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Kristofer Dahl
Forget about practice routines, long term goals and curricula...

Music is about relaxing and having fun - if you can do these two while playing guitar, you will be a winner.

If you can't yet...then this collab is for you!

Click to view attachment

BACKING TRACKS:
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment


In this "Funk It!" collab - we'll be able to play whatever we want, using (almost) any scale.

* Want to get into fusion? Try playing outside (=wrong sounding) notes over this backing.

* Maybe you want to try some funk scratching?

* Maybe just a straightforward pentatonic rock solo?

* Or why not write a riff?

This is a very flexible and extremely cool sounding backing track - thanks to Vinman56 and Gab!


----------


Hints:

* Tempo is 105 bpm
* Deadline is 2015-03-03 ( NB: Extended to 2015-03-10)
* Although this is an audio collab, feel free to video record yourself as this will help you get better feedback.
* When you want to submit your final take, upload files in this topic (mp3 with at least 128 kbps quality, 16 bit wav files are welcome though). We need two files: 1. Your solo without the backing track 2. Your solo mixed with the backing track for reference.

Scale suggestions:

E Mixolydian:


E minor pentatonic:


Other scale suggestions: E major pentatonic, E dominant 7 arpeggio, chromatic scale, E minor scale, E phrygian dominant.

----

>> DOWNLOAD THE FINAL MIX

Order or appearance:

GeneT95 + Kristofer Dahl: Dark atmosphere intro
Gabriel Leopardi + Rustix: Jane’s Addiction vibes and bends.
AkRich: Groovy phrasing with some Kristofer’s phrases appearances.
Cael + Phill66 + Rustix: Cael’s phrasing while Phill is funkying and Rustix shreds.
Doug Lane + Kristofer Dahl: Jam section
DeGroot + Procyon: Guitar solo. (with some Little appearance of Rustix and Kris)

Sensible Jones
I'm-a Mother-funker so I'm in!!
biggrin.gif biggrin.gif
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Sensible Jones @ Feb 10 2015, 05:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm-a Mother-funker so I'm in!!
biggrin.gif biggrin.gif


FUNK YEAH!!! biggrin.gif I bet that's your van
Dieterle
biggrin.gif as a timing Specialist i always feel a bit funky so i am IN !

rolleyes.gif
coffeeman
This is the perfect collab to get back to the GMC community ! I'm in!
Storm Linnebjerg
QUOTE (coffeeman @ Feb 10 2015, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is the perfect collab to get back to the GMC community ! I'm in!


Welcome back, Coffeeman! Good to see you again!
Sensible Jones
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 10 2015, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
FUNK YEAH!!! biggrin.gif I bet that's your van

It might well be!!!
laugh.gif
Jim S.
Ok Guys I took a little stab at this one. I like this track a lot!

Video




The Audio is below
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Jim S. @ Feb 10 2015, 09:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ok Guys I took a little stab at this one. I like this track a lot!

Video




The Audio is below


blink.gif Why didn't you tell me you're a fusion guy?! biggrin.gif

Wow this was a real fusion attempt, lots of cool ideas in here and solo construction is great. It's awesome to see your diversity!

You do some classic "modern" tricks here (is that a contradiction or what?!) - like contrasting rhythmic staccato sections with smooth legato lines. I haven't really got any comments as far as your solo construction goes - it was interesting to follow in a fusion:esque way.

If you want to go even more fusion you could add unpredictability by changing direction more often in your runs.

So instead of:

---------------------------
------------7-9-10-------------
------6-7-9-------------------
6-7-9-------------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------


you could do:

---------------------------
------------------9-7-10-------------
----9-6-7----6-7----------------
6-7--------9------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------


The big thing for you is to become more secure in your runs and licks, this is a general comment - the entire thing feels a bit shaky. This is not strange in any way since you delivered a cool idea in just a matter of hours.

But you should really take advantage of the fact that you able to come up with such an interesting mix of ideas - if you can play them convincingly you will blow us all away.

