Added: 5 years ago
From: dmarks1
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  • @Mark,

    hi mark!! first congrats for your videos!! i Have 2 questions for you:

    1) what about the guitar and gear you use, the guitar looks like a standard strat type carvin HSS but what about the extra switches??

    2) In your video you are using a very saturated and reverbed tone, don't you think that ,expecially for beginners, is better to learn and practice without the use of FX (they color the sound and hide our real touch on the instrument ) and w less distortion ( same reason)?

  • @pietromestu 1) The guitar I'm playing is a stock Carvin DC135 - no extra switches. It came from the factory like that.

    2) Stage 1 and Stage 2, the beginner lessons have very little effects and distortion for the very reason you stated. Everything must be as clear as possible for beginners. Stage 5 is an advanced lesson. Although the parts are demonstrated closeup and at very slow speed I use the effects that I feel are appropriate for the solo - that's my sound.

  • @dmarks1 Thanks doug!! ( yes i figured out thos eswitches are just the pickup on/off switches!)

  • The more experienced I get, the more I am impressed with this intro ...

  • @miltond8 Thanks. I've heard very few people really nail this one so it is challenging. I've played it since I wrote it for the 1992 version of the course and still don't play it flawlessly every time.

  • Doug, after viewing your intro videos here on the 'tube and checking out your site, I think it's time to purchase your videos. It sounds like you're using some harmonic minor bits in this solo; do you cover the correct application of this scale in your videos?

    I love the sound of it and like to use while improvising but I usually play it over the wrong chords. Anyway, great stuff here and the price seems very fair for your videos. Cheers!

  • @steveski36 Thanks. Yes, I cover scales and modes and how to match them up with the correct chord changes. That's taught in Stage 5 and Stage 6. For more information post your questions on our forum. I'll be glad to answer any other questions that you have about the course.

  • @Mark,

    First thanks for creating this product. I enjoyed learning from your tutorial. While practicing, how do I figure out which best cord fits a riff?

  • @djavocard That's primarily covered in Stage 6 so you're not to the point in the course where I discuss this. It is a good question.  There are two things that determine whether a riff fits: 1) The correct scale or mode that matches the chord progression. 2) The riff must rhythmically match the rhythm of the track.

  • Hi Doug! I just wanted to say that this video has really gotten me fired up for Stage 5 :) You look like your having a lot of fun playing the intro lead and the how i practice sections :) I cant wait to get started . Im currently working on my stage 4 lead and have been having waaaay too much fun along the way taking your course. Thank you and all at MM for helping me be a better guitar player, ive learned more in the last few months than i have in the 13+ years ive been playing :D

  • @glokidd Thanks. That's such a great testimonial people are going to think I wrote it! Yes, I try to set it up so you're having fun instead of being bored to death. As you've noticed, I give you something to work on each week (4 wks per DVD). At the end of the 4th week you realize that you know a lead from beginning to end. I'm glad you're enjoying the course and thanks for letting me know.

  • random eruption!

  • What scale did you use to make that solo in the intro?

  • @XShirosakiX The lead is in E phrygian minor and I occasionally add a flat five to give it a diminished sound. I'm not overly concerned about the mode when I'm writing a piece. For example, I wrote this lead without thinking about the mode and only realized that it was E phrygian when I had to describe it for the lesson.

  • I love Carvin's ;)

  • today i made the lead i feel happy for that... but i would like to be better and learn faster, i read what the msg of dmarks says and fall into routine its boring, i fell into that and feel bad sometimes, now im getting better i want to go faster but i always do the same exercices, and if i try something else i feel i go slower. why its this happening ?

  • @giglamesh oh well, you have to be familiar with the other stages before moving on. the stuff might get harder as you advance, and you need the foundation made before to make yourself sure that you can get the stuff on the next dvds. so, i'd say you need to be at least be able to play the other lessons in the other stages.

  • this lick on 1:57. is from eruption of eddie van halen!

  • bought the basic course yesterday! cant wait to start!!!

  • Comment removed

  • Just purchased the Guitar World package. Waiting for it to come in the mail!

  • Just bought the complete basic course. Hope it will help me learn guitar !

