[Doug Marks]

I actually have 3 different prescriptions for my glasses: reading, computer (mid), and distance. I had cataract surgery about eight years ago. One of my eyes is permanently corrected for distance, the other is corrected for reading. Since then my vision has deteriorated somewhat. I can still get by without glasses for distance and reading but it’s less than ideal. Since the difference in my vision for both eyes is so much, I need very different prescriptions for each eye for clarity at all three distances.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Very interesting. I saw an article on this in the Washington Post.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

While working with the app, be sure to click on the stats link. You may be surprised at your progress. Of course, that’s not going to happen without daily practice. I’ve only missed one day since I started working with it. I made really fast progress until I got to the chromatic part. That’s taken some time but even so I do see gradual improvement which is pretty good considering that I only use the app for ten minutes a day. The exception is, when I find it really difficult to identify an interval or two. Then I might put in a half hour with a custom layout only featuring difficult intervals. That usually allows for a breakthrough followed by slow progress.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

I certainly understand what you’re talking about. I was always bad about writing any kind of chart. Now I write the basic arrangement (Verse, Chorus, etc.) and include a few notes to help with trouble areas. I typically won’t include all the lyrics because this can make the chart to difficult to decipher.

Recently I’ve begun working with a new method to play along with cover material. I open a Guitar Pro 8 file and enter enough bars to complete the song. Then I drag the original recording onto the audio track. Next, I align all measures. Sounds cumbersome but really only takes about ten minutes. Do the first few measures then go to the end and align the last few measures then quickly go through the entire arrangement. I make sure the tempo is correct because sometimes Guitar Pro will make a 75 bpm song 150 bpm. That’s corrected when measures are aligned properly. Now I can play along with the original recording and even slow the tempo if necessary. I enter the tab parts for phrases, leads, and anything else that might be problematic. Then I practice playing along with the original recording. I mute the guitar part so I only hear the original. It’s really easy to transcribe using this method because I’ll see and hear the problem areas as I’m playing. The audio track with Guitar Pro 8 is amazing.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

I have a Spark 40 and use Bias FX 2. That’s correct, they’re two totally different platforms but many of the sounds are either similar or the same. And Bias FX mobile is a third platform. It doesn’t really bother me that they’re not compatible because they each serve a unique purpose.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Just in time for Easter! Hey sounds good. Did you continue to have problems with the Ear Trainer app?

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Awesome! Sounds great.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

We do have a Facebook group that I’ve neglected. I’m planning to work on that too.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Good to have you back Stephen. Most of my “new” students have a very similar story to yours, “Played a little when I was younger and life got in the way.” I often hear once they get going again how much fun they’re having and why not? That’s why you wanted to do it in the first place. Patience and daily practice are the key. Some days you won’t be able to put in a full hour but it’s important to at least get in ten or fifteen minutes. It’s surprising how often that leads to getting the whole hour in. And even with only fifteen minutes a day you can continue to make progress. The real killer is when you take several days off. Sporadic practice seldom leads to success.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Sounds great. I think it’s very close to something that could be played on Sirius XM Octane. One thing… sounds like it was mixed by a guitarist. lol Find a song that sounds somewhat similar and put it on a track for comparison. Mix to match the sound of the model. That would make an amazing difference to the overall sound. Bottom line… awesome job so far.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

I don’t know anything about the RIFF app. Bias FX 2 is awesome and doesn’t have any of the screen limitations that you’re referring to. I do prefer to use it on my iPad instead of my iPhone. I also recently purchased their Spark amp. It’s the most amazing amp that I’ve experienced since I got my Marshall 50 watt 45 years ago. On the other hand, Positive Grid’s customer support is very poor. I had a previous issue with a midi pedalboard I was trying to configure. It took them a month to respond to my question and the answer was “it can’t be done.” That’s okay because I had returned the pedalboard two weeks earlier.

I ordered the Spark amp directly from Positive Grid. It was supposed to ship in 5 to 7 days. After 12 days the order was still marked incomplete on their website. So, I cancelled the order and picked up the amp the same day at Guitar Center. Three days later the amp arrived from Positive Grid. So, great product but customer service is poor. I also find that their products aren’t properly documented. I enjoy reading manuals to give me a look “beneath the hood.” The manual for the Spark amp is something like 11 pages. That definitely doesn’t completely cover the product.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

There are different levels of distortion that can be created from humbuckers depending on the output. Even so, as SB said, the distortion is created by overdriving the preamp stage of the amplifier. This can be assisted by a gain control on the amp channel, a drive pedal, or distortion pedal. I think of super distortion type of pickups as assisting the gain going into the preamp. Still, if you play any humbucker into a clean (not overdriven) amp it will sound fairly clean.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Good point. To create lessons from copyright protected material is expensive. In the mid 80s I created a series called Classic Metal. It was legal and expensive. So expensive that I didn’t make much money from them. There are sites like Ultimate Guitar. My understanding is they’re located in Russia which means… what copyrights? A lot is going on that I don’t quite understand like YouTube. My guess is, YouTube gives you a copyright notice but as long as you’re willing to share advertising with the copyright holder it’s okay. If anybody understands this better than I do please share.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Good luck Raven. Glad to see that you’re on the Forum, you can find help here if you run into problems.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

[Doug Marks]

Hi Vinay. We are still quite successful at selling guitar lessons. And yes, in 2020 we got a big boost. While I was an active advertiser in Guitar World we received many great reviews but that goes back several years.

Currently, we’re flying below the radar. I’m doing absolutely no advertising. Without advertising there isn’t visibility. Lately I’ve slacked off of creating newsletters which leads to fewer sales even within our market – out of site, out of mind.

I’ve been creating and marketing these lessons for forty years. To stay motivated, I occasionally take a break. Summer is always the best time to take a break because sales drop off when people head outside due to warm temperatures and more daylight.

I’m currently considering many options to engage so stay tuned.

On the other hand, when I back off of promoting Metal Method I have more time on my hands to play guitar and record original music. That’s what I’ve been up to this summer. The upside is, when I get things rolling again, I have many new things to teach which creates more enthusiasm for me to move forward.

Metal Method Guitar Instructor

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