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Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 9 2020, 09:00 PM

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

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 13 2020, 05:25 PM

lesson #1 attempt

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Oct 9 2020, 08:00 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 14 2020, 03:46 AM

Welcome to the fight Soldier!! Your clearly able to play at this speed. Congrats there. However, it sounds like you are drifting in and out of synch with the metronome. If you are not used to working with a click, it will take a bit of practice to get used to it. I'd suggest slowing the metronome down a bit. Speed is a byproduct of precision and therefore speed is impossible without precision. So focus on the precision first and the speed will just come. Try to make a pick strike with each click on the metronome. There is no speed requirement in bootcamp but there is a precision requirement. You can easily play this drill, I need you to tie it directly to the clicks. You can increase the speed of the clicks and slow your playing a bit, and that way you get a reference click for each and every strike. It makes it easier to lock in to the beat. Eventually, you won't need the metronome. It will become part of your being. For now, it's an important part of the puzzle!!

Once more in to the breach!!!

Also, if possible, try to use a distorted tone on these drills. It doesn't have to be a lot of distortion, just a bit will do. It will exaggerate any slips ups in palm muting or string noise which makes them easier to spot and fix. If it's not possible to do, then we will work around it. If it is possible, it will only help move things forward in your journey.

Sarge

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 14 2020, 06:11 PM

TAKE 2

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Oct 14 2020, 02:46 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 15 2020, 05:04 AM

Better!! I don't want you to get stuck here just out of the gate Soldier. So we are gonna badge this one up and Move Forward!! I'm going to do more of a review than my usual 'Bullet Point" critique, as this is one that needs greater feedback based on what I'm seeing in the vid. Let's cover the POSITIVE things first! You are doing much better here than the first video. You are much closer to keeping synch in this one. For the first half of the video, it's a huge improvement so well done!! Let's talk about some of the issues. The second half of the video starts to have more issues. Your synch begins to drift a good bit more. It could be simple hand fatique. You may still be pushing the speed a bit too far as your synch control seems to to get loose the longer you play it. The first half of the video shows that you can keep it in synch, even if just for a bit. Also, your tone could use a bit more distortion so add a bit more next time. Lastly, your right hand palm mute position needs some work. I want you to try to place your palm on the bridge to mute all of the strings. It looks like you are not palm muting very much at all in the vid and this leads to string noise, especially if there is distortion (typical lead tone) on the signal. That's part of why I want you to use more distortion, to let string noise stand out so that you can practice your palm mute and prepare for whats to come. This is going to be a tricky bit. If you are not used to picking while muting, it does take some practice. Try to leave your palm mute on the bridge and articulate the pick with your thumb and first finger. This will feel very odd at first. Eventually it will feel very easy and it will allow you to play open string licks, multi string licks, etc. without fear of string noise.

You've made enough progress to get you your first badge Soldier!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 14 2020, 01:11 PM)

TAKE 2

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 27 2020, 08:50 PM

Hi,

first time I palm mute here, a bit tricky but getting use to it. 2 diff speed in the video, had to slow this down quite bit. I can probably go a bit quicker but would like you to have a sanity check at technique .

Cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 28 2020, 02:29 AM

Congrats on doing a palm mute! This is a crucial foundational technique and you will use it quite a bit here and in solo guitar playing. You are off to a good start but you drift from the beat after a few strikes. Don't worry about speed. There is never a speed requirement in bootcamp. Only a precision requirement. Speed is just a byproduct of precision. When your precision is on point, speed is a simple matter of repetition. Try to time each pick strike to a click. Slow it down as much as you have to, these are not shred licks, these are just the introduction missions to get you used to muting while picking and playing in an steady and even manner. Increase the number of clicks and slow down your playing a bit to match each click with a pick strike and your internal metronome will start to develop.

Once more Soldier!!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 27 2020, 03:50 PM)

Hi,

first time I palm mute here, a bit tricky but getting use to it. 2 diff speed in the video, had to slow this down quite bit. I can probably go a bit quicker but would like you to have a sanity check at technique .

Cheers,

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 1 2020, 03:06 PM

mission 2, take 2. Went back to strike at every click (at least attempted...) tried at different speed

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 2 2020, 12:02 PM

Much better on synch Soldier!!! Things looked good right up until 280 BPM. But let's look at those before that.

MEDALS OF HONOR

*FORM: You are displaying solid technique here Soldier. keep it up! Muting, hand synch, clean strikes.It's all starting to come together Soldier!

*TEMPO: Not rushing or lagging. Good job keeping it under control!

*AGGRESSION: Jumping in with aggressive style and verve. Keep it up!

You show some very good progress Soldier. You just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 1 2020, 10:06 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 8 2020, 11:20 PM

Mission 3 on a few speeds

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 9 2020, 05:45 AM

Your form is much better on your picking hand here Soldier!!! I do notice that it looks like you are doing two up strokes on the same string sometimes? This is meant to be a pure alternate picking drill. So start with a down stroke and switch strokes each time. E.G. Down/up/down/up. While you are playing this, leave your left hand in on position on the fretboard and loop this pattern. Now look at your right hand. Play very slowly. Slowly enough to see if you are using pure alternate picking. Each strike should alternate strike direction. When you use two up strokes on the lower string, you break the discipline that this lick is trying to create. It may feel very odd at first, but I'm certain you can do it. Your hands may fight you a bit. This is normal. You can even take your left hand off of the guitar and just focus on the picking. 3 strikes on the higher string, 3 strikes on the lower string, and see if you notice your hand wanting to do two upstrokes in a row. Isolate this until you can get your picking hand to play only alternate strikes and then add notes back in, then add fret traverse up the neck back in and bam you should be ready to badge up!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 8 2020, 06:20 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 9 2020, 06:38 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Nov 9 2020, 04:45 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 9 2020, 09:34 PM

Worked on that alternate picking little issue, I just had to focus on it a little

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 11 2020, 12:21 AM

Well Fought Soldier!! Your technique continues to improve with each mission. I know these may seem less than intricate, but rest assured that getting a grip on these fonmdational techniques will serve you well when the shrapnel starts to fly!!
Lets' Debrief!!

MEDALS OF HONOR

ALT PICK OF DESTINY: Alternate Picking is at the core of this lick. Without good alt picking technique, this lick won't work. You are working your way in to very solid AP technique.

TRAVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Non stop fret traverse is required on this one. Not only are you traversing strings, but non stop fret traverse as a bonus. Your fingers keep it high and tight!

PINKY TIME: Good use of the pinky here! On the lower frets, Pinky Power is crucial. It's tempting to use the first three fingers on a lick like this, glad to see you leaning on the pinky!!

You just..
LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 9 2020, 04:34 PM)

Worked on that alternate picking little issue, I just had to focus on it a little

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 18 2020, 10:28 PM

Hi Todd,

mission 4 for review below. Palm muting on the high strings is definitely trickier, but kind of doing it.
Added a few speeds, Bpm are on 5 notes in this one.

Cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 19 2020, 06:20 AM

Progress!! Let's break this down and move forward.

Your getting the idea soldier! The mute is solid. I do notice that during the last run at the highest speed, you are getting some sort of string noise in between the higher and lower string. But only at the fastest speed. Overall we are making good progress.

For next time.

1.)Sharpen a pick with a pocket knife and use just the very tip to strike.

2.)Add more gain. There isn't enough gain / distortion on your tone for me to hear what's happening with the mute.

3.)A bit less pick pressure. More gain should help you use less pick pressure.

4.)Bit less mute as the strings are flattening out. Keep the mute steady, just a bit less mute pressure.


Onward! You just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 18 2020, 05:28 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 25 2020, 07:30 PM

Mission 5 for review, few speeds as usual. Thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 27 2020, 03:22 AM

You are making great gains Soldier!!! Your right and left hand technique are improving with each mission. Your right hand technique has come a long way. Your picking is synched and tight. And your mute is very solid. This Video shows how well you have developed. Even at the higher speeds you don't drift from the metronome. Impressive!! Can you shoot me a picture of the pick you are using? I want to see how pointy it is. A pointy pick can open up new worlds in your playing. It's a small thing that can have a HUGE impact. I think you are more than ready for what's ahead. It's going to get crazy but you are ready to face it Soldier!!

