DVD-Easy Bluegrass & Country Guitar Review

If you are a beginner who knows the chords already, you will really enjoy this DVD.However, if you have been playing awhile, and are an advanced beginner or an intermediate AND you grew up with no knowledge of country or blue grass (me!) you will also love this DVD. Playing Dylan, Beatles, etc, I never knew country or blue grass music. This introductory DVD is really great to show you some of the basic songs, plus a few of the well-known (to the country world) strumming, bass notes and bass run.This DVD is really easy to follow and I found it to be a very useful but fun lesson.It is not complicated and it won't take but a few weeks to finish, but it is a great part of your guitar instruction library.It has introduced me to bluegrass music, which I now possess a new-found respect for.

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Product Description:
Guaranteed the quickest and easiest way to get into playing the real country guitar! Happy Traum will get you started in this popular American guitar style and get you ready to move on to more advanced studies.
You'll learn to handle a flatpick, play a basic scale, then master these techniques: accompanying songs in straight and waltz time; picking out melodies while strumming chords; adding bass runs, hammer-ons, pull-offs and other variations, and playing the famous bluegrass "G Run." Songs: "John Hardy," "Bury Me Beneath The Willow," "All The Good Times Are Past And Gone," "East Virginia," "Wildwood Flower," "Mama Don't 'Low," "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms."

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DVD-Classical Guitar -Seven Easy Pieces Review

This is an excellent presentation of the seven pieces.I especially enjoyed learning Tarrega's "Adelita" and Bach's "Sarabande".Hand offers some views on interpretation and ornamentation as well, such as his discussion on the traditional baroque approach to Bach vs. his more romantic approach for the guitar.I would recommend buying his other DVD first, "Classical Guitar: Technique & Musicianship" in order to lay some groundwork for these pieces as they are not for the novice.Hand is one of the best classical guitarists in the world, and is gifted as an instructor as well which isn't always the case with great musicians.Between these two videos and the accompanying sheet music any intermediate level (which includes the ability to read music) fingerstyle guitarist should be able to become proficient in beginning to intermediate level classical guitar repertoire.Highly recommended.

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Product Description:
The beauty and romance of the classical guitar is brought home in this fascinating lesson by one of the world's top players. Frederic Hand applies the essential techniques that he demonstrated on his first Homespun video to gorgeous music that will be accessible to all guitarists...with practice.
The seven works taught on this video are among the best-known student pieces, and will be within the reach of most guitarists who are familiar with the fingerboard and basic classical technique. "Easy is a relative term," Fred says. "Playing the classical guitar with beauty and command is a life-long process."
Fred takes each piece apart, pointing out the possible trouble spots and sharing important tips on technique and interpretation. He demonstrates ornamentation, slurs, rhythmic and melodic subtleties, timbral shadings, the importance of correct plucking strokes and other invaluable pointers.
You'll start by learning three lute pieces from the Italian Renaissance, each with a different tempo and feeling: the lyrically romantic Vaghe Belleze, the spritely dance Bianco Fiore and the more stately and dynamic Danza. Johann Sebastian Bach's famous Sarabande is an intriguingly lovely baroque piece, and Fernando Sor's Study in B Minor is an excellent exercise for your right hand. The sublime Adelita by Francisco Tarrega, with its romantic rubato style and lush harmonies, gives players the opportunity to utilize expressive techniques such as portamento and vibrato, and to become familiar with the guitar's upper register.
Finally, you'll learn Fred Hand's distinguished arrangement of the traditional Shaker hymn Simple Gifts. This homage to Aaron Copeland starts with the basic tune in C, but quickly moves into D, taking on a richly contemporary feeling.

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Classic Blues Guitar Review

I have viewed this whole DVD, along with the "special features" section. The description provided above is not quite accurate.
First, this DVD is hosted by Keith Wyatt, who is so far my favorite video guitar teacher. This makes the DVD great in that aspect.
Next, the DVD is a guide into the various types of electric guitars and amplifiers. Keith provides a solid overview and a little history to the guitars, who used what ones and what amplifiers were used with what guitars. He does a good job comparing the differences.
Third, this is NOT an instructional DVD as far as actually playing the guitar (which I thought it would be). Regardless, I feel for the novice guitarist this is a great DVD to understand the differences in guitars and amps. Keith details the history and why some chose "this one" over "that one".
There are some special features that are neat, like a short clip of BB King and how you create distortion from an amplifier.
All in all this was fun and informative to watch. It probably only takes one viewing to get the just of everything. After that you should be able to figure everything out on your own. I like this DVD and think everyone should take a gander. To be a "true" guitarist you need more than effects pedals. This DVD will give you the insight to help you.

