Mr. Spock's Applied Theory Galactic Compendium Options

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey man! Welcome back (almost) into the painless living world! I sure hope that your recovery will be a quick one and that you will not suffer any of this sort of stuff in the future - you have played the guitar in all this time, right? I am asking because you have posted songs you recorded and ideas, am I correct?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

Yes I have played guitar all this time, but with the pain, and the strap makes it worse. I posted a little video for another member of this forum who was having back trouble, of a strap I purchased which did seem to make the guitar feel lighter as it had a heavy padding in the shoulder. Plus have been off and on pretty strong pain killers for the past 18 months, so many times there is a level of intoxication as the meds were pretty strong.

I never left, but I usually can only go for about an hour at a time playing or sitting down straight up. I still practiced with band and everything, but always, especially that night and the day after, I would pay dearly for it. Other than that, I've wondered if the nerve damage, being that my left hand stayed tingling numb had something to do with my coordination. I can feel the strings, and I notice improvement in my playing over this time, but just wondered if it was hindering me that way too.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Spock: Jul 30 2013, 07:57 AM

[Cosmin Lupu]

I'm terribly sorry you had to go through this, man These sort of things always remind me that I should never complain about anything - I am healthy and strong, both body and mind so, I should be thankful for it.

What did the doctor say regarding the tingling feeling and the coordination? I don't know what to say, because it sounds pretty medical

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

Day 3 after surgery and experiencing the worse pain so far. Have not been able to sleep much less pick up a guitar. I had hoped to enjoy a full week of recording, writing and practicing while recovering, but as of yet, it's all I can do swallow liquids and find a comfortable position.

I know this is all worth it though - I've watched many you-tube success stories concerning this surgery and it was something I had to take care of, spurs, ruptured discs and compressions get worse over time.

Anyway - I'm just bitching and moaning as an outlet, at least I can read the forum which I always enjoy.

Oh just saw your response - he just said that was a typical symptom of disc degeneration. He felt my neck was the result of an injury, but I don't remember ever having a bad spine injury. I did use to enjoy banging my head to music, and I was in a car wreck about 20 years ago, but I don't remember anything that could have caused this.

I didn't ask about coordination, but that is a good question, I will be talking to him today.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Cosmin Lupu]

Day 3 after surgery and experiencing the worse pain so far. Have not been able to sleep much less pick up a guitar. I had hoped to enjoy a full week of recording, writing and practicing while recovering, but as of yet, it's all I can do swallow liquids and find a comfortable position.

I know this is all worth it though - I've watched many you-tube success stories concerning this surgery and it was something I had to take care of, spurs, ruptured discs and compressions get worse over time.

Anyway - I'm just bitching and moaning as an outlet, at least I can read the forum which I always enjoy.

Oh just saw your response - he just said that was a typical symptom of disc degeneration. He felt my neck was the result of an injury, but I don't remember ever having a bad spine injury. I did use to enjoy banging my head to music, and I was in a car wreck about 20 years ago, but I don't remember anything that could have caused this.

I didn't ask about coordination, but that is a good question, I will be talking to him today.

I am a heavy head banger when performing - both as a vocalist and a guitarist - should I take it easier? ..

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

I am a heavy head banger when performing - both as a vocalist and a guitarist - should I take it easier? ..

Honestly, maybe so Cosmin, I have never been a heavy head banger, but there have been mornings when I woke up with a crick in my neck, could hardly turn it from side to side, which I always attributed to a stretched muscle from maybe doing that.

If you have ever felt something like that the next morning, then that is the only sign I ever had a problem too. A deep bone ache right in the back joint where the back part of the spine connects to the neck part of the spine and slightly above. That little ball joint, where the curve starts at the neck is called you C7. So the damage to mine were closer to my head, I had the C4-C5 and C5-C6 fused together - which will give me much less up down and side to side motion, but at least the pain will be gone.

Many times, epidural spinal injections will do the trick and strengthen the damaged tissue, as it is a steroid, but they will only do 3 of those to a given spot before they say it is not effective. They only did 2 on me, plus I did physical therapy, traction last year.

I am looking forward to taking up yoga when all this is said and done, as I have seen some miraculous transformations happen utilizing that as a lifestyle.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Cosmin Lupu]

I am relying on the fact that I am a pretty active person and I exercise power lifting/ body weight 4 times a week and 6 times a week sword training - that should make my body fit for such stuff - in my opinion of course. Now, have you been an active individual?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

Well - I have a desk job, but up until 4 to 5 months ago I worked out at the gym 5 days a week, had to quit when I lost strength in my right arm which was all neurological. I have gone for periods where I am not as healthy as I should have been.

But yea, the doctor said that what I had appeared to be an injury, so I'm just assuming what could have caused the injury as I can't think of any one particular thing.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Spock: Aug 1 2013, 12:43 PM

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hmmm - indeed, there are some things which are not always controllable unfortunately, regardless of how healthy we are trying to keep ourselves.