There are several ways to go about this, if you are happy playing the whole thing over and over to the point that you could do it in your sleep - then that's a good method. This works for me if I am really happy with my composition and it stimulates me musically over and over.

If I need to get something down as fast as possible, I will usually break it down in sections. Typically I will have marker points (in my DAW) a bar before each lick. This way I can super effectively practice one lick 10 times in a row over the backing track, and then move on the next.

After just ~15 minutes of practicing I'll be ready to play the whole thing and with a noticeable improvement. If I keep doing this for a couple of days - results can be mind blowing.


Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Dieterle @ Feb 10 2015, 07:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
biggrin.gif as a timing Specialist i always feel a bit funky so i am IN !

rolleyes.gif


Excellent we need more time keepers wink.gif you are most welcome!

QUOTE (coffeeman @ Feb 10 2015, 08:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is the perfect collab to get back to the GMC community ! I'm in!


Awesome, welcome back! biggrin.gif I know you have got killer take in store for this one!

QUOTE (Sensible Jones @ Feb 10 2015, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It might well be!!!
laugh.gif


Well thanks for lending it! tongue.gif
Jim S.
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 10 2015, 04:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
blink.gif Why didn't you tell me you're a fusion guy?! biggrin.gif

Wow this was a real fusion attempt, lots of cool ideas in here and solo construction is great. It's awesome to see your diversity!

You do some classic "modern" tricks here (is that a contradiction or what?!) - like contrasting rhythmic staccato sections with smooth legato lines. I haven't really got any comments as far as your solo construction goes - it was interesting to follow in a fusion:esque way.

If you want to go even more fusion you could add unpredictability by changing direction more often in your runs.

So instead of:

---------------------------
------------7-9-10-------------
------6-7-9-------------------
6-7-9-------------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------


you could do:

---------------------------
------------------9-7-10-------------
----9-6-7----6-7----------------
6-7--------9------------------
---------------------------
---------------------------


The big thing for you is to become more secure in your runs and licks, this is a general comment - the entire thing feels a bit shaky. This is not strange in any way since you delivered a cool idea in just a matter of hours.

But you should really take advantage of the fact that you able to come up with such an interesting mix of ideas - if you can play them convincingly you will blow us all away.

There are several ways to go about this, if you are happy playing the whole thing over and over to the point that you could do it in your sleep - then that's a good method. This works for me if I am really happy with my composition and it stimulates me musically over and over.

If I need to get something down as fast as possible, I will usually break it down in sections. Typically I will have marker points (in my DAW) a bar before each lick. This way I can super effectively practice one lick 10 times in a row over the backing track, and then move on the next.

After just ~15 minutes of practicing I'll be ready to play the whole thing and with a noticeable improvement. If I keep doing this for a couple of days - results can be mind blowing.


Hey Kris I love fusion players! Your spot on about zig zagging the line a bit. In a slower context I play some licks like that naturally. But..... I have never practiced those up to real speed. Here at Gmc I've been stumped by many many challenging licks that require a ton more practice to pull off. I'm hypnotized by a couple from Diego Budicin, they are goals of mine.

About my video, I agree also that it seems a bit shaky. 1 problem I have is after playing legato for 15 min my hands need a break. When I recorded this my hands felt like rock climbers hands. "Pumped."
I'm working on posture, stretching and playing on my tippy tips. It does not show in the video because I'm not there technically yet.


I'll take your advice on setting markers and I'll try and Polish this up a bit. Any suggestions on adding 1 small riff during the intro section?
Vinman56
Awesome to see there are folks that are so in to this one. ill be posting my first take soon. Btw i love that take Jim, thats definitley a promising start.
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Jim S. @ Feb 10 2015, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
About my video, I agree also that it seems a bit shaky. 1 problem I have is after playing legato for 15 min my hands need a break. When I recorded this my hands felt like rock climbers hands. "Pumped."
I'm working on posture, stretching and playing on my tippy tips. It does not show in the video because I'm not there technically yet.


