be patient and of course careful with that. Take your time. Try to integrate them slowly into your regular practice routine.

You worked on the alternate picking exercise, but i don't know how this was going for you. Maybe upload a take when you feel ready or if you have questions. We will continue with this with the goal to integrate them as a part of your daily routine.

As an theory extension, i gave you a little quiz to transpose the legato shapes along the fretboard (key of Bb Major). Which you managed to do on the b and g string. Task and easier would have been to stay on e and b string and transpose them here, but this doesn't matter as you understood the structure of each shape as chord notes (root, 3rd, 5th, 7th).

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 15 2009, 12:02 PM

I will upload a take of the Alternate Picking exercise to show you my progress and I'm going to continue with them in my daily practice Can't wait for session 2. I'm going to work harder this week and not give up so easily. My hand hurt a lot yesterday but it is better today.

I was also going to ask. Are there any lessons that talk about how to do vibrato better. I'm practicing it on Muris' Phrygian lesson like we discussed but I'm not sure I know how to improve it if you know what I mean. I know what vibrato sounds like but I'm not too sure on how it's done well or how to get to it being done well and when I know I'm on the right track.

Posted by: Mandos Jan 15 2009, 12:17 PM

OC I found this video a few months ago. It might be helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c9UqbkjC6k *leaves*

Posted by: wrk Jan 15 2009, 12:22 PM

SESSION #2

1 LESSON - Main Part

Now it's time for some rhythm guitar and you have a choice between a few lessons from Joe Kataldo's "I got Rhythm Guitar" series. You should try to do at least one lesson from each group, Chords A and Rhythm B, because it will cover two different technics of rhythm guitar.

A : Chord Picking:
Both lessons are quite similar, but the picking is a bit different. I suggest you to get first familiar with the chord progression and after concentrate on the picking. Which is not complicated, but to play it really constant can be a challenge. Joe did four lessons with this technic. Here are the first two (I and II):

Joe's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/I-got-rhythm-guitar10-arpeggiated-chords1/
Joe's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/I-got-rhythm-guitar11-arpeggiated-chords2/

• fret the chords really clean (each note counts)
• keep the picking constant and equal (smooth)
• be careful when changing from one chord to another, as fluid as possible, avoid string noise
• most important, keep the rhythm !

Joe's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/I-got-rhythm-guitar2-palm-muting/

Joe's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/I-got-rhythm-guitar2-muted-arpeggios/

• play as tight as possible
• check out different amount of muting with your palm
• try to find a nice dry sound, a bit but not too much distortion, no delay
• and again, .. most important, keep the rhythm !

• do it slow (use 60 bpm drum loop from session #1)
• each shape on it's own (first Bbmaj7, then Cm7)
• only for a short time (<few minutes), but a few times during your practice session
• stop immediately when you start to get tensed !

• to strengthen your fingers
• be really accurate with each note (equal to each other)
• keep constant rhythm (most important)

• keeping each stroke really steady, even when you change to the next string (skip one string)
• to learn the switch between 4 picks and 3 picks per note (all 16th notes)
• up- and down strokes all the time

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 15 2009, 12:40 PM

Cheers Andy, Thanks for putting the time into this. I think this week I'm going to practice more and wait before uploading a bit longer. So I will try and post a number of these lessons as videos at a similar time. I love Joe's lessons as he is a great solid guitarist especially when it comes to all different kinds of rhythms. He isn't a bad lead player also.

I will post videos when I have practiced them a lot but can't practice till tomorrow when I will have another 6+ hour session. I will make sure I get a video of everything up this month wherever I'm upto with it and then I can progress with them.

Also cheers Mandos for the link. I will check it out when I'm home from work and band practice.

Posted by: wrk Jan 15 2009, 12:57 PM

Yes, Joe's lessons are awesome. He really is a solid player and i just love to observe his hand in his videos, so relaxed.

You noticed maybe it's all about picking this time. Leave the legato exercise for a while and concentrate on your picking. You don't need to nail the complete lesson before posting a take. Just a part would be ok first to see how you are doing with your right hand and timing.

Vibrato. I honestly have to say i'm not really happy with my own vibrato at the moment and have the feeling i do something wrong. I do the same solo lessons as you by now to focus a bit more on that. Not sure i can give some good advise here. Mandos link seems to be interesting, maybe it's a good starting point. But i keep this in mind and try to find some help for you.


