You are right Cosmin. I will give your advice a go and see how I get on. I will keep you updated

Please do, mate

Hi Cosmin

I have being practicing the beginner rock rhythm lesson. I have being getting a little confused with the tab can you just confirm if this is correct please.

Play tabs down to bar 5. Repeat bar 2 ,3 and 4 and jump to bar 6. I have just noticed when writing this and checking the tabs that there is double stars in the tab has that got anything to do with it.

Cheers Sean

Hey mate I suggest a different approach If you really want to develop your skills - use your ears - by this, I mean listen to the structure of the lesson - you have two different rhythmic parts that are being played twice, each and the first one has a slight variation at the end when it goes into the other. So the structure looks like this:

Part 1, Part 1 with variation, Part 2, Solo having Part 2 as backing. You don't need tabs to understand structures. But you need to analyze the structure before starting to learn it. Check out my indications in the schedule and you will see that I noted this step as being an important one. Let me know if you understand the process described, ok?

Yeah I know exactly what you mean Cosmin it makes perfect sense. I do really want to develop my skills and I think having you as mentor is exactly what I need to point me in the right direction with everything I had a read over my schedule again and really need to focus on doing each step correctly to get the most out of each lesson.

I'm glad you feel that, mate Thank you for your kind thoughts and please keep going and keep me posted, deal?

No problem Cosmin. I will let you know where I am with things. Picking hand basics lesson I feel that i have made some improvements. The beginner rock rhythm I am trying to play along with the metronome and really feel the rhythm and get everything tight. This is something that I do find hard and can take some time with me.

I changed my amp at the weekend there to a blackstar HT1 R head and running it through a 1x12 Orange cabinet and I am loving it. I am looking to try mic the amp up. So I am currently buying a Shure SM57 and also need to upgrade my audio interface.

I will have some recordings for you at the weekend. Thats my days of work and I will have the most time to try and make the recordings the best that I can.

Cheers Sean

Blackstar and Orange - nice!

Well mate, I am glad it's going along as it should Not that easy, not that hard if everything is cool with these, we can move on to others next week, but first let's see how you are faring

Hi Cosmin

I was trying to get some video recordings for you today but I was having trouble syncing both audio and video together. I was reading up on how to actually do it because I wasn't to sure. I will try again tomorrow and hopefully get it sorted out.

Hey mate no worries, what sort of programs are you using? Let me know if I can help in any way

I was using my iPhone to record the video. Reaper as my DAW. Then taking the two files into adobe premier which I downloaded yesterday as I did not like Imovie on my iMac. I read on the internet to clap then match wavelengths up on the files. I will give it ago again today. I am sure I will be able to get it sorted. This is all new to me so hopefully with recording a few lessons it will all become a lot easier.

Cheers Sean

Ah mate, I know what you mean Well, try it and let me know how it goes. I usually, used the hi-hats in the beginning of the lesson - they get caught on camera and I can match them in the video editing program with the ones in the actual audio track that I get after rendering the final version in the audio editing software. It's tedious work, but as you said, with practice, ease will come as well

Hi Cosmin

I was still having trouble with syncing video with audio. I will keep trying and hopefully get it sorted out this week.

Here is another take of picking hand basics at 90BPM. I know it still has its flaws. I am still finding it hard to completely relax when recording.

https://soundcloud.com/sean-agnew-1990

The beginner rock rhythm lesson still needs some work.Timing is what is holding me up on this one. I have slowed it down and practiced it with a metronome but for me this a lot longer than most other people.

My playing in general is very sloppy.This probably because my lazy approach to learning guitar and not working hard to resolve issues I noticed over time.I am now really committed to work hard and become better at guitar. The picking hand basics was actually a really great lesson for you to give me.It made me realise how even a basic lesson for timing and I still played parts out of time. The metronome is now going to used more than ever.I will overcome my timing problems that have held me back on guitar and unmotivated me in the past.

Hey mate Leaving problems unsolved is like, sweeping the dust under the rug and somehow wishing it will magically disappear

It's a very good thing that you started tackling these problems slowly and I think you are doing a good job so far - please focus on the last part of the recording where you play 8th notes combined with 16th notes - in the end of the 16th note sequence, you usually miss a note.