  • @giglamesh no u dont need to be perfect to go ahead, try it and if u can´t try it over and over again... the HINT here is VEEEEEERY PATIENT.

  • @giglamesh : I hope not! I'm not perfect at these Stages either. I'm serious! Perfection is the direction you're headed. It's not a destination. This question has been asked many times on our bulletin board: bb-metalmetho com

    My guess is, you've been ready to move forward for awhile. Congratulations!

  • Can I ask what kind of Carvin guitar are you using? Looks great! :)

  • Can I use an acoustic guitar for these DVDs? And will these DVDs help me transition into other genres? I want to play other genres as well; not really into metal too much. Sorry if these questions are dumb... I'm new to guitar and I want to start learning.

  • @gapali - These questions definitely aren't dumb. I'm asked this stuff quite often.

    Yes, you can use an acoustic guitar with the course. The first couple of DVDs can be played quite comfortably on an acoustic. You can learn most techniques and theory using an acoustic. Still, some of the stuff is more fun on electric with some distortion. The course is primarily "Classic Rock." We named it Metal Method in 1982. What was metal then is now considered classic rock.

  • Just bought the Basic Course today, can't wait for it to arrive in the mail

  • @HHHDX619 - That's great. Stop by my forum and say hi. I'd like to hear how you're doing.

  • Does Stage 5 and 6 have animated tab and booklets? or is it just on the first 4 discs?

  • @janX9 - Every DVD has animated tab, booklets, and this one also has play along backing tracks.

  • woot. Metal Method taught me how to play guitar in like a year. Would recommend it to anyone no matter what style. I play indie garage/punk rock, but i couldn't have ever done it without MM.

  • @thismakemehate - Thanks. Great to hear from you.

  • i just cant stick to it, bought it like 2 years ago...

  • The course isn't for everybody. You must have the self-discipline to work with it 20 minutes or so 5 days a week. If not, it's difficult to move forward.

    Another problem can be purchasing a DVD that is beyond your skill level. Stage 5 is really difficult if that's the first program that you try. It's much easier if you start at Stage 1 and slowly move forward.

    Please sign on to our forum and discuss with others the problem that you're having staying motivated. We can help!

  • what is this song??

  • It's one of the leads taught in the Metal Method guitar course for the advanced level. It's not from a particular song, just made for the video series.

  • it sounds pretty good, Thanks

  • I just bought the complete basic course, even though i am an advanced player. I heard good things about ur courses so I thought Id try them out. from the videos on youtube and your site I am highly impressed and expect to still learn a lot!

  • Cool playing doug

    I like the tone, tons of mids garunteed to cut through the mix

  • hey doug do you still have you're ultra v from back in the day? would you happen to sell it? :) or anywhere i can find one. great playing man you're an inspiration

  • Thanks. The Ultra V is long gone. I think that I gave that one away in a contest back in the 80's. I still have the two Jackson RR model V's.

  • i just bought these they should be here, i just need to check the mail. cant wait

  • hey man wat kinda carvin is that? keep rockin

  • van halen

  • damn how low the strings are 3:44 D:

  • I bought Metal Method in 1985 on cassette. It was the only formal training I ever had and it helped me a lot as a beginner. I still remember some of the licks. Doug, remember the white Metal Method T-shirts with the black 3/4 length sleeves? I wore that to school until it was totally faded. Over 20 years now and I love guitar more than ever. Thanks for giving me a kick start Mr Marks

  • You're welcome. Of course I remember those t-shirts. I've probably still got a few up in the attic.

  • in 5 months it will be a year since i bought these dvds including the speed kills series...trust me, mab and marks don't disappoint with innovative motifs and lessons. if i were any of you i would seriously consider investing in these dvds.

  • The starting sounds like a song of Metallica. Btw he does everything with so much ease, wish i was as good as him!

  • Metalica sucks...this guy is good...bitch

  • i have this DVD for couple of days, and i didnt play guitar before that, would i be able play like Marks on stage 5 or its to late for me? :)

  • It's not too late for you but I hope that you started at Stage 1. This one is way too challenging for a beginner. Start at Stage 1 and you'll be at this level in about five or six months.

  • i did start at stage 1, i am now at stage 1 lesson 3, and i must say i see the diference now and couple days ago, ty

  • do these dvds help a beginner or intermediate to really understand guitar?

