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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 31 2014, 05:28 PM

Hi Mith! This is our thread for working together on these things:

The main goal is to improve my overall skill level at a basic level and a little later on improve my lead playing.

Some Things I want to improve on, in no particular order
*Chords - I want to be able to put together songs with chords as easily as I would one with power chords. I want to be able to construct chords on the fly. (I've been slowly working through the chord workshop for this)

*Notes - I've been spending a lot of time trying to become fluent with the fretboard note names. I found this really helpful for opening up the neck when playing lead because I can jump between octaves.

*Scales - I've gotton quite fluent with the shapes and I have been using the method attached for this and have really liked this concept since its more of assembling the scale around your position instead of remembering shapes.

*speed - I really want to speed my playing up a bit and make it cleaner tho I'm not interested in playing solos really fast. I like the idea of Ascending and descending scales fast to move from positions and do more melodic stuff when there.

*Solos - Knowing all the shapes is one thing but I feel i'm really lacking on how to apply them in a musical context. I like the idea of using slightly exotic scales and modes to give my lead work more of an identity. I would like to learn some sequences for the fast ascending descending idea but melodic for the other parts (I guess the idea is longer licks and stead of fast repeating licks).


Could you please post some videos of you playing?

Posted by: Mith Jun 1 2014, 04:24 PM

I'm currently working on this Style lesson

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Him-Style-Love-Metal/

Was one of the bands that influenced me a bit and figured it captures a bit of chord usage which is something I want to improve on and its very melodic. I'll post a video of that in a day or two (Have learnt the Rhythm just cleaning up the chord part) since I think its better if I start of with something that I'm wanting to work on

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 2 2014, 06:34 PM

Good choice! My idea for this workout would be to keep on working on things that you want, and that you like to keep motivation which is the most important thing. If you enjoy what you are practicing, everything will be much more effective.

I'll wait for the video!

Posted by: Mith Jun 3 2014, 07:14 PM

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=52294

Well there is the first video. Went ok I think. I really liked the arpeggio part (even tho I think I could of executed them better) and I really liked the inversions for the harmonies.

This would be something I'd like to delve into a little more. Really found it fun to play and I liked the chime like feel to it all

Posted by: Mith Jun 4 2014, 11:59 AM

Well so far the seems one of the biggest things I need to work on is my vibrato. So what would you recommend? My guess would be Ben's Vibrato odyssey but you might know of a better way. Goal here is to turn this weakness so it is one of the strongest parts of my playing.

Anyway look forward to hearing your advice and plan of attack with a routine. I've set aside 2.5-3hrs 4 nights a week (some weeks 3 nights) And weekends are pretty good for at least the same amount of time if not more.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2014, 02:22 PM

Hi mate! I just commented your video at REC! Let me say that it's a very good first step. It's true that the main thing to improve in your playing is vibrato but the idea is that we design a guitar routine that covers different aspects.

I think that we could try this first weeks covering this topics:


Warming Up (7 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Arpeggios/

Vibrato (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

Bending (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginners-Corner-21-String-Bending/

Alternate Picking (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

Rhythm (25 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/basic-metal-rhythm/

Theory (15 minutes)
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48919
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48905&st=0#entry644329



What do you think?

If you think that any of this lessons is too easy or difficult we can replace it, just let me know!

Posted by: Mith Jun 4 2014, 02:39 PM

Looks great. really like the warm up idea. Gonna be some big stretches lol.
I plan on making a solid start on Friday. Tonight I've committed myself to setting up a good amount of different tones in the POD HD (Already found your patches ). Whole idea behind this venture into guitar is to develop new skills and broaden my horizons a little.

Thanks for your help Gab its very much appreciated

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2014, 02:57 PM

Great!! Remember to check this thread: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=49266

Posted by: Mith Jun 7 2014, 04:27 PM

Lessons going well, Biggest bit I'm stuck on is in the warm up the G#add9. I can make the stretch well enough but as soon as I add in the 2nd finger on the 5th or bar down to get the other note on the 4th my pinky lays flat and mutes everything and not to sure how I can adjust my hand to fret it. I do have pretty small hands but I doubt that its limiting enough to make it impossible

oh and vibratos on the top of a bend. I imagine the textbook way of doing it correct it to bend up to the not then bend up a tad more for the vibrato or is it more common practice to flatten the bend a little for the vibrato

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2014, 05:49 PM

Hi Mith, great to hear from you. A good exercise for big stretches chords is to keep the chord shape with your left for some minutes many times per day. With the pass of days, you will start to feel more comfortable with the shape, your fingers will get used to the chord and stretches.

Check the first exercise of this video, it's great for bending & vibrato:

Posted by: Mith Jun 12 2014, 03:41 PM

Starting to really get some of those chords under my fingers and also feeling the strength go up in all my fingers (That warm up alone I feel has helps with my overall playing). Found a trick were instead of trying to always stretch for a chord I just learn the shape further up and when I can play it cleanly there move it down a fret. Also gives a way of tracking progress.

Bends are getting pretty spot on, the vibrato on top is a still a little rough and would like to be able to make it wider.

Quick question. Is there any pitch you aim for with vibrato or is it more keeping it even and then just thinking if you want to go wide or narrow or slow or fast?

Posted by: Mith Jun 12 2014, 04:11 PM

Oh and is there a theory post on when to use these add7, add9 and add11 (pretty much any of those weird chords)

In the sense of a progression

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2014, 02:44 AM

Hi Mith! Great to see you working and noting improvements! That's a very good trick to work on chords with big stretches, you've been very clever. Regarding vibrato, the pitch should be around the note that you are playing, a bit up and a bit down but not wide enough to reach the next note in chromatic scale.




Here you will find useful theory about chords: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=48915

Check it out and tell if you have questions about it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2014, 02:44 PM

Hi Myth! These are the comments for the takes that you send me via PM:



Hi Mith! Great to see you working hard! Here I go with some little details to improve:

Vibrato lesson: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey-5/

- The first vibratos (from 00:00 to 00:18) sound more like bends, you are reaching the next note and that makes it sounds weird. Check how Ben does micro bends to avoid this effect.

- From 00:18 to 00:30, the rhythm used for the vibrato is different to the original lesson and it doesn't go with the groove of the song. Re-check it.

- From 00:31 to 00:42, again, the rhythm is different and your vibrato is not regular. You should make it sound more consistent and tight.