In Short you just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 25 2020, 02:30 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Dec 7 2020, 08:45 PM

Hi,

Mission 6 here

Cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 8 2020, 12:07 AM

WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!!! This is one of my favorite licks. It's the first thing I learned to play fast. It's a bit complicated as there are variations on whether to strike the pedal tone vs the other notes. Being able to do a double strike and then single then double etc. Can be very confusing for the fingers. At speed, it ends up sounding like you are playing far more notes than are actually being played. Keep this drill handy and try to spend a bit of time on it during your warm up for practice. You'll pick up new warmup/drills as you progress. So they will change as you go. Also, I LOVE this lick for solo work. I use it all the time as it always ends up sounding good! This requires good hand synch and solid palm mute and strike consistency. You've put all of it together
and put it a great take. You are ready for what's next Soldier!! You just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Dec 7 2020, 03:45 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Dec 20 2020, 08:41 PM

Hi,

Lesson 7 below, a couple of speeds. Real work out for the pinky, especially the transitions up was challenging



Cheers,
Claudio

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 21 2020, 01:18 AM

Progress!!! This is a tricky bit to be sure and it's on a loop so it can wear than hand out. It's meant to show you where your technique might be causing your hand to wear out to quickly. One thing I notice is that your thumb is almost straight. Try to bend your thumb just a bit at the joint closest to the thumbnail. This places the pick a bit closer to the hand. By keeping it straight you push it away from the hand. It is sort of like trying to use a pick on the end of a pencil. It's harder to control. Also, I notice that as soon as you speed up, you start to lose precision. It's very very close to being ready. I think you may just need a bit more time on it. The slower version was more precise. This is a "shred" lick and eventually you will be able to play this at warp speed. For working on the basic idea of it, don't move it around. Just keep it in one spot and loop it. Once you get it going, then start moving it around the neck. Always try to reduce the amount of hand wag near the pick strike point. This reduces the amount of time until the next strike. Also, always use the bridge pickup. Avoid the neck pickup in Missions as it does not let me hear pick strikes. if this is on the bridge forgive me It just sounds like the neck pickup.

P.S. Can you show me your pick at the start of the next video? I just wanna see what your using.

A few more loops with a metronome and then back in to the TRENCH!!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Dec 20 2020, 03:41 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Dec 22 2020, 01:33 PM

Thanks. For the feedback, the thumbs straight thing is something I need to monitor, never thought about it.
I’m away for a couple of weeks, will practice but not sure Will be able to do recordings as on my headphone amp.

I was using the Dava pointy pick.
I was on neck pick up indeed!

Cheers,
Claudio

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Dec 21 2020, 12:18 AM)

Progress!!! This is a tricky bit to be sure and it's on a loop so it can wear than hand out. It's meant to show you where your technique might be causing your hand to wear out to quickly. One thing I notice is that your thumb is almost straight. Try to bend your thumb just a bit at the joint closest to the thumbnail. This places the pick a bit closer to the hand. By keeping it straight you push it away from the hand. It is sort of like trying to use a pick on the end of a pencil. It's harder to control. Also, I notice that as soon as you speed up, you start to lose precision. It's very very close to being ready. I think you may just need a bit more time on it. The slower version was more precise. This is a "shred" lick and eventually you will be able to play this at warp speed. For working on the basic idea of it, don't move it around. Just keep it in one spot and loop it. Once you get it going, then start moving it around the neck. Always try to reduce the amount of hand wag near the pick strike point. This reduces the amount of time until the next strike. Also, always use the bridge pickup. Avoid the neck pickup in Missions as it does not let me hear pick strikes. if this is on the bridge forgive me It just sounds like the neck pickup.

P.S. Can you show me your pick at the start of the next video? I just wanna see what your using.

A few more loops with a metronome and then back in to the TRENCH!!


Sarge

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 22 2020, 09:43 PM

Enjoy your Holidays Soldier!!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Dec 22 2020, 08:33 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Dec 22 2020, 11:15 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Dec 22 2020, 08:43 PM)

Enjoy your Holidays Soldier!!!

Sarge

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 10 2021, 03:29 PM

Hello Sarge,
Happy new year!

Back at it, a couple of examples same speed 150 , 8/8. Can do a little faster but not much and it gets a little messy. A tricky one for me

Cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 11 2021, 08:42 AM

Solid work Soldier!! This is a tricky bit due to the fret travel happening on the first note of the next spot in each section of the sequence. I can hear that this part of the drill is a bit more than your hands are ready to handy but only just. You can play the pattern just fine and could loop it no problem. It's this tricky bit of fret traverse that seems to be causing the issue. Not to worry though as this is just one of many. There are many more chances to work on traverse. Your playing here is more than enough to send you to the next mission. One thing I would say is please add more gain/distortion for your next take if possible. Not a ton extra, but a bit extra. This will show any gaps in your mute and make mistakes stand out more. Start trying to use as much gain as you would during a solo. As for this one, you just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 10 2021, 10:29 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 24 2021, 06:10 PM

Hi Todd,

Another tricky one for my pinky.
Spend 2weeks working on this one, and still not too easy to do a clean recording.

A few speeds, so you you can see my struggle at higher speeds...



Cheers,
Claudio

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 28 2021, 12:47 AM

I appreciate your hard work Soldier. I think I see the issue. Did you watch my vid for this one? I"m keeping the pick at a forward angle (as I always do) and only barely striking the string with the very tip of my sharpened pick. This reduces recovery time for the left hand and increases speed. Also, I notice you are not sitting in classical position, but are sitting "side saddle". Try placing the guitar in between your legs This changes the entire angle of the hands and makes things easier to play. Thats why classical guitar players sit that way. I realize this is a huge change in the way you are playing, but isolating these types of things is why I have Soldiers play a standardized set of Missions. So I can know what to look for. Try to make these changes and see if you find them useful.


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 24 2021, 01:10 PM)

Hi Todd,

Another tricky one for my pinky.
Spend 2weeks working on this one, and still not too easy to do a clean recording.

A few speeds, so you you can see my struggle at higher speeds...



Cheers,
Claudio

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 29 2021, 06:48 PM

Hi Sarge,

was easier than I thought to switch position, thanks againg for the good tips. Control has increased a lot and it is only the second day I hold the guitar this way (and focus on pick angle).

please see below a couple of speeds, i fell I'll be able to bump up speed a bit more with this adjustments going forwad.

thanks again

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jan 27 2021, 11:47 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 30 2021, 03:12 AM

Great to see the changes are working!!! Super congrats!! Progress!!!!! I can see things are starting to come together here. It looks like your pick slant is improved but is still addressing the string a bit flat. In the vid I referenced, he calls it "pick edging" which is what I typically call "pick slanting". It' s just a slightly different use of vocabulary. Take a look again at what he calls pick edging. Starting at 2:24. Notice the angle he is holding his pick at, and notice how only the very tip of the pick is sticking out from his grip. Only the pointy tip should address the string. Getting this right will open up a new world in your playing. Here is a screen shot and the link. Take a look at this and try this lesson one more time using more of an angle per the image and choke up to the very tip of the pick. Spend a little time with this and see how it feels!


Close up of a good pick angle to try


this is a screen grab from your take. Notice it's not quite as far forward an angle?



https://youtu.be/jBLka76n9q0

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 29 2021, 01:48 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 31 2021, 07:57 PM

Hi Sarge,

find below, working on this picking angle, when i looked at it feels a like a better angle now. In this take i was going probably a little fast for my hands (90bpm on 16/16). what do you think?

cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 1 2021, 04:29 AM

The angle hear is MUCH better!! Also great to see you sitting in classical position. It has adjusted the angle of the guitar and is promoting a much better situation for your hands and for your playing. I can see a great deal of improvement here. It's awesome that you are adapting to this and I think it's going to continue to help a great deal in terms of your playing. One thing that you may need to adjust is your muting. I notice in this vid that you are using very little gain/distortion. This is an issue in that I can't tell how effective your muting is. You are making great progress here and I'd like you to do this one more time with a good bit more gain/distortion and make sure to use the bridge pickup as you are doing here, not the neck pickup as in some of the vids. The increase in gain will make any string noise from mute issues more apparent. Keep the angle, keep the position, more distortion for a mute test and you will be ready to PUSH FORWARD!!!!!


Sarge

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Feb 1 2021, 07:42 PM

Hi,

yes muting adjustment was needed, i'm sure you have noticed i now keep the picking hand close, while before was partially open. I assume close picking hand is the best way (should be more efficiant), but I actually never asked you this.

find below a quick one, there was a fair amount of gain before too but in this one is max gain.
(i can hear a tiny bit of noice towards the end)

thanks,
Claudio

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Feb 1 2021, 03:29 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 11 2021, 05:36 AM

Well Fought Soldier!! Great to see you playing in classical position! Also, your pick hand position on the bridge is better! And your mute is better! Also, your keeping close to the strings and not wagging the pick to much which is great! in short, you've added a wad of improvments to your playing! The results is that your playing has improved a good bit here. You are playing with precision and at a brisk rate of speed. This is what I like to see Soldier!! Keep this up!

This is a great warm up lick Soldier. I play this same lick just about every day when I'm warming up to practice. It's useful in solos, and it's useful for just getting the hands moving before a practice session. Keep this one handy at all times. Throw it in to a solo if possible the next time you joint a collab. Oh yeah! Try to join every collab you can. These are great ways to practice creating a solo and you get some great feedback as well! As for this Mission, you got this!!

You just...

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Feb 1 2021, 02:42 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Feb 17 2021, 09:47 PM

Hi Sarge,

Quick lesson 9 here. With that high gain tone. Couple of speeds.

Cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Feb 18 2021, 04:21 AM

Your playing is very good here! Are you volumes on your guitar all the way up? Also is the gain set to max on that lead patch? It's just a small thing, but the more gain the better as it helps me critique what is going on. There is more gain here than the last one, but it's still very slight. That amp has TONS of gain. It should sound like an eye melting tone. I've heard the high gain patches on that amp and they scream. So if you have the gain knob all the way up, and boosted with a tube screamer and your guitar volume all the way up, it should sound scorchingly hot. It still sounds almost like a country tone. I"m just trying to help you find a tone that will best serve you on bootcamp. Not trying to be critical. There are several high gain lead patches on that amp. Just pick one that seems like way to much gain and try that.