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Product Description:
Master blues guitarist and educator Keith Wyatt demonstrates how to create the soulful sounds of all the great legends of the blues guitar. This DVD will provide you with everything you need to re-create the classic blues guitar tone of Albert King, B.B. King, Robben Ford, Stevie Ray Vaughan, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, and many more. Special features include additional video previews, "getting to know your amplifier" interactive features, Internet connectivity, and much more!

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The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen, DVD 1 Review

Jorma Kaukonen's instructional video has been so much fun to learn from and in a fairly short amount of time, play better fingerpicking blues guitar.Jorma's skill was in breaking down complex patterns and presenting them in smaller, simpler parts.Also, his style of teaching is clear and well-paced. You feel like you're sitting with a friend in his living room, while this master musician patiently takes the time to teach you tunes he obviously loves (and you will too).Great instructional video and teacher!

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Product Description:
Jorma Kaukonen's first musical influences were the fingerpicking blues of Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy and other traditional players. From those inspirations, he built the acoustic guitar style that has made him a top guitarist and a legendary figure in the pop music world.
On this insightful lesson, Jorma breaks down his fingerpicking style, lick by lick, with important tips on use of the slide, open tunings, right hand picking and innumerable other techniques . You'll learn four of Jorma's favorite pieces in detail, and in no time will be playing traditional tunes "West Coast Blues" and "Hesitation Blues," as well as classic originals "Crystal City" and "Embryonic Journey." Close-ups, split-screens and other techniques help you see and hear Jorma's powerful guitar technique, providing intriguing guitar study and invaluable insights into his approach to his music.
As a special bonus, Jorma and long-time Airplane/Hot Tuna partner Jack Casady demonstrate how two players, on bass and guitar, can collaborate to develop a song together.

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SongXpress Classic Surf (Spy & Rockabilly), Vol 2 (DVD) Review

Great dvd! Cool songs that are easy to learn (hard to master). I throw this one in when I need a break from some of the more intense instructional tapes.



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Best of Lennon & McCartney for Acoustic Guitar Signature Licks DVD Review

The instruction is good in this video and the menu system makes it easy to use.The instructor is clear.
There are some major problems with the video, however.
There is no animated fretboard on the screen so it is difficult to tell where exactly his fingers are on the neck.When he plays the nylon string guitar, there's no markings on the fretboard at all and since you can't see whole thing it's tough to tell on which frets he is playing.While he tells you the name of the chord, some of those chords are unusual that far down.The video seems to assume you know every chord in every position.After repeating a few dozen times I have figured out what's going on.
Also, the video needs to have examples of the whole song played through instead of relying on you to use a CD or mp3.It feeds you piecemeal, but you can figure out the songs with the video's help.
I would not recommend this DVD unless you have access somewhere to a tab version of the songs so that you can tell what he's doing with his fingers.And pray your tabs match his fingers.

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Product Description:
On this DVD, Acoustic Guitar magazine music editor Andrew DuBrock explores the softer, yet no less brilliant, side of the legendary lads from Liverpool. He teaches the acoustic styles and techniques used to create the Beatles classics: Across the Universe, And I Love Her, Blackbird, Dear Prudence, Julia, Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), Rocky Raccoon, and Yesterday.

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I Am The... Blues Lead Guitarist Review

I have to admit, I purchased this DVD as more of a novelty, and was happily proven wrong.It was a blast, and with much more content and effective instruction than I initially thought. The musicianship of Oscar Jordan and his band is a great inspiration to improve my own skills.The DVD was easy to follow, and production quality is excellent.Highly recommended!