- 00:41 to 00:52, in this part you missed the rhythm used by Ben.

In general lines, the main problem is pitch, and rhythm. The best way to improve this lesson is to practice it over the original lesson trying to emulate the sound and rhythm that Ben is using. He is all the time very connected with the groove of the song, so it's very important to pay attention to the drums and backing and feel the overall rhythm.


Picking hand: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Picking-Hand-Basics/

This lesson is going on the right track but it still needs more practice. The different parts need to be polished, and the overall lesson should sound tighter. I find timing issues, not very dramatic, but they are there. I'm not sure if this is a technique limitation or just a matter of distraction. So, my suggestion is to keep on practicing try to make each note sound right, and focus on going tight with the rhythm.

Once again, practicing over the original lesson could be a good idea.

Posted by: Mith Jul 3 2014, 03:21 PM

Thanks Gab, Will focus on those points. Will practice with the lesson a bit and try and focus on the timing side of things a bit more

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2014, 03:31 PM

Perfect! Please keep me updated.

Posted by: Mith Jul 14 2014, 02:55 AM

Got alot of practice in this weekend. Vibratos feel smoother and bends closer on pitch. Hoping to make some new Vids in the next day or 2 for you.

Fun times

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 14 2014, 03:23 PM

Great to know this Mith! I'll be waiting for your videos.

Posted by: Mith Jul 22 2014, 05:38 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tkRYqZWSJs&index=2&list=PLhirhVmLnByjECj0yZQe3VSs7xIEGqWbc

Well its better but could still be tighter I guess

I think I have a habit of rushing the triplet. The problem is when I try to correct it I tend to go to the other extreme. Might just be one of those things where a triplet at that speed just feels weird lol.

Hoping to post more soon like the vibrato one and maybe this again. Been a busy man the last few weeks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 23 2014, 02:21 PM

Hi Mith, how are you?

yes, I note the timing issue that you are talking about but I also think that there is room to play tighter even when you play other figures like 8th and 16th notes. The problem becomes more important with triplets and when you combine them with 16th notes near the end.

It's important to know that to give the licks a clearer rhythm and intention we tend to accentuate a bit the notes that are played over the beat. This means that you should accentuate the first of every 2 8th notes, the first of every 3 triplets and the first of every 4 16th notes.

In order to polish this I recommend you to create two parallel exercises over metronome or a drum loop:

Ex 1: Play 8th notes on a same note or a repetitive pattern and try to accentuate the first of each two.
Ex 2: The same with triplets.
Ex 3: The same with 16th notes.

Once you feel comfortable with them and can play them tight and with the correct accentuation get back to the exercise.

Please try it and let me know how it feels.

Posted by: Mith Jul 23 2014, 03:30 PM

I'll give it a shot. I feel like my pick gets caught up or something. Or its the upstroke. I'm comfortable being in time in down strokes.

I don't know what its a combination of but maybe when I play normally I change note values regularly so I don't play so many successive notes and primarily use down strokes.
Just a bit of insight that might help me get on the right path.

Is the technique I'm using right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 24 2014, 01:33 PM

Well, I don't notice a problem with your technique. Naturally we have more strength for downstrokes than for upstrokes and that seems the reason why your downstrokes sound like accentuated while your upstrokes sound a bit weak. This just needs practice, and specially the exercises that I suggested. I know that they are quite simple, but trust me, it's the best you can do to train your right hand focused and wisely. If you practice it 20 minutes every day, you will start noticing the improvements soon.

Posted by: Mith Aug 2 2014, 12:44 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUYx13RztD4&index=1&list=PLhirhVmLnByjECj0yZQe3VSs7xIEGqWbc

Here is another crack at it Gab, Timing is better but any further tips would be great
and been going hard with the metronome and will be doing that alot more

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 2 2014, 04:16 PM

Hi Myth, yeah! I can notice that your timing is getting better, but you still have to adjust details to make it sound tighter. I notice that you could make the movement from your right hand smaller, in order to make it more effective at different tempos. Try to avoid moving your right hand fingers, the movement should be based on your wrist or a combination of wist and elbow.

Regarding timing, I can see that there is no difference between faster and slower sections, you have random problems on 8th notes, triplets and 16th notes, so this is not a technical issue. I recommend you to mark the tempo with your foot (or head) while you play. It can sound silly but the effect can be very important in your playing is you apply it while you practice. Closing your eyes and focus on timing is another trick that helps. Try them and let me know how it goes!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 25 2014, 03:05 PM

Hi again Myth, you asked me to start working on improvisation. Let's start with module 1: Major Scales.

Click http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&view=findpost&p=694411, where you will find all the info that you need to work on the first class. Please work on the concepts and share your improvisations here.

Posted by: Mith Aug 25 2014, 03:29 PM

Awsume. Really have found the backing nice and easy to play over. I do tend to find I stick to the 3 notes per string method more than the caged. just seems to feel better under my fingers and flows better.

just going to practice some sequencing and try some of those arpeggios

I'm also using this time to get into using my whammy bar and wah more since its something that I want to use more but have struggled incorporating it into riffs and licks.

So far I've tried adding it pulling the bar up 1/2 a tone slowly to kinda of pull the voicing up. slow down to finish off a lick and a bit of a chirp ever now and then for some character.

Wah pedal is feeling a bit more natural.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 26 2014, 05:01 PM

Hi Myth, great to know that you've found the backing track inspiring. I understand what you mean about three notes per string shapes. This shapes will be part of the course but the whole program has been designed to make your fingers, ear and mind connect and work together. These are weekly lessons, and we are just in week #1. My recommendation for you is to learn and work on these concepts with a beginners mind. You could master very advanced improvisation stuff if you work every day on the concepts suggested.

Using 3 notes per strings shapes is cool, it's another tool, but if it's your only tool to play scales, all your solos will sound the same. We will definitely to for it, but we will be also opening many other gates to get out of the same licks played over and over. With the current shapes, you will maybe find more difficult to play fast, but these shapes, connected with the sequences and arpeggios will definitely help you to create fresh phrases that you are not used to compose.

Off course, you can choose your path, but this is what I think it's the better way now.

Combining this course's exercises with technique and effects experimentation is an excellent idea. Keep going!

