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Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 17 2020, 09:02 AM

Welcome to SHRED BOOTCAMP! I'll be your Drill Instructor! And I do mean DRILL! As in a large power tool used in slasher films and Paul Gilbert concerts. Here is were you EARN THE LIVING DEATH out of your fingers and break through any speed bumps/barriers to become a MASTER CHIEF of Shred!
QUICK TIPS TO PREPARE YOU FOR BATTLE
*Make sure you get both hands in the shot when shooting your video*Make sure you use a metronome for the first several Missions and that the metronome can be heard.*After you complete a mission, shoot me a PM and let me know it's ready and I'll give you a debrief! These are pass / fail, so if you pass you BADGE UP and if not, I'll give you some feedback and you head in to the breach once again.
*The first several missions are VERY simple. They are just to get you used to the bootcamp process.
*Most importantly, there is NEVER a speed requirement in bootcamp. I want you to push yourself to play as brisk as you can, but NEVER at the expense of precision. If you find you are missing a note here and there, slow down a bit. Speed is just a byproduct of precision so my goal is to make you a very precise player. At that point, speed just happens.

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 20 2020, 08:16 AM

My first Lesson.. 160 BPM

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 21 2020, 05:52 AM

Welcome to BOOTCAMP SOLDIER!!! You are off to a flying start!! I typically have 3 elements that I'm looking for in each Mission. However, in this case I think it's important to focus on just one thing. You clearly have good hand synch, well beyond what is required for the first few missions. Also plenty of speed, well beyond what is required as well so CHEERS there! I wanted to ask what type of pick you are using? For these I suggest something pointy and 1.0mm thick or better. If you are already using something like that, great! As for the guitar. You could not have made a better choice imho. That instrument will serve you very well in every single mission. It's built to kill and that's what we do here in BOOTCAMP!!!

My only issue is with the tension in your pick hand. It's important to adress this early on so that we can work on it as we go. Your picking is solid! Never missing a strike. Muting is solid as well! You are NOT picking from the elbow which is also great news. At the speed you are playing, I do see your pick hand starting to tense up a bit which is something that can inhibit your top speed and can reduce your stamina.

Learning to pick with precision/speed/while not tensing is the challenge every player must face at some point. We will work through this and get you on your way to greatness. The first dozen or so missions are well below your playing ability so use them to try to focus on relaxing your pick hand without losing performance. It's tricky.

Here is a quick demo video. Watch my picking hand. Notice that it never really tenses up and that I'm articulating most of it using the thumb and first finger, not so much the wrist. This despite the fact that there are some pretty quick picking bits. It's possible to use the thumb/finger combo to great effect and it allows for very solid palm mute. Only at very extreme speeds do I end up needing the wrist as the finger/thumb articulation method does have limits. It uses very little energy though and is very precise.



As for your first Mission you killed it and just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 20 2020, 03:16 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 21 2020, 08:21 AM

Hello Todd

Thanks for your feedback.
I have a 1.14 Dunlop ULTEX pick. I've been using it for a long time.
I'm now trying to play more with my thumb and forefinger. That's why there are two videos so you can see this better ... Hopefully..

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 24 2020, 09:04 PM

That pick is a fine choice. Nice and pointy as well as nice and thick! What string gauge are you using btw? As I watch your playing I can see you are trying to articulate more with the thumb/first finger on the pick which is good news! It looks like your pick hand is a pinch tense up. Each strike also has a lot of intensity behind it. Hard pick strikes make a great way to create dynamics between lighter strikes. Try to back off just a pinch if possible in terms of how much power you are using on the picking hand. You want to use as little pressure as you can and still keep up the tone you want from the strike. This will keep your pick hand from getting tired over a long practice session.

Endurance comes from practice but also from taking the right approach. Being able to control the intensity of pick strikes is the key to creating a dynamic playing style. It's natural for the hand to tighten up when playing at speed, but it's something worth trying to overcome. It's just another small part of what goes in to making a truly good player.

Your hand synch is quite good here and you don't lose the beat or drop any pick strikes which is awesome!

Each pick strike should be just enough to excite the string to create the note. In later missions, we will take the picking hand out of the way entirely and I'll have you just use your fretting hand. These drills help work on left hand power as they take picking out of the equation.

I've been using a more conversational style on your Bootcamp reviews rather than my usual approach of focusing on 3 expected elements that i look for in each. Hope this works for you too

You clearly have this drill well in hand and I can see improvements from the last mission. Keep it up! You are still in the "starter pack" of lessons where we work out any glitches. The only technical glitch so far is that I can hear the metronome a bit louder than your guitar. It's great hearing the metronome but maybe turn yourself up a pinch or turn the metronome down a pinch if possible.

Looking forward to your next Mission Soldier!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 21 2020, 03:21 AM)

Hello Todd

Thanks for your feedback.
I have a 1.14 Dunlop ULTEX pick. I've been using it for a long time.
I'm now trying to play more with my thumb and forefinger. That's why there are two videos so you can see this better ... Hopefully..

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 26 2020, 03:01 PM

Hello Todd
Thanks for the detailed feedback on lesson 2 !!
By the way, I use strings with the strength 09/46 ....
Here is my lesson 3. I continue to work on my looseness while playing ....

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 27 2020, 06:53 AM

Good choice on string gauge as well! You have got a good flow going on this Mission Soldier! It's designed to burn the hand out if it's being done improperly. It's built to try to guide your hand in to using less pressure to fret and strike so that you can play longer without scorching your muscles! Pick hand is looking good! not tensing! I was about to badge it up but around 9 seconds through 11 seconds you seem to drift from the beat a bit. I can tell that this may be near the edge of your ability which is where progress happens! Maybe a few more reps and maybe a pinch harder on the palm mute in order to make each note a bit more distinct. They are bleeding together just a bit. It's still clean, but a harder mute would help with note separation which is a very handy skill to have when playing at speed.

This one is looking good but needs either a few more loops through the fingers or maybe back off the speed just a pinch so you can keep better control on timing. I'd say push down on the palm mute a bit more either way and make sure to keep your pick strike fairly shallow and only move as little distance away from the string with the pick each time as needed. Listen to the tone in the demo video I put in the lesson. It's the harder mute that is creating note separation at speed and giving it the metal grinding bit of tone.

You are on the brink Soldier!! One more BATTLE!!


Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 26 2020, 10:01 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 27 2020, 04:25 PM

Once again....

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 28 2020, 01:29 AM

BINGO!! This is what I wanted to see soldier. Can you hear the difference in tone? I sure can!! This is a really solid mute and it helps to keep notes separate and keeps string noise at bay and gives each note more oomph to each note. Not to mention it just sounds cooler. Let's Debrief!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

*PICKING TECHNIQUE: First thing I want to see here is solid picking technique. The picking is really the core of everything we are going to be doing so it's great to see you have a good handle on it!!! keep it up!!

*MUTING: Secondly I wanna see a really good strong palm mute. Without a solid palm mute, all is lost. Your palm mute is spot on and no string noise is escaping. The tone is also much improved due to the stronger mute. SCORE!

*SYNCH: Lastly I gotta see good hand synch. Keeping your right/left hand synch is another crucial part of this. You've got very solid hand synch and you are ready for what's next Soldier. Prepare yourself for BLOOD!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 27 2020, 11:25 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 29 2020, 10:35 AM

Hello Todd
Here is my lesson 4 .....
I always warm up to the lessons I have already passed.
I slowly increase the speed. Focus is more on the loose right hand ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 30 2020, 03:33 AM

NICE!!! You've come a long way in a short time Soldier. BTW NICE IBBY!!!!!!! Your also using your thumb/first finger more to articulate and a bit of wrist which is working well as a combo. Your timing is much improved as well. You are getting much better at being able to focus on the lick and focus on the click and keep them both synched. Let's Debrief!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

*PALM MUTE STEADY ON: First thing I'm looking at here is your palm mute. This lick has non stop string traverse. If you don't mute, you get string noise and you don't get good note separation. Your mute is nice and tight!! keep that up!

