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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2014, 08:13 PM

Hi Rhida! Welcome to your custom thread for Gab's Army! In this thread I will help you to design your guitar routines to achieve your wished goals.

At first, I would need to know more about you. Please tell me all the things about you that you think can help me during this journey. This are some questions that I'd like to know.

- How many time have you been playing guitar?
- Favorite guitarists, bands and musicians.
- What are your guitar goals?
- How would you like to you see yourself in 5 years (related to music and guitar)?
- How many time can you play guitar each day?
- Do you have playing live experience?
- Which are your strong and weak points with guitar?
- Can you record videos of you playing?
- Share here audios and videos that you've recorded.

That's all! Sorry if this seems to be an interview but the more I know from you, the most precise this workout will be.

I hope that you enjoy your stay at Gab's Army!

Posted by: Rhida Jul 12 2014, 09:22 PM

Hi!
I've been playing on and off for more than 20 years but I decided to take my guitar playing seroysly only a few months ago as I 've just turned 40.
I like a lot of guitar players Slash Gary Moore Yngwie Satriani mainly guitar players with a good Technique and a good sense of melody.
I want to be able to express myself like my heroes.
In 5 years I would like to write my own music and perform it with a band.
I can play at least one to two hours a day everyday.
I am a head school teacher and I ve played easy acoustic songs in front of my pupils and their families (100 people 2 weeks ago).
I am not sure of my strong points but I would say my picking hand a good sense of rhythm and a lot of dedication
My weaks spots are mainly my fretting hand which built a lot of tension when I am playing and I am new to legato and sweep picking also.
My phrasing needs some work too.
I can manage to record some videos of myself.
And I will upload regularly some pieces in mp3 format for sure.

I already enjoy joining this army.
Thanks a lot.

Posted by: Rhida Jul 13 2014, 12:36 AM

Actually 2 hours a practice per day is definitly doable!☺

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2014, 04:43 PM

Excellent! Thanks for the info. I think that this first week we could start with a routine that covers different techniques every day. The topics that you could work are:

Warming up (10 minutes)

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)

Legato (20 minutes)

Bending (20 minutes)

Vibrato (20 minutes)

Creative Stuff: Jamming over backing tracks, composing, playing along with songs, etc (20 minutes)



Let me know what you think of this plan and then I will fill the topics with suggested GMC lessons. Please also share here some lessons that you like from the site that cover these topics.

Posted by: Rhida Jul 13 2014, 05:12 PM

Excellent!
Just what I need.

Posted by: Rhida Jul 13 2014, 06:02 PM

I checked some lessons

These ones seem very interesting
Legato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/

Bending
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic_Ballad_Bending_Techniques/

Vibrato
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey/

For alternate picking I forgot to tell you that I do it only one string and when I change strings I pick in the same direction as the directional string change (economy picking, cross picking or directional picking I 'm not sure of the name). It seems to work better for me that way and I can adapt the exercises.

For the other topics I will let you make the suggestions.

I am on vacation for the next 5 weeks so I can easily add 20 mins of practice for some metal rhythm like
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/basic-metal-rhythm/

What do you think?

Thanks

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2014, 07:04 PM

Great stuff Rhida!

So, the routine for this week could be:


Warming up (10 minutes)


http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/

Legato (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/

Bending (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic_Ballad_Bending_Techniques/

Vibrato (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

(We start with part 5 of these series because it covers the most used vibrato, then we can go for the other parts)

Metal Rhythm (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/basic-metal-rhythm/

Creative Stuff: Jamming over backing tracks, composing, playing along with songs, etc (20 minutes)



What do you think?

Posted by: Rhida Jul 13 2014, 07:57 PM

Here we go!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 14 2014, 03:22 PM

Great! Enjoy the journey!

Posted by: Rhida Jul 16 2014, 06:34 PM

Ok.
I decided today to keep a sort of"diary" of my journey after 3 days of practice.
Warm-up : good massages to keep the blood going in the arms and fingers
Picking arpeggios : I still struggle with some chords position bur it will come with time. Must take it easy with fingers and left hand relaxed
Alternate picking : almost halfway through it at half speed
Legato : this one is causing me trouble but today I found that my index finger and thumb were using a lot of wasted strength. I must keep an eye on those!
Bending : what a good solo! Must keep these bendings on pitch with the help of the other fingers
Vibrato : excellent workout! It hurts but God it feels good! I finally know how to practice vibrato
Rhythm : good workout for the right hand. Alternating between muting strings and not is not easy but I will manage it.

Bottom line : keep everything under control, don't rush it, be aware of how the body feels at any moment (arms, shoulders, fingers,.., find the right spot.
Relax, control et be on pitch!

Thanks Gabriel for the routine. Not always easy but I will find a way to manage it.
See you!
P.S.: I will not be able to attend the chat unfortunately. Next time!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 16 2014, 10:17 PM

Hi Rhida! Thanks for this diary. It helps me a lot to see how you are feeling each exercise and it's also useful to have a reference for now and for the future about your practice and progress. It's really interesting to get back to our diaries where we write down goals, things that we are practicing and the stuff that is giving us trouble.

Remember these two goals, a least once a week. We are going there!

I want to be able to express myself like my heroes.
In 5 years I would like to write my own music and perform it with a band.

Posted by: Rhida Jul 18 2014, 05:08 PM

A little update on my practice.
I don't want to fall in the old trap "over-analysis/paralysis" but that's where I am today and why I never really progressed on the instrumen after all these years of malpractice.
Here are my observations

My fretting hand is weak, I have poor little independance and I built a lot of unnecessary tension.
I don't know the right amount of pressure to apply on the fingerboard.
Sometimes too much sometimes less it's not constant. I play veerryyyyy slowwwlyy and yet it continue to appears.
Legato is quasi impossible (the hammer part) cause I noticed too much pressure from my index and my thumb even hurts. When I concenrtrate on that it is my middle or ring finger that causes the pressure and my pinky is almost paralysed and I cannot hammer on time.
The same goes with my alternate picking exercise cause my thumb want to jump over the neck and not stay behind it. My thumb is not stable and push hard against the neck. This habit comes from my early years when I wanted to be a Hendrix-SRV clone.
I am concscious of the tension in my entire body but it all comes from my fretting hand.
I even have the Jamie Andreas book and DVD and I studied them but with no results.
Today I feel a little lost and I can't help but think that I should relearn it all as a beginner to get rid of these bad habits.
Yes Gab, I need your help.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 18 2014, 10:46 PM

Hi mate! Relax! This is not as dramatic as you think, enjoy this journey that will take your whole life if you love music and guitar. I've played for more than 20 years and I continue improving my playing every day. It's an endless and amazing journey.

I have one important question, do you have a video camera or webcam?

Posted by: Rhida Jul 20 2014, 03:04 PM

Hi Gab
Just figured out the video system with reaper and youtube channel
Here's a video with my attempt on the vibrato lesson.
Hopefully others will come soon.
Been working a lot on relaxing my fretting hand (and no more sqeezing with my thumb and index finger!)
Anyway thanks for the support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzTp2s-z1Ew&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2014, 06:25 PM

Hi Rhida! Good job with this video, audio and playing! It's great to see you ready to start uploading video regularly. It's a very good addition to your practice. Remember that recording yourself is the best way to judge your playing, to see the things that need improvement and to monitor your progress.