Posted by: Mith Aug 28 2014, 09:12 AM

Well I'm getting the hanf of moving from 3nps to pentatonics. I'll try get the feel of moving into full caged posisitions. Which from the lesson notes seems is the next lesson.

I've also starting to get arppegios under my fingers which is great because its something I always struggled with.

I'll post some takes up this weekend hopefully

Also been studying intervals and made a training CD for in the car so I can learn to hear them better.

One question do we relate the intervals to the key we are in or do we relate them to what chord we play over?
or is it very situational?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 28 2014, 02:46 PM

Hi Mith! Great to see you working hard! This workouts will have a big impact in your guitar playing and improvisations. I'll wait for your recording to check your progress.

About your question, an interval is the distance between two notes, so it's a concept that helps to identify and give a name to these distances. This means that you can see them related to the root of the scale, the root of the chord or even related to a previous or a next note that you are playing. It's just a way to identify distances. Does it make sense?

Posted by: Mith Sep 7 2014, 05:37 PM

Well Here is a take of week 1.
Things I think I need to work on
-Sequencing, at the moment I only know the few you have shown and even tho I can drill them I've got to get use to using them in a musical context more.
- Arpeggios, First time ever using arpeggios. Only did a tiny bit of it in this take but been practicing. I think I do them ok but I think I might be able to be more musical with larger ones since 3 notes feels very restricting (but sometimes that can help with new creativity)
-Root notes, Even tho the scale shapes are easy for me remembering where the root is not something so simple. I tend to do it by ear. Which is a good thing in one way but hard if I want to jump around the fretboard visually

Things I think I did well
-Melodies, I'm very comfortable moving anywhere on the neck and making something up. Would like to build up some licks that could help be a staple for when I'm in certain parts of the scale (tho I think I do it subconsciously anyway)
-Pinch harmonics, I really think this is a corner stone of my playing and I really feel like it give my playing.
-Playing whats in my head, I've gotten ALOT better at this and I'm very surprised on how quick this can develop. Very glad I've been focusing on ear training.

All in all its ok. Was surprised how fast I could play the scale all the way down. Its not the best I've done. Must be the curse of that little record button. Will do a take on Week 2 tomorrow hopefully

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 8 2014, 01:25 PM

Hi Mith, excellent report!

Based on your comments and the audio shared you are going on the right track with this course. I know that arpeggios are not complete and that scale shapes aren't the easier to play fast but remember that our main goal on this course is making music. Limitations are usually a good source for creativity, a good thing for getting out of the most used licks and shapes and explore new territories.

Listening to your improvisation, I can notice that you are exploring the different concepts covered: scale shapes, sequences, arpeggios, etc. It sounds more like a random impro, once you feel comfortable with the different tools, you should dedicate some time to try to be even more melodic and musical. You have some melodic sections here off course, but I motivate you to explore more this side.

Ok mate, please continue practicing and start incorporating Week#2 into your practice.

Hi Mith, excellent report!

Based on your comments and the audio shared you are going on the right track with this course. I know that arpeggios are not complete and that scale shapes aren't the easier to play fast but remember that our main goal on this course is making music. Limitations are usually a good source for creativity, a good thing for getting out of the most used licks and shapes and explore new territories.

Listening to your improvisation, I can notice that you are exploring the different concepts covered: scale shapes, sequences, arpeggios, etc. It sounds more like a random impro, once you feel comfortable with the different tools, you should dedicate some time to try to be even more melodic and musical. You have some melodic sections here off course, but I motivate you to explore more this side.

Ok mate, please continue practicing and start incorporating Week#2 into your practice.

Posted by: Mith Sep 8 2014, 02:04 PM

Ok will take that on board. It might seem a bit random since I was more moving around the neck finding bits that I like, using it a bit then exploring more. Was more looking for ideas than making a complete solo. Wouldn't keeping to a certain melody be less improv and more composition? Just a little lost on that. I'm a little new to lead guitar stuff so I might be missing something.

I'm guessing I should be finding more of a theme for the solo and repeating that more often through out? a motif of sorts?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 8 2014, 02:49 PM

That's exactly what I noted and that what I recommend to do in my course to get familiar with the shapes and the different parts of the neck. You need to continue practicing in this way but also start working on more musical stuff, nice melodies, a leit motiv. Exactly as you described it. But keep on both ways of practice.

Posted by: Mith Sep 8 2014, 03:07 PM

ok got ya gab. I was looking at more as a writing tool. Try throw ideas together see what I like and then compose after that. But I can see how practicing trying to be more musical while doing it is important (you never know, one day I might forget how to play a solo then have to wing it lol)

Do you have and recommended listening to get a feel for how to do it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 8 2014, 03:40 PM

Joe Satriani is the king of guitar melodies! This song is in Major Key:




Check his albums which are full of fantastic melodies.

Posted by: Mith Sep 10 2014, 02:51 PM

Ok here is me messing around with week 2. i didn't worry about sequences or arpeggios with this one. I focuses on trying to create a motif to help tie things together. Its pretty rough and my timing is pretty average but least I'm trying to put the concept in practice. Oh something else I did with this one that I never do is for the motif bit I switch to the neck pickup then for the other bits I go back to bridge.

The idea I had was to have the motif in the diatonic scale and everything else in pentatonic. The idea being the diatonic will mellow it out a little and the pentatonic will bring it back in. Oh and I decided to leave silence in the 2nd last motif to try make things climax a little more. dunno how well I pulled it off there but its a concept that I will reuse sometime to hopefully better effect.

Things I think I can do to improve (besides timing and a bit of sloppiness lol) maybe try and build the motif up. have it somewhat simple the first time around and then add a note or 2 the 2nd time around. Move which register is played in.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 10 2014, 10:45 PM

Hi Mith! Good job with this one. I can notice that you focused on creating a motif that keeps on evolving in the whole improvisation. The melody really makes sense and the workout is a good training for your ear and your fingers. I recommend you to experiment even playing the same motif in different octaves and parts of the neck.

Some things that could be improved:

- Tighter timing.
- More consistent vibrato.
- More use of dynamics.
- Use of other techniques like legato, tapping, hybrid picking.
- More rhythm variations in your phrasing.


These are just some ideas to have in mind. You are doing a very good job with this practice. Please incorporate some of the complementary lessons into your practice to learn new licks and ideas that can be added into your playing.