Thanks Mandos ...

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 17 2009, 02:33 PM

Here is my take for section A of this weeks session I fluffed one note at 15 seconds approximately. I was gutted lol. But I think I have the lesson alright. Maybe not though. I will see what you have to say

Again I recorded it live but had to sync it with backing as I haven;'t figured out how to do smooth live recording yet.



Here is my take for section A Video 2. I struggled more with this one and again there is one slightly fluffed bit at 37 seconds.

Posted by: wrk Jan 17 2009, 06:21 PM

Wohoo OC, that was great .. both lessons !!
You obviously don't have a problem to play this kind of background guitar. Already the "Strumming and Arpeggios lesson" you did quite well.

Here a few points, but only if you want me to be really picky .

Arpeggiated Chords I
Yes, as you said, a bit noisy at 14 sec. not a big deal, but means maybe that you are still not 100% confident.

Joe is playing this lessons with DOWN - DOWN - DOWN - UP strokes. There are no universal written rules how to pick these chords, but try it for yourself maybe it will feel suddenly much more comfortable.

The backing is a bit loud (a lot of bass) and i can not really hear the root note of each chord. Means, i can not say a lot if your strokes are really constant and equal to each other (attack), but the timing sounds ok for me just wanted to mention this.

Arpeggiated Chords I
The first not is a bit too early . I know this problem really, a bit like i need a moment to click in the rhythm. Just keep this in mind. I'm sure when you will do some recordings you really will have to fight with this to have the first not exact and play the first chord/bar in time.

You used joe's suggested picking, which makes sense here, but did you used alternate picking on the first bar/chord and change afterwards? Not sure if i saw this right on the video. You should be careful with this and not making this a habit. For sure there is a change in sound when you do this. I have the impression when you play this with alt. picking it sounds more smooth, your UP stroke sounds more accented. It's good to be aware about this as you can use it as a tool .. maybe in some cases you want to accent the notes a bit more, but in general you should try to equalize this.

After the strummed chord you continue with DOWN strokes only, does this feels more comfortable for you?


We really look in details now and what i mentioned above are just some pointers. Keep them in mind when you play things like that. Your long-term goal should be that this technic does not need any efforts and you can fully concentrate on the chords you play. Really well played otherwise. Congrats OC

Are you up for the other lessons as well? There are really fun !!

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 17 2009, 06:36 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 17 2009, 05:21 PM)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 17 2009, 08:54 PM

Here is another video for this week. I can't get the video in time with the backing I think it's nearly there but I think this needs work. I only practiced it for 10 minutes but it certainly shows on this one



I know it's rubbish but I'm rubbish

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 18 2009, 03:43 AM

Just to let you know I will probably have a rest tomorrow as I did 6-7 hours of guitaring today and yesterday so I will try and relax my arms a bit tomorrow. I may get a bit done but I will wait for your feedback and try and improve on the 3 posted for this session. I will try and upload alternate picking exercise when I get chance Hope you had a good night out. I'm off to bed as it's 3am

Posted by: wrk Jan 18 2009, 11:35 AM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 17 2009, 06:36 PM)

haha. Just laughing at this. Give me chance lol I learnt those 2 lessons this morning and posted. I will do the others but going to have a little break

I agree full with what you say. You really are a good mentor as you spot things that I notice and what I don't. If you look in both videos I don't have a usual way to picking the chords. I sometimes use alternate picking, strictly down strokes and strictly upstrokes but I keep mixing them in my playing in a recording as a very bad habit. I need to get out of doing it. I see what you mean about picking the bass note of chord it is hard to hear but it did ring out fine here. I think it just wasn't picked up for some reason because of my recording technique that I also need to improve. The timing I hear but it may have been my syncing issue which was a big question I was going to add here and I will ask it below.

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 17 2009, 06:36 PM)

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 17 2009, 06:36 PM)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 18 2009, 01:35 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 18 2009, 10:35 AM)

If i understand you right you record, your video, backing audio and guitar all at the same time and backing and guitar need to be synchronized afterwards, right? Thats a bit complicated i think. The best would be to have the backing already in your DAW and record the guitar on a separated track. Now we have the problem that the backing track question is some kind of "grey zone" here at GMC . As you know you can ask the instructor to send it to you or for example record it before. I think for practicing purpose this is more or less tolerated by GMC (?). I practice a lot with the online audio player, the loop function is great, but at certain point when you go in details it is helpful to have it local in your DAW. To match sounds, or loop certain parts by keeping the beat ..