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Product Description:
What is I Am The Blues Lead Guitarist DVD?
It is a DVD of Blues tracks without the Lead Guitar providing an opportunity for all you burgeoning lead players to blow your pentatonic wad all over the place. Featuring eight different tracks in a variety of different styles to jam along to (slow blues, shuffle, rockin' blues and even a bit of a Latin groove), and each track is available in both a traditional song form and as a looped version if you feel like playing until your fingers bleed. The video cues you get from the band make this a really great experience, much more fun than audio tracks alone provide.
How does it work?
Easy, put the DVD in your player, it will take you to the main menu. Tune your guitar with the tuning selection on the DVD. Now, back at the main menu pick the Jam you want to start with, loop or traditional play. Turn up the volume to get a good mix between your amplifier and the band mix. Have fun! The band itself is tight, with Oscar and company laying down rock solid grooves to play over. For players using the DVD to improve their ensemble skills, they'll appreciate the use of visual cues to signal changes in the track, and much like band practice, you'll improve with each repetition. It really beats a computerized backing track any day.
What playing level do you have to be at?
The DVD caters to beginners with a few simple jams to intermediate and beyond with a few of the more up-tempo jams. The only way to get better is to practice and there is no better way to practice than with other musicians.
Where can I find more of these Jam Tracks?
On the web at VODJams. Imagine playing Joe Perry's Guitar Parts in Aerosmith, Piano with Coldplay, or Bass with The Police. This web portal provides videos of live bands in a rehearsal settings with each different video leaving out a key instrument, that you the musician get to play! - with the band. It is in its inception so keep checking back.
Who is the Oscar Jordan Band?
Oscar Jordan and his Blues band are a top outfit from Southern California, they too can be found on the web and have several original albums out.
What extras are on the DVD?
There is also a raft of extra features on the disc including; Tuning, Three Live Blues Songs by Oscar Jordan, Music Videos and other special features.


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Larry Carlton, Vol. 2 Review

I was blown away when I got a copy of Larry Carlton instructional DVD Vol.1. The concepts and techniques were really helpful in my playing. Vol 2 picks up where he left of with more improvisational ideas and tools for playing. Larry to me is the perfect role model for me as I love blues and jazz guitar styles. I'll get all of Larry's DVDs if there's any more I'd find!

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Product Description:
Discover the answers to the 'most asked questions' about how Larry Carlton, one of today's most influential jazz/rock guitarists, achieves his soulful and memorable style in this revealing 45-minute session. Larry presents an in-depth look at how to sol

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50 Rock Guitar Licks You Must Know! (2009) Review

Guitar Lab seems to be a subsidiary of TrueFire University which produces some of the best guitar instructional material on the planet.This course on rock licks taught by Chris Buono is of the same expert quality.It is a course designed for intermediate to advanced players and employs picture in picture video as well as printable pdf files.The combination of readable pdf files and video, along with the audio portion of the video, give students a sight and sound learning experience that requires only their attention and practice to impart the "how to do it" knowledge about these great licks.Buono is a very good teacher and the materials are excellent.If rock is your style, you will want to get this.

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Product Description:
Chris Buono, a former top instructor at Berklee College of Music, is your host for the 50 Rock Licks You Must Know! DVD. Buono will guide you through the some the most essential and commonly used phrases and licks used in rock. The Guitar Lab DVDs employ a hands-on approach allowing you to play your way through the curriculum, rather than struggle through tedious theory and exercises. Features PIP (Picture in Picture) video, manual, standard notation, tab, power tab files, practice rhythm tracks and bonus material.

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The Twelve Notes Of Music: Ear Training And Interval Study Course [Paperback] Review

I purchased this book in the hopes of finding a method to use with some of my students. As a professional teacher and performer, I am terribly dissapointed. In its 20 pages, the book does little more than define what intervals are, and offers little practical advice and no useful exercises on how to sucessfully learn intervals or recognize pitch. Further, the title 'Music Theory: Ear Training and Interval Study Course' is quite misleading. Sternal attempts to teach the student intervals by having the student play all intervals from the minor second up to the octave on the guitar. Thus, If you are not a guitar player, and/or do not read his non-standard guitar tablature this method will be completely useless for you. The back cover claims that this is a method for guitar, piano, or voice of which only guitar is really feasible because there are no notes or diagrams that can be read by vocalists or pianists or any other instrument for that matter (It only uses fretboard diagrams). Also, the front cover fails to mention that this is only intended for guitar, piano, and voice. If you are not a guitarist, this method will be unintelligible for you. If you are a guitarist, I would strongly suggest you find a different method as this is hardly a method, but more a very poor definition of intervals. This method is also problematic for guitar players in that Sternal does not address the tuning issues of the guitar. If you do not understand the problems of tuning a guitar, you will be learing these intervals incorrectly since you are using an improperly tuned guitar as a pitch reference. I hardly ever write reviews, but I was so turned off by this that I felt obligated to prevent others from making the same mistake.

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Product Description:
Music Theory Simplified - There are only 12 notes in the musical alphabet, when you have mastered them you have mastered music. Take an in depth look at each individual note and learn how it associates with other notes, giving you a full understanding of the tonal structure of melodies, harmonies, and chords. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced musician you will gain a world of insight by learning our twelve musical tones! *24 Page Study Course *US Patent Applied For *Improve pitch recognition, and note relativity *Music theory simplified *Start with one note and build at your own pace *Written with charts and thoroughly explained instructions *No sheet music or sight reading necessary *Each chapter is built on what you have previously learned *Learn to easily build any scale or chord structure.

