Hi Muris,
I will go into detail a little more about my goals etc. a little later but I wanted to get some clips up so you can see my current playing level.







Before we get started I just want to say thanks for taking the time to help me with my playing. Means A LOT!!

BACKGROUND

I am 38 and have been playing for around 20 years by now. My favorite players when I was learning were Vai, Satch and Vito Bratta. I have been playing pretty consistently for those 20 years but in the last 2 years and especially the last 6 months I have become extremely focused and consistent with my practicing and playing. My favorite type of music is Rock and I just love instrumental guitar music.

Never been in a band and really never had any kind of contact with any musicians until I joined GMC.


CURRENT STATUS

I think my strengths are my legato and tapping. I think I can bend pretty decent and I think I can come up with nice melodies/licks etc. I think I am decent at sweep picking and economy picking as well although they could use some work as well.

My weaknesses are definitely my vibrato and my alternate picking. I don't know why I dont consistently work on this technique, although since January I have been more consistent than usual. I think it is because my legato and tapping are so developed compared to my AP that it is just easier for me to fall back into my comfort zone and rely on those techniques rather than take the time to develop a good AP technique. THIS WILL BE REMEDIED THIS YEAR!! I just need some guidance on how to do it.

THEORY

I think I have a pretty good background here. I know all my scales and triads and I understand modes etc. I know where chords come from and how to build them. In this area I feel pretty comfortable about where I am although I could always learn more.

CURRENT ROUTINE

My current routine consists of daily practice of the following techniques:

TAPPING
LEGATO
HYBRID PICKING
ALTERNATE PICKING
ECONOMY PICKING
SWEEP PICKING

I am currently working on the following GMC lessons:

Your "Phrygian advanced" lesson
I have this pretty much up to tempo except for the AP parts!! A couple of the licks in this sound better played with a different technique to my ear so I have changed a couple of them. The AP and economy picked runs at the very beginning however need to be picked so I am working on these and I am making progress.

Your "Lydian advanced" lesson
This one is just being held up by the sweep tap arpeggio and the 16th triplet hybrid picking. I also changed the last hybrid lick to tapping, just sounds better to me. I have designed an excercise to help me with the 16th triplet hybrid part and I am really close to getting it up to tempo.

Your "Sweeping Etude"
Just started this. I can sweep pretty clean and fast when staying in one position but have problems shifting around so I decided to tackle this to remedy that. Only have the first couple of parts memorized and I am really slow at it right now. This will be really good for me.

I'll post takes on both of the phrasing lessons this weekend so you can see where I am at. I haven't worked with the backing track yet but shouldn't be a problem to get a 75-80% take on both of these.

I plan on devoting 1 hour a day to whatever it is you want me to work on Muris. Just show me the way master!!

OVERALL GOAL

If I could get some AP chops, or at least pointed in the right direction out of the MTP I would be happy. One other goal I would really like would be for you to show me how to structure an instrumental. Kind of like your "final dance" entry. I don't expect to play like that but I would like to know how to structure the different parts so it sounds like a song and not just a bunch of licks thrown together.

Anything else you think I need to know I will do for sure. Thanks again Muris and let me know if you need to know anything else.

Monte

So Muris I thought I might try to give you a little more insight into my picking issues.

I am basically an economy picker although I am not a very skilled one. I do pretty well when combining it with my legato but not so much when trying to pick every note. I had a friend back in the day when I had only been playing a few years who lent me the Frank Gambale video where he demonstrated his sweep picking technique. I worked on it a little bit but wasn't very disciplined with it because I wasn't really into any players that were known for their picking chops. When I come across an AP run, like in any of your lessons I will either play it legato or try and change the lick so it can be economy picked. This ususally consists of doubling up some of the notes so my pick is going in the right direction to change strings. To my ear this sounds OK because in my opinion when you are playing something at high speed it is just and effect and adding an extra note here or there to the beat doesn't change the overall feel of it.

I have been chatting with fellow GMC'er SonofDestiny and he pointed out that he thought my AP woes were simply a synchronization issue. I think he is right. I have decent legato so my left hand can move fast enough. I can tremolo pick just fine and I can even get some decent speed when doing single string AP runs. The problem comes when I go to change strings and sychronize my right and left hand.