As for this mission, you've got very good technique and a solid mute, good picking, hands are synched up, pattern is right, it's everything I want to see. I can tell you have put the work in and it's almost too easy for you! The next few will get a bit harder. For now you just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Feb 17 2021, 04:47 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 4 2021, 10:06 PM

Hi Todd,

Hope all well, quick update from me. This one was a tricky one, you did warn me! Now I’m at the point where I can play it but still needs work. I naturally find myself wanting to speed up parts... now starting to manage that and play with the click.

Anyways I thought I’ll show you a video to get some feedback just to check if I’m on the right track?

Cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 5 2021, 06:09 AM

This is a tricky one to be sure! You've got the idea down!! That's the drill. taking it and just marching it up the neck. it sounds like you are still searching for a good lead patch on your katana? Did any of the stock lead patches work? Is the volume on your guitar all the way up btw? Nice axe btw!!!! One thing I did notice is that it sounds like your palm mute might be lifting a bit on the G string as I hear a bit of extra ringing sometimes. Give this one a pretty stiff palm mute to make sure that each note doesn't ring after it's struck. Doing well on this so far!!

here is a link to a bunch of free patches to try
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M8kjg98kX-AI18z3POweuapl8RdH7i5X/view

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 4 2021, 05:06 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 6 2021, 06:23 PM

Hi,

Yes was using the stock high gain patch, but probably volume in this was was low, so it might not come up fully.
Yeah the palm muting! will focus on that a bit more, different axe than usual (pretty bight eh...lol) probably need to play it a bit more to get use to the bridge.

Thanks

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 5 2021, 05:09 AM)

This is a tricky one to be sure! You've got the idea down!! That's the drill. taking it and just marching it up the neck. it sounds like you are still searching for a good lead patch on your katana? Did any of the stock lead patches work? Is the volume on your guitar all the way up btw? Nice axe btw!!!! One thing I did notice is that it sounds like your palm mute might be lifting a bit on the G string as I hear a bit of extra ringing sometimes. Give this one a pretty stiff palm mute to make sure that each note doesn't ring after it's struck. Doing well on this so far!!

here is a link to a bunch of free patches to try
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M8kjg98kX-AI18z3POweuapl8RdH7i5X/view

Sarge

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 6 2021, 07:58 PM

hi,

worked on this a bit more, becoming easier now, few speeds as usual.

Tone wise, this is the same Boss high gain patch but recorded directly to the PC. I think it sounds much better, what do you think?

cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 6 2021, 10:56 PM

it sounds like maybe the volume knob on the guitar was rolled backon the previous The reason I ask for a bit more gain is to allow it to catch any string noise and make it stick out more. In this way I can isolate any issues with the palm mute. With lighter gain, string noise is reduced so it's harder to diagnose any problems in technique. I have that guitar on my buy list! They are great axes. Super congrats! Give this one more go and I think you have it! The more you can open your pick hand, and avoid using a clenched/fist pick grip, the better your coverage of the bridge/mute will be. most players rely on their fret hand to mute the high strings and only palm mute the lower strings with the left hand. This is usually fine, but on open string licks, the fret hand mute is not there, for example. This is why I try to guide players to as full a palm mute as possible to allow for flexibility later on in terms of what can be played. I hope this all makes sense

Ill have a look at your new vid!

The tone in the new vid is working better well done there! This guitar has loweer gain pickups than the ibanez but it's just fine for our purposes here.

The good news is that you mute is solid and your picking is clean and strong! Now for the bad news. Your synch sounds like it's lagging behind the click and drifting a bit around the click. Maybe slow things down just a pinch and try to make a strike on top of each click. If you play in between the clicks, this is ok as well, it's just a bit harder as you have to almost guess and its' possible to drift around. Pick striking on the clicks allows you to time your strikes to an audio even which is why I suggest it.

I like that you are pushing the speed here!! Maybe do a slow pass and a pushing the speed pass in the same vid?

This is a complicated Lick soldier. It's worth getting this one right as many missions to come are built on this same exact lick. Being able to play it in time and in synch is a crucial step in moving forward. Once more in to the breach!


Sarge

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 6 2021, 01:23 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 7 2021, 04:24 PM

Hi,

I had another go, this time with the Ibanez.

2 speeds, and also different position of the right hand for palm muting.
Experimenting a bit on this guitar as I found I need to adapt my right hand vs the position I got used to with the Strat.

I think I’m more inline with the click here, but my muting not as solid as with the Strat yet.

Thanks as always.

Thanks this guitar is fantastic got it second hand but in top shape. FR and locking nut is a first for me, but starting to get how it words.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 9 2021, 05:35 AM

Well Fought Soldie!! This is what I was hoping to see. Your synch is much improved and your precision is also much better. Your striking with the click and keeping it nice and tight throughout. It will take a bit of time to get used to the flat plane of the floyd rose bridge compared to the strat. however, once you do get used to it, it's a perfect platform for this style of play and for these missions. It provides a nice flat surface on which to place your mute. But lifting just a pinch, you can change the tone of each note. Harder mutes kill sustain which makes each note more distinct, less mute allows more bleed which is sometimes what is needed in a guitar solo. This Axe is pretty much perfect for these missions and style of play. the neck is thin, the pickups are hot, it's a shred weapon. Super congrats.

You got this Soldier. You just..
LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 7 2021, 11:24 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 9 2021, 06:55 PM

Hi Todd.

actually the katana patch was pretty simple just a Lead AMP and lots of Gain and presence (this is the Boss High Gain patch, the TB was off before), I have added a tube screamer as well now, so will test that too going forward.

thanks for the tips

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 9 2021, 04:35 AM)

Well Fought Soldie!! This is what I was hoping to see. Your synch is much improved and your precision is also much better. Your striking with the click and keeping it nice and tight throughout. It will take a bit of time to get used to the flat plane of the floyd rose bridge compared to the strat. however, once you do get used to it, it's a perfect platform for this style of play and for these missions. It provides a nice flat surface on which to place your mute. But lifting just a pinch, you can change the tone of each note. Harder mutes kill sustain which makes each note more distinct, less mute allows more bleed which is sometimes what is needed in a guitar solo. This Axe is pretty much perfect for these missions and style of play. the neck is thin, the pickups are hot, it's a shred weapon. Super congrats.

You got this Soldier. You just..
LEVELED UP!!!

Onward!
Sarge

P.S. Is your volume on the guitar all the way up? Always worth checking on that before a take. Also, put the tone knob all the way up. Are you using a tube screamer in your patch on the katana? It's a great way to clean boost a signal. Taming high gain is a skill by itself, but it's the only way to prepare for playing solos that use high gain tone.

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 16 2021, 09:52 PM

Hi Sarge,

Hope you are well, find below first attempt at lesson11 for a check. Respect to lesson 10 in this one i need to keep it at a lower tempo for sure (or maybe i need to more time...)

Another tricky one for sure, added a bit of tube screamer to the tone to the high gain patch, what do you think?

thanks in advance

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 18 2021, 08:27 PM

Hi Todd,

please find lesson 11 here, worked on it a bit more on it. 3 speeds with T-scremer (last one fight a bit with noise)

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 19 2021, 01:41 AM

Tone is improved Is the booster engaged? I see the light for it is NOT on in the preset? I would say click that light on if needed and use the booster set as MAX as you are still not getting very much gain out of this. I'm sure that amp has wads of distortion in it. It's just a matter of getting used to playing with way more gain. It's a way to make sure you are muting and avoiding string noise. Also the search for tone is endless.

As for the playing, you are missing one note in the pattern in both videos. The second vid has better tone so that's great! Keep pushing that. Turn the gains up to max and boost up to max and keep your guitar volume at max and see if you can control the noise. Go back to the tablature and play this very very slowly and you'll find the missing note


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 16 2021, 04:52 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 19 2021, 03:46 PM

Hi Sarge,

I can't believe i'm the missing a note
i think I found it now

bear with me

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 19 2021, 12:41 AM)

Tone is improved Is the booster engaged? I see the light for it is NOT on in the preset? I would say click that light on if needed and use the booster set as MAX as you are still not getting very much gain out of this. I'm sure that amp has wads of distortion in it. It's just a matter of getting used to playing with way more gain. It's a way to make sure you are muting and avoiding string noise. Also the search for tone is endless.

As for the playing, you are missing one note in the pattern in both videos. The second vid has better tone so that's great! Keep pushing that. Turn the gains up to max and boost up to max and keep your guitar volume at max and see if you can control the noise. Go back to the tablature and play this very very slowly and you'll find the missing note


Sarge

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 20 2021, 07:26 AM

You'll get it Soldier!! This is a very complicated pattern.

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 19 2021, 10:46 AM)

Hi Sarge,

I can't believe i'm the missing a note
i think I found it now

bear with me

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 22 2021, 07:23 PM

Hi Sarge,

quick one hopefully with the all the notes !