*PICKING STEADY ON: The Second thing I want to see if steady picking. No rushing, no lagg This will serve you well as you work on your speed/precision moving forward.

*ENDURANCE: Finally, this one is about endurance. You've been taught the tools of the trade to allow you to play for extended periods without your arm burning off and you are doing great!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 29 2020, 05:35 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 3 2020, 07:54 AM

Hello Todd
Here is my lesson 5.
100 BPM
When I try to play faster my hand is too tight ... I'm working on it ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 3 2020, 08:02 AM

This is the correct speed for this Mission soldier and you are playing it plenty fast given the complexity. I do notice that you are rushing/leading the beat/metronome just a pinch. I think you may be concentrating on the fingering so much that you are losing track with the clicks. It's not by much, but just enough to register in my ears. I think you could bring the metronome up to meet you a few more BPM or relax back in to the beat a bit a slow your playing just a bit to let it fall to the beat of the metronome. The good news is your mute is very good as is your picking technique! This Mission is more about precision than speed so focus on the clicks and try to strike on beat each time. I know thats not easy given the pattern is complicated. I ask you to loop it so I can hear the same thing played over several bars. That way any drift in timing will stand out and be heard. You are coming along really well and I love that Ibby!! Try this one one more time, either speed up the click a bit to catch up with you, or slow your playing a bit to lock in with 100 bpm.

Onward!

Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 3 2020, 02:54 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 4 2020, 06:37 PM

Again with 100 BPM .... I feel a little better.

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 4 2020, 07:36 PM

Much Improved Soldier!! Your timing is getting better each time! Let's Debrief!

MEDALS OF HONOR

TRAVERSE: The first thing I look for on this Mission is good "Traverse" e.g. moving between strings and or frets. If your string or fret traverse is off, this entire thing falls apart. String Traverse is a tricky thing. It's easy to stumble on it. This take is very much better than the first and I can see the work in the vid! Well done!!

PACE:The second thing I look for on this Mission is pace. Are you rushing or lagging, basically. It's very easy to rush or lag on a lick like this where your focus is on the lick due to it's complexity and not on the click / metronome. This is quite common and it's part of why this lick is here. To get your brain to be able to divide attention between finger bits and timing bits. You play very evenly which is what I like to see.

ARTICULATION: Lastly, I look at your articulation e.g. how you are striking each notes. You are not picking from the elbow which is great. It's actually normal to stiffen the entire arm and elbow pick which is a bad habit and hard to break. You are articulating the pick very well. You are not tense, and you are not wagging the pick hand to far from each strike. Nice!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 4 2020, 01:37 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 5 2020, 01:44 PM

Lesson 6
100, 110 and 120 BPM

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 6 2020, 04:36 AM

Well Fought! That first one has the best synch to the metronome from the sound of it. I can see that the two really fast passes were very solid and clean as well. I think you are tied to the metronome, just doing it in a different way than I might do it which is still just fine as long as the playing is steady, that's what matters most. Congrats on gaining speed on this lick! It's a handy shreddy lick for using in Solos!

let's Debrief!!

MEDAL ON

ALT PICKING: Firstly I want to see consistent alternate picking. Without consistency, speed is hopeless. It's consistent and that's what I'm looking for. Nice!!

MUTE: Secondly you gotta have a good palm mute with no string noise. Very solid work on the palm mute. Also critical. If you can't mute, you will get string noise. Not a problem here!!!

SYNCH:Lastly, there is NO gap in the notes so you gotta have good hand synch! Right/Left hand synch is the core of this drill. If your synch is off, the entire thing will fall apart. Again, not a problem here! Your synch is spot on!

Keep this in your pocket for use in solos!

You just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 5 2020, 08:44 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 6 2020, 01:34 PM

Hi Todd

My Lesson 7... 100 Bpm

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 7 2020, 04:48 AM

Well Fought Soldier!! You are getting better and better with each passing Mission. Your synch with the metronome on this is the best yet. You are able to focus on the click and focus on the bit being played. Your hands seems to be adapting to these complicated looping licks as well! Also, your endurance is quite good! Let's Debrief!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

ALTERNATE PICKING MADNESS - Firstly, this is all about alt picking. So if the alt picking is bad it all falls apart. Your Alternate picking has improved quite a bit since Mission 1! You are on the right path Soldier!! keep fighting!!

TRAVERSE IN STYLE - Secondly, I wanna see traverse. This one is non stop string and fret traverse. Starting to see a theme? I have many of these where I force the hand to shift strings and frets. It trains the hand to be more comfortable going between strings and between frets until it's second nature. Nice!

SILENT AS DEATH - Lastly, Palm muting is always critical. If the mute is loose, string noise will ruin the take. You keep a solid mute and Each note is distinct. Score!!

You are doing very well Soldier. I'm sure you can feel the progress!! These Missions will get more tricky as we move forward. But I think you are ready!!!!
You just.....

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 6 2020, 08:34 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 9 2020, 03:25 PM

My lesson 8

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 10 2020, 02:18 AM

Soldier I really appreciate your AGGRESSIVE STYLE!!!! It bodes well for your future as a player. Putting all that in to the instrument is what it takes to be a great player. This particular lick is more about precision than speed, much like the other licks based on the same concept. I'm trying to train your fingers to be able to traverse strings and traverse frets, while keeping perfect hand synch, and being able to listen to the metronome and integrate the pace in to your playing. It's a LOT to do at once but it's a foundational skill that will serve you well as you continue in the missions. There are plenty of purely shred licks to come that are built for pure straight line speed. Once your hands are properly trained, the shreddy bits will seem pretty basic to you. It's actually the bits like this which can be tricky. You have this lick down cold. It's just a little rushed from the metronome beat. Back off just a pinch and keep that click in your ear. Tap your foot, bang your head, do both if you want to, it can help you tie your playing to the beat. You only rushing by a quarter of a beat which is not much and it's only now and then. So I know you are able to play this bit. Back off just a pinch on the speed and try the tapped foot, banging head, anything to tie your body to the beat. Give me one more a bit more precise and your DONE and BADGED!

Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 9 2020, 10:25 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 10 2020, 04:21 PM

Hi Todd

Once again...
Many thanks for your support!!

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 11 2020, 08:21 PM

Now you've got it! On many of these, your brain has be split in two parts, one part to play the lick and another part to try to tie the lick to the beat/click. The fingers sometimes get ahead or behind by themselves. So keeping on point can be hard. I think you are getting the hang of it Soldier!

Lets' Debrief!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

TRAVERSE OF KINGS You may have noticed that these licks have a LOT of string traverse. This is something that many players struggle with. Often, the pick will snag on a string an ruin the bit. Not for you! Smooth picking and fret traverse. NICE!

SOLID PACING Any looping lick like these is about pacing. It's giving you a chance to rush or lag which ruins the take. You have adapted to this and it's nice and smooth. SCORE!!

ALT PICKING FROM HELL Pretty much non stop alternate picking. It's built to train your picking hand to keep up a solid pace of alt picking to prepare you play the alt pick shreddy high speed licks to come. DOUBLE SCORE!

Congrats Soldier. You just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 10 2020, 11:21 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 13 2020, 03:48 PM

Hi ToddHi Todd
My lesson 9

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 13 2020, 07:53 PM

WELL FREAKING FOUGHT SOLDIER!!! I can see that you are really getting the hang of synching up to the metronome!!! I can see lots of improvement even from the last Mission!! Your SYNCH is quite good here which is really what I want to see. A BIG part of these first missions is to get you comfortable playing in very tight lock step with the metronome. You've come a very long way in this and it will serve you well on your journey!!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

SNIPER Your precision is spot on. It's good to see! Never hitting the wrong strike, always making a clean hit. keep that up!!