Posted by: Mith Sep 11 2014, 04:56 AM

Any tips for getting a bit of tapping involved.
I imagine ur talking double tapping.
I can already hammer on and pull off which is something I'll add when I record the next lesson

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 11 2014, 09:50 PM

Well, I was not exactly referring to complex tapping but off course that it would be very cool to apply it. The best that you can do to start incorporating some ideas into your practice is learning some licks from GMC lessons, create variations and use them while you jam.
This is a list of interesting lessons that you could check:

This solo is in B major and has some cool and simple tapping licks:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/b-major-intermediate-solo/

This one is in G major:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Christians-Tapping-Etude-Major/

Major Scale Practice with 8 fingers tapping:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/8-Finger-Tapping-Scales-Ionian-1/

More complex tapping in major key:
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/8-finger-tapping-lesson/


Also, that Satriani's lesson that I shared has a cool tapping idea in the second half.

Posted by: Mith Sep 12 2014, 02:17 AM

I'll have a look. I think my biggest hold back in trying to use these ideas. everytime I do something like double tapping it always feels disjointed. Maybe I should look at tapping one string appegios

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 12 2014, 10:01 PM

yes, I know what you mean. 8 fingers tapping seems to be better for complete etudes that are based on this technique. I honestly don't use it too much, but I think that normal tapping and even using 2 fingers from your right hand to do some tapped patterns can be interesting and easy to connect during a solo or jam. Learn some of the licks from the lessons shared and let me know how it feels.

Check out this guitarist:

Posted by: Mith Sep 13 2014, 07:55 AM

thats pretty awesome. I also like that fast little whammy bar dip

Posted by: Mith Sep 14 2014, 02:54 PM

Well here is a recording of week 3. Its a little rough since I recorded it after practicing for hrs on end. I many focused on using arpeggios and adding in more legato stuff and really pushing the motif idea.

Things I like about this take
- its the most melodic I've been with arpeggios if not ever
- Adding in legato really helped making things more melodic
- The motif I came up with is REALLY catchy.

Things I learnt
- Changing note values during arpeggios has great effect.
-Write the motif as a longer segment and not just one lick

Things I think I should work on
- Still need to work on sequencing. it might be because it is late because I was playing sequences in minor much better than earlier
- I got so comfortable in G major that sometimes I got a tad lost in A minor so need a bit better familiarization

PS - I also found that the blues scale works great with this backing too

Posted by: Mith Sep 14 2014, 03:22 PM

PPS - I'm surprised how many people go through this part of the forum and downloading my takes. Am I doing well? you like?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2014, 04:58 AM

hehehe yeah! Your takes are being downloaded! People is monitoring your improvisations and that's a very good thing! Why? Because your takes are getting more and more musical. This new one is very interesting. I can see how you applied the ideas that I gave previously and the big impact that they have in your improvisation. As you said, your leit motif is very catchy and the overall recording sound close to a finished song, it just needs some polishing and backing variations.

There is nothing to improve here, just keep on exploring each of the topics previously discussed, since everything need practice, practice and more practice.

Congratulations on your great work!

Posted by: Mith Sep 15 2014, 10:00 AM

Also are the any sequences that are typically the staple of metal and hard rock? just want to pick a few to really focus on?

And is this improv course going to get into 3 octave patterns or is that something to do afterwards?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2014, 01:59 PM

Hi Mith, there aren't sequences that sound more metal than others, but some very known guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, Paul Gilbert and Zakk Wylde have made some patterns and sequences more popular. Check out this lessons and apply the ideas to the shapes that we are currently working...

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Metal_Patterns_1/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/My-Picking-Patterns/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Sequential-Patterns/

Most of the patterns and sequences that you will find in the previous lesson are some of the most used in Metal.




Off course. Everything will be covered.

Posted by: Mith Sep 15 2014, 02:36 PM

yeah, i wanna do some fancy long runs lol

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2014, 11:04 PM

hahaha, you will, but take your time to do this workouts because they are very helpful to learn the fret-board and to make the connection between mind and ear smoother. The course will cover all the stuff that I consider useful to master rock, blues and metal improvisation but it's also applicable for jazz and other fusion styles. Just be patient, the course will take some months.

Posted by: Mith Sep 24 2014, 02:44 PM

Hey Gab,

Well Here is me messing about on week 4. Really didn't feel that comfortable with this backing track. Not sure what it was but really struggled thinking of melodies to fit in with the feel of the backing. I'm reasonably happy with the motif I came up with (tho a fumbled it a few times), vibrato is a little better but still needs some work. Probably should try make my slower vibratos wider and get close to the next step.

One thing I was really happy with was my 4 note sequence going down one pattern then up in the next one (it also happened to finished just at the right time at the end of the song lol).

Plan on working that 4 note sequence alot in all patterns. Probably drilled going down on one then up on the other then keep moving up then swap them over. Then try get them up to speed. Just for the way it sounds it sounds very much like a staple sequence so I'd like to be able to drop it anywhere and at any tempo.

One other thing I could probably work on is longer smoother legato runs. would also make it easier to add in 2 handed tapping.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 24 2014, 07:20 PM

Hi Mith! Nice improvisation. I can notice that you aren't completely comfortable with the backing but you tried to create melodies after all. The result is a bunch of very original phrases with a melancholic and dark feeling. I think that your tone is a bit noisy, maybe too much distortion, not enough mids/treble or too much delay? There is something that makes your tone sound unclear and I think that it would be good to polish it.

As you said, there are some techniques that could be improved as well as some other stuff that could make your solo more interesting:

- More variety of vibrato: wider, faster, slower. Vibrato is a expression tool and you are not using it like that while you improvise.
- Bending? Use more bending as an expression tool. Play aggressive bending, double string bending, etc.
- Use more rhythm variation while you improvise to make your solo less static.
- Silences are part of the music. You don't have to make that guitar sound all the time. Use silences to divide phrases.
- Use of dynamics. Your tone is not helping but maybe setting your amp with less distortion could inspire you to use more dynamic variations when you improvise.


This recording shows that you are using the improvisation course stuff perfectly. The idea is to play along with the backing, play phrases, sequences, just random notes, everything that helps you to incorporate the sound of the scale and learn the notes in your fret-board. The things that I detailed would be the next step to make this practice more musical.

You are definitely on the right track. Keep on the great job!

Posted by: Mith Sep 25 2014, 03:48 AM

I didn't even think about changing the tone. gah, its so obvious now.

