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Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 12 2009, 03:41 PM

Ok Angel, here we go with new MTP rules. You will be required to submit 3 assignments in October, all on weekly basis.

1st assignment is due on 17th of October.

I want you to upload audio and/or video of you playing following 7 alternate picking exercises. I would like you to do them at least 90bpm without any mistakes with these.

Feel free to check out first 5 examples that I played at 60,80 and 100bpm http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=30326

Let me know if you got any questions!

Pedja

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 15 2009, 10:38 PM

Ok
Sorry I've been out for a while...
I'll try to post some vids tomorrow!! Specially, #6 and #7

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 16 2009, 07:40 PM

Thank you Angel, I look forward to it tomorrow!

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 18 2009, 06:38 PM

Hi Pedja,

Finally, I got something to show you...I just recorded a couple of vids for exercices #6 and #7 related with alternate picking. I've been practicing hard during the last two weeks. I see some improvement but also feel kind of fustrated a little bit with this last examples. 90 bmp it's really fast for me. I have difficulties with coordination of both hands.
I think that now it's a matter of good coordination. Anyway, we'll see...

I thought that maybe I could lower the action on my guitar. But I don't really know if that would solve the problem. Now the action it's about 2mm in the G and D strings. And a little bit lower (around 1.7mm) in the oposite sides (due to the fact that it's a tune o matic bridge). Also the pick i'm using it's 1mm hard. Should I change those parameters?
I hope you could help me to 'unblock' those scales!!!

The overall feeling it's that i'm very happy anyway.

Take care,

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 18 2009, 07:32 PM

Angel I watched those videos. It sounds like you are almost there with the tempo. Exercises 6 and 7 sound sloppy a bit but you can fix that soon. Lower the tempo to 70bpm and try to play those exercises with that tempo. After you are done with 70, move to 80bpm. After 80, 90 will come and you will have no need to look back on them ever again

I think 1mm pick is good and is your action. Generally the lower the action, the easier it is to play things faster. I however always let the fingers do the work and talking. Don't worry too much about action, with hard practice you can overcome anything.

I am glad you are very happy with your progress so far. I will post your 2nd assignment soon!

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 18 2009, 08:20 PM

Thanks Pedja!

I'm starting to feel what is this all about...!!! hahaha.
I can't wait for more assignments.
Well, as I always say:

Keep on working!

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 19 2009, 01:30 PM

Angel we are moving onto your 2nd assignment this month. Focus is on Sweep picking now.

2nd assignment due October 26th.

- Work on 5 sweep picking examples, record them (audio and/or video) and post them here.
- Use tempos provided in Guitar pro file as a guide for final tempo.

Let me know if you have any questions! I shall upload videos of myself playing those examples today and will post them here for you as well.

Pedja

P.S. Try to play examples using original tempo in guitar pro. If you have trouble with those let me know and I will drop the bar a bit

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 20 2009, 04:37 PM

Angel, here are all the examples in this thread http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=31383&view=findpost&p=434165

I won't set up specific tempos for you. Feel free to record exercises in tempo that you are most comfortable in !

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 20 2009, 07:21 PM

Awesome Pedja!

I'll look at it tomorrow. They seem difficult at first sight.
I'll try to do my best on those exercices. Thanks for leting me chose the tempo...!!

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 20 2009, 07:29 PM

Great Angel. Please let me know if you have any questions !

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 22 2009, 10:47 PM

Angel, how is assignment coming along?
Let me know if I can help in any way!

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 22 2009, 11:05 PM

To be honest, I'm a little bit scared. I tryed the first example and found it really difficult. I've tryed some sweep picking in the past and always thought that it requires great skills!
I'll start to practice all the exercices one by one tomorrow afternoon at extreeeeemely low tempo and see what happens.
In relation with the exercices of the last month, I practice them every day for around 50 min and now I consider them as my 'warm up licks'. I'm really thankful Pedja.

You'll have news of my improvements soon

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 22 2009, 11:11 PM

No need to be scared Angel
We will work on sweep picking and master it. For certain exercises it may be easier to move tempos than others but the idea here is to get sweep picking mechanics down and play them all in time. If you can do this, at tempos of your choice, we have achieved our goal! As times goes by you will implement this technique into your practice routine and improve it over time.
Look forward to audio and/or video Angel

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 23 2009, 05:11 PM

Hi Pedja,

Horrible but I did it also for fun. Yes I just recorded the 5 vids, one for each example so I forced myself to look at it at least one time today...Now that I'm familiarized with the licks I'm going to 'master' it, or at least try to add those to my list of useful licks while I'm playing as you well said.
Anyway, no need to comment anything...hahahaha

Keep on working,

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 23 2009, 05:20 PM

Angel

I just want to correct the technique in those videos. Make sure that you sweep through the strings. Don't pick individual notes!!! Never do that when you are doing sweep picking please. Think of it as if you were strumming a chord!