Legato is demanding for everybody, and it's great you let your hand rest in between (to avoid injury). However the more relaxed you can play your vibrato, the longer you will be able to play. I pretty much always practice legato so slow I have the time to think about every note, I usually don't go past 16th notes at 60 bpm when practicing with a metronome.

QUOTE (Jim S. @ Feb 10 2015, 11:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'll take your advice on setting markers and I'll try and Polish this up a bit. Any suggestions on adding 1 small riff during the intro section?


You are thinking about adding a section? Because I think the rhythm you play in the intro is great. It would probably convert well to a lower octave riff if played further down on the neck.
Storm Linnebjerg
Perhaps a bit too much outside playing:

Nick6373
Hey everyone, here's my rough take!
I really need to work on the cleanness of the intro tapping...

https://soundcloud.com/nick-peacock-7/funkit-gmc-collab-nick6373-take-1

I really wanted it to sound more 'fusiony'. I just couldn't get anything that sounded good using outside notes sad.gif
Just to clarify outside notes are notes that actually don't fit in the key like blue notes right?
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Feb 11 2015, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Perhaps a bit too much outside playing:



Thanks Cael, I'm really blown away by the fusion ideas that's coming from you guys! Seems like we got a fusion army here. biggrin.gif

Since this track is much more loose harmony-wise than the last AC/DC style track - opinions coming from me will be even more subjective than before. Hard to tell what's right and wrong in other words.

However, I would in deed have a bit less outside playing and try to come up with some strong melodies in between the outside playing. This will create the needed contrast and make both the 'in' and 'out' shine!

A big improvement suggestion - would be for you to try and swing a little bit more. More groove would add a lot to your take. One way to look at this is to play the same ideas but allow some notes to ring a little longer, inevitably the subsequent note will need to be shorter - and there you get your swing.

You could also just try to learn 1 lick from any swingy lesson at GMC, jam over the backing - and then get back to this backing track and see if you can "import" some groove..!

QUOTE (Nick6373 @ Feb 11 2015, 06:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey everyone, here's my rough take!
I really need to work on the cleanness of the intro tapping...

https://soundcloud.com/nick-peacock-7/funkit-gmc-collab-nick6373-take-1

I really wanted it to sound more 'fusiony'. I just couldn't get anything that sounded good using outside notes sad.gif
Just to clarify outside notes are notes that actually don't fit in the key like blue notes right?


Very cool tapping Nick!

Here is how I suggest you go about outside notes:

* Start by finding some cool and *slow* licks in the E dominant arpeggio, or pentatonic scale. These licks should not sound "out", they should sound like cool blues lick. It is important that the licks are not fast, read on to find out why.

* Once you have got cool sounding licks, lets add the outside notes. You should add them in between the notes of the cool sounding licks you just came up with. This will ensure you have a powerful melody to start with, and that the outside notes only add color. You can add *any* note as outside note, you don't need to care about scale names just think "wrong" notes.

Now if you base your melodic ideas on outside notes, you will get into atonal/art music territory and have hard time convincing me (or anyone else for that matter). So the key is to start with something strong sounding and gradually add color/tension. To achieve this you probably need to start with a slow lick so that there is time to add the outside notes in between.

Please let me know if it makes sense?
Dieterle
Hi Guys , after a hard days gone some funky feeling on to go wink.gif

Click to view attachment
Jim S.
QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Feb 10 2015, 07:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Perhaps a bit too much outside playing:



Hey I like this, there is something very unique about the first few licks before the whole tone run. I'd suggest experimenting with one of them and loop that lick with one with more notes from the chord. Back and forth, in then out.

I like the whole tone run but possibly double the speed or shorten the duration and get right back to the chord. I am no expert on whole tone and can barely play it so that may not make any sense. Either way good job!

QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 10 2015, 06:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Awesome to see there are folks that are so in to this one. ill be posting my first take soon. Btw i love that take Jim, thats definitley a promising start.