I'm glad you got the whole melon colie dark feel to it since thats kind of what I'm going for which is a really good sign.

So more dynamics, does seem to be something holding me back a little so I'll try really focusing on that

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2014, 01:54 PM

Great mate. Please keep on practicing with these things in mind. There is a lesson that is not exactly in your style but that is great to practice dynamics. Check it out:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Blues-Dynamics/

As you will see in the video, Piotr goes from very powerful blues soloing to very soft section in a very smooth ways. The lesson is a very good training to control dynamics.

Posted by: Mith Sep 25 2014, 05:02 PM

I actually like a bit of blues. its actually one of the subjects I'm looking forward to getting into with u in this improv thing. The other one is getting deeper into arpeggios. I've gotten a taste of them and have really like how its opened up my playing a bit. Even in rhythm playing. instead of going and playing the same old power chord I'm like hey i might put this 2 string arpeggio in there instead.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2014, 08:56 PM

Hi Mith! I can say that you are always one step forward the improvisation course! hahah. Please work on the current stuff because we will get deeper into arpeggios soon. Arpeggios are a great tool for improvising but also for rhythm and arranging so it's a great plan to master all that stuff.

About blues, that's great! It's always good to master different styles. I know that you like John 5 and you can see how he made his shred technique very unique incorporating elements from country music. Please give a try to Blues Dynamics lesson and share here a video playing it.

Posted by: Mith Sep 29 2014, 11:26 AM

Hey Gab,

Well this is week 5's take. I tried focusing on the dynamic side of things a little and adding in bit more pauses. I also tried avoid using arpeggios. Even tho I'm enjoying them at the moment I don't what to be too dependent on them so threw that out the window for now. Things I noticed with this one. My little motif is something I really liked. Its got a pop punk kinda feel to it but since it is so diatonic I found when it came to trying to have some pentatonic licks in it they didn't work as well as their diatonic counter part.

I'm quite happy with how well the 4 note sequence is under my fingers now and I can almost do it anywhere at anytime. I should probably try incorporating some others for the next one. Some of those single string sequences in wk6 sound interesting so I'll give them a shot.

The other thing I noticed is I tried to do a quiet part near the end but i think I made it too quiet for too long. got a tad monotonous and the backing track built up before the lead guitar did

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 29 2014, 03:18 PM

Hi mate, it's great to see you experimenting with this stuff and also being so analytic with the way you are applying each of the concepts we are covering on the course. I like the motif of this improvisation and how you connected with some other riffs. The way you managed silences is also really good, keep on experimenting with this tool to divide and give air to phrases.

One thing that I feel your improvisation is lacking is more rhythm variations, I think that most of the time the phrases have similar rhythm figures. I would add some longer notes as well as some faster stuff (if it's possible). However I know that it's difficult to generate more different feelings with a backing that stays all the time playing the same progression but with different intensities.

As well as the course advances, the backings will become richer (more chord progressions and variations) so don't worry about this detail. Keep on practicing like this to incorporate the sound of the scales.

I can notice that your phrasing is becoming much more melodic on each new recording and that's what we are looking for. Melody and direction. You are doing a great job.

Some other things to have in mind:

- Use more bending technique.
- Use more vibrato.
- Use legato technique.

Posted by: Mith Sep 29 2014, 04:06 PM

yeah the same rhythm thing is something I had noticed too. But spent a bit of time tonight jamming with the wk 6 track and i think I can really work on that. Oh you mentioned "Aggressive" bending. I take it I should try bending like 1 1/2 steps (keeping in the scale of course) and doing it more sharply

Oh I also started messing around with a bit of pre-bending, that was fun. Also going to finally start trying to get a bit og whammy bar going since I don't use it nearly enough

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 29 2014, 05:25 PM

That sounds very good! Check out this lessons for some inspiration about this topics:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Phrase-Book-Pre-Bends/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Phrase-Book/

Posted by: Mith Oct 1 2014, 03:37 PM

Hey Gab,

You mentioned a few post back about the guitar tone I'm using being a bit noisy. I'm noticing it alot since I'm moving around alot getting use to using a whammy bar (working on "punching notes" where you depress the bar hammer on the not and release the bar) Anyway what would you recommend to correct this. I also notice notes don't "sing" as well as they probably could.

So what would you recommend for helping the guitar sing, harmonics to jump out and to help me get use to the whammy bar in optimal conditions. Any of your POD presets on your page be a good starting block since most the tones I make seem to be more or less the same gain/ noise wise.

Also those alternate picking (Tho I tend to economy pick them for the most part) exercise are great and I really like dropping them in random spots. is there anywhere to find more of that kinda of thing

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 1 2014, 04:44 PM

Hi Mith! how are you? Well, about the guitar tone, my trick to have more sustain and keep a clean tone is using a tube screamer before the amp. I do this in both real and virtual situations. This allows you to set the amp with less drive and use the pedal's drive to gain the sustain that your tone is lacking and keeping it clean and clear. Check out this lesson where I use a similar setting: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/As-I-Lay-Dying-Style/

Regarding the alternate picking exercises, I don't know which ones you are referring to...

Posted by: Mith Oct 1 2014, 04:57 PM

Yeah i might go back to basics with the POD and try rebuild a few patches

Oh and these are the excises I'm referring too. They are great for making 2 string patters you can drop in anywhere and you can move them around the scale shapes nice and easy

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

Ahh yeah! Those are part of my Intensive Technique Course. You can check the whole course for more alternate picking exercises as well as other techniques exercises that I consider very useful.

Check it out http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&st=0&start=0.

Posted by: Mith Oct 1 2014, 05:06 PM

ooooo intensive, makes it almost sound like i know what I'm doing

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

hehehe yeah! It becomes intensive if you practice 2/3 hours every day.

Posted by: Mith Oct 2 2014, 02:47 AM

Its turning out that way lol

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 2 2014, 01:34 PM

hehehe great.

Posted by: Mith Oct 8 2014, 01:14 PM

Hey Gab,

Here is my take on Wk 6. I think its slowly beginning to sound more musical but still alot of progress to be made. Sometimes I think I'm going a tad slow but then I just look at what I was doing just 6 weeks ago.