I wish you a steady and fast recovery and I am looking forward to see your progress so, keep me updated, as usual

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Cosmin Lupu: Aug 2 2013, 09:05 AM

[Spock]

Hello Cosmin - I'm back!

I'm going to spend today going over everything in this thread up to this point and refamiliarize myself with the instruction.

Right now I'm working on two things.

1) Melodic Solo in GM by Carols Carrillo (Level 2): https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...dic-solo-in-gm/
Just started this today so I don't have it memorized yet.

2) Solo to Wasted Years by Iron Maiden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqxMRvwQ6sA
Been practicing this off and on for a month or so - can play it slow but not up to speed - still sloppy and unpresentable.

I want to play fast, but need to play slow to help drill these patterns and scales - plus to not be sloppy. I don't have any good synchronization with my right hand, I'm finding that is my most difficult aspect - that and just remembering where to go next on anything. Vibrato bends are tough too, I find it much easier to bed a string down and use vibrato than bend it up - that's why I've become so accustomed to a tremolo.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

The Level 2 lesson is easy enough - just have to get the song in my memory banks.

I was going through page 1 today of this thread trying to put it together again. Some parts I understand, other's I don't, for instance your post #8, and my post #9. I'm trying to figure out how I came to that conclusion. I guess it made sense at the time.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hey mate To begin full force, I would like you to record audio versions of these two lessons at 75% tempo and make sure you are playing them correctly - it's the tedious slow stuff that will build your chops. And of course, send them to me along with a few ideas on why you like these lesson and what you would like to keep for your later use out of them

In respect to posts 8 and 9, we were having a discussion on what notes make up the D major scale - you assumed the right notes and then we discussed the notes of the D minor chord, based on what alterations we can bring to the notes in the D major chord - lowering the third of course

Let me know if it's coming back and if you would like to restart the discussion on the topic

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

I will do. I just made it all the way through that Level 2 this morning. So I haven't got it memorized yet. To be honest, there is not much about that one that I do like, but I figured it was easy enough and the vibrato was something I needed to concentrate on. The speed isn't the issue with that one - right now it's just remembering it.


The solo to Wasted Years I have always loved - I love the bluesy melodicness of it, the speed and tastefulness - to me it's classic Adrian Smith. I can probably do it at 75% speed now but I won't have a backing tracking as I'm just using the you-tube video to learn it.

But yes - I will polish them up and get them up here.

Edit: I just found a back track to Wasted Years to play along to.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Spock: Apr 22 2014, 07:24 PM

[Cosmin Lupu]

I will do. I just made it all the way through that Level 2 this morning. So I haven't got it memorized yet. To be honest, there is not much about that one that I do like, but I figured it was easy enough and the vibrato was something I needed to concentrate on. The speed isn't the issue with that one - right now it's just remembering it.


The solo to Wasted Years I have always loved - I love the bluesy melodicness of it, the speed and tastefulness - to me it's classic Adrian Smith. I can probably do it at 75% speed now but I won't have a backing tracking as I'm just using the you-tube video to learn it.

But yes - I will polish them up and get them up here.

Edit: I just found a back track to Wasted Years to play along to.

Goodie! Use the backing with a software called 'The amazing slowdowner' It's a great method of slowing tracks down without altering their quality You can then use it to record over, after you slow it down - let me know if you can find the software and if you have any questions in respect to using it.

Now, on the other hand - please make a list with lessons that have these two characteristics:

- they are within your playing capabilities
- you like them very much

I need you to pick 5 lessons Deal?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

Goodie! Use the backing with a software called 'The amazing slowdowner' It's a great method of slowing tracks down without altering their quality You can then use it to record over, after you slow it down - let me know if you can find the software and if you have any questions in respect to using it.

Now, on the other hand - please make a list with lessons that have these two characteristics:

- they are within your playing capabilities
- you like them very much

I need you to pick 5 lessons Deal?

Oh man - that's awesome! I was just going to say that I loaded it in Logic last night and can not keep up with the speed of it yet. Right now there are two parts to that solo really giving me fits, other than my overall sloppiness. 1) is the blues bend that is real quick on 3 strings. I can do it, just not that fast, and the other is just after the fast part that plays 7 times through, the transition to that run that goes up the strings. It's like I can't do that run unless I stop completely and think of that run as it's own entity (which it is) but anyway - that will come with playing it slow and having patience. I played that solo for about an hour last night, so I'm hoping that this morning it's a bit smoother. I'll look into that software now - that could be the key to learning all my favorite solos.

Another cover solo I'm a little better at is Red Barchetta by Rush. Still sloppy but at least I can play it at speed.

I just woke up so I'll be back in my guitar lab after a bought of coffee.

