GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Soldier, you have just crossed the line. In to AWESOME. 51 is a landmark. Few make it this far and for good reason. The Missions in this range are just flat out hard and they are meant to be hard. Anyone you see with a 50+ badge has earned it. There are no "gimme" badges in this range. It's blood, sweat and tears. Let's Debrief!!.. MEDALS OF HONOR PRECISION: An increase in precision is an increase in speed, nice.
FOCUS: Never missed a note. SCORE!
TIMING: Never lagged or pushed. DOUBLE SCORE!
In other words you just ...
LEVELED UP!!!!!*I have given out very few of these badges Soldier. You earned it. Congrats!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Mar 2 2019, 01:39 AM)
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER!!! These two Missions ARE FLAT OUT HARD. I'm glad you embraced the THUMBLESS Technique. It can really make a big difference on certain licks. It helps train the hand not to "over do it" when clamping down and use too much pressure. Also, your left hand work is just fine. You are using very little distortion so it sounds like it should sound. I can hear the strikes with your left hand which is what I"m looking for. Both vids look good.
Let's Debrief!! MEDALS OF HONOR
TUFF BY DESIGN: This lesson is designed to make you work your bum off in terms of your LEFT HAND. It forces you to play a complex, reversing, pattern, using only the power in your fingers. NO PICKS ALLOWED once you get past the first bit. This one makes lesser men weep. Well played! THUMBLESS: One of the hardest things for some folks to get a handle on is playing without their thumb connected to the neck in any way. Some folks can do it, some folks really struggle. Either way it's not natural, especially at first. Once you get it, it's a great way to reduce the pressure from your hand and focus on the fingers. Score!
PRECISION: These Missions are all about precision. Especially in a lesson like this where even one mistake will blow the entire thing. There is nowhere to hide when you can't pick, and you can't even use your thumb!! Any mistake is glaringly obvious. Good news is you didn't make any!
[color="#000000"]Soldier, [color="#000000"]you have just crossed the line. In to AWESOME. 51 is a landmark. Few make it this far and for good reason. The Missions in this range are just flat out hard and they are meant to be hard. Anyone you see with a 50+ badge has earned it. There are no "gimme" badges in this range. It's blood, sweat and tears.
Lately I'm starting to feel the difficulty level rising between single missions instead of tiers, like in the beginning. I browsed some of the final missions and they are a bit terrifying but then I'll improve before then too.
I did some extra work in today's mission, as I had more time than usual.
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
WELL FOUGHT SOLDIER! Looks like you are getting more comfortable with the THUMBLESS technique, which is great! It's a wonderful way to prevent overpressure on the hand which is the death of precision/speed. These are some really tough missions to be sure as they are adding new bits each time. It will actually get easier once you cross the triple digit barrier. You'll have all the techniques you will need for the next 100 Missions! Let's Debrief!!
MEDALS OF HONOR
SYNCH: Great to see you getting so comfy with hand synch. This is something I've seen folks really struggle with and you seem like you are really getting a good handle on it. SCORE!!
MUTE: Just enough palm mute. Too much, and you squash all the tone, too little, and you get too much ring and notes are not distinct. You are not pressing too hard or light. Nice! TRAVERSE: Yet another area where folks really struggle. This Mission is built to show you any gaps in your traverse and / or your mute. The good news is your technique is on point!
In other words you just..
LEVELED UP!!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 3 2019, 05:33 PM)
Lately I'm starting to feel the difficulty level rising between single missions instead of tiers, like in the beginning. I browsed some of the final missions and they are a bit terrifying but then I'll improve before then too.
I did some extra work in today's mission, as I had more time than usual.
It is done! This one wasn't half bad. I actually started wondering where's the catch. I double checked and I hope I didn't miss any part of it.
I'd like to ask a question about Harmonic minor. The 7th step makes the scale stand out but I'm wondering how to use it to achieve the best effect. Second and seventh (intervals) are theoretically the sound that are leading to the Tonic, if I'm not mistaken. So it makes sense to use them before or after the Tonic. But playing 6th step of the scale before or after 7th step creates this specific vibe or tension. Is there some harmony rule about how to use the character of Harmonic minor efficiently or is it up to the player?
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
This one is just about as hard as the one before it but you are getting better and you are now more comfortable with thumbless technique so it probably seems a bit easier! That's what is great about Bootcamp Bits are only hard at first, upon repetition they get easier. The crazy bits to come will seem crazy on round one. By round three you will think it's no problem! Congrats on all your progress Soldier!!