Tone wise also a bit more booster/ t-cream (~60% now), my issue is that if i go above that i struggle to hear the metronome click

cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 23 2021, 12:23 AM

Soldier your tone is much more aggressive and your playing the part perfectly!!!! The metronome is leading your playing just a pinch. This isn't a shred lick, it's a finger twister. It's only purpose is to get your fingers to fight their way through a very tough looping segment where one false note means starting over. Congrats on everything here. I think you may be pushing the speed just a bit to hard. There will be plenty of shred licks that are built for speed. This one is just to test your precision. slow things down just a pinch and keep everything else as it is and you've got it sorted!! Watch this video again and see if you can hear the clicks running just slightly ahead of the pick strikes?

This is a valiant effort soldier and I applaud your aggression. Back off the speed just a pinch and BAM. Sorted

I hate to have you do this again but I have failed as your Drill Instructor if I let you move forward without playing this in tight synch.

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 22 2021, 02:23 PM)

Hi Sarge,

quick one hopefully with the all the notes !

Tone wise also a bit more booster/ t-cream (~60% now), my issue is that if i go above that i struggle to hear the metronome click

cheers

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Mar 24 2021, 07:40 PM

Hi,

yes slowing it down i do see that I pick in between the click rather than on the click toward the end.
This drill also is proving to be quite challenging!

Another one below a bit slower and hopefully a bit tighter too

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Mar 26 2021, 03:08 AM

I'm seeing progress in your playing here and improvement in your tone and think we can sort the playing on the click bit as we go so let's stick a fork in this one and call it done. You are much closer to playing on the click than at the first version, but still not quite able to play directly on a click. However, I think we have gone as far as we can in this Mission. You've made good progress and I think it may be on another Mission where you finally make your 'breakthrough" in terms of playing precisely on the click. At this point, I'm happy with your progress and your hard work and I think it's time to move forward. So congrats Soldier!! you just...

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Mar 24 2021, 02:40 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Apr 6 2021, 03:01 PM

Hello Sarge,

Hope all is good. Worked on this one, I can probably get it a little faster than this. Have not really tried the pinch harmonic, I was focusing more on the timing/speed.

What do you think?

thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 7 2021, 05:58 AM

Congrats on playing this one Soldier! It's tricky. It's got a slide in it that might be new to your hand. Also, the timing is a bit strange. You can count it in simple 4/4 time if you use 8th notes, Each note takes 2 beats and the held note takes a full measure. I can hear your clicks are set to something else but whatever works for you is ok The important bit on this one is getting used to the slide.

I think I hear the NECK pickup in this one? I may be wrong of course. I can't see the pickup switch. For all bootcamp missions it's best to use the BRIDGE pickup so I can hear your pick strikes. Some folks use the bridge and its' a bit muddy so it still sounds like the neck. I'm always trying to get the tone more clear so I can hear individual pick strikes.

I think you have this one down Soldier. You've got the slide. Your ready to move on!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Apr 6 2021, 10:01 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Apr 19 2021, 07:38 PM

Hi Sarge,

please find my attempt at lesson 13, only doing one note at the time for now. It was quite tricky to learn, a couple of speeds, can work on speed on this one a bit more, or multiple notes but would be good for you to have a it look first.

thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 20 2021, 05:17 AM

You are off to a good start on this one Soldier as it's a VERY complex pattern. You've got the pattern!! Now comes the really hard part. You gotta synch up your picking with that metronome. Try to pick each time you hear a click. So find a metronome speed, that is comfy and that lets you hear a sound for each pick strike and synch each strike to a sound on the metronome. Watch this video again and see if you can hear where you are drifting? once you fix the drift, every Mission after this will be a LOT easier.

Once again!!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Apr 19 2021, 02:38 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Apr 20 2021, 10:56 PM

Hi Sarge,

I think I did spot a couple of problems, I was drifting in the second half, both times in the same point.
This one should be tighter, I changed the order of piking in the second half and focused on the synch a bit more.

please find below for review

thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 21 2021, 02:18 AM

SYNCH IS SORTED!!!! You've got the hand synch with the metronome going very well. One last thing I'd love to see before you move on, in the video for this Mission I demo "MULTI PICKING" picking each note more than once. double, triple and quad picking. Give me one demo of multipicking an you pick which once. Double/triple/quad 2 3 or 4 strikes on each note. This roughly doubles the complexity of this Mission instantly. I know it's not an easy ask, I think your fingers are up for it!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Apr 20 2021, 05:56 PM)

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

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

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

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Apr 26 2021, 04:12 PM

thanks Sarge,

I'll defy give it a go. I tend to open the palm of my picking hand to make sure I mute the high strings, so hopefully I should be there.

In the meantime I worked on the multipicking version of the lesson 13, and went for triplets!
what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 27 2021, 12:37 AM

AWESOME!!! Around 11 seconds in (moving from 5th to 7th fret on the D string it looks like), it sounds like you do one note as a DOUBLE PICK (two strikes) then go back to TRIPLES (three strikes per note). Give this a listen and see if you hear what I"m talking about? Your form is quite good here! You have a good handle on the MULTI PICKING which is NOT easy to do. It's a great way to add more notes to just about lick. It can make it sound much more dense during a solo for example. I use it all the time.

Glad you like the mute drill!!! Your mute is quite good and so I don't think you would have much trouble with it, but it's a great way to diagnose a mute technique to see if there are any gaps!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Apr 26 2021, 11:12 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Apr 27 2021, 11:11 PM

Hi Sarge,

thanks,

yes I can hear done something strange at 11 sec now that you mention it.

I had another quick go same speed and this time I think It goes fine in that passage, i.e all triples, I think, even if in this take I have a little more string noise (hence your muting drill might be handy!!)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Apr 28 2021, 04:10 AM

Well Fought Soldier!!! I do hear a few very small issues but nothing that will keep you from badging up!! For your first attempt at multi picking this is impressive!! I do notice that your mute could use a bit of work as I can see your palm not covering the higher strings. This is perfectly normal at this stage of the game and something that we can sort out. As you continue forward, you will get better and better and look back at this Mission and be shocked at how much progress you were able to make. You've been making great gains soldier and the best is yet to come!!!

How do you like the MULTI PICKING? It's one of my favorite ways to play a lick. it works great in solos. The TRIPLE picking adds a layer of complexity to things and makes a lick sound very different. it also makes it much harder to play. So while it does create a sort of audio illusion making it sound like you are playing far more notes than are being played, it also makes everything more difficult as you have to remember where you are in a given lick. On something like this, INVERSION, its' extra tricky since the pattern is very tricky to start with.

You go all the way back and forth through the lick and it's impressive!! I think you have this Soldier! Getting this down is not easy and getting it down in synch is even harder. You should be proud of your work here Soldier!! You are ready for what's next!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!
*You also just got your first DOUBLE CHEVRON BADGE!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Apr 27 2021, 06:11 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 7 2021, 06:10 PM

Hi Sarge,

had a go at lesson 14 here, thanks in advance for feedback

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 7 2021, 09:25 PM

Your playing and muting is very good here soldier!! But the way the metronome is set, I can't tell if you are in synch with it or not. Can you make it just all one click noise instead of click click click clack? It's always best to strike on a click instead of between the clicks. Does this make sense? Tweak the metronome so that each click matches up to a pick strike.

Onward!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 7 2021, 01:10 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 11 2021, 10:47 PM

Hi Sarge,

Understand the in between the click now, I was focusing too much on the clack rather than on the click!!

Had another go with a slightly different setting today

thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 14 2021, 05:55 AM

Sorry for the lag Soldier!!! Shoot me a message if you can so I don't miss your BATTLE PROGRESS!!! This is quite well done. the entire point of this is to get you playing on beat. Your playing well here and nicely one the beat. It's smooth and the picking is clean and your mute is solid. WELL PLAYED! This is what I was looking for. Still love that Ibby!! love the Road Flare Red.

You are ready for the next fight Soldier! You just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 11 2021, 05:47 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 15 2021, 07:50 PM

Hi Sarge,

my left arm recovered from covid vaccine and here is a go at mission 15!

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 16 2021, 01:23 AM

Well fought Soldier!! this one has a good finger stretch in it and requires a strong pinky. It can be a tricky pattern but you seem to have no trouble with it. Your precision is good and pick strikes are clean and muting is solid. One thing you might adjust is to move your pick hand down just a pinch toward the bottom of the guitar so that your pick hand is more centered on the bridge. This is called "Center Strategy" and allows the hand to maintain mute while being able to strike high and low strings without having to move very much which can create gaps in the mute and create string noise. It's a subtle change but one worth focusing on. There are plenty of battles left to fight Soldier! You've got this one sorted.

You just.....

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 15 2021, 02:50 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 18 2021, 10:16 PM

Hi Sarge,

hope all good, here my attempt at mission 16!

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 21 2021, 02:22 AM

Sorry for the lag Soldier! My internet connection was down for a couple of days but I'm back!!! You did very well on this!! It's very precise. I'd like to ask you to push yourself a bit and give me a multi pick version of this!!! DEALERS CHOICE! Doubles, Triples, quads, it's up to you!!! Push the temp right up to the edge of your ability soldier!!!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 18 2021, 05:16 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 21 2021, 06:06 PM

hi Sarge,

quick one, went for triples (trying to keep the sweep as it was).
This is faster than my previous multipicking on mission 13 I think, but could prob go a little faster.

what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 22 2021, 07:18 AM

Well fought! Your multi picking is getting better each time!!! Also, your picking technique is very solid. Your hand is relaxed, your not tensing up, and your not picking from the elbow!! You could keep this up all day from the look of it. I think you may be able to push it a bit on the next multi, rest assured it's coming!!! Good mute, solid fingering, it's all there Soldier!!! Your playing is making some great gains. keep it up!!!