  • Absolutely. The course starts right at the beginning with tuning and how to fret a note.

  • does your part of the program include how to sweep pick or is that on michael angelo batio's part? and how much does your dvd cost?

  • Michael explains sweep picking in Speed Kills. In the most recent version of The Complete Basic Course I chose not to include sweep picking because Michael is the master of that technique. You can buy individual DVDs for $14.95 or the entire package of 6 DVDs for $69.70 at metalmethod com

  • hey doug is it ok to supplement these lessons with song tabs,like from a song from led zep or is it just going to confuse me???

  • Absolutley. I recommend working with tab in the course.

  • Nice. I think I'm going to get it.

  • Is the solo at the beginning in any specific scale?

  • im might be getting this some time here soon what all does the beginner course teach you and im a complete beginner at guitar i can tap a little but thats it is this a good thing for me

  • Yes, this course starts right at the beginning. You would want to Start out at Stage One from The Complete Basic Course. Check out each of the individual lessons. There is a complete description of each on the catalog page. RockGuitar com

  • Nice vibrato at

    :12

  • where do i go to buy this?

    and how do i order it?

  • You can order it at RockGuitar com

  • Thx.

    how long do ou think i can master this session?

  • If you spend about 40 minutes a day, five days a week the course can be mastered in about six months. It all depends on how much time you spend working with the materials and the quality of your practice.

  • WOW this is amazing

  • I notice doug marks does a lot of legato! I love the sound that offers, great job! Some of the coolest licks I've heard yet!

  • Thanks very much. You're right, I definitely favor legato picking. I just posted a new video, check it out: Lead Guitar - Using Licks.

  • Who doesn't like legato picking? It's boring to pick a bunch of notes, so legato picking is a lot easier. I usually don't like to take the easy way out, but if it mostly sounds the same, why not?

  • Can beginer learn The vdo series  ???

  • Absolutely. This is the 5th DVD in the series. Stage 1 starts right at the beginning. You don't need any previous knowledge to work with the course.

  • I just started playing guitar (I'm thirteen), and I'm really looking forward to buying some of these DVD's when I get better, because it looks really cool!

  • You're starting at a good age. Be sure to check out our Message Board at metalmethod com. We can help you out before you buy the course. Good luck with the program.

  • Hi Doug. I purchased your tape set back in 1986 ( a new york 16 yrs old kid with long hair wearing metal shirts every day ). I will never forget seeing those ads for hawk and metal method in guitar world. Great years those were! Good time for metal !! I have been playing seriously for the last 6 yrs and I may check out ( revisit ) stage 5/6 again. Great to be able to talk to you here! One more thing thats helped me lots... Changing my pick size .. gave me much more control.. big difference!

  • Great hearing from you. If you're not a member of our forum, sign up and we can chat there.

  • Hi Doug, just wanted to know, besides the freestyle solo, do you also teach the harmonized Iron Maiden style piece at the beginning?

  • Yes, he says so in the video.

  • As commenting... said, yes, I do teach the piece played at the beginning of this video. There are four weekly lessons on the DVD and I teach 1/4th of the solo in each lesson. By the time you're finished the program, you know the solo.

  • very good

  • 0:44

    that little section, you can just tell that this guy knows what he's doing!

    you can just tell the way his fingers fly across the frets that he's a very accomplished guitarist!

  • Eddie only uses one string.

    Watch some of the videos.

    But anyway, Doug, great tone!

    What pedals and/or amp are you using?

    (But your tone comes from your awesome guitar skills too!)

  • Yes, after I posted that last comment I messed around with the lick and decided it probably was on one string.

    Thanks for the compliment on the tone. I use a Pod XT Live. And yes, most of a player's sound comes from technique. It's frustrating when people want my tone settings because that's such a small fraction of guitar sound. I barely pay attention to tone settings. They've got to be "in the ballpark" but it's not critical to set them perfectly.

  • True!

    I'll confess, I'm someone who pays way too much attention to my tone settings!

    Meh!

    :D

  • 'eruption' fast tremolo picked passage is on 1st string only, isn´t it?

  • It could be played on just one string, I play it on two. Not sure what Eddie does.