I think that you are working very good on your bending technique. This lesson is a great exercise and I think that with some more practice you will be able to play it more consistent. Sometimes the movement is not totally regular, and I think that you lose a bit the groove when you play the faster ones near the end of the lesson. I would alternate the practice between playing with over the lesson and over the backing track to be sure that you play it tight and consistent.

Keep on the good job!

Posted by: Rhida Aug 6 2014, 12:58 PM

Hi Gabriel,
a little update on my practice routine.
I can play the arpeggios at 70 bpm, the alternate picking etude at 100 bpm, the rhythm exercise at 100 bpm. Only increasing the tempo when I feel relaxed and in control especially with my fretting hand.
Legato is a big challenge but I will get through it with time and perfect practice.
I still work on my vibrato lesson refining it although I passed it in the rec section.
My bending technique is not constant I work a lot to get my bends on pitch and using my wrist instead of the fingers.
Phrasing has become my big short and long term goal and hopefully I will nail that solo soon!
I joined Todd's bootcamp to work on my picking hand too.
As always a lot of work with a lot of struggling but a lot of fun!
I might give the collab a try too.

See you bro!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 6 2014, 05:11 PM

Hi Rhida! How are you?

Thanks for this cool update. I can notice that you are very focused and working hard. That's the key! Keep on working in this way and be sure that you will note big improvements in the next weeks/months. It's good to focus on making the lessons sounds good instead of fast. You should first be sure that you are playing everything with the correct groove, dynamics and feeling before trying to reach the tempo suggested by the lesson. Once you can play the lesson at an average tempo but well played, you can work on bursts to gain speed.

For bending, I recommend you to incorporate 10 minutes every day, practicing this simple exercise:



It's a killer workout that doesn't require to be played for lots of hours, it must be played some minutes every day. After some weeks, you will notice that your bending will become much more precise.

You said: "Phrasing has become my big short and long term goal and hopefully I will nail that solo soon!"

What are you working for it?

Another question, do you have any video playing the legato lesson?

Posted by: Rhida Aug 6 2014, 05:32 PM

Thanks for the link. I will add it to my practice.

I was talking about this solo.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Classic_Ballad_Bending_Techniques/

For the legato lesson I am playing it quarter notes at 120 bpm.
I am taking my time with it trying to play it very relaxed.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 6 2014, 05:38 PM

Ah! the bending lesson, yeah, it's excellent to develop your phrasing and many expression aspects. I just gave you feedback at Blues Rock Collab, please check it out and let me know if you have some questions about it.

Posted by: Rhida Aug 6 2014, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the feedback and the support.
I know what to emphasize in my practice routine.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 6 2014, 07:52 PM

Great! Please keep me updated.

Posted by: Rhida Aug 8 2014, 03:43 PM

Hey
Here's my work in progress for hopefully the current collab.
Been working on my bending a lot the last 48 hrs and I found that I was not really pushing with my middle finger all these years when I was bending with my ring finger.
I need a lot of concentration to change this bad habit but I can make my bends on pitch almost regularly and with less effort that way.
It's a big big breakthrough for me!
The recording is not perfect because the bad habit want to come back when I play in a live situation (but no more when I practice bending in isolation ) but I wanted to know if I was practicing the right way.
I still tense a lot with my fretting hand although it's much better these last 2 weeks (been working on that too, slowly relaxed and in control).
All the vibratos are made with my left hand only.

Take care!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 10 2014, 08:36 PM

Hi mate! Great to know that you know this now. I'm sure that you'll feel more comfortable with some more days of practice.
I'm getting back from a short tour with Cirse. I'll check the audio as soon I arrive home.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 11 2014, 01:57 PM

Hi Rhida! I'm here again to give you feedback about your current take. There are very important improvements on this take and this means that you took my feedback and used it to polish your take. Timing is better in most of the parts, I just find some problems in the last 2 licks which seem to still be a bit tricky for you, but not impossible. Isolate them and practice as exercises, playing looped over a metronome. The first part sounds better now, it sounds cleaner and more connected with the backing. Then, the bends starts and let me say that this time most of them reach the correct pitch! I can note that you are not still comfortable, and I note it because the phrases don't sound smooth but you are definitely on the right track.

The good part of working on this solo is that you have composed a solo that is a killer etude for bending based on your own style. This is the best way to improve our playing and keeping creative at the same time. The next step, if you still want to keep on improving this one, would be to listen to your solo as if you were just a listener and mark those parts that are amazing and those parts that aren't. Delete the parts that "aren't" in your project and try to work on new ideas for this sections. If you repeat this process any times, your solo will slowly become better and better, and you will keep on finding your own style.

When I hear the solo, I feel that you could make the central phrases even more defined and catchy. It seems that the whole composition doesn't have a clear direction. One of my tricks to get more defined phrases and melodies is to create them with my voice and then transpose it to my guitar. Sometimes we are more limited with the guitar than with our mind (this happens when you don't have a good connection between mind and fret-board). Our playing has limits, our mind is limitless, so experiment with this possibility as a first exercise to train this important connection.

Ok mate, you are doing a very good job with this one. Please try this ideas, tell me what you think and share with me a new take if there is one.

Keep on rocking.

Posted by: Rhida Aug 21 2014, 05:59 PM

Hi Gabriel

Hope everything is fine at the moment for you.

Here are my videos for the blues rock collab. It's the best I can do for the moment and my final takes. I have already sent all the files to Cosmin.

Take care.

http://youtu.be/-1CV2g9fPLg

http://youtu.be/msjKoQSJVdo

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 21 2014, 09:00 PM

Hi Rhida! Great to see that you took my comments and worked on those things to improve your take. I can notice a big improvement comparing your first take and this final one. Thanks for taking the time to give the best from you for this collab. We will use it for the final mix and give you specific feedback based on your full take. But to summarize, let me say that your bending technique is better as well as your vibrato. You still need to work on them diary but you are on the right track.

How is your current routine going? Do you think that it's time to renew it?

Posted by: Rhida Aug 23 2014, 09:41 PM

Thank you for the comments!

I've been thinking a lot about my practice routine and what I can do to improve it.

I've learned a lot since joining here and I've been more aware of my weaknesses and my goals have changed quite a bit.

My long terms goals remain unchanged however.

I am back to basics lately because I have poor finger independance and I tense a lot when using any combination involving the third and fourth finger (fretting hand), even worse when these two are involved. Even playing power chords give me some kind of trouble!
This is where I am today : I am more of a level 1-2 student. I know that and it's a good thing actually!

My goals now.

I want to make one note sounding really good before tackling long speedy runs.
I want to bulid self-confidence in my playing abilities along with phrasing and technique.
Lately I 've been looking at some very good lessons from the beginner corner (13, 20, 21 and 22).
I want my fretting hand to be more relaxed (actually I developped more and more tension these past years because I wanted to improve so much I developped bad habits).
So for now, my goal is to play effortlessly what I can play at my true real level.

I want to make good music now and build on that, enjoying the journey and developping good technique at my space and not trying to rush it (I was guilty of this for so long now) , not compare myself to others (this can hurt! ), and truly enjoying the guitar, playing it, living it and enjoying music.
At my age, I finally learned that playing guitar and making music is a gift I must embrace and taking joy from it.

Thanks GMC and you Gabriel you rule.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 25 2014, 12:42 AM

Hi Rhida, thanks for this post. I have to say that these are very wise words. Enjoying the journey is everything! Guitar and music are endless, if you love it, you will always be exploring and discovering new things. Also, "making music" must be our short and longs term goal, no matter if you are level 2 or level 10, your goals must be making music with the tools that you already now and with the things that you are working, if not, nothing makes sense.