CONSISTENCY The reason I have you play this more than one time is to see if you can play it with consistency. This is the most important thing you can do and your doing it well. Being able to play with consistent pace, strikes, hand synch, is crucial. You've shown great ability with it thus far. Keep that up too!!

MUTE TO KILL A good mute is crucial. Without it, string noise will kill your solos. A good mute is one that covers the entire bridge so that you dont have to lean on the left hand for muting strings. Not everyone can do this. I'm very glad to see that you can!!

It's great to see you making such good progress Soldier!! I know it's been hard. You've earned it!!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 13 2020, 10:48 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 18 2020, 04:17 PM

Hi Todd

Hello Todd

here is my lesson 10. (90BPM)
I'm working again. So it took a little longer ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 19 2020, 02:03 AM

NICE!! You keep getting better and better Soldier! These drills with the metronome are getting tighter each time. Your internal mertronome is starting to kick in! I can tell you are in much tighter synch with the beat. This is a foundational skill that will serve you well as in the future. Let's Debrief!

MEDALS OF HONOR

SYNCH OR SWIM: First thing I wanna see is very solid SYNCH. My expectations for your synch go up with each Mission and you are doing a Great job on synch! Perfect use of the metronome. Keep it up!

MUTE OR DIE: Second, I want to see your mute getting better each time. Due to the massive amount of string/fret traverse, you gotta keep a good palm mute on this guy or string noise will just wreck it. Your mute is spot on. You are at the level now where you can do left hand only mutes. SCORE!

AGGRESSIVE STYLE: Lastly, I want to see you confident in your playing. No hesitation. You jumped right in and pushed the envelope and still kept it under control. DOUBLE SCORE!

You got this type of lick sorted out Soldier. You are ready for the crazy bits that are coming!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 18 2020, 11:17 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 23 2020, 02:22 PM

Hello Todd
Here is my contribution to lesson 11.
Sorry for the delay ... I forgot to turn this off when recording ... I'm not practicing with delay! Here I turned it on because it was so cool!!!

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 23 2020, 11:27 PM

Well Fought Soldier!!! you are getting better and better at keeping time with the metronome. It never hurts to tap your foot or bang your head to the beat to make the beat part of your body. It helps to internalize it. This a LONG lick. It travels all the way up the neck and is a real test of endurance. Some folks just can't play it that far up the neck. Their arm starts to burn and they have to quit. Part of the lesson is to try to teach the arm/hands to stay relaxed so that endurance is increased. Otherwise, there is no way to play this lick all the way up, the hand just cramps up and fails. No worries on that for you! Endurance to spare! Nice.

Let's Debrief!

MEDALS OF HONOR

LOOPY: You may notice that I have you play licks often in a "Loop". This is so that you focus on the lick itself. Also, it allows me to see your playing over a distance of ground. If you rush/lag, it will stick out like a sore thumb. You keep it even for the entire time. There are a couple of notes maybe a pinch out of time but not enough to keep you from badging up. It's impressive that you are able to play this all the way up the neck!

NON STOP TRAVERSE: As with a few others, this lick traverses strings and frets non stop. This is to test your ability to change strings and change frets without rest. It makes you play on smaller frets each time you move up. So it gets harder each time you move. This doesn't seem to trip you up at all. Nice!

ARTICULATION: You are doing a very good job of articulating the pick with your thumb/first finger and avoiding the dreaded "Picking from the Elbow". It's great to see you using the wrist for main control and your fingers for precision at the strike point. Very well done.

In short, you KRUSHED IT! You are ready for what awaits you Soldier!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 23 2020, 09:22 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jun 3 2020, 06:35 AM

My Lesson 12

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 4 2020, 06:05 AM

You've got the left hand and the hand synch and the pattern down cold Soldier!! There is only one part of this that doesn't scream BADGE UP and that's the mute. This lick is about fast alt picking while keeping a stiff palm mute which makes each note stand out and be dinstinct which is what makes it sound so fast played at speed. If the mute is light, the picking and thus the notes bleed together a bit. Your mute playing the E string is great! Pinky extended, solid pressure on the bridge. Take that same technique and apply it to the other strings. Make each note pop out. It should sound very very percussive. fast chugga chugga all the way down.

Once more in to the breach!!

Great progress on your technique Soldier! This is where you combine all of the left and right hand work at once!


Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jun 3 2020, 01:35 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jun 4 2020, 01:01 PM

Lesson 12..... Take 2

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 4 2020, 06:16 PM

Much better!! I can hear the chunk in each note which is what makes this lick so cool. I do notice you are not picking as much with the thumb and forefinger and a bit more from the wrist and the pick arm is a pinch stiff, but it's something that will come with time. The goal of this Mission is to get you to combine several techniques while keeping a solid mute and you've done it!!! Let's Debrief!

MEDALS OF HONOR

ALT PICK OF DESTINY: Alternate Picking is at the core of this lick. Without good alt picking technique, this lick won't work. It's the kind of thing you just cant play with all downstrokes no matter what. You have very smooth alternate picking on this one.

TRAVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Non stop fret traverse is required on this one.You gotta keep moving the entire time with no break, no pause and no gap to catch your breath. This is tot prep you for shredding which happens in large groups of notes with no breaks. You are making great progress to be able to play this lick at this speed with precision. I think it would have been far more tricky at Level 1. Your moving along great!

PINKY TIME: Good use of the pinky here! On the lower frets, Pinky Power is crucial. Playrs ignore it to their peril. Pinky Power!

You got this one Soldier. Well Fought!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

This is your last single chevron mission badge Soldier!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jun 4 2020, 08:01 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 5 2020, 06:00 AM

If you have a copy of overloud THU try this patch for Mission Drills!


 PushedTubeAmp.xml.zip ( 1.87K ) : 453

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Aug 31 2020, 07:27 AM

Lesson 13..

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 31 2020, 08:52 PM

IMPRESSSIVE!! This is the most complicated thing we have done so far and it's just flat out technically difficult, especially at first since it requires so many things to be done at the same time. Solid hand synch, good alternate picking, constant string traverse and a pattern of notes that can very confusing. Miss one note, start over. Not to mention Multi Picking and palm muting. So it's everything we have done up to this point and a crazy complex note pattern on top. It's a "Barrier" sort of lesson. You KRUSHED it!! let's debrief!

MEDALS OF HONOR

*TACTICAL PRECISION: The first thing I look for on this is your pick precision. I want to see your fingers landing in the right spot and see your hand synch is tight. You nailed it!

*STEADY PACE: The second thing I want to see on this is a steady pace of play. If you rush or lag it's very easy to hear as the entire lick has equally spaced notes. You play it rock steady all the way through!

*QUIET AS DEATH: With all of the constant string traverse, this lick can get very noisy, very quickly unless one keeps a good mute. You have developed a very solid mute so there is zero string noise!

This is NOT an easy Mission and you DESTROYED it!!!!! NICE!!!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Aug 31 2020, 02:27 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Sep 29 2020, 03:04 PM

Lesson 14 is finished

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 30 2020, 02:20 AM

Well Fought Soldier!! I would have liked to have seen more PINKY use on this one but the notes are close enough to where one doesn't have to. The lick sounds right which is what I want to hear! There are plenty of Missions to come that have a huge stretch that will work the Pinky! Let's Debrief!

MEDALS OF HONOR


*TACTICAL PRECISION: Very well done on pick strikes and fretting. Without a high degree of precision, this lick just falls apart. You have good control over picking and fretting.

*STEADY PACE: Didn't rush, didn't lag. Being able to play at a steady pace and not rush the easy bits and then drag the difficult bits is crucial to being a well rounded player. The shape changes midstream and you keep it nice and smooth!

*QUIET AS DEATH: On these types of licks that use all the strings, it's very hard to keep it from generating string noise. Not a problem here! You have a very solid Mute!!

Well fought Soldier! You just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Sep 29 2020, 10:04 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Oct 4 2020, 08:25 AM

Since I didn't use my little finger very much in lesson 14, I cannot do without it in this lesson.
But Slash grew up without it .....

