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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2012, 05:55 PM

Hi MonkeyDAthos! This is your thread for the Gab's Army!

Could you please tell me a bit about you, your musical tastes, influences, strengths and weaknesses? I would need some videos of you playing rhythm and solo guitar, so please post your best material here. If you have some music or ideas of your own, also post them here. Also let me know how you think that I can help you and what are your expectations for our job. You can check the other Army's thread to discover the different modalities of this project.


The principles of our Army are:

+ Improve your technique
+ Make music and solos
+ Have fun
+ Destroy the enemy (hahaha not really just kidding...)

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 6 2012, 01:45 PM

Well my taste, well too many things to name, so check this, contains everything i listen to http://www.lastfm.com.br/user/WheckYeah
So as goes by influences; i got always something from there, and there, and there and there.

strengths and weaknesses? - well ahah weaknesses pretty much eveything, strengths..well i am not shy when i am at stage, i guess we can count that as a strengths

i have been playing for 2,5years and my main goal, is to achieve control and awereness over the instrument!

i have wrote a few things: (Working flower view at Cosmin's)


I will try upload videos as soon as i can.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 6 2012, 03:50 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for the description. I checked the three songs and I think that there are some cool ideas to develop there! Morning Flower is the most promising right now but I think that the other two ones has some potential. We could work on any of those if you want.

Regarding your playing, we will work on technique using exercises and lessons. Also I would like you to choose any of the active collabs to join. The idea is that you post your ideas for the collab here and after some feedback record the final take. What do you think?

I'll wait for the videos to know your current level.

Welcome again!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 28 2012, 10:44 PM

Io Gab, sorry i can't post videos atm cuz my arms are in recovering, but there is something i would really like to work with you.
that is analyzing structurally songs but i have 0 experience xD

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 30 2012, 04:43 PM

Ok! Please post here a least 5 songs that you like.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 30 2012, 08:49 PM

xD ps: i have no idea how to do it, so i might need your guidance at the beginning

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 10 2012, 10:13 PM

Ok, let's start analysing those songs... this is a template of what you should do.

Name of the song:
Name of the band:

Structure // What is happening? // Chords & Scalesnull

Structure: You will divide the tune in Intro - Riff - Verse - Prechorus- - Chorus - Solo - Part C and so... You can add the letters A, B, C to the sections when you find different ones in the same tune (Ex: Verse A, Verse B, Chorus, Solo A, Solo)

what is happening?: Here you will describe each part. You can explain how is the part, if it has vocals, screams, melodies, harmonizations, how much is last, how many measures, etc. Every information that could be useful to understand the part.

Chords & Scales: Here you will post the tonality, the chord progression and the scales used for the melodies and solos.

Post you analysis using this concept here once you have it.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 29 2012, 01:30 AM

Hey Gab, i shall update this in a few days, been busy with exams and stuff, but finally got some free time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 29 2012, 01:36 PM

Ok mate! Thanks for the notifying!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 11 2012, 03:46 PM

Hey Gab, sorry i haven't been around lately:

there's something i would like to know:
for example how do you define things like; intro, Verse, bridge, breakdown; what are those things?; if i listen to a song i can find a chorus; but what's the definitions of a chorus?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 11 2012, 07:21 PM

Well, the chorus is usually (like the main riff), the most memorable part of a song, is that part that uses to appear many times in the whole structure and is usually repeated after the verse to make it more catchier. The most common song structure has the chorus after the first verse, after the second verse and after the solo section or bridge. The intro is the first part of a song and as its name says, it functions as the introduction to the song. Some songs starts with a riff or with the chorus chord progression. The verse is the first part that appear after the intro and it includes vocals. The bridge connects the verse, with the chorus and it usually includes a vocal melody and contrasts with the chorus.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 2 2016, 03:31 PM

Hey Gab, hows life going!

I was lurking some older threads and noticed you sharing some Chon goodness.
I find their playng very appealing, probably one of my favorite guitar driven bands. But i am not very experience in their style. What would you recommend, for someone who is trying to get into it, mechanical and theorical wise.

Cheers!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 2 2016, 08:15 PM

Hey mate! Nice to see you here!

The answer is get into Jazz vocabulary, and being more specific, learning chord melody. That would be the first step. Learning deeply triads, chords, extended chords, inversions and all the theory behind tonalities.

For example, this lesson is not in the style of Chon, but you'll find many shapes and ideas used in their music.

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Technique/

Chon music is some kind of modern progressive band with strong jazz, and modern jazz influences, not only from guitar stuff, also from pianists.

In order to know where to start, we need to know what you already know.... what can you say?

If you have some time this weekend, check this beautiful clinic which will bring lots of creative ideas:



Also, here is a cool interview:

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/211ho4/sup_were_the_guitarists_in_the_band_chon_ask_us/



"[–]CHONofficial[S] 17 points 2 years ago
we take a lot of influence from pianists.
sometimes one of us will be playing lower notes like the left hand of a pianist and the other will be doing higher stuff like the right hand of a pianist"

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 3 2016, 10:27 AM

Oh man you know how to get into my heart , in all seriouness I love the chord/melody approach on guitar.

I have been getting into jazz since last year.
Funny enough i am not very found of the "classic" form of jazz where guitar is the driven force. I tried to listen to guys such as Wes Montgomery or Allan Holdsworth, while I do agree they are gigantic monsters in their instruments, it doesn't ring a bell to me. :/ i much rather listen to piano/singing/sax driven jazz.

Like:


They have actually played here in Portugal 2 weeks ago and i didn't know, was completely heart-broken.

But when it comes to chord/melody, is something i actually have a strong desire on improving.
Imagine the savings on gig! One man band I've always admire guys like Tommy Emmanuel and Ted Greene, their ability to sound so full, yet have only one instrument is something baffling!

I have actually seen that clinic, more than once. I have his books Chord Chemistry and Jazz guitar single note soloing. I have learnt some tricks, actually learnt -still learning- how to sight write because of them. Although sometimes i can not help but to feel overwhelmed, you literally have pages of alternatives ways of fingering one chord!

I've actually did an arrangment on my own for Autumn Leaves. I am still a bit of hesitating to share it, mainly because I would be probably cruficied by Jazz Purists! haha

And second I am still trying to figure out, how to match video and audio, so i can start doing some Rec stuff.

Chon wise. Yes I have "stolen" some things from them. For instance:

I really like 1-5-7, 1-3-7, 1-5-m7, 1-m3-m7 instead of regular power chord.

x--------------
x--------------
x--------------
x-4--7--9----
x-2--5--10---
x-3--7--8----

Stuff like that. Even in a more "rock environment".

Another one I like to use is the 1 inversion of the 7th chords.
Example:
x-----
x-8--
x-9--
x-7--
x-----
x-8--


But that's pretty much it, nothing too impressive.

At the end of the day, I really enjoy rock music that mixes up jazzy elements, stuff like. As oppose to classic jazz, I kinda like the guitar driven on this tracks.




Sorry for the long wall of text.
I am going tackle around that chord/melody lesson you posted, let me just figure out how to record at least so that doesn't sound like farts.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 3 2016, 01:56 PM

Was messing around with Vegas and the clapping technique to synch things up. I think the audio might be off by a fraction of a sec though.
Anyways here is the take on Autumn Leaves i am arranging.




I will renovate the subscription to the site later on. So, tomorrow i will start to work out on the lesson. Most likely.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 3 2016, 02:01 PM

Hi mate, that's a beautiful post.

I think that most of those bands and artists doesn't play jazz deeply, they have the basic concepts, they listen a lot of music, and keep on composing.

The best way to learn how to make music in that style is creating music. One idea. What about creating an instagram account and start composing and recording some 1 minutes ideas?

Your question is how to create guitar videos?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 3 2016, 02:10 PM

To be honest, i really like the idea, but. I am not the most confident of guys. But i will give it a thought.

About creating music, I am actually writting an EP atm. Have two tracks 70% done and one just with 3 main riffs.
I'v put it on idle atm, mainly because i want to get my chops a little bit tight. Both guitar and piano speaking.

I am actually using Guitar Rig 5 atm. The issue was that I had both audio and video files seperated and was having trouble having them both synch. I am still a green bean, but working in out.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 4 2016, 03:33 PM

I would go for the instagram idea. It's a good way to practice, promote yourself, and try your ideas out there. You can share small fragments of your songs in progress. You'll feel shy at first, then you won't care.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 4 2016, 05:49 PM

I'v started with theory of the lesson today and it would be great if you could help me out analyzing the chord progression of the Diego's Lesson.
I am going in blind, haven't read his notes.

I understand basic diatonic harmonization, but it's far from being my strong point.

So:


| C G/B |

| Am7(no5) Esus2/G# |

| Fsus2add13 | Ab7(b5) Abm6(5#) |

| C/G Ebsus2(b5)add13 | Dsus2/F# Fm7 |

| Cadd9/E Am | Dm7 G7/9# (5#) |

| C7M G/B | Am7 Esus2/G# |

| Fsus2add13 | Ab7 (b5) Abm6 (#5) |

| Csus4/G Adim/Eb | Dsus2/F# Fm7 |

| Em7(no5) Am7 | Dm7 G7sus2add13(no5) |

| C |

----
| I V |

| VI Esus2/G# |

| IV | II II? (Abm6(5#) |

| I VI | Dsus2/F# Fm7? |

| I VI | II V |

| I V | VI Esus2/G#? |

| IV | II II?(Abm6 (#5)) |

| I Adim/Eb | Dsus2/F# Fm7 |

| III VI | II V|

| I|

Esus2/G# => I know the E in C major progression is minor, but this one is Major. So i am guess Diego is going out C major. But i am not sure how to treat it.

Ab7(b5) Abm6(5#) => So I know that C major progression "has" no accidents so i assumed this guys are working as substitutions.
I am not sure if i am speaking the true, but you can harmonize every degree of the scale with a dominant expect the IV and you can apply a tritone substitution.
So.

C7 (=) Gb7b5
D7 (=) Ab7b5
E7 (=)Bb7b5
IV
G7(=)Db7b5
A7(=)Eb7b5
B7(=)Fb7b5

So i guessing both Ab7(b5) Abm6(5#) are working as substitution for some kind of D7, therefore working as II chord, i am not sure about the Abm6(5#) I just assumed because i saw it as a Ab chord.

Ebsus2(b5)add13 => same way i saw the Eb i thought it was some kind of substitution for a A7, i am not really sure thought because i didnt see a 7 on the Eb chord.

Dsus2/F# Fm7 => By best guess is that Diego is doing chromatic passages? But i don't really know how to treat it aswell.

Adim/Eb => Same boat as the previous stated

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 5 2016, 06:41 PM

So I've started tackling the lesson this morning,
Here it is the first practise season of it.
Far from perfect! That little part of G7/9(#5) still gonna take a bit, i am really not used to that chord.




Sorry about the sound quality, i literally just click record with laptop webcam. Did 1000 takes and picked one.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 5 2016, 10:29 PM

Hi mate, your analysis is on the right track. Your suspect about substitution is exactly what's happening here. If you check the second video, you'll see that Diego explains what you said about Ab7(b5) being a triton substitution of a secondary dominant. Something similar happens with that E major which could be seen as a secondary dominant, or even as a modal interchange.

Check out the slow videos to see how he explains what he has done and share here which are the most interesting elements that you find here.

Regarding your video, that looks good! I think that I'll give a try to this one too.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 7 2016, 03:42 PM

Sorry no update, i had a pretty bad indigestion still recovering. .

Lesson wise:

"At the end of this part I create a proper I - VI - II - V and then I solve on C.

The first C chord is substituted by it's 3rd grade (Em7). "


So Em7 is working as a C, but with no C. The C however is implied by the I-VI-II-IV, even though you are playing a III as substituation of I. Did i get that right?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 8 2016, 01:15 AM

Also began to tackle with those lessons.

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Major-7th-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Minor-7-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Half-Diminished-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Dominant-7-Chords/

But rather than rec'ing them I thought of doing something more interesting and cocking some music up. I might drop some little tracks/excerpts later on.

Also i'v decided and taking an audition around june/july for Jazz School in Lisbon, I am actually pretty excited about...Even though there is a few months, i am pretty nervous already.


Anyways, I'll drop the chord melody lesson tomorrow with backing track.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 8 2016, 02:59 PM

All these are GREAT news. Looking forward to hear your compositions made from the chord melody lessons.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 8 2016, 06:19 PM

My noob me finally got Reaper and Guitar Rig working together.

So here is practice season nº2

https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/guitar-practice-chordsm

That G7/9(#5) movement still needs some practice, but i am getting there.
Also, after listening post-recording. i feel like i am going a bit ahead of the beat sometimes, it does feels a bit rush.

Still gonna try perfect the apparent issues, before posting a rec.

Will keep you updated-

EDIT:

Also been working on on this lesson:

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/

Here is a pretty rough take, its 120 bpm. (original is at 130). And its lacking the last lick, which i still have to memorize
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/alt-picking-workout-120bpm

I will try and see if i have both lessons in decent shape for Rec this by the weekend.

EDIT THE EDIT:

Man, i am going to sell my soul , not even joking.

I got this gig, which is basically popular portugues music, mix with some kizomba music, and probably a few rock songs.
Its not my style at all, but the dude told me he had already 40 gigs set up, and would be paying me 80 euros for 4 hours gig. -He has been doing this for a while or so i was told -

But, man i don't if it feels right, playing just for the sake of money. Regardless I do really need the money to pay education and what not.
What do you think, am i being the ultimate sell out?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 9 2016, 05:09 PM

Hi mate,

I've checked both audios from soundcloud and your progress is really good. You are very close to master them.

But let's talk about the second part of your post.

I think that the offer sounds really good! Most of our guitar heroes, even Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page started as session guitarists.

You'll get paid while becoming a professional musician, gain experience live, polish your playing. This is the best thing that can happen to you.

If this is not your favourite style, it doesn't mean that you are selling your soul. Music is music. If you are genuine, your soul will speak through those guitar lines and rhythms. At the same time, it's always rewarding to master new styles.

So I can only see advantages here.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 12 2016, 10:42 PM

Will have the first rehearsal tomorrow, lets see how it goes.

Anyways here's another practice takes on both lessons, I am still not feeling 100% for the rec tbh.



And the Muris's Lesson at full speed.
IT NEEDS A TON OF PRACTICE STILL.
I went with a not very gain setting, so its even more unforgiven, and i'v messed up the last lick.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 13 2016, 07:05 AM

Good job man! The lessons are definitely on the right track. You have some room to improvements but there is nothing really relevant to work on them. You can keep them in your diary practice and continue with some other lessons.

This lesson has some interesting stuff for you: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternative-Chord-Shapes-Visualization/


As well as these ones:

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Fast-Progressive-Metal-Riffing/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Melodic-Shred-Arpeggios/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Jimi-Hendrix-Rhythm-Style/


mm I think that most of Diego's lessons could give you some good stuff for the style that you like.

Check out this one: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Jumping-Harmonies/

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 13 2016, 04:02 PM

Well it seems i have work for days then!
Will post an update, whenever i have something ready or at least close to it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 13 2016, 10:33 PM

Ok! Looking forward it!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 14 2016, 02:36 AM

So had my first official rejection today.

Went to the audition today, was nervous like always regardless of being easy or hard stuff. I will always get butterflies in my stomach and cold sweated hands facing situation of the kind.

I messed up a few chords. Wasn't because of technique, I think i simple forgot to breathe and tensed up. BRAIN 404 not found

I tried to play equal to the song, trying to stay "humble" just doing the rhythm section.

Turns out the other guitarplayer was friends with one of the singers and they both come up with "extra" parts, guitar solos and what not. The moment he suggest:- "hey what if we do a lead here". Really impressed the band owner.
I am shy dude, i just ...i felt like a aimless little kid in comparision. As i saw the other dude doing suggestions and new ideas to the song, i was like.