Getting back to basics is always good. We tend to let some wholes in our learning progress and then this holes give us some problems. Reviewing the basic concepts is always good to fix this issues and to adjust details. Beginner's Corner series are a must, there are many important concepts covered there. Also we have a killer series with technique exercise that worked every day, can be very helpful: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/lessonseries/Finger-Independence/


So, how are you going to organize your diary practice time?

Posted by: Rhida Aug 25 2014, 08:46 PM

Hi Gab

Lot of thoughts lately of where I am today and where I want to be later in my guitar playing.
But after days of trials and errors I think that I found the "perfect practice" routine for now anyway.

Here it is

Warming up (10 minutes)

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/fingers-independence-I/

Alternate Picking (20 minutes)
mission 2 of Todd's bootcamp


Legato (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-22-Hammer-On/
along with drills from Ben's Land Of Legato 1

Bending (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-21-String-Bending/
Hopefully I will submit a video of this in the REC section by the end of the week.

Edit : actually I posted a video from my morning practice session and I shared it to have feedbacks to know where I must put my efforts, timing issue and bending on pitch are far from perfect but I will get there in a few days I think. Here's the video :



Vibrato (10 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/
to perfect my technique when I add vibrato to other lessons.

Metal Rhythm (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Metal-Power-Chords/ (because I'm not at ease when playing power chords with three fingers)

Scales (20 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/mastering_diatonic_pattern_caged_method/
I know the pentatonics and the 3 nps patterns very well but not these ones can you believe it?

Creative Stuf f: IMPROVISATION COURSE FROM ZERO TO HERO (20 minutes)

I am a head school guitar teacher and I have an acoustic guitar at the office because we do some simple easy strumming songs with my pupils and I can easily add 30 minutes of practice so next week (I am back to work) I will practice these lessons
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners_Corner_1_Open_Chords/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-9-Picking-Chords/
because I want to improve in these areas too.


Because of you and the wonderful lessons and support you guys give us here I am more motivated than ever and I can devote at least 3hrs per day for my guitar playing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 26 2014, 06:18 PM

Hi Rhida, I have to say that I'm so happy of finding this routine designed by yourself. It's excellent! You covered all the important aspects, including warming up/massages, a creative workout and also some acoustic stuff. It's a killer workout man, I'm proud of you. If you can keep a diary 3 hours practice, your guitar playing will improve drastically!

About the bending lesson, I think that you are doing a good job because most of the bends reach the correct pitch, but you are not still comfortable with the technique. Your left hand needs more training to have enough strengh to make the bends more comfortable for you, in order to make everything sound more natural (both bending and vibrato). Please keep on playing this lesson every day, and add the fantastic exercise that Ben shared below your REC take post.

Ok mate, again, congrats on your energy and motivation. Keep on rocking.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 1 2014, 05:33 PM

Hi Gab!
Thanks for your comments here and your feedbacks at the REC section.
So what lesson do you suggest to work more closely on my string bending technique?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 2 2014, 02:11 PM

Hi Rhida! Well, at first I would like to ask you, are you working on this exercise every day?



and besides that, I think that this lesson is a good idea: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/String-Bending/

Posted by: Rhida Sep 2 2014, 05:49 PM

Yes Gab I'm working everyday doing the exercise given by Ben on this video.
I use my ear and sometimes I check if I am right with my tuner.
Good one with the string bending lesson. I will definitely work on that.
I began my acoustic routine yesterday so these are the 2 lessons I decided to work on

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginn..._1_Open_Chords/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Goo-Goo-Dolls-Style/
Good work on this one friend. I love it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 3 2014, 01:44 PM

Hi Rhida! The plan looks great. Start working on those lessons and let me know how it feels.
Looking forward your videos.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 4 2014, 10:07 PM

Hey Gab!
Here's a little theme 15 seconds or so I recorded based on the first lesson of the IMPROVISATION COURSE FROM ZERO TO HERO.
Just let me know if I am on the right track.
Thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 5 2014, 02:36 PM

Hi Rhida, nice to find this recording here. You are definitely on the right track with this workout. These melodies sound good over the progression so keep on experimenting with it.

In the last session I explained how you can use these workouts to work on techniques like alternate picking, legato, vibrato and bending so it would be good if you replay this week's video.

Also, based on your last recording for the collab, I think that it would be important to focus your practice on:

- Bending
- Vibrato
- Alternate Picking
- Improvisation Course

Posted by: Rhida Sep 5 2014, 03:01 PM

Oh yeah!
I am definitely on it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 5 2014, 03:14 PM

Great!

Posted by: Rhida Sep 6 2014, 10:04 AM

Hi!
Just picked this lesson last sunday to help me with my alternate picking in a musical context.
So here's the video I just submitted at the REC sction.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 6 2014, 05:07 PM

Hi Rhida! I have to say that it has been a great decision to work on this lesson. You definitely need to improve your Alternate picking lesson over a musical context. You tend to play a bit before the beat and this give you timing issues in the whole take. It's not something dramatic but you should adjust it. This lesson is based on 8th notes, this means that you play 2 notes per beat all the time. You have to focus on that figure and use your head of foot to mark the beat in order to feel the groove instead of thinking on it.

Once you master timing, the next step is mastering dynamics. When we play alternate picking we usually play the note over the beat with a little accent that helps to mark and define a bit more the rhythm. I recommend you to start experimenting with it.

Ok mate, please keep on practicing this lesson some more days and then share a new take.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 6 2014, 07:02 PM

Ok.
I will solve my timing issues. I am only aware of it when listening carefully after recording.
Thanks again my friend.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 7 2014, 06:08 PM

yes, that's why we always say that recording is very important as a part of the diary practice. It's the best way to check how we are playing, to note the strong and weak points and to monitor the progress. Keep on the hard work and keep me updated.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 7 2014, 07:15 PM

Hi Gab!

Some recordings of my sunday practice.

Timing issues, vibrato, alternate picking, string bending and power chords are now my main targets;

Thanks for your support.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 8 2014, 01:36 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the update. I can say that your playing is evolving favorable thanks to your hard work.

Alternate Picking lesson: This one still has timing issues. Remember the comments that I gave you at REC and keep on practicing.

Power chords: This lesson is starting to sound good. Your timing is good on this one but I can notice that some power chords sound a bit out of tune. This can be because of two reasons: a problem with your guitar (tuning or calibration) or an issue related to your fingers pressure. What do you think? Do you have any suspect of what's the real reason?

String bending: This technique is getting better! There are good bends and there are bad bends but you are improving the technique so you have to keep on practicing bends every day to feel more comfortable.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 8 2014, 06:51 PM

Right on Gab!
It's definitely a lot of unnecessary pressure from my left hand that's why I picked this lesson on power chords in the first place. I must concentrate on that to eliminate this bad habit.
String bending is a long process but I am glad that you say it's better. I will continue to improve it.
For alternate picking I will isolate it and play strict eight notes with the metronome.
I will upload some recordings in a few days and you will tell me.
see you!

Posted by: Rhida Sep 8 2014, 10:41 PM

So a little update on my work on the improvisation course. I wanted to be as melodic as possible. I used 2 mins of the jam track from week 1.
I tried to incorporate bending, vibrato, tremolo picking, sweeping (on 2 strings arpeggios at my level of course!), hammer-ons and mixing major pentatonic major scale and arpeggios.
Still a long way to go but weeks ago I never thought I would come up with something like that!
I enjoy a lot the creative side of my practice routine.
Thanks for these lessons and the inspiration Gab!