To remedy this I have recently, meaning this week, started working on your AP in thirds lesson and your string skipping lesson. I have been working pretty hard for the last month or so on my economy picking and I think I am making some good progress on this.

I really want to get my AP together so I am gonna do whatever you tell me too to fix this. I have set aside an hour a day to work on whatever it is you want me to work on. Probably 2 hours on the weekends. Let me know if you want me to post me playing any kind of AP excercises. It won't be pretty but I can do it for sure.

Hey Monte!!

First of all guys, pardon me for cleaning this thread a bit,
there was some random talking and I wanted to keep this space
easy to navigate over, hope you don't mind.

You said that you're pretty much interested into
composing catchy songs and solos and I like that a lot.
We'll try to talk about this subject more in next period
since we have one very concrete topic to work on atm.
Alternate Picking.

I can see that you're very good when it comes to legato,
sweeping, economy etc.
And your theory knowledge is fine as well,
we won't be having lot of problems to guide you at all.
What we need to do is to simply break your practicing routing
a little and work on alternate picking more than usual.
Since you like legato and everything I listed above A LOT
I'm sure you won't stop practicing those techniques anyhow,
that's why I'm gonna give just one lesson to start with
and it's about alternate only.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...upstroke-focus/

You'll notice that this lesson nicely prepares you for many situation
that you might run into when you play straight alternate picking.
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.
I was thinking to give you 7 days but feel free to bump this topic
whenever you feel to, I know that you're hard worker and so
if you bump it tomorrow it's not gonna surprise me at all.

I'm on it Muris. I'll post a take at my top clean speed ASAP and I'll be working on this lesson VERY hard!! I'm gonna post where I am at on your lydian and Phrygian lessons as well and change a few licks so you can see how I have been compensating for my lack of AP chops. Thanks.

I KNOW you'll do it great.

Alright Muris,
Went through this lesson this morning and it is just what the doctor ordered. None of these shapes are new to me, I use them all the time in my legato phrasing so the fingering isn't a problem. The hard part for me is gonna be syncing the hands and trying to remember to stick to steady alternate picking. I am constantly wanting to "sweep" when I change strings. I'm gonna work hard on this and get you a post at 100 bpm and 120 bpm by Sunday. I think I can play it pretty clean at 100 bpm but 120 bpm is where it starts to fall apart as you will see. Since I have limited practice time I am gonna keep my video posts to what you are having me work on if that is OK. I really want to focus a lot of energy on what you are having me work on so unless you request something I am going to just post this lesson for now. Thanks Muris!!

Working on that lesson only atm is fine with me Monte,
we will have plenty of time to mess with other things
once we get your picking in order.

Muris,
Could I get the backing track to the downstroke/upstroke lesson? Thanks.

On its way.

I thought I would just give you a quick update. I'm having a hard time breaking old habits. My biggest problem is training myself to stick to strict alternate picking. I keep wanting to sweep when changing strings. Right now I would say my top clean speed is 100bpm. I am taking it all the way up to 130 bpm when practicing and some of the licks I can play pretty cleanly at this tempo. The very last 2 licks where you are running the ascending an descending scales just scream to be economy picked, at least that is what my fingers are hearing. I'm gonna go through this lesson a couple more times and give you a video post tomorrow so you can see where I am at. I'll be interested to hear what you think of my AP technique. I've never posted anything with me using AP before on GMC. You'll probably see why tomorrow.

I can feel your pain Monte,
playing economy for so many years
and now jumping into only alternate must be horror for you
but I'm afraid that it's the best way to do amp.
Good thing tho is that your muscles are pretty much trained already
and it won't last long for you to take AP as your own weapon.