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DVD-The Blues Guitar of Hubert Sumlin (2005) Review

Although a bit campy, this is a great way to learn directly from the artist. After working with this DVD, I've sought out others like it -- too bad other great artists haven't produced similar instructional DVDs.

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Product Description:
Take a lesson from the man who played guitar in Howlin' Wolf's band for more than twenty-five years! Hubert Sumlin's unique guitar lines became an integral part of the Wolf sound, and his spare, sharp-edged solos can be heard on dozens of classic recordings.
On this fascinating DVD, Hubert Sumlin discusses his style, technique and influences with guitarist Jimmy Vivino of the Conan O'Brien Band. Backed-up by a stellar rhythm session -- Jimmy on second guitar, Levon Helm (The Band) on drums and Michael Merritt (Conan O'Brien Band) on bass -- Hubert plays through some of his favorite Wolf tunes, including "Smokestack Lightning," "Forty Four," "Killing Floor," "Going Down Slow," "Hidden Charms," "Little Red Rooster" and others. David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) sits in, providing powerful vocals to these timeless blues tunes.
Hubert is a fingerstyle player, and he discusses his traditional, Mississippi-based blues style (his first great influence was Charlie Patton) on both acoustic and electric guitars. You'll learn the licks that defined a musical era as he slows down some of his trademark solos and lead lines for blues enthusiasts and learning guitarists everywhere.

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Outside Guitar Licks: Lessons and Lines for Taking Your Playing Over the Top (Private Lessons / Musicians Institute) [Paperback] Review

Like all Jean Marc Belkadi books, or at least the 3 or 4 I own or have seen, this book is NOT for beginners. The author does NOT explain in great detail the examples of what he played. There is a short paragraph--usually just 2 or 3 sentences---stating the key andthe general concept of what is happening in the lick. If you do not know some music theory, you will struggle with this book. You must also have some 'chops' before even thinking about getting this book. You must also understand how to learn from these books. The author cannot play the guitar for you.The point with books like these is to grasp the underlying concept of the lick the author shows you and then EXPAND on it and experiment with it in as many different ways you can think of. With those caveats being mentioned, this is a WONDERFUL book. It has given me many freah new ideas on improvising. But again, youmust be prepared and willing to put alot of time and effort in applying the examples in the book. If you do, you will gain much from this book.

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Product Description:
Written by Musicians Institute instructor Jean Marc Belkadi at the request of his students, this book/CD pack will help guitarists understand, hear and be able to use modern outside playing techniques in their own compositions and improvisations. The book covers: four different concepts of playing outside (the chromatic, symmetrical, superimposed and 12-tone approach); the major, minor and dominant chord families; and more, all in standard notation and tab. The accompanying CD contains 82 demo tracks, with most played at full tempo, then repeated at half speed.

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Rock Bass for Beginners Review

In a word, thisDVD is a big DISSAPOINTMENT.So much more could have, and
should have been covered.Sadly it seems that the selling points are:

1.noted bass personality (Joe Bouchard of Blue Oyster Cult fame).More on this later
2.It's tagged as "An Easy Beginning Method" for Rock Bass

So who am I and why am I disappointed?I am professional working musician and instructor.
I earned my masters in music and have a successful teaching studio and also taught at a local
college for 10 years.As a grade school kid I was inspired to learn a musical instrument because
of cool bands that had cool hit songs on the radio (like Blue Oyster Cult).I took lessons for rock,
blues, jazz, classical, you name it...

Why am I disappointed?Because I have had the great fortune to have taken lessons from
great teachers, using and learning from the best teaching material available along the way.
I have learned to recognize the difference between that and competent musicians
who can play well (or exceedingly well) but that aren't gifted with teaching.I am disappointed
because I have come to expect a great product when I see the name National Guitar Workshop.
At our studio we have and use their guitar books for a number of our students with great success.
Unfortunately this is not the case here.

If you've read my other review of this DVD and book some of this will look a little familiar.
Because this focuses more in depth on the just DVD I have expanded this review.

Here are some of the shortcomings of this DVD [Note: some of these comments were mentioned
by some of our beginning/intermediaite bass students that previewed the DVD with us]1. Sound quality:"dude, where's the BASS?"It can hardly be heard with the band
tracks, and the sound quality when exercises are demonstrated lacks clarity and
presence.In a rock band, the electric bass should NEVER NOT BE HEARD OR
FELT.Both the drums and guitar overpowered the bass, and they weren't playing
that loud.Really, this DVD is more inspiring for all would-be beginning
drummers and electric guitarists.