Posted by: Rhida Sep 9 2014, 05:14 AM

About the alternate picking lesson.
I found that in the last part I was rushing and skipping one note every round when listening to my last recording and that I was playing a bit ahead of the beat.
I tried to correct that so here's a recording of my last practice session.
I know it's not perfect but I hope it's better.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 9 2014, 03:30 PM

Hi Rhida! It's so cool to see you playing melodically! Your phrasing is very tasty on this improvisation and this makes me feel very proud and motivated! You definitely need to continue exploring and experimenting with this stuff. The possibilities are endless and I'm sure that you have a lot of fun while you practice. I can spend hours just jamming over backing tracks. Keep on the good job!



Hi mate, yes! It's better! but there is still room to improve the rhythm of thoe 8th notes to make it sound tighter with the drums. I recommend you to practice this one over the original lesson and try to emulate Bear's rhythm, to to go tight with him.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 10 2014, 06:52 PM

Gab thanks a lot for your kind words!
You are truly an inspiration man!

So for the time to come I will concentrate on The Soulful Ballad Collab applying what I learn with my lessons and your improvisation course (in the creative side of my practice routine).
I will share ideas here to have your insights along the way.

So here's a little idea for the intro.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 10 2014, 10:52 PM

Hi Rhida! Good job with this melody! I can see how you are following the chords with Arpeggios! You are applying the concepts from the course in a very good way!!

Just two comments:

- Your guitar is a bit out of tune.
- The last note (F) isn't the best choice over G. It's not bad, it's the 7th, but don't you feel that another note could sound cooler there?
Maybe G?

Posted by: Rhida Sep 11 2014, 08:54 PM

All right Gab!
I was transcribing what I heard in my head and the seventh made the melody somewhat unresolved but it was pleasant to my ear.
I followed your suggestion but I struggled to make the G note sound right.
But coming to this note with a bend was the solution and my wife like this one better!
And women know a thing or two a bout ballads
So here it is.

P.S. : I prefer this one too !

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 11 2014, 10:32 PM

hahaha I like this new version!! The tuning issue wasn't helping in the previous take. This one is much better in all aspects. The only detail is that the bend is a bit insecure, I would make it sound more confident, what do you say? and what does your wife say??

Just kidding, my girl is also the first one I ask for opinions every time I record a new piece of music. She has a special sensibility with music and his opinion is always helpful.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 12 2014, 07:58 PM

Hey Gab!
I'm back with a better intro for the ballad at least in my opinion!
I changed the rhythm of some notes to add a more vocal quality and tried to play with more conviction on the last G.

As you see I made an onslaught on the REC forum. I had a lot of free time this afternoon so I knew what I had to do!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 12 2014, 10:13 PM

Hi Rhida!! Excellent job man! It sounds solid and tasty. I love it. Congratulations!!

Are you planning to record anything over the other parts?

Posted by: Rhida Sep 12 2014, 10:16 PM

Definitely!
Thanks for the comment!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 13 2014, 01:31 AM

All REC takes are now commented!

Posted by: Rhida Sep 13 2014, 07:16 PM

Hi Gab and thanks a lot for the comments.
A lot of invaluable informations and insights from you, Cosmin and Ben. I sometimes bend with my fingers, I didn't notice that before you pointed it to me, old habits my friend. I will concentrate on the the wrist movement.
And I will work on my power chords shifting.
The alternate picking lesson is a lot of trouble and has become my "White Whale" lately. It's my obsession!
So today I experimented with dynamics and various picking attacks.
I think that the result is much better but I am still sometimes ahead of the beat.
I will make this tighter in the days to come.


I have some ideas for the verse and the chorus for the ballad collab. I will share them wih you in a few days.


EDIT

Hi Gab!

Had a rough time at the REC zone, some grades are just disappointing.
I made improvements in some areas and I got better reviews but the results are not there. I'm talking about the string bending lesson :
7 the first time
7.33 the 2nd time
6.25 the 3rd time although this take is better than the previous one and before Guido made a review I got an average 7, still less than the 2nd time.
But I will not give up and I will put another take next week!

Anyway I know it's for the best and that I must"work"harder!
About the alternate picking lesson today I put the accent on beat 2 and 4, it seems to help with my timing issues and today's take seems to my ear a lot better than yesterday's. What do you think?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2014, 05:17 AM

Hi Rhida, how are you?

I'm really glad to know that our feedback is helping to note which are the things that you need to improve on each of the lessons and techniques that you are working. That AP take is sounding tighter and dynamics are more controlled now so you are on the right track.

I understand the frustration that we feel when it seems that we are not improving, but you don't have to worry too much on grading by now, you have to focus on polishing your technique. There are many details that we have to have in mind while we practice and sometimes a new thing to focus can make us distract from some others that we already mastered. It takes some days, weeks, and sometimes months to be able to play a technique with all the details in a natural way without having to thing too much on each details. The level and improvements will be irregular until you reach that moment.

Please be patient and keep on practising with this energy. Perfection will come with practice and time.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 20 2014, 11:12 AM

Hey Gabe!
As usual thanks for your feedback at the REC zone.
And because of it I think that I isolated rhe right strumming pattern for the open chords lesson and I will share a video here in the next few days.
For the alternate picking lesson I found today that I rush particularly the last eighth note of each section. I am working on it right now and I will post a recording here also.

And now my improvising for The Soulful Ballad Collab.
I've been working on it everyday, trying to make it flow, feeling each note with the backing track, applying what I learn from my lessons and your improvisation course and above all transcribe what is in my head and not letting my fingers going in auto-pilot.
It's a bunch of phrases put together with reaper but I tried to keep continuity to make a long solo.

I have a long long way to go but God I'm enjoying this journey everyday! It's been a long time since I had this feeling about the guitar and music. This community has renewed my love for the instrument.
I learn a lot from you!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 20 2014, 06:32 PM

Hi mate! Nice to feel you with a great energy and attitude.

The improvisation has some really nice phrases happening. The main thing that I note that it has important pitch/tuning issues and that makes some phrases sound a bit out with the backing. Is it possible to re-check tuning and record the solo again? It's good that you played a complete solo but don't forget that "silences" are also part of the music. There aren't silences between the phrases while you play and I think that it makes the solo a bit static... please check out Jonnathan's playing over the same backing. Pay attention to how the phrases are very defined. There is a question and answer dialogue between the phrases and there are silences that make the solo easier to hear and follow...

Check it out and tell me what you think:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/The_tasty_etude/

Posted by: Rhida Sep 21 2014, 12:46 PM

Hey Gabe!
Yes lot of notes in my solo. After listening to it again, it definitely needs more space.
I followed your suggestions and intonation was bad on my strat.
The tremolo system is a Floyd Rose not easy to adjust.
I have another one, a Lag MetalMaster that was made 15 years ago. On this one I made some adjustements this morning and it seems fine si I remade the recordings. They are still work on progress but with your help I will refine them little by little.
I already posted them at the Ballad forum.

And you're right I must relearn to bend properly now!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 22 2014, 05:03 AM

Hi mate! I've just given you feedback based on the last take, I copy it here too...

"Hi Rhida! The improvement is notorious but there is still work to do! The overall pitch is much better in most of the take. The intro section sounds perfect for me. The verse and chorus has good moments and some others that need adjustment.

00:00 to 00:17: I like how you managed phrases and silences now. The melody has rests and that make it cooler to listen. Pitch is ok,.