Muris I have a question for you. Why would you use economy picking when you can AP like you can? Do you really hear that much of a difference in sound? I ask because I was noticing on your Phyrigian advanced lesson that the first descending lick you use economy as opposed to AP. I am already getting A LOT more comfortable with AP. I will post a take today hopefully. I am only gonna post it at 100 bpm. This is the tempo I can play ALL the licks cleanly for the most part. Some of them I can play faster but some of them I can't. The toughest licks so far are any of the licks that inolve 3nps where you are doing a run over 3 strings or more. When I get to the higher tempos my muscle memory kicks in and I start to sweep when changing strings. I am spending quite a bit of time at slower tempos to remedy this. I think a realistic goal for me for this lesson is between 5-10 bpm increase in my top clean speed per week. My goal is to be able to play this lesson up to tempo in 3-4 weeks.

I have also started working on your AP string skipping lesson. I started this lesson a few months ago and stopped because it was so frustrating. I can already feel that I have more control on my AP chops and I am excited about this. I'll get you the 100 bpm take later today. Thanks Muris and let me know what you think about my 5-10 bpm increase per week. Do you think this is realistic or do you think I should be improving faster?

Hmm, tricky question, but when you have alternate and economy
in your arsenal you just combine them as you please,
sometimes it's because of sound but sometimes it's just
cause you want it that way, period!

And as for progress, I was never following my own progress via BPMs
so I really cannot say what is the best "lap time",
make as much effort as you can and we'll see the result, agree?

Here you go Muris. 100bpm. I don't know, I've never seen a video of me using so much AP. It looks awkward to me. I will upload again in 7 days and my goal is at least 115 bpm. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks Muris.

Ehey, that was clean as it can be, well done Monte!!!!!!!!!

Now, while you're pushing up the tempo
the only thing I might eventually suggest is try
not to anchor that much with your pinky.
As you can see,you roll your entire wrist pretty often because of that
and might cause you some troubles to play faster, much faster.
It isn't that serious at this speed you presented but
on higher tempos rolling with the wrist is the problem
when you play alternate picking, you just won't be able to
roll and do fast picking movements at the same time,
not to mention string skipping including alternate.

Thanks Muris. I will work on holding my right hand more like you do with your fingers curled in more of a fist instead of fanned like I do. I always knew I was doing something technically wrong but couldn't figure out what it was. I will post again next sunday at 115 bpm with my fingers in more of a fist hopefully. I'm gonna get this AP thing down if it kills me!! It just might too!!

Sorry don't mean to spam this topic but I just want to say great work and improvement is being done here already. I look forward to final results once mentoring is finished

Muris,
So I started practicing the picking without anchoring my pinky. Feels strange to me but at the same time I can tell it is going to let me change strings cleaner once I get the feel for it. The licks that are holding up my progress I think are the "thirds lick" and the lick where you do the "octave string skip". I'll post a video in the next couple of days, maybe tomorrow if I get a chance. I want you to tell me if I am still rolling my wrist. I studied closely the video of you playing the lesson and I tried to curl my fingers when playing but it feels really strange. I'll get you a video in the morning of my modified right hand technique. I know if can correct this ASAP it will make it much easier to get the speed where it needs to be. BTW, could I get the backing to your string skipping AP lesson as well. I'm gonna start working on it as well. Thanks.

Monte

Sorry to spam as well, but I am going through the same thing with changing my right hand picking technique for AP.

We can do this man!!

It does feel strange indeed when you first change your picking hand shape
but very soon you'll get used to that, trust me!!
And of course this will NOT affect your sweeping and economy in any way,
it's just that your hand will stay more steady when doing all the job
which means less movements for better and faster execution!

Backing you are asking, is it for THIS lesson? You want full tempo backing or?

I'm already getting used to it and you are right, I can feel the steadiness already! Yes, that is the lesson I would like the backing for and full tempo please. Thanks Muris!

That's awesome Monte, here's is backing for you, rock it!

Click to view attachment

Alright Muris, my practice session went really well this morning. Changing my right hand by curling my fingers made a HUGE difference. I think I am going to make some good progress this week. I think the pinky anchoring was my problem all along. Changing strings feels much smoother now and especially on the last two runs. I am also finally getting over the wanting to sweep urge when changing strings. The change in right hand posture also helped my economy picking. That little tip was worth it's weight in gold!! Thanks Muris, I just might get some AP chops yet.

2 words, hell yeah!

