Hey there synners and kittens...

I had some deep thoughts that I wanted to share with all of you and maybe you'll find it comforting or helpful, or maybe you'll just have some thoughts to add to it.

Anyway, my life has changed so much since I moved to a new place. It's hard. But in a good way. For the first time in my life, I'm not living under the umbrella of anyone else. Even when I lived on my own several times before, my family ALWAYS had their nose in my business telling me what to do. But now it's different. And that means, for the first time in my life, I can truly express myself and find out who I really am. I'm gonna try to break this down a bit. From what I learned about myself FROM OTHERS and what they told ME I was:

I am a narcissist
I am manic bipolar
I am lazy
I'm unmotivated
I'm a slacker
I have a sugar addiction
I'm terrible with my finances
I'm an impulsive spender
I have depression
I have an obsessive compulsive disorder with my weight


Listen to all of those negative things that others have made me feel believe I am. It's a huge list. Next thing I know, I'm micromanaging every task and thing in my life trying to "fix" these other things people have said about me. And it becomes overwhelming. Just because you enjoy a glass of wine or a beer after work, does not make you an alcoholic. Just because you get random bouts of energy and go on a cleaning frenzy, doesn't mean you're manic. Just because you sulk and you feel for a day or even a month, doesn't make you depressed.

I was talking with a friend a few days ago, and their therapist suggest them to change their coping mechanisms. My friend was told things like "you need to change your behavior" (I'm just paraphrasing what was said), and I told my friend, "but what if this is who you are? Is what you're doing TRULY negative and harmful to yourself and to others?"

At what point do we start changing who we actually ARE in order to be who people PERCEIVE we should be? If you ask me, this seems like this mentality continuously places the blame on OURSELVES instead of OTHERS who have done us harm. We have become a culture accustomed to "self-awareness" and "mindfulness" that we are starting to overlook that well, maybe we're just fine how we are. Maybe this is who we are. And maybe we don't have anxiety, maybe it's trauma from the horrible things people have done to us.

Have you ever noticed that people will say "I have anxiety" instead of "my parents abandoned me and I was raped when I was 12." Or how about people will say "I'm an alcoholic" instead of "my wife stresses me out and I'm really miserable about my job."
I personally feel like when we place this weight on ourselves, we carry that burden of ruminating faults within our very being. I'm not saying blame others for your problems. And if you actually DO have a problem, then it should change.

Like do you have anxiety and randomly lash out and beat your child because of it? Or are you just anxious?
The first example is clearly an issue that needs to change. But the latter is just a personality trait.

Anyway, I'm getting off on a tangent. I hope I'm making sense. What I'm trying to say, is I've learned a lot about myself and I've clarified the following...


I am a narcissist No, I just have confidence and I get upset when people view me as unworthy
I am manic bipolar No, I get motivated and have creative sparks where I realize I took on more than I could handle
I am lazy No, I just enjoy my downtime and relaxing
I'm unmotivated No, I just don't feel guilty for not being a slave to success
I'm a slacker No, I'd rather just be doing something else because the task I'm "slacking on" is of no interest to me
I have a sugar addiction No, I just enjoy sweet stuff as a part of fun things in life. I can go weeks without it if I need to.
I'm terrible with my finances No, I manage my money just fine. I just choose not open up 10 thrift savings plans or IRA accounts
I'm an impulsive spender No, I just find joy in finally being able to afford little things I like for once in my life
I have depression No, sometimes I just feel like sulking and being in thought and reflective
I have an obsessive compulsive disorder with my weight No, I'm tired of being obese my whole life and I'm on an inspired path to change that


I would like to iterate that I am not demeaning or devaluing ANYONE'S mental health or professional diagnosis. I was just truly thinking that sometimes we project our own demands of life onto others. And just because you go to someone else's house and their dishes aren't done, doesn't mean they're a slob.

So my final question is: are you being who you want to be confidently? Or do you ever find yourself changing who you truly are to fit the narrative of someone else that's been in your ear far too much?

I've let a lot of this go, and I've never been happier.

There have been a few issues I have been struggling with for a while and I have thought for a while that there could be a bigger reason for it.

They are mainly to do with posture, tension and rigidity.

One of the issues is to do with posture. I cant help feeling like its to do with arm strength in general because when I try and put it into position, whether it be in the classical or regular position. I find my arm gets fatigued very easily.

This does two things, makes moving my arm to create fluid movements very difficult and it also makes me anchor my arm on the edge of the body and makes it immovable whilst playing unless I take my arm off and put it back again.