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Oct 4 2020, 08:55 AM

My Lesson 16

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 5 2020, 08:31 PM

Nice Work with the pInky Soldier!! This lick is partially to prepare your hand for sweep picking so the use of econ picking (two down strokes as you cross to the higher string) is crucial. Also, the use of the pinky is crucial. That too is to prepare your hand. The triad shape is meant to get you ready for SWEEP PICKING WORK. It's coming and it's not easy. You are ready Soldier! Also, good synch here. The only issue seems to be your pick hand digging in a bit to hard which can reduce precision, speed. It's not going to keep you moving ahead, it's just worth focusing on in the next Mission. Try to approach fretting and picking with as light a touch as possible. It's not easy. It's instinctual to dig in and tense up. Much as in life. Facing an obstacle forces the body to react. That reaction can be overcome and controlled. It's often the barrier preventing one from making progress. As Bruce lee said, "become water", water can take any shape. It's not hard, it flows.

MEDALS OF HONOR

*Sweep Shape: This starts with a sweep type shape with two down strokes. This is the
most important part. It's not easy at first you nailed it!

*Follow Up: Following the sweepish bit, you go right in to a scaleish bit. Getting this
transition to be smooth is the entire point of the drill. You adapted quite well. NICE!

*Precision: A high degree of precision is required for this entire thing. If you falter at any point it will stick out like a sore thumb. Your synch is good your precision is great, congrats!!

You got this one Soldier.

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

Onward!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Oct 4 2020, 03:25 AM)

Since I didn't use my little finger very much in lesson 14, I cannot do without it in this lesson.
But Slash grew up without it .....

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 9 2020, 12:40 AM

Well Fought Soldier!!!! This is your intro to several NEO CLASSICAL bits we will be fighting through. This uses a triad base to build out a neo classical looping riff. It's also good practice to prep the hand for arpeggios. Let's Debrief!!!

MEDALS OF HONOR


*SOLID MUTE: Without a good mute this would sound like a huge mess of noise. Your mute continues to improve with each mission. The better your picking while muting gets, the better a player you'll be!!

*SYNCH OR SWIM: Hand synch is getting better and better. Tighter, more precision, well played! There is a lot more where that came from!

*ARTICULATION: Well done using the fingers/hand on the picking and NOT using the stiff arm / picking from the Elbow. Picking from the elbow is a cardinal sin. Avoid it at all costs.

You are on the path Soldier!! Keep Fighting!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Oct 4 2020, 03:55 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 1 2020, 10:30 AM

Hello Todd
Lesson 17 is done. Rhythmically a little difficult to understand ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 2 2020, 12:52 PM

Well Fought Soldier! The slower version is a good example of what I'm looking for. The fast once has good precision but your picking technique degrades quite a bit on the faster run. Watch the vid again and notice how you switch from controlling the pick with your hand on the slower one, to almost picking from the elbow/stiff arm style on the faster one and losing grip on your palm mute as well. Your left hand is clearly rate for the higher rate of speed, but your picking hand is having to give up most of it's control and mute to keep up on the fast run. Let's look at the slower one for the debrief.

MEDALS OF HONOR

PLAYING WITHIN ABILITY: It's always tempting, on a lick like this, to push the envelope well past where one actually can play,.. Quite easily it slips in to sloppy playing. The first run is tight and under control. Score!

NOT TENSING UP: Not tensing your arms is the key to shredding. Tension is Death for shredding. It wrecks your speed, kills your precision and causes injury. The first run is a good example. Nice!

PACING: It's also tempting on a lick lick this to play the parts that are easier for the hand faster than the parts that are more difficult. This can lead to rushing/lagging. You played both licks at good even pace. Double Kill!

Keep this lick in your warm up routine. Focus on your picking more than your fretting to balance out your hands. Very good progress here. You just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 1 2020, 05:30 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 21 2020, 09:44 AM

Hello Todd

Here is my lesson 18.
I keep trying not to move out of my arm. Unfortunately not always ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 21 2020, 10:05 AM

Well Fought Soldier!! This is what it's all about. Being able to take licks and make music. I"m very impressed with how you put this together. Technique is solid and the solo is very listenable. The big challenge here is not just to play the licks, it's to take licks that weve been working on and use them in a musical context. That's where the rubber hits the road for every musician. You hit it quite well!!

You have made great progress solider. Your hand sync and mute are very solid. Your hand position at the start keeps a very solid mute while picking. I notice you do lift a bit towards the end but that's just hand fatigue. You are making good use of the pinky on your pick hand by extending it and letting it keep a solid mute.

You've got this one Soldier. For next time, a few bits.
1.)Give me a look at your pick at the start of the video. I'm wanting to see what the pick looks like and how you are holding it.
2.)Bit more gain, not a ton, but a bit. This will make things harder to tame but will show you if there are any gaps in your mute and it will allow you to pick with less pressure.
3.)Try to pick with less pick pressure and use a shallow pick strike depth.

These are small adjustments and I'm sure you can make them along the way. Good Solo!!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 21 2020, 04:44 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Dec 9 2020, 08:25 AM

Here is my lesson 19.
Tapping and hammering are not my favorite occupations yet

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 10 2020, 07:57 AM

Well Fought Soldier!! Welcome to the world of the 5 note per string tap!!! This is taking EVH style tapping and making it much harder. The good news is you played it with style and confidence. I'm very impressed. This is NOT an easy bit to play. Not only do you have to use left hand hammer ons and pull offs, you have to use an open string as well, and keep perfect synch between right and left hands. Nice! Let's Debrief!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

*TAPPING TO GLORY-This is NOT an easy tapping bit as it requires a 5 note per string tap that includes an open string. Most Eddie VanHalen style tapping uses fretted strings only and 3 notes. You handled it quite well. Congrats!

*QUIET AS DEATH-The open string is there partially to test your muting. Without solid muting, the string noise kills this lick. You keep it nice and quiet!!! Score!!

*PULLING FOR POWER-In addition to the tapping, there are pull offs that fit in as well. Without the pull offs, the lick doesn't work at all. You nailed the hammer ons and pull offs. Double Score!!!

In short you KRUSHED it !! you just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Dec 9 2020, 03:25 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Dec 15 2020, 05:20 PM

Hi Todd
Here is my lesson 20.

At your request, I also filmed my right hand.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 15 2020, 09:30 PM

Impressive!! I want you to go back and look at your first few missions, hopefully you have a playlist of all of them on youtube. If not, please make a playlist of your lesson vids on youtube. It's a great way to track progress. You are smoothly moving through every string using alternate picking. This is very well played. Can you feel the difference from where you began? I can certainly see it. Your picking is more precise, more smooth, more even. It doesn't rush or lag, and you are not over commiting to any single pick strike. You are making great progress. This lick is hard to play at this pace and hard to keep steady and even. One missed note and you gotta start over. That's why I have you run all the up and down. It gives the hand a chance to find if there are any problems at any point along the way. Congrats on your progress Soldier! Let's drill in and see if we can make some very small changes that may help as you move forward.

1.)Keep the thumb bent. It's a good idea to keep the thumb bent at the knuckle nearest to the thumbnail. Just a bit more of a bend. This allows for finger/thumb articulation to happen whenever it's needed.

2.)Resting Position for the palm mute. Your resting position for your palm mute is perhaps a pinch high. Your mute is solid but if you move your hand down just a bit, you will be able to mute all the strings using only your left hand. This comes in very handy when playing open string licks that use every string.

3.)Your pick angle is very good and your not going too deep on your pick strikes which is great! I looks like you may be using a rounded pick? I can't really tell here, but often a rounded pick results in more hand wag. A really sharp and pointy pick can help reduce hand wag as the pointy tip allows the picking hand to stay very close to the string after a strike. This allows the next strike to happen quickly as the recovery time is reduced. Try to keep the pick as close to the string as possible after each pick strike. The sharper the pick, the easier this is to do.