Hey Vinman thanks for writing this backing and kind words. How did this backing come to life?
Vinman56
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSY2_7Kbsak

just one of my favorite funk fusion songs ever. a little extra inspirationn wink.gif

...btw if anyone can figure out what scales theyre using in this song i would love to know
Storm Linnebjerg
Improvement? Can't get the ending right though.



EDIT: Video is just black here, try this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBek9gi6Zos
Vinman56
QUOTE (Jim S. @ Feb 11 2015, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey I like this, there is something very unique about the first few licks before the whole tone run. I'd suggest experimenting with one of them and loop that lick with one with more notes from the chord. Back and forth, in then out.

I like the whole tone run but possibly double the speed or shorten the duration and get right back to the chord. I am no expert on whole tone and can barely play it so that may not make any sense. Either way good job!



Hey Vinman thanks for writing this backing and kind words. How did this backing come to life?


not really sure. i was just messing around one day and kind of played it by accident. one of those deals. i usually record whenever i jam even if im not trying to write. you never know when a cool riff will come about and if you dont record its easy to forget it. luckily i happened to get this one on a recording
Phil66
Just found this, been so busy lately. I'm in, this is even harder than the AC/DC collab rolleyes.gif

Cheers

Phil
Storm Linnebjerg
Alright, sorry for spamming takes, but I think I'm edging closer to something I like:

Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Dieterle @ Feb 11 2015, 09:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Guys , after a hard days gone some funky feeling on to go wink.gif

Click to view attachment


Thanks Dieterle,

I think you made interesting use of your timing issues - the swing timing which you are working to get rid of (or at least control) works on this kind of backing. I think the very first lick sounded good.

Until you have made some progress in Gab's timing mentoring threads - there are some things you can do:

* Your lead guitar is very loud compared to the backing. Since your take is full timing issues - I would probably do the opposite: try to mix it lower.

* If you added vibrato to all those sustained notes they would come to life. If your fingers aren't up to it yet, you could do it with tremolo/whammy bar if you have one. Press the bar in cycles of quarters or eighths notes.

If you played steady quarter notes with some vibrato, that would be a great foundation for a musical solo. If you nail that, then you can add some crazier stuff on top of it and get away with it. This is why your work with Gab's timing exercises is so important.

If you got the basics down (timing and pitch), then mistakes you do on top of that can pass unnoticed.

QUOTE (Caelumamittendum @ Feb 12 2015, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Alright, sorry for spamming takes, but I think I'm edging closer to something I like:



Cool - yes this sounds better to me. The main difference I hear is that you feel more secure about your runs, and this a has a general effect on the take as a whole.

Your vibrato sounds better than in the previous collab, and the first one at 00:05 is really cool. I did however react on your vibratos being very similar throughout the take. I would try to do them differently.

My favorite way of phrasing a vibrato is probably to start with little vibrato (or none) and then gradually increase it. In the beginning this is easier to test with really long notes where you have time to think.

As usual a good way to get inspiration here, is to check out other players, and see how they phrase their vibratos.
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 12 2015, 05:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSY2_7Kbsak

just one of my favorite funk fusion songs ever. a little extra inspirationn wink.gif

...btw if anyone can figure out what scales theyre using in this song i would love to know


Yeah thanks again Vinman, we ended up with a really cool backing! biggrin.gif I hope to hear atake form you as well!

I am horribly bad at figuring out what others do since I haven't done it for almost 10 years (and I was not very good at it back then either). However I would guess they go through a lot of different scales in there. Is there a specific section you are wondering about?
Gabriel Leopardi
QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 12 2015, 01:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSY2_7Kbsak

just one of my favorite funk fusion songs ever. a little extra inspirationn wink.gif

...btw if anyone can figure out what scales theyre using in this song i would love to know



Hi Vinman, tha song is mostly based on Mixolydian mode. The verse motif is based around G7 chord and this chord is the root chord of Mixolydian mode. This means that the main scale suggested in this collab is shown in action in this song. The is a riff section that modulates to C (0:48). This riff is in C blues scale, but as soon as they harmonize it (giving a Zeppelin vibe), it becomes C mixolydian.