"Yes, i am done."

So ya, at the end of the day, I failed.
I am kinda mad, because i know i had the set of skills for the job. And i often jam with friends so i am kind use to "live" playing.
But it seemed that it was my first time playing with people ever, that i'v never played with people before. (at least i was always in time with the songs )

Looking back to it. I see myself as a total amateur.
I would like to make a living of playing guitar, it doesn't have to be original music. Teaching, Freelancer etc...but goddamn, wasn't i outclassed. Especially mentally.

Is just. i am a late bloomer. I bought my guitar back the beginnig of 2010. And had no intention on going pro. The first 4 years of guitar player i barely practiced.
(10min of practice + 60 mins of watching youtube videos on how to practice + 120mins giving uping and playing video games)

Actually nothing in these past years satifested me and i wandered with no clue what to do with myself, which is kind bad seeing i am 23y/old already.

But 3 months ago, i was working in a warehouse 14h a day, 6 days a week. And i met a lot of nice and kwl people. People who had spent there whole life there. That warehouse was their universe and i realized i didn't want that life.

So i decided resume my education, to go for that Jazz School audition, and started grinding guitar every single awake hour. I'v been trying to catch up 2 years of 0 guitar improvements in 2 months. (I know the human body doesn't work like that)
But for the first time ever i am actually enjoying myself with the guitar. I often go to sleep excited for the next day to come so i can improve even more.
But alas, after some grinding i failed this simple audition...and can't help but to feel dissapointed with myself.

But i guess i can't get worse than what i am already am, only improving

Sorry about the long big text rant. I am just decompressing via text.

Anyways back to practicing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 14 2016, 12:57 PM

Hi mate!

Auditions are totally random and we shouldn't feel good or bad about them. Consider this a good first experience and treat auditions like a lottery. You never know what they are exactly looking for so do your thing and continue your own journey.

If you want to make a living from music, design your own plan. I think that it would be interesting if you can improve the lightening of your videos so they would look better and you could start sharing your takes also at Instagram or Youtube. I prefer Instagram because you can reach much more people easily. Don't worry about how good your vids are, start letting the world know about you while you become better.

This idea has lots of advantages:

- You'll keep practising.
- You'll keep getting better.
- You'll feel motivated to practice.
- You'll want to make your videos look and sound better, as well as your guitar tone.
- You'l start buidling your fanbase / music friendship.


Check out the evolution of this guitarist, from his first vid to the last one, now giving live clinics endorsed by Suhr!

https://www.youtube.com/user/Mautaus/videos


Keep the hard work!!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 19 2016, 11:03 AM

Hi Gab.

I saw your pm about the collab, but these past few days i ain't feeling much of inspiration.

Anyways lessons wise.

Yes, Mateus is awesome. Was checking his clinic in Korea. Expression and Dynamic wise i totally love it. And wish i could even begin to do 1/4 of it.

As you said on the Rec take i posted. Which i will certainly do a re-take.
"Dynamics (The original lesson has more dynamics that would have a good impact in your playing)"

Its a lot easier for me to practice a random alternate pick lvl 7 lesson, than a lvl 3 which require a lot of dynamics/articulation control.

For instance. i was pracitising Winter Tune Lesson and i completely butchered all the bends and vibratos. Especially at the end.

https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/wintertune-roughtake-guitar-practice

But regarless i will keep practising. Will update when i have decent stuff!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 20 2016, 01:35 AM

Yeah,

Most of us tend to dedicate more time to alternate picking and legato than other techniques which are much more expressive like dynamics, bending and vibrato. It doesn't seem to e the case of Mateus.

Just add it into your diary routine and you'll get better and better on it. I think that maybe Dynamics are underrated at GMC's lesson levelling.

Regarding the lesson, yeah, those bends and vibrato need work!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 20 2016, 05:55 AM

Hope you don't mind if I use this thread as a little "schedule guide" on what i have to work on.

So i can at organize myself more than anything else.

Lessons

Warm up:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/move_your_little_finger!/
Todd's Bootcamp

Cutting-Edges:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Vibrato-Odyssey/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/
"Need to search some cool Bending Lessons"

Theory:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-...jor-7th-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-...Minor-7-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-...inished-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-...inant-7-Chords/

Polishing:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Technique/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Winter-Tune/

New Lessons:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Fast-Progressive-Metal-Riffing/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Jimi-Hendrix-Rhythm-Style/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternative-Chord-Shapes-Visualization/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 20 2016, 03:06 PM

Sure! Feel free to use the thread for it!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 24 2016, 03:09 PM

Hey Gab, just a little video update.: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Altern...-Visualization/

Ps: my video software completely butchered the synch between audio and video, no clue why.

I am reading from the tab as I am playing, still have to memorize 100%.

And I am using pick instead of thumb, mainly because my fingers are all freezing. (So you will probably hear a higher attack rather than the soft one in diego's lesson)

Winter has finally arrived and my bones are still adjusting. Tbh, these past 4 days I've had 0 willpower to practise guitar, just wanted to stay in bed .

Anyways, i will probably post some updates sunday!




Edit: video starts 10 secs in.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 25 2016, 02:31 PM

Hi mate,

So we are at opposite sides, here comes the summer so I'm getting used to the hot days.

The lesson sounds good. I think that you can play it smoothly and that you are comfortable with the chords. It's important to analyse what you are playing, and slowly start creating your own variations of these ideas. That's the best way to incorporate more what you learn here.

Regarding the pick, it's ok, I don't think that it's a part important of the lesson which is based on the chord shapes.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 28 2016, 04:38 PM

I can't even begin to understand the concept of Christmas in Summer


Anyways, here is the "Sunday Report".
Haven't had the time to interwebz as of late. Also I can't record video atm (nothing i cannot fix), so I will upload audio files until the problem is solved.

About Mechanics

Lesson: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/
Practise Session
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/guitar-practise-sucking-at-legato-episode-1

Personal overview: I've never practised much legato to be honest, I have always had a "pick all notes" mentality. So yeh, you can hear the take is pretty regid still and the notes are pretty uneven.
Gotto grind more.

Lesson: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/move_your_little_finger!/
Practise Session
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/guitar-practise-episode-2-move-your-little-finger

Personal overview: There is still hiccups, there is still room to polishing.

About Diego's Lessons

This is what I understood from both lessons.

Let's take a Bb Major Scale: Bb (I) C (ii) D (iii) Eb (IV) F (V) G (vi) A(vii)
You can replace any degree expect the IV with a Dominant Version of the chord: Bb7 (I) C7 (ii) D7 (iii) Eb (IV) F7 (V) G7 (vi) A7(vii)

Then you can take the dominant substitution and put it through the substitution grinder again, but this time you apply the substitution based on the intervalic values.

Ex: Bb7 ( Bb, D, F, Ab) You can substitute with:
Bdim (flat 2nd of Bb)
Ddim (Major 3rd of Bb)
Fb7b5 (flat 5th of Bb)
Fdim (5th of Bb)
Abdim (minor 7th of Bb)

I swear this started with a bunch of drunken jazz man in a converstion of the kind:
Yo, man! what if substitute the substitution that substitute the substitution.
Ye, man!


And i've add a few chords to my vocabulary:

Like:
E||----------
B||--6------
G||--5------
D||--5------
A||----------
E||--6------

"I often use this shape to substitute my Major 7 chord, making it smoother, in order to let another musician to improvise on it with more freedom. "

So i am guessing that statement is right because the Bbsus2add13 lacks the 3rd? Therefore you can get way with Major and Minor shenanigans. Regardless that chord has been store in my playing for sure.


From Stephane's lesson

E||---8------
B||---6------
G||---9------
D||---7-------
A||----------
E||---------

This version of Major 7th its probably my favorite chord ever. I will probably use it in my playing more often than healthy recommendations
But having the F and E so close to each other, gives it such an awesome feel! I really really dig it.

About Questions

1º How do you practise Vibrato. Like do you bang the string until you hear something that sounds somehow pleasant? Or do you use a more "mechanical approach".

2º For instance take the situation

E||---10------
B||---13( B )-
G||-----------
D||-----------
A||-----------
E||----------

So you bend the 13 a whole step do get in unision with the 10. But what if you want to apply vibrato on the bended note?
Do you raise it sharp but keeping the note bended in unision with the 10 when executing vibrato?
or do you lower it and apply vibrato?


Anyways, sorry for long text and thank you for your time!


Edit:

Almost forgot you know over christmas night, I always play a few songs for the family.
And since we are working on chords and what not, I thought on doing something kinda special.

The godfather theme was the first thing I've learnt on guitar when I had a cheap acoustic with 3 strings . So I was thinking on doing some chord/melody kind arragment for it. I might post something this week! As soon I've cook up something.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 28 2016, 08:56 PM

Hi mate! Great stuff!

I can hear that you are not comfortable with the legato lesson yet. It definitely needs more practice and I think that some more legato lessons will be a good idea in the future. Even being a fan of AP, I think that legato can expand your guitar sound a lot so I would put some attention on it.

The other lesson (little finger one) sounds very good. I just hear some little issues in the last section and that will disappear with some more days of practice.

About the theory, I've done a quick check and everything seems to be right, however I'll get deeper later with my guitar to see if you are missing anything.

Regarding your vibrato question, I think that it's something very personal so there is not an approach for it, there are lots, one for each person. The best is to trust in our ear and heart when practising it, and off course play along with some of your favorite players to get ideas on how to use it over songs and backing tracks.

The double sop bend should be done as you've said, the the vibrato as a normal vibrato, up and down around the pitch played. Does it make sense?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 30 2016, 05:07 PM

Hi Gab, do you happen to have Guitar Pro 6? Or only 5.
Would like your opinion on something i am composing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 2 2016, 02:07 PM

Hi! I have Guitar Pro 5!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Dec 2 2016, 02:53 PM

Still need to create a bass line, add some subtle ambient things. And some druming.
You might wanna turn off the drums on the tracks, the current ones are just rough guide line sketches.

It is still a work in progress I think i might extend the idea around 56 bar, before the harmonic minor run.


Edit: Since we are at it, here's a demo of the main idea of a post-rock song i've been working on aswell.

https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/sky-quakes-demo-1idea

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 3 2016, 03:03 PM

Wou mate!! That's really interesting! I can't wait to hear the version with real guitars of that beautiful guitar pro track. And the post rock song is even more beautiful!! I think that I'll be a fan of your music. You definitely need to continue working on this songs and start your music journey using social networks!

About the guitar pro track, it's really curious but I hear some vibes from one of my favorite Argentinian composers, and one of the most important ever. His name is Astor Piazzolla, and you should check his music.


These are his most popular pieces:



and this album is also highly recommendable:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Dec 16 2016, 02:19 PM

Thanks, I will add Astor's work for my "daily walk". Usually do walks with my dog around town while listeing to new music.

Sorry about the low activity. But these past 2 week, I have had pretty much 0 motivation to do anything useful and been in bed with a cold.
Its always raining, I hate this weather.

I'will post some guitar updates when I return from the land of the dead

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 17 2016, 07:10 PM

hahah the land of the dead. Yeah, I don't like extreme weathers. Why can't we have always spring?

I hope that you find some motivation soon mate. Also, enjoy Astor Piazzolla!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 1 2017, 07:36 PM

Hi Gab! Hope 2017 fares you well!

Big post inc.

Man, just when I thought I could composed something decent Astor Piazzolla, comes along and puts me back in my baby crib.
There's some pretty intense moments. I think I'll probably need another 1000 listens, to fully graps all the stuff that's going on.

I've been listening to a lot of orchestral scores and similar music. Its something i really have a desire of learning abit about, especially since i've seen some livestreams of Misha (dude from Periphery) messing with orchestral libraries and what not, but alas. Its not in my priority list atm.

Since we are talking about, composer and composing. I hope you don't mind if i ramble a bit about my inspirations

I've always listen to a lot of stuff but my main "inspirations" usually come from opposite sides of the spectrum.
i am a huge fan of death/black metal stuff. Especially stuff who strays from the root/trational genre and add a lot of details from others.
For instanse i totally love stuff like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAyR_wS1kxY and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylTY9WbMGDc

I am a guitar player, guitar is my main instrument and I like guitar non-sense as much as the other guy. And i will probably add some noddle shreds to by song, when I am able. But I hate the idea of solo guitar being the driven force of a music piece.

It's really hard for me explain this idea. Because i kinda contradict my self all the time.

Like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RggRFyVUiZA, but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiTXGswyAls

As you might have guessed, Post-Rock music is a big factor in music.
And one of my biggest influences are actually two dudes from Japan, Kashiwa Daisuke and Katsuhiko Maeda. Especially Katushiko Meada and his project (World's end girlfriend)
As i've staded before, i love when people mix genres. and this was he does. A mix of Post-Rock/Classic/Electronic etc, etc.





This stuff for me it's the epitome of awesomeness, Wish i could compose something as cool.

As i said i love the pretty music aswell as the brvtal kvlt mvsik


So ye, I back to my feet! with guitar!


I've been working on a song. I got the inspiration from diablo 2, where you are on this grey'ish wasteland, full of hostility.
I really enjoy doing background ambient music.
I tried to use the Zelda approach, that being 4 chords through the song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy0aEj85ifY), Still working on it though, here just a quick midi demo.

https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/they-saw-swamps-midi-demo

been also working on my guitar chops once again.
I decided to take a variation of the 100 days sweep challenge, but do 100 days (2 hours/day) legato challenge .
After analyzing my playing, I have come to the conclusion that after spending so much time focusing on my picking hand, my left hand fell behind.
For real after the first practise session today, my overall playing felt much more at ease!

Here's a bit of day 0 (80bpms)



I also been woking on some of Diego's lesson, espcially the Hendrix one, but that i will post when i have something decent!

Anyways, sorry for the long wall of text and thank you for your time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 2 2017, 02:18 PM

Hi mate,I've really enjoyed your post. It's very inspirational and includes some nice music that I've never heard.

I can get what you say because it's what always happened to me. I can go from Jazz to Death Metal, and then go for some mainstream pop, to end the day with Explosions in the sky, haha.

I think that this is an advantage, not a problem, having an open mind is what makes us more creative and expands our mind and off course creations / compositions.

I'm sure that you even hear to more varied styles and bands, but I assume that this ones are the ones that touch you more. The good news are that I think that there is a strong connection among all those links that you shared. I think that those Death/Black Metal bands connect with Post Rock, and that "World's end girlfriend" combines everything! At the same time, all those modern players like Plini, Chon or Polyphia are related to post rock, orquestral so I can say that they are also related to World's and also to Fleshgod.

This means that I can see clearly how you can find your niche and own style easily, by making music that you enjoy listening without thinking too much in the exact genre. That's what the guy from World's end girlfriend does, and I think that's why you like it a lot.

So what I would do in your place is composing the more you can and group the ideas. You can create folders based on the "feel" of the ideas, or maybe the tempo / tonalities, to then get back to then, and combine them when it's possible. Don't limit yourself, record and produce everything that comes to mind. Then, after some months of production, you can select the cooler stuff and work on it (record, mix, mastering, production).

At the same time, some song analysis is always welcome. Analyse the chord progressions, the song structures, and how the songs are arranged and you'll get more concepts and ideas for your own music.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 2 2017, 10:26 PM

I am a firm believer there is good music in every gerne.
But I wasn't always like this.
There was a time when I used to be one of those folks who post stuff like, IRON MAIDEN IS MY RELIGION! It seems so silly looking back.
I remember back in 2011 hearing Periphery for the first time, and actually enjoying. But my brain would tell me! No! the singer, sings just like those in "false metal bands". So i followed my brain, and didn't listen. (Funny enough, he's one of my favorite vocalists rigth now)

It was such a brainwashed, childish mind set.

Anyways, record, mix, mastering, production.
I want to get better at this, but I dunno where to start! Everytime I try, i just get this kind of overwhelmed feel.
I am running a Poor's man setup atm.