Your playing this lick very well. These changes are small, but they can help! You've got this sorted Soldier. You are ready for the madness to come.

You just...
 
LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Dec 15 2020, 12:20 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Dec 17 2020, 06:27 PM

Thanks for your rating, Todd.

Here is a photo of my current pick.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 17 2020, 08:52 PM

Perfect!!! Those are NICE picks. For one thing they are nice and thick, very stiff and very pointy. Well done in selecting those. They look great!!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Dec 17 2020, 01:27 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Dec 25 2020, 11:12 AM

My lesson 21.

I like it...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 26 2020, 07:28 AM

Impressive work Soldier!! This is a very tricky bit to play. Most folks have real trouble playing that fast bit. This is a great thing to practice as it works so many different things at once. The slower bit at the start is contrast to the fast bit and moving between them can be tough. You didn't miss a beat. You keep it nice and tight and you play every note. Also, your mute is very good. Your precision and speed have both improved. Can you see the improvement? You are playing very briskly and with precision. Keep it up!!!

You Just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Dec 25 2020, 06:12 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 3 2021, 11:36 AM

Lesson 22

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 5 2021, 04:29 AM

Look at him go!!!! This is your best one yet Soldier. You are full on SHREDDING it here. I hope you will take the time to go back and watch your first 20 or so missions to see just how much progress you've made since you started this journey. Your Fret hand is ready to SHRED. It's what has to happen before you can put the right hand in there and make it all work. Sometimes, the picking hand develops first, this can be frustrating for players as it means the pick hand can out pace the fret hand making synch tricky. Your fret hand is ready to shred like a fiend. Your pick hand now has to come up to meet it and you'll be ripping it up like you will not believe. You've developed a lighter touch on your fretting hand and this is what is also required on the picking hand. Digging in will kill your pseed. Playing with a light pick strike is the way to go.

I look forward to seeing you progress even more Soldier!! You just..


LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 3 2021, 06:36 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 31 2021, 09:05 AM

Lesson 23

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 1 2021, 07:52 AM

Well fought Soldier!!! It is obvious that you are making great gains in your playing!! This is a solid shred run up most of the neck!!! When you first started, something like this might have been tricky for you. Now, it's cake and pie!! You scream through it. The first take is very solid. The next couple are nice and fast but maybe just a pinch less precise. Still, it works in all the takes. You can use this lick in a solo for a great sense of building tension. I often use this like, or one like it, to build up tension in a solo. Nice!!


FOR NEXT TIME:


PICK HAND POSITION:
It's great to see you sitting in classical position with the guitar at a natural angle. I want to make sure you have something under your left foot to raise it up a bit. It looks like you do, just want to make sure. I do notice that your pick hand position could use a tweak. Try to move the pick hand a litle lower on the bridge. Perhaps increase the angle of the guitar a little bit so that the head stock is raise up a bit and the bridge is rotated down just a bit. Increasing the angle of the guitar will make finding an efficient hand position possible. Here is a screen grab from a great video on pick angle and hand position. notice that at a resting position, his pick lines up in the middle between the low and high string. This is where the hand should ideally rest. Yours is often resting near the low E. It's a subtle change but can have a profound impact on your playing.



Here is the full video. It's worth a watch!! Try to do what he's doing here and calling "Pick Edging"
https://youtu.be/jBLka76n9q0

As for this mission, you just...

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 31 2021, 04:05 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 1 2021, 04:45 PM

Lesson 24
It's difficult for me...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 2 2021, 01:34 AM

NICE!!!! You got it Soldier!!!! This is a lick using the "strike once, hammer many" approach. It's using my fave scale, Minor, to work on being able to strike one note and hammer on the following two notes in a three note per string version of the minor scale. This drill requires not only being able to play the scale up and down all the strings, but also being able to alternate between striking and doing hammer ons. Being able to strike then hammer is a key skill in solo work. This drill is meant to hep build that ability. You can use this on any 3 note per string scale of course. I use this type of lick all the time in solos. When muted, it sounds almost like it's being picked the entire time instead of being legato. It is also easier to run the scale like this than to pick every note. It allows one to play faster than would otherwise be possible. See if you can use this technique in a solo against a youtube backing.

BTW: That is a killer looking Axe Soldier!! is that new?

You've got this one down Soldier!

You just.....

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 1 2021, 11:45 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 2 2021, 05:45 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 2 2021, 01:34 AM)

NICE!!!! You got it Soldier!!!! This is a lick using the "strike once, hammer many" approach. It's using my fave scale, Minor, to work on being able to strike one note and hammer on the following two notes in a three note per string version of the minor scale. This drill requires not only being able to play the scale up and down all the strings, but also being able to alternate between striking and doing hammer ons. Being able to strike then hammer is a key skill in solo work. This drill is meant to hep build that ability. You can use this on any 3 note per string scale of course. I use this type of lick all the time in solos. When muted, it sounds almost like it's being picked the entire time instead of being legato. It is also easier to run the scale like this than to pick every note. It allows one to play faster than would otherwise be possible. See if you can use this technique in a solo against a youtube backing.

BTW: That is a killer looking Axe Soldier!! is that new?

You've got this one down Soldier!

You just.....

LEVELED UP!!!

Onward!!
Sarge

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 3 2021, 05:20 AM

Super congrats!! I didn't know you were a luthier!!! Can you give me a bit of background and process on this thing? Actually, maybe start a thread and show GMC this lovely axe and tell us a bit about building her? Maybe include a vid on her being played?

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 2 2021, 12:45 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 3 2021, 07:14 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 3 2021, 05:20 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 4 2021, 07:56 AM

Looking forward to it! Are you going to start selling guitars? There are several boutique builders that started doing one guitar at a time.

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 3 2021, 02:14 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 4 2021, 08:23 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 4 2021, 07:56 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 5 2021, 06:14 AM

WOW!! I had idea you were such a skilled guitar builder!! Do you work in a guitar shop? Is this what you do for a living?

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 4 2021, 03:23 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 16 2021, 08:31 AM

My Lesson 25

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 22 2021, 05:40 AM

Sorry for the lag Soldier!!! feel free to hit me up if you notice I missed a Mission from you! I don't always get a notification for some reason! I always try to turn it around in 24 hours. If you notice it's not been reviewed in that time, hit me! I"m happy to hear from you

Onward!! Soldier this is AWESOME!!! Not only is your guitar just an amazing bit of gear. Your tone is great. On top of that, your playing is spot on . This has a TON of back and forth in it and your hands have adapted to the back and forth quite well. You zip forward and back with grace and style. You keep a solid mute, keeping string noise at bay, and hit very clean strikes without over committing to any one note. This is a key step on the path to shredding your brains out!!

This is very well played Soldier and you are ready for the next Step!!

You just..


LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 16 2021, 03:31 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 27 2021, 03:50 PM

Here is my lesson 26.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 28 2021, 01:25 AM

Look at him go!!! Well Fought Soldier!! The first one is very clean. The faster ones are in progress of course but I can tell that you are very close to being able to play at that speed with precision. You are at that spot now where your fingers are leading you to the promised land of shred. You can probably almost sense that it's starting to come together and is just barely out of reach at full chat. The good news is, its very close!

Solid technique here Soldier and your tone is top notch. It's very tricky to find a good tone that has enough gain yet not too much. It's a battle to keep noise at bay and still have enough gain to allow the fingers to not need to overwork themselves.

What are you using for your guitar tone? is it a plugin or an amp or processor? It's sounding good. Your guitar is just amazing btw. Every time I see it I'm impressed by it.

The only issue I'm seeing is that your wrist and picking arm are tensing up a bit at speed. This is a natural response but something that must be fought against. Ideally, the pick hand should be loose and never tense up. tensing reduces precision/speed and endurance. Also, as you tense up, your wrist will start to lock in place and force you to "pick from the elbow" which must be avoided at all costs.