They also use a lot of blues scale over G7, and I note that they sometimes empathize the b5 giving the phrasing a "Lydian" feel.

The phrasing used there is very interesting. Sometimes they add some chromatic notes as passing notes and I also note that they like playing "sixths" giving it a bluesy vibe. Check out this lesson to know that I mean by Mixolydian sixths: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Mixolydian-Sixths-RnB/

And also give a look at this funk lesson that combines Mixolydian with Pentatonic Minor: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Funk_Fusion_Phrasing/
Kristofer Dahl
I jammed over this one today, and I gravitated towards these two scales:

E minor:


E Phrygian dominant:


As mentioned you can pretty much get away with anything over this backing, and I tend to prefer the sound of minor scales.
Procyon
This is what I came up with so far. There are some timing issues and I am not sure about the sound - I made some experiments in Garage Band with rather strange amp combinations... biggrin.gif
Vinman56
Couldnt have said it better Phil. That sounded awesome...and youre right the funk one is tough. so many different way to go with it
Vinman56
hey ive been using this MTSR app on my phone which is working great but is there a way for me to import the backing file on to the app? right now im just playing the backing thru my computer speakers and recording it with the phone and using the other three tracks to record my guitar parts. im not very computer savoy. so if there is a better way to do this im all ears...or in this case eyes i guess
Bogdan Radovic
QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 15 2015, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey ive been using this MTSR app on my phone which is working great but is there a way for me to import the backing file on to the app? right now im just playing the backing thru my computer speakers and recording it with the phone and using the other three tracks to record my guitar parts. im not very computer savoy. so if there is a better way to do this im all ears...or in this case eyes i guess


Hi Vinman56, I don't have this app installed on my phone but when checking out this video on youtube it seems you should be able to use the "load/import" function (by the sound of it) to import an audio track/file, check it out here: http://youtu.be/6gCKyETkcog?t=40s

Please let me know if that works?
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Procyon @ Feb 15 2015, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is what I came up with so far. There are some timing issues and I am not sure about the sound - I made some experiments in Garage Band with rather strange amp combinations... biggrin.gif


Thanks Procyon. As usual I think your solo construction skills are great, and I really like how you develop this theme and intensify it until the end! The rhythm scratch stuff is soo cool! biggrin.gif

00:12 - end of run is a little off.

00:21 - fast run sounds a bit uneven

00:24 - pitch problem, or Kirk Hamm:ish vibrato . Not sure witch!

Tonewise I would probably want something a little warmer and less treblish. I think the current sound works ok for the scratchy/funky stuff but it makes the runs sound a little thin.

----

Btw since we're seeing so many cool fusion takes here - Gab is working on an extended version of the backing so that we can treat this collab more as an improv workshop . I'll get back soon about this.
DeGroot
Hey, this what I came up with so far. Tried to get some funkiness in my take.

https://soundcloud.com/degroot-2/funk-it
Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (DeGroot @ Feb 15 2015, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey, this what I came up with so far. Tried to get some funkiness in my take.

https://soundcloud.com/degroot-2/funk-it


Thanks Degroot,

Ideas- and construction- wise this take is spot on to me! It's really interesting to follow and listen to.

* The phrases starting at 00:04, 00:15, 00:17 stick out to me though. These excepted, your take is spot on. But here I can somehow sense your left hand (?) is slowing down things, probably because these phrases are legato based.

One way to solve it is just to "brute force" - practice over and over. When doing so you should focus on the left hand, and maybe try practicing slowly without using any picking at all - to make sure your left hand finger is capable of having a leading role.

Another quicker solution (and I tend to gravitate towards these kind of solutions myself, just to get more productive) - is to rethink the way you play those passages. And maybe to do more picking, or why not try to funk scratch them somehow (you might need to adjust the idea for that) - since you do that so well.