Tried to work with the melody a bit like you recommended. Its better but I still need to work on ways to diverse a bit more in that. I tried some really weird timing near the end as a bit of an experiment. It didn't work lol. Bends and vibrato feel and sound a bit better. I tried playing a bit more uptempo than I normally do. made me fumble a few more notes but all in all not so bad. Also had less time to think of new ideas which stumped me in a few spots.

I should probably maybe look at doing more call and response kind of thing to help everything breath a bit more and also give me time to think of more interesting melodies. I think the trick is working out how to write a melody that calls for that kinda of thing.

Also written myself a little practice thing to keep myself practicing stuff from previous weeks, What do you think of it

1. Ear Training and Note memory - 10min
2. Caged - Pentatonic - 5 Min
Diatonic - 10 Min
Arpeggio Major - 10 Min
Arpeggio Major - 10 Min
3. 3 Notes per string - 15 Min
4. Learning/Writing new licks - 30 Min
End of Practice Jam to backing track to put lesson to use

i thought putting alot of time towards learning new licks would be valuable since this will help with technique and melody. I also think one of my problems is because I don't have many lead licks committed to knowledge it does make it hard to come up with stuff on the fly. I also commuted alot of extra time into arpeggios (since they are coming up next for me) since its a very new thing for me and it is something that will help both my lead and rhythm playing.

What do you think?

Posted by: Mith Oct 8 2014, 03:41 PM

Also I adjusted to tone a bit so things arnt as noisy. Harmonics are a bit harder to pull out but when I get them they do sound better. maybe a little more presence on the amp to find the best middle ground

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2014, 03:42 PM

Hi mate! Great job with all this stuff! I can also notice that your improvisations are getting more and more musical, but off course there is still a lot of room to improve. You are improving a lot as a guitarist, improviser and composer, so I don't see why you should feel bad about your slow progress.. let me say that your progress is average/fast. You are a hard worker.

Your routine looks excellent, and let me say that dedicating more time to learning licks and creating your own licks and phrases is the best you can do. You can use GMC lessons for this. You can choose musical lessons that use major or minor scales, learn the licks, and practice over the backing track, creating variations and your own stuff. This is very important, and need to be a priority. Remember that the main goal of the course is to make music all the time, so please dedicate more time to making music than playing exercises, scales and arpeggios up and down. This exercises will help you to understand the fret-board, open your possibilities and train your ear, but working on your phrasing will help you to find your own voice on guitar, and that's our goal!

About your recording, you are a great analyzer of your own playing. I agree with everything you said. Your phrasing is getting more melodic, but it needs more silences and the use of call and response. Sometimes your phrases sound more like a guitar arrangement than a melodic solo, this is not a bad thing but I'm sure that it's not what you are looking for... Check this song for inspiration:

Posted by: Mith Oct 8 2014, 03:58 PM

Yeah thats y I left learning licks and improvising until last because chances are I'll just keep playing after that. At the moment I'm finding I put the backing track on then kinda jam with the stuff thats in the lesson and practice it a bit. Really should set some time at the beginning to go over the past lesson stuff and drill some stuff. I'm a fan of repetition to make things feel smooth and natural.

Oh and your custom guitar looks great. I'm building mine the end of this month. I have to make a video so everyone can see it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2014, 09:55 PM

yes, I always recommend to dedicate time to use the backing track of the lessons and play along with the suggested scales, it's as important as learning the lesson. I think that you can even just learn some licks from the lesson but I consider essential to improvise over the backing and create your own stuff.

New custom guitar?? Awesome!! What shape? What wood? What electronics?

Posted by: Mith Oct 9 2014, 02:23 AM

Its swamp ash with a quilted maple top. H/S/S pickup setup with custom wound pickups, ebony fingerboard with black pearl inlays and my custom logo on the headstock and its going to have a 25in PRS scale length and floyd rose. Oh and its a bolt on neck but the joint with be made all access by shaving down the back. Its going to be pretty epic

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 9 2014, 09:04 PM

Wou! That sounds killer! It would be cool if you share some pictures of the process. It's very interesting to see how a guitar takes shape from wood to the final thing. I also think that it's a great idea to add your custom logo on it, it will make it very unique and very personal. I'm sure that it will bring lots of inspiration!

Posted by: Mith Oct 10 2014, 05:52 PM

With some of these arpeggio's. I notice some of them are kind of meant to be done in a way that makes the pinky have to bar strings (Middle of A shape for example) or very fine movement (like the bottom of D shape). Is using my ring finger to bar these going to affect my ability to play them alot faster down the track. Should I focus on make sure the fingering is proper since it will be more beneficial down the line.

Oh I've taken to doing all the drills at once since it helps be visualize where the patterns relate to each other. so I play the Pentatonic, Then the Diatonic, then the Arpeggio then the 3 NPS. During the next few days I'll practice going down on one then up on another.

Posted by: Mith Oct 11 2014, 05:49 AM

Also the book you mentioned in your last vid, Creative guitar. Who was it written by. I missed the name

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 11 2014, 04:39 PM

yes , the use of fingers as a bar is a good trick for arpeggios. It has the advantage of being easier to play fast, but at the same time it becomes a bit tricky to to each note totally clean or using a different order (instead of descending or ascending). So I think that practicing both options could be the best decision on this, and being able to adapt to each situation...




The great Guthrie Govan.

Posted by: Mith Oct 12 2014, 10:12 AM

Ok I feel like I have the shapes under my fingers. I take it the next step is to follow the chord changes with one pattern and the more advanced step after that would be to follow the chord changes while changing patterns?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 12 2014, 08:34 PM

Exactly. That's a great exercise that will give you skills to be able to improvise on every style and over every backing track. The course will be covering it, so you can start experimenting or wait for the tasks that I will be giving in the next weeks.

You could also check out GMC lessons archive to learn different musical applications of arpeggios:

Click http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/search/arpeggios/#lesson=2;forum=1, to find all the lessons based on Arpeggios.

These are some of my favourites:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Combining-Arpeggios-And-Scales/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Creative-Arpeggios-Phrasing/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Melodic-Shred-Arpeggios/

Posted by: Mith Oct 14 2014, 03:35 PM

Getting there switch between my fav patterns seems reasonably smooth at the moment. Biggest problem is remember where the pattern has moved to with the chord change.

I think that can kinda be fixed with thinking of the chord change notes and then finding the note on the fretboard then using an arpeggio. I guess this is where all my practice into memorizing note names while come in handy.