-Guitar
-Digital Piano Fame Dp-680. It has a lot of sound banks (500 and some)
-A simple m-audio fast track (which i can plug, guitar or piano)
-Reaper as Daw
-Guitar Rig 5.2 for guitar tones.
-Superior Drummer 2, Got it from a friend, but have yet to go around and mess with it and config it into the DAW.

I have no problem, recording, but I have 0 knowledge of mixing, mastering and what not. I do not hope to get super high end quality, just enough to show it to my friends, or put it online without sounding like complety poop.

Do you have any advice where to start? Because this is really day 1, complety new ground to me.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 3 2017, 06:58 PM

Hi mate,

Great post!

I can guide you with recording, mixing and mastering. I would take two direction.

The first one would be learn the basics behind sound, audio, acoustics, and once you know the basics, you can get into the concepts used in mixing, like EQ, Compressors, Processes, Effects, etc. The more you know the basics, the better you'll be because you'll know what's happening in what you hear, and you'll know what you need to use in order to get what you are looking for. For this, I recommend using any well organised Sound and Recording book, and complement the info with Youtube or something else. You can make all the questions here too.

This one is recommended: https://mikethevideoguy.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/modern-recording-techniques-7th-ed-d-huber-r-runstein-focal-2010-ww.pdf

The second direction that can be started just a bit after you start to feel familiar with the basic concepts would be to do some Mixing courses (there are a lot free ones at Youtube), and also read articles from sites like this one: http://www.soundonsound.com/

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 3 2017, 11:20 PM

Thanks a lot! for real!

I will update, whenever I have new stuff!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2017, 01:46 PM

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 6 2017, 06:29 AM

Yo Gab!
Remember me telling you that I am going take the audition for a Music School this summer? Well its in seven months. And I am already feeling the knot in my stomach,

I have yet to think about the two songs that I am going to take, but from what I have gather they are Jazzy oriented school.
Which means, self-indulgent long ass jams everynow and then; Which I hate.

Regardless, i am thinking on getting my improvisation proficiency a bit better. So would you mind if i post improv of random backing tracks?
Like once a week or so.

I am thinking on doing a Raw take after listening to the backing tracks. And then a constructed take, after analysing the backing tracks. (Kinda working both Ear and Theory)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 6 2017, 02:28 PM

Hi mate, that sounds good! I think that it's a good plan to start. I recommend you to work on jazzy oriented backings, maybe you could start with some "neo soul" and "funk fusion" vamps.

I'll wait for your vids!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 22 2017, 01:22 AM

Hi Gab.

So yeh, i suck at it.
My brain kinda stops working and I completely lose sense of the chords movements on the background and of myself.
And then I get really sad and kinda .

Anyways I decided to try it anyways, with a simple Soul/Blues G Major backing track.
I just listened to with once and clicked record, completely oblivious of the chords.

Its pretty raw and amaturish. There is a quite a few mistakes. And nothing really that interesting. I just have 0 control over it

<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/303893923&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false"></iframe>

Ops copied the wrong link.
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/blues-soulish-jam-in-g-major-guitar-practise

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 22 2017, 03:39 AM

ps: the guitar might be slighty out of tune. I recorded that after a whole day of practise.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 22 2017, 09:22 PM

Hi mate, how is your approach to this solo? are you thinking on 1 scale? are you trying to follow chords?

The first thing that I would try over this one is to follow the chords with their thirds. Once you can do it all along the fretboard, you can do the same with fifths and roots. However you'll note that thirds sound great over the chords, so you can slowly connect these notes with notes from the scale.

Another thing that your phrasing is lacking is rhythm variations and silence. Experiment with this and listen to some great players to get inspiration.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 22 2017, 09:44 PM

I know the Major Scale, in several "boxes" through the neck, which I used for guiding. But I kinda ignore the chords...no going to lie.
I often kind try to make a little melody and go from there. I just not very experience.
I will follow your advices and try to rec another one.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 24 2017, 03:46 AM

Good. Start following the chords with thirds and tell me what happens.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 4 2017, 08:18 AM

Hi Gab!

Just to tell you that I am going to disappear for a while.
I got this job going and gonna try and save up some monies for the music school. Still gotto see if I sneak 2-3h days for guitar practise.
But dunno my full schedule yet.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2017, 04:29 PM

Ok mate thanks for notifying! Please keep me updated.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 8 2017, 12:07 PM

Hi news update/
It seems the job is pretty flexiable schedule wise, although it can pretty tough labor wise, for a skinny dude as me.

Guitar wise.

Remember me mentioning these lessons.

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Dominant-7-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Half-Diminished-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Major-7th-Chords/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Chord-Melody-Workout-Minor-7-Chords/


Well I have memorized the drop 3 and drop 2 inversion of the 7th chords (major/minor/domiant/m7b5) presented on the lessons.
Thing is. If you ask me to play inversion of a X Chord. I can do it, through out the neck.
But it feels like an exercise rather something musical. Even playing some basic diatonic progressions, feels just like practise rather than music.
Sorry if I make myself hard to understand, I can barely understand myself sometimes.
Guess what I want to know, is how would you approach the process of integrate it into your playing. Rather than; Look how many inversion I can do!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 8 2017, 12:55 PM

Well, the best that you could do now is to apply this to real music. How? I would start by working with some jazz standards since there you'll find many chords to work on.

Here is a list of songs that you could use to start:

Blue Bossa
Summertime
Milestones


Learn the main melody from them, and the chord progression. Start with root-position shapes to comp. Then comp with drop 2, then with drop 3. Listen! Experiment.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 8 2017, 06:19 PM

Blue Bossa

(http://www.swiss-jazz.ch/standards-jazz/BlueBossa.pdf)
3 flatted key = Eb major (Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb)

I actually started to analyze it has a Eb major tonality centered piece. Rookie mistake.

So I went with C Aeolian.
i-Cm7
ii-Dm7b5
III-EbM7
iv-Fm7
v-Gm7
VI-AbM7
VII-Eb7

So you start with Cm7 - Fm7 (I-IV) in the key of C Aeolian.
You can use C Aeolian over Cm7 and F Dorian over the Fm7.

Then you have Dm7b5 followed by G7 followed by a Cm7.
One thing I have learnt watching for is that: m7b5 - Domiant - minor 7 (=) Minor II-V- I

And following the C Aeolian. Dm7b5 is the II Cm7 I.
Gm7 is the V not G7. Which means we are going into the C harmonic minor realm.
I've seen some version which instead of a G7 we have like G7#5#9, and I "know" that we are suppost to use some kind of Altered Scale over it.
Stuff like Modes of Harmonic Minor/Melodic Minor, Altered scale, are still fairly unknown to me. I've heared the terms before and kind have a superficial understanding of it. But is something I still have yet to dwell in.

Regardless, I think over Dm7b5 we could use D locrian.
Over the simple G7, we could some kind of G phrygian dominant? (I am saying this out of intuition, since we have G phrygian out of Eb Major and since G is domiant, it would mean some kinda of Domiant Phrygian thing which I dunno )

Then you have Ebm7-Ab7-Dbmajor7, well E is minor in Eb but here we have Ebm, so after some research I went looking for the closest Domiant chord Ab7, which is the V in Dmajor and alas II-V-I in Dmajor for a few bars.

Edit: E dorian over Ebm7 A mixolydian over Ab7 and D Ionian over Dbmajor 7

Returning to Minor II-V-I in Cminor
And it ends in a II-V going back to the I Turnaround. (Not sure if I am using the proper terms)

Is this correct? This is kinda the 3rd Jazz starndard i've tried to analyze so far. And yes is quite easy and straight forward but it's a skill that I have yet to build experience and confidence on.

I will jam it for the next few days and upload it, using different drop voicings.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 9 2017, 02:39 PM

Hi mate, everything that you've explained here sounds good to me. When working over II - V - I, there are many possibilities, but the most common is to see everything as a major key when I is maj7, and when it's minor but with the V7, seeing it as a minor key and switching to harmonic minor over the V.

This thread can be a good guide: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=51072

as well as this series: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/search/jazz+notes/

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 11 2017, 09:21 PM

Damn so many lessons seems a bit overwhelming, but I wil tackle them slowly! Thx for the suggestions.

I am taking a few days off, my left arm needs some rest.
Accidentally stabbed my left hand palm with some hell sharp knife. The tissue is already scarring and I have full control off my hand. It seems it didn't hit deep enough. Lucky for me.

But the construction work plus I have been practising burst of 6 notes a beat at 140bpm. My whole arm really feels hella sore and a bit of pain. Specially night time, when I am trying to sleep.
Guess I will take this off time to keep studying the Circle of Fifths, been trying to memorize all the keys (sharps and flats) and knowning major and minor triads on the spot. Slowling working and I am getting there.

Will update in a few days.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 12 2017, 04:41 PM

Yeah, that can be a bit overwhelming. I recommend you to create a weekly routine.

You could have 4/5 section for the routine.

- Technique
- Repertoire
- Jazz Basics
- Vocabulary
- Transcription


And base everything on "Repertoire". In other words, you should choose 1 standard and try to apply the other areas to it. During the repertoire section, you could just learn it, learn the chords, learn the melody, play it in different octaves, etc.

In the Jazz Basics, the idea is that you work on chords, scales, arpeggios, so you can work on 1/2 concepts per week. For example, you can work on Drop 2 chords, and arpeggios, and apply it to the standard. In the vocabulary moment, you can work on those elements that are used by jazz masters to sound "jazzy", like approach notes, chromatic notes, walking bass, etc.

Finally during the transcription moment, you could search for great jazz guitarists playing and improvising over the standard that you are working. Learn by ear some parts / licks, write them down and analyse them. Incorporate the ideas into your own phrasing.

Regarding technique, detect your weak points and work on them. Create a exercises library where you can pick some exercises to work on the techniques needed every day.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 13 2017, 02:10 AM

Agreed!

I am actually quite happy with my technical progress since I started to go hardcore sessions back in November.
Right now my guitar practise, techincal wise, consists of:

Warm up:
Some classic chromatics. stretchs, left only hammer-ons. etc.
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Hand-Synch-II/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Beginner-Sweep-Picking/

Regular Session:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-6/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-5/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato_and_picking_intermediate/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Masters-of-Sweeping/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/legato-stamina/
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Legato-Workshop-1/

Pushing it up:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/paul-gilbert-style-lesson/

I am might not be able to play them all perfectly, but realistic speaking (if I keep the consistency ) I am hoping to do a take on the Muris's Gilbert lesson in a year, year and half.

Thing is More often than not, I start to practise at 10 AM and end up stopping at 16 pm....And i kind call it for the day.
I know..I know its not very efficient. Taking in consideration I am negleting other aspects of my playing.

I will take in consideration the points you suggested:

- Technique
- Repertoire
- Jazz Basics
- Vocabulary
- Transcription

And try and come up with a reasonable well rounded routine.

And I am sorry, I know I don't post much of my actual playing. It's mainly because my PC and my Practise Room are in two different houses actually. I can't have a pc around when i am trying to practise. Trust me, I get easily side tracked and end up doing nothing.


Anyways good news! got a gig for a local cover band. (kinda Deftone, Porcupine Tree, American Football, some portugues songs kind of theme) I don't really mind if we don't get to play live much. I am just excited, because I won't only be playing the guitar but keyboard aswell. Looking foward to fail miserably at rehearsals

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 14 2017, 12:52 AM

Hi mate! I can only find great stuff in your post. The current routine looks very promising, and if you adjust it with some of the extra topics that I've suggested it will be really wide and effective. Your plan is more focused on technique stuff, while all the other more theoretical side is very important too so don't miss it.


The cover band sounds also great! What songs are you going to play from those bands? I love many of them.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 16 2017, 04:06 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pitwR8jPd_M This one going to be quite the challenge to pull off I will be playing mainly the key on this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL4MGwlZuAc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRyh2cxJCp0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFvz1JQAPgQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIfKivOzpYw From our home country, you might understand what he is saying a bit, since both our languages are similar to a degree. Still will have to figure out this by ear.

To name a few.

Out of curiosity, since you well verse in the world of music books. Don't you know any cool one, for piano. I have no problem learning theory since well I can transpose what i've learnt on guitar to the piano. But techincal wise. Meh

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2017, 02:34 PM

Awesome songs! I hope to be able to see some vids of you playing it!

I don't have experience with piano books, I've just used some Conservaroty ones when being a student there. However, I think that there must be a lot of stuff. You could search on Muscians Institute catalog, since their books are always really good and friendly.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 20 2017, 04:29 PM

I have the best of luck..
2 days ago my right hand thumb was on the wrong side of a sledgehammer.

Didn't break it! But it was hella bruised. And I still can't hold a pick.
Guess I may take another break to recover.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 22 2017, 01:25 PM

Oh! I'm sorry about it mate! how much time do you think you need? 1 week?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 14 2017, 07:30 PM

Hi Gab sorry for the lack of updates.
My pc kinda died and I lost everything I had on it.

Anyways, I've been working on the Standards you suggest.
Right now I am trying to memorize the arpeggios and used them on a melodic approach on II-V-I (Minor/Major)


The date of the audition draws near, and I've yet to pick and learn 2 pieces to bring. I can already feel the butterflies in my stomach

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 14 2017, 09:22 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the update. I'm sorry for the PC!

I can get what you feel. Practice, and try to enjoy it!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 1 2017, 07:17 PM

Hi Gab. Unfortunaly what started as a flu, it developed into a minor respiratory infection.
Today was the first day, in the past 2 weeks, that i picked up the guitar. Been with fever the whole time and energies hitting low.
I am recovering though.

I also been watching a lot of videos in Jazz theory. And doing diagrams for upper extension of chords (9,11,13..etc) and sus 2/4
Still have to find some strenght in my fingers to practise it though.

I do have a question, will try my best to explain.
Sorry if its too confusing. (I kinda think I know the answer but i am not sure).
How would you imply a Modal mood (like lydian feel, or phrygian feel) but only playing chords or a chord progression. Without really having a lead melody to emphasize the characteristic notes of each mode?


Edit: I been trying to be more mindful while improvising. And practise a bit everyday I'v also bought a Ditto Looper which kinda helps.
More the phrasing rather than fancy runs approach, I am really trying hard to think of what intervals are being played. So I am taking it slow.
Here's a Dminor-Aminor Vamp
What do you think about it?



There is one more thing thats been rumbling in my mind for a while. And would like your thoughts or advice, seeing that you are wayyyyyyy more qualified on this field than me

I am thinking on making some cash with my guitar, meanwhile trying to improve on something I actually enjoy doing. Teaching.
And by cash, i don't mean like your minimum wage. At least not for now.
My main target would be people from the local (Junior/High) school. It has like 500-600 youngsters from 10-20 years old.
I still haven't plan marketing wise and no clue how am I going to attract people.

Another thing that's kind holding me back. Its my own skills. Or rather the confidence in my own skills.
I have a pretty strong grasp in Chords and the mechanics of Alt.Picking (even though i am no Paul Gilbert yet )
For instance I can't really sweep picking that much, even though I can probably teach the basic motions. (Resting Strokes, Muting. etc. etc).
I can probably teach someone, you know, Major Scales modes, Soloing with Arpeggios, Target Notes so on, and so on. Nothing to wow fancy.
I kinda have this idea deep in my mind, that every student will expect me to pull some amazing "Guthrie Govan" for lack of better word on the spot. Which instead they will most likely be receiving some high quality Lil wayne

Sorry for the long post. And thank you for your time .

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2017, 10:05 PM

Hi mate,

Nice to know that you are better now and back on guitar and other activities.

I was listening to your improvisation while reading your post and it was really enjoyable. It reminded me to some Buckethead music! I think that it's really nice to make music while learning and practicing and that's what you've been doing here. Keep on this direction.