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 21 2021, 01:06 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 24 2021, 10:03 PM

Hi Sarge,

just for a prelim check (this is on the slow side 70bp and not even clean) but would like you to have a quick look at my picking before I work on speeding it up.

Not sure my picking is the right one on this?

what do you think?

thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 25 2021, 04:16 AM

Well played! I hear one bit of loose string/note about 10 seconds in but but I'm sure that will be sorted for the final. Your technique is improving with each mission!! I do notice that you are doing quite well on your econ picking! One thing to focus on is that I see your hand drifting up and down as you traverse strings. It's far less than it used to be so you are making good progress. Always try to see if you can use as much "center strategy" as possible and keep your hand as near to middle position planted on the bridge and possible and tilt your hand to reach top and bottom strings. This is very difficult to do and it's a long process to learn. Bit by bit you are getting there!!

Onward!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 24 2021, 05:03 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat May 26 2021, 11:12 PM

Hi Sarge,

worked on this as planned, increased the speed from 70, now you have 3 takes at 80, 90 and 100bpm ! I think 100bpm might need more work to achieve, but there for you to see what happens when i get close to my current limit.

Also trying to keep the picking hand from moving up and down too much, you mentioned that a few times, hopefully some improvement on that front.

Waiting for your review. Thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson May 27 2021, 03:36 AM

Well Fought Soldier! I can see a big improvement on this version. You had a pinch of string noise bleed through before which can be caused by not lifting up after a fretted note with the fret hand and by not fully muting with the mute hand. There is a LOT going on for your fingers/hands in this one. As with many of these, it's a lot of things to keep track of at one time. That's why we do so many bits like this. I want to give your hands time to work on putting all of it together. Without the metronome, this would be easier. Then it would just be hand synch/mute/strikes/fretting. When we add the metronome, now you have to integrate an external pace/rate with your playing, so you have to listen to what you are playing and listen to the click and make sure they both line up all while not forgetting synch/mute/strikes/fretting.

At first, this can overwhelm the brain. The good news is that, like anything, it gets easier the more you do it. it's helping you to develop a key skill. Being able to play in a precise way, while locked in to a beat. This is crucial for when you play with backings/other musicians. It's often referred to as "playing in time". Basically, being able to play along with a given beat/click. Rushing (getting ahead of the beat) and lagging (falling behind the beat) are natural things, but we are here to fight what is natural and move toward what you want to be able to play.

Your technique is good here Soldier!! You've implemented all the changes we talked about. The only thing I'd add for next time is that your picking hand is drifting across the string as you traverse strings. It's not by much. But, the more you can isolate your hand in to one spot and just angle the hand to reach strings instead of moving the hand, the better

You just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ May 26 2021, 06:12 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jun 16 2021, 07:11 PM

Hi Sarge,

hope all good. Quick Lesson 18 preview for initial feedback, need to practice this a bit more to get it clean. but Tempo, licks, key etc??

what do you think?

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 16 2021, 10:31 PM

This is great stuff soldier! The only thing I would change is not using A MINOR. The backing is in E Minor so A can sound a bit off. other than that I thought it was great!

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jun 16 2021, 10:37 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jun 16 2021, 09:31 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 16 2021, 11:29 PM

I hear ya. Starting with the scale the song is in and focusing on the root note is always a good idea though. The root scale is the touchstone that then allows working in all other shapes. The root note is very important. If you land on and stay on an A note for example, you have resolved the scale and it sounds complete.

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jun 16 2021, 05:37 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jun 18 2021, 06:54 PM

Hi Sarge,

ok made a few changes, now fully in Em. Occasional landing on the 5th, B, but mostly on E. This is the first solo i put together, really good exercise!

can probably still play it cleaner (especially the changes on the legato and the end), but starting to sound ok to my hears, what do you think?

thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 20 2021, 06:25 AM

NICE!!! Been watching and re watching this to see if I missed anything and I think you have made some great progress here. After all, this is what it is all about. This is why we are here. You are expressing yourself musically. That's the entire point of what we do imho and you are doing it well. All of the practice, all of the learning, the theory, the drills, all of it comes down to interpreting what you hear and then responding to it using musical notes. It's great to see you putting a solo together using what you've learned and also clearly making it your own using your own licks. Super congrats on this. It's got just about everything we've touched on up to this point and then some. Congrats Soldier!! You are neck deep in it now!!!

Well fought. You just..


LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jun 18 2021, 01:54 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jun 28 2021, 11:07 PM

Hi Sarge worked a bit on the tapping lesson last week.

find attached my attempt with a slow and quick one

cheers,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jun 30 2021, 10:21 PM

Soldier I apologize for missing this. I didn't know youd done it until you messaged me. First off, well done on fighting through to this level. This is one of the hardest tapping licks in bootcamp. if you can sort this, you can sort ALL OF THEM. You have the pattern down! The only problem I see is timing. Each note, each strike should like up with the click on that metronome. The first three ascending strikes are being rushed just a pinch and are ahead of the beat by just a fraction. hear the click in your head and let that guide your strike pattern. Does this make sense?


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jun 28 2021, 06:07 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jun 30 2021, 10:55 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jun 30 2021, 09:21 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 1 2021, 07:00 PM

Hi Sarge

ok new attempt for you, included a short one where I think I should be roughly there and a longer one where I loop it a few times kind of clean.

what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 1 2021, 08:44 PM

This is spot on Soldier!!! You have done enough reps on this to get the precision going quite well. This is a very tough tapping lick. The good news is that once you get this sorted, you'll be able to play licks like this at full speed in guitar solos.

To Wit, now that you have the timing down, I want to see if you can push it a bit in terms of the speed and keep that sort of precision. I don't have a BPM goal for you to hit, I just want to see if you can move this from learning speed, more towards soloing/gigging speed. If you drift just a bit at speed that's fine as I've seen that you can play this lick with a high degree of precision.

I use this type of tapping in solos and it's very fun and sounds great. Being able to do a four finger tap and inclue open strings is something that sets you apart as a player since so much tapping is based on the more EVH type. I love that stuff too, just love this stuff as it sounds different.

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 1 2021, 02:00 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 2 2021, 06:14 PM

Hi Sarge,

had a bit of a go at speeding this up see below a couple of examples, it is about 300bpm on the GP file (~2x the last one). The changes get a bit trickier but only worked on this speed for 2 days.

what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 3 2021, 03:43 AM

Nice!!! The more you work on this the more natural it will feel. Also, the sooner you can play something like this against a backing track the better. It's always a good idea to take what you have learned and burn it in the brain by playing something similar against a backing track from youtube. The sooner you can start to incorporate it in to your playing style, the better. otherwise, it will fade from your skill set.

if this is 2 days work, then I'd say do this lick for a few minutes each time you sit down to practice. In a couple of weeks you'll be playing it at full chat. At high speed, licks like this sound killer. You've got this one sorted to my satisfaction Soldier! You are ready for what's next.

You just..

LEVELED UP!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 2 2021, 01:14 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 9 2021, 12:16 AM

Hi Sarge, working a bit more on the tapping lesson, incorporated in my routine now, will show some progress soon.

In the meantime I worked also on the mission 20 only the first part for now.

See below for review, with a few speeds. What do you think?

thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 9 2021, 03:37 AM

You've got the pattern down Soldier!! Well done on that! This is one of the most useful ways to run this scale imho. it works great in guitar solos. For this drill, try to separate each note so that there is as little bleed as possible between them. to do this, just palm mute a bit more so that each strike doesn't ring in to the next note. I'm going to make a mission vid for this mission soldier as I notice that it doesn't have one! But don't let that slow you down.

Also, have a look at this video and take note of how my palm doesn't leave the bridge while I'm picking using the front half of my hand and thumb/finger to move the pick. This is the core of what I"m trying to teach in terms of picking. it's very tricky at first. But, once you get it, it makes everything easier! Try to see if you can do this sort of thing with this mission. You may have to slow way down at first but that's ok.

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 8 2021, 07:16 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 9 2021, 12:09 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jul 9 2021, 02:37 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 9 2021, 04:44 PM

thanks again Sarge,

I think it worked. What do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 10 2021, 04:44 AM

You are making great progress here Soldier!! This is NOT an easy transition to make. I can hear the previous note still ringing when you move up to the next note as you ascend from the Low string up to the A. Watch this video again and see if you can hear it as well? That's the bit that I want you to focus on. YOu don't even need to play the entire lick. Just focus at first on the first two or three strings. Play it up and back down. See if you can slow it down a pinch and focus on each note. As each note is struck, it should not ring beyond when you strike the next note. THis is what this mission is all about. I know this is maddening. I know it's frustration and I know you can do it !!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 9 2021, 11:44 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 10 2021, 10:23 PM

Thanks, I was focusing more on the palm muting. But now should be able to isolate notes a bit better as well.