Keep rocking!

Hi there Cosmin, I have been browsing this forum/ website for a couple of months now (awesome if I may say!) and this is my first post here. I normally lurk forums but I have been guided here by the almighty guitar gods!

Sending you a private message mate.

Hi Cosmin

No more sweeping the dust under the rug from now on

I am going to focus about 30-45 minutes each day on the metronome. What would you say would be the best way to spend this time

Practice eighths, triplets and sixteenth notes patterns over scales shapes to also learn new scales
Keep the notes simple and just focus on the timing and the metronome
taking parts from lessons and also practice them
Or even anything I play with the guitar have the metronome on

What are you're suggestions

Cheers Sean

Well hello mate! I received it and I am on it Thank you for choosing me!

Hello Sean

I think that this is a very good approach. I will try to suggest lessons which are as simple as possible from this perspective - beginner lessons, as I think they should be a good basis for working your way up the ladder. First things first, please finish the lessons which you are working on and focus on working them out with the metronome. Understand what you have to play and become conscious of when and where you are playing each note and break, in the song In time you will develop an internal clock which can be tweaked to serve you in ANY given situation.

Please let me know how it goes!

Cosmin

I am still working on both lessons Cosmin. I am hoping I can have to video recordings of both lessons for you soon

Alright man Just let me know if the rhythm one is giving you any trouble, because somehow I have a slight feeling it kind of is

Yeah again the timing is giving me the only problem. I am breaking the parts down and playing them with the metronome. I feel as if I understand what to do and can play the parts over a metronome. When I come to play it with the backing track I get lost and don't really know where I am.

I have listened to the backing track over an over to listen to everything thats happening within it to make it easier for me but I am still finding it difficult

That's most probably happening because you haven't yet memorized the forms Try the following approach - hum the guitar line over the original recording to get a good grasp on it and make sure that you memorized it and then hum each section over the metronome and then over the backing track. Your voice can help out a big lot! It's clear that you have it in you if you can hum it Deal? Let me know how it goes mate!

Very good idea Cosmin. I will give it ago and let you know my progress.

Please keep me posted, mate

Hi Cosmin

Some good news for you. I tried to hum over the backing track and I have to admit it has helped.I shut my eyes when doing this and was much more focused and relaxed.

I think my problem is I over think everything.So when I go to record , is my tone ok, is my hand positioning ok, is the video angle ok,is my guitar in tune, is my vibrato ok and so on. All these different things are going through my head that is just overloading my brain and not allowing it to function normally. I came to realise this when humming over the backing track with my eyes shut. No guitar , everything was made simple and nothing to worry about. It certainly allowed me to focus so much more. It by no means has cured my timing problems but has opened my eyes that I can play on time. I can feel it and I will play on time eventually

Some more good news. I think I have solved the syncing audio with video. I will upload some videos over the weekend for you. I have also being working on GMC united collab that I would like to share my ideas with you to get you're advise

Zen guitar has being mentioned in the forums a few times.So I decided to buy it and give it a read. I found something that i can relate to. It says in the book "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are.The only way to progress in Zen Guitar is to put everything into this step, right now" As soon as I read this I stopped and thought about my guitar practice and my approach to guitar and how I need to change it. To stop thinking what I want to be able to play and what I want to be able to do on guitar and just to focus on what I am doing and these things will come in time

So many good news! I am so glad you bought the book and I will be even happier if you take its knowledge and apply it!

Zen teaches you to live the moment and not let your mind alter the course of your harmonious existence and relationship with life - this book does nothing else but apply it in the realm of playing this instrument.

I am really looking forward to seeing the vids and the collab take and BY ALL means Relate your learning experiences here, as everyone can benefit Can you hum the entire take? Music and instrument practicing can be and usually is, a form of active meditation

I am very much into this sort of stuff as you may see

Zen is a amazing book am about half way through. I will definitely be taking its knowledge and applying it.

I feel that I can hum the entire take. The improvement since last week on that lesson is massive. Its a good feeling to notice big improvements.That being said there is still work to be done on it that I am currently doing.