One thing I have also notice is sometimes when I try and relax my picking arm, my right shoulder slumps forwards which causes pain very quickly.

the last thing that I find is that when playing lead and sometimes (but rarely rhythm) that my hand and arm can be quite rigid as more precision is needed than when strumming chords.

I was thinking maybe there is tension in my body that isn't necessarily caused by guitar related stuff and maybe it's something that needs to be looked at on a more general level.

If you guys have any ideas or advice on whether it could be down to bad technique, posture etc instead please feel free to lmk!

I was just wondering how long most of you had been playing and what's your skill level? I've been playing for over 25 years, I feel that I'm intermediate to advanced in skill. But I've mainly focused on just playing and learning songs and have only just recently started learning about theory and why I should be playing what I'm playing. Thankfully I think I have done a good job of fooling people until now, falling back on pentatonic scales has gotten me out of a jam on more than one occasion. This school has really helped, I also started playing the piano which has made learning theory a lot easier, but I digress. How long have you been playing, what would you consider your skill level, do you have people you play with, are you in a band, does your band play out regularly (at least did you pre covid)?

Hello one and all!
My name is Rexxavier Held-McGee.

I play both lead and rhythm guitar for SYMMETRICAL DEFIANCE, a quartet hailing from Rome NY.

Weve got almost 3k follows on FB and love
making music that we want to hear, and hope youll enjoy as well!

Weve got music on Spofity, Itunes, youtube and you can find us on most socials.

My snap: mixinmasta
Youtube: Sexy Rexxy (cringy but i love my fiance and she picked the name haha)
Insta: rexxaviermcgee

Guitar history:
Ive been playing on and off since i was 14, 13 years ago almost to the day. My lead style is very much influenced by SYN but not totally derivative, at least i like to think i put my own spin on it haha. I can 3,4,5 string sweep, im okay at alt picking and putting chords down.

GUITARS I OWN
SYN CUSTOM blk/silver pinstripe OG no sustainiac
SYN Special
Schecter Damien Platinum FR
Schecter Omen 6
MKH 7 str Epiphone
Dean acoustic/electric
And a couple shitty acoustics ive had for years. I love my SYN customs, both the Special and the OG pinstripe models, and i got em for a steal too! didnt spend more than 400 on either of em.


Ill be posting riffs and set-up tips ive picked up over the years. I love that this app exists.

Ive been an A7X fan since i was 14, and the LIVE IN THE LBC dvd was the first time i had seen these guys. That day, seeing SYN rip the second heartbeat solo lit a fire in my heart, and i picked up a guitar in school the next day and set up an Individualized Studies class with my favorite music teacher, Peter Guihan. (Peoples Academy Morrisville VT)

The most influential guitarists to my playing:

SYN
ZACKY
Ryan Knight
Brian Eschbach
Matt Heafy
Brandon Ellis
Rob Flynn
Nergal from BEHEMOTH
Alexi Laiho (RIP)
Willie and Mark from LoG


Damn this is long winded haha. I also do vocals. Clean and Growls. Ive got an accapella version of CLAIRVOYANTS DISEASE on my insta that exists... and demonstrates both if ya wanna check it out.

See ya late4 Synners!!!

:syngates:Yo family! My record of the month for November is Abbey Road by The Beatles. This is my personal fav album by my fav band(tied w Bungle of course).

I’ve always gone back and forth between Magical Mystery Tour and Abbey but as I’ve gotten older, Abbey is just so solid and clever that it continues to increase its lead to me. The medley on the back half is nothing short of pure genius and the different soundscapes, vocally and beyond that the front half procures, take me to another dimension. A dimension where all perceived “rules” of music are either summarily dismissed, or used as China for the proverbial Bull in that proverbial China shop.

This is also the only album in existence where I don’t have a favorite song. I simply can not pick one. I do however, have a least favorite and that is Come Together; a smash hit classic covered by many other legends. Also, I fucking LOVE that song with all of my heart, but it is clearly and always has been, my least favorite song on the record. As it may speak to my shoddy coding as a human program, I believe it to speak to the level of brilliance that is the entire record.

Questions I’d love answered by my beautiful family!

-Fav song
-Fav solo
-Clever chord changes that stick out(always my life pursuit)
-Insight into George Martin’s production genius and notable moments
-Interesting arrangements vocally and orchestrally

Don’t confine yourself to these if they don’t inspire thoughts, these are just ideas that stick out to me. I’m also VERY curious to hear other ideas or discoveries in hopes that a new way to listen to this masterpiece will be revealed for myself and others.