WOW!! you are great mate!!

Hi Muris,
Just wanting to check in. Things are progressing well. I will post another take on Saturday or Sunday. I would say that I can play all of the licks with the exception of 2 of them between 130 and 140 bpm fairly clean. My ultimate goal is to be able to play it "boost" style at 160. I won't stop practicing this lesson until I reach that goal and post it for you to see. The licks that are holding me up are the lick played in 3rds and the lick with the octave in it starting from the A on the G string. I think it is the string skipping and the inside picking that is giving me problems. I have started practicing your string skipping lesson to remedy the string skipping problem tho. I just wanted to check in and let you know things are progressing nicely. I can't believe what a difference changing my right hand posture made. I'll get you a video post with the new tempo and right hand posture this weekend. Thanks.

Those are licks must be problem since
you recently switched to pure alternate picking practicing!!
No worries tho, there is some major progress as you can see,
make me happy and post those clips asap, ok?

Hi Muris,
Here is my take for the week. Last week was about 100 bpm and this week was about 112 bpm. This weeks take wasn't quite as clean as last weeks. The string skipping and thrids licks are the "limiting licks" in the piece for me. I can play all the other licks cleanly at about 130-135 bpm. My goal for next week is 120 and I am gonna double up my time on the string skipping and thirds lick. Everything else I think should be at tempo next week. You always gotta throw a curveball in your lessons don't you!!



It's funny, when I am playing it feels like my right hand fingers are really curled in more of a fist but when I watch the video they are still fanned out. The pinky wasn't anchored though. Did I fix the wrist rolling problem or not? Thanks Muris and I'll keep working on the string skipping. I've added a few of the first bars of you string skipping lessons to my routine as well to get used to string skipping when using AP. I will say that the urge to sweep when changing strings has virtually dissapeared. Let me know what you think and thanks.

Your picking looks like new Monte
and I believe we solved rolling nicely
which is easy to notice if you compare those 2 clips!!

Spot on about fanned fingers, perhaps you could just THINK of curling them while playing,
might be hard to handle at the beginning but becomes habit after a while, no worries.
Looking forward to 120 bpm take and of course
String Skipping lesson, can't wait to see how you're doing there,
awesome progress Monte.

Thanks Muris. I am only working on the first few bars of the string skipping and I only have it up to about maybe 100bpm so far. I'll post what I have so far on the string skipping next week, that way you can make sure I am at least practicing it properly. The string skipping lesson is a long term goal for me but I figured I might as well start working on it now.

Muris, could you tell me what you have planned for me once we get done with AP boot camp?

So my focus for next week will be to curl my fingers more and to isolate the string skipping and thirds licks a little more.

I have NEVER worked this much on AP!! !'m excited that I might actually get some AP chops.

Oh, there are so many things around to work on, lets keep it secret for now.



I know the feel and guess what, you've already got some chops.

Hi Muris,
So I think I have hit the point of diminishing returns with this lesson. I think I have been practicing it so much that I am either totally hitting a wall or I am getting worse. I am gonna back off on it for a couple of days and let my muscles kind of grasp what is going on. What do you think? I can play all the licks clean at 140, except the two we talked about earlier. I am still a little sloppy with the ascending an descending run at full tempo as well. Sooooo.....What would you think about me switching gears and trying to apply what I have learned? I am going through your Phrygian and Lydian Serial in my MTP. I have already posted my take on your phrygian beginner lesson, even curled my right hand fingers for the picking parts. I am gonna post a take on the Lydian beginner sometime this weekend. So I am ready to tackle the Intermediate level on both of these and it looks like there is quite a bit of picking going on. What would you think of me starting those? I can still post another take on the upstroke lesson tomorrow or sunday tho. I will also post those first few bars of the string skipping licks at about 80bpm so you can see my technique with string skipping as well. Thanks Muris.

I happens all the time Monte and no worries,
have a break from those lessons for a while, no big deal!!