  • thats crazy guitar skills right there!

  • Thanks

  • what's the song's name?

  • I never bothered to name it. I just refer to it as the intro lead because there was a video of me playing the lead at the beginning of each Level of the course, 1992 version.

  • In addition to your mad guitar skills, you are clearly very intelligent. I can tell that from the way you speak.

    Happy New Year!

  • Thanks, Happy New Year to yo too.

  • I can definately see the Gary Moore influence here. Awesome dude!

  • Nice Carvin doug

    You have a really cool phrasing style

  • Thanks, the Carvin is on my lap as I'm typing this.

  • Hello from Greece!!!

    I lerned a lot from your first Metal Method Books...at the mid 80's!!!(I'm 37 now).

    Check out my video response.

    Thanks a lot.

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    George.

  • Happy New Year to you too George. Good hearing from you.

  • Fantastic guitar playing very well done my friend

  • Thanks, I appreciate it.

  • Hey, it's so easy to learn with you Doug. Congratulations! Keep teaching!

  • Thanks, I'm glad that I was able to help you. I'll keep teaching and you keep playing!

  • Great ;) i love it :)

  • Thanks, I appreciate it.

  • FUCK YEAH Someone that stayed METAL

  • thank you sooo much people

  • amazing job, doug!

  • Doug, I have to say as someone who struggled with learning challenges when I was younger, your lessons were always easy to understand and I really learned form you.

    I appriciate your ability to explain things in an easy manner.. Happy Holidays Doug!

  • Thanks ... "I appreciate your ability to explain things in an easy manner" I have a lot of empathy for my students because learning to play was difficult for me to. Have a great holiday season.

  • your picking style reminds me of andy timmons.

    good stuff there!

  • Do you recomend the pod xt live?

    Great Playing!

  • Thanks. Absolutely, it works for me. I love it.

  • i've never seen carvin guitars at guitar center is their another outlet i can buy one at same with the legacy amp where do i get that kind of equipment by the way you're lessons have been very helpful to me

  • Carvin has a few stores. You can locate these stores at their website.  They also offer a 100% money-back guarantee so it's safe to check out their gear. They do make good stuff.

  • I think i'm going to get the whole course. Great playing Doug!!! What kind of distortion or effect did you use to get that sound?

  • Thanks. I use a Line 6, POD XT Live for the sound. The patch for the exact combination of effects is available on our forum:

    bb-metalmethod com

  • One of the best lessons around i'm soon going to buy it!!

    Really a nice and clean playing,amanzing!

    I'm curious about 2 things:

    1° if you use some pedal or special effect for sound

    2° if the first song you play in Stage 5 got a name it's really cool!!

  • Hey Doug I just want to say I had purchased the Complete Basic Course years ago (VHS) and just got back into playing and started watching them again. They have really helped my playing and my understanding of the guitar so much! I know this sounds cliche but really it's true! Thanks!

  • I never get tired of hearing compliments. Thanks.

  • good job! srry bout the glammy comment  i was wrong.....

  • what kind of guitar is this?

    it is beautiful!!!!

  • It's a Carvin. I believe the model is DC 135. I play it all the time but the model number doesn't appear on the guitar. You can call Carvin and they'll give you the specifics.

  • Doug,that was fantastic at 319.great

  • Thanks. I appreciate it.

  • love that axe.

  • Thanks

  • Hey Doug, love the idea of having the beat markers at the top of the tabulature. It really does help. Keep rocking.

  • Thanks. There are a lot of improved features in the revised version of the course.

  • dude what is the song on speed kills guitar lesson instuctor?

  • The song that Michael plays at the beginning of Speed Kills is No Boundaries from his album of the same name. He teaches that song on Speed Lives which we sell for 19.95 at metalmethod com

  • Is it possible to make an order from mexico?

  • Yes, go to our contacts page (metalmethod com) and send an e-mail to customer support concerning shipping charges.

  • Good, but not as good as Angelo Batio

  • Doug, I love your Carvin...I actually just ordered a Bolt-T HSS (in addition to ordering your entire Complete Basic Course). I'm curious if the pickups you use on your guitar are stock Carvin?