This one has a really tricky bit in the three note per string Harmonic Scale. It requires a BIG pinchy stretch that you had no problem with! Per your question, like just about any scale, it's just a collection of tones so it really comes down to the player to interpret which notes to play and in what order and with how much vibrato and how long to hold each one and which ones to focus on. So in short, you nailed it. Comes down to the player really. Trust your ears on this and the more practice you get playing this scale to a harmonic minor or minor backing the more practice the ears will get! Let's Debrief!! MEDALS OF HONOR
*MULTIFINGER POWER: Switching from third finger to pinky finger in less than a beat and keeping pace. Nicely done! *PACE CAR: Keeping a solid pace with all this traverse going on is not always easy. You make it look easy though. Being able to play at a steady pace is key. It's the secret sauce to eventually playing at any speed you want for as long as you like. *CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS: Pick and Played clean as glass. Super Nice!
The Harmonic Minor is a great scale. Add it in to your solos! You just..LEVELED UP!!!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 4 2019, 03:14 PM)
It is done! This one wasn't half bad. I actually started wondering where's the catch. I double checked and I hope I didn't miss any part of it.
I'd like to ask a question about Harmonic minor. The 7th step makes the scale stand out but I'm wondering how to use it to achieve the best effect. Second and seventh (intervals) are theoretically the sound that are leading to the Tonic, if I'm not mistaken. So it makes sense to use them before or after the Tonic. But playing 6th step of the scale before or after 7th step creates this specific vibe or tension. Is there some harmony rule about how to use the character of Harmonic minor efficiently or is it up to the player?
Per your question, like just about any scale, it's just a collection of tones so it really comes down to the player to interpret which notes to play and in what order and with how much vibrato and how long to hold each one and which ones to focus on. So in short, you nailed it. Comes down to the player really. Trust your ears on this and the more practice you get playing this scale to a harmonic minor or minor backing the more practice the ears will get!
I really like this scale and I'm it appeared in the Bootcamp this early! That means I may get more missions involving it that would help me to master it sooner! Are there Phrygian Major exercises in here as well?
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The Dominant Phrygian can be understood as simply another mode of the Harmonic Minor. I'm including a note map that covers the entire neck. Once you understand how a scale is constructed and can play that scale on a single string, you can then build longer versions of it across several strings. This requires you to know what all the notes on the fret board are of course, but that's not very hard as they repeat. It's the same sequence of notes over and over, it just starts on E at the E string and A on the A string and so on. If you want to build more bits using phrygian, I'd say use the patterns that you have learned so far and make use of this scale map to build some cool drills and licks. In bootcamp, I focus much more on the mechanics of playing such as striking, muting, hand synch etc. Most of the scales we use are intended to be familiar. I threw in some harmonic Minor for spice Now that you know it, you really already know Phrygian Dominant. Just using a different root position. Here is the map. I hope this makes sense.
MEDALS OF HONOR LIKE A ROCK: You are developing a really solid right hand technique by keeping your hand planted on the bridge for quick access to muting and rotating your hand to get to different strings. I did hear a couple of very tiny slips but not enough to throw it off.
STEADY AS SHE GOES: Your playing is very steady and well paced. Even that last lick which is very hard to keep together toward the end is very tight. Good synch is good playing! PICKING LIKE A BOSS: Your picking is very good, even during string traverse. Your hands look like they are getting more comfy with precision picking! Well done on a very tricky bit. You just...
LEVELED UP!!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 5 2019, 06:04 PM)
I really like this scale and I'm it appeared in the Bootcamp this early! That means I may get more missions involving it that would help me to master it sooner! Are there Phrygian Major exercises in here as well?
The Dominant Phrygian can be understood as simply another mode of the Harmonic Minor. I'm including a note map that covers the entire neck. Once you understand how a scale is constructed and can play that scale on a single string, you can then build longer versions of it across several strings. This requires you to know what all the notes on the fret board are of course, but that's not very hard as they repeat. It's the same sequence of notes over and over, it just starts on E at the E string and A on the A string and so on. If you want to build more bits using phrygian, I'd say use the patterns that you have learned so far and make use of this scale map to build some cool drills and licks. In bootcamp, I focus much more on the mechanics of playing such as striking, muting, hand synch etc. Most of the scales we use are intended to be familiar. I threw in some harmonic Minor for spice Now that you know it, you really already know Phrygian Dominant. Just using a different root position. Here is the map. I hope this makes sense.