Posted by: wrk Jan 19 2009, 08:31 AM

I Got Rhythm Guitar 2 - Palm Muting

Once again, well done OC !! You obviously have a feeling for rhythm. If you say you practiced it for just 10min, then this lesson is way to easy for you .
I really have nothing to complain about this take ...

.. but just something to try . I have the impression you could use a bit more attack with your pick, i don't mean to pick harder, just a bit quicker on the moment when you pick the string. Do you know what i mean? Have a look at Joe's video, he does some wide moves with his pick. The way he plays it adds some punch to the sounds, but his right hand looks relaxed.

Another idea and it's fun to do as well. Try to record two takes of your guitar over each other on different tracks and pan them left and right (pan not 100%). It's a good training and will show you if you can play it really exact to each other ... and it sounds nice . Feel free to upload an audio take if you like


Short resume, task was to do one lesson from each group. You did both lessons of group A and i think you know now what to work on for this technic to play arpeggiated chords. You did the first lesson of the group B with ease, so if you want to have some fun, do the last lesson "Muted Arpeggios".


I Got Rhythm Guitar 5 - Muted Arpeggios

I hoped a bit you will come that far as i like this lesson a lot! Don't know if you know the video game "Burnout"(?). When i play this lesson i feel like collecting energy up to the moment when i can hit the boost button . The music is quite similar. It is by the way a really good and melodic workout for your picking. It's worth to learn this one !!

Study the GP file, you will notice it has 16 bars. You can split them in 4 sections of 4 bars (1-4, 5-8, ...). The first two bars of each section (1-2, 5-6, ...) is all the time the same. If you get this down you already have half of the lesson. It can be confusing, so really get the notes, shapes and different variations down first. So that you can be concentrated on your picking, muting, sound ...

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 19 2009, 02:49 PM

I will look at attack. I know what you mean by it and it's a problem I have doing bends also sometimes they need a bit more attack. I'm going to try and do a take of I Got Rythm 5 as I really love it. It's the hardest rhythm lesson of the lot I think but I can give it a go as it may well show up my technique flaws. I will get it done by next MTP week for sure. Hopefully later today

Posted by: wrk Jan 22 2009, 06:38 PM

Resume: Session #2

Again one week passed by and here my short resume of what we have worked on.
We focused in session #2 on rhythm guitar technics like "arpeggiated chords" and "palm muting". I proposed you 4 lessons (2 of each group).

A : Arpeggiated Chords
You worked on both lessons of this group. These lessons were not a challenge for you and you uploaded some great takes.
We discovered some flaws in you right hand technic, on which you really will have to work to fix this. You change you picking direction in the middle of the same sequence. Somehow you prefer to use downstrokes only. I guess it gives you more security in situations like recording(?). These lessons/technic are usual played at slow speed, so you easily can get away with the technic you use, but you will reach your limits quite quickly. Take the time and play these or similar lessons (or your own chord progressions), choose a UP/DOWN stroke picking pattern and stick to this picking pattern up to the end. It have to become natural like breathing when you sleep. Otherwise in recording or live situations you will always fall back into your old habits.

I stress this point a bit, but actually it is a very good result we archived during this session !! To discover and be aware of habits like this, will open you a lot of doors to progress in the future. It worths more as to play one lesson nice and clean. So about this part of session #2 i am really happy for you and you should take it like this. Put this on highest priority on your practice routine and you will do a big step forward.

B : Muted Arpeggios
You worked on the first "palm muting" lesson. This one was easy, but you showed that you have a good feel for rhythm.
I still suggest you to do an audio take from this lesson on which you record your guitar two times and pan them left and right. It is a good training for you to play this even more accurate as it will show you quickly inconsistencies. Try it and as usual, feel free to upload takes from the previous sessions.

I would have liked to see a take of the "Muted Arpeggios" lesson, which was surely the most difficult of these four lessons. I discovered this lesson myself as well last week and have spend since then literally hours with it. Once you have the shapes down it will be a good picking workout for you, which can follow you for a long time. It is really melodic and adictive. When you put the backing track on loop you will do some workouts without even noticing. Little surprise for session #3 ..