And another thing dawned on me just then I don't have to use the root to locate the arpeggio. I just have to find a note thats in that chord then workout the best shape. Tho that seems kinda tricky to do on the fly, thats way too much theory to have go through your head while improvising. Tho good thing to remember when writing.

On a positive the arpeggios have sure made things a bit more musical and its a great reference to which notes I should target when soloing.

Also, Pattern one

and pattern two


These 2 are pretty much interchangeable really arn't they? they both have the root on the same string and all the notes are the same just one goes backwards and the other goes forward (For me the first one sounds cleaner since baring isn't the best)

Also that book is turning out to be a interesting read

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 14 2014, 09:54 PM

Hi Mith! Great stuff here! You are starting to understand some of the advantages that learning the arpeggios and using them to improvise can give. As happens with pentatonics, there are lots of combinations and possible uses that can cover from simple soloing over the chord to really complex modal ideas.

About the root thing, you're right! You don't have to play the root every time you change the arpeggio, the idea is that you play any of the chord tones but not always the root. In this way, you will be able to create less predictable melodies that follow the chords. There is even a good exercise that you can do that is always playing the closer chord tone from the new chord sounding. This makes you visualize arpeggios on every part of the neck.

Those two patterns that you shared are next to each other so you can easily connect them and cover a wide section of the fret board. You should connect all the different patterns in order to cover the whole fret board, so this same idea should be applicable to the other patterns.

And finally, great to know that you decided to read the guitar bible!

Posted by: Mith Oct 15 2014, 03:35 PM

OK Here is the Wk 7 take.

Things I liked
-The motif. I liked how I applied the arpeggio. Really didn't move my hand that much just choose and arpeggio that was close to where I was already. one I knew where they fell in the chord change I tried starting and ending in different spots.
-My Dynamics feel better
-That slide from the F note down sounded like a cat purring and I liked that alot.
- Note placement. I felt I was alot more fluid to where notes would fall (practicing to backing tracks is really helping with this. Learning where target notes go and kind of just making sure those fall on the strong beats.
-The tone I used for it (I actually think I got it from your snow patrol lesson) with both pickups selected. Seemed to have a bit of chime about it. It gave it a bit of character to make it stand out but still feel a part of the backing.

thing to work on
-Even tho I used Pentatonic, Diatonic and arpeggios in the piece I would of liked to try to be able to move in and out of and arpeggio mid lick instead of having a arpeggio lick and a pentatonic lick etc.
-I found it hard to do much sequencing when the tempo is so slow. Not a huge deal but would be nice to think of one or 2 that would work in slower temp, Now that i think about it thirds or fourth might of been interesting
-Would like to speed the arpeggios up (I know comes with time) Really want to be able to go up and down in the last chord changes (I'm close tho, just sounds a tad rough so only a bit more work)
-Now that I'm getting use to these arps I might work on 2 handed tapping them (I actually tried this while practicing doing the 5th string shape and the tapping the G octave on the E string, just not enough gain to really sound that musical)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 15 2014, 03:56 PM

Hi Mith! Great video and analysis!

I can say that your comments about your take and progress are so precise. As I said previously, it's really good to be that analytic at this point. I like that fact that you are playing soft but I think that the solo is lacking some aggression in some parts, as well as wider vibrato and more precise bends. By the way, this new recording is sounding much more musical than previous takes. You are going on the right track with this. You used different rhythm figures, and the silences are not part of your phrasing. This are all great things.

I like the guitar tone. Maybe it's not perfect for this backing, but it reminds me to modern indie rock guitarists like Jack White. It sounds clean but noisy, it's like a clean amp with a little of fuzz. It's interesting to hear you experimenting and playing with these type of guitar tones.

So, everything is going really well! Today I will be sharing a new week for the improvisation course, based con connecting positions. I hope to see you there!

Posted by: Mith Oct 15 2014, 04:36 PM

One of these days I might make it to one of the lessons live but its on around 3am my time being on the other side of the world and all.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 16 2014, 01:59 AM

That's a bad hour depending on the hour you get up the following day.

Posted by: Mith Oct 16 2014, 02:49 AM

Around 7am. Which isn't the biggest problem but my thursday's are really busy and I'm not ussally home until 12-2 in the morning. Tho they might free up for a little while so I might try and pop in to at least one chat

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 16 2014, 02:06 PM

Ah yeah, you get up really early. Time difference!

Posted by: Mith Oct 18 2014, 05:18 AM

I was just doing some research on arpeggios since its something I've enjoyed getting into and I read that there are certain progressions that lend themselves to more interesting arpeggio combinations. Is there any merit in that. If so could you elaborate for me?

Also I seem to end up playing the harmonic minor scale when messing around with minor arpeggios. Seem to give them that creepy ghostly feel which I really dig. Being such a basic chord progression I take it A harmonic minor should be pretty easy to play instead of A minor.

Would the arpeggios change shape at all given it is a different scale. Or is me playing a 5th string arpeggios then a harmonic minor lick more of a modulation?

Decided to upload a sample of what I mean since it speaks louder than words. What effectively is that Ab. Would it be considered just a chromatic add? or should it be treat as either the melodic or harmonic minor. Or it really depends on what else I play. Only asking since I really like the context of it so I want to understand how to look at it from a theory point of view so I can apply it whenever I want it

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 18 2014, 06:06 PM

Hi Mith! That's how advanced improvisation works and one of the main advantages of being able to follow chords with arpeggios while improvising. In this case yore playing the minor arpeggio of each chord combined with a different minor scale for each one. You are using the harmonic minor scale of each one, but you could also experiment with some other minor modes and see which combinations you like more. If you focus on chord tones, changing the scale for a different minor mode will sound right.

We will be working on this stuff on the improvisation course, but you can check this threads where you can learn all the scales that can be used over major, minor and dominant chords.

Click http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=49799.

Posted by: Mith Oct 18 2014, 06:22 PM

So I can effectively use any minor mode or scale over a minor chord?

Posted by: Mith Oct 19 2014, 03:08 PM

One other thing. I'm having a little trouble doing pull offs. Hammer ons are find and solid but I find I'm much slower with pull offs. There seems to be alot of tension in my hand when I execute them so I think my technique is a little off. Tho there is no tention in my hand doing hammer ons.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 19 2014, 07:59 PM

Instead of answering this question, I preffer to invite you to experiment and then share with me the conclusions that you get based on what you hear. Ok?




