QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jul 19 2011, 10:33 AM)
Hey Michael,
Don't apologise, this is what GMC is all about !
Ok.. it sounds like you're noticing differences between the timing of the phrases when you play it slow and faster. I find that when I learn a solo it can be hard to slow down the complicated phrases and time them correctly, because I'm used to hearing them at full speed.. and usually they're not an easy, equal number of notes type thing (especially with our friend, Mr Friedman !) so it's hard to judge how to pace them with the backing/metronome..
I always do a combination of slow study combined with listening to the full speed verison and picking out the key parts of the phrase.. if a particular note or couple of notes leaps out at you, then work out exactly where in the beat they occur and adjust your playing until your hitting the same notes over that part.
I must admit that I played guitar for years before really venturing into lead.. I personally would never have attempted a solo of this calibre with only 2 years playing. That said, it doesn't mean you can't, or shouldn't.. my playing was mainly self taught, with things picked up from magazines.. if I'd have had the internet things might have moved quicker. But the bottom line is don't be too frustrated with yourself if you don't naturally take to a solo like this.. Marty's solos are notoriously quirky. Another important feature of his playing is a strong vibrato, which is an aspect of playing a lot of people neglect for the flashier stuff. His strong vibrato, combined with the timing of his musical phrases are what makes his solos so catchy.
So my strategy is always to listen to the full speed version until I know in my head where all the key phrases and strong notes occur so I can then place them correctly when slowing it down with a metronome. It may not always be exact at slow speed, especially if you're dealing with fast passages with odd numbers.. but when it's sped up, there will be a noticeable rhythm that the phrase is played at.
Thanks Ben. I'm a very technical oriented guy and I always go all out on everything I do. I will admit the internet is a big help. I remember in 1980 when I was in high school I learned from friends or either magazines as you mentioned. It would have been nice to have internet then to use. I'm having a lot of fun so it's all worth it. Hey I probably spent $4-7000.00 in equipment so I can learn on some OK stuff. I need to learn how to play better so I can buy my 4th guitar. Thanks for your encouragement Ben I do appreciate it. I really need to learn how to use a metronome correctly. I have one but I've just been playing with songs for my timing and I seem to be pretty good at timing but hey I could be wrong. What do I know. Thanks again.
QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jul 19 2011, 10:33 AM)
Hey Michael,
Don't apologise, this is what GMC is all about !
Ok.. it sounds like you're noticing differences between the timing of the phrases when you play it slow and faster. I find that when I learn a solo it can be hard to slow down the complicated phrases and time them correctly, because I'm used to hearing them at full speed.. and usually they're not an easy, equal number of notes type thing (especially with our friend, Mr Friedman !) so it's hard to judge how to pace them with the backing/metronome..
I always do a combination of slow study combined with listening to the full speed verison and picking out the key parts of the phrase.. if a particular note or couple of notes leaps out at you, then work out exactly where in the beat they occur and adjust your playing until your hitting the same notes over that part.
I must admit that I played guitar for years before really venturing into lead.. I personally would never have attempted a solo of this calibre with only 2 years playing. That said, it doesn't mean you can't, or shouldn't.. my playing was mainly self taught, with things picked up from magazines.. if I'd have had the internet things might have moved quicker. But the bottom line is don't be too frustrated with yourself if you don't naturally take to a solo like this.. Marty's solos are notoriously quirky. Another important feature of his playing is a strong vibrato, which is an aspect of playing a lot of people neglect for the flashier stuff. His strong vibrato, combined with the timing of his musical phrases are what makes his solos so catchy.
So my strategy is always to listen to the full speed version until I know in my head where all the key phrases and strong notes occur so I can then place them correctly when slowing it down with a metronome. It may not always be exact at slow speed, especially if you're dealing with fast passages with odd numbers.. but when it's sped up, there will be a noticeable rhythm that the phrase is played at.
Thanks Ben. I'm a very technical oriented guy and I always go all out on everything I do. I will admit the internet is a big help. I remember in 1980 when I was in high school I learned from friends or either magazines as you mentioned. It would have been nice to have internet then to use. I'm having a lot of fun so it's all worth it. Hey I probably spent $4-7000.00 in equipment so I can learn on some OK stuff. I need to learn how to play better so I can buy my 4th guitar. Thanks for your encouragement Ben I do appreciate it. I really need to learn how to use a metronome correctly. I have one but I've just been playing with songs for my timing and I seem to be pretty good at timing but hey I could be wrong. What do I know. Thanks again.
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GMC Forum > Discussion Boards > VINTAGE GMC > Community Activities and Tutorials > Ask an Instructor > Ben Higgins
- I can play the whole solo slowly perfect but when it's played slow it's not (Pitched) not sure what word I'm needing to use here. Phrased, Pitched... it does not sound the same slower and when I speed it up the melody I'm playing is not the same as on the album. I'm not quite to speed either and I think that may be most of it. I really am trying to find things to practice on here that will help me build my speed but am not sure where to start. I appreciate your reply and look forward to working with you guys. My wife and I both play. She is a beginner but blowing me away with her learning speed and I am probably a step above beginner but not quite at intermediate. I know pull offs, hammer ons, pinch harmonics and can perform them well. Also I can play rhythm pretty good. I don't have any music theory. I did however play piano and take lessons as a child and also played clarinet in the high school band but cant remember any of that to help me with the guitar. I poked around on guitar in high school but never stuck with it. I picked it back up and am getting really serious now at 46yrs old finally and have been playing 2 years. Maybe I should say messing around without any instruction. I'm sorry I'm rambling. I apologize for ranting on...