Which leads us to the additional part of each session #2.... WORKOUTS !!!
... obviously you are not a huge fan of workouts. Really not a big deal !! You have to feel on your own when it's time to put stuff like this on higher priority and even more important, you have to find out on your own how to motivate yourself for this. I like to compare workouts with running (now i become esoteric ), once you start to enjoy it and maybe have had the "meditative" experience it could have after a while, no effort to get motivated is needed anymore. Up to there it will be just sport, stressful and an unenjoyable thing to do for the sake of health. ("... Andy, stop with your stupid pictures !!" )

Posted by: wrk Jan 22 2009, 11:05 PM

SESSION #3

1 LESSON - Main Part

You told me you will be a bit busy this week, so i don't want to overload you with a lot of lessons you have to practice on your guitar. We will continue with rhythm guitar as one part A and some beloved theory as a second part B. On theory you can work where ever you are and for this i find this actually quite helpful if i don't have my guitar in my hands and just use simple paper to take notes and play around with chords, scales, intervals, etc.. For now it's about theory on it's own, not about applied theory on your guitar.

A : Rhythm:
We will stick to the "Muted Arpeggios" lesson from Joe Kataldo . I gave you already some suggestion in different post over the last week, but i write them down again so you have everything together.

Study the GP file, you will notice it has 16 bars (17 actually, but thats an easy deal). You can split them in 4 sections of 4 bars (1-4, 5-8, ...). The first two bars of each section (1-2, 5-6, ...) is all the time the same. If you get this down you already have half of the lesson. It can be confusing, so really get the notes, shapes and different variations down first. So that you can be concentrated on your picking, muting, sound, dynamic ..
Joe provided backings from 80 bpm to 90 bpm. You can and should use my drum loops from session #1 to practice at slower speed first.
I would like to see one video take (or more). If you come that far i would also like to hear a audio take with two tracks of your guitar paned to left and right (between 30-50%). Try to play it as synchronized as possible.

Joe's - http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/I-got-rhythm-guitar2-muted-arpeggios/
Goal:

• play as tight as possible
• apply different amount of muting with your palm to keep the sound "alive" and create dynamic
• try to find a nice dry sound, a bit but not too much distortion, no delay, very little reverb (if any)
• and again, .. most important, keep the rhythm !

• do you know the difference between a major or minor scale? - what defines a scale as minor or major
• are you able to build major or minor scales in every key? - you have only the root note and you should complete the scale with flats b or sharps #
• are you familiar with intervals? - major, minor, perfect, augmented, diminished
• when thinking about intervals within a scale, do you think in whole/half tone steps or intervals base to the root note or both? (2-2-1-2-2-1 or r-2-3-4-5-6-7- )
• how far goes your knowledge of chords major, minor, diminished, extensions ( sus, 9, 11, 13, ..)
• if, how do you learn theory? - do you take notes?, do you know where to look for?, do you use any applications?, ...

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 23 2009, 12:32 AM

Thanks for this Andy. You really are a great mentor. I will find time to work on things but it'll be Sunday at the earliest But I will get it done. I will try and do the theory over the next few days

Thanks again

Posted by: wrk Jan 23 2009, 12:56 AM

I'm glad you like it and i hope you will be able to work on a few things sometimes, but don't feel stressed !!
All this should be fun and it is a lot of fun up to now

Take care ..

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 23 2009, 01:10 AM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 22 2009, 10:05 PM)

Posted by: wrk Jan 23 2009, 09:25 AM

Thanks for the quick reply . You already know a lot i can see. There are some small mistakes, but on those we will start work.

I guess when you wrote this down you didn't use any recourses for verification, right? Which is good ! For the next tasks i suggest you to continue like this.

The goal is not that you send me back the answers 100% correct and triple checked with online tools, Andrew's Theory board or something else. Of course if something is unclear, i will try to point you to some resources or you know on your own where to find some answers.

I suggest you do to use a little notebook and formulate the topic in your own words and build up your own theory book. It helps to memories these things and you can always have it with you and use it when you have a few useless minutes to spend (in transport, waiting for someone, ...)


1 Major & natural Minor scales (aeolian)

You are right about the major scale(ionian) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. You are right as well that a minor scale need to have a flattened 3rd (b3), but the formula you gave above will cause some problems!

Question 1: Do you know what these numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) exactly represent?