About modal chord progressions, the trick is similar to what you'd do when creating melodies. You need to identify the characteristic note of the mode in the chords, and also the characteristic chords and chord movements, in order to get the feel of the mode. It's not an easy job at first, and a good way to do it is by searching for some modal progressions and analyze them.

There is some material that I'd like to recommend regarding this topic:



and this one:

https://www.facebook.com/voicingmodes/


Finally, regarding teaching, go for it! You are ready to teach a lot of people and you'll get surprised of how much you already know. Create a well organized program with some of the most important concepts and adapt the program to each students tastes and necessities. If there is a student that comes that is at your current level or higher, tell him what you feel and recommend another more advanced teacher.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 3 2017, 02:42 PM

I love Buckethead! In my highschool years my playlist was 60% Buckethead. From his more mellow stuff to the more avant-garde nonsense.



Stuff like this really speaks to me when it comes to guitar driven music. If I were to improv in the spot in a band environment I would probably sound similar to riffs/melodies/chords of such

And even though I don't listen to his work with the same regularity, I honestly think that my subconscious goes and pick a lot of stuff from is mellow side without me really being aware of.

-

Man I was watching Frank Gambale's video and one thing he said really rang some bells.
I remember when I used to have 1-on-1 lessons (1 year of my playing) and my teacher basically gave me diagrams of various boxes of the major scale and said something between the lines of.
-"This shape is Dorian, This one Lydian." So on, so on. And as I played the shapes down and up the neck without any chord context behind it they all sounded the same to me. Hence I created that "Modes are Hard philosophy".
It literally took me 7 years to finally stop thinking of it as an Hard thing that bites, once I understood a bit more of theory.

Anyways thanks for the video, I will most certainly watching a couple of times and try to get all I can.

-


Regarding the giving lessons idea. Think I am really going foward with it.
My dad is helping with any legal stuff I might need to be aware of. Plus I have a free room in his workshop that I am free to use, which means I won't have to worry with rent or noise complaints. (And if someone want his/her PC fix he gets a few profits, its a win-win )
And a friend of mine who has a lot of gear even offered to lend me a small Vox amp!

So yah gonna get my paycheck from the labor days and print some flyers and spread around town. Also gonna set up a Facebook page and hope I get some calls. I would be happy just getting 1 student.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 6 2017, 12:16 AM

Hi mate!

I always enjoy listening to Buckethead's albums. I randomly listen to any of his albums, and I even use to improvise over them.

About the modes thing. Yes, it's much easier to get the feel if you have a chord or root sounding in the backing. However, once you get experience with the modes, you'll be able to get the feel of the modes even by playing a melody along.

I'd like to share another video about modes:




Joe is a killer teacher.


Regarding giving lessons... go for it!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 7 2017, 07:27 PM

Awesome lesson. I really enjoying watching Joe teaching.

I think I have a strong grasp theoretical wise of modes.
I was re-watching Marty Friedman's Melodic Control.
And he said something that really enlightenment me

"The more knowledge that you have, the more control you going to have. Therefore the more aggressive you can play and you can play the notes like you mean it."

I think that's exactly what I need to focus on.
Just looping a few chords, find how the notes react. Internalize their sound and make it my own.
Its probably gonna take a few years. And probably another life time to master it.

But at least I have a concrete path.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 8 2017, 05:18 PM

That's what makes music so exciting. It's infinite. It's a never ending path.

However, it's really useful to have a clear direction in order to keep focus on the elements that we want to master in order to be able to say what we want to say with music. Don't forget that music is a language, and we learn the concepts in order to say something...

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 12 2017, 08:22 PM

Well spoken!

On other hand I finally decided one of pieces for the audition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01gzVYDV5B8
Though I think its quite a bold choice and I will probably trip myself more than anything.
Here's day 2 of practise still trying to play the intro at 75% speed wise.



To be honest I have no idea how am going to pull off that lick 1:22.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 14 2017, 05:47 AM

Nice! You've already learnt the intro jazzy jam. It's not an easy job to play that part of the song smooth. There are only some issues in the last licks, the other parts sound good.

I love this song, and this album by Guthrie.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 21 2017, 10:35 AM

Been struggling with improvisation this past few days as well. Getting a bit frustrated from time to time, not going to lie.
I am trying to follow your advice and hit target notes like 3rd 5th..etc. And it kinda works..but I fail to do something, anything interesting imo. It just sounds pretty boring and mundane.

Here's a bit of my struggle over an A minor.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 21 2017, 02:01 PM

Hi mate, I can say that the backing is so quiet and stable. I would get bored soon too of it!

When inspiration is not coming, it's good to hear to the masters... please share here a guitar improvisation that you think is amazing.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 21 2017, 02:16 PM

True, but well in that particular video I was just trying to check for spots over Minor chord.
The boring part. Well it more of an overall feeling regarding a lot of aspects of my playing. Improvising being the more predominate one.

For instance. I really like stuff like this.

The whole video contains more awesome examples, that's just one them.

I don't know how to explain..Its like whenever I try to improvise, I tense up and forget to breathe normally and my brain stops working.

Its like when you are a kid and have a presentation to do in front of the whole class, you know everything you are suppose to say, but when the moment comes you tense up and all you can do is stuttering.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 21 2017, 04:09 PM

Yes, I can get what you mean. That's a beautiful solo by Marty. The backing has much more movement than the one that you were using. Do you think that it's possible for you to learn those chords by ear and record that backing that Marty is using by your own?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 22 2017, 03:03 AM

Will give it a shot!
I have work this weekend, will probably post it at the beginning of the next week.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 22 2017, 05:06 PM

Great!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 25 2017, 12:43 PM

Here's another update on Wonderful Slippery Thing.

Learnt the Chorus + the Riff before the nasty tapping lick. Learnt it, but still have to memorize it


Here one take at 60 bpm (original is about 98bpm), The guitar might be slightly out of tune, since i've been doing some crazy bends before recording. Sorry about that



Here's a big fail trying to play it at 80 bpm.
Once it hits the 1 min mark it goes completely downhill.



On this last one I am trying to get down the basic mechanics of the major 7 tapping arpeggios lick that he uses.
Still a realllyyyy long way to go.




Still have 2 more months to learn this...hopefully I can pull it off

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 26 2017, 09:39 PM

Man! It's awesome to see how focused you are with this song. You'll take your playing to a whole new level by continuing practising this one until you master it. It's a killer song, full of amazing phrases and tricky passages. You are working on the right way, you just need time, and keep trying to economise movements.

2 months? How much practice per day?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 27 2017, 01:38 AM

Well until the end of this week 0 hours...my labor work starts at 10 am and ends at 1 am.
I am fully drained both physical and mentally So ye until Monday I will be full zombie. Which means I won't be able to post on the threads that are going on the Practice room (Creative Workout and And Technique For All...) for a bit.

Then I'll probably have around 6-10 hours to spend on guitar.
I also got the cash to start making a bunch of flyers, so I can advertising my interest in teaching, plus building supplies for the studio I am trying to make.

So ye in conclusion after Monday I will probably go 24-hour of guitar for a while

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 28 2017, 01:45 PM

Wou! That sounds good! I think that it would be awesome if you can film yourself every day, at least for a while to have your progress on a same video and then share it with us. It can be very inspiring, and also a good way to promote yourself as guitarist.

What do you think?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 29 2017, 11:45 AM

You know I wouldnt mind starting this kind of Vlogs, but oriented to guitar practice on the YouTube. Just more of a personal journal of shorts more than anything else.

Unfortunately the present quality is quite the potato of the 1900 (which I will keep posting).
Still have to fix my interface, he usb receiver on it kinda got loose and whenever I plug it in, well.. it blue screens my PC. Would probably need some decent camera and lighting down the road.

My current budget will probably be in the flyers and got to see if I can find a cheap amp, 2nd hand most likely (Ex: micro-cube, etc,etc) for the 1-on-1 lessons.

I going to take this weekend to restore my bones! Will post new videos here next week! Regarding the Improve Jam and WST practice.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 29 2017, 06:43 PM

Ok mate, looking forward your vids.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 3 2017, 07:48 PM

The struggling is real! Thats 30 bpm (original at 98)
One of the main issues is that I don't own a 24 frets, so I have to bend up the 22 and hold it a bit. Thing is my ring hand's middle finger has no callus so is a bit painful and there is some issues muting the string above as well...still gotto practice more.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 3 2017, 11:22 PM

That lick is a nightmare! Be patient, practice hard, and try to economise your movements.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 8 2017, 05:49 PM

I finally decided the final piece for the audition. My favorite things.
Its probably one of my favorite standards Been trying to fiddle with it, got the chords and melody down. So I've been trying to come up with a kinda chord melody arrangement....but I am feeling so uninspired lately, can't come up with anything that I can be proud of.

So I decided to learn this version by Akihiro Tanaka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVYZUDtarAA
It's less Jazzy crazy oriented and more pleasant to the ear for a regular person, I would say. Nevertheless I really like it.

What do you think is a wise choice for the situation? Or should I look for something else.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 9 2017, 03:57 PM

Hi mate, I think that the choice is good since you love the standard, and going for a nice sounding version against a complex jazzy one sounds reasonable and is what I would pick too. Go for it!

I'm checking other arrangements from that guy, really cool stuff.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 15 2017, 12:02 PM

Ye I've decided to go with the arrangement, but I think i might mess around it with, add a few there, maybe do something different here, maybe a more electric guitar oriented solo. Gotto sit down a work on it.

The WST, well I have learnt the whole song and can play everything 80% comfortable at around 82 bpm so far (98 being the goal)
Expect of course the dreadful lick!

Here are a few videos from today session. (Sorry about the dreadful sound quality once again, I am yet to fix my interface)




Regardless if I can or can not pull it perfectly at the audition, I am already extremely happy with it! Believe or not but I tried to learnt this song back in November of 2016 and couldn't even play the intro at 30% of the original speed.

That being said, I am not going to lie. I am pretty stressed with the deadline. Whenever I go to bed, I spent at least 10 min like I am going to die... i am so dead.



Anyways back to practice!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 15 2017, 02:58 PM

Hey mate! You'll never regret all this hard work. Your playing will be affected forever thanks to this intensive training. It's good to have deadlines and the audition, but it's not the most relevant thing. Never forget the reason why you play guitar.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 17 2017, 11:08 AM

Right!
Here an almost full play through..still need to learn just a few bars at the end, no biggy. and the tapping lick.




The bends and vibrato might be a bit meh! But not only do I suck at them, my left hand it's kinda tired to do them. Yesterday I could barely do and half-step bend. And there is a few missed notes.


Do you happen to see any major issue? That might pass my more forgiven eyes.

And here's a session on the very last tapping lick.

The hardest part on this one, tbh, its the lack of easy access on my SG. But nothing I can't pull it off with practice.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 18 2017, 03:46 PM

Hi mate!

The song is progressing really well. It's a very difficult song and I can see that you already remember each lick and phrase. That's not a small thing. The things to improve now are related to expressing details. I would put some effort in fixing bending, improving vibrato, and focusing on tone and dynamics. This can be even more important than playing the song exactly as it's in the record. You can even make YOUR version and it will be great if you connect with more with those notes and phrases.

What do you think?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 22 2017, 06:03 PM

100% With you!
To be honest with you, I am kinda burnout, I think I may take a week off from Wonderful Slippery Thing. Regardless if I have it or no for the audition. It really doesn't matter.
After talking with some friends and what not. They suggested just be you and bring your own stuff, no point in over stressing. And I think I might just do that.


Actually I would like to focus on Bend and Vibrato for a bit. If there is a player that leaves in awe every time, when it comes to such playing. Is Marty Friedman!

So I decided to tackle Tornado of Soul' solo.
I am playing at 50% of the speed, really trying to focus on vibrato and bending more than anything.
What do you think about it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 23 2017, 02:29 PM

Nice! I'm with you! This is a perfect solo. Go for it.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 2 2017, 11:32 AM

Hi Gab!
Haven't really practice much guitar as of late tbh. Been focusing a bit more in composing!



What you think! It's still a very young idea.


Update:

Decided to try and merge the idea from the creative workout.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 2 2017, 02:12 PM

Hi mate, this sounds promising. I would like to hear this with a better sound in order to get details and see if the overall structure works and keeps my attention. I think that the different parts sound good, but all the intro seems to be long in this video. That's why I would like to hear this one with a better tone, maybe recording it directly by line using an amp emulation. Is it possible?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 2 2017, 02:15 PM

I have to fix my interface. the USB port got loose from the main board, which makes my PC blue screen into oblivion. Need to solder it.
I will try once I have it fix.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 3 2017, 03:08 AM

Great! I'm really curious to hear the new version. It would be good if you dedicate some time to create a cool tone, with a wise use of reverb and delay. Check out some ambient guitarist for ideas..

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 6 2017, 03:50 PM

Yeh, I usually compose guitar only and add the other instruments after wards. Still gotto think!

Anyways! Tomorrow going to Lisbon, to the music school. My stomach is a complete storm.
I really feel very intimated with the whole scenery of fully schooled jazz cats. But oh well. I am there to learn no to impress.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2017, 09:33 PM

Wou! All the best my friend! Enjoy it. You are there to learn, and to express yourself through music not to impress.

I wish you have a great time.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 16 2017, 04:55 AM

Thanks!
They actually share the building with an orchestral school, so you have people from a wide range of age studying there.

The course I am trying to get in, consists on 6hours a week (3 hours per day) for 4 years of Theory/Ear, Technique, and playing with other learning musicians and in the final 2 years, it switchs from class oriented classes to 1 on 1.
They also have relationship with international school, in England, Ireland, New York, and probably more but I can't recall or name them, if I choose to pursue an higher education music high.

I've sent the sign in documentations a few days ago. Still waiting for they to set a date for the audition, but it should be around the start of July.
Tbh I don't feel ready at all! But I think at this point I'll never will. So I might as well do it.

So far my biggest obstacle is transportation, getting from point A to B . Lived my whole life in a kinda rural area midsize town. Moving around in a big city, looks completely hellish thing to do. I will be coming and going in the same day, so got to figure out trains, buses and what not.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 16 2017, 02:35 PM

Hi mate, great stuff!

I think that all these things can bring great experiences into your life. Sharing your life with other musicians, learning from top level teachers, being in a music school environment, and experiencing the big city.... that's life my friend!

I think that the school project is a great idea, and the fact that you don't have to go every day will allow you to work on your own musical career while studying.

When are you moving to the city?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 5 2017, 01:28 PM

Oh man! Oh man!

So had the audition today, and for some reason I was really really nervous, not even while live playing I get this level.
I forgot how to play guitar or what a guitar was
The instructor told me to play a Dmaj7 and I played a Emaj7.... I couldn't control the shaking on my left hand so original song I brought was kinda butcher.

But alas I survived, I start studying this September, at least the first years I will be staying in my home town and travel using public transports.
Which I will try and move with the plan of teaching guitar lessons in my town, and try to pay the school monthly feed with the incoming I get with teaching.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 5 2017, 02:27 PM

Yeahhh! Congrats on getting into the music school mate!! I think that the plan is perfect! Paying your studies giving classes. Sounds great!

I'm happy for you mate.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 12 2017, 02:16 PM

Thanks!

Actually the audition hit me pretty hard! I always get depressed when I perform badly.
Took me 5 days to take the guitar out of the bag. oh well

This was the song that got me out of the sad state of mind.


Back in November I could barely hit the 70 bpm. Now I can hit 130 bpm, still need to clean the edges though. But it was quite a boost mentally for me!

Also began to work in this one.


That tiny sweep part is hard as hell for me. Maybe the hardest part of the song. Not very used to play with the technique.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2017, 05:13 PM

Hi mate, nice to see you back to guitar!