You should try to play it with less pressure. The sound that you get is not related to the pressure you do, it's related to how strong you attach the string with the finger that you quit to make the next note sound. I would like to see a video of you playing this technique to check what you are doing...

Maybe doing one of these lessons?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/pull-offs-lesson/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hammer-On-Pull-Off-Etude/

Posted by: Mith Oct 20 2014, 02:07 PM

Ok here is my little mess around. Not so much focused on playing licks just hearing how it all sounds.

For the most part I don't think its that great to move too far away from the Minor scale But I find you can go into other scales (Other modes of the diatonic don't really cut it I don't think, just sounds like too many wrong notes)

Harmonic Minor works for me I think. It was even interesting going from a minor pentatonic into it.
Melodic Minor This one surprised me (mixo b6) its a major third if I remember rightly so I thought it would sound pretty bad but it kinda of worked if you play around with it right
Double Harmonic minor felt pretty much the same as above but did seem to have a little spice. Not sure which I liked better. (I might favor this since its not so common)
Romanian Minor worked but was neither hear not there for me.

So What I think I learnt. Minor scales arn't always interchangeable but some kinda are depending on the progression. For some reason I really like the ones with a major 3rd when over a minor track. I'm not sure why, it makes no sense to me. Different scales will need different arpeggios. Last thing I learnt is this concept is really hard.

When putting a different scales or modes on top of a progression in another its best to use the color notes (EG 2 Degree of the phrygian) as passing notes to hint at the different scale but not overpower everything. The other thing would be too move the whole implied scale with the chord sequence, which I didn't try but I can see that might work a bit.

End of the day would be easier to think of the color of a note in a different scale and hit that if you want to imply that emotion but not really move into that scale

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2014, 01:56 AM

Hi Myth, this is a very interesting experiment.

Your conclusions show that your ear is very tight and trained. I've listened to all the samples and I can say that that I agree with you about everything. You're right when you say that the scale depends on the overall progression. If you are planning to use a same scale in the whole tune, you should be sure of two things:

- You will follow each of the chords with arpeggios and use the other notes as passing notes.
- the chord progression belongs to the chords that you get when you harmonized in thirds the scale / mode used.

When the chords are not in the same tonality / mode, means that some chords appear as a modal interchange, and you should change the scale when they sound to make everything sound "in".

About the major third over a minor chord: Bingo! We love it, we are used to hear this in most of the blues songs that we've listened since we were born. The combination of major and minor thirds gives music that bluesy sound that blues, rock and even jazz players love. Keep on experimenting with it.

This bluesy lick in A minor has a bend from minor third to major third that is used a lot in blues, check it out:

Posted by: Mith Oct 21 2014, 05:48 AM

Something to keep in mind, I do like adding blues feel to my playing. Do we get into the harmonic minor, Melodic minor double minor scales in this improv thing and the arpeggios asociated with them? Or is this something we can continue on afterwards? Really like using exotic scales since it gives things a little edge.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2014, 02:43 PM

We will get into harmonic minor and many other things! I recommend you to work on 1 thing at a time to be sure that you are going deep. The course is very complete and you'll be ready to apply the same concept to all the other exotic scales that you'd like to work. We will also get very deeply on blues and all the possible scales and variations.

A good idea to go deeper with the concepts is to work on GMC lessons based on the concepts of each week. I usually shared "Complementary GMC lessons" after each module, please work on them and also search for other ones that you will wait just using the search section.

I really recommend you to get the best of each week of this course, and use the week to focus on the concepts during those days. We are closer reaching the second half of the course so there is not too much time to go.

Posted by: Mith Oct 21 2014, 03:27 PM

Yeah I guess I like planning ahead. And I'm like man we are almost 1/2 way through I wonder how much more we can fit in. Anyway should have the next weeks lesson ready tomorrow. Just need to brush up on some sequencing stuff since it seems I've gotten a little rusty on them. Pretty sure I can do last weeks one pretty quick tho since moving position is something I've done from the start. But to kick it up a notch I might work on putting my favorite 4 not sequence across a 3 and a bit octave range.

I think I'm going to try get some pentatonic licks under my fingers to add to my playing. at the moment I kinda just play whats in my head. Oh I've also be messing about with a motif not being lick or anything but more of a "mood" with a hint of some familiar notes. At the very least its helping my dynamics.

Thanks for all your help Gab

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 21 2014, 05:01 PM

This sounds like a very good plan. Remember that the main goal of this course is making music. So I prefer that you put more emphasis on creating more and more musical ideas using a few concepts, than learning everything and adding even more stuff. Don't be obsessive with quantity of stuff, try to get the most from a few concepts and scales and you will be able to go deeper with your creativity. There are very talented popular guitarist that has made a killer career and lots of great songs with a few scales... maybe one or two ones... check Angus Young, BB King, Slash, Hendrix, Zakk Wylde... and the list could last forever...

Posted by: Mith Oct 28 2014, 01:49 PM

Ok here is week 8's take. Feel like I got the minor arpeggios under my fingers. So far I think the 5th string root is my favorite for both the minor and major arpeggio. Makes me wonder if I should have this new guitar tuned to Drop C. Keep the top nice and simple for playing rhythm and still have the higher strings tighter to give more range.

Anyway good points on this take. I started implementing different concepts into licks. For example the main lick goes from and arpeggio to a diatonic (pedal lick) to a sequence. And actually changes scale. It does make it a fair bit more interesting. Bends and vibrato are a little better still (still needs a bit of work but improving)

Things that could of gone better. I think this song ended up a bit cluttered. Not much breathing room with licks and not really enough pauses but I really feel that was more of the slower pace of the backing. Doesn't agree with me as much it seems. The arpeggios could of sounded more flowy but I think thats more of a think that will come as they start feel more natural.

All in all I think it went ok

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 28 2014, 03:36 PM

Hi mate! Congrats on your progress!

Your playing is very melodic and fits great with the chord progression. There are basically two things that I would improve:

- Use of silences.

- More rhythm and length variations.

The solo starts great but when it reaches to the mid section I start to get tired of similar melodies with many notes and the same rhythm. It's lacking, shorter melodies, longer notes and more silences. Please check out the analysis done by Aris clicking http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=53114&view=findpost&p=699404.