Look at the intervals from the root note to each note of the scale and count the half tone steps:

C-Major: C D E F G A B = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

1 : C - C = half tone steps?
2 : C - D = ?
3 : C - E = ?
4 : C - F = ?
5 : C - G = ?
6 : C - A = ?
7 : C - B = ?

The corresponding natural minor scale (aeolian) is build from the 6. degree of this scale. Means A is root note, using the same notes as the major scale. You know that (?).

A-Minor: A B C D E F G = ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?

? : A - A = half tone steps?
? : A - B = ?
? : A - C = ?
? : A - D = ?
? : A - E = ?
? : A - F = ?
? : A - G = ?


- fill the ? on the right side (count half tone steps)
- compare the half tone steps between major and natural minor (aeolian)
- fill the ? on the left side to build the scale formula for natural minor (aeolian)

Question 2: Do you see the difference between the formular you gave above for the minor scale and the formular you just created?

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 23 2009, 11:35 AM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 23 2009, 08:25 AM)

Posted by: wrk Jan 23 2009, 12:52 PM

First off all we are not by now in the term of modes. We speak about basic major scale and natural minor. I added the mode names ionian and aeolian as it's the same and we will come to this very quickly.

My Question 1 was, if you understand what these number exactly represents and you seem to mix two things here. I'll try to explain it step by step.

Major Scale (ionian) Formula is : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
First view and thinking is, you give each note a number, which is not completely wrong. BUT ! It represents as well the interval to the root note.

C = 1
D = 2
E = 3
F = 4
G = 5
A = 6
B = 7

1 : C - C = 0 *HT
2 : C - D = 2 *HT
3 : C - E = 4 *HT
4 : C - F = 5 *HT
5 : C - G = 7 *HT
6 : C - A = 9 *HT
7 : C - B = 11 *HT

*HT = half tone steps

When you do the same for the natural minor scale (aeolian), you thought that the number sticks all the time to note. Root note is now A, means 1. It is the 6. note (6. degree) in the C-Major scale, but the 1. note (root note) in natural minor:

A = 1
B = 2
C = 3
D = 4
E = 5
F = 6
G = 7

1 : A - A = 0 HT
2 : A - B = 2 HT
3 : A - C = 3 HT
4 : A - D = 5 HT
5 : A - E = 7 HT
6 : A - F = 8 HT
7 : A - G = 10 HT

If you put the numbers in relation to the half tone steps. You see a difference:

In Major:
3 : C - E = 4 HT
In Natural Minor (wrong):
3 : A - C = 3 HT

--> 3 can not be both, sometimes 4 HT or 3 HT. I think you understood this already and did this correct for the 3rd by adding a b

In Natural Minor(correct):
b3 : A - C = 3 HT

We have the same problem with the 6 and 7 between the major and natural minor scale.
--> 6 can not be both, sometimes 9 HT or 8 HT.
--> 7 can not be both, sometimes 11 HT or 10 HT.
So you have to give these numbers a weight as well to end up with the correct formula:

1 : A - A = 0 HT
2 : A - B = 2 HT
b3 : A - C = 3 HT
4 : A - D = 5 HT
5 : A - E = 7 HT
b6 : A - F = 8 HT
b7 : A - G = 10 HT

You created the correct formula for natural Minor(aeolian): A B C D E F G = 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7


Do you follow me, any questions?

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 23 2009, 12:58 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 23 2009, 11:52 AM)

Posted by: wrk Jan 23 2009, 01:06 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 23 2009, 12:58 PM)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 23 2009, 01:18 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 23 2009, 12:06 PM)

.. we are not playing by now.

You already have had the notes for A natural minor.
What i try to explain is that you understand how these formulas are created!

In your first answer you gave 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 as a formula for A natural minor. I you apply this formula on notes, starting with A as root note you will end up with a different scale.

Posted by: wrk Jan 23 2009, 01:57 PM

Great !! If you get this you are close to see everything in relation to each other

Now we put some names to these numbers/intervals and halftone steps (HT) we have discovered so far:

0 HT = 1 - Perfect Unison
2 HT - 2 - Major second
3 HT - b3 - Minor third
4 HT - 3 - Major third
5 HT - 4 - Perfect fourth
7 HT - 5 - Perfect fifth
8 HT - b6 - Minor sixth
9 HT - 6 - Major sixth
10 HT - b7 - Minor seventh
11 HT - 7 - Major seventh
12 HT - 8 - Perfect octave

Note : This list in incomplete, but we will complete it step by step.