And finally a video recording at last Can you tell me what you think of the quality of the video and if there is anything I should change. I know the light is a bit annoying on the video which I will sort out. The sixteenth notes also still look a bit messy.Not sure why I am doing that

Hey mate Glad to hear things are happening!

The video looks nice and that guitar even nicer I salute you fellow PRS user!

Now, everything looks cool, aside those 16th notes Somehow, I think you are a bit scared of the fact that you will not reach the next note in due time and shift the finger too early - try the humming method against the backing track and tap your foot against it as well - see on which foot you have to switch Let me know if it works for ya!

Thanks Cosmin

Yeah I know I am missing the last 16th note I can feel it. You could be right with the being scared of missing the next note.
It feels natural to play when I am not recording it but as soon as I hit record thats when I feel I mess it up.Also when I hum and tap the foot everything seems to fit into its place.


Here is my rough take for the collab. I feel really nervous about doing this as I have never done it before and but the only way to get better is share it no matter how bad it is and get everyones advice.The last A note doesn't sound good listening to it back but I am not sure how to end.
https://soundcloud.com/sean-agnew-1990/collar-rough-take-1

beginner rock rhythm lesson I am hoping to have a video recording for you this weekend. I feel my timing on it has improved so much but when I play it I feel rigid. I really need to loosen my hands up to make it look more natural

Hey mate

The ideas are very nice and melodic, but you should focus on the timing - for instance, after sec 0:20 you are playing triplets and always landing on beat one with each phrase, which is ok, but the notes in between are not equal - please focus on solving the timing/note length issues and it's pretty good to go in, in my opinion! Listen and compare the note lengths with the ones in Ben's lesson - what subdivisions do you recognize there, that are also appearing in your take?

Hi Cosmin

Hopefully I will sort the triplet problem out tonight. I will send you over another recording to see what you thinkI am hoping to have everything finalised for the colllab tonight. Should of had it in earlier but kept changing what I had.I am actually really excited to see the finished collab. I have watched lots of other collabs and always thought I would love to take part. Now I am
I feel my confidence is growing slowly but I am on the right track.

Possible stupid question What exactly is subdivisions. Is that whats happening in between the beats

Glad you decided to join mate You know, it's always the first step that's the most difficult one

Regarding the subdivisions - yeah, you could say it's what's going on between the beats But, rhythmic subdivisions are actually measuring units of a time signature:

You can subdivide a time signature as follows:

1 whole note
2 half notes
4 quarter notes
8 8th notes
16 16th notes
32 32nd notes

and so on

In respect to what type you are using, the whole idea is to be able to play equal length notes over a beat - for instance, when you are playing triplets, you need to play 3 equal notes over each beat in a 4/4 time signature:

1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3 - just like in Ben's lesson

Please let me know if this is clear, ok?

Cosmin

All is perfectly clear Cosmin. I have listened back to my take multiple times and can see what you mean. When I play the triplets is feels as if I am rushing the 2 and 3 of it. I sat down with the metronome last night and tried to work on it. Hopefully I can get it sorted for my final take. I will practice some more with the metronome and then I will record it.

Here is my take Cosmin. Am I still having the same problems with the triplets. When I play along with metronome at 80BPM I can feel the triplets are equally spaced much easier. But when it is at 100BPM I find it a lot harder to feel it.

I do understand what you mean but when I play at higher tempo I am just not to sure if I am playing it evenly.



If the triplets are still a problem I will go back record it again

Cheers

Hey mate - it's good that you understand the principles and the mechanics! This is the last day for the take submission and I don't know if you could come up with something in this relatively short period of time (a few hours) which could top this one. The triplets are still shaky .. Don't worry, it's something which comes with a bit of time spent on it and a body that has acknowledged and assimilated the feeling of triplets.

If you want to get the triplet pulse better - you can practice against Ben's recording in the 'Picking hand basics' lesson and focus on the triplets. After some time you will probably become more aware of the evenness of the notes and start playing them as they should be

Please send me a PM with the collab files, ok?