Btw, I'm really glad you've been working on this Phrygian Beginner lesson,
those kind of stuff are always good to pay more attention
to very important details like vibrato, dynamics, overall feel etc.
Speaking of it, I have a suggestion,
how about to try dialing gain lower, specially for this Phrygian Beginner lesson?
Those are slower lick, nothing scary and with lower gain ( even kind a OD )
you'll have much more space for dynamic, give it a shot.
You can do the same for everything that is not difficult technique wise,
less gain also means better articulation, bare that in mind.

In a mean while here's another home work for you.
take this same BT for Phrygian serial and record a solo over it,
compose it, let it be musical but don't be afraid to shred here and there if you want tho,
keep it wise and aim to satisfy some random listener,
then we'll listen to it and discus you composing skills.

Awesome Muris!! You know, since I joined GMC 7 months ago I have consistently practiced 2-3 hours a day. First time I have been consisten and FOCUSED. Problem is I have been pretty much just focused on technique. I have made A LOT of progress though and most of it is thanks to your lessons. I think I am ready to start taking half of my practice time and start applying what I have learned.

I'm gonna start working on the Phrygian solo tomorrow and I will post what I have composed so far in a week. Then you can tell me how to improve. I will still keep working on my picking obviously, It is in my routine now and it is just a matter of time until I get competent with it.

I'll get back to you with my take on your cool backing!

Thanks Muris.

Absolutely Monte, practicing technique is what we all have to do
but it's nice to also to look around and see how it actually sounds
in your own music!
Looking forward to those takes, great job so far!!

Ohh, and BTW, do you mind putting back your old avatar Monte?
It's very scary to give advices while looking at Mr. Vai.

Sorry Muris...No can do!! I figured between the cool new Vai avatar and you mentoring me I GOTTA get a little better.

Ok then

Hi Muris...Just wanted to check in really quick. I have my brother in law in town for the next week and I am going out of town next weekend so I don't know what I will be able to upload next week. I have been kicked out of my practice room for the week. I can still practice but I make my videos in the mornings usually. Anyways, gonna be kind of a weird week but I wanted to know I am still working on everything. Here is what I am hoping to upload for you next week:

Upstroke lesson

My take on the Phrygian backing track

I also finished my tapping etude over your upstroke backing and I'm gonna upload that as well. Had alot of fun working on this one.

I told you I am gonna be trying to complete your phrygian and Lydian serials this year. I'm even gonna try to get the AP licks up to tempo and not cheat and play them legato. Anyways, Here is my take on your Lydian beginner lesson. I tried to spice it up a little with the tremolo bar...Don't know if that worked or not. Tell me what you think of the AP string skipping lick as far as my technique. We talked abou me posting a take on your string skipping lesson at about 80 bpm and just the first few bars. I figured this might work instead. Thanks Muris, and good luck on your tour in the US. I hope I get to meet you!!

Thanks for update Monte,
you did make a huge plans and I can't wait to see those next takes!


I see you were using whammy bar A LOT here which is great nonetheless
but there are some quite a shorter notes and you did dive after most of them,
it sounded like overpushed and out of tune cause you indeed
don't have enough time to perform all those whammy tricks there
and keep them sweet sounding.
I'm talking about smaller details here, phrasing moments
that you should think of when you play or compose,
those details no matter how small they are are making major difference!

Picking was fine too,
you did open your fist pretty much on last section but that is NOT a problem at all,
just try to close it and not anchor when doing faster stuff,
for slower licks you can even use your teeth, just don't break them!

Good job Monte, keep 'em coming!

I would like to see this! Maybe you could do the tapping part with your nose.

Another option

Totally agree Muris!! I'm gpnna post another take on the lydian lesson minus the wiggle stick. Should have quite a few post for you next week. Hopefully I can get in my practice room long enough to get them done.


Ahhhh....Another technique to work on!!

Fingers crossed!

Hi Muris....Hope your stay in the states is going well. I will upload the upstroke lesson on friday at whatever tempo I can get it clean at....I'm shooting for between 120 and 130...we'll see. I haven't had a chance to work on the Phrygian solo but I have next week off so I am gonna work on it then and I'll upload what I have so far next week. I'm working on your Lydian and Phrygian intermediate lessons and I can play pretty well....but not up to tempo with the AP licks yet . I've added some "inside" and "outside" picking excercises to my routine as well. Over all I am happy with how my AP is progressing....just not a fast as I would like but I am not gonna give up until I get to my goal.