Thank you! I will definitely take time to study this scale along the minor scales, as I was suggested in the other thread. Here is the video, quickie today. I have probably my most important exam in my whole university career tomorrow and I don't think I'll make it. I'm really tired of everything lately and I probably wouldn't mind failing and getting kicked out at this point. I really like spending time at the campus, though. I'm doing it mostly because of my parents expectations.
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Take Heart Soldier!!! I know University can seem like an endless SLOG. I've been there in your Boots Soldier!! I managed to push through the burnout and pain and get a Masters Degree (Graduate Degree) in Digital Media. It has served me well. Push on Soldier!!! It's worth it in the end. Just like your guitar skills, nobody can take your education away from you. You've earned it, it's a badge of honor that you take with you wherever you go for the rest of your life. Onward!! Let's talk a bit about your playing here. In a word. .... NICE!!!!!!!!! This is a bit of using the MAJOR scale to create a long scale run. You can use this same note sequencing on Minor, Harmonic Minor, or any other scale you want. Once you get the idea of the pattern in your head you can apply it to anything!!!! Let's Debrief. MEDALS OF HONOR
TENSION IS DEATH: Playing with too much tension restricts precision, speed, and endurance. It's a great way to stunt one's playing. Very glad to see you are starting to be able to play with a lighter touch!! Your THUMBLESS practice has really helped! PINKY POWER: I've seen folks try this with the first three fingers only. It's quite a lot of work doing this with the first three. It's not a great way to go about it. You have a really good command of the weakest finger and it's great to see.
MINIMUM WAG: If you let any one pick strike go to far from the string, you increase the amount of time needed to make it back to the string and it can throw off timing. Great to see you keeping it high and tight Soldier!!!
In short, I'm seeing all your work add up to constant improvements in your playing Soldier!! CONGRATS!! Not to mention, you just...
LEVELED UP!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 6 2019, 05:30 PM)
Thank you! I will definitely take time to study this scale along the minor scales, as I was suggested in the other thread. Here is the video, quickie today. I have probably my most important exam in my whole university career tomorrow and I don't think I'll make it. I'm really tired of everything lately and I probably wouldn't mind failing and getting kicked out at this point. I really like spending time at the campus, though. I'm doing it mostly because of my parents expectations.
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
This Mission is packed with tricky bits. The good news is that you've had so many tricky bits thrown at you that you don't seem to even notice anymore! This has one of my fave "Scale Inversions" in it which is a finger twister and we do it over every single string through Minor Scale in 3 Note Per string form. Also, some double tap hammering fun. These bits would have thrown you for a loop a while back, but now you just plow through it!! You have adapted to some very difficult terrain Soldier!!! Let's Debrief!!! MEDALS OF HONOR VAN HALEN WHO? Forget the standard tapping/hammering, we are going straight to the complicated stuff. Well done on the double taps! TRAVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Scale inversion using every string up and down? No problem for you!!! Nice. LOW GAIN HIGH YIELD: Playing with very low gain as you are doing means you can't hide behind distortion. No problem as you have nothing to hide!
In short, you made short work of it Soldier!!! You are ready for the path that lay ahead!! In other words you just... LEVELED UP!!!!
This Mission is packed with tricky bits. The good news is that you've had so many tricky bits thrown at you that you don't seem to even notice anymore! This has one of my fave "Scale Inversions" in it which is a finger twister and we do it over every single string through Minor Scale in 3 Note Per string form. Also, some double tap hammering fun. These bits would have thrown you for a loop a while back, but now you just plow through it!! You have adapted to some very difficult terrain Soldier!!!
Mostly I'm quite used to it by now but 5-frets-wide fingerings still require me to stay completely focused. I think if I were to play them 4 months ago, I would just get stuck. If anyone told me I could progress so much back then, I wouldn't believe them but it's happening! And the best part is, I'm not stopping there!
About the Quick Lick, thanks for the info! It really sounds awesome! I already tried it without recording and I'm beginning to like this mode more
58
In the mission briefing in the Natural Minor part, the ascending run has the tabs for descending run instead.
