Great! I am happy that you have decided to join my program!
Let's start with a very cool and simple exercise that will help you develop your technique and will sync your hands together!
You have to practice it at a very very slow tempo and make sure that you have a full control over both of your hands!
Here is the tab

E ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|
B ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|
G ||o5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|
D ||o--------------------------|----------------------------------------|
A ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|
E ||---------------------------|----------------------------------------|


----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||
--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--o|||
----------------------------|--------------------------------------o|||
----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------------------|||


-------------3--3----------|--------------3--3----------|
-------4--4--------4--4----|--------4--4--------4--4----|
o5--5----------------------|--5--5----------------------|
o--------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|


--------------3--3----------|--------------3--3---------|||
--------4--4--------4--4----|--------4--4--------4--4---|||
--5--5----------------------|--5--5--------------------o|||
----------------------------|--------------------------o|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||


-6--3----------------------|--6--3----------------------|
----------4--6--3----------|-----------4--6--3----------|
o------5-----------5--3----|--------5-----------5--3----|
o--------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|
---------------------------|----------------------------|


--6--3----------------------|--6--3---------------------|||
-----------4--6--3----------|-----------4--6--3---------|||
--------5-----------5--3----|--------5-----------5--3--o|||
----------------------------|--------------------------o|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||
----------------------------|---------------------------|||


-6--3--------------------6--3----------------------|
----------4--6--3-----------------4--6--3----------|
o------5-----------5--3--------5-----------5--3----|
o--------------------------------------------------|
---------------------------------------------------|
---------------------------------------------------|


--6--3--------------6--3----------------|
--------4-----------------4-------------|
-----------5--4--3-----------5--4--3----|
----------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------|


--6--3--------------------6--3----------------------|
-----------4--6--3-----------------4--6--3----------|
--------5-----------5--3--------5-----------5--3----|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--6--3--------------6--3---------------|||
--------4-----------------4------------|||
-----------5--4--3-----------5--4--3--o|||
--------------------------------------o|||
---------------------------------------|||
---------------------------------------|||


-6--4--3-------------------------------------------|
-------------------6--4--3-------------------------|
o---------7--5--3--------------------7--5--3-------|
o---------------------------6--5--3----------------|
----------------------------------------------6----|
---------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------6--5--3-----------------------------3--5----|
--5--3-----------------------------3--5--6----------|
-----------------6--4--3--3--4--6-------------------|


-----------------------4--6--8--3--4--6-------------|
--------------4--6--8--------------------3--4--6----|
-----3--5--7----------------------------------------|
--6-------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|


--6--4--3-------------------------------------------|
--------------------6--4--3-------------------------|
-----------7--5--3--------------------7--5--3-------|
-----------------------------6--5--3----------------|
-----------------------------------------------6----|
----------------------------------------------------|


----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
----------------------------------------------------|
--------6--5--3-----------------------------3--5----|
--5--3-----------------------------3--5--6----------|
-----------------6--4--3--3--4--6-------------------|


-----------------------4--6--8--3--4--6------------|||
--------------4--6--8--------------------3--4--6---|||
-----3--5--7--------------------------------------o|||
--6-----------------------------------------------o|||
---------------------------------------------------|||
---------------------------------------------------|||

Guitar Pro
Click to view attachment

Let me know if you have any questions!

Hi Alex,

Many thanks for this interesting exercise.
I started to work on it last night. Starting at a slower BPM as you suggested - this is indeed recommended at first for the last section especially-.
I will work on increasing the speed gradually.
I'll try to post my take shortly.

I shall see if my sound card that was presenting some major issues in the last few months will hold and allow me to.

Anyhow, thanks for this 1st exercise. Looking forward to your mentoring.



JPBluestring

PS: I plan to submit my take using Soundcloud. Any issue with that?

The thing is you don't have to increase the speed Slower you play it better results you will get! This exercise is meant to develop your technique and funny enough you have to do it very slow!
I would like you to post your take at a slow speed!
No problems with Soundcloud!

Hi Alex,

I am out of the loop again with PC and sound card issues. I am getting desperate with this thing that is slowing me down in my progress in the mentoring program!

