Welcome to the Forum! It looks like you are a serious and focused student,,,LOVE IT! You have some great questions, and as a longtime student and friend of Pebber (2008), I can definitely provide a little feedback I hope you find helpful:
I would focus the majority of your efforts on the basics (Module 1, for example). However, students are encouraged to post videos (NOT too long; 1-2 minutes is fine) of themselves running through items in Module 1. This way, we can give you feedback, but most importantly, Pebber will be able to weigh in and see where you are at. Remember, he's been at this for 35+ years and knows his stuff; no other way to put it. Assuming you are a paying student, Pebber will assess your readiness in terms of proceeding through each consecutive Module.
As far as the YouTube videos,,,,DIVE IN! Even though you want to concentrate and focus on woodshedding what your current Module dictates, it certainly does no harm to supplement this by checking out any of Pebber's YouTube vids.
The important thing is to have FUN with this, but I do advise that you take Pebber very seriously in terms of any advice he will be giving you. As long as you prioritize the current Module you are working on AND can manage your time effectively, there is no reason why you can't explore other areas in Pebber's system.
Welcome to the Forum! As Ray pointed out, and as this website explains, there are a few different options for students. You cannot go wrong with becoming a paying student of Pebber's, but it is important to keep in mind that Pebber's system is very regimented and set up a certain way based on his 35+ years of teaching experience. A lot of students come in thinking that Pebber is there to tailor videos based on the specific "wants" of the student. Pebber does not give students what they "want," but I assure you: Pebber gives students exactly what they "need" in order to become a better player.
It sounds like you have watched several of Pebber's free YouTube videos, and that is a great start! I would suggest downloading all available .PDF's from this website, especially the "Daily Practice Plan/Routine." If there is anything on that sheet that does not look familiar, then try searching Pebber's YouTube videos for an explanation of a certain technique, or exercise. If not, then ask us here in the Forum; we are here to help you as much as possible.
It is recommended that you post a video of yourself running through some of these exercises. It does NOT have to be too long; a minute or two is fine. That way, Pebber can get an idea of where you are at.
There is SO MUCH material here. I've been a student of Pebber's since 2008, and I have 3 binders full of .PDF's, graphs, charts, etc.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: There is NO "graduation" when it comes to Pebber's lessons. There is always something to work on, something to improve upon, something to strive for. I suggest that you come in with a completely OPEN MIND, and take advantage of all of the tools here at your disposal. If you are comfortable with all of this, I strongly encourage you to become a paying student.
I hope this helped, Claus, and I look forward to seeing you in the Forum!
Quote: MatGeorge wrote in post #342 I was accenting the open a bit too much, just to for me to work with the metronome, but im guessing that isnt proper right?
Hi Mat,
Actually, accenting the open note like that can certainly be proper! We just need to make sure the other notes are heard, as well. You know, I often catch myself doing the same thing, so what I will do is start accenting the second note for an entire cycle (back & forth across fretboard + up & down the neck), then accent the 3rd note for an entire cycle, and then finally try to do a cycle with each note sounding equal in terms of volume/intensity.
This is what I LOVE about this Forum - The ability for all of us to come together and discover that what we may think is NOT "proper" may actually be OK, taken in a certain context. Mat, you are doing just fine, my friend...KEEP AT IT!!!
You really seem to have the right attitude, and that is so refreshing! Keep doing what feels comfortable to you and focus on those things you mentioned (progressions, theory, timing).
As far as the back, I am actually relieved that you are going the physical therapy route. I had a similar issue in my upper back, at the base of my neck. Thanks to Pebber's advice, I found a chiropractor who performs kinesiology muscle testing and acupuncture. Within 4 months, I was 100%.
Whatever the case may be, we are all pulling for you, Bro!
For those of you who may have seen the "Michael Manring!" thread, I mentioned that he played with the late Michael Hedges. I have seen this type of acoustic wizardry getting more and more popular. This guy helped perpetuate this genre...Enjoy!
This guy used to play bass with the guitar virtuoso (and now deceased) Michael Hedges. I remember seeing this a few years ago and being completely blown away by his perfect pitch: flawless technique + the ability to utilize different string tuning in real time.
Great job with the metronome! Really, the only thing I noticed was at times, I had a little bit of trouble hearing the second and/or third notes, because the first note (open string) was so heavily accented. Anyway, KEEP at it!
By the way, in case I haven't yet mentioned this, I just LOVE that SG (I own one, myself)!
Ray, that was some spot-on advice! I am really glad Jfed solved the issue. Farelli's post is also fantastic: I live in Chicago, and follow that same "schedule" for checking the intonation and, if needed, adjusting the truss rod.
Aside from this, the best rule-of-thumb based on my personal and professional experience is that, unless you house your guitars/basses in a controlled environment (same temperature, same humidity), then your best bet is to keep the instrument inside the case. Hands down, it's the best way to preserve strings (in addition to wiping them down after playing) and the best way to combat humidity, which can wreak havoc on your neck.
You are most welcome, my friend! I love the fact that you are working on different styles of picking. I'm not sure what your practice routine is like, but it usually takes me about 6 months of drilling a new technique before deciding if it is something I can actually incorporate into my playing.
I spent my entire life, pre-Pebber Brown, playing what turned out to be "economy/directional picking." With Sarod picking, I drilled that for a solid 6 months before I was comfortable using that technique in a live setting. That was years ago, yet I still work on my Sarod technique daily. Marshal Harrison really got me focused on advanced hybrid and swybrid picking, and that's also something I work on pretty much every day.