These two songs are like technique masterclasses. You could isolate the tricky parts and work on them as exercises, and off course combine the work with some GMC exercises. If you are not used to Sweep Picking, I recommend this stuff:

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43083
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43281
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/search/sweep+picking/

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 12 2017, 05:21 PM

When it comes to shredy nonsense I really like Gilbert/Buckethead style of shred.
I don't know how to explain, but in my head it kinda feels more of rhythmic thing rather than melodic/solo.

So I have set to myself to REC Muris's Gilbert lessons. It still gonna take a while. Realistic speaking maybe a year or so.

Sweeping wise, my main problem is doing ascending sweeps (mainly the right hand ascending motion) and sweeps that involve barred notes, but it's all a question of practice.
Thanks for the links I will tackle with it.~

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2017, 05:55 PM

For sweeping the secret is repetition, over metronome, at a tempo that you can keep it sounding clean, and trying to make the right hand sweep natural, as the name says "a sweep", and unique up and down motion.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 13 2017, 01:03 PM

So I tried some of the exercises from https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=43083
Here is the result so far.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 13 2017, 04:30 PM

Hi mate, there is some kind of circular motion that I recommend doing with your right hand. I've seen it in many guitarists when I was a teenager and I realized that it helped to make the movement smoother. Check out Yngwie's right hand:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 14 2017, 04:13 PM

I feel like that circular motion was one of the missing links. After trying for a bit, it kinda feels more natural switching from descending and ascending motion with the right hand. Alas, I still need a tons of practicing. Regardless thanks for showing it. It was really helpful!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 15 2017, 05:11 PM

Here's day 2 of sweep picking.





I still gotto keep in mind the circular motion, otherwise my brain defaults my picking hand to regular vertical motion.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 16 2017, 12:32 PM

Sweep picking 3!
Was having one of those days where every thing sounded bad, so yeh was a short 2 hours practice session.





There's is still some issues with muting and again the circular motion it is still something that doesn't come natural as I still default to the initial vertical motion. But I think nothing I can not fix

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 16 2017, 09:17 PM

Hi mate, that looks much better now!! This is definitely the direction. Now you just need more diary practice. Please keep on the hard work and the regular posts here.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 18 2017, 04:04 PM

I will do.
I might record over several days and post it as a compilation, rather than spamming!
Also this has opened a lot of new doors. For some reason after you told me about the circular montion, my brain said Eureka
So thank you so very much.

Also began to work out on the things I initial said a few months ago. Some Chon-Style licks, songs (Fluffy and Perfect Pillow) mainly the parts where it requires sweep and legato and switching quickly and smoothly between chord voicings.
Still a toon of work, but at this rate I can see myself pretty satisfied techquine wise in 2-3 years from now.


A little bit off topic, I was actually inspired by your Justin Bieber lesson to work on something I've been wanting to do for agessss now.

To be honest, I don't think I can pull it off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4GcwaWt7jw Stuff like this is mega nostalgic to me and always makes me go back to my early teen years and what not. So I would like to work on an solo guitar arragement similar to what Mateus does with pop songs.

I am not sure how to handle this. I get the basics:
-Learning the melody
-Learning chord progression.

But I am having a tough time, making it interessing it or worth to some one else's ears.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 18 2017, 04:44 PM

Hi mate, great to know again that the circular tip has been a mind opener! That's the good thing about being guided by a mentor, you save a lot of time with these details that are essential.

About the arrangement. As everything, it's a matter of practice. You don't have to force yourself to create the best arrangement ever. You need to do a lot of this until you'll start feeling that your work is at the level of your heroes. Practice applies for everything, check out this thread: https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=58378&pid=750129&st=0&#entry750129

You are on the right track with those two elements. Melody and chord progression. In order to make this interesting you'll want to get into drop 2 and 3 shapes, as well as triads and inversions. Also, trying different rhythms is the key. Listen to a lot of this stuff an analize how guys as Asato, and others re-arrange the pieces. What things they change, and what things they keep.

This guys is doing creative things with harmonics and slap:



and Todd is a monster:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 18 2017, 05:12 PM

Ye that's the stuff! I am thinking on working on a repertoire (1-2 hours), just in case I have to grab a guitar and entertain a crowd.
Guess I will fiddle with the song this week and post something for you to judge.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 19 2017, 03:16 PM

That sounds great!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 19 2017, 05:19 PM

Day 6 of sweeps

I tried to turn up the speed a bit, just to try and get the feeling on my hands. (0:36). Far from perfect!
Still trying with the 3 strings sweeps for now, have yet to tackle with barred versions.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 20 2017, 01:56 PM

Wou man!! This is evolving really quickly!!! As you could experiment in the second half of the video, there is a moment in which this technique can go really fast and sounds like "magic". The moment is very natural and we are able to do it really fast, the key is to be able to connect both hands, and it's happening here. Well done friend!!

One more tip that I would give based on my own experience. Start practicing 4, 5 and 6 strings sweeps. The more strings sweeps you practice, the easier the less string ones will feel. That's what happened to me.

The double voice is confusing but I strongly recommend this exercise:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 20 2017, 06:23 PM

Sounds like a plan! I will keep practicing.

Btw its official! Went to the music school today to finish all the papers.
Start the school 25 of September. My schedule goes something like.

Sunday: 11:30 - 13:30, I have Jazz History Class.

Monday: 10:30 - 11:30 Guitar Technique Class.
11:30 - 12:30 Theory/ Composition and Arrangement Class
12:30 - 13:30 Ear/Rhythm Class
14:00 - 15:30 Combo Class (Which is kinda Jam Class, where you play with other musicians)

In the first 2 years all classes are in a shared class room with other people. The last ones are 1-on-1

And that's it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 21 2017, 03:40 PM

That sounds very exciting!!!!! All the best friend.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 9 2017, 08:25 PM

Hi Gab.
Gonna be inactive for a while. working in a fruit farm for the next couple of weeks.
I think be able to pay the school's monthly feed for a whole year, with this summer work plus some of my savings!
Will probably post a video about the topics we were working on, somewhere around September

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 9 2017, 08:58 PM

Hi mate, thanks for notifying. I'll expect for that video! All the best my friend.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 13 2017, 02:02 PM

Got a day off

Managed to play guitar for the first time in week and half. My fingers and arms are full of tiny stabs from climb trees and what not, Its kinda hard for me to play atm. So super rusty.
Bending strings is impossible right now without feeling pain.

Alas I did some recording on 5 and 3 strings sweeps workout that I came up with.



Also began to practice ear training. Born in an age of tabs and guitar pros I neglected that aspect of music, technology is an wonderful thing but it does makes us lazy giving the opportunity.

For the longest time I wanted to practice it, but had no idea exactly how. So after a little while I stumble upon the idea of using reference points. Like a 5th is the first interval of the Star wars theme. 4th same thing but on that wedding song, so on and so on.

Resuming, I am getting pretty good in identifying 5ths and 4ths!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2017, 06:08 PM

Hi mate! Great to see that you are working hard! You'll see amazing results and you'll be very proud of having investing your time so wisely.

I like the fact that everything sound clean, clear and with good pitch on your video. It's very enjoyable. The workout is great, you should share this type of stuff with tabs at Insta or Youtube. It' would be really appreciated.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 13 2017, 07:56 PM

Ye! I am thinking on making a Facebook page to advertise my 1-on-1 lessons. And was thinking on posting among other things that I am planing, licks and so on.
About Insta, can you upload video from you computer or is it restricted from whatever phone with insta app you using?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 15 2017, 03:24 PM

From what I know, the only way to upload videos to insta is from your phone. However, I've tried an android emulator in the past that allowed me to share pictures. Do some research to see if there is something new for it.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 26 2017, 04:12 PM

So I've began working on that repertoire (chord melody style) that I've mentioned.

I've decided to started with something simple to practice my ear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXEnAuzjgKU

I've figure and isolated the melody:
https://youtu.be/1kwN5a5MxUE

But I am having a really hard time figuring out the backing chords
Do you have any advice on how to work out backing chords by ear? I really don't want to cheat my way looking at sheets so on, so on.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 27 2017, 01:24 AM

Nice choice! For backing chords, you need to identify one note per time. If you listen to the chord with close attention you'll be able to hear the notes or at least most of them. Try to hear them, and then find them in your guitar. This can be tricky at first, but it becomes easier with practice. Use your voice to imitate and identify the different notes (voices).

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 27 2017, 07:41 PM

Right! I will post it as soon as I have an update on it!,

Meanwhile I am off work, my hand's skin is all rigid due the work. It's going take a few days before I goes back to the normal, but still managed to put some practicing on sweep picking today.

Just 30 min.



My timing is a bit off on some parts, mainly because I am still not 100% comfortable with some of the shapes that I am playing there.
(The piece is a slow down part from Jason Becker's Altitudes)

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 28 2017, 06:40 PM

That's a beautiful piece! I can see that your movements are right for this, you just need repetition and diary practice to get used to this. The more you practice, the tighter and faster you'll be able to do it. It's very important to practice at a speed that you can keep everything clean and tight and increase tempo slowly and gradually.

This is going on the right track. Keep on the hard work.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 28 2017, 07:24 PM

Here's the first two chords of Midna's theme. I had to slow down via audiocity. But to be honest I think I am missing a note, not sure.
The first chord I think its a G minor then the second I am playing a AMaj7#4 I guess it would give the A chord a Lydian vibe. Again I am pretty sure I am missing a note. What do you think.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 29 2017, 02:18 PM

Hi mate, good job! Those chords are definitely a Minor and a Major based on Lydian mode. From what I can hear it seems that the second chord includes a Maj 6th instead of a #4, but both notes would work ok.

Keep going!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 9 2017, 02:01 AM

Hey Gab! How's it going.

Man, that video you shared on Modal Interchange. I can't fathom an explanation of the bigness of the explosion in my mind.
Not even joking, from months now I've been looking for a way to break from diatonic progression. Add some spice, some extra flavor.
And that video provided some much desired answers!

I can't play guitar atm, recovering from at injury at work. (nothing serious another 2 days of rest and I am ready to go). But managed to bake up a little idea/workout inspired on the ideas of modal interchange.
Nothing too exotic, quite simple. As I am just starting to tackle with the idea.

https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/slower-tempo-idea

Kinda wish I had like an 7 strings, mainly to some tasty bass notes

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 12 2017, 02:07 PM

Hey mate! I'm happy to know that the video had a great impact! Modal interchange is like magic for me. I'd like to recommend a book called "Voicing Modes". I think that you'll find a lot of inspiration on it: http://noeljohnston.com/voicingmodes.php




I like that idea that you've recorded, keep this stuff coming!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 24 2017, 03:18 PM

Yo, Gab/
I like the fact that he makes analogies with food and music

I am going to be absent for a while, going to leave to Lisbon today and will official start music school tomorrow.
Already figure out train's routes and what not. So that's less a worry. Still I am hella nervous.

I shall post update whenever I can.

Renato.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 25 2017, 12:09 AM

Hi mate! Yeah, the analogies with food and music are really cool. Give it a try when you find some time.

I wish you all the best with the music school, keep me updated!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 26 2017, 04:34 PM

So far I am enjoying it!
Although I had a revelation.
I have class that is history of jazz. given by this 84 y'old folk. He knows and I mean knowing every single Coltrane note by heart.
He even played with the old jazz cat legends. He's an amazing person to listen to.

YET, I often disagree with him. For you see he has kind of a elite jazz view of music. For instance, somewhere in his story. He often compares other genres of music to rubble. Like how he would let his kids listen to stuff like Ramones, but once he was at home, they would be prohibited to listen to such genres.
I like listening to jazz and I might even be able to play it, but I won't be and i don't want to be (pure) jazz musician and that's fine by me. That's the realization I had.


The other classes are actually me favorite part of the school.
At the ear training class, the teacher made us sing simple major scales and basic intervals. To me this is really really new territory, I am one of those guys who always had a mental block regarding singing, and it kinda feels good getting out of my comfortable zone and learning new stuff.

The guitar teacher is pretty awesome dude a swell. cool fact. He was actually mate with Jullian Lage in music school .

Regardless, I am really happy with the decision I've made to pursue this path.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 27 2017, 02:15 PM

You are living a dream man! I enjoyed every word that you've written here! You are surrounded by really talented and well prepared musicians. You'll never regret this desicion my friend. I'm happy for you.

I find that comments by your Jazz teacher funny. Don't worry too much about how close minded he can be, enjoy his knowledge and music world. Get into it, and then get our whenever you want. I always enjoy talking to people that is so obsessed with one style and that thinks that other styles are rubbish. There is a lot to learn from them too.

Julian Lage is from another planet, so being able to interact with someone who studied along with him must be priceless!

Enjoy and keep telling me these nice stories!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 3 2017, 06:39 PM

Man, my combo class is intimidated as hell. Everyone is like music conservatory graduated, or short
I am playing with two vocalists, one violinist, drummer, bassist and another guitar. I feel so little in comparison with them.

Had to learn a few tunes on the spot, which was kinda uncomfortable but manageable. Then had to improvise on the spot and my brain just forgot how to guitar. Meanwhile the other guitar player was a straight jazz man.

sigh, guess I will have to put twice as much work if I want to catch up to the others.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 4 2017, 02:13 PM

Those are very positive things mate!! The best way to become a better musician is by being surrounded by more advanced ones. Don't feel intimidated, feel happy, enjoy and learn! It's also cool to know that this motivates you to practice more at home.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 6 2017, 06:28 PM

This is what I had to solo over.



And failed miserably.....

So I've been trying really really really hard to think of the chords progression while solo'ing.
I looped the first 16 bars and here it is. But I am still struggling.



It sounds pretty badddd. Kinda robotic. Sound like I am just using arpeggios of every chord rather than soloing over the chords..
Still it's an improvement. Not to mention I kinda lost track of the backing in the last few secs.
Man this is hard, I suck at improv.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 7 2017, 06:35 PM

Meh gave it another try but lost myself completely after 0:49, especially when you change chord every bar. It's still tough for me to keep up.
No idea how to make something out of that CM7-cm6, probably should just play with the thirds.
and that fast part the end...wel rip.




Edit: Also doing some improvements in ear training. Been working on just Major scale intervals, in 100 questions I missed 5.
It's still not like I hear it and can name it. Usually take around 2-5 secs from me to get it, but I am putting 45-1h every day on just interval recognition.

The toughest part is when the intervals are played harmonically. I have a really hard time singing the lowest note.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 9 2017, 02:25 PM

Hi mate, cool update!

It's great to know that you are dedicating that time to ear training. It's the best way to invest your time as a musician so please keep going and you won't regret it.

About improvisation, yes, start with thirds. The best way to get familiar with that chord would be to practice the arpeggio all along the fretboard, both vertically and horizontally. What modes are you trying to play over both chords?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 13 2017, 07:24 PM

Another two added to the list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGZc2QEFm1A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGZc2QEFm1A

Not only improvisation is kind meh, but I am also kind of struggling doing rhythm. Interesting rhythms that's it.
For instance if you have a GMajor 7 from 2 bars. I would probably just play it with a bit of swing following the beat.
But then you have this kinda staccato where you focus on upbeats and switch between inversion in the same chord or do tiny fills and what not. A more piano comping approach.
Which I am lacking, mainly because I am not very familiar with it.

About improvisation, well I rarely think about scales and more of the arpeggios of the chords or the melody of the music, then I might add a few extra color. Maybe I will throw a major seventh in a minor chord and get that harmonic minor feels. etc, etc or a #4 over a major 7th chord.
Still, I just need to get familiar with this stuff and practice, practice...which can be a bit frustrating tbh. Today my practice was 0. Had one of those days where I was getting pissed at everything music related.

Kind getting a bit stressed trying not to suck or doing mistakes.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 14 2017, 05:37 PM

Great music! I like it, thanks for sharing. At first I thought that she was from Brazil, but she is from Portugal. Love those rhythms.

I think that maybe you'll find interesting this video, let me know what you think.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 1 2017, 07:06 PM

Sorry for the late update.