I continue to practice the exercise but had to dig out my old Metronome from the attics.

Anyhow I hope you don't think I dropping out.

I'll try to set up my laptop as the studio PC is acting out.

Thank you for your understanding.

JPBluestring

Take your time! I know it happens!!! I lost power myself last night! Those things we can't really control!
Let me know when you are ready!!!! Have fun with your old metronome!

Hi Alex,

Finally resolved my sound card issue.
Compounded problems: issue with driver and configuration after soundcard repair and change of motherboard!

Anyhow, here are two takes of Exercise 1.
I think I have to re-learn how to count - This exercise was good for me to realise that music has a lot to do with counting!

In Take 2 I think I am more in sync with tempo. U be the judge.

I am looking forward for your comments.
Many thanks for your patience!

JPB
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/exercise-1-jpb-20120519-1

Take 2:
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/exercise-1-jpb-20120519-2

You did a very good job! It's almost perfect! The first take you are rushing a little bit and playing ahead of the beat!
The second track you are ahead as well but doing better! My suggestion would be try to control yourself and really focus on the beat you can even try to hold yourself back! You will hear the results fast!
Add this exercise into your warm up routine!
I will create a new assignment for you in in a meantime!

Thank you Alex.

You are right I can see it on the wave shape - my playing Vs the beat. This is a good exercise. There is more to it than it may look like in the first look.

Thanks for your helpful comment.

JPB

It's my pleasure! Are you ready for a new assignment or need to spend a little bit more time with this exercise?

Looking forward for a new one! (I will keep practising this exercise from time to time)

Many thanks

JPB

So! I have a new assignment for you!
We will start to get into improvisation a little bit more! And I will explain you how the stuff works
Here is a very cool II - V - I backing track in E minor
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/ii-v-i-jam
This is the track that we will be using for a while and I will give you assignments based on it!
The chords are:
Emi7 - A7 - Dmaj7

Over E mi7 chord I want you to play E dorian mode

Over A7
A minor blues pentatonic

Over D major 7 F# minor pentatonic


Try to be as melodic as possible and
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Sounds very interesting. I will get to it. Cool I have to learn the dorian scale.

Awesome! Let me know how it goes and if you have any questions! Next week I will goin you and will start to record solos with you to give you ideas!

Oups! The pressure is on but that's good I suppose. You know how to trigger the right buttons. I'll try not to disappoint and be creative.

I worked on it last night and really enjoy the challenge with this one. Mixing E dorian with penta is a new territory for me. I'am used to stick with my good old friend "Penta" if you see what I mean. I think I have some good licks over the E dorian but switching to the A penta or F# penta is not obious at first glance. This is good as it forces me to get out of my comfort zone.

Thank you for this relevant exercise.


JPB

Awesome! I am glad you like it! We will continue working on more meldoic assignments and will mix it up with mechanical!
I am looking forward to hear what you came up with!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Hi Alex,

Here is a first cut - still rough on the edge. With more practice I would improve but I was anxious to get your point of view.
I tend to be stuck on the E dorian mode I think. I tried here and there to include the A minor penta and F# but I seem to lose the momentum.
Somehow I don't really hear those two mixing harmonically with the E dorian. Maybe my imagination?

I value your guidance and insightful recommendations.

Many thanks.

JPB

http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/ii-v-i-in-e-minor-expression-1#play

You did a very good job!
Nice tone and melodies! A few timing issues but I think it's because you've just started to work on this longer you will practice it better it will get!
I can hear dorian but to make it more obvious on E minor try to accent G and D it will do the trick!
You are doing a very good job! Just work on it for a little bit more and I will join you in a few days to give you more ideas!

Hi Alex,

Gave it a little bit more practice and tried to prolong the backing track in Cubase.
This cut has only one splice at .026 to .031
Allowing more time I would get more ideas as you say and with practice I think it would get more interesting.
Still having some timing issues. Hearing it back after record helps realising this.
This is a good exercise.
Hope you feel I'm going in the right direction?
Many thanks for your comments.