I would say try to lower your picking hand down a bit toward the center of the bridge. it's hanging a bit to high up near the E string. This will make it hard to mute all of the strings without using your fret hand to assist. Ideally, you should be able to use just your picking hand to mute all of the strings. This will become important as we get in to open string licks which don't allow for the use of the fretting hand to mute strings.

So for next time
1.)Stay Loose
2.)Pick from the wrist
3.)Lower your pick hand position a bit

As for this one, you've got it sorted. You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 27 2021, 10:50 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 28 2021, 08:12 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 28 2021, 01:25 AM)

Look at him go!!! Well Fought Soldier!! The first one is very clean. The faster ones are in progress of course but I can tell that you are very close to being able to play at that speed with precision. You are at that spot now where your fingers are leading you to the promised land of shred. You can probably almost sense that it's starting to come together and is just barely out of reach at full chat. The good news is, its very close!

Solid technique here Soldier and your tone is top notch. It's very tricky to find a good tone that has enough gain yet not too much. It's a battle to keep noise at bay and still have enough gain to allow the fingers to not need to overwork themselves.

What are you using for your guitar tone? is it a plugin or an amp or processor? It's sounding good. Your guitar is just amazing btw. Every time I see it I'm impressed by it.

The only issue I'm seeing is that your wrist and picking arm are tensing up a bit at speed. This is a natural response but something that must be fought against. Ideally, the pick hand should be loose and never tense up. tensing reduces precision/speed and endurance. Also, as you tense up, your wrist will start to lock in place and force you to "pick from the elbow" which must be avoided at all costs.

I would say try to lower your picking hand down a bit toward the center of the bridge. it's hanging a bit to high up near the E string. This will make it hard to mute all of the strings without using your fret hand to assist. Ideally, you should be able to use just your picking hand to mute all of the strings. This will become important as we get in to open string licks which don't allow for the use of the fretting hand to mute strings.

So for next time
1.)Stay Loose
2.)Pick from the wrist
3.)Lower your pick hand position a bit

As for this one, you've got it sorted. You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

Onward!!!
Sarge

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 29 2021, 04:17 AM

Sounds very spiff!! That axe is resonant and the pickups work great in it. I've owned ROCKIT monitors and used them also as rull range stereo guitar cabs Quality is quite good especially coming through a phone!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 28 2021, 03:12 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 5 2021, 01:38 PM

Hello Todd

My lesson 27
I tried to implement your tasks from the last time ...

Play loosely
More from the wrist
Hand position a little lower ....

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 6 2021, 01:44 AM

First off WELL DONE!!! I can see BIG GAINS which is what this is all about so Super Congrats on that!!! Your playing is precise and brisk! The only thing missing here is the metronome as your playing speeds up along the way. I appreciate the effort it takes to work up to that kind of speed! I would just like to hear each speed synched up to a nice click to make sure it's not drifting. Eventually you won't need the metronome at all. But for bits where you start slow and increase speed, it's tough for me to tell if each one along the way was not drifting as it's changing the entire time. it makes for a great demo of this lick! Just not a great mission video. If you would have played just one speed so I could just count the time in my head it would be fine.

Can you give me one more with a click at each speed? I can see you are starting slower and working up.

You've got good control and tone on this one Soldier!!


Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 5 2021, 08:38 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 11 2021, 10:59 AM

Lesson 27 / 2

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 12 2021, 05:05 AM

Well Fought Soldier!!! I did notice that you began to drift from the beat toward the end of the first riff. However, you played it on beat more than long enough for it to count for your badge up. Also the second drill sounded quite good and together they are more than enough to display your ability to play this type of drill These are "speed drills" soldier. They are symmetrical (the same pattern on both strings) so they don''t require a fret shift, meaning playing something different on each string. As a result, these types of licks (when you see them in bootcamp) are a chance for your hand to see how far you can push your speed until it starts to fail. So I"ll place these drills now and then along the way during your journey. When you see one, go for it!!

You did a very good job of putting the bits we worked on last time into play this time. That's progress and that's what I like to see! The next step awaits you Soldier and you are more than ready!!

As for this one. You just....

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 11 2021, 05:59 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 12 2021, 08:47 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Apr 12 2021, 04:05 AM)

Well Fought Soldier!!! I did notice that you began to drift from the beat toward the end of the first riff. However, you played it on beat more than long enough for it to count for your badge up. Also the second drill sounded quite good and together they are more than enough to display your ability to play this type of drill These are "speed drills" soldier. They are symmetrical (the same pattern on both strings) so they don''t require a fret shift, meaning playing something different on each string. As a result, these types of licks (when you see them in bootcamp) are a chance for your hand to see how far you can push your speed until it starts to fail. So I"ll place these drills now and then along the way during your journey. When you see one, go for it!!

You did a very good job of putting the bits we worked on last time into play this time. That's progress and that's what I like to see! The next step awaits you Soldier and you are more than ready!!

As for this one. You just....

LEVELED UP!!!!

Onward!!
Sarge


P.S. I was inspired so much by the pointy shape of your guitar that I had to get a pointy guitar of my own

d

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 12 2021, 09:30 AM

It's a tiny thing!!! I thought it was the size of your explorer! I remember it looked big on marty friedman. then I find out Marty is a foot shorter than I am I could use a pair of emg 56/66 in it as well!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 12 2021, 03:47 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 20 2021, 06:04 PM

My Lesson 28

120 and 130 BPM

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 21 2021, 02:23 AM

NICE! This is sorted and ready to go. Your picking is tight and synched with metronome. I actually think there is a big more in your fingers if we reduce some of the picking. I want to offer up a BLACK OPS version of this Mission and have you do a pass with as FEW pick strikes as possible, mostly using hammer on/pull off, instead of picking every note. It may seem harder, it may seem way easier and faster. It will just depend on your hand.

Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 20 2021, 01:04 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 26 2021, 05:15 AM

I have created a new Mute Drill just for my BOOTCAMP SOLDIERS! This one is not for a badge. This is just to help you work on your mute. It's a very simple drill. Just palm mute the bridge, and take your fret hand OFF of the guitar entirely. This will force your palm mute to do all the mute work and show you if there are gaps in your mute. So try it as in the vid, just strike each string a few times, and move on to the next string. Make sure that you don't hear any other string other than the one you are striking. That's the point of this drill. To make sure that you can isolate all of the other strings with your palm mute.

if you notice that you hear other strings ringing, even when you are not striking them, adjust your palm mute angle/position until you find that sweet spot where your palm should be resting. This is the secret sauce folks. Once you sort this out, you won't have to worry about string noise getting in your way, even on our crazy open string licks that span several or all of the strings. It's a quick and simple drill that can really help you isolate any issues with your mute. give it a whirl!!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Apr 26 2021, 02:56 PM

Here is my new version of this lesson.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 27 2021, 02:02 AM

IMPRESSIVE!!!! Could you feel the difference between the first version and this one? it's a very different thing to pick quite a bit and then to turn around and not pick at all. Sometimes, folks have a hard time making the switch but NOT YOU!! KRUSHED IT!!!!! Your really burning through this with precision and speed. Nicely done. Your left hand has a LOT of speed in it. Well played. If you can adapt your picking hand to palm mute during left hand work like this, you will notice how percussive it starts to sound. In fact, it almost sounds like it's being picked, even though it's just being muted. I use this trick a LOT in my solo work. I rarely pick when I don't need to. I end up picking when I hit certain bits where it will be noticed and using just left hand legato work in other spots but while muted so it often sounds like it's being picked. You clearly have a well developed left hand here and it's great to see!!

You've got this sorted. NICE!!

You just...