As far as the 5, I will look. To be honest, I have "trouble" with any lesson, regardless of how easy it is. The problem is more in my head than with my fingers for the most part. It's the remembering what's next that gives me the most trouble - but that comes with memorizing the melody/solo. Usually I just jump right in. I'll find the 5, but I would say I am a Level 3 player - but you may say Level 2 because I am sloppy and some rudimentary things that you guys really judge hard on, I do not have - have just always faked it. It's fine for a bar of drunks with loud volume, but for a recital, it wouldn't win me any praise.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Spock: Apr 23 2014, 09:59 AM

[Spock]

On that slow down software - what sucks is I purchased it and downloaded - then looked for it on my computer and did not find it - then realized I had purchased the version for iPad and iPhone, so I had to purchase the version for desktop - just after that. I've never used the iPad for guitar.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

That software is AWESOME!!!!!

I have started with the Wasted Years solo on it, and 75% at this phase is almost too slow, it's like so slow I can't get a feel for the rhythm, so I boosted it up to 85% which helps me out a little bit. At 85% I am still sloppy on the transition but better, and at the very end I feel like I need to add a lot more notes - but maybe I don't have it picked out right. Going to check on that in a moment.

Regardless, I definitely can tell I am weak on the entire thing and can see how this tool is going to be crucial in development for speed and accuracy. I can already tell it has helped me on that bluesy bend section.

The fast section just after that, I feel like I have to pick each note, yet I know Adrian does not do that, and usually I don't see others playing picking every note there either, but for me it's like my left hand won't work that section unless my right hand is picking, almost like keeping time. Still at 85% that is about as fast as I can get with that part, so I guess I'll slow it down until I can do it with my toes in my sleep.

Anyway, thanks for turning me onto that, I didn't know such software existed which would do that and it's very exciting. This is a goal solo for me, and I really believe I will have it before too long.

Well - watching this again there are quite a few things I am doing wrong. I started out with this video but I guess once I got what I thought was the gist of it, started doing it my own way - so this explains a lot and hope it makes nailing it smoother.

Starts at 3:15

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Spock: Apr 24 2014, 12:52 AM

[Cosmin Lupu]

Hehehe! I am so happy you like it It has helped me nail 11 Pantera songs for my tribute band and countless other music pieces, ranging from classical to metal and so on.

Now, out of what I can notice, you have two things to battle with:

- attention and anticipation - break everything into small parts that are easy to remember - when you play slow, make sure that your mind is fully focused and committed to what you are doing, so that you may be able to anticipate each and every move.

This is done easily with chord positions - when you have a chord progression, play the first chord and as soon as it is played focus on the position of the next one and when you shift you will be able to shift easily and directly with all fingers at once

- practicing slowly with full focus. If you play slow, you are doing it to help your brain pump the necessary 'iron' needed when it will have to play fast, so allow it to learn slowly, steadily and with full focus.

Don't rush into things - you need to follow these steps, whenever you are learning something:

- understand the theoretical concepts - know what and why you are playing!
- learn the lesson structure - things will flow naturally once you know what's next when playing any piece
- learn each part and reproduce it slowly with the metronome - you will learn the lesson and become accustomed with the timing and feel
- put all the parts together and practice them against the slowest available backing track - respecting timing and phrasing will provide essential advantages when you will face the details of any piece!
- work your way up tempo with the available backing tracks

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

spent this morning really learning the notes to that solo. Then played it over and over for 30 minutes at 75% speed. I was doing it wrong in a couple of places, and though speed at 75% is not an issue, my timing is very much an issue. At full speed you just kind of wing it and if you screw up, it's over so quick because it's off to something else - doing it at 75% is really making me have to nail the timing or else I'll hang for a second waiting to go to the next note - yet it's also difficult because I'm not necessarily hearing an audible cue or metronome type click for certain parts I'm having difficulty with.

Anyway - still on it, and this is my mission du-jour. As soon as I feel comfortable with what I have at 75% I'll post it here but I'm sure it will be after the weekend. I'm looking forward to a guitar practicing weekend outside my normal routine.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

[Spock]

Chatting with my son today. He sent me an audio file of an intro idea to a song which sounded pretty awesome in an insane kind of way.

I told him, I could play that - because he is a drummer, but writes this stuff in Logic. But he was explaining the guitar part to me in chat - and of course, this is why I wish this stuff would sink into my thick skull...

...it's written for C standard tuning

...the guitar part wouldn't be that hard, It's just outlining a C9 chord with a G at the top. Have you gotten to 9th chords in your theory stuff?

...a C9 chord would be just a regular C triad, C-E-G, with the added 7th and 9th, B and D.

...It would probably make more sense if I could show you on piano.

...But if you wanted to learn the part on the E standard guitar, the equivalent notes would be E-G#-B-D#-F# with another B on top for the highest note.

Man I wish this stuff came naturally or I had stuck with it more as a kid. Anyway, I sort of understand it.

Then he sent me this to do it regular tuning...



I'm happy he is into music, my parents weren't very musical but my mother did have me into piano lessons as a child. I quit one day because there was a hornets nest at the front door and I was afraid to walk up to it - then too embarrassed to tell my parents I was afraid of the hornets nest. Oh well.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

This post has been edited by Spock: Apr 25 2014, 12:05 AM