00:18 to 00:32: This section start with clear ideas but then the melodies become less clear like if your fingers wouldn't be sure of where to go. The last 2 licks are a bit sloppy. The high note at 00:22 sounds out of tune, and the problems seems to be again the guitar. Please check it out.

00:32 to 00:47: The pitch issues are more important in this section. For example, the bends at 00:39 are not there, you are not tight with tuning, and also the note at 00:44 is out of tune.

00:48 to 01:12: There are similar problems on this section. Mostly tuning and definition of the licks. I feel that the composition is cool, but the licks need more practice.

Please also be careful with timing.

I know that these comments could sound like a lot, but I'm being demanding because I can notice important improvements from take to take, so keep on the hard work!! "

Posted by: Rhida Sep 22 2014, 06:20 AM

All right then! Thanks Gabe!
I will fix the problems one by one!
I was working on my solo this morning when I saw your feedback.
What about this recording?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 22 2014, 01:29 PM

Hi mate! Great to see you working hard!

Your solo is evolving really well. I like your composition, it fits really good with the backing. The issues commented previously are still there but they get better with each recording. There are 3 things to focus:

- Pitch: There are still pitch problems while you play the phrases. The reasons can be related to the list that I've given you previously so please keep on experimenting with this since the problem isn't totally fixed.

- Bending: Some bends are insecure while some others don't reach the correct pitch. Keep on working on this technique. Remember that Ben's youtube video with the exercises for this technique.

- Tone: I think that your tone could be warmer to make it fit better with your playing here and the backing track. Try adding some mid frequencies and maybe lowering a bit the treble. Experiment with EQ and quantity of distortion.

Check out a nice tone example that could work for this backing:

Posted by: Rhida Sep 22 2014, 01:42 PM

All right Gabe, I will focus on my tone too!

With this guitar, intonation seems better and I must now play with less tension. I have a tendancy to push too hard on the strings and some notes may sound sharper than they should. It's better now than before joining here but it's still there, although it's better take after take.
Hopefully I will continue to improve my takes until the deadline.

I feel so blessed to have encouragements and suggestions from you and Cosmin!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 22 2014, 01:46 PM

Hey Rhida! Great to know that the suggestions and comments are helping. I'll be waiting for the new version.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 22 2014, 08:02 PM

The new version will come soon!

Anyway, back to my timing issues and my alternate picking lesson.

I think I've got something today!
Tell me bro, am I wrong or am I right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 23 2014, 02:20 PM

Hi mate! Yes, this take is much better! Your timing is getting very precise. There is some room to be played tighter but the improvement is very big comparing this take with the previous one! What did you change? How did you find the solution? Just practice?

Posted by: Rhida Sep 23 2014, 05:00 PM

Glad to know that I have improved!
Actually I found that I was being distracted a lot by the backing track. So I practiced along my metronome making each eight note the same lenghth, playing like a robot without any dynamics. Then I went back to the backing experiencing a new sense of rhythm weird at first because all this time I played this lesson wrong.
I also tried to play a little behind the beat following Ben's advice at the Rec zone.
I will continue to practice this way and I will post a video here when I 'm more confident with it.
You will tell me if it 's Rec zone worthy!

Posted by: Rhida Sep 24 2014, 07:29 PM

As you know I 've been working on my timing lately !

Here's a recording of the open chords lesson.

Is it the right groove?

i may shoot a video this friday.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 24 2014, 07:29 PM

Hi Rhida! thanks for the details. Great to know that this "tricks" worked for you. I can say that the result is very good. About your question regarding if the take is suitable for REC, let me say that always a take is great for REC, there you receive feedback from different instructors so that's the best place to post a new take.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 25 2014, 06:20 PM

Hi Gabe,
I followed your advice and I posted a new take for the alternate picking lesson.

Have you checked my previous post in this forum about the open chords lesson?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2014, 09:02 PM

heheh I missed the take!

It's sounding much groovier than the previous takes. There are still some timing issues here and there. The problem appears mostly when you have to play the second strum of each chord which is usually played a bit early and it destabilize the following strums of the same chord. Once you reach the first half of the take, you start to play tighter and I feel that is close to be perfect near to the end of the take. This means that you understand what you have to play, you can do it, but you still need practice.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 25 2014, 10:17 PM

I knew something was wrong!
I try to keep my picking hand loose moving up and down all the time.
And I began to do the second strum with an upstroke instead of the next downstroke. That's why I am a bit earlier.
I will upload a video tomorrow so you can help me.

Thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 26 2014, 03:08 PM

mm if you are keeping the motion up and down even when you are not playing you should be playing this one tighter, but being able to see you playing could help me to give you some more precise feedback about the things that you could try to play this one tighter. Please record a video and share it here.

Posted by: Rhida Sep 26 2014, 04:18 PM

Gabe my friend!
I couldnt resist!

This video will make it right to REC!

So I will have three feedbacks. I learn so much from them!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 28 2014, 08:19 PM

hehe excellent! I will check your takes at REC in a moment.

Posted by: Rhida Oct 1 2014, 05:14 PM

Hi Gabe!

I'm back to the REC zone with another attempt at the string bending lesson.

Just heard my previous take... Whoah my ears hurt! It's so out of pitch. I didn't realised that at the time!

That means only one thing : I've progressed!

Let see what you and others instructors think!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 1 2014, 05:38 PM

Yeah! Pitches are there now! You evolved a lot your bending technique! I added a comment there about the two things that you need to focus but let me say here Congrats on your great job!!

Posted by: Rhida Oct 5 2014, 11:32 PM

Hey Gabe

I want definitely to begin ti work on my tone with your help.
I will upload another take for the collab here following your suggestions.
Anyway could you tell me when the pitch problem occur? My ears are not yet that well developped.
Like I said before I have a tendancy to squeeze on the string.
I've been working hard on it playing as relaxed as I could.
So it may be a problem with my fretting hand and not the guitar.
See you tomorrow then!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 6 2014, 01:19 PM

Hi mate! This sounds good, let's work on your tone. Please tell me what you are using currently...

About your tuning, I'm checking the track again to find the parts that have more important problems:

- from 00:04 to 00:12.
- from 00:14 to 00:22
- from 00:38 to 00:46
- from 00:50 to 00:58
- from 01:06 to the end


As you can see, now that I became more precise with the hearing, I find pitch issues everywhere. I insist that there must be something happening with your guitar and strings. However, as this can also be a problem with your pressing, I invite you to try playing the scale up and down over a backing track focusing on just avoiding doing extra pressure. Try this and share the recording here to be sure that you are not generating the problem.. if it's possible share a video doing it.

Posted by: Rhida Oct 6 2014, 04:37 PM

Big tuning problems actually.
I will check my guitar and my fretting hand as soon as I am back home.
Thanks for taking the time to help me as much as you do!

Posted by: Rhida Oct 6 2014, 08:08 PM

Right,

It's not the guitar unfortunately! It's quite ok with the intonation and my strings are pretty new!
I must relearn how to use my fretting hand. I press too hard sometimes. It's better but it's a long time process at least for me.
Sometimes my fingers make some micro bends towards the floor or toward the ceiling. It's a disease I'm working on to get rid of it.

In fact I find today that I do almost everytime some microbends when I know that I will make a bend soon or a vibrato effect by anticipation so I'm pressing too much.
I checked when it occurs and I rerecorded again and again the verse, listening and pointing where the problem is.

So here it is.
Hope it's better...