I’m away from 3 weeks, managed to leave rather UK for a little! but planning to practice and share videos too. Only annoying thing is that will be using other guitars. So might slow me a touch or so on things like this.

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 10 2021, 10:54 PM

It all goes back to the palm muting Muting is what this lick is about. When one note is struck, only that note should ring. The others should be muted by the palm on the right and by the fret hand on the left. Ideally, each note should stop ringing just before you strike the next one. It's all about the mute.

Enjoy your vacation!!! I know it must have been tough on lockdown for the past 2 years!! I'll make a video to try to explain all of this a bit better.

In your video, I think you may be bar fretting like a chord shape? This may be making it harder for you to mute individual notes as they are still fretted an trying to ring out. Does this make sense?

SARGES NOTES:
*SOLDIER ON HOLIDAY FOR THE MONTH OF JULY

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 10 2021, 05:23 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 11 2021, 02:31 AM

I made this demo video for you to try to give a close up example. I'm only fretting the note that I'm striking. That way, none of the other notes can ring and get in the way. I tried to give a good angle on my pick hand to show the mute as well. Give this a listen and see if you understand where I'm going with this?

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 11 2021, 11:55 PM

hi,

Thanks for the vid.
I think I do hear it know, listen to the attach audio please I think it might be a bit better on the lower strings but maybe still happening a bit on the highers strings? could only work 30 min so today, but over the next few days want to fix this.

Gear-wise a bit handicapped at the moment, you will see a picture soon (using a beautiful 57yr old Italian guitar ... the bridges I'm dealing with is a LP-like where the palm muting gets a bit more extreme vs an ibanez or a strat), but i think the issue is still there.

SOLDIER ON THE MOVE lol

 Practice_lesson_20.m4a ( 394.51K ) : 84

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 12 2021, 07:20 AM

It's sounding better soldier!! Your cell phone cam should be more than enough for Mission videos. I know it's not easy to swtich to a new bridge system while still working on your mute!! The floyd has a nice flast surface but les paul tails and strat tele tails can be a bit tricky to get a clean mute.

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 11 2021, 06:55 PM)

hi,

Thanks for the vid.
I think I do hear it know, listen to the attach audio please I think it might be a bit better on the lower strings but maybe still happening a bit on the highers strings? could only work 30 min so today, but over the next few days want to fix this.

Gear-wise a bit handicapped at the moment, you will see a picture soon (using a beautiful 57yr old Italian guitar ... the bridges I'm dealing with is a LP-like where the palm muting gets a bit more extreme vs an ibanez or a strat), but i think the issue is still there.

SOLDIER ON THE MOVE lol

 Practice_lesson_20.m4a ( 394.51K ) : 84

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 12 2021, 11:15 PM

Hi Sarge,

a bit more progress today I think, just focusing on isolating the notes.

thanks in advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 13 2021, 12:11 AM

This is much improved Soldier!! I think you are moving too fast through it though as this not a shred lick, it's just to complicated to be played fast and smooth. There are many licks in bootcamp that are shred licks, this is just not one of them. This one is all about precision. About controlling how long a note rings and then cutting it off before the next note is struck. In many ways, this is much harder to do that traditional shredding.

Slow this down a bit as speed isn't the point of this one. Focus on each note. Each note should stop ringing before you strike the next notes. your fingering/muting is looking good and your synch is good!! I think you are rushing it just a pinch and its' creating some issues as a result.

How is the lick feeling? Are you noticing that it feels a bit different now than when you first started playing it?


Also, NICE AXE!!!! What is that guitar? I don't thinkg I've ever seen one like it? Very cool!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jul 12 2021, 06:15 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 13 2021, 10:22 PM

Hi,

a bit more progress today. Yes I definitively hear the difference in the lick. I didn't quite approach it the right way I think to start but I think I'm getting there. The muting is more of an issue now in the around the G/B string where this high bridge is a bit of a tricky one to deal with (i.e. it either kills the note of not muting at all) or probably just not used to it... but to be honest I'll be back to my usual axe in 2/3 weeks so curious to see how this goes with the Ibby for instance.

Having said that this Guitar is great and quite a piece of history too and it plays surprisingly well: dated 1962 it is my Dad 1st guitar. Attached a proper picture so you can see it. The pick-ups are microphone like.... weird, have a good look! The clean, bluesy sound is really nice.
Manufacture is probably now defunct "Gemelli", 1962, Italian made. Mahogany, fingerboard is pearloid... kind of plastic the neck is surprisingly thin (almost like an Ibby!!)
The finishing is quite amazing for a guitar of this age, it is not particularly valuable mostly sentimental value really, It was re-fretted a few years ago. This is the first time in my life I use it (as really started to play a bit more than a year ago)... love it .



see below

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 14 2021, 03:37 AM

That guitar is awesome!! It's a vintage piece now and needs tending. That wood grain is lovely. I've never seen a guitar quite like this. A very rare piece indeed!

Your progress video let's me hear you are making very good progress. I"m amazed you can play it this well on an instrument that is not your primary. The bridge looks very tricky to mute as well. I hear what you are talking about on the G/B string. One tip I can give you is to try to only fret the note that is being played. It's tempting to bar more than one string with the first finger. This results in notes ringing too long. It's a lot more work of course to shift fingers for each note, but it's the best way to keep everything clean. I can't see what you are doing very well in this video but I can hear it. Slow things down just a pinch more and focus on only fretting the note being struck as it's being struck. This will isolate the notes and get rid of any bleed you are getting. Make sense?

Sarge

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jul 14 2021, 05:38 PM

Hi,

sorry didn't realized the video quality was so poor!

today you'll see better. I think I manage to mute it better too now on top and bottom string, I think it was a right hand position problem, need to put a touch more pressure when I cross the g/b ... very small difference but seems to work. Left hand you mentioned barring but I do not think I was doing it (but today you can see better from the video)

one slow one normal speed with vintage AXE lol. what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 16 2021, 02:12 AM

Congrats Soldier!! You have made a lot of progress on this and are using a guitar with a very tricky bridge to mute on. I think you have more than earned your badge on this one!! i can hear a little open string bleed on the first run but the notes themselves are nice and tight which is what I wanted to see This type of lick is all about keeping focus on each note as it's being played and stopping the previous note from ringing out which is an important thing to learn as it's going to be coming up a lot as we move forward!! You've got this one Soldier! Well done and congrats!

You just...

LEVELED UP!!

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 6 2021, 05:10 PM

Hi Sarge,

back to the battle (in my home settings) !

have been working on the M21, see below a sample for a little review.

I think I can do a little better than this (speed up a little and prob muting too), but probably a good time to have a first feedback from you so to better focus future practice on this one.

thanks as always

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 6 2021, 08:08 PM

Welcome back to the fight Soldier! This is a tricky bit and you are doing well on it! Here are a few tips to try.

1.)Start the open string with an upstroke and the second strike on the open string as a downstroke so when you move to the string to fret the first note you can use econ picking. Ill put up a quick vid on this.
2.)Mute a bit harder on the open string to make the fretted notes stand out more.
3.)Choke up on the pick just a bit so that only the very tip is extending beyond your fingers.

This drill prepares the hand for doing a lot of ECON related work that opens up a ton of options.

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 6 2021, 12:10 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 7 2021, 11:50 PM

Thanks. Yeah it works much better! Will practice a few days and how see how it’ll goes

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 9 2021, 12:32 AM

Glad to hear it!!! This method of picking will open up a variety of new licks. Being able to pick this way makes certain licks/riffs much easier than when played using alternate picking.


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 7 2021, 06:50 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 11 2021, 10:18 PM

Hi,

Worked on this a bit more, getting easier with the right picking, probably I can do a bit better in muting.

What do you think?

Thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 13 2021, 01:24 AM

Super congrats on your progress on this!! You are doing it just as it was meant to be done' This drill is meant to train your hand in ECON picking. Once you get this down, it really helps in all kinds of ways. Now that you have the pattern, try to bump it 1bpm at a time and work on it only about 10 minutes each day. Make it a part of your warmup or cool down. I think that your fingers are on the edge of a breakthrough!!! Can you feel the change in your hands? Push this a few bpm up and see what your limit is and you'll be ready for BADGE TIME.

Once More in to the breach!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 11 2021, 05:18 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 20 2021, 03:52 PM

Hi,

little update. I continue to work on the M21 to speed it up, in the previous take was 97.5bpm, pushing it to 105 bpm below but not entirely smooth.
So prob my limit is around 100 at the moment, can't really push it higher than that (not for lack of trying!). Can't really pick a specific issue that blocks me here...




Also started to work on M22 legato, what do you think?



thanks as always
Claudio

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 20 2021, 11:02 PM

The first video isn't playing for some reason but if you can hit 100 bpm then that's a good improvement and I think it's ready to go!!! On your next vid I'm very impressed that you are able to play it this well already. It's a very tricky and very long lick. You already have it down! It's a great way to run the minor scale and one of my fave licks to use in solo work. I'm very impressed at your progress here Soldier. You have clearly put in the work and it's paying off!! Super congrats on your progress!!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 20 2021, 10:52 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 21 2021, 10:53 AM

hi,

not sure what happened to the video, this was the one at 105bpm. not completely happy with it, but might have overdone this one a little so prob need to take a break from M21 and get back to it later on to see if I can push it a bit more.
In general it is making me think about technique limitation, I think i have a combination of left had position (pinky a bit out) but probably picking hand maybe gets too tense when the speed gets over a certain point, control goes down.