JPB

http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/ii-iv-v-expression-2

Wow! You are doing very very well! Nice phrases!
Now I would like you to have more space in between licks! Try to use question - answer technique!
I can explain you how to use it in details if you want me to!
Let me know!

Thanks
I think I am starting to get it. Adding those responses (Blues inspiration from the cotton fields) creates a new dimension.
I still think I should add more silence in this last take.
Still timing issues. Got to work on this.
Hope I understood the call-response technique.
Thank you Master.

JPB

http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring

You did a great job! Very melodic and smart playing! I like it a lot!
Let's start a new approach:) So I have recorded 8 bars of the solo and would like you to continue it for the next 8 bars!
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/jpbluestring
I used exactly the same scales I gave you! Try to be melodic and use my idea as a guidance!
When you are done please mix your solo into the track after mine and leave the rest without lead so I can record next 8 bars!
Let me know if you have any questions!

Cool!
Responding to a Master is not something I do often.
I think I hear your call!
Still timing issues - Sorry

JPB

http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring

You did a very good job! I would suggest to keep it less busy on the second half! First 4 bars were awesome! I heard the melody and idea try to make the second part the same way! Maybe play the answer octave higher?

Hi Alex,
Thanks for your comments. I'll give it a try.
BTW I don't understand what happened with my downloads from SoundCloud.
It seems that my last download replaced the version in my last 3-4 postings with the last one for the 8-bar exercise ??
I can't find a way to edit each post with their original versions.
Any idea what might have happened?

JPB

Here is a new attempt going from cage 1 in 5th position to 10th and up.
Timing is getting a little better.

JPB

http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/expression-5

Good job! I will ad the next part tomorrow!!!!

Could'nt help it when I heard it from Zoom's page. Cool groove!
I tried to incorporate a few silences and be more in time to stay in the spirit of your last comments.

JPB
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/blues-groove-3-jpb

Hehe! If you like this track better we can start using it:)
You did a very nice job! Reminded me of Santana! Sound and phrasing! Nice work!

Hi Alex,

Feel more comfortable adding those silences now.
It really helps building confidence as you have a little bit more time to breath and think about the next phrase.
Really good advice. Thanks a lot.
Hope you like this take.

JPB
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/blues-groove-3-take-2

Beautiful take!
I have another suggestion try to develop your solo a little bit more and use different octaves! The beginning was great and it sounded very very good I think adding higher range will make it even more beautiful!
Keep it up you are doing fantastic!

I will add the next part to it tomorrow!

Hi Alex,
I was out of the circuit for a couple of days (extra work-time this week)
Anyhow, back to serious stuff now over the week-end. This backtrak is very interesting indeed!
Anxious to hear what could follow. I think I understand what you mean by "working more on the soloing"
I have a tendency to go back in the same path too easily. I need to explore new territories I guess.
Thanks for your help as always.

JPB

PS: While awaiting to get back on Expression 5 here is a take I could not resist from a backing track from Slavenko's page. I feel the progress. Thanks Alex I think your good advices are paying off. Ooooo!

http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/slavenko-blues-trk-jpb-take-2

Can you please make this track downloadable so I can add the next part?

Hum! I normally copy the link an insert it as a Soundcloud clip.
I can see that by putting my mouse over it it offers me the option to download once it saved on GMC site.
Am I missing something??

Sorry about that.

Here's another trial.

Thanks

JPB
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/expression-5

It's still not downloadable! You have to change it in the song settings or reupload it and select download option on the upload page!

I think I found the reason why. Had to click on "downloadable" option indeed. (Don't know why the option was changed on this one??) Anyhow, hope it works now.

Thanks

JPB

Works perfect now!!!

Alex, I think I am lost in confusion with Soundcloud. My save seem to always link to my latest downoald on Soundcloud which may not be related to this tread. (i.e. collab confused with this tread.)

Here is my latest cut for Expression 6.

Hoping it gets to you correctly this time! (NB: I'm using "Copy link location from Soundclourd??)

JPB
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/expression-6

Wow! The first solo was great! Great sound and great melody! I will create and post a new assignment for you in tomorrow!
I can see a huge improvement in your playing! WOW! Keep it up!