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 7 2014, 12:04 AM

Hi mate! The improvement is awesome!! All the first phrases are fixed now, and the problem appears on some bends and higher notes close to the end. I'm so happy to now that finally you could find the real problem to start working on it. This was ruining most of your last recordings... so this is definitely the way to go!!

Posted by: Rhida Oct 7 2014, 08:52 AM

Yes, I can almost hear these pitches issues when I am playing and I know how to work on them from now on.
My ears have improved a lot (there's still a long way to go I know ) and they now help me with my playing. I wasted a lot of time checking only the physical aspect of playing (thumb placement and fretting hand tension for example) and although this is important I finally understand how aural skills can also improve my technique.
I can't believe how much I 've learned since I've been here.

So I will record a new and better take and shoot a video before the deadline.

Between the lessons, the REC Zone, the collabs and all the other stuff you know how to keep a man busy and motivated here!
Just love it!

I will check my material and make a list to begin to work on my tone.
After the collab I will get back to work on improvisation course week 2 and post something here soon.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 7 2014, 03:23 PM

Hi again mate, I'm very happy of reading this. Let me say that you are also a very inspiring person for me, and also an example of how fast a guitarist can improve thanks to hard work and discipline.

Working on your tone and starting with the Week#2 are good complements to the lessons that you are currently working, so I'll be waiting for your news.

Posted by: Rhida Oct 8 2014, 06:58 PM

Hey Gabe

thanks for your kind words here and at REC. I will get these sixteenth notes down!

Tomorrow I will have some free time to shoot a video for the current collab.

I tried to fix the parts near the end and added some mid frequencies (I am a complete newbie for all these things but you knew that right !)
And if there is still some major issues I will correct them before tomorrow night.


By the way here's my material:
- two electric guitars (a red Fender stratocaster with Seymour Duncan pick-ups plus and a blue Lag MetalMaster with Di Marzio pick-ups)
- one acoustic guitar (Lag)
- an all tube-amp Huges and Kettner
- a pc
- a Tascam US-144 MKII
- reaper with some free plug-ins (some from POD and Lepou I think)
- my Samsung Galaxy S4 for the videos.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2014, 10:08 PM

Hi again friend! The solo sounds good until second 00:37, where the pitch phantom appears again! Starting there your soloing is not consistent and most of the notes are out of tune, both single solos and bending sections, so please pay attention to it when you record the final version.

Also, remember to keep on working on your bending technique (mostly that video by Ben, or even this one by Satriani):



About your gear, I think that you have some great stuff there! Your tone on this last take is not bad, but some EQ adjustments as well as some little effect (delay or reverb) could make it sounds better and more connected with the backing. How did you record it?

Posted by: Rhida Oct 9 2014, 10:24 PM

Hey Gabe

For the recording
Directly to the computer via my tascam soundcard
A Marshall amp-like with distortion on 6 (Pod plug-in)
A little bit of delay 180 ms I think (Pod plug-in also)
Added some mid frequencies with an eq from reaper
And some reverb following your suggestions
Just trials and errors and following my ears.
I uploaded the final version at the souful ballad collab thread. You can hear it there.

I rerecorded the ending. It 's difficult sometimes to hear where the pitching issues occured. But my ears are better everytime I focus on these.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 10 2014, 03:47 PM

yes, I've heard and commented the last take. You are a hard worker! I think that you are on the right track with your progress and guitar practice. There is a new improvement each day so you just have to keep on this attitude and keep on experimenting.

A good idea to improve your tone is to dedicate some minutes each day to it. Try different settings, different amps, just changing EQ, watch a youtube video, record what you get and save it for the next day. If it's possible save the presets or write down conclusions. Consider it as a part of your diary routine, because having a good tone is as important as mastering the different techniques.

Share your progress, concussions, questions and samples here.

Posted by: Rhida Oct 19 2014, 08:07 PM

Hi Gabe

Here's a little piece I made based on week 2 of the improvisation course.
What I've been working on

- play what's in my head only, not ketting my fingers going on auto-pilot
- find the right tone for the mood of the solo
- targeting tones
- experimenting with vibrato to be more expressive
- throwing a five string arpeggio shape and make a melody out of it.

Today, I will begin to work on week 3.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 19 2014, 08:21 PM

Hi Rhida! I'm proud of this recording! Your list of tasks is a very clever workout and the result is a very melodic improvisation. It sounds very musical, you are doing a great job!

The tone fits well with the backing, it has a good EQ but, it has a weird colour, as it would be a direct line recording without an amp emulated. The distortion tend to have a "mosquito" sound, that's how we call it in Spanish, don't know if you understand what I mean saying it. It needs to sound more real, less digital, with more dynamics.

Your playing is very good. It's great to hear you playing without pitch issues. I just heard 2 or 3 notes with this old problem, the overall sound perfectly tuned.

So we can say that your playing is evolving really good. What can you say about the impro course? Are you noting improvements in your playing?

Posted by: Rhida Oct 19 2014, 10:40 PM

Oh yeah definitely!

The impro course allows me to perfect my technique and apply what I learn from the lessons. It 's also an excellent ear training for me. I listen a lot to the backing track until an idea comes in my head. Then the next practice session I will do the same coming with a melody that fits with the previous one. And I continue until I have the complete solo. Recording each idea again and again until I'm satisfied with the sound and pitch.
I try to incorporate at least an idea I was not familiar with. For this one for example it's the arpeggio shape near the end.
I will make a solo for each week. And when the course will be over I will be coming back to it and applying new concepts everytime I work on a week.
You 've made an eternal course for me anyway.
So thanks a lot for this course my friend!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 20 2014, 06:42 PM

Awesome! I'm so happy to read your thoughts about the course and even more of feeling your totally motivated with the workout. I said this many times to you but I want to congrats you for the hard work that you are doing at GMC. Your progress is going really fast, and there are great things coming.

I'll be waiting for new samples. Keep going!!

Posted by: Rhida Oct 20 2014, 07:51 PM

It's all because you bro!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2014, 02:27 AM

Posted by: Rhida Oct 21 2014, 07:48 PM

You know what?

I always thought of myself as a metal guy.
But since i've been here, I became a lot more open-minded than before.
I never really cared about U2 but I always loved the way The Edge lay out his guitar parts and his sound.
My metal journey is slowly morphing in an all rock journey actually .
So thanks for sharing as I never heard this song before.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2014, 04:57 PM

That's really cool to hear. I love metal, but I love even more the music. I'm happy to know that GMC is helping your to open your mind and start exploring other styles.

I consider that being able to listen, analyze, feel and enjoy different styles of music is a great advantage for musicians. Even if you want to dedicate your life to play 1 style, it's very inspiring to listen to other styles.

Have you seen the movie "It might get loud"?

Posted by: Rhida Oct 22 2014, 06:41 PM

Never. Silly me !
I'm downloading it right now.
I will see it in the next few days as I will be on vacation for a week.
Food for thought it seems.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2014, 06:57 PM

Is it ok if we call this thread: Rhida's Music Journey??

Posted by: Rhida Oct 22 2014, 07:12 PM

That sounds right to me!
Love it!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 22 2014, 07:50 PM

Done!

Posted by: Rhida Oct 26 2014, 02:19 PM

Hi Gabe

First of all, thanks for your comments at REC.

I look forward to some tips for relaxing my pinky. I press too much on this one!
I concentrate a lot on it, playing slowly, it helps but maybe you can give me some tips, tasks or a lesson I can work on.