Will practice the m22/legato a bit more, prob can go a bit faster there.
I practiced "Ben's legato" lesson with Gabri (i'm still practicing that one TBH as the changes there are a tricky), so M22 was not completely new to me even if here the legato continues to the lower strings of the minor scale, which was new to me.

m21 again sorry the the weird link, hopefully this works

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 21 2021, 08:14 PM

Well fought Soldier!! The pace is nice and smooth, the changes are clean and the picking is very solid. This is a great warmup and econ speed drill. keep in it in your bag of tricks and try to play it just once or twice at each practice session. It will increase your speed on econ picking and allow you to play other econ licks with skill and dexterity.

You just...


LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 21 2021, 05:53 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 26 2021, 04:40 PM

Hi Sarge,

so worked a bit on the Legato, see below going from 110bpm to 120bpm 16th notes at intervals of 2.5

what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 26 2021, 09:29 PM

This is quite good! This is my fave shred lick of all time. I use it in solos and as a warmup. You can add picking to it by picking one note only when it seems to feel right basically. It's very tough to pick them all. If you pick while palm muting you get a percussive sound that sounds like picking them all.

This is quite good Soldier!! Your speed and precision are impressive!! Are you still pushing the speed on this one? Trying to get to a higher level before turning in a mission vid?

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 26 2021, 11:40 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Aug 26 2021, 10:32 PM

Thanks,

Probably I might have little left to add here speed-wise, I think the 120bmp was still ok tempo wise?
I definitely start and end at the right point, but difficult to judge in between. Sounded good to me too.

Cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 27 2021, 01:57 AM

I'm with ya! I'll start workin on your debrief!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Aug 26 2021, 05:32 PM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 27 2021, 06:49 AM

This is my fave shred lick. Start trying to add some picking in to it as you practice it. The more picking you add, the more shreddy it will sound. Keep a solid mute when you pick it and it will sound like your picking all of it, even if your only picking a few notes. You do really well on this one. It's clean and fast. You are shredding on this. Use this on a solo against a backing asap to cement it in your mind. It's not really in your lick library until you can find a way to use it with actual music. So try to use it quickly while it's fresh in your mind and in your fingers!

let's Debrief!

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Sep 1 2021, 03:49 PM

Hi Sarge,

quick video on Mission 23, this one is at 80bpm but have only worked on it 2/3 days so can prob improve a bit.

what do you think ? want to try to raise 10 or 15 bpm but probably good to have a quick check from you first at this point

thanks in advance as always

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 1 2021, 10:28 PM

You are doing well on this soldier but your not hitting the notes in synch with the metronome. During a solo, one can slide around a bit as long as you end on the beat. However, for drills like this, I really want you to try to synch each note up to a click. speed happens as a result of precision. As your precision increases, so will your speed. I'd say slow this down a bit. And make sure each note lands on a click. Being able to do this will greatly help your precision overall.

Onward!!
Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Sep 1 2021, 10:49 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Sep 2 2021, 04:23 PM

thanks

makes sense the slides make it trickier and probably was focusing too much on start and end, but not on hitting each click

I tried a bit slower today 70bpm this time focusing on hitting the click. what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Sep 3 2021, 04:16 AM

That's what I'm looking for!!! Much better. To wit!!



Well fought Soldier!! You just..


LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Sep 2 2021, 11:23 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Sep 30 2021, 05:49 PM

Hi Sarge,

hope all is well, sorry was a little silent lately but have been travelling quite bit in September, so was recording a little less (but still practicing!)
Now back at it and I started to work on mission 24, here is a quick video
really stretching my little hand this one :lol:LOL

thanks in advance!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 1 2021, 07:19 AM

Welcome back Soldier!! It's always great to see one of your Missions. Love that Ibby!!! This one is all about "Strike once hammer many". Basically, strike the string and hammer on the other notes. So you have to strike hard enough to make it count but you have to keep a mute so that the notes don't bleed in to each other. That's the tricky bit here. You gotta strike hard, but not too hard, you gotta mute hard but not too hard, and you found the balance!!! Score!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Sep 30 2021, 12:49 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 8 2021, 04:44 PM

Hi Sarge,

worked on mission 25 this week, tried to record a quick video for feedback.

thanks advance

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 9 2021, 02:23 AM

Wow!!! Impressive work on that one!!! Your playing is also synching up with the metronome MUCH better now. I can tell you are pushing the edge and that is where gains often happen. Id like to see it slowed down just a pinch to see you in more control of everything. also, if possible, can you play it with some more distortion? It will show me if there are any gaps in your mute and let me hear if any notes are being held to long or accidental striking is happening. The cleaner the tone, the less precise one actually has to be since the distortion will amplify any mistakes or gaffs in technique.

The good news is that your showing a massive improvement in precision and speed and it's great to see!!

Onward!
Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 8 2021, 11:44 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 9 2021, 08:44 PM

Hi Sarge,

had another go today with more distortion. I did slow it down a bit to around 80bpm (prev one was 90), also included some attempts at 90 and 95 where it get a little less precise and little noise too.

what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 10 2021, 09:42 PM

Well Fought!! You are making some great gains on your playing! The first one is spot on. It's great to see you pushing the edge in the others! Your technique is very solid here. Good mute, clean strikes. It's all there. Keep pushing it Soldier!!

Whatever your doing for practice keep it up as it's working!!

I'm out of pocket until Wednesday as I'm helping my aunt out for a few days at her place. She may have to go to the hospital but I hope not. She has a Doc visit wed at which point I'm going back home. I'll start making video responses again soon as I get back to my home studio.

Congrats Soldier!
you just..

LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 9 2021, 03:44 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 11 2021, 10:36 AM

Thanks,

sorry to hear about it, I really hope everything goes well with your aunt.

talk soon

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 13 2021, 01:49 AM

tonight is my last night of duty. She is going to her doc on wed and I hope she doesn't have to go to the hospital.

Onward!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 11 2021, 05:36 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 13 2021, 11:28 PM

Hi Sarge,

hope all good with family. Worked this week on M26. Came up with a picking that seems to work for it (not sure if the best) but was good to think about it.
below find 80 , 90 and tried to push it to 100 bpm

thanks as always

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 14 2021, 03:38 AM

Well fought!!! This is a tricky one to be sure with a LOT of notes. Super congrats on just putting it all together! it's hard enough to play a given scale with proper technique, much less to go back and forth in a confusing pattern without bagging it. Memorizing long sequences like this one is not something everyone can do. Clearly you can!!

I think you are doing a great job on picking here. it's tight, synched up, aggressive!!! Slips a bit at speed but the first pass is more than enough. I like seeing you pushing the edge! The last two takes show that you are moving in to "SHRED" land.

As for how I would pick it, I'd say just like you are!! I usually use econ when going up or down strings. So going from B to high end, I would use down strokes, from high E down to B I would use an up stroke. I was impressed with your performance on this one!

To wit!!!


Congrats Soldier, you just..


LEVELED UP!!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 13 2021, 06:28 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 27 2021, 11:52 PM

Hi Sarge,

hope all good!

I worked on Mission 27.

here a couple of attempts at 90 and 100 bpm. There is a little noise now that i hear it properly, but the pattern should be there

thanks in advance as always

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 28 2021, 01:21 AM

Your faster take is soooo close!! It's amazing what just a little bump in speed does to difficulty. I can see that you are very close to nailing it. It's just drifting a bit. I want to ask if you can tighten up the faster take and it will put your playing at a higher level if you can play it at that speed and keep it on beat. Also, can you turn up your gain/distortion as far as it will go? It almost sounds like a jazz tone and I'd like to hear a more rock/metal tone on this type of lick as it allows me to see if there are any gaps in your mute. If you were playing this lick in a rock solo, you'd be using a ton more gain and that's what I want to prepare you for.

Very well done on getting it to this level. it's much faster than and cleaner than it would have been when we started. You are making some great gains!!!

ONCE MORE IN TO THE BREACH!!!!


Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 27 2021, 06:52 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Oct 29 2021, 12:49 AM

Hi,

Thanks sorry for the tone, but is the usual one I think the quick Audio recording with the cam is not the best.

worked on it a bit more on the fast one 100bpm ( beginning not too clean but gets better after I warm up ... )

To test my fingers also tried to push it to 105 and 110 too, but not as clean/precise

what do you think?

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 29 2021, 12:44 PM

Well fought!! I can see improvement since the last time to be sure. It's a big stretch and you manage it well!!! Your picking is coming along great!!! Keep fighting!!! To wit!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Oct 28 2021, 07:49 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 6 2021, 11:05 AM

Hi Sarge,

worked on M 28 a little this week.

for you for a quick look below, this is 90 bpm, can go faster but wanted to check with you if the pattern is ok?

thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 6 2021, 07:11 PM

Bingo! Thats a very tricky pattern as there is so much back and forth. You are doing it quite well!!! Stay relaxed while playing it as tensing up will kill your speed. I think you can go a pinch faster given your skill level!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 6 2021, 06:05 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 7 2021, 11:51 PM

Hi,

so worked on this a bit more. Please find below 100bpm also tried 105 and 110.
100 is getting quite conformable, above that is still a low hit rate, but starting to happen.

thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 8 2021, 05:57 AM

Impressive work!! You have made big gains since just the last vid! Your playing well here. Your 100 bpm is very tight. Your higher bpm are very close to being studio ready. It's when you push it that you make great gains. I"m on a bit of a holiday in little place called port royal with family and I'll be back this weekend and start shooting video responses again. You killed it!!

