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Post by jack1982 on Jun 5, 2014 8:17:41 GMT -6
I guess this isn't too bad. I thought my bends sounded really good when I was playing it but then I listen back to the recording and it's like "Oh jeez...."  Let me know what you think. soundcloud.com/jack-c8/blue-sixths |
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Post by Phil on Jun 5, 2014 13:53:15 GMT -6
Jack, Everything sounds very good. Your timing, holding notes for their proper duration, your tone and the mix are all right on the money. The only things that need work are those riffs in measures 4 & 5 - specifically that fast bend in each one. You know - the "Oh, jeez.." bends.  Those bends where you have to pop them so quickly are the hardest of them all. I feel your pain.  I really like your tone and the overall sound and quality of this recording. Phil |
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Post by cunningr on Jun 5, 2014 14:04:26 GMT -6
Jack,
I thought it sounded pretty good also, but as you pointed out a couple of the bends were off a little. I like the tone also, keep it up.
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 5, 2014 14:56:17 GMT -6
Thanks guys. I'm just gonna have to really buckle down and work on those B-word things. I'm practicing Driving Blues in MBYCU and I think there's only one quarter-step bend in the whole song...and I usually manage to screw it up.  |
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Post by bluesbruce on Jun 5, 2014 18:13:58 GMT -6
Another one nicely done, Jack. Ditto what everyone else said - great tone, great timing. Those darn bends - they'll get better and better - especially if you keep up your pace of working thru these. Did you play your own rhythm part on this one?
Bruce
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 5, 2014 20:56:41 GMT -6
Thanks Bruce! I just played along with the backing track for this one. Yeah I'll just have to keep working through the book and concentrating on those bends. I've been looking at a bunch of videos with recommendations on how to practice them and pretty much everybody says they're going to be bad at first. I guess there aren't any "breakthroughs" to be made, just gradual improvement over time. Glad you guys enjoyed it though!  |
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Post by bluesbruce on Jun 6, 2014 6:00:54 GMT -6
I think we all just have to resign ourselves that this is a skill that takes time to develop - BUT IT WILL DEVELOP. Just keep pickin' (and bendin') away...
Bruce
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 6, 2014 10:30:41 GMT -6
Thanks Bruce, I get a bit discouraged sometimes because I can't fix those darned bends right now - or by tomorrow at the very latest! - and some words of wisdom and encouragement are very much appreciated.
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Post by cunningr on Jun 6, 2014 14:05:57 GMT -6
Well I am waiting on the day that I have practiced so much my bends are now too sharp because my hand muscles have become too strong. Seriously I think there are several factors at play 1 is strength, 2 is hearing the tone, and 3 is practicing. I guess it all comes down to practice.
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Post by TommyD on Jun 6, 2014 19:10:35 GMT -6
Jack, that sounded great. Like every one has already said, it's the bends. Those quick bends are difficult to hit, but you're nailing everything else.
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 7, 2014 5:11:41 GMT -6
Thanks Tommy! Yeah I'm working on those bends as my #1 priority now, but hearing that I'm nailing everything else is great |
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Post by bluesbruce on Jun 7, 2014 6:30:59 GMT -6
Well I am waiting on the day that I have practiced so much my bends are now too sharp because my hand muscles have become too strong. Seriously I think there are several factors at play 1 is strength, 2 is hearing the tone, and 3 is practicing. I guess it all comes down to practice. Rich, I think your number 2 point is really important - the ability to "hear" the correct tone. I don't think it's a matter of physical strength - I can intentionally bend too far if I try to. And of course, the same "strength" doesn't work on different strings and on the same strength at different frets. I think the ability to "hear" the correct tone and adjust your bend accordingly is a huge part of this skill. That's just my two cents... Bruce |
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 11, 2014 5:37:40 GMT -6
Well I am waiting on the day that I have practiced so much my bends are now too sharp because my hand muscles have become too strong. Seriously I think there are several factors at play 1 is strength, 2 is hearing the tone, and 3 is practicing. I guess it all comes down to practice. Rich, I think your number 2 point is really important - the ability to "hear" the correct tone. I don't think it's a matter of physical strength - I can intentionally bend too far if I try to. And of course, the same "strength" doesn't work on different strings and on the same strength at different frets. I think the ability to "hear" the correct tone and adjust your bend accordingly is a huge part of this skill. That's just my two cents... Bruce The thing I think I've found most helpful so far is practicing bends while improvising over a chord progression. For instance I have a very hard time hearing if I've hit the proper pitch when bending up to the 5th of the scale on the G string, but when the chord progression goes to the V chord, it becomes much easier to hear because it's the root note of the chord you're playing over. Another thing - and I've yet to start working on this - but theoretically at least, if you're playing over a minor 7th tonic chord, you've got the root, b3rd, 5th and b7th right there for you to hear, so it should provide some assistance in bending up to those pitches. After that I think it's just muscle memory - you know it takes X amount of pressure to bend the high E up one step in the middle part of the fretboard, Y amount of pressure to do the same on the B string, gradually increasing amounts of pressure as you go down to the lower frets etc. Hopefully someday I'll develop that muscle memory lol. |
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Post by Phil on Jun 11, 2014 15:32:17 GMT -6
Hopefully someday I'll develop that muscle memory lol. Develop your muscle memory by taking "Muscle Memory 3000" capsules!!!! Money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied. Your muscles will NEVER forget!!!! Read our many testimonials by clicking below. Send your check now to the address below for the incredibly low price of $159.99 for a 60 day supply!!!! Make out check to : Phil Send to: Muscle Memory 3000 1000 My St. NY ,NY 00909 Hurry!! Supplies are selling fast!!!!!! Order today and get a free 30 supply of "Bender Powder" guaranteed to improve your bends by 150%!!!!!!!! |
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 11, 2014 15:50:28 GMT -6
Phil's secret identity:  Do I get some Ginsu knives and a Sham-Wow with that offer?  |
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Post by Phil on Jun 11, 2014 16:00:40 GMT -6
Thanks, Jack. Now you've blown my secret identity. I was just about to introduce my new product "Bend to Pitch, Bitch," I think I'll wait until the fervor dies down on "Muscle Memory 3000."
Phil
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Post by TommyD on Jun 11, 2014 17:14:56 GMT -6
Phil, is shipping included?
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 12, 2014 10:36:18 GMT -6
I bet it's one of those deals where "shipping and handling" is $10 and if you get free shipping, you find out that the "handling " portion of that was $9.99.
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Post by TommyD on Jun 12, 2014 17:45:42 GMT -6
Or you get two and only have to pay additional shipping and handling (that'll be 80 bucks more, handling this stuff is scary).
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Post by jack1982 on Jun 13, 2014 6:01:25 GMT -6
I guess it's got some good endorsements though:  |
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