|
|
Post by chrisnc on Sept 5, 2015 18:56:59 GMT -6
My goal for this past week was to complete Bends, Slides and Shifts. I think I was able to get a fairly good take on it tonight, so here it is: Bends, Slides and ShiftsAs with the previous lessons, I'll continue to play this one each day to try to smooth out some of wrinkles. The quick triad hit in the turn-around could use some more practice. I played this one along with the lesson track a lot longer than some of the others, and will probably get more comfortable with it the more I play it with just the backing track. I actually like playing this one, so I may end up recording a new version of it at some point in the future. I hope everyone else has had a good week as well! Chris |
|
|
|
Post by Phil on Sept 5, 2015 19:44:21 GMT -6
Chris, The slides and shifts are fine, but the bends are a little short of the mark. This is a problem we all have had and continue to have, so don't think you're being picked on. I just listened to my version of it that I did in Feb 2014. It's cringe inducing.  Your timing is good and I'm a firm believer that timing is more important than bending to pitch. The bending will get there eventually with practice, but a bad sense of timing is much harder to fix. Keep at it and don't get discouraged. PS. Are you the guy with the hand problem that makes bending difficult? |
|
|
|
Post by chrisnc on Sept 5, 2015 20:06:27 GMT -6
Phil, thanks for the feedback. I figured you'd be the first to respond and bends would be the topic. I'm not going to argue, as I agree that this is an area that will be a continuous focus and improvement ( as stated before). However, I also know that I played with the lesson track a lot longer than usual which has helped to improve things in this area and helped with matching the pitch. I continue to use various methods of validating my bends, including hitting the note two frets up, and using a tuner.
Don't worry, I'm not discouraged at all. This is a hobby and a challenge that I enjoy, not a means of making a living...
|
|
|
|
Post by joachim on Sept 6, 2015 0:15:18 GMT -6
Good job, Chris. It's true all bends weren't spot on, but overall a pretty darn good job, and you had a really good feel for the song. I could definitely tell that you put some efforts into this study - it paid off... Bending takes a long time to nail, and we all still struggle with it. I often cringe at bedroom videos on youtube with bad bends or vibrato.
You're slowly and steadily progressing through BUCY! Keep up the good work...
|
|
|
|
Post by wannaplayblues on Sept 6, 2015 2:15:41 GMT -6
Great Job - with bends already mentioned I'll just say the timing and feel were really good. You should be happy with this!
|
|
|
|
Post by cunningr on Sept 6, 2015 4:33:12 GMT -6
Chris I can't add anything constructive about your playing, I will say it was a lot better than my version and as Phil mentioned playing in time highly important and you had that nailed. As you progress through the series you will gradually get better at bending, one tip is to make sure you mute the note before you release the bend string, I tend release it before muting sometimes and that will make the note sound flat.
Good job, I am glad we have another active member I really enjoy hearing how we improve, it's just amazing.
Rich
|
|
|
|
Post by jack1982 on Sept 6, 2015 7:06:12 GMT -6
Nice job on that Chris, I can't really add anything to what everyone else has already said - great timing and feel, sounds like you spent a lot of time on this one. Just those pesky bends need a little work, they're an ongoing struggle for all of us  |
|
|
|
Post by bluesbruce on Sept 6, 2015 7:37:21 GMT -6
You're coming along very nicely! Keep 'em coming. Bruce |
|
|
|
Post by blackcountrymick on Sept 6, 2015 14:23:45 GMT -6
Chris, I'm a little late to the party with this one and most of what I thought has already been said, yes the bends need some work and they will take time to get, but the biggest positive for me was that you appear to have a great sense of timing and phrasing, I thought you made the melody flow really well. Move on up!!
|
|
|
|
Post by chrisnc on Sept 8, 2015 5:04:18 GMT -6
Thanks everyone. I've been really focused on rhythm playing pretty much since I started about 5 years ago. I play along with all types of music though mostly rock, classic rock, and blues. My main goal was to get down the timing and improve my ability to transition between chords quickly and smoothly. Now that I'm beginning to focus on lead, the focus is definitely shifting to technique - bends (priority), slides, alternate picking, etc. So to hear everyone comment on my having good timing makes me pretty happy. The other stuff, well, that's why I'm here right?
|
|
