Allan Holdsworth Review

I wouldn't say you can learn much of anything from this video. Allan gives some fairly brief explanations about his use of scales and stands next to some diagrams professor style, talking about how useful they are.

The reason to watch this video is for the large amount of footage of Allan while he is playing. Most of which with his band. If you're a fan of his music, then this DVD will go a long way in decoding his chops.

I am, on a good day, an intermediate to advanced player so I can watch him and I can actually understand what he's doing. Sort of.The problem is, is that Holdsworth's chops are so far beyond most guitarists, his approach to music is so "outside the box"and that he seems to have no idea of how advanced he actually is.

For a healthy part of his solos, his index finger stays close to the 10th fret and his pinky stays around 17-19 and they more-or-less just dance around, creating a dizzying array of wide intervallic melodies that go screaming by. He seems to think that this is normal, that anyone who plays guitar can do this, and that his abilities hardly warrant having an instructional video.

So there's a lot going on in his brain that just doesn't seem to occur to him to share or even bother to articulate. So, if you're the kind of guitarist who can learn a lot just by watching someone play, this video is awesome.

If you're the kind who needs an explanation beyond some British mumbling about preferring to not have "licks" then there are probably better videos for you.

I bought it because I'm a big fan of Holdsworth and I just wanted some good footage of him playing. I got that out of it and I consider anything else a bonus.

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Product Description:
As one of the most unique and respected guitarists in the world, Allan Holdsworth has influenced countless others, including legendary artists like Frank Zappa, Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Alex Lifeson and Steve Vai. In this one-of-a-kind DVD, Allan performs seven electrifying tunes with his band, which features keyboardist Steve Hunt, bassist Skuli Sverrisson, and drummer Chad Wackerman. Allan breaks down his creative use of scales and chord voicings in this video, and offers insightful suggestions as to how to go about creating your own unique sounds and chord voicings based on his simple, yet revolutionary, concept for harmonizing scales in intervals other than traditional 3rds. See incredible close-up shots of Allan s amazing technique here, and enjoy the unique opportunity to learn from one of the all-time greats!

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Pete Huttlinger's Wonderful World of Chords Review

another great in a series of instructional DVDs by Pete Huttlinger.Clearly for the intermediate guitarist, Pete Huttlinger's drive for perfection is contagious.Learning chords and derivitives is very exciting.Just like his other DVDs, this one is well filmed, and Pete's dry humor comes across as usual.He is both a gifted performer and a gifted teacher.

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Product Description:
Get ready to give your left hand a workout! Pete Huttlinger has created a video chord library that's a must-have for every serious guitarist. This crash course is designed to show you all the important chords and fingerings you'll need, from the easiest shapes to some challenging finger-twisters. Pete has developed a unique and effective study technique he calls Say It and Play It. This is an powerful way to memorize root notes by playing chromatic scales and applying chords to the root location. It's like your personal GPS system on the fingerboard, helping you lock in exactly where you need to be on the neck. The lesson grows in complexity and sophistication, leading to chord changes for Sweet Georgia Brown and All Of Me, as well as tips on all kinds of music - from folk and blues to pop, country and swing. As you play exercises and progressions that make use of these positions, you'll be on your way to becoming a well-rounded guitarist with a world of chords at your fingertips.EXTRA! This enhanced DVD contains the tab book right on the disk, in addition to the printed booklet.

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Les Paul (2005) Review

This is a great DVD to get a different and in depth perspective on Les Paul the legend.Different clips and interviews take you through his life and style of playing.Great for any fan or guitarist.

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Product Description:
This DVD presents a rare and historical view of Les Paul, the living legend who revolutionized the music and recording industry we know today. Les Paul not only invented the electric guitar; he also perfected the technique of multi-track recording and developed the first filtration devices for reverb, delay and phasing. This interview interspersed with performance clips takes you up close with Les Paul for a fun, humorous, and incredibly educational view into the awesome world of music as seen by one of the truly great guitarists, musicians and innovators of our time. 90 minutes.

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Bass: Learn to Play! Review

This is not something to buy if you want to learn how to play bass. The DVD lasts for about 10 minutes and it is simply an interview with three teenagers who try to persuade you how you should play bass if you want to get into music. The commputer CD that comes with it is geared towards absolute beginner, and tailored to kids. The best think in the whole set is the little booklet that has the scales in it, but that's about it. This may be a nice gift to a 13-year old, but skip it if you're an adult or if you already know what a string or a note is.

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Freddie King Review

The problem with this series of guitar instructional material is the lack of accurate tab.In the case of this particularly DVD, there is no tab; just a little useless booklet that gives a guide to notation and lists the chords used in the songs.Also, it is advertised as giving a complete breakdown on playing the songs.This is true except for the last one, Sen-sa-shun which is played straight through with the closing credits.
On the positive side, Duke Robillard's performance of the songs is superb and very inspiring, particularly The Stumble.I recommend this to die-hard Freddie King fans and advanced guitar players but the lack of tablature will probably be a source of frustration to beginners.

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Product Description:
The most virtuosic blues King, big bad Freddie was a spectacular guitarist as well as a first-rate singer and accomplished songwriter. As a transplanted Texan who moved to Chicago in the '50s, Freddie rubbed shoulders with the likes of Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and Magic Sam. Freddie's vast repertoire of blues classics offers cool hooks, hot solos, and foot-tapping rhythms for the contemporary electric guitarist. In this DVD, Host Duke Robillard (Roomful of Blues, Fabulous Thunderbirds) gives invaluable insights into the style of this legendary guitarist. He takes you through a select group of Freddie's greatest songs (Hideaway · San-Ho-Zay · The Stumble · Sen-sa-shun) lick by lick, revealing the inner workings of this master musician. Rare performance footage is also included as a special bonus! 54 minutes.

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SongXpress Classic Blues, Vol 3 (DVD) (1999) Review

This will be a similar review I wrote for Vol. 2 of Classic Blues.It is more of a heads up to those who used to own the VHS tapes.

I used to have the VHS tape for vol. 1 and I must say it was a very well done product. I particular enjoy the performances of the ENTIRE song at the end of the lesson. Dan Warner would play the whole blues song with the solos and with no band backing him up. Just a vocalist playing rhythm.

It was awesome. I learned so much watching him do his solos.

BUT the DVD versions of these tapes no longer show entire performances. They edit the original production so as the entire performance is never displayed.

I was very disappointed with the editing done for the DVDs.

But you are just a beginner, I guess this product will do.

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Tony Iommi Review

This is a straight forward copy of the Tony Iommi Starlicks release.
No DVD extras, but a good transfer of a slightly rare product.
Tony Iommi explains his 1984 equipment and guitars, the Iron Eagle by B.C. Rich, and SG types JayDee, and John Birch.
Includes riffs and two solos.

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Product Description:
One of heavy metal's true innovators, Tony is the guitarist for Black Sabbath. He covers licks and leads from several Black Sabbath favorites, along with a special fully notated solo section. 33 minutes.

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