Now you next task:

1. Build the major(ionian) scales using the formula : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with the following notes as root notes (in the key of):

C

G

F

(others will follow .. )

2. build from each major(ionian) scale you created the corresponding natural minor(aeolian) scale using the formular 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7


Don't get confused with b's and #'s you have to add to some notes. There are independent to b's of the formular !!
I suggest you to really count the half tone steps for each note based to the root note to get familiar with thinking in intervals.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 23 2009, 02:09 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Jan 23 2009, 12:57 PM)

Now you next task:

1. Build the major(ionian) scales using the formula : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 with the following notes as root notes (in the key of):

C

G

F

(others will follow .. )

2. build from each major(ionian) scale you created the corresponding natural minor(aeolian) scale using the formular 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7

Posted by: wrk Jan 23 2009, 02:33 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Jan 23 2009, 02:09 PM)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 25 2009, 10:25 PM

I'm sorry I've posted nothing yet. I'm going to try and post a take of something tomorrow. I've just been stupidly busy

Posted by: wrk Jan 26 2009, 11:57 AM

No Problem OC, hope you have had a nice birthday weekend
If time is rare in some weeks, we don't need to stick with a weekly update .. it's not a high altitude training camp

Posted by: wrk Jan 30 2009, 12:11 AM

Ok OC, you PM'ed me today that you are back on track after a busy week without guitar and ready to continue. Thats a great news and i would love to use the time we officially have together for this first "test period"

Normally today i would have publish session 4, but as we are just the both of us here, i see no need to stick to a weekly rhythm and rush or skip anything. We will by now just continue with the tasks of session 3.

Here a short recap at which point we are:

1 Main Part:
A : Rhythm - Joe's "Muted Arpeggios" lesson is our focus now. I gave you a lot of information how to approach this lesson. Maybe read back everything and ask if you need any further help. As soon you show me one take, we can work on details, which can become really interesting. I will then give you a new solo lesson as well on which we will work parallel.

B : Theory - We have started a discussion about the Major (Ionian) scale and the natural Minor (aeolian) Scale. I have tried to explain you the meaning of scale formulas using interval descriptions. I suggest you to read again the previous posts in which i tried to guide you step by step to archive an understanding of these formulas. Let me know when you are ready to continue and i will give you a small task to test your knowledge and on this we can continue our discussion / explanation.

2 Additional Part:
I proposed you to work with you on one collaboration take. You told me via PM that you wanted to skip some running collaborations for now. Let me know if you need any help, otherwise we cancel this assignment.

3 Workouts :
We stopped workouts for session 3, but again .. when ever you feel ready for this, go back to sessions 1-2 and start to work on them and show me how you progress. I can not stress enough how important and rewarding any kind of exercises are for to push you technic to the next level.
One hint i would like to give you to make the legato exercises a bit more tasty for you . Go http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=23975 and watch Emir's comment on Smells take. Emir explains at 3:40 a technic to use only the left hand(no picking) to practice a difficult lick or arpeggio. This is exactly what i planed to reach with this legato exercises. We started with 2 strings, but the goal is to go up to 4-5 strings. Beside strengthening your fingers it will be a really useful tool for you whenever you want to approach a difficult lick.


I'm happy you found your guitar back and hope you will have fun to continue where we stopped

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Jan 30 2009, 12:53 AM

Yeah sorry Andy. I feel bad and like I've let you down but it's been a mad week. I'm free to play guitar for a lot of the weekend so I will get this up over the weekend and hopefully theory info tomorrow sometime. I will make sure this week 4 is a great week for our MTP

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 2 2009, 05:39 AM

Hey long time no speak. You'll be glad to hear I spent a lot of today practicing Joe's lesson. But before I came to record I punched the wall and sprained my hand like an idiot so couldn't. But hopefully tomorrow it is fixed a bit and I can get a recording done. I will post a video take tomorrow

Posted by: wrk Feb 2 2009, 01:33 PM

Ouch .. i hope you didn't hurt yourself too bad? Let it heal carefully. Joe's lesson is not that type of music where pain is any helpful to add the emotional touch .. be carefull OC.