Exercise 1 should be played 2 frets higher. Exercise 2, pay attention to picking strokes, check guitar pro slowly! Exercise 3 , make sure you use all 4 fingers, not just index and middle
You repeated exercise 3 for the last two videos as well so... Keep working

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 23 2009, 05:45 PM

Yes! I'm sorry I just realized. Here are the last two videos, examples 4 and 5.
I'm reading your comments...thanks a lot.

I think a got the basic idea: 'strumming' the strings
I'll work on low tempos, don't worry

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 24 2009, 09:59 PM

Angel last 2 examples also need work. Besides technique (strumming rather than individually picking the notes), you need to look at the Guitar pro and/or PDF file and learn the right notes. You will notice that Exercise 4 uses same fingering and shape for G and F chord. The only difference is that they are 2 frets apart. For Exercise 5 you are omitting a note that should be played on 12th fret on E string. Check that out and let me know if you need any help

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 30 2009, 08:28 AM

Angel we are moving to your 3rd assignment for this month. We will focus on triads this time which is directly related to theory and harmony.

3rd assignment is due on 4th of November.

- Record a full lesson of mine Triads in a major scale part 1.

Here is a link for the lesson http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Triads_in_Major_Scale_Series_Part_1/

Let me know if you have any questions!

Pedja

Posted by: duendezillo Oct 30 2009, 06:47 PM

Great!
I'll look at it this weekend...The sweep picking exercices have been improved just a little. There are a couple (nº4 and nº2) wich a think they are really dificult to start with that technique for me that i'm a total beginer. Anyway, You'll have some vids too.
Thanks,

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Oct 30 2009, 08:24 PM

Great to hear that Angel. We will keep working on sweep picking more in November as it seems to be troubling area for you. Look forward to your videos !

Posted by: duendezillo Nov 2 2009, 08:34 PM

hi Pedja,
Here are a couple of vids of what i'm practicing now regarding sweep picking...
I'll look at new assignment now
You'll have news of my improvement soon
Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Nov 3 2009, 09:32 AM

This is much better Angel. With 1st example just pay more attention on 3rd (G) string. Don't remove your left hand too soon, you need that note to sound clear like the other ones. As far as example 3 goes, you should aim not to bar but rather to roll the finger. Check out how I did those exercises in this thread http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=31383&view=findpost&p=434165.

You have now 2 days to record Triads in C major scale lesson provided in the assignment http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=31200&view=findpost&p=437423.

Let me know if you need any help.

Posted by: duendezillo Nov 3 2009, 10:11 PM

All right!!!
I love the new triad lesson. I wish I had studied that kind of stuff years ago. Now I could be a better player for sure!
I find the lesson really helpful to improve my fingering skills besides the part of great theory involved! Harmonizing the major scale in 2nds. Major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished!!! et voila!
I'll practice a little bit tomorrow and post the new vids.

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Nov 4 2009, 01:21 PM

Very happy to hear you enjoy the triad lesson. Like you said, it will benefit you a lot and make you a better player. Harmony and theory are very important. Knowing how to harmonize scales and chords within them is essential when composing or accompaning somebody else. I think you will feel great when we work through all of triads in major scale lessons. I have another series coming which are OPEN TRIADS IN G MAJOR SCALE. That will add a whole other dimension to your chord knowledge. We shall cover that in future as well

Posted by: duendezillo Nov 4 2009, 05:11 PM

Hi Pedja,

I just recorded the Major triad video (part one). You'll hear some unwanted noise at the begining related to the EA and D strings. It is hard for me because of the new chord/triad shapes. I'm more used to the next shapes though, as you'll see.
This was my second take after practising for 40 min. at 70 bpm
I really enjoyed although I wish that the sound coming out would be more defined.

Angel

Posted by: Pedja Simovic Nov 5 2009, 11:28 AM

Fantastic work Angel. I like it a lot. You dropped down the tempo and played the whole lesson with a feeling. I enjoyed the fact that you went higher up the neck for some chord voicings and didn't transpose them down an octave like I did. It shows me that you can see now these chords easily.

I will close now this thread and open a new one for you (for November). Stay tuned!