I made a pickguard from transparent sheet for my Avion and here's what it looks like:
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Well Fought soldier!!!! 57 is the gateway drug to crazy bits on the way. Using the Harmonic Minor shape is a workout for the fingers. Doing it with our finger twisting patterns is something that many Soldiers find a bridge to far and call for their Mommy! Not you!! You fought through with grit and determination. Let's Debrief!! MEDALS OF HONOR
PINKY POWER PREVAILS Without a powerful pinky, these 3 Note Per String Harmonic Minor Licks are a NIGHTMARE. Good news is you've put the time in and your pinky is prepped!! STREEEEETCH You have developed a good stretch technique solider. keep it up! It wills serve you well in the wars to come.
TRICKY BITS Playing in "Threes" as we are doing here is complicated. You've got it in hand though! Try it on other scales that you know. It's a great way to approach any mode.YOU ARE PLOWING THROUGH SOLDIER!!! You just.. LEVELED UP!!!!
*P.S. Good start in 58! That one has a LOT of moving parts. Make sure to play each part as written at least once in your Mission Vid. I've streamlined the Mission a bit as it had some repetition which I'd rather skip and have you focus tighter on what remains.Fight On!!Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 9 2019, 06:53 PM)
Mostly I'm quite used to it by now but 5-frets-wide fingerings still require me to stay completely focused. I think if I were to play them 4 months ago, I would just get stuck. If anyone told me I could progrearss so much back then, I wouldn't believe them but it's happening! And the best part is, I'm not stopping there!
About the Quick Lick, thanks for the info! It really sounds awesome! I already tried it without recording and I'm beginning to like this mode more
58
In the mission briefing in the Natural Minor part, the ascending run has the tabs for descending run instead.
I made a pickguard from transparent sheet for my Avion and here's what it looks like:
*P.S. Good start in 58! That one has a LOT of moving parts. Make sure to play each part as written at least once in your Mission Vid. I've streamlined the Mission a bit as it had some repetition which I'd rather skip and have you focus tighter on what remains.Fight On!!Sarge
I did the mission again just to be sure it's okay but then I realized I put the Natural Minor run twice and no Harmonic Minor runs. But I did that in the previous video, so I'm hoping it's fine
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
This one has a LOT of bits stuffed in to one Mission to be sure!!! I was not very clear about the first backing bit. You did play it on A, and E as requested. So you followed directions. It was me not being clear on what I was hoping to see. I was hoping to see the backing lick played on at least two different strings without a gap in order to show you transitioning between strings in under one beat. However, this is a pretty small issue overall and certainly not enough to prevent you badging up. I"ll add a bit more text in mission description to make it more clear for the next Soldier!! All of the bits are well played. let's Debrief!! MEDALS OF HONOR INVERSIONS GALORE: That finger twisting scale run is called an "Inversion" and also called playing in "Threes" by some folks. It's a very complex way to run a scale. it's even harder when running a complex scale like harmonic minor. Nailed it!! CLEAN AS GLASS: Muting is key on this type of scale lick since you are going back and forth between strings over and over. It's ripe for string noise but nope! Good mute. OPEN STRING WORK: The open string lick that we lead off with can be used as a rythm or lead lick. Requires just enough mute to prevent rampant string ring/noise. You nailed that too! This one and the one before are a bundle of tricky bits and you killed it!!!!!! Nice. You are ready for the next section to come. Sharpen your knife, load your weapon and get ready to fight! You just.. LEVELED UP!!!!!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 11 2019, 06:02 PM)
I did the mission again just to be sure it's okay but then I realized I put the Natural Minor run twice and no Harmonic Minor runs. But I did that in the previous video, so I'm hoping it's fine
This one has a LOT of bits stuffed in to one Mission to be sure!!! I was not very clear about the first backing bit. You did play it on A, and E as requested. So you followed directions. It was me not being clear on what I was hoping to see. I was hoping to see the backing lick played on at least two different strings without a gap in order to show you transitioning between strings in under one beat. However, this is a pretty small issue overall and certainly not enough to prevent you badging up. I"ll add a bit more text in mission description to make it more clear for the next Soldier!!
I did that part and this time I switched from one string to another in an instant. I wasn't sure about mission 59 - the title says "triplets" but in the tabs there are duplets too, so I did it twice not to miss a part of it again
About the overhanded tapping, I can't do it. I never could play a keyboard with my left hand and this is the same case here. I hope that doesn't get me to fail at some point.