And for the collab, don't worry mate. You did a great job and I'm more than happy with the practice time I spent on it as I learned a lot from it.


EDIT
Back at REC, I just couldn't resist!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 27 2014, 03:54 AM

Hi mate.

I'm checking your new bending REC take and I can note that your left hand is not relaxed when you play. You are pressing too much with all the fingers, including with your thumb. You should try to focus on it and try to relax the whole hand while you play. Remember to do some massages and stretches (let me know if I didn't share with you Petrucci's video) just to relax your arms and hands a bit between each take. Take a deep breath and do the less effort possible.

Try it and let me know what happens.

Posted by: Rhida Oct 28 2014, 03:54 PM

First of all thanks for the new clip, I know it must have been some extra work for you. So again thank you very much! You're the best!


Yes it helps to relax between each repetition.
I tend to play non stop and I accumulate a lot of tension that way. I've been changing my practicing since your last post and it seems to work nicely.

I just uploaded a new video at REC on my pull-offs technique.
It's been six weeks or so since I began to work on this lesson.
For the last week it seems to sound the same so I thougt it was time for REC.

I am also working on the beginner's corner hammer-on lesson but I'm not quite ready for REC with this one.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 29 2014, 05:44 PM

Hi Rhida! I'm glad to know that you liked the new version of the collab! Your solo was really nice, there were many parts that could fit on this one. So congrats again on your great job.

Thanks for the update. If your hands are starting to get more relaxed while you are practice, you are doing the things right. I'll will check your new REC take in a moment.

Keep on the great job!

Posted by: Rhida Nov 5 2014, 08:47 PM

Hi my friend !

Still practicing, still enjoying every minute of it.
Thanks for your comments at REC.

And here's my work on week 03 of the improvisation course.

My goals with this one as usual :
-musicality
-phrasing
-not letting my fingers on auto-pilot but playing what I hear in my head (love this kind of ear training by the way!).

And a little update on the pull-offs lesson by Bear I 'm working on.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 7 2014, 12:42 AM

Hi Rhida!

You are doing a very good job as always. The pull offs lesson is getting better! I can hear the your timing is a bit tighter compared with the previous take. There is still room to improve timing, but you are getting close. Just keep on practicing it over the original lesson and record a new REC take in a few days.

Regarding the improvisation, I have to say that your goals are exactly what I would suggest, and it's very good to have them in mind before each practice session. The first thing that comes to mind while I hear your take is that your playing is starting to sound very good regarding pitch. I just hear some pitch problems from 01:29 to 01:49, and that bend at 02:08. There other parts sound very on pitch.

Your phrases are very musical and have a good sense and evolution. I can notice that you are using the call and response concept. Well done!

Some things to improve:

- More rhythm variations. Try to experiment more with less predictable rhythms for your phrases. As soon as you reach the first half, I start to feel a bit bored and I suspect that the reason is the lack of rhythm.

- Dynamics: Use more dynamic variations, more aggressive parts and softer ones.

- Use more more vibrato.

- Use more bending technique. Experiment with longer bends, more aggressive, double strings, half step bends, whole step bends and all the different possibilities.


That's all by now, keep on the hard work!

Posted by: Rhida Nov 24 2014, 08:53 PM

Hey Gab
I followed some of your instructions for the next collab thing where I uploaded my take too.

You will as usual give me some great advice for improving it though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 25 2014, 05:04 AM

Hi Rhida!! Great job with this one!! I love the first idea played with a very bluesy lick that sounds like an industrial version of Slash. It's killer!! I only think that you should polish the last two faster licks. It's a good idea to add two licks like those ones there, but you are not playing them well and I'm not sure about the notes that you are using. What scale is it?

Posted by: Rhida Nov 25 2014, 05:59 AM

So glad you liked the first part!
Slash is definitely on my top list!

I used strictly G minor pentatonic, diagonal position for the first lick (going from Bflat on the fifth string to D on fthe first string) and octave position for the last one.
Maybe some notes are not clear I will check them out at slow speed.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 25 2014, 06:15 AM

yeah, the problem is that the notes are not sounding clear. These two licks are great exercises to write down and incorporate into your diary practice. Do you have them on guitar pro to let me check exactly what you want to play?

Posted by: Rhida Nov 29 2014, 07:46 PM

Hi friend and thanks again for your help.
You don't know how much it means to me.
I have guitar pro but I never figured out how to use it.
So instead I made 2 videos, one for each lick playing them slower than the previous recording so you can check where the problems occur.
I improved them a little though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 29 2014, 08:09 PM

Hi Rhida! I just commented and graded your two takes for REC. You are working really hard! I'm very proud of you.

Thanks for this two videos, now I can notice where is the problem on each one.

Lick 1: The problem is mostly the unwanted noises that appear when you cross strings. You need to work on your muting techniques in order to make the notes sound clear without noises from other strings. I mostly use the palm of my right hand and my left hand index finger for muting the closer strings. Please let me know if you need more details about this.

Lick 2: The problem here is hands sync. Your hands are not going tight and perfectly synchronized and this make that the lick sound weak and not clear. You need to slow down this lick and be sure that you are picking and pressing at the same time. This type of licks are not easy, so be patient and incorporate these licks to your diary practice: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43715&st=0#entry576899.


These are two things to improve on your playing: Hands Sync and Muting. So maybe both licks can have a it of each issues.

Posted by: Rhida Dec 4 2014, 09:56 PM

Thanks for your help, your kind words and your useful advices!

So here's my take. I also uploaded it on the collab thread.
I changed the last bit to make it easier for me. I actually stole that lick from the exercises you gave me! And I think it ends nicely my solo.
Hopefully, I have all my afternoon free tomorrow to work on it, improve it and record a video.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 5 2014, 03:12 PM

Hi Rhida, thanks for this new take! I think that your solo is really cool. The last licks still need to be polished, but this won't happen in just 1 week. These ones are tricky licks and I think that you should keep them in your diary practice for the next weeks, creating variations, and working on those exercises that I suggested. You really need to polish this kind of stuff.

About the collab, don't worry about it, do it the best you can and share the audio and video today to let me start working on it.

Posted by: Rhida Dec 5 2014, 06:24 PM

I just uploaded my files at the collab's thread.
I managed to make the last licks sound better I think.
It's far from perfect, I know it's a long time process!

Thanks for your support!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 5 2014, 07:50 PM

Excellent!! Thanks a lot for joining and congrats on your hard work!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2014, 07:45 PM

Pentatonics 3 Weeks Workout

Week#1 - Major Pentatonic

Day 1:

- Learn Pentatonic Major Pattern 1. (10 minutes)
- Apply some patterns and sequences from this thread: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&view=findpost&p=694891. (10 minutes)
- Play the sequences, scale up and down and random notes over the backing of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/major-pentatonic-scale/ (10 minutes).
- Choose a lesson based on Major Pentatonic licks (link this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/major-pentatonic-scale/), learn the first lick. Practice it over the backing track, create variations and combine it with some improvisations.

On days 2, 3, 4 and 5, do the same but with the other Pentatonic major patterns.

Day 6 & 7:

- Work on this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/learning-the-major-pentatonics/ (30 minutes)
- Play the parts over the backing track and combine the patterns with some other licks and phrases by your own. (30 minutes)


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Week#2 - Minor Pentatonic

- Learn Pentatonic Minor Pattern 1. (10 minutes)
- Apply some patterns and sequences from this thread: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&st=180&p=695827&#entry695827 (10 minutes)
- Play the sequences, scale up and down and random notes over the backing of this lesson:http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Pentatonic-Minor-Switching/ (10 minutes).
- Choose a lesson based on Minor Pentatonic licks (like this one: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/d-minor-pentatonic-solo/), learn the first lick. Practice it over the backing track, create variations and combine it with some improvisations.