  • Typically I'll use the stock Carvin distortion pickups but on my current guitar I decided to try something different. The humbucker is made by Razor.

  • you finally teach the solo from the begining of the old 90s lesson. I think i asked for tab of that every time i ordered. Man you changed things up a bit. Not sure which i liked better. but the new one seems cool the old one was cool that in metal primer you said at the end of the lesson "you will be a guitarist"

  • I taught the original version of the solo in the 1992 version of the course, Level 6. The tab is included there. The new version is in Stage 6.

  • how i do this Doug... this is the first time i buy via internet by PayPal... i need help

  • Just send a note to our customer service department. You can find the e-mail address on our contacts page at metalmethod com.

  • that is AWESOME!!!!

  • Thanks

  • i want to buy the stage five... it looks a really interesting material

  • Hey Doug, hi from colombia... hey friend tell me how can i buy ur cds... i need help i dont know how to do it from here... so please help me... and thanks

  • The easiest way is to pay using PayPal. You can order directly from our metalmethod com website

  • Doug you are a noce man and a great player thenka for being humble an approachable . You are a great player and business man . Let me know if u need a killer drummer for your metal method we spoke years ago on the phone and you were not the least bit arrogant . You sir are what metal is about . Thanks

  • Send me a demo. I would love to hear you play. Thanks for the kind words. My e-mail address is on the site.

  • thans doug it's a pleasuure to receive your answher to the post... i'm from argentina..... sigamos luchando por el metal..... bye

    yoy'r a good guitarrist and one of my few influences....

  • im thinking about buying these DVDs are they worth it?

  • hey doug thanks for your exercises ... it helped me in many improvisations.... a big hug from argentina

  • You're welcome. I'm glad that I was able to help.

  • sweeet carvin!!! :)

  • the animated tab player is clever.

  • It works great. It's nice to be able to play along with the exercises at the tempo you choose instead of the on-screen tempo.

  • i remember buy lesson from this dude but i learn most of his stuff is trick for guitar i did't learn lick from him. he is good in a way. CTROCK THE HIP HOP ROCK GUITAR ARTIST

  • Thanks. Nice hearing from you.

  • I just ordered the complete package... Stages 1 thru 6 and the Speed Kills series... I can't wait to see where I will be after summer vacation ends, since I am already intermediate. :)

  • Doug Marks AMAZING Greetings from Germany ;)

  • Amazing!!

  • do you have a section on scales modes and imporvising?

  • Stage Six is all about modes and improvising is taught throughout the course.

    I present modal theory in an "easy to digest" manor in Stage Six. You can basically just watch the video and feel quite enlightened after it's completed (about an hour). Still, to really get the stuff down take some effort. But in an hour, you'll learn why the effort is worthwhile.

  • Killer job

  • Awesome!

  • Hi. Caught the ad in Gutar World. The lessons look great. I was wondering if your method teaches an easy way around modes, keys (ie cicle of 5ths). This stuff seems so confusing to me. thanks!!

  • Check out Stage Six. I get a lot of compliments on the way that I teach modal theory. It's put together in a way that you can just watch, listen, and learn without making a huge effort. You'll have a better understanding after simply watching the video which is around an hour in length.

  • Thanks!!!

  • How do you know which notes to play on an improvisation??? D:

  • Typically, a musician chooses notes from a single key when improvising. Improvising may be a combination of memorized licks from that key and melodies that are created during the improvisation.

  • I'll try that out thanks.

  • I am a student of his course, it is great!

  • Thanks

  • Thanks electro. The Dunlop picks that I use are 15 mm. I don't know if they have a model number associated with them.

  • I Love Doug! He is one of the main reasons I started with and continue to use CARVIN Guitars and Pro Audio! Keep rockin Doug!

  • Thanks madvillebirdman. I appreciate it.

  • AWESOME!!! Doug is one of the Best Guitar Instructors of the Modern Day... He is very precise on making the student aware of the TRUTH behind Real Guitar Playing... He is Partly Responsible for My Guitar Playing... I am Proud to say that Doug Marks is One Of The Best Out There!!!

  • Thanks very much. I appreciate your message.

  • Bought those lessons in 1982. Thanks for the start!

  • Wow, you were one of my first students. Great to hear from you.