So why wait? Dive right in, Ashan! It's really obvious that you have the ability and the drive to learn. I see no reason why you cannot add these techniques to you growing arsenal, if that is what you are interested in doing. Check out Marshall's video and start working on his techniques!
Your videos about the neo-classical exercise and the ladders seem to be fine in terms of technique The only thing that jumped out at me right away was that you were not using a metronome or a backing track. In case you are interested, there are many free downloads of both.
My favorite metronome is called Weird Metronome, and can be found by doing a simple Google search. Pebber's got some free backing tracks under Guitar Lesson MP3/WAV Files, a sub-section of "Lesson PDF/MP3 Files."
Quote: ashan wrote in post #4i've played a few guitars but nothing has been close to the playability of a yamaha CPX500ii ray. you should definitely check one out, they've even released a cpxiii recently. i love how easy the neck is.
WOW! I have a Yamaha APX500ii, and it is by far the best acoustic I have ever played. I received it as a gift, so I would have preferred the CPX500ii, like you have, only because the CPX body is a bit larger (I'm a big dude).
OK, so getting back to the topic at hand,,,SAROD PICKING: I watched your video about 10 times, and your wrist motion looks good. Sarod picking consists of "shaking" the wrist, keeping the picking-hand thumb stiff, but the motion is fluid and relaxed. Hopefully, Pebber will have a chance to check this out and share his thoughts, as well. Keep it up, Ashan!
I hope your issue has been resolved, but I recently dealt with something similar and wanted to share with you how Pebber's advice got me better!
First, I literally woke up one day about 6 months ago with no feeling in my entire right arm and all the way down into my right index finger. The arm numbness would come and go, but the index finger was numb & "tingly" 24/7. After almost 1 month of suffering in silence, I finally talked to Pebber about this (we've been friends a long time and we communicate with each other almost daily). I was literally crying about my condition and was convinced that I would never be able to play the guitar again! The entire arm was often completely numb.
Anyway, the first thing Pebber said was to completely stop playing the guitar. Pebber then suggested I find a chiropractor who does kinesiology muscle testing and acupuncture. I found such a chiro, and after about 3 months of treatment, I was 100% better. It turns out that I had a bulged disc at the base of the right side of my neck that was putting pressure on my nerves that ran down my right arm, to the tip of my right index finger!
If you are still experiencing your issue, please stop playing everything and go get it checked out by a chiro who does kinesiology muscle testing and acupuncture. It doesn't matter if you are young & fit: I spent years in tae-kwon do and boxing, and always played sports & exercised. It has to do with posture and nerves. You said that you would practice "10-12 hours per day," and I used to do the same.
Thank you for sharing, and I really hope you are doing better. If not, TRUST ME,,,you will be fine, as long as you get it checked out!
Quote: pebberbrown wrote in post #7Ha ha!~ Looks good man! Accurate!
After it's all said and done, Pebber's is the ONLY opinion that really matters around here. Having said that, I still just wanted to let you know that I checked out all of the above posted videos and thought they were fantastic! Your timing is excellent, the notes are clear, left-hand technique looks great, and your picking looks effortless.
What can you do to improve? Well, just keep doing what you are doing. Go ahead and bump up the BPM's on your metronome, and just keep pushing yourself. You've got the tools, you know what to do,,,so just keep doing it, my friend!
I will try my best to answer, but first, let's mess with your thinking a little bit!:
Are you trying to get through the modules as a warm-up? Or are you relatively new to the instrument and trying to really learn and develop your technique? There is no "graduation" for playing the guitar. I would first ask you why it is so important that you complete multiple modules in one day? How long have you been playing guitar? What are you looking to do with what you are learning? Only YOU know why YOU play guitar.
You are certainly not a "wimp," nor are you in any way alone when it comes to this issue. After reading your post, it does not appear that "boredom" is your problem either. You even sound a lot like me, and I describe this as "Musical A.D.D. (attention-deficit disorder)." There were countless days I would stare at those Daily Practice Modules, watch Pebber's YouTube videos, get out the metronome, start working on my trills or permutations, ladders, spiders, right-hand techniques,,,1 hour, 2 hours,,,8 hours, 12 hours (no kidding). Then realized: WHY AM I DOING ALL OF THIS? WHAT IS MY GOAL?
I became a "Professional Practicer," in the sense that I would just drill, drill, drill,,,but NEVER apply what I was learning in any context.
My goal is to be a great musician. I believe that I constantly need to work on my technique, When being confronted with a new exercise that is challenging, I drill it constantly. However, I keep things interesting by putting on a backing track, because playing "music" is what I want to do. That's how I apply what it is I am learning.
Don't get me wrong, beginning guitar is something that can certainly get boring, and it requires focus and perseverance. However, I find that my students who learn how to use backing tracks quicker tend to remain interested longer.
As was stated in an earlier response, having goals is important and essential. Even in your daily practice. So, if your goal for tomorrow is to get through 7 modules in, say, 30 minutes,,,well then, you obviously need to spend 4-5 minutes on each module, and in order to not get distracted, you will need to set a timer to force you to stop and move on to the next module. By doing this, though, are you really LEARNING anything, or just going through the motions?
I would emphasize quality practice versus quantity practice: Spend time drilling, but also don't forget to spend time applying what you are learning by actually playing each day! I promise you,,,do this, and chances are you will NOT get bored!!!
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