* Mix - to me your guitar sound is a bit loud compared to backing. I suspect lowering it will raise the over all impression of your take and 'glue it' to the rest of the backing.
Todd Simpson
Todd here!! GOOD NEWS! You can import ANY tracks that are in your phones music library. Your iphone is also an IPOD as I"m sure you know wink.gif So connect it to your computer and import that backing track in to itunes and put it on your phone.

From there you can import any tracks in your phone itunes library in to MTS smile.gif Make sense?

Also, what kind of computer do you have? IT may be easier to skip the phone and use your computer smile.gif

Todd






QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 15 2015, 02:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey ive been using this MTSR app on my phone which is working great but is there a way for me to import the backing file on to the app? right now im just playing the backing thru my computer speakers and recording it with the phone and using the other three tracks to record my guitar parts. im not very computer savoy. so if there is a better way to do this im all ears...or in this case eyes i guess
Vinman56
QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Feb 15 2015, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Todd here!! GOOD NEWS! You can import ANY tracks that are in your phones music library. Your iphone is also an IPOD as I"m sure you know wink.gif So connect it to your computer and import that backing track in to itunes and put it on your phone.

From there you can import any tracks in your phone itunes library in to MTS smile.gif Make sense?

Also, what kind of computer do you have? IT may be easier to skip the phone and use your computer smile.gif

Todd


all i have is a chrome book. I cant really do much besides surf the web on it its pretty lame laptop.... but its very cheap. that worked perfect though thats exactly what i was asking thank you
Vinman56
here is my first take. im trying to expand my reach a bit without losing the funk feel..its proving to be pretty damn difficult but this is kind of what im hearing anyway. as always needs plenty of polishing but ill worry about tht later

...the rythym got messed up again when i mixed it down im gonna re post it
Nick6373
QUOTE (DeGroot @ Feb 15 2015, 10:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hey, this what I came up with so far. Tried to get some funkiness in my take.

https://soundcloud.com/degroot-2/funk-it

very nice, I love your bends. Also really nice ghost notes/scratching!

Here's my second take. It's more or less the same as my first one except it's cleaner. I kinda wanna scrap this solo, it seems too uncreative and basic too me but I'm honestly stuck... I can't think of anything I like. I also feel like the tapping is maybe a bit excessive? I'm also having A LOT of trouble attempting to incorporate outside notes inside of my solo (you can tell obviously since it's all A mixolydian) it all sounds like garbage when I try to do it. Your advice did make sense though Kris I just can't do it xd.
Click to view attachment


Kristofer Dahl
ATTENTION -

There is a now an extended version of the backing track available here.


This version is intended for those of you who want to practice their jamming/improvising skills. I am currently having a blast over this backing track and I would seriously recommend you try it as well!

QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 16 2015, 05:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
here is my first take. im trying to expand my reach a bit without losing the funk feel..its proving to be pretty damn difficult but this is kind of what im hearing anyway. as always needs plenty of polishing but ill worry about tht later

...the rythym got messed up again when i mixed it down im gonna re post it


Ok, when you repost please lower the volume of your guitar in the mix. It will do your take much more justice.

There are some interesting ideas int here, I am looking forward to hearing the fixed version.

QUOTE (Nick6373 @ Feb 16 2015, 08:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
very nice, I love your bends. Also really nice ghost notes/scratching!

Here's my second take. It's more or less the same as my first one except it's cleaner. I kinda wanna scrap this solo, it seems too uncreative and basic too me but I'm honestly stuck... I can't think of anything I like. I also feel like the tapping is maybe a bit excessive? I'm also having A LOT of trouble attempting to incorporate outside notes inside of my solo (you can tell obviously since it's all A mixolydian) it all sounds like garbage when I try to do it. Your advice did make sense though Kris I just can't do it xd.
Click to view attachment


Here's an idea: At 00:11 you land on a bent note after the tapping lick.