I will say that I am getting EXTREMELY comfortable with curling my right hand fingers and it has made a HUGE difference in my playing......not only my AP but my sweeping as well. I am very surprised by this. This MTP experience has been worth it just for that one piece of advice from you. I was having problems with my sweep/taps with regards to muting. I wrote a sweeps/arpeggios etude and put a few sweep/tap licks in there and the curling my fingers cleaned up my muting when doing the ascending sweeps. Thanks for the advice Muris!!

I know I told you about the etudes I have been working on over your upstroke track as well. I have finished the tapping etude and I have written an arpeggio etude and a legato one as well. Here is the tapping etude and I'll upload the upstroke lesson on Friday. Hope you are having a good time in the States....wish I was closer so I could meet you and see you play.



EDIT: I just realized you won't even be back into town until next week. I'll wait to post anything until you get back into town. Thanks Muris!!

Hi Muris,
Hope you made it home safely. I am gonna work on the Phrygian composition this week and will post when I have something worth looking at.

I have two videos to show you. I have the upstroke lesson and I played it twice....once at about 125 bpm and once at full tempo. You can see that my biggest problem is the thirds lick. I just gotta keep working on this. I think I have my right hand posture down now and I find that I am more comfortable now with curled fingers than with fanned fingers and I don't anchor my right hand at all now. I think I have progressed nicely with my AP and I am hoping to be able to start using it in my playing soon...still not quite there yet, at least as far as shred licks go. I have completely sworn off economy picking until I get my AP where it needs to be....don't want to relapse.



I also have a video of my take on your lydian intermediate lesson as well. I can actually ALMOST play this using AP.....not quite tho, so I had to rely on my legato and tapping to be able to play it. I am gonna learn your Phrygian intermediate next and then your Mixolydian. I would say I spend about half of my practice time working on my AP right now and I think it is paying off. Thanks for your help with this and I will get you a take on the Phrygian backing by this weekend. Thanks.

That was great tapping etude Monte, well done!!

There is only one chord arpeggio that was a bit out of key,
at 0:19 you played Major7 arpeggio over 5th degree chord
so it should be 7 chord, not Major7.
This is just tiny theoretical digression, technique was great nonetheless!



Your picking looks and sounds better each day Monte, way to go!!
However, in Lydian lesson you still had kind a fanned out hand,
probably cause you didn't think about AP only, no worries tho,
it'll become fully natural after a while.

While we wait for Phrygian composition
what do you say about starting with Alternate Picking Etude?
If you you're up for it just let me know which backing you would like.

Great you are back Muris!! Alternate Picking etude sounds great. I actually started this one before I started the MTP and got kind of frustrated with it. I think with the technique change in my picking hand that I can do better with it this time....I am ready for a new AP lesson as well.

I noticed that I fanned my fingers in the Lydian lesson as well.....I notice I still tend to do it when I do any kind of sweeping and I really have to think about not doing it. I am working on a sweeping etude right now and really trying to focus on not fanning.

I will start the AP lesson and give you a post of that and the Phrygian track by next saturday. I need to work on Emir's collab the next couple of days but after that I will have some time to dedicate to composing the Phrygian solo.....should be a lot of fun.

Thanks for pointing out the 7th chord flub in the tapping etude....I am still getting used to composing and I have done this a couple of times now and I will remember this from now on.

I'll post in a week with the Phrygian solo and the AP etude. I'll take the full speed BT for the picking etude...I slow it down using "Transcribe". Thanks.

Here's the backing for you Monte,
looking forward to it and all other takes!


Click to view attachment

Thanks Muris....I'm 2/3 of the way through this one. This is a tough one!! Never tried to AP arpeggios before. I am hoping to post a take of the whole lesson next weekend along with the my take on your Phrygian backing.

You got it!
Tho I have to agree with you that it IS a tough one
but after you nail it your AP will improve a lot,
just focus on your picking hand, keep fingers out of your way
and feel every note that you pick, you should be fine.