Hi Cosmin

Sorry I could not get the triplets sorted for the collab. Yeah I will focus on Ben's lesson and try and get a better feel for the triplet . I am still working on that and trying to sort out the 16th notes and want to be able to plat at the tempo Ben plays at. I should have a video up with Beginner Rock Rhythm this weekend. It will be good to let you see where I am at with it

I sent you a PM with the files

Alright man, no biggie We'll let ambition and well spent practice time take care of those nasty triplets and 16th notes. It's a deal with the Rock Rhythm as well and I got the files

If everything is cool with the Rock Rhythm, we can start experimenting with another lesson as well.

Hi Cosmin !

- You are a beginner and you don't know where to start: No, playing for about 6 years. I'm 51. I've 2 years on classical guitar, a little bit of acoustic but i really like electric guitar. I know that i'm not learning as fast as a young 16 years old man but i practice a lot and i love it.

- You are stuck with a certain area of your playing. Yes i'm doin all the time the same thing.

- You don't use your practice time as efficiently as possible. This is my big problem.

- You feel lost because you have started practicing too many things at once and you are nowhere near your desired goal. Another big big problem.


* How long have you been playing the guitar? about 6 years

* What do you feel your current level is? in the beginning of intermediate

* What sort of theoretical knowledge do you have so far? I know my fretboard, i know intervals on the fretboard, i can read tabs and sheet note. I know the pentatonic scale in A minor by heart and can find the others logically. I know some structures of Dorian mode but not by heart. I know the major scale but not practicing too much on that. I know a lot of chords.

* How much time/day can you spend practicing? 1 hour

* What are your favorite techniques? I love to play with my finger. Teacher here are oppose to that. I'd like to improve with picks.

* What would you like to improve? improve my practice time efficiently. Play on time. Improvise on other thing than pentatonic. I want to know triads on the fret board for all chords and string and a way to learn them. Improve my strumming. Playing faster on solo.

* What is your current experience as a player (band, studio, home)? I'm playing most of the time at home. I'm playing with a liittle band once a week. They are my coworkers (2 guitrs and a signer). We dont have much experience. We have a teacher every 2 weeks for the band. I do not have studio experience but i'd like to record some tracks to have fun. We play some jazzy things like "Dream a little dream" "Stormy weather (just beginning to learn), we play some french stuff.

* What gear do you own? I have 4 electric guitars (I'M CRAZY). Traynor YCV40 amps. Boss loop station (never used). Green Rhino overdrive and MXR micro amp pedals.

* Name a few favorite artists that inspire your playing. I lke the black key because of they're riffs. Joe Bonamassa, Jonny Lang (they don't inspire my playing, not accessible for me, but l like what they're doing), Jack White. I like a lot of things for any kind. If it's good, it's good. I love good riffs like " in the style of BLACK KEYS that is on the GMC site.

If you can provide audio/ video materials of your playing, it would be very helpful. I don't have for the moment but i'll try to do something


Thank you Cosmin for taking the time to read and help me. It's really appreciate. I know my english is not really easy to read... Not writting often in this language.

Thanks
Best regards

Hey mate - I also got your PM I will answer there or we can keep things here in the thread - how do you prefer?

Hi Cosmin

A had a little break off playing guitar at the weekend. When I was younger I hurt my right hand and I never seen a doctor about it. I regret that now because I have a lump on my hand where I hurt it. It started to become uncomfortable playing guitar on Saturday and it was beginning to get more painful.Decided to put my guitar down from preventing it from getting any worse. I have also being doing a lot of workouts lately that probably have added to the pain.

I will get it checked out by a doctor to prevent anything more serious happening in the future

Uh oh.. be careful mate. Don't waste yourself, because unfortunately we are nothing like lizards that can grow another tail, if they lose one

Keep me updated and be careful with yourself.

Thanks mate.

Going to see a doctor. Most likely get sent to the hospital for a X-ray. A was practicing guitar last night and it was OK.At work when using tools I get sharp pains when I am having to use a bit of force with my hand.

Hopefully I can get something done with it

Seeing the doc is by far the best move possible here... You'll be ok, as long as you take care of yourself!