What if you just move that whole tapping lick a fret down or up, but still land on the same strong note? You will then be doing outside playing by the book: first a fast 'out' passage followed by a strong note.

Just be sure when doing this, that you don't repeat the "out" version of the tapping lick for too long. As mentioned, it is best to play outside just for a short period - especially in the beginning.

Let me know if this makes sense, and if you can apply it?
DeGroot
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 15 2015, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Degroot,

Ideas- and construction- wise this take is spot on to me! It's really interesting to follow and listen to.

* The phrases starting at 00:04, 00:15, 00:17 stick out to me though. These excepted, your take is spot on. But here I can somehow sense your left hand (?) is slowing down things, probably because these phrases are legato based.

One way to solve it is just to "brute force" - practice over and over. When doing so you should focus on the left hand, and maybe try practicing slowly without using any picking at all - to make sure your left hand finger is capable of having a leading role.

Another quicker solution (and I tend to gravitate towards these kind of solutions myself, just to get more productive) - is to rethink the way you play those passages. And maybe to do more picking, or why not try to funk scratch them somehow (you might need to adjust the idea for that) - since you do that so well.

* Mix - to me your guitar sound is a bit loud compared to backing. I suspect lowering it will raise the over all impression of your take and 'glue it' to the rest of the backing.


Thanks for the feedback Kris. That is great you pointed out my left hand. Indeed when I playing those licks without picking my left hand seems weak. It is an eye opener for me and will be a good thing to practice slowly for strengthening my left hand. I'll make a new recording before the deadline and maybe tweak some of the parts a bit more.


QUOTE (Nick6373 @ Feb 16 2015, 07:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
very nice, I love your bends. Also really nice ghost notes/scratching!

Here's my second take. It's more or less the same as my first one except it's cleaner. I kinda wanna scrap this solo, it seems too uncreative and basic too me but I'm honestly stuck... I can't think of anything I like. I also feel like the tapping is maybe a bit excessive? I'm also having A LOT of trouble attempting to incorporate outside notes inside of my solo (you can tell obviously since it's all A mixolydian) it all sounds like garbage when I try to do it. Your advice did make sense though Kris I just can't do it xd.
Click to view attachment


Thanks for the comment Nick! I never played much Funk before but it a fun track to jam with.

I also think you solo sounds pretty cool! I think fits the track quite well.
Todd Simpson
Happy to help! smile.gif Chrome book eh? NO PROBLEM!! smile.gif CHECK THIS OUT!!!

http://soundation.com/studio

Entirely web based recording/mixing. GIve it a go smile.gif



Todd


QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 15 2015, 11:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
all i have is a chrome book. I cant really do much besides surf the web on it its pretty lame laptop.... but its very cheap. that worked perfect though thats exactly what i was asking thank you
Jim S.
Alright guys I tried to clean this up a bit and took Kris's advice and put some markers in. I did not get a full take through but did write the parts again keeping the principal licks in mind.

https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/funk-it-2

Kristofer Dahl
QUOTE (Jim S. @ Feb 17 2015, 05:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Alright guys I tried to clean this up a bit and took Kris's advice and put some markers in. I did not get a full take through but did write the parts again keeping the principal licks in mind.

https://soundcloud.com/jim-seekford-music/funk-it-2


Very cool Jim, the lick at 00:20 is approaching fusion-pro sounding (whatever that means ph34r.gif ).

As your chops get more fluid so should your sound, it's currently a bit harsh and does not match those fluid lines.

Some tips/brainstorming - you obviously need a certain amount of treble to cut through. However I suggest you be careful with the treble in the ~2K-9K region. And go for the "presence" region instead which is above that.

Also be a bit careful with reverb - too much of reverb that is different from the one Gab used for the backing, will make your sound clash with the backing.

I have pointed out some specifics below -but I don't really think any of the 'mistakes' are serious. I still think you should get more secure about the take as a whole. You have squeezed in a lot of different kind of neat ideas in there, we need to hear that you mean ' em all! A mistake here and there can be a good thing, provided the take as a whole feels solid!