Jens as been my saving grace to be honest. I've learnt a lot of stuff from his youtube channel.
Usually my backing tracks tend to be a metronome and me looping chords into Ditto Looper.

Going to be honest here. I really dislike the current guitar classes I'vent learnt anything new and I really don't feel any kind of human connection with the teacher. The classes has 4 students, so I guess its hard to have that 1-on-1 connection, but still I feel like he has done this so much that he really doesn't care that much, even though he's a cool guy.

Right now working on trying to play with the 2 and 4 beats of the metronome. Which has kind helping a bit regarding comping.
But still have much to learn. I have exams in 2 weeks, so I will probably lock my self up and just practice.
Stuff like.
Justin's been another of my biggest help, trying to get around jazzy stuff.



Will keep you update on the results.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 3 2017, 02:18 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the update!

What are the things that you will be practicing these days? what's the exam about?

Yeah, Justin's lessons are great too.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 3 2017, 04:16 PM

Music wise for the combo class. I am working on the following songs:

- Song for my father;
- Caravan;
- All Blues
- All of Me;

Guitar Class:
- Doing Major scales in eighth note triplets, 16th notes.
- Going up the scale but using Triads.
- Also have to play a blues to a metronome. Isolating the chords, the arpeggios of the chords and the melody. I picked Bag's Groove its fairly simple, but I really like it.
- I have to improvise over a blues.

Theory Class.
- Interval and Chord recognition
- Melodic and Rhythmic Dictation.


Sigh tons of work.

My main goal is to be able to improvise, something like this.
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Jazz_Notes_14_Looking_For_The_Jazz_Sound_With_Chromaticism/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 5 2017, 09:11 PM

That's a perfect plan! It covers many important aspects, so you are definitely going on the right track.

Keep on the hard work!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 22 2017, 05:34 AM

Well.. hope you don't mind me blowing off steam.

I've learnt a lot in the school, but it's a double edge sword. I've made a lot of friends, but I don't really feel like I belong there.

The guitar oriented classes, well i don't know if I can really call it a class, seeing I have to most of the time i have to end up using youtube to actually understand what we spoke in class. Seeing as the teacher really doesn't gives us path to follow if we don't have a concrete question.

I actually feel a stronger student - teacher connection with you, and we are just trading messages in a forum, often with large period of no interaction. Than him, where we are taking the class in flesh. every week.

An example being the playing on 2 and 4 with the metronome, he never talked about it and simple told us we got play like that in the exam.
Even when I asked for help regarding jazz basic rhythms. He told me he couldn't really teach me and I had to listen. Which I agree! Don't get me wrong. I like the idea of one taking the initiative and search, but when I have no clue what to search for or what kind of questions I should be asking, it kind takes the double of time and double frustration. (Especially in my case, seeing I not coming from a Jazz background. Even in combo, sometimes I just get lost and **** things up and even though everyone is nice and patient, I can feel the bad vibes)

Alas, I butchered the exam. Although I've been starting to feel the 2 and 4 a lot more naturally as of late.

But goddamn, this week when I got home...I had no motivation what so ever to pick up the guitar, to learn music, or simply listening to any form of music and it's not the first time this happens. More often than not I've been haunted with thoughts of quit music altogether, seriously thinking that i am not cut for this.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 23 2017, 04:22 PM

Hi mate, I'm sorry of reading this.

I understand what you say. I've also went to music school and conservatory and had a similar feeling. The teacher, mostly the guitar teacher weren't committed enough. So I quited and continued my own journey, with private instructors, books, clinics and nowadays internet.

If I were you, I would give this some more time, since the structure that you have at a music school is great, and we are forced to study things that are important and that maybe we wouldn't study by our own.

However, you need to know that the school won't be enough, it will be a part of everything you need to do to become a well rounded musician.

I'm worried about the fact that the school is quitting motivation to make music. This is not a good thing. I would get back to those things that make you love playing music. Maybe some live video concerts, albums, going to see any guitarist or band live?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 25 2017, 09:04 AM

Ye, I used to wake up and be like, gonna practice today and usually i would feel pretty happy at the end of the day! Nowadays it feels more like, ye I have to go practice because I need a passing grade, not because I actually want to play the X standard with the X inversions. I look at the guitar and see homework rather than music.


Sigh. I dunno man.
Gonna give it some more time though but I can't really see any clear path forwards or backwards right now, kinda stuck in this state of mind.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 26 2017, 05:06 PM

Yeah, I understand. Maybe you don't like the fact that this becomes a must as it was the school. I hope that you find the way to follow it and enjoy it, because you won't regret all the things that you'll learn there.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Dec 27 2017, 07:52 PM

Hey Gab.
Just to let you know I am still alive. I got one of those fancy cellphones you kids have .
Which means I can finally post videos with somehow decent quality.

So here is a little one from today's practice session. Sorry still have to figure how to lose the vertical mode.

And plz don't mind my horrible voice, I am simply trying to to hit notes from E minor, from thought, still have an hard time hearing 2nd, 6th and 7th. I can recognize the intervals in a couple of seconds but if you ask me to sing them, that is a whole new question. Still get out of tune a lot.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 27 2017, 08:00 PM

Hi mate!

Great to find that you can provide videos easily, and also good to see you training your ear and vocals with intervals. This is a must done diary exercise. Your overall playing and improvisation (as well as composition) will be affected with this.

Great job!! Please keep me updated.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Dec 28 2017, 01:51 PM

I've been doing 100 questions for 4 days nows.
I am just keeping ascending intervals (but harmonic and melodic) in one octave, through random keys.

Some times If the interval is really high register...I kinda mess up major sevens and minor 2nds (as you can see in the img), another common mistake I often make, is if I mess up an interval I kinda lose my posture and derail the following ones. Have to stop for a bit and reset brain.


Also got sing this for my ear train class end semester exam.
From 1:22 till the end.


May god help me

Also been practicing transcribing solos. Here's what I got from Chet's solo on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zrSoHgAAWo


The hardest thing, is the timing of the phrases. I often tend to rush it. Still working on it though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 28 2017, 04:11 PM

Hi mate!! Everything is great on this new post!

All these things are great training for your musically. Singing that beautiful song, and playing that amazing solo are great moves my friend. I'm never been very into Chet's music, but this post inspired me to listen to him today. I'll have a Chet's week.

Is there any album that you'd recommend?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 1 2018, 06:30 PM

Oh, sorry didn't see your post, I guess


Would a good place as any. To be honest I like to listen to Chet's when I am trying to get some romantics/sweets licks
But its not someone I listen to very often.

Not going to lie, I am having a tough time finding some jazz musician that really speak to me.

Btw, been practicing improvisation and playing the changes, what do you think.


There isn't much fancy stuff going on...when it comes to improv I usually stick with simple melodies, because will i kinda suck at it. ~ Also I think a lot in arpeggios rather than scales, or at least I try to be aware of the root notes, from there I know where I can pick any interval. Still I am only comfortable in some small regions of the guitar neck.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 2 2018, 02:38 PM

Hi mate, thanks for the link!

I understand what you say about "not finding a jazz artist that talks to you". Maybe you won't, but it can happen with any more contemporary fusion musician. However, it's good to get familiar with the whole evolution of a genre that we are studying because it makes us undertand it better.

The improvisation vid is good! I can see you following the chords well. The best way to improve your phrasing is to continue practicing, experimenting with different rhythms, silence, and also listening and learning jazz heroes playing over the similar grooves and progressions. The main thing that this improv is lacking is a phrasing development. Get into this concept.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 2 2018, 07:05 PM

Could you give some examples of a good phrasing development in a improv invorment.

Kinda need a few doses of inspiration.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 4 2018, 02:33 PM

Sure!!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jan 19 2018, 11:53 PM

Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed all! I can pull lot any of the tracks you you shared dig it, but the only one I would put on repeat is Mateus one.

I was checking Scott Henderson's video and I really dig it, but would listen to it to probably steal a few licks rather than actually enjoy it for only music sake. tbh I've think I've grown a bit tired of it.

Wes Montegomery's one present one of the main issues that I found since I've started music school If it were only doublebass, drums and piano I would have enjoyed it way better. I just don't find the guitar in that environment very appealing (I am not saying its bad, It just doesn't do anything to me).

That being said honestly think when it comes to "jazzy" not jazz! guitar. My heart tends to move towards funk/neo-soul/math kind of vibe.
I think that's were I'll start investing and try apply it in school, even if just sneaky.

Edit: Damn been really diggin jazzy soul stuff, especially when they get a little fancy with the chords. Do you have any like suggestion for albums? It doesn't have to be guitar albums.
Man it's been a while since I felt this hype about guitar!


Been watching this.

To kinda get a grip on the overall standard progressions, my main goal for the next few months are probably gonna to be getting down the voices some how similar to the piano with the guitar (tbh I probably should learn some piano myself, for real not casually) and adding little lead fills like you often see Mateus using.
I am all pumped!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 22 2018, 02:57 PM

Hi mate, I can get what you are feeling. The reason why most guys that like funk, neo soul and math get into jazz is because that's were you'll find the roots of all. However, it's not a must if you don't enjoy it.

There are lots of guitarists exploring that stuff nowadays, mostly at instagram, but also at youtube. I think that you already know the most popular ones like Asato, the guy that plays at Zoology band, Chon, among many others.

This guy is awesome:



And I think that you'll find useful the vids of this guy:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 2 2018, 08:11 PM

Sorry for the low activity here. I have been mainly focus on composing stuff these past few days. Still trying to get the hang of program like a drum sketch, and what not. But I am quite happy. I wrote more stuff these last few days than the previous whole year.


Also thank you! Was watching the video you shared about arpeggios and busy people and I think I figured out a system for practicing them. This is probably take me like a year to get down all the standard major, minor, dominant and diminish.

Basically just an octave and try to make the most of it until it's ingrained in my DNA.



Like in the video I i tried to improvise something with head, body and feet. Using only an e minor loop and using only one octave.

Hm, do you think this is an effecient way, or am I being too extreme about it, taking it super slow and really small steps.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 5 2018, 12:48 AM

Hi mate, great to hear from you!

I'm glad to know that the "busy people" video has given you ideas on how to organise your practice. From what I can see in your video and imagine that you are doing, I feel that this is an effective approach. It would be great if you experiment with it for some days / weeks and then tell me the results that you get.

Regarding composition, that's great! how is it going? Are there any new tunes coming?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 6 2018, 08:59 PM

Managed to score a 15 on both combo and instrument class (from 0-20), I was really nervous like reallly you can't even begin to comprehend, I was actually thinking I would get a like 9 or 10...but I was quite surprised.

Got to score a 19,5 on the theory exam, although I had like to go make and do some scales to do some answers. Although the oral exam was quite...hmm bad! The nerves got me. I nailed the first exercise but then, I missed a couple my note my throat started to get really dry.... and I started to fail left and right sigh. Both Oral and Ear are mixed together, so I think the ear part is actually going to be my saving grace. Ugh but I am not hoping for a very impressive grade tbh.


About composition: Ye! Cael been helping me around with writing drums. I have mainly writing in guitar pro 6. Cuz well, the life of a poor college boy is kinda hitting me.
Already have 3 songs on the going. But alas have 5 new songs to learn for music school so I might have to postpone it a bit.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 7 2018, 03:15 PM

Hi mate,

Congrats on the exam! I can see that all these are great news and nice experiences. I'm glad to know that music keeps you very busy. Enjoy it, it's a very nice moment in your life and you'll remember it with happiness in the future.



Hi mate,

Congrats on the exam! I can see that all these are great news and nice experiences. I'm glad to know that music keeps you very busy. Enjoy it, it's a very nice moment in your life and you'll remember it with happiness in the future.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 4 2018, 06:09 PM

Hi Gab, little update.
A little less jazz related, I really wanna tackle since I have returned Muris's Paul Gilbert lessons.
So I have been practicing some basic Paul Gilbert shapes.
Here's a little snipe from today's session.


The metronome it's like at 130 bpm (technical difficulties tempo), I am slowly developing consistency but it's hard to keep a relaxed grip for to long at that tempo.
And don't even let me start talking about doing the same licks while inside picking, that's probably my main weakness regarding alt picking atm.

But hopefully by the end of the year I hope to be somehow able to try this monster https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/paul-gilbert-style-lesson/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2018, 05:36 PM

Great job mate!! This exercises always help! Check out Gilbert's intense rock clinic for some inspiration.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 5 2018, 07:17 PM

Ye, I've been watching it a lot. Also been practice scarified. I will post some videos of it when I am back home

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 5 2018, 11:03 PM

Cool!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 19 2018, 12:54 PM

Hi Gab, may I have your more experienced ears for a sec.
I am trying to figure out the intro chords. From this song.


I can hear the movement F G A Bb C.
Found the first chord to be a BbMajor 7. The next one, I am not sure but, ̶I̶ ̶t̶r̶i̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶s̶o̶u̶n̶d̶e̶d̶ ̶d̶e̶c̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶a̶ ̶F̶6̶, then a Gm9.
Again I am not sure but both Gm7 and Gm7b5 sounded ok, the later being more colorful imo, not sure if correct though. The last chord as far as my ears can tell is a Eb7(13).

Update: BbM7(6.x.7.7.6.x) Bb6(x.8.8.7.8.x) Gm9(x.10.8.10.10.x) I think its Gm7(x.10.12.10.11.x) and Eb7(13) (x.6.5.6.8.8) or (11.x.11.12.13.x) but I like more the first voicing.

What do u think.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 19 2018, 03:37 PM

Hi mate!

This is what I think it's sounding:


Bbmaj7 | Am7 -13 | Gm9 | Bb/F | Eb7(13) ||

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 20 2018, 10:32 AM

How do you approach figuring like chords. (Like normal triads Major Minor Dim its more or less easy for me)
I am having like an hard time when it isn't arpeggiated. Like hearing the lower note is more often than not a big issue to me.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 20 2018, 01:45 PM

I listen to one note at a time. It's possible to sing each of the notes from the chord, but it requires practice. In the same way that you can hear the bass, you should be able to identify higher notes on the chord, and then find them in your guitar. I build the chord with one note at a time. It's not a bad idea to make a loop with the chord that you are trying to identify.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 21 2018, 01:21 PM

Managed to sneak another 10 min today to work on the song.

Made it to 0:12 (at this rate next year we done)
So I was having issue figuring out the chord from 0:11-0:12. First i was like D minor, nam. Then I tried F major but still no.
Then I notice that the single note guitar line is playing G A D F, which out lines a G minor 9 (no third).
So I picked Gm7/Bb. The first inversion of Gm7, is that how you write it?

What do u think
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/ear-traning-chords

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 22 2018, 01:18 PM

Update:
Intro.
Bbmaj7 | Am7 -13 | Gm9 | Bb/F | Eb7(13) |
Dm (arpeggios)| Cmaj (arpeggios)| Dmaj7 |

A
Gm7/Bb or Gm9 | This next chord I figured out the notes Db G E. Which could be like Dbdim, or Bbdim7,...etc. Probably missing one note|
Am7 | Dm7 | x 6

A (With voice)
|%|%|%|%| x 2

B ( which I haven't worked out)

PS: the 2 chord on A which I dunno could also be a C7b2 but doing it as a Dbdim7 voicing.

Nonetheless I somehow feel like I am cheating , Like I am using like maths (Oh this note and this note so can be this chord or that one) rather than hearing and being able to tell, this is a Minor X chord.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 24 2018, 03:29 AM

Hehehe good job! I don't have my guitar here to check all those chords so I'll do it later. Even if this is not perfect, it's a killer training for your ear. This made me remember a Paul Gilbert video in which he tells that some little errors in what he learnt by year helped to develop his own style and ideas so maybe this could happen with you regarding this.