Hi Cosmin

Getting a doctors appointment in scotland is crazy. My appointment is 21st of March My hand is ok. It is not in pain but anytime I feel pain coming on a will give it a rest until the pain goes away.

I promise I will have the beginner rock rhythm lesson up this weekend. i am really looking forward to getting my next lesson of you I have so much motivation to play guitar right now.

Cheers Sean

Hey Sean - don't overwork yourself! Don't push it if you feel like it can hurt you on the long term. I mean, the lesson can wait until you are fit to play without stress Keep this in mind

Cosmin

Thanks Cosmin. My hand feels completely fine over the last week and wasn't causing me any problems.

Well here is the lesson. I know I have got a long way to go with it but I feel that its good to practice recording as its giving me more experience and my confidence is growing and I can relax more.

I have listened to the recording a few times and can see lots of problems. Right from the start I messed the timing up. I think its a good thing that I realise where I am making mistakes but I feel that these are silly little things with hard practice isolating these problems they will start to disappear over the following months.

Hey there mate You are on the good path, don't worry Please try to play along with the original recording or even record against it, to notice the differences. For instance, around 00:05 you play a note which is added by you and that note repeats itself each time in the tight beginning riff - that's why you have the feeling it's not right Try to spot it and then please try my suggestion above, deal?

Yeah no problem Cosmin I will try your suggestion and let you know how I got on.

Hey mate Please keep me posted!

Hi Cosmin,

After my first REC take I started reading through the forum and found this thread. Reading this I realized that it might be wise to start practicing in a more structured way. So here some answers on your questions:

* How long have you been playing the guitar?
Since october 2009

* What do you feel your current level is?
Intermediate level

* What sort of theoretical knowledge do you have so far?
I know some scales and understand the structure of music. That lead playing can work very well if you analyze the underlying chords and use the notes from those chords. I know different techniques like (pre) bending, vibrato, hammer ons, pull offs, slides, palm muting, arpeggios.

* How much time/day can you spend practicing?
1 hour a day

* What are your favorite techniques?
Lead/solo playing with bending.

* What would you like to improve?
A bit more theoretical knowledge about scales and modes. Learn to improvise better and play more interesting lead lines.

* What is your current experience as a player (band, studio, home)?
I played in two metal bands in 2012/2013. Currently I'm not playing in a band and not really searching for one either. I'm practicing and recording at home. I wrote a few songs, but I'm not satisfied with the result.

* What gear do you own?
Gibson Les Paul LPJ
Ibanez RGA72TQM
Cort Earth 70 NS
Blackstar HT5R
Memory boy analog delay
MXR GT-Overdrive
Shure PG57 microphone and recording/mixing software

* Name a few favorite artists that inspire your playing
Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest
Avenged Sevenfold
AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Slash
Carlos Santana, Gary Moore

Link to my youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/SparrowLesPaul

Link to my guitar covers:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0y4...2fURPXjuXbhZWfS

Link to my originals:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0y4...PqZidIYJD3JzumN

Link to my melodic guitar solo's:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0y4...NO_B4RXjtgLYzqo

Hope to hear from you! Thanks

Howdy man!

I became acquainted with your playing along the way and now I know how things should go

Since you already began with the 'Voice of your guitar' and you have 1 hr/ day, I would suggest the following - please let me know what steps out of these you have already taken so far Aside from recording, of course

- understand the theoretical concepts - as you said, it's important to know the relationship between chords and the notes played over them
- learn the lesson structure - you already did this
- learn each part and reproduce it slowly with the metronome - very important, as it will help your timing a lot!
- put all the parts together and practice them against the slowest available backing track - respecting timing and phrasing
- work your way up tempo with the available backing tracks

Day 1-5:

Apply the above mentioned steps for 'The voice of your guitar lesson' - you already know the structure, so right now you should focus on the details

Day 6-7 - Revision (you practice the lesson, assuming you that you already know the structure and you can play it) - focus on timing, definition, clean playing, articulations and details! Recording - if you wish - and writing conclusions so that we may draw a line and see what have you learned out of this lesson should also help

How does it sound to you mate?

Cosmin