No need to upload a complete take for the beginning. Only the first 4 or 8 bars would be enough. If you can not play guitar for few days we can continue with theory as well(?)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 2 2009, 02:12 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Feb 2 2009, 12:33 PM)

Ouch .. i hope you didn't hurt yourself too bad? Let it heal carefully. Joe's lesson is not that type of music where pain is any helpful to add the emotional touch .. be carefull OC.

No need to upload a complete take for the beginning. Only the first 4 or 8 bars would be enough. If you can not play guitar for few days we can continue with theory as well(?)

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 2 2009, 03:04 PM

Here you go man. I only did audio take however I recorded it twice and panned 1 take 30% left and one 30% right. See what you think. I'm not great at this lesson and with my hand barely being able to move in certain ways it was a struggle Safe to say the wall won in my battle

 I_Got_Rhythm_Guitar_5___Muted_Arpeggios.mp3 ( 991.33K ) : 161

Posted by: wrk Feb 2 2009, 05:01 PM

Woa ... That is really nice !! .. and you played the complete lesson. Good job OC !!

Synchronization:
Great that you already did a take with two guitars. I think you could open it even a bit more and pan the tracks more to the left and right to hear each guitar better. I am really impressed that you managed to play it both times quite synchronized to each other. Of course there are a few shaky parts and i can tell this is really not easy. This is detail work (the fun part ) now and will need more time, but great that you are already that far. So good job on that!

Dynamic:
What i like about your take is the dynamic you integrated. It's not static muted notes, you open and change the amount of muting to keep everything alive .. i really like that! Maybe you could pronounce the 3 E notes (0, 6-String) at the beginning of each bar a bit more. You did this quite well already, but try it even a bit more. It maybe will help you to stick to the beat through out the complete lesson.

Timing:
It could be a bit more tight and that is a real challenge on this lesson. Somehow the timing it slightly "swimming" at some points (don't know if you say it in english like this ). I practice this lesson as well and have the same problem.

Here are a few ideas how to work on this: First put the backing loud enough, so that your hear really well the drums in your headphones. Did you recorded the backing with your DAW? If, you can try to export Joe's GP5 file as midi file and import it into your DAW, try to align it to the backing, pan the midi track to the left and your guitar to the right (not 100%). If you can not play midi files in your DAW, record the sound of Joe's video with your DAW. Keep the backing in the middle, Joe's guitar with backing to the left and your guitar to the right. Like this you have a good guide to practice and fix the little timing issues.

What you can try as well is to add a bit more attack to the picking. I like the amount of attack you use, but just for practicing reason hit a bit harder to feel the beat.

Picking:
If you feel comfortable with the left hand and you don't have to think about it anymore which notes to fret, try to play with the pick a bit, ... more angled or completely parallel to the strings, more attack, lesser attack. Concentrate on how the sound is changing. You can learn a lot about your right hand with that and maybe you will find the right spot which fits even better for this lesson/technic.

Video:
Would you mind to upload a small video as well? But don't force your hand too much if it's still painfull ... take your time! A video would allow me to give some comments about your picking and muting technic.


Really well done so far!! With this lesson you have good workout exercise for your right hand available now. Keep working on it and play it regular and you will see some overall improvements with your picking.


Good to see you back OC

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 2 2009, 05:25 PM

I can get a video done for sure at sometime. I just felt lazy today lol in setting it all up with my hand really hurting. I certainly struggle with this lesson but I don't know why. I left hand certainly isn't the problem. It is my right hand and my ability to pick quickly and accurately that I struggle with. My timing does tend to swim a bit and it is tricky for me to hear the backing at times and I don't do it with a metronome on so this can definitely be improved on for sure. I can try and get the midi from the tab into the DAW but I have never done it before. I'm sure it's easy enough and you're right I'm sure this will help with timing.

I actually thought for the first time I have ever recorded two guitars playing the same thing I was quite happy with my synchronising. There was only a few sections that were a bit suspect and it didn't just make it a mess of notes

Also within dynamics I think you nailed my problem. I accentuate every note with different muting depending on string but for the opens on the E string it always sounds less than others and usually the notes blend in with the backing. I think I might mute them a bit too much.

Thanks for your feedback man. I will try and get a video done over next day and it will be with it recorded again. Practicing it over and over to record it means that I can play it a lot better already and when my hand heals hopefully I can nail it .