LEVELED UP!!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Apr 26 2021, 09:56 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 24 2021, 01:23 PM

My Lesson 29

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 25 2021, 05:43 AM

Your technique is solid here Soldier!! Part 1 is ready to go. The only issue is with part II. I think you may be playing an extra note on the lower string. have one more look at the tablature and I made a quick video to try to explain things. It's just two notes to strike on each string. Here is a quick explanation. let me know if this makes sense

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 24 2021, 08:23 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 2 2021, 09:55 PM

Hope to see more Missions from you Soldier!! You and that guitar are quite a pair!! It seems to have pushed your ability up quite a bit! A good axe is a partner in crime!

Phil gave me this link which will let you download your mission badge in the even it is giving you trouble. Evidently some folks are getting hung up trying to get their badge!

https://ezgif.com/webp-to-jpg

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jun 16 2021, 05:55 PM

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 16 2021, 10:48 PM

AWESOME!! Well done Soldier! This is what I was looking for. Your technique is spot on. No drift, no string noise, it's clean as can be. I know this lick is tricky. There are no two ways about it. It's just hard. Once you get it, it makes more sense. You clearly got it. Try to use this lick asap in a solo with a backing track. It's like learning a new language, it won't stick unless you use it right away. You can just move this lick around to put it in any key.

Congratulations Soldier! You just..


LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jun 16 2021, 12:55 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Aug 24 2021, 08:50 AM

My Lesson 30.. After longer time..

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 25 2021, 12:27 AM

Welcome Back Soldier!! It's great to see you and your custom axe again!! These are some of my fave blues/rocks licks ever. You are playing them well!! That first one has a huge stretch on the pinky which makes it hard to keep it in time. You do a great job of keeping it nice and smooth and locked in to the beat. if it drifts it can sound sloppy. Not so here!! Spot on. The next one has the blues note in and also works well due to the palm mute. without a good mute this lick sounds like a blur, you keep a solid mute and it sounds great! The last one is more simple but still effective. You keep up a good mute here as well! Your picking is solid, your fretting is clean and your mute never drifts. You nailed it!!

UPDATE: BOOTCAMP CHANGES:
In case you have not heard, from now on BOOTCAMP is a "DEALERS CHOICE" type of thing. Some of these missions have 5 drills and are taking just way to long. You should be able to learn, practice and record a Mission in under an hour. That leaves in quite a bit of practice time for one given drill. So from now on, for each mission, pick one drill, if there is more than one, and use that for your Mission Vid. This will allow you more time to focus on a single drill rather than spreading it out among several. Of course, you can still make a vid with all of them if you like and I suggest every soldier learn them all, they are just not required for your Mission vid. Let me know if you have questions!!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Aug 29 2021, 03:23 PM

Hello Todd
My lesson 31 is ready. I'll continue the other parts as an exercise ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 30 2021, 05:28 AM

You killed it! The slow one was very clean and the fast one was spiff as well! To wit!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Sep 8 2021, 02:01 PM

Lesson 32 ...
Now it's time to go on vacation ...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 10 2021, 01:10 AM

When are you coming back Soldier? Can will you be able to login to see your debrief or should I wait til you get back?

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Sep 8 2021, 09:01 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Sep 10 2021, 03:34 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Sep 10 2021, 12:10 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 11 2021, 01:48 AM

Awesome!!! rating on deck. Where are you going on vacation if I may ask? Can you share some pix?

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Sep 10 2021, 10:34 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 11 2021, 06:22 AM

NICE!!! This is a tricky one and you NAILED IT!!! To wit!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Sep 13 2021, 04:01 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Sep 11 2021, 12:48 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 14 2021, 02:24 AM

That looks super fun!!! Maybe super dangerous? Please do take some pix if you can and share them with us!!!! Enjoy!!


Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Sep 13 2021, 11:01 AM)

We are traveling in Austria. 10 days only on the bike ..
This is a fight too !!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Sep 15 2021, 12:28 PM

Here are a few more pictures from our vacation. My favorite jump in the park. 😎 (Bikepark Serfaus)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 16 2021, 03:47 AM

WOW! Dude you are INSANE!!! If you can capture some video of doing that crazy stuff, I think it would be great for a music video type thing with you soloing underneath it?

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Sep 15 2021, 07:28 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Oct 14 2021, 06:46 PM

Hi Todd

My Lesson 33

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 15 2021, 09:25 AM

Well fought!! I love that AXE!! Sounds big and looks like she is fun to play. You nailed this one! It's got a huge pinky stretch that throws many soldiers a big curve ball. Not you!!!! Also, you never get fatigued!! You speed up and play it even better!!

To wit!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Oct 14 2021, 01:46 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Oct 23 2021, 04:36 PM

My Lesson 324

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 24 2021, 11:24 AM

Nice!!!!!! BTW that axe looks amazing!!! Love the reverse headstock. Sounds killer as well!!! Your doing the "strike once hammer many" with skill and grace. To wit!



Congrats Soldier. You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Oct 23 2021, 11:36 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 2 2021, 07:21 PM

Hy Todd

Here is my lesson 35 ready for your assessment.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 3 2021, 07:23 AM

Nice work!! This is a great way to run any scale. Try it on pretty much any shape and it works well. It's not easy and you are making great use of the pinky!! To wit.

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 2 2021, 02:21 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 7 2021, 02:54 PM

My new Lesson

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 8 2021, 04:28 AM

This is top notch!!!! I'm on vacation until the weekend when I will start making video responses again, but I must say you KILLED this. Your speed and precision are growing by leaps and bounds. It's great to see. You are locked in to the metronome and you are krushing it!!! You are ready for what's next.

Congrats Soldier, you just.

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 7 2021, 09:54 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 9 2021, 10:10 AM

Lesson 37
I'll keep fighting...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 10 2021, 01:59 AM

Nice!! i am watching this thinking how much your playing has improved. Your nailing each note. Your sticking to the beat. Your dexterity and precision are top notch. Watch a few of your first missions and see if you can see the same thing I'm seeing? It's quite impressive. You have your precision nailed down. The only thing left it to push it to a spot where it is just about to fly off the rails. That's where most progress happens. You nailed this one!!


Congrats Soldier.

You just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 9 2021, 05:10 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 10 2021, 12:12 PM

Since it's going so well right now ...
My lesson 38

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 12 2021, 04:39 AM

TOP NOTCH WORK!!!! Soldier I think this might be the best yet. Your precision is SPOT ON as it your timing!! Also, and most importantly, your MUTE!! It's LOCKED to the trem and your using your thumb/finger to move the pick. This is something that some folks just can't do. Your doing it great!! The benefit of playing like this is that you eliminate string noise and you get a nice muted crisp tone on each note and each one is kept separate. That way the notes don't bleed in to each other. it's that bleeding, caused by improper muting, that makes notes sound slurred together and imprecise which is the enemy of shredding. As a bonus your PINKY is in great shape!!! Your hand stays strong and doesn't fade through repetition. Your strikes are clean and your fretting is strong. I'm impressed. You are more than ready for the crazy bits heading your way!!!!


Congrats Soldier you just...


LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 10 2021, 07:12 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 18 2021, 07:21 PM

My Lesson 39

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 20 2021, 08:43 AM

Well Fought!! Look at that hand synch and control!! The first one is more than plenty to krush this mission. I like the aggressive style on the second pass. it looses a bit of precision but it's good to push the envelope as that is where progress happens. We have to "play in to our speed" to some degree and play beyond our ability and then adapt to that. Thanks for including it!!

To wit!



Congrats Soldier!
you just..


LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 18 2021, 02:21 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 24 2021, 04:45 PM

Lesson 40

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 25 2021, 07:48 AM

Awesome! You are playing clean and smooth through the entire lick. Even when you speed up!!! The flat fifth/blues note in this one is often a place where peoples fingers get stuck but not you!! This is a modified blues scale lick with all my fave extra notes put in. It's a great lick for solo work as well. You nailed it!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 24 2021, 11:45 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Nov 29 2021, 06:46 PM

Lesson 41

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 30 2021, 07:36 AM

You are getting better each time at bat Soldier!!! I love this lick for working on precision and as a solo lick!!! It's a great way to run a pentatonic scale up and down. Works wonders as a solo lick. You are doing a great job of keeping it high and tight!! Your mute stays engaged and you don't lift! Your timing is spot on! BAM!!