Thank you Alex.
I can feel it too.
Many thanks for you good advices.


JPB

Hi! So I have a new solo added now it's your turn!
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/jp-bluestring
In my solo I tried to exaggerate A minor pentatonic (c natural) over A7 chord and would like you to do the same!
Please use:
Over E mi7 chord I want you to play E dorian mode

Over A7
A minor blues pentatonic

Over D major 7 A major arpeggio


Use exact shapes I gave you!
Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Thanks Alex!
This is very interesting.
It sounds a little off while being in the scale. Very Cool Indeed! (VCI)
I like it.
I will try not to disappoint with my take and measure up - if I can
Thanks for the challenge.

JPB.
PS: I see that you are challenging me with an arpeggio now. I'll give it a try Master.

It is cool to use A minor pentatonic over A7 chord!
You will have fun with it! I can see a huge progress in your playing! You are a very melodic player and have everything it takes! I am just helping you to put those pieces together!
Keep it up!

Good morning Alex,
Here's my take for this week.
This duo incorporating distorted and clean guitars is getting interesting.
Of course, I'm still not there but I think your lead is giving me good paths.
Liked the arpeggio in it. This is great.
Listening to your style, I have yet to figure out how you achieve this loose but rhythmic style.
I'd love to be able to get there eventually.
Thanks so much for your time. I really appreciate your guidance.
I feel privileged to jazz with you a little.


JPB
I hope you'll like it!
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/expression-6d

Thank you very much for the kind words! I am having a lot of fun jamming with you as well!
You did a very good job on the solo! But I would like to hear more arpeggios you played it a couple of times but it sounds like you are not too sure about it! I would like you to get more comfortable with it!
Let's add another one!
Over D major 7 chord you have choices:
A major arpeggio

D major 7

F# minor arpeggio


Let me know if you have any questions or need help!

Hi Alex,
Sorry for the delay.
Not quite there I feel but it's improving I think.

Thanks for your patience.

JPB
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/expression-6e

You did a great job! I love the melody and the tone! Everything sounded very very nice!
I have a new challenge
Now I would like you to play arpeggios only for the whole solo!
This is a very hard exercise but it will help you to see the neck from a different perspective!
Arpeggios I would like you to use:
Dmaj7 - Emi7 - F#mi7 - Gmaj7 - A7 - Bmi7- C#mi7b5
Here are the shapes:
D maj7

Emi7

F#mi7


Gmaj7

A7

Bmi7

C#mi7b5


Just use different combinations and try to turn them into licks!
Here is my take
http://soundcloud.com/alex-feather-akimov/jpbluestrings

Let me know if you have questions or need help!

Hi Alex,

It's been a busy week for me so I did not find all the time I wanted to trial this out. However I did study your lesson on sweep arpeggios and practiced this a bit using the chords you referred me to in our collab. Great lesson by the way - very instructional.

A few questions:
When playing arpeggios, is it ok to go outside the arpeggio a bit and add one or two notes to help creating a melody?

Do the fingering and picking playing matter much? (hammer and slide, and up down strokes etc.)?

I think I am starting to see the neck differently now as you alluded to. This is great as it seems to open up new opportunities for melody when combining with the scale!!

That said, I find I tend to stick to the arpeggio as represented on the the chord pictogram as opposed to go outside the box and create a melody with the arpeggio notes.

This is new territory for me, I admit. However, nice territory.

Thanks for your guidance as usual. You put me in the right direction.

Sincerely,

JPBluestring


PS: I'll try to post my take over the week-end

Hello! Great I am glad you like my arpeggio lesson! It is a fun lesson to work on!


Yes you can add a few notes to make a melody out of it!

Yes because when you will be playing them fast you might run into some troubles so it's better to learn it with the right fingers!
It is my pleasure! I am very happy that I can help and that you are learning something new! Let me know if you have any question or need help with anything!

Hey Alex,

Here's my take for this week.
I think I'm getting there ??
Listen to the last segment I succeeded in adding one odd note like you do (hey hey! )
I like it

Thanks for your valuable comments - It really helps.



JPbluestring
http://soundcloud.com/jpbluestring/expression-6f