Thanks for the feedback mate. You definitely are weeding out my weakpoints for sure Which is how to improve as a guitarist.

EDIT:- And you said to say when I'm ready for more theory and I've looked over it and I'm ready for more theory

Posted by: wrk Feb 2 2009, 05:51 PM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Feb 2 2009, 05:25 PM)

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Feb 2 2009, 05:25 PM)

I actually thought for the first time I have ever recorded two guitars playing the same thing I was quite happy with my synchronising. There was only a few sections that were a bit suspect and it didn't just make it a mess of notes

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Feb 2 2009, 05:25 PM)

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Feb 2 2009, 05:25 PM)

EDIT:- And you said to say when I'm ready for more theory and I've looked over it and I'm ready for more theory

Posted by: wrk Feb 5 2009, 12:51 PM

Theory: Part #2

Previously i explained you how these scale formulas are build

Major Scale (Ionian) : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Natural Minor Scale (Aeolian) 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

Read back if something is not clear on this as it will be important to completely understand this before we continue.

Task:
You have here the 7 scales starting with each note of the C-major scale(ionian) as root note:

C - C D E F G A B (done)
D - D E F G A B C
E - E F G A B C D
F - F G A B C D E
G - G A B C D E F
A - A B C D E F G (done)
B - B C D E F G A

I want you to analyze the intervals between the root note to all other notes of each scale and build the formulas on that. Like we did for the 6.degree, A natural minor scale (aeolian)

Hint: You already have the notes, so no notes have to be adjusted. Just count the intervals and build the formulas. Not the binary+1 code .. 2212221 .. the formulas based to the root note !!

In post #74 i gave you a list (HT->Intervals), which is not complete! It will be useful for you in future to take the logic of this list and add the missing entries.

Why we do this:
You may notice that we enter somehow into modes, but i would like that you understand the differences of each mode/scale by seeing the adjustments of one or more intervals. These adjustments give the mode it's character. Thats the reason why we go step by step and i give you these tasks to build formulas on your own instead to just apply learned formulas. The same logic can be applied on every other scale type .. even pentatonic scales.

Let me know if something is not clear. Have fun ..

Posted by: wrk Feb 12 2009, 09:45 AM

Hi OC,

As discussed via PM we will continue from time to time with what we have started here. We both have some time issues, so it will be with no pressure on an irregular basis. But it would be a real pleasure for me if i can be of any further help for you.

I have created a category and post for you in my Agenda. I guess you will be somehow "dispatched" within the MTP, so take it as an additional space for you.

Find your way ... http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=181&cat=94

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 12 2009, 11:23 AM

Cheers for setting that up Andy. I've not managed to do any guitar at all lately. Last night I picked up my guitar for the first time in 2 weeks and I played one chord and the D string snapped

Now 2 of my guitars are out of action. I need to spend a bit of money to look after them but with not caring much for things at the minute I haven't bothered

Posted by: wrk Feb 12 2009, 11:40 AM

Ok, as we guitar player are supposed to be good in improvisation, we move from "string snapping" to "string skipping" ... i'll give you an exercise for that

No problem OC, take your time. Give me some suggestions how i can motivate you http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=181&showentry=652. I'm sure you need just 30min of fun moments with your guitar and you are back on track with regular practicing.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 12 2009, 11:43 AM

QUOTE (wrk @ Feb 12 2009, 10:40 AM)

Ok, as we guitar player are supposed to be good in improvisation, we move from "string snapping" to "string skipping" ... i'll give you an exercise for that

No problem OC, take your time. Give me some suggestions how i can motivate you http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=181&showentry=652. I'm sure you need just 30min of fun moments with your guitar and you are back on track with regular practicing.

Posted by: wrk Feb 12 2009, 11:52 AM

QUOTE (OrganisedConfusion @ Feb 12 2009, 11:43 AM)

I just play You've Got Another Thing Coming by Judas Priest usually and somehow that always brings a smile to my face. I still have 2 guitars with 6 strings lol Got band practice tonight for first time in 2 weeks and that should be alright. I'm happy currently as we have arranged another originals gig and it has been a while.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Feb 12 2009, 12:03 PM

QUOTE (wrk @ Feb 12 2009, 10:52 AM)

Just watched this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RRoCkncvYo ... and it puts a smile on my face as well

Great news for the gig, get some pictures or recordings done by someone .. would love to see this.