Can’t fucking wait to hang out with you!!

All my love,

Syn
:syngates:

I never find how to start pratice this one, i try to play all solo slow, but any result...

So I've been learning Avenged Sevenfold songs for a few months now as I'm beginning to feel my guitar theory is at a good enough level that I can, however slowly, perform the techniques in these solos. But something that seems to be a problem for me recently is going into any economy picking run that starts on a note and then instantly goes to the next string (thinking Nightmare and Shepherd of Fire). I can economy pick, and once I get into it I can really pick up some speed, but I have so start slow otherwise I hesitate and play the note over and over before going into the run. If anyone has experienced this or has any sort of tips for trying to get rid of this it would be much appreciated

Started my Journey in Music line at the age of 10 learning Jazz.

Self taught. A Lefty guy. Love to learn new genre.

Influences - Django Reinhart, Robert Johnson, Robben Ford, Joe Pass, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Kotzen, Ritchie Blackmore, John 5, Rhandy Rhoad, Steve Morse, Jason Becker, Gus G, John Fruciante, Jeff Beck, Nuno Bettencourt, Justin Johnson, Tom Morello, Syn Gates, Teru, Frank Gambale, Jesse Cook, Mark Trimonti, Alexi Laiho, SRV, George Lynch, Tony Macaphine.

Fav Quote -

“All guitarists have a sound in their head - a sound that evolves and grows as they progress, discovering all of the beautiful idiosyncrasies that define their individual voice. To facilitate this process, players need a vibrant, dynamic guitar that becomes a free space in which their personality can unfold”

- Mark Lettiery

Peace out - Riff Krusty A.k.A Silly Rabbit.

Does anyone else have this problem like i'll start learning a song then about halfway through it i'll switch to a different song because i decide i don't want to do it anymore there's a lot of songs i started but never finished because of that and i also can't make up my mind on what i want to do because i keep switching between a7x, bvb, and bfmv all three of those bands have so many songs i want to learn but again i have that problem to where i'll start the song but not finish it then i'll switch the band and or song how do i cope with this issue because it's starting to frustrate me

I found these chords matching well together: Em Gm Dm C#m. Scale finders online can't match it with anything. What's something that could sound okay over all chords and/or expends it?

Hello was good people..a newcomer here in the a7x house

Better a late announcement than never, right?

So later today I will be doing my web design stream. I am mostly going to be working on my own personal portfolio that I need to make for my degree, but I also want to dive into some design principles in general, where to start if this is something you want to learn and some good resources I like to use.
I also want to clarify that this won't be a tutorial of any sorts, but you are of course free to come and work along with me. (If you would be interested in me doing more of a tutorial-style please let me know).
And lastly, if you have any specific questions, feel free to post them in here so I can make sure to (attempt to) answer them during my stream.

Hope to see you all there!

Hello everyone!

So with the coming of SynTv, there was something that I always wanted to do which was to have a show in podcast format. And well, I'd like to announce the first episode of....

The Rad Synner Hour this Saturday January 8th at 14h EST! (See european friends? I am thinking about you!)

And for my first guest, I am very honoured to introduce to you all my good friend, AILEÉ ZAGA!



Aileé Zaga is an independent artist and music producer that defies expectations. Constantly incorporating contrasting sounds and influences, she takes the listener on a journey that flirts with the surrealistic landscapes of their imagination. Her sound is influenced by a wide spectrum of genres, ranging from classical music and various sub-genres of rock and metal to experimental electronic music.

She is releasing a new song called Goddess of the Dawn this Friday January 7th and i'm so excited to not only talk about it, but we'll also talk about her more specifically:

- How she got started
- Music production
- Women in the music industry
- Her approach to music writing

... and much more including questions from the chat!

you can find her here on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ailee_music/
and also check out her Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AileéZaga

One more thing! I came to the realization that perhaps I should at least have a bit more presence on IG so you know, if you feel like it, come and follow me there so you can stay up to date to all craziness Synner related: https://www.instagram.com/rad_synner/

Alright everyone! I'll see you all on Saturday!

- Rad Synner

So, I dropped my guitar down a half step and began playing, all was well for a about a minute and then I got this buzz. In the video this was the first time I heard the buzz and kept going and when I plucked the high and low e string I knew it was out of tune. Which I know is common when changing tunings, so I retuned it, and played again and the same thing. It was fine for a minute and then the buzz and immediately after the buzz it’s like a flip is switched and I can tell it’s out of tune immediately .
So, is this normal ? Do I just need to let it adjust to the tuning change or is this something else ?