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I must take the blame for again not being very clear in my Mission instructions so I've modified the text of the Mission. Give it one more read and one more pass on the Mission vid. I want to see if the text makes sense by itself, so I'm going to avoid detailing here. Again, my bad on this for not being clear. I appreciate your patience on this. As for the Tapping, it's just a Bonus lick so it's not required for the badge. It's a bit outside anything you might ever need to actually play as it's just or show. You can play the tapping bit using the standard method so it's purely for the sake of being flashy/tacky to play it over hand like that I made sure to change that as well in the Mission text.
Once More in to the FRAY Soldier!!!! For King and Country!! You are making more progress than I've seen anyone make in quite some time. Keep it up!!
Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 12 2019, 06:59 PM)
I did that part and this time I switched from one string to another in an instant. I wasn't sure about mission 59 - the title says "triplets" but in the tabs there are duplets too, so I did it twice not to miss a part of it again
About the overhanded tapping, I can't do it. I never could play a keyboard with my left hand and this is the same case here. I hope that doesn't get me to fail at some point.
I must take the blame for again not being very clear in my Mission instructions so I've modified the text of the Mission. Give it one more read and one more pass on the Mission vid. I want to see if the text makes sense by itself, so I'm going to avoid detailing here. Again, my bad on this for not being clear. I appreciate your patience on this. As for the Tapping, it's just a Bonus lick so it's not required for the badge. It's a bit outside anything you might ever need to actually play as it's just or show. You can play the tapping bit using the standard method so it's purely for the sake of being flashy/tacky to play it over hand like that I made sure to change that as well in the Mission text.
Once More in to the FRAY Soldier!!!! For King and Country!! You are making more progress than I've seen anyone make in quite some time. Keep it up!!
Sarge
It's also my fault. I'm a stereotypical programmer when it comes to following the instructions I'm glad I can help to test run the missions and improve/correct where needed! I also realized it's only one more month until I may break the 89 barrier. I'll do my best to get there and not to fall behind the schedule!
I did this without a metronome because it kept confusing me (the duplets that followed triads, couldn't fit it into the ticking pattern.) I hope I did alright as far as timing is concerned and I hope this time I'll get a Pass grade.
GMC:er Posts: 25.297
Joined: 23-December 09
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
NAILED IT! Timing was solid so didn't miss the metronome. The metronome is more intended for folks who drift a bit on timing to help them have a reference so they can tell if they are rushing or lagging. You've done solid work with keeping time and your sense of time is quite solid. So if it's getting in the way, you can skip the click track. I don't think you'll need it most of the time at the level your playing. It's still good to practice with one now and then to make sure one's internal clock is still working
Let's Debrief!!!! MEDALS OF HONOR
*PICKING VARIATION: This one mixes triple strikes and double strikes in the same riff. This makes it a confusing bit of music to play. To make it more fun, there are fret/shape changes!! You adapted and played it without a hitch! *PINKY POWER RETURNS: Your pinky is on point here yet again!! Well done not using the third finger instead of PINKY POWER!!
*STEADY AS A ROCK: Pace is nice and smooth, no rushing or lagging. Well Fought Soldier! You are fast approaching your next CHEVRON Badge Upgrade!! Also fast approaching the TRIPLE ...... DIGIT ...... BARRIER!!!!
You just.... LEVELED UP!!
Onward! Sarge
QUOTE (Adam M @ Mar 13 2019, 04:32 PM)
It's also my fault. I'm a stereotypical programmer when it comes to following the instructions I'm glad I can help to test run the missions and improve/correct where needed! I also realized it's only one more month until I may break the 89 barrier. I'll do my best to get there and not to fall behind the schedule!
I did this without a metronome because it kept confusing me (the duplets that followed triads, couldn't fit it into the ticking pattern.) I hope I did alright as far as timing is concerned and I hope this time I'll get a Pass grade.
Somehow, it's much easier to play this exercises faster than slower. Most of the time, I skip the metronome but I still try to use it regularly (mostly for recording the missions) to keep track of my progress. Also, I was suggested to listen to Bach for 30 minutes to 1 hour everyday and I'm starting tomorrow. It's supposed to help me in the path I've chosen!
Bits are only hard at first, upon repetition they get easier. The crazy bits to come will seem crazy on round one. By round three you will think it's no problem! Congrats on all your progress Soldier!!
