Checking In With a Megadeth Jam. How’s Everyone Playing Lately?

Hey everyone, 

I was a bit absent from the forums because I felt like I was taking up a lot of bandwidth. So, I stayed off for a bit. I figured I would check in and share where I am, and I'd like to hear how everyone else is doing.

Lessons have been going great! I have been practicing the Lead Blues with Chris and learning music theory with Anders, Lisa, and Chris. I was finally able to start the metal lead stuff with Mike after spending the last few months doing lead work with Chris and Anders. I'm so grateful to have this place to learn and share my experience with all my guitar-practicing brothers and sisters.

I wrote my first song this week. I never thought it possible. I'm beginning to become my own musician instead of just emulating the greats before me all the time. That's always been my goal with guitar. Make my own. I'm not ready to share the song in public yet, though. It's in D minor. I learned two positions of the scale and the relative Fmaj as well. I used Black Label Society, Hammerfall, Lamb of God, and Megadeth as inspirations. I incorporated the skills I learned from the blues and the music theory I studied.

Honestly, I would like to hear how everyone else is doing. Beginning a part of the forum means we can all share and encourage one another to keep playing. If I had a couple of buds to share with all the time, I would love it. I know Bill is usually chatting with me, and Michael Rockon has shared some great music with me. What have you all been working on lately? I'd love to hear about your wins. Talk yourself up. I'll read all about it. Keep on, keeping on, dudes!

The audio quality isn't that great. My phone speaker muted the tone a lot, but I ain't scared to share with you all!
Addicted to Chaos from Megadeth Played by me

Great playing Kyle. I thought once you published something you effectively copy write it. But I am no lawyer so keep reading up on it. Can’t wait to hear it!

Thanks, bud. I see pizza is on the menu again~ hahaha. I'll figure something out. I gotta be S.M.R.T. about it. My wife would probably throttle me if she heard my riffs on the radio next year! haha. I'm serious. 

I hope your playing has been a great time spent for you. 

Yeah, still having fun. I just started transcribing Beethoven’s 6th symphony. 

Lessons are going great. Getting better (after all, isn't that what you're working for). Have a hard time finding people to play with and when I do, most of my music is pretty difficult to play. Not something you can pick up right away. Any suggestions?

No way! That's dedicated. The whole thing? What for?

Only because I heard it and I liked it and thought maybe I can play it on guitar. The whole thing is like an hour so it won’t be the whole thing but I will just work my way through it until I feel like stopping. 

I wrote a whole thing for you, bud. I am having internet issues so Its saved on my computer and I got two 5 minute videos to share something that might help you out. I am sorry for the delayed response. I will have it up as soon as possible so im not typing the whole thing on my phone

I wrote a whole thing for you, bud. I am having internet issues so Its saved on my computer and I got two 5 minute videos to share something that might help you out. I am sorry for the delayed response. I will have it up as soon as possible so im not typing the whole thing on my phone

Sounds great Kyle. You far surpassed me a long time ago. I am impressed with your progress. Keep it up and we all appreciate you sharing your progress! 

That’s a tough one, honestly. I don’t have anyone to play with either, and a lot of the music I want to learn is still above my current skill level.

I use this site to build technique and then apply it to the songs or styles I’m aiming for. For example, the strumming in Space Oddity used to give me trouble, so I spent a week practicing slow strumming since I already knew the chords.

When I’m choosing music to learn, I listen to the drums and look for a tempo that’s just slightly beyond what I can comfortably play. Then I check tabs on Ultimate Guitar, watch someone play it on YouTube, or look for lessons here.

I break songs into small sections. Maybe 12 bars at a time. I practice them daily until they’re clean. Speed comes later. Clean playing is the foundation. Harder riffs just get more repetitions.

On this site, I’ve found that I learn something from every difficulty level, but Level 3 is where I’m comfortable and confident. Level 4 pushes me, so I do about twice as much Level 3 work as Level 4. Level 5 is still a bit much for me right now.

Sorry for the late response, bud. My internet died on me last night, so I took the time to explain my thoughts in two 5-minute videos to share with you. I hope that you have a bunch of small successes that lead you where you want to be with the guitar. 

How I pick a song to learn and how I learn them
What I am currently learning and how I apply my methods

I doubt that, Mike. I'm sure your skill set, with your lessons learned, is vastly superior to what I can do. I've heard you play!