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Wife just got me this beast!!

Never been much of an artist, but here you go:

how do the top artists go about creating music?

I was thinking last night, you know, how I'm not an artist but I still created this idealism about the process...
it feels VERY dirty to try to brute force and create 5 songs a day.
I think maybe thats how it should be, record 10 songs a day to get chops and in the gaps, Art may come up

watcha think
whats your process? do you get a drum beat and try out 10 different things in 10 different styles in an day?
quantity? quality? do what you like?
do you try to get only 1 or 2 cool guitar parts a week that you try to develop?
how to go from being a guitar person to being an artist?
what is art? is art in the songwriting? is art in the performance? what is love?

Hello guys!!! What beginner level songs would you suggest to practice palm muting?

Hi all, I just started playing guitar, and when practicing playing chords, I struggle with rapidly switching between them. I have to pause and look at where I'm placing my fingers on the fretboard to make sure they're correct before playing the next chord. Is there anything that could help me memorize where my fingers need to go, or is this just something that comes with practice?

I don't know much about rhythm and timing on guitar. I recently learnt about subdivisions like quarter notes and etc. I was practicing the exercises in the 3rd episode from the Introduction to Alternate Picking lesson which had an exercise with triplets so I started counting as I played 1 tri-plet 2 tri-plet and so on and I started playing with the metronome but I didn't know how to practice with a metronome. How do you know if you're playing in time with the metronome? Do you have to count notes? I tried counting but it's very confusing at high tempos. Help;-;

what's your favorite guitar?

I've been playing guitar for almost 2 years and learning from online lessons. I started learning from synner.com to develop some techniques and learn theory because I know nothing about theory lol. So I started from the very beginning again but the stuff gets kinda confusing when Papa Gates talks about theory because I don't know where the notes lie on the fretboard so I get lost most of the time in finding where the notes are. How do I learn where the notes are on the fretboard so I can see them on the fretboard easily. Thanks

Im finding it hard to play those string skip tap licks on the stage intro clean.Any tips? Also any exercises for 2 finger tapping?

Okay, so leaving aside the clickbait headline (we've known Syn and Matt were into Yeezy forever, so nothing new here), there's a lot to digest.

"In January, we're going in to finish the strings on the record," Shadows said. "The record's been recorded for a year, but we haven't been able to put the real strings on it, because we couldn't fly out to Prague. When an orchestra have to social distance and they aren't sitting next to each other, they can get out of tune, and we have just finally got to a place where we can use this 70-piece orchestra as we intended. We finish the record in February, mix it in March."

This is the clearest indicator we've gotten to date. I think we all pretty much knew the entire album was in the can except the orchestra and maybe some vocal and percussion overdubs, but this lays out that it's ALL been on the back burner for a year waiting until they could put 70 classical musicians and a few engineers in one room in California. Let's hope they get this done before fucking Omicron ruins everything. Let's hope these fine California musicians are vaxxed and boosted so they can go forward with REASONABLE confidence. From there, it's on to Andy in March - assuming they've spent the downtime getting to at least 95% on artwork and promotional materials, we could be looking at May, as predicted. April seems a little too optimistic, with manufacturing needed for physical media, but perhaps they'll stagger that, too - we don't know.

"Later in the interview, he showed more disinterest in pleasing the upper echelons of the music business by noting that they won't be signed to a record label after this new record, making them free agents with full control over the music and the way they want to release it. "This next record, I don't know exactly how it comes out, but the record after that, we have no label," Shadows said. "At that point we start implementing all the new ideas of going straight to the base of people that really care more. The new frontier excites us; expect very wacky ideas!""

This lines up with some very vague discussion items about decentralizing the recording business and how they hope to integrate NFT ownership into things. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I've been waiting for this a long time. Not necessarily on the NFT front, but a serious, arena-capable band eschewing record labels and contracts for a significant release. That is an old, outdated and predatory model that I've seen ruin good friends' careers. I'm so excited that Syn and the guys are embracing their power and being so visionary and forward-thinking here. I'm excited to see what it will do, how it's received, and how it will affect the future of the music business.

Thoughts?

I got my wife a new bass and just last night bought a acoustic bass amp 1x12 100 watt just wanna know how good the amps are also setting it up?