For this reason, I consider that it would be great to dedicate some time to play the chord progressions by your own, and see if you can build your own variations. Experiment, improvise, create, it's the most important part of this analysis.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Apr 27 2018, 02:33 PM

I think it's starting to get a little better. Still struggle a bit with ascending and inside picking. But it's getting into shape.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 27 2018, 04:20 PM

Awesome! Yes! This is getting better! Be sure to practice at a tempo in which you can keep both hands in sync most of the time. It's good to speed up tempo and feel uncomfortable for some minutes then get back to a more comfortable tempo. Don't practice too much at an un comfortable tempo because it can generate bad habits that will be tricky to fix.

Does it make sense?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 8 2018, 05:18 PM

Yeah that's more or less how I practice.
Think I am going to post pone it for a bit though, the finals exams are next door. Coming in a month and I can barely stand on my feet.
In the combo we are going to play. Blue skies, It don't mean a thing and Corcovado.
Plus will be bringing Misty to my guitar exam.

The theory exam gonna be writing scales, chords, inversions etc in sheet,. Probably the one that I am more comfortable on.

My ear focus exams going to be tough.
We got to recognize normal major minor sus Aug in all inversions.
Major7 minor7 dim7 dom7 half-dim. Minor Major 7 In the fundamental form. Normal intervals, modes of the major scale and figuring out time signatures (We were actually listening to some porcupine tree in class so we could get the hang of 7/4)
The hard part comes with the singing.
Got to sing a cheat backer solo, some lines over a blues progression. Some chords.... And the dreadful melodic dictation which I suck..

.. So ye I am probably lock in my room for a while.

I will try and record some videos from the combo exam to share here.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 9 2018, 03:42 PM

Hi mate, that sounds very good.

All those topics are amazing and will impact a lot in your overall musicality. I'm really curious to see some vids of you working on this. It can be even very useful for GMC community!

All the best, enjoy it.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 11 2018, 05:22 PM

Ye once I finish this first year. I will do a kind of essay post.
With everything I've learnt and experienced and how I practiced here in GMC.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos May 12 2018, 06:34 PM

Here's a little snipe. I am trying to memorize the chord progression of misty. (AABA song)

But I messed up the last A

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 14 2018, 03:41 PM

That sounds like a great plan!! Looking forward your essay post!


Nice to see you playing all those chords. Keep going!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 20 2018, 11:11 PM

Yo Gab! Wanna practice some improv.
Can you suggest me a backing track (any genre). And I will post a video within a week wit the results.

Want to make this something weekly, at least for this summer.


Also I've been writing that essay post from my experiences this past year.
Will probably take a few days for me gather and arrange all my thoughts.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 21 2018, 03:35 PM

Hi mate!! That's a good idea.

Let's start simple.

Tell me how you feel this backing:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 23 2018, 03:24 PM

Sound great! Will give some jamming over it today.
And post a video in the next couple of days.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 24 2018, 04:29 PM

Great!

I would also like to see you playing some licks over this 20 seconds backing for the collab:

https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=59341&pid=759991&st=0&#entry759991

What do you think? Is it possible?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 13 2018, 02:08 PM

Hey Gab as if right now I only have my guitar amp and smartphone to video record. It's kind of hard for me to record decently at the moment.

Anyways I swear nothing makes me wanna quit music more than trying to improvisate.

I am just not good.


Is like a vicious cycle
I don't train that much improv because I tend to get really frustrated, but I also get really frustrated because I suck at it.


Like I can sit down and slowly think note by note. That's how I got by on jazz school. I know it's kinda cheating... But man.. Sigh.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 14 2018, 06:17 AM

Man! You are not sucking at all!! There are cool phrases there and your playing is very good. I like the main motif here, and I also like the fast passage that you do in the second half. This is not sounding bad! Why do you say that?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 14 2018, 04:34 PM

Well, whenever I want to improvise over something. I ask myself hm..what would Guthrie do.
And then I get really sad with what I play

I don't know if this is a good thing. But more often than not, I just play a simple motif and repeat it, maybe with a slight variation.
This on in particular I wasn't feeling very inspired and was having a hard time playing licks that fit rhythmical with the backing track rather than playing straight quarter and 8 notes through out the whole thing.

Anyways shot me another backing track!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 14 2018, 04:48 PM

heheh ok, so let's do something interesting.... this is the new backing:




What do you say?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jul 14 2018, 05:36 PM

I see what you did there
Give me a few days.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 15 2018, 06:57 PM

hahaha

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Aug 16 2018, 03:12 AM

Yo Gab, sorry the lack of updates here.
I've been working in a restaurant for the past few weeks. It was quite and hectic experience, especially the first few days! I had no clue what I was doing.

Anyways I got the next 4 days free. wanna see if I unrust some chops and try to record something over the backing tracks.
Then will probably disappear for another while! Going grind the following three weeks in some local fruit farms. See if I can save up some monies to pay up school feeds and transportation and what not.

Cheers.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 16 2018, 04:16 PM

Hi mate!! Great to hear from you!!

Everything sounds great here! Please keep me updated and count with me every time you need it.

Cheers!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 17 2018, 04:17 PM

Yo Gab! I am done with my summer job. Finally managed to play guitar for the first time in 4 weeks.

But I want your opinion.
I've save up 300 euros = 350,65 USD dollars. Which leave me a good 515 euros (+-600 USD dollars) to pay up transportation passes and such for the rest of the year.

Now I dunno what to do with the money! I've been talking with my friends and maybe buying a telecaster kit and assemble a guitar, which seem a cool project and I REALLLY want to get my hands on a single coil guitar.
But I fear that the extra cost of fixing, buying tools, working on the fret board, buying decent hardware (even second hand), working on a finishing . etc etc. Might go a bit over the top of what I want to spend. Plus our lack of experience kind leaves things to be desired.

On other hand, I was thinking maybe investing in a like Focusrite Scarlett. Seeing as my old m-audio been dead for 2 years now.
And finally be more active on recording myself.

And lastly I was thinking on maybe investing in a laptop (which I can get in 2nd hand with pretty decent spects, like 8-16gb ram, i5-i7) to be, at least for now, and machine dedicated to DAW, VST's, Guitar pros, etc etc.

I am currently sharing a laptop with my brother, hence my hesitation on ordering a new laptop. The downside is that I don't have full time access to it. Once in a while my brothers takes the laptop to his friends's house for gaming and I am days without seeing. So if I want to record something I am kind screw. Plus is a gaming laptop. It can record guitar decently, It handles DAWs and some VSTs. (has around 8gb ram). But its full of crap from my brother which means I am very limited, emphasis on very, space wise.´

And if I investing in a Laptop.. I would probably run out of money to buy an interface.
At least for now.

What would you do in my situation

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 17 2018, 08:13 PM

Hi mate! Great to have news from you!

Based on the situation, the first thing that I would let for the future is the guitar. Then, I think that buying an interface without having your own laptop is neither a good idea. It's like buying the pick ups for a guitar that you don't own.

In Argentina we have a simple phrase, and very obvious that saying "primero lo primero", something like "first the first" .

I would go for the laptop without any doubt. There are many cheap options to record your guitar, for example, there is an Irig by Ikmultimedia that would do the job well. Even, you can use your onboard soundcard with asio4all driver at first.

So my answer is, go for the laptop!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 24 2018, 03:53 PM

Yo Gabriel.
School been keeping me busy as hell. I can barely keep all what I have to do organized.

I actually would want your opinion.
I have to learn this song:

I got the main melody down and I am trying to figure out the core chords.

So I went for the bass line and I got this pattern of.

GbMajor7 Eb-7 E-7 F-7 B7alt

I think the B7alt has a b13 but I am not sure it has a b9 or #9. I have tried them both, and they sound ok to my ears..

What do you think. Have I missed something

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 25 2018, 02:21 PM

Hi mate, I'm listening to the track and from what I hear, the order of some chords is wrong in your transcription and the last chord is flat. What do you think?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 25 2018, 02:31 PM

..I forgot to type b in B

Ye so the first chord I hear is the Bb7alt that falls into GbMaj7 (0:04)-(0:05)
Then it kind loops the Gbmajor 7 Fminor 7 Bbalt7
Using a chromatic run (Eb-7 E-7) to hit Fminor 7


Also our teacher want that I and the other guitar player to transcribe and do the sax and trumpet part.

So I am trying to figure out the trumpet by ear through crappy laptop speakers.. Kinda struggling a bit not going to lie.

Heres what I got so far.


Do you think if I kind of cheat a note or other there (working with the harmony) would be wrong to do.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 29 2018, 01:42 PM

Hi mate, that's a very cool song to transcribe! I think that the chords that you got are ok. The solo is also going well, I only hear some differences at 00:20 (the double stop/triad) and around 00:30. I think that it is ok if you have small variations that sound good with the backing chords but I'm not the one who will grade you so you should ask him.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 30 2018, 08:28 PM

Ye I've managed to polish it a little bit better it's slowly with a bit of frustration going somewhere, that hopefully doesn't suck at much.

Anyways. I wanna apolagize for the lack of consistente update on the things that I've asked for help. Like Chon style, Legato, Sweeps. Improvisation.

I've been working on all those things, whenver I find some space. I just have nothing to show for myself, Something that I am proud to show you yet!

Anyways thank you for your time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 1 2018, 08:10 PM

Hi mate! Don't worry about it! I hope to see more frequent updates and news from you here!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 4 2018, 12:26 AM

Ill try.

Btw, how do you approach muting with your right hand while doing legato?

I've been working on some legato chops. Mixing up the only right hand Rick Graham's style and some of Ben's lessons here at gmc.
I've managed to improve a bunch and I don't have any issues with tension, although I've noticed some unwanted noises, especially from the strings above the string that's beeing played.

This happens in particularly around B and G string. While I am doing ascending patterns.

So after doing some research I found out about resting strokes. Which made me realize that whenever I used a pick mix with legato I would pluck the string and move it away from the guitar rather than letting rest in the next string.

I found some sucess, but the angle which my right hand is resting often leaves the B exposed to ringing while I am on the High E string.

Which made me do some more search. I finally came across the way that Tom Quayle does it.
Rather than using a pick he plucks the string with his middle finger. A mix of Hybrid and legato, but only ascending. It actually helped me.
Making the finger pluck the High E string, makes my hand adjust so it hits that sweet spot that mutes the G string just about right.

I had (still am) to slow everything down like 150% to try and get the mechanic down. Still a mission in progress,

Just wondering how do you do it.
Cheers

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 4 2018, 05:20 PM

Hi mate!!

I use the palm of my right hand to mute the lower strings, and my left hand index finger tip to mute the closer above string as well as the higher strings (with the finger as a bare).

In many cases, I mute a bit the string that I'm playing (with my right hand palm) to get that Rick Graham / Nick Johnston effect.

Here are two improvs that include some legato:

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 7 2018, 06:44 PM

Ye I can see around 0:12 you rest the pick in the next string as you ascend unlike what I used to do.
I'll try and get some videos of legato trills whenever I go back home.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 9 2018, 03:11 PM

Good! Looking forward your vids!!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Feb 1 2019, 05:05 PM

Still planning on doing some legato vídeos.!
Been working hard, but i still feel like i can improve a little bit more on my own.
I want to impress the greatest Gabriel of course

I would like your point of view regarding composition.
My dilemma is everthing i do sounds like a budget version of my favorite bands. So i never finishing anything.
Like the riff in the file... I really like it but it sounds like poor mana chon.. Or every other mathish rock band.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 3 2019, 05:45 PM

Hi mate! Great to hear from you!!

I love your composition! I'm a Chon listener so I can notice the influence but I don't think that it's a problem or a bad thing.

Don't feel alone with your thoughts and feelings at this point. I know what you mean, and I'll give my suggestion based on my own experience.

Finish this idea by adding drums, bass, and giving the whole song structure. Work on a new song, no matter if it sound like your influences, and do the same, complete it with other instruments.

The more you do it, the more you'll train your composing / arranging skills, and you'll find your own style soon. Trust me!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 22 2019, 02:56 AM

´
I've been working on this. Managed to assemble a band. (2 guitars 1 bass drums and keyboard).
We are still in a composition phase though. But we are doing day jobs and atm is beeing kind a tricky to get everyone in a room.


That aside.
I finished another year at the music school and my conclusion;

I am a rusher
To be honest I dunno how to fix it. I've practicing a lot of sight reading, playing quarter notes at 40 bpm.
Some times I even have the click only in the first beat.

And I can hear when I am ahead, on the click, and lagging.
But the habbit of rushing is so ingrain in my subconscious that I think it's gonna take a while to re-program my brain.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2019, 05:43 PM

Hi mate! Great update!

I know that it can be tricky to have a band in a room nowadays, but the good side is that we have technology now. Using internet, and software can be very effective to work on the first steps of a project. Don't let the schedule issues affect the progress of your musical journey, keep going!

About rushing... well, this is a normal issue, try to breath with the beat while practising, relax, your practice should be like a meditation. It's very positive to discover the issue so you can focus on it, but trust me that you'll be fixing this soon, if you relax and connect your mind and body with groove.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Jun 24 2019, 04:53 AM

Ye...Unfortunaly I often struggle with a lot of stress and anxiety.
Sometimes I wonder if rushing is a byproduct of that state of mind rather than musical incompentence.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 24 2019, 03:46 PM

Yes, state of mind is as or more important than practice.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 13 2020, 06:54 PM

Hey Gab!
I would like your advice!

I have been tracking some guitar parts to a friend. And I often come with this issue.




I am a rusher especially with some of the riffs that are just quarter notes over 100 bpm click.
More often than not I get this tripping into the 1 rather than hitting in the beat feel.

I just dunno how to fix this? Do I just try to hit click and hit on the spot? It seems quite abstract to me.




Here's a good example of what i meant.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 14 2020, 12:49 AM

That's not dramatic, but it can be improved with practice over metronome. Have you ever tried practicing this?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 14 2020, 03:36 PM

Ye! I was multi tracking a slow doomish riff and i noticed a lot of loose feels between the tracks.
To be honest, Rushing is my biggest flaw in regards to music. I think it has to do with me being a really anxious person


I was watching that vídeo as you posted.
Gonna give it a go. I have 30 min of free time after my lunch at work, so might even practice with just claps.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 14 2020, 04:33 PM

hahaha I think that rushing is a very normal thing, not only related to anxious people.





I want to hear what happens!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 14 2020, 10:16 PM

Damn Gabriel! I just noticed I posted the same question about rushing in my last posts before this one completely forgot about it.

It just seems more obvious when I look at it in Reaper.

Gonna try and make it a constant part of my day!
Will tell you if I managed to break any barrier with this method!

Probably gonna take more than a week, more like a lifetime though

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2020, 04:19 PM

haha not a week, but much less than a lifetime! Try it 15/20 minutes every day and you'll see big results in 1 month.

Another timing exercise:
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/timing-exercise/

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 6 2021, 11:20 PM

Hey Gab!
I really lrush alot the "4 and" in particularly. I got to tell myself just to wait a bit longer, even though I feel I am going miss the beat I usually land right on it.

Still working on it.

Tbh haven't guitared that much as of late. Been doing stock reposition in our local supermarket, but it is usually a night job.
So been basically sleeping all day and work all night. kinda out of synch with life in general



Btw, I think might need your help, your opinion. I came up with this riff a few months agos, but I just dunno what do to with it.
Nothing I do as a follow pleases me.
Idk just kinda really lost atm.
If you got any suggestion, would really appreaciate it

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 7 2021, 05:23 PM

Hi mate!! Great to hear from you!

That musical idea is really promising! I really like it. Are you able to program drums and bass for this one?

The first thing that I would to is to have a drum groove and a bass line that goes well with this idea. Let me know if you can do it and I'll give you some idea on how to continue it.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 7 2021, 05:45 PM

Negative.
At moment I have both Reaper and Ableton (although I tend to go for reaper, which is easier for me to use)
All I know is how to set my guitar with bias on reaper.