On days 2, 3, 4 and 5, do the same but with the other Pentatonic minor patterns.

Day 6 & 7:

- Work on this lesson:http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/lick-construction-class-beginners/ (30 minutes)
- Play the parts over the backing track and combine the patterns with some other licks and phrases by your own. (30 minutes)

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Week#3 - Expanding your pentatonic licks library

Day 1:

- Learn parts 1, 2 and 3 of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-licks-beginner/
- Practice the licks over the backing and combine it with variations and other licks of your own.

Day 2:

- Learn parts 4, 5 and 6 of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-licks-beginner/
- Practice the licks over the backing and combine it with variations and other licks of your own.

Day 3:

- Learn parts 7 and 8 of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pentatonic-licks-beginner/
- Practice the licks over the backing and combine it with variations and other licks of your own.

Day 5:

- Learn parts 1 and 2 of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/major-pentatonic-intermediate-solo/
- Practice the licks over the backing and combine it with variations and other licks of your own.

Day 6:

- Learn parts 3 and 4 of this lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/major-pentatonic-intermediate-solo/
- Practice the licks over the backing and combine it with variations and other licks of your own.

Day 7:

- I'll be very close so take some time to master everything, and record some audios and videos to share with me!

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All lessons can be changed by one that you think is more appropriated for your level and taste. The most important thing is the structure of the routine.

I hope you had a great time!

Posted by: Rhida Dec 10 2014, 07:51 PM

Gab you are THE BEST!!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 10 2014, 09:42 PM

hehehe

Posted by: Rhida Dec 13 2014, 07:41 AM

Hey!

Thanks for your feedback at REC.
About the string bending lesson, I think that I should do some serious ear training because I practice this lesson everyday!
I will do some half step and whole step recognition with and without my guitar from now on.
And I will post a new take when you'll be back so you and I will see and hear the progress (I hope! ). I give myself three weeks with this one.

Today I can finally begin my 3 weeks workout !

Thanks for eveything and have a nice vacation!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 13 2014, 10:39 PM

This sounds very good Rhida. Have a great time with your practice.

Posted by: Rhida Jan 5 2015, 11:55 PM

Hey bro!
Good to see you back!

So here's a little update.
Unfortunately due to some unexpected diseases, hard work and some family issues I was unable to practice as I wished last month.
But I managed to learn all my major and minor pentatonic shapes and play them in groups of 3 and 4. I also did a recording for the Kris -mas collab.
Anyway I really want to work on the 3week program you designed for me.
Everything is back to normal now it seems so I could practice a lot more from now on! .

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2015, 12:56 AM

Hi Rhida, how are you!

Thanks for the update. It would be a good idea to work on the program, would you like to start this week?

Posted by: Rhida Jan 6 2015, 10:03 AM

Everything is fine now so hopefully I will start the program by the end of this week.
Lately I 've been working on my two hand synchronisation and motor skills particularly on my fretting hand as I play with a lot of unnecessary tension.
I practice slowly and try to be relaxed, in control, looking for efficient motions with my body.
I discovered that my mind wanders a lot when practicing and my brain doesn't fully control my hands and my fingers. So it's a lot of wasted practice time. My hands and fingers have developped a life of their own. I guess that's a pretty common thing for beginners or guys like me who struggle a lot with their playing.
It's a totally change of mindset and I must learn to do it as I feel I will never progress the other way.
I always thought of myself to be someone with a lot of patience, but I really must be more and more patient than ever and really practice consciously and be in control of whatever I do even if it is at 10 bpm with quarter notes.
I must discover my own pace of improving, not be frustrated but excited to see where I am going with my new philosophy.
Being a part of GMC and having you as a mentor has been a real open-minder.
I am really happy to understand now why I never progressed as I wished although I practiced often 2-3 hrs a day for the past 20 years.
My hand and fingers are fine. It's just that I never practiced with my mind fully in control of my passion.
I feel like my musical journey really begin now.

And by the way, happy new year and best wishes Gab!

P.S: for reference, I uploaded here my take for the Kris-must Charm Audio Collaboration

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2015, 05:51 PM

Bingo!! Your post is exactly marking part of the problem why many students practice and practice but can't see important results and improvements in their playing. Your mind has the most important role on this because she has the power to dominate your full body, including your fingers and the muscles involving them. There is a first thing that you have to do before starting our practice, it's a change or mentality, you need to visualize what you want to master, and you need to think on it as if you already can play it. Visualize you playing it, your fingers doing each movement, and KNOW that you are can play it. Put all your mind focus just on this for a moment before practice. The effect that this can give to your playing is dramatic. But you don't have to fake it, you have to believe it. Most of the things that we can't master or play are because we believe that we can't, our mind thinks that they are "too difficult" and that's when it becomes so difficult that we never master it. It's awesome how powerful our mind is...

What do you think?

Posted by: Rhida Jan 6 2015, 08:05 PM

We have a deal then!
Thanks for this tip!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 7 2015, 05:35 PM

Great! Keep me updated.

Posted by: Rhida Jan 3 2016, 07:10 AM

Let's get this thread ressurrected!
A lot to do last year, my mind was not focused as my heart on practicing.
Anyway I intend to be more active this year.
So here's a little improvisation I made last night in one take over a backing track found on Youtube.
I put it on this thread for reference.

I noticed some timing and bending on pitch issues but I wanted to know where I am on my guitar playing right now.

And I almost forgot : Happy new year Gab and GMC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYc7fAnQrYw

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2016, 04:07 AM

Hi Rhida! Welcome back!

Ok, this is a great starting point for this second round. We will work on different improvisation concepts in order to take your playing to a new level but before we start, I'd like to hear from you. What are your current goals?

Posted by: Rhida Jan 4 2016, 05:35 AM

My goals for the moment

improve my basic technique : fretting notes clearly, bending (Bear's lesson, my nightmare!), hammer-ons and pull-offs, vibrato
improvising : finding an inspiring backing track as the one above, playing with it and sharing my work here regularly
developp my rhythm skills with at least power chords at the moment
playing tight (timing workout)

I've got some lessons on my mind.
I'll share them here soon.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2016, 01:58 PM

Ok Rhida, let's choose a musical lesson that includes an inspiring backing track, and also licks that you like. Do you have any in mind?

I'd like to give you some specific tasks for this first week.

Posted by: Rhida Jan 4 2016, 02:37 PM

I will let you choose one for me if you don't mind.

Thanks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2016, 03:00 PM

what about this one?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginner-Soloing-1/


The exercise for this week would be to work on this lesson but using the approach explained on this tutorial: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Your-First-Phrases/

Posted by: Rhida Jan 4 2016, 03:29 PM

I was confident you will find a good one.
I am on it and I will upload something by next sunday or monday.
Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 5 2016, 01:07 PM

You're welcome!

Posted by: Rhida Jan 10 2016, 09:21 PM

All right this is the result of my work

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 11 2016, 03:23 AM

Hi Rhida! Very nice!

I think that you are going on the right track but that your phrasing could go more connected to what's happening in the backing track.

Let's go deeper with the note choices. Please analyze the original lesson and the relationship between the long notes and the chord sounding at each moments. If possible write it here: Name of the chord, name of the note and interval relationship.