Congrats Soldier you just..

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 7 2021, 06:51 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 23 2021, 01:05 AM

Hi Sarge,

I worked on M29 a and b last week. Please find below 90/100bpm for 29a and 100/110bpm for 29b

what do you think?

thanks

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 23 2021, 04:21 AM

This is looking good soldier except for one little thing on the last lick. That last lick is one of my faves for warming up, for soloing, for working on speed, etc. It looks like your first finger is moving a bit and I'd like to see you plant the first finger and bar the two strings and keep it fretted the entire time. It then becomes more about the mute since it's always a fretted note on two strings, if the mute is not solid, it will start sounding like a chord and get messy. With a good mute you can get a lot of speed up on that lick and take advantage of the first finger not moving so only the other fingers need to do the work.

I hope this makes sense soldier!!! Give me just that last lick one more time using a finger bar for the first finger on both strings.

I have updated the mission with more detail on using the finger bar. It was not clear in the text that this is what i wanted. I apologize for that.

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 22 2021, 08:05 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 25 2021, 02:53 PM

hi,

worked on the 2nd lick yesterday. I think working better with the change, tried 100, 110 and 120 . I think up to 110 is prob ok, 120 prob not there yet.

what do you think?

thanks,

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 25 2021, 06:15 PM

The most important part about this is learning that picking pattern. Two strikes on each string. Once you have that down and it looks like you do, you can apply it to a huge variety of licks and riffs. Just being able to do that double strike and keep it clean is a huge gain. Super congrats there! You are also muting very well so that it doesn't sound like a chord. If the mute is not good, both strings will ring out and it won't work as a lick. The finger bar is designed to make it a bit easier on the left hand and allow higher speeds. Your speed is growing quickly!!

I wanted to ask if you can increase the gain/distortion a bit? If it's not possible in your current setup, thats ok as well. the reason is that more gain actually makes this harder since it shows any gaps in the mute. Also , with a mute it gives an almost mechanical feel when using high gain.

You are very tight on the metronome here. Only drifting just a pinch. Can you see the improvements yourself from the last vid? I sure can.

Can you give me one more with a pinch tighter to the metronome and a touch more gain?

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 25 2021, 09:53 AM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Nov 26 2021, 12:15 AM

hi,

thanks can see the progress too!. done a quick rec (this time recording into the DAW which produces better sound, the other vid I was recording the sound via in a different way).
there is a bit of noise at the beginning but get better as I play the lick a few times.

Off for a few days. cheers

Posted by: Todd Simpson Nov 26 2021, 12:00 PM

Well Fought! You nailed the first drill with no problems and I could tell you had the chops to play the second one as well. It's just a bit trickier with the finger bar. Once you get used to the finger bar it's great way to move up on speed since the first finger takes care of two notes without needing to move the finger Also I like your tone much better on this one. Your mute is very solid as is your picking. This double strike picking will come around again!

To wit!




Congrats Soldier! You just...


LEVELED UP!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Nov 25 2021, 07:15 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Dec 10 2021, 01:58 AM

Hi Sarge,

worked on these Mission 30 a, b, c licks this week. Please see a little video with a few looped. Pushed the speed on a couple.

thanks in advance as always



Claudio

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 11 2021, 03:59 AM

Very solid work Soldier!! I notice it drifting around 33 seconds just a bit but you are very close to putting it all together!!! If possible, can you turn up the metronome a bit? I am having trouble hearing it which makes it tough for me to hear if it's locked in with your playing. You have been making very impressive gains of late Soldier and it's great to see!!!!!!

Keep it up!!!

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Dec 9 2021, 08:58 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Dec 13 2021, 12:25 AM

Hi Sarge, I worked a bit more on that lick (this time I'm also recording the click a little louder, sorry!). 2 takes 90 and 95, this one is little harder to push faster than this at the moment, but really like this lick.

What do you think?
thanks in advance as always!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Dec 13 2021, 08:54 AM

Top notch work!! This is well played. You have good pick control and good muting and your timing is nice and tight! Many of these licks with two note per string shapes are just impossible to shred and are more about timing. You are playing this quite fast as thats about the speed I play it on my best day. Nice!!! To wit!!




Congrats Soldier!! You just...

LEVELED UP!!!!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Dec 12 2021, 07:25 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 17 2022, 12:19 AM

Happy new year Sarge!

Been away for a little but have been practicing quite a bit, especially thew new series on technique from Gabri which has quite a few things in common with some of the work done here. 2022 proposition is to continue to work on technique. Will try to get some feedback on some of those lesson as well soon!

Anyways back to the battle and recording, so I had a go at Mission 31, struggled a little with it, so went for the simple lick.
I have tried to fit that lick with the backing track at a speed i can control.

what do you think?

thanks in advance as always

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 17 2022, 12:24 AM

Soldier, your playing is good here but your tone is getting in your way. it sounds like something is holding you back? is your volume on the guitar turned all the way up? is your gain on your amp patch turned up? It sounds almost like a clean patch. Don't fear the gain, embrace it!!! your playing is solid. add the gain and make it RIP!!

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 17 2022, 01:15 AM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jan 16 2022, 11:24 PM)

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 17 2022, 12:05 AM)

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 17 2022, 03:53 PM

That sounds much better Always make sure your volume on your guitar is all the way up since this can get in the way and that the tone knob is all the way up as well, always use the bridge pickup. Just some things to check pre flight

Also, if a patch has a noise gate, it can clamp down on the signal and kill it. It's ok to have some noise on the patch so you can just turn the gate off or turn it down quite a bit. Just another pre flight check.

Always use a tube screamer/overdrive in a patch before the amp and feel free to turn gain and volume all the way up on the pedal and ramp up the gain on the amp. All of this will increase the noise a bit, but thats fine for bootcamp.

Tone is like playing guitar, it's a constant effort and takes a lot of work. Making small changes along the way is important

can you take a picture of the patch settings your using with your cell phone and share in the thread so I can see ? Just curious about the patch.

Sarge

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 16 2022, 08:15 PM)

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 17 2022, 04:17 PM

QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Jan 17 2022, 02:53 PM)

That sounds much better Always make sure your volume on your guitar is all the way up since this can get in the way and that the tone knob is all the way up as well, always use the bridge pickup. Just some things to check pre flight

Also, if a patch has a noise gate, it can clamp down on the signal and kill it. It's ok to have some noise on the patch so you can just turn the gate off or turn it down quite a bit. Just another pre flight check.

Always use a tube screamer/overdrive in a patch before the amp and feel free to turn gain and volume all the way up on the pedal and ramp up the gain on the amp. All of this will increase the noise a bit, but thats fine for bootcamp.

Tone is like playing guitar, it's a constant effort and takes a lot of work. Making small changes along the way is important

can you take a picture of the patch settings your using with your cell phone and share in the thread so I can see ? Just curious about the patch.

Sarge

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 19 2022, 05:04 AM

Try one with all of the values set to MAX for the tube screamer. That one change might be the key See what you think? I do hope we can get it to where the phone can capture as easy capture is key. time spent synching video is time not spent in practice!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 17 2022, 11:17 AM)

tks,


I think the patch is fine is a Metallica inspired for line6 podgo which is what I use ATM, I just turn off the reverb hence "Tallica no Reverb"... for bootchamp, plenty of gain/distortion.

FS1 is a boost, FS2 a OD, CALI amp, FS3 is just the EQ. Reverb is FS4 (but is off in this version), then cab in the end.

so as you can hear the Audio I sent now was much better, but it was the same guitar, same patch same settings ... as the previous video it was just recorded in a different way, which is what is annoying me! as least I know the DAW captures it well, but would be nice to be able quick videos without need to synchronize audio and video in the editor etc...

Posted by: ClaudioStrat Jan 25 2022, 01:19 AM

Hi,

I managed to record a better version of mission 31, see below.
I also worked a bit on mission 32 as well this week, I did find the lick at the top of the neck a little harder to get to speed, so that is definitely a good one to practice for me. I tried to play some of the licks with the backing track.

Using new Ibby for this!

thanks in advance for feedback


vid 31


vid 32

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jan 26 2022, 05:43 AM

Well fought Soldier!! I love your new ibby!! I want to try that headless! These are solo licks so you can play them however you like Well done!!

QUOTE (ClaudioStrat @ Jan 24 2022, 08:19 PM)

Hi,

I managed to record a better version of mission 31, see below.
I also worked a bit on mission 32 as well this week, I did find the lick at the top of the neck a little harder to get to speed, so that is definitely a good one to practice for me. I tried to play some of the licks with the backing track.

Using new Ibby for this!

thanks in advance for feedback


vid 31


vid 32