PS: Cael actually taught me how to program drums with guitar pro a while ago, but I stopped using it for a time now

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 7 2021, 07:23 PM

https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/first2

I came up with this a while back, mainly going around Bbminor 7 and its first invesion.
But not quite sure if I am 100% happy with it

I e actually been thinking on orderting something like.
https://m.thomann.de/pt/fender_sq_affinity_p_bass_pj_owt_il.htm
to have a bass to record with. Not sure how good the idea is though.

And maybe a midi keyboard in the future

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 8 2021, 05:18 PM

I like how it continues here. I think that you have a big part of the song mate. The first thing that comes to mind is that this could start like this, only with guitar, and then at second 00:30, drums and bass could start and repeat the whole progression.

The guitar could repeat the same idea with very small variations, with bigger variations, or you could go for a lead guitar melody over it. What direction do you want to give this? Something more like Chon? Plini? Polyphia? I mean, do you want mostly a clean tone chordal song or something more with leads?

Regarding the bass, it's always good to have one. That one is cheap and really good so you won't regret it, however, at this point, maybe you'll give more use to a midi keyboard controller which will allow you to record bass, but only drums and other instruments and synths... this is a personal decision.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 8 2021, 11:56 PM

I like the idea! Starting with just guitar.
I'm both free on Wednesday and Thursday, will spend some more time comming with stuff.


Ye I'm a big fan of Low Gain + Chordal Riff style.
I was thinking more to the likes of Chon and Intervals, maybe not that shreddy. More like Tricot.
Like punk rockish but with math rockish kind of flavor riffs? if that makes any sense.

I am going with bass for now. mainly because I am huge city pop and 70 funk fan and always wanted to learn those sweet bass lines, Even in tradicional combo jazz band, Ive always enjoyed listening and jamming with the bass rather than with the guitar tbh


That being said, I could easily buy a midi, probably next month. So:
1º
What would you recommend? (I really didn't want to spend more than 300 euros though )
2º
How would you go around and learn how to program drums? (youtube videos?), and what kind of software, vst, would you recomend for drums?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 9 2021, 04:39 PM

That sounds interesting! The more influences you combine the more personality your songs will have. Lookin forward to your new stuff coming.





Cool! Do you need a bass or a midi controller recommendation (under 300)?





Yes, you can use Youtube to learn how to program and humanize drums with Reaper. I use Cubase pro which includes Groove Agent (Sampler) for drums, and I also have Superior Drummer 3 which includes many grooves. Sometimes I start from a pre-made groove that I edit, other times I record it with my midi controller (Alesis) and use Cubase tools to arrange and humanize it.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 9 2021, 06:08 PM

More often than not I end up sounding like poor's man version of my fav band

Midi! I've bass on the way, should arrive in a few days. But I understand nothing about midi controllers. Althought I've tried some, and more often than not I kind of dislike the feel of the keys. if that makes any sense.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2021, 04:13 PM

haha we all suffer this symptom, but it becomes less obvious with practice.

Some inspiration!







Oh yeah, but for the price of 200/300 you should get a beast. Most of these are around us100. I own Alesis v49 and I really like it. The keys are big and they feel good, the pads are ok not very sensitive but I don't use them a lot. I've heard that Akai mini is more sensitive but keys are small.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 12 2021, 12:08 AM

Thanks for sharing! Actually didn't know him. Kinda getting Owane vibes enjoy it a lot
I really wanted to get my hand on the Plini archetype. I been having fun with the Gojira one.
And since I dont own any kind of amp it has been a really upgrade from old guitar rig.

Gotcha! when I get my next pay check will look around. I will probabl have to invest in audio monitors as well.
But right now I am not really looking for production/mixing/mastering. More just creating demos to send to my friends so we can work it out.


Man! spent like 3 hours today trying to come up with something. No luck whatsoever
I did come up with a pretty silly thing, but not sure if it fits in the vibes of the current one.

More lilkey another riff will end up in my giant library of unsed ideas.
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/silly-idea

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 12 2021, 05:10 AM

Been trying to come up with someting but its almost 4 am so gonna call it quit

I went and changed from Gb to Db and got some ideas. but one think I am disliking rhythmically sound very uniform.
Havent managed to smoothly connect it to the main part though
https://soundcloud.com/renato-santos-658226572/lick-variation1

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2021, 03:24 PM

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Mar 15 2021, 09:25 PM

Hey Gab! Thank you for your time making the video


Sorry for the late answer, we've been slowly opening up from the pademic, this past few days were mainly spent getting our local cafeteria, at the mall, running back up

I enjoyed that unexepected chord!
I think you are right about the harmony. I've been jamming out diferent situations like having the Bb as my iii chord or vi chord.

I am off duty wednesday and thursday, will try and resume then and fiddle with it a bit more.
Plus my bass should be here in a couple days! looking foward for that too.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2021, 03:08 PM

Hi mate! Thanks for the update! Looking forward to your new recordings with bass!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 1 2021, 06:54 PM

Hey Gab sorry for the lack of updates.
Living in Retail is eating my life away, slowly but surely, especially these last 4 months
A lot of my days are basically Work-Sleep-Work-Sleep. Can't tell you the amount of time I just feel like quitting.
MY fingers are a hella stiff, I spend a lot of hours with my hands in hot water everyday, and i tell you sometimes it feel like i haven't played guitar in years.


I am still working on the original stuff! But I want to have more of a complete project before I present you.

Been also working on Transcribing stuff for acoustic guitar.

This is a early version! My Arrangment skill is something that is very lacking , hence why I used this as an opportunity to practice it.
What do you think, so far. Also I learnt everything by ear, so not sure if I am being 100% faithful to the original harmony.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 2 2021, 05:19 PM

Hi mate! Nice to find your update here!

I'm sorry to hear that you are not having enough time to play guitar. Let's hope that you can find a way to organize your time and have some room for making music every day.

Good job with the arrangement. The original melody is beautiful, and I think that it works very well on acoustic guitar. It's true that the harmony is a bit different but that makes it sound fresh to my ears. I like the chords that you are using, how the whole thing works. If you can practice enough to make the chord changes sound smooth, this could be a great arrangement to upload everywhere. (Youtube, Instagram, Spotify).

So my recommendation is to continue practicing it and adding performance/arrangement details while you polish it. What do you say?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 2 2021, 05:34 PM

For sure! I was more sketching it out on that recording. It needs smoothing for sure, some of the voices that I am using, are really new to me! I am still not 100% comfortable with them. Plus this acoustic has 0'12 on it, and my baby fingers are used to the 0'9 of my strat.

I've some ideas I want implement. Not sure if I have the skillset as of right now, but I will try.

For instance you have this piece


Which is basically Zelda's Lullaby motiff played on reverse. I was thinking on doing the whole arragament with the Part A, being the Lullaby more ballad/slow mood and going in to a Part B Ballad of the Goddess bring the triumphant vibe that the piece has. And maybe finishing off with a Mix of the two for a Part C and maybe sneaking in the main Zelda Theme in there.

But again it still all on my head

A funny fact, I got my intervals ear trainning class down mainly using Zelda songs as reference points.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 14 2021, 08:20 PM

Hey Gab, a bit more GMC related. Piotr's Winter Tune Series is one of my favorite here at GMC.
I really want to tackle them all, from the I - IX , although I dont wanna just get a 7 and call it the day. Really want to try and nail it, do justice to the lesson.

My articulation, vibrato are definitely not at Piotr's level.

I've been pracitcing like this. but I am not sure if this is the best way to get your vibrato down?




Also bought a little gift to myself got a set of Yamaha HS 7.
https://ibb.co/nDR0V5x

Might need a larger desk in the future though

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 14 2021, 11:48 PM

Hi mate! Great to hear from you!

Piotr's tunes are masterpieces! I'd like to learn them all as well.

I think that this way of practicing vibrato is good to gain more strength, but I comparing your vibrato with Piotr's I think that your bend it too wide and sounds more like half-note bend than a vibrato. I would try to keep it with a similar width to the lesson, and work to be able to play it with the same speed. This should be your next goal.

This lessons will have a big impact on your overall playing. Keep going!

And congrats on your new monitors!! That's a very wise investment. Are you happy with the sound?

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 15 2021, 12:01 AM

Ye I am also doing the vibrato slower. Right now I trying to maintain a consistent up and down up and down. Trying to build up strenght, hence why I also exaggerated the motion.

That was one of my questions!
We should try to keep the rhythmic value correct with the song! Like 8th notes, 16notes. Doing the vibrato in time, right, but do we also apply the same concept to pinch? I mean, do we also follow the scale when we vibrato, or is that more bending than vibrato?


Ye so far I am really happy with them. Even in really low volume setting you still got a lot of definition! Mainly using neural dsp with them.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 15 2021, 03:10 PM

Yes, the rhythm of your vibrato should go related to the song/backing track. Ideally, vibrato's bend are more like a 1/4 bend that goes up and gets back to the note. In some cases, the bend can be wider (as it happens with Zakk Wylde's agressive vibrato), but also very fast, so the scale doesn't care. It's more like an effect, not a melodic arrangement. Does it make sense?





Cool!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 15 2021, 06:09 PM

Gotcha!
Here is the first part.


I am still not happy with the vibrato. One thing Ive noticed from watching the video, is that I start the vibrato with a very low width then grows into a bigger one. instead of beings consistent all the way through.
Also my index finger still lacks the strenght.
Gotto work on that.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 16 2021, 02:02 PM

Hi mate!

This is not far at all. I think that you could try practicing a bit over the original lesson so you emulate Piotr's vibrato. This will help you to get used to the speed and width that the lesson requires, and it will also train your hands and fingers (in the right way).

I don't mean that you need to only practice over the lesson, but dedicate some minutes to that, and then try to apply the same vibrato while playing over the backing track.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 16 2021, 02:17 PM

I get you. Tbh haven't really spent much time with playing over the original lesson, just backing track or metronome. Will give it a shot!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 17 2021, 08:19 PM

Great! Keep me updated!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 25 2021, 08:42 PM

Hey Gab. Just wanted to report the progress, so far.

It still lacks alot of finesse, but personally I am pretty happy with the progress, In comparision with 3 weeks ago, where I barely had any vibrato I feel I can somehow wiggle it a little more expressive. I do still have a bit of trouble hearing the vibrato in subdivision of triplets. Also the bends might be slighty off.



Also began working on this one 2 days ago.



Missed a few notes here and there, and my right hand stamina starts tor ran out especially towards the end.

Well, back practice.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 27 2021, 03:29 PM

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Sep 29 2021, 06:49 PM

Hi, Gab, thank you for using your free time to record videos, for all of us here at Gab's Army. I think's it brings a very pleasant degree of interaction.

You can call me Renato, MonkeyDathos was just a mix on words. When I was young my parents used to abbreviate my name to Atos, and back in 2010, when I first joined GMC I was watching a lot of One Piece, in which the protagonist is called monkey d luffy. So I mixed the two. Quite silly and childish but, well I was a young green sprout back then.

Thank you for your nice words!
One thing I often experience, with music in general, is that the first step tends to be a huge climb, sometimes it even takes years to click.
But once it does I am able to climb very quickly very fast. Winter Tune was one of such. I've always struggled with vibrato, but somehow it just clicked in my head dunno how to explain, but I feel much more confident applying it. Although I still got a lot to improve. I really like using just my index finger, but It lacks the strenght in comparision with the rest, thats something I want to work.
Applying vibrato to my bends is also something I want to be a more mindful, so far I am relying on my instincs to get it through, and sometimes they fail me.


Now a bit of bad news.
I will keep working on the details! and will also begin my journey with Winter Tune II, But only around November will I be able to post REC, as well as being more active here at GMC.
I was hoping to have more free time, but my boss is going on vacations and I ended up gettting to cover her. And let me tell you 9-10 hours in retails really kill my soul
There are days I barely have energy to do anything else after working hours. Godbless Coffe. I hope, well atleast from November until the summer of 2022 to have way more time to dedicate to the guitar and finally get some fufilment out of it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 1 2021, 07:24 PM

Hi Renato!

Thanks for the update mate. It's nice to know that you enjoy the the video responses.

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be able to practice during the next months, but after that I'll be ready to check your REC videos, give feedback and continue following your guitar journey.

Even if you don't have guitar news, let's stay in contact sharing music and any other related stuff.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 19 2021, 06:57 PM

Hey Gab, Saturday will be my last day with heavy work load. Looking foward to resume what we were working here!

Sorry haven't been able to be much active, but it has been qutie the soul draining experience. There are days I'am only able to get home at 22pmish and only have time to sleep 6-7h to be there again at 7 am I think all the progress I did with the lessons is more of less gone, gotto work it out again.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 20 2021, 01:51 PM

Hi mate! Great to hear from you! Thanks for the update.

Ok! Let's get back to work the next week!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 25 2021, 08:03 PM

Hey Gab is good to be back.
I spent the afternoon praciticing guitar, felt automatically in better spirits!

Back to winter tune.
I am trying to work up the consistency of the last part.


I am not sure if this is the proper way to apply vibrato to bends , I usually try to hit the pitch, then lower it a bit and apply the vibrato.


A little bit off topic, have you checked new Nick Johnston.


I really dig his composition style. The guitar is part of the music rather than having the music revolving around the guitar, if that makes sense

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 30 2021, 02:17 PM

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Oct 30 2021, 11:54 PM

Hey Gab! How you doing?

I am huge fan of Remarkably Human, but for some reason I didn't really connect with Wide Eyes In The Dark.
I felt much more akin to RH with this song than with his previous album. I've really dig the piano as the bedrock of the song.

I am going commit heresy You, know, If I were to go back to my youth, I would probably grind the piano instead of the guitar. I really like guitar in all its rock and metal forms(prog, post math classic, etc), but hearing a good piano, either jazz, prog, classical, soundtracks, just makes me feel warm inside , alas is something i've never had the opportunity to work upon.


About Winter Tune,
Gonna try your suggestion!
You know, I've never dedicated this much time to bending and vibrato, as these past few weeks. I still feel the lack of control, for instead I can easily bend the E and B string into pitch, but the G string I tend to overshot and when I have to apply vibrato to bends, I really have to use my brain power to do it. It is still far from second nature. I ain't no Marty Friedman or Zack Wylde..YET!

I tried to record some full takes, but to no avail. Didnt enjoy any Right now I just giving some time for my finger tips to heal and callus up, after so much bending and vibrato its kinda painful atm to touch the strings.

Also ordered some goodies, locking tuners, guitar maintaince products, stings, picks. etc. So expecting to be all set to record again Monday.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 31 2021, 09:06 PM

Everything is good! I agree that this new song is catchier compared to the previous album. The thing that I miss is to hear the guitar without the other instruments that are playing Unison in many parts. One of the things that I enjoy most form him is the guitar tone. (my fav part starts at 03:52). By the way, I think that this song will grow on me soon. Also, there is a new song coming this Friday.




It's just a matter of practice. The more you work on this, the more natural it will become.

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Nov 13 2021, 06:23 PM

Hey Gabriel how are you doing!

Edit: Sorry, I wasnt very happy with the outcome of the Winter Tune recording that i posted.Wasn't on my best shape! gonna try and re-record it later on.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 18 2021, 12:02 AM

Hi mate, I came back here to give my feedback. Ok, looking forward to your new take!

Posted by: MonkeyDAthos Dec 23 2021, 06:36 PM

Hey Gab, sorry the lack of activity! I've mainly working night swifts. Usually get home around 22pms and its already a bit late for me to do some recordings.

Just wanted to wish you a merry christmas to you and your family! thanks for your help here at gmc, you have helped alot of people being a better verson of themselves for sure!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 26 2021, 07:38 PM

Hi mate! Nice to hear from you! Thanks a lof for your message. Merry Chrismass and Happy holidays!

I wish you have a 2022 full of music and guitar playing!