Congratulations Soldier! You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Nov 29 2021, 01:46 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Dec 15 2021, 06:59 PM

Lesson 42

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 16 2021, 07:43 AM

Well fought Soldier!!! This is a "SHRED LICK". It's built for speed. If you want to build up serious speed, this lick and licks like it are a great way to go. it's designed to shred. It's a direct rip off from Paul Gilbert and as such, is an ideal speed lick!!!!

You are doing it just right!! The best part is that you are NOT letting the two strings bleed together. Your keeping the mute high and tight as it should be! To wit....

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Dec 15 2021, 01:59 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 2 2022, 09:00 AM

My Lesson 43

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 3 2022, 11:44 AM

Top notch work here Soldier!! I love this hand drill. it really works the pinky and forces the hand to use the pinky and ringer finger together which can be tough at first but not for you!!! You krushed it! Your technique is on point and your playing this quite well. It's the same speed I play it at when Im warming up. It's not a shred lick per say more of a endurance drill. Your great form is helping you play this over and over without burning out your arm! You rawk!!

Congrats Soldier you just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 2 2022, 04:00 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 16 2022, 08:57 AM

My Lesson 44

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 17 2022, 03:58 PM

this is very impressive Soldier! I was waiting to see if you are going to put up another drill as you mentioned it in your post but i think this stands alone quite well and you've clearly put in time on it. If you want to add another part that's great but I think you can badge up from this one.

Sarge

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 16 2022, 03:57 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 18 2022, 04:50 PM

Hi Todd

My number 2 from this...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 19 2022, 07:48 AM

TOP NOTCH WORK SOLDIER!! These two are very different which makes playing them back to back very tricky indeed. You don't miss a beat! You launch right in to the second bit and keep it smooth the whole time. I appreciate your SPEED RUN on the pass at the end. It's pushing the boundary and not quite as clean as the first but that's just fine. it's good to see you pushing it as that is where progress happens. in that spot where our fingers are beyond the limits. Your playing this under control at very briskly. Keep it up!!

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 18 2022, 11:50 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 22 2022, 04:36 PM

Lesson 45 with my new selfmade guitar...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 23 2022, 10:20 AM

Your guitar builds are really amazing! That new one looks and sound killer! Are you going to start a guitar boutique shop and make custom instruments for folks? or are these more just for you? Either way WELL DONE. That new blue one killer to be sure. Is it the first one with a top like that? The others look great but more raw and textured on the top. I like both!

On to your Mission. You KRUSHED it. Your pinky is moving very well and that's the point of this. It's all about putting the finger fury to good use. This is also one of my fave solo licks! It works quite well in any solo where a blues scale would work. Even though some of the notes will be out of key, when played fast, it ends up working well.

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 22 2022, 11:36 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Jan 30 2022, 09:54 AM

When I play with the metronome, I can no longer hear the 1st beat from a certain speed...
The fingers can be faster, but the head can't...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 31 2022, 11:16 PM

This is truly impressive Soldier!! I think you have really made a huge gain here. Not only are you able to play this with precision and aggression, you can play it over and over. It's a LOT of work and youve had reached the point where your hands can play in a relaxed fashion and still rip it up so that your don't burn out your hand. This is one of the key things in shredding. Being able to play complicated things without tensing up and without burning out the hand.

Your fast take is equally impressive. You are shredding in a big way. This is perhaps the fastest I've seen you play and you maintain your precision. the next step in pushing the speed on this lick is the "strike once hammer many" approach. There comes a point when your left hand can out strip the picking hand. At that point, choosing which notes to pick is crucial. You don't actually have to pick them all as long as the mute is strong it will sound like picked note even if it's a pull off. Just something to start experimenting with. I picked it up from Paul Gilbert who i thought picked everything.

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Jan 30 2022, 04:54 AM)

When I play with the metronome, I can no longer hear the 1st beat from a certain speed...
The fingers can be faster, but the head can't...

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Feb 3 2022, 06:21 PM

My Lesson 47

I've never tried playing the fretboard without a thumb before... Funny...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 4 2022, 05:43 AM

Impressive work Soldier!! Thumbless technique is a tricky one to be sure but it's a great way to reset finger pressure. It teaches the fingers not to use the thumb as a fulcrum but instead just as a guide. Try it on just about everything even if just once. It

You did very good work on this one. I can see the time you put in! Your fingers are showing the work!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Feb 3 2022, 01:21 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Feb 20 2022, 03:25 PM

Hello Todd

After my Ostinato Etude, this lesson is almost child's play...
But I will continue to work on this etude... There must be a minimum of an 8!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 21 2022, 06:51 AM

Top Notch Work Soldier!!! Your PINKY POWER is on full display and your STRETCH is working great!!! All of your work in and out of bootcamp is coming together and you RIPPED right through this one!!!! You are about to crossover the
MISSION 50 BARRIER. You will get a new Rank Up Badge and the missions will get a bit trickier. The good news is you are more than ready!!!

I tried using OBS for the Video Debrief for the first time in this debrief instead of putting it together in premiere. Working it out as I go along. Still a few things to sort out.

On to the debrief!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Feb 20 2022, 10:25 AM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 7 2022, 06:41 PM

Hello Todd

It's not my favorite exercise...

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 8 2022, 01:43 AM

Well fought Soldier!! This requires solid tapping and solid pull off skills and you got both! To wit!



Congratulations Soldier! You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 7 2022, 01:41 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 15 2022, 06:18 PM

Phuuuu.... Not without this lesson either!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 16 2022, 05:04 AM

Soldier you showed grit and determination on this Mission!!! I went back and played it myself and realized something. I remember this session now and I originally played this with an overhand mute when I created it. I think I changed it to a bridge mute as some folks had trouble with the overhand mute. However, using only a bridge mute, it's nearly impossible to stop the guitar resonating and since it's thumbless, the fret hand can't relly help deaden string noise as it might otherwise do. So i've changed the Mission notes back to overhand mute. I think anyone who makes it to Mission 50 can handle an overhand mute. I'm sure you can. let me know!!!!





[/quote]

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 16 2022, 05:26 PM

Here the new version...
But it's still a fight!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 17 2022, 07:02 AM

Well Fought Soldier!!! It's not everyone who can pull off a hand over mute. It's an awkward position to start with. On top of that, the thumb isn't in play on the fret hand. In short, the fret hand is handicapped big time. No picking, no thumb to guide, just finger tips. without serious pinky power, those pinky notes don't even register. Super congrats on this one!!

To wit!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ Mar 16 2022, 12:26 PM)

Posted by: Beat Zbinden Mar 22 2022, 09:32 AM

Fight is done...or not..

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 23 2022, 05:22 AM

Top notch work Soldier!! This one is very heavy on pinky power. Also, you have to do a LOT of back and forth and not lose your place. This is as much about keeping time, keeping a solid mute and keeping track of notes, as it is about alternate picking. It's a LOT of bits to track and you nailed it!

To Wit!!

Posted by: Beat Zbinden May 4 2022, 05:56 PM

Hello Todd
I'm still doing therapy for my tenis elbow... but somehow I still feel like playing the guitar!

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 5 2022, 02:43 AM

Well Fought!! This is my fave way to run my fave scale. You are ripping through it like a pro! It's great to see This scale and the Blues scale are the most bang for the buck scales imho for solo work. Having a solid understanding of these is a great way to start expanding solo skills.

Your form is very solid here especially your palm muting. I bang on about it as LOT as it's crucial. You are even using your pinky to extend the mute which is something that is very tricky for folks to adapt to. Nice!!

To wit!



Congrats Soldier you just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

I'm glad you are feeling up to doing a Mission!! I hope your injuries heal soon!!!!

QUOTE (Beat Zbinden @ May 4 2022, 12:56 PM)