So the biggest improvement is for you to get confident with the take, I don't want to get the impression you're trying to 'catch up' constantly. So in other words keep practicing like you have done so far!

00:05 - percussive scratched notes could be more aggressive here, play it like you mean it!
00:17 - run could be cleaner
00:25 - there is room to improve bending accuracy here
Vinman56
QUOTE (Todd Simpson @ Feb 17 2015, 02:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Happy to help! smile.gif Chrome book eh? NO PROBLEM!! smile.gif CHECK THIS OUT!!!

http://soundation.com/studio

Entirely web based recording/mixing. GIve it a go smile.gif



Todd


thx this is great. the only thing is i cant seem to record the guitar with my headphones plugged in and if i dont do that then backing track bleeds over into the guitar track.
Bogdan Radovic
QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 17 2015, 04:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thx this is great. the only thing is i cant seem to record the guitar with my headphones plugged in and if i dont do that then backing track bleeds over into the guitar track.


What happens when you plug in your headphones?
Do you get any sound (backing track) or the sound still comes out of the loudspeakers even though you have the headphones plugged in?
Vinman56
QUOTE (Bogdan Radovic @ Feb 17 2015, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What happens when you plug in your headphones?
Do you get any sound (backing track) or the sound still comes out of the loudspeakers even though you have the headphones plugged in?


no the backing track plays through the headphones. the mic doesnt seem to work when the headphones are plugged in for some reason. idk maybe im just doing something dumb lol
Bogdan Radovic
QUOTE (Vinman56 @ Feb 18 2015, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
no the backing track plays through the headphones. the mic doesnt seem to work when the headphones are plugged in for some reason. idk maybe im just doing something dumb lol


Maybe try going to Settings>Recording Settings and see if the correct input is selected as "microphone" here: http://screencast.com/t/ljaBYY8PYT9j
Jim S.
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 17 2015, 05:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Very cool Jim, the lick at 00:20 is approaching fusion-pro sounding (whatever that means ph34r.gif ).

As your chops get more fluid so should your sound, it's currently a bit harsh and does not match those fluid lines.

Some tips/brainstorming - you obviously need a certain amount of treble to cut through. However I suggest you be careful with the treble in the ~2K-9K region. And go for the "presence" region instead which is above that.

Also be a bit careful with reverb - too much of reverb that is different from the one Gab used for the backing, will make your sound clash with the backing.

I have pointed out some specifics below -but I don't really think any of the 'mistakes' are serious. I still think you should get more secure about the take as a whole. You have squeezed in a lot of different kind of neat ideas in there, we need to hear that you mean ' em all! A mistake here and there can be a good thing, provided the take as a whole feels solid!

So the biggest improvement is for you to get confident with the take, I don't want to get the impression you're trying to 'catch up' constantly. So in other words keep practicing like you have done so far!

00:05 - percussive scratched notes could be more aggressive here, play it like you mean it!
00:17 - run could be cleaner
00:25 - there is room to improve bending accuracy here


Hey Kris I'll keep working on this and try to make this take more believable. Thanks for your honesty.


Procyon
QUOTE (Kristofer Dahl @ Feb 15 2015, 11:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Procyon. As usual I think your solo construction skills are great, and I really like how you develop this theme and intensify it until the end! The rhythm scratch stuff is soo cool! biggrin.gif

00:12 - end of run is a little off.

00:21 - fast run sounds a bit uneven

00:24 - pitch problem, or Kirk Hamm:ish vibrato . Not sure witch!

Tonewise I would probably want something a little warmer and less treblish. I think the current sound works ok for the scratchy/funky stuff but it makes the runs sound a little thin.


Thanks a lot, Kris! As usual I really like the way you give detailed feedback. I will try to improve these points (especially the witch! laugh.gif )
Kristofer Dahl
Hehe yes those two things sound kinda similar..! ph34r.gif
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