2.Fundamental information that should be covered is missing, such as how to hold/position
the bass!Parts of the bass, general info about amps, what the notes are on the instrument,
basic rhythm patterns, how to follow the charted music on the screen, notation (TAB and/or standard).

3.Technique demonstrated is not the best (i.e. fingers that point away from the instrument when
not being used to play - very inefficient, creates tension which will be an obstacle to playing faster and
more fluid as one advances).

4.I'm sure Joe knows HOW to play the bass but his ability to verbally explain basic concepts lacks the
directness of a skilled teacher/musician (Tommy Igoe, Eric Friedland for example).Too many "ums"
and pauses to think of what to say.Some general information that should have been touched on in the
"Opening & Basics" chapter (such as "these are frets") aren't mentioned until later chapters.It's almost
as if he realizes "I haven't mentioned that yet..."

5.Way too much time spent talking about "when I was in my band..." while demonstrating playing a bass
pattern.

6.Featured Songs are centered too much on his band's hits "Godzilla" and "Don't Fear The Reaper".
Not only that but you don't get the whole song, just a little snippet of how he plays his bass part.

7.At 39 minutes there's not enough to this instructional DVD.It is VERY BASIC.You will most likely
outgrow its contents QUICKLY.For the money you would be better served getting a DVD with a lot
more substance that teaches you about the bass and its accessories, how to play the bass, create
bass lines etc. in a progressive manner.

There are a few redeeming qualities of the DVD.
1.Joe's conversational teaching approach is pleasant.

2.Close up and angled shots of both hands are very good.

3.Although the concept is a bit advanced for a beginners DVD I have to give him credit for
talking about how to play with a guitar player and drummer.

4.He also gets major props for stressing the importance of playing/practicing with a
metronome to develop a sense of rock-steady timing (no pun intended there folks).Bottom line, if you're even half way serious about learning to play the bass, you'll want a better DVD.
Such a DVD would cover everything you want to know now as well as later as you learn more.It would
look exactly like "Bass Method for the Beginning Electric Bassist" by Hal Leonard, featuring Ed Friedland.
As far as I know, Ed is not famous for being the bass player in an iconic band like Blue Oyster Cult.
Instead he's renowned as a skilled and talented electric bassist (Berklee trained) having played with
numerous top name artists across a number of genres.He's a contributing editor and columnist for
Bass Player magazine.From the way he writes (columns and instructional books), and his personality
in his DVD he strikes me as one informed, articulate hep cat.

If you were going to spend $17.99 for a beginning bass instructional DVD why not buy the best?Put
another way, if you could buy a Cadilac or a Pacer for $17.99 which would you buy?

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Product Description:
Let Joe Bouchard show you the ropes and learn to play rock bass the right way. Running time: 39 minutes.

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DVD-The Bass Guitar of Jack Casady Review

I have to admit being somewhat prejudiced. I love Jack Casady's bass playing. I wasn't sure he could teach me how to play, though. This DVD is excellent. Jack and Jorma play several of the best Hot Tuna songs and then break them down so you can follow. There is also a printed insert with music and tabs to show you what is being played. It works very well. I am learning more in a few days than I learned in months trying to follow along with the records.
I recommend this to all levels of bass players.

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Product Description:
Jack Casady shares his ideas and techniques with learning bassists. In an informal and delightful session (Jorma provides vocals and guitar along with companionable commentary), Jack analyzes his bass parts for classic tunes from the Hot Tuna repertoire, and discusses the musical concepts that make up his unique style -- melodic lines, tonal variety, chordal work and improvisational solos. You'll see all of Jack's tricks: the use of partial chords, sustained notes, tremolos, trilling, tonal variety and many other fascinating devices.
Songs include "Ninety-Nine Year Blues," "Blues in A," "San Francisco Bay Blues," "Been So Long," "Mann's Fate" and "Water Song."

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Swing Guitar Essentials Book/CD (String Letter Publishing) (Acoustic Guitar) (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons) [Paperback] Review

I've found that String Letter's "Essentials" books appear to be fairly light on information at first glance, but as you dig into them there's more and more there.In fact, the problem I have is that I'll study a lesson and it will inspire me to play and compose new and different things and my practice session turns into a composing session.Then I never finish the book because I'm writing instead of practicing.This book in particular is a bit deeper than the typical "Essentials" book.You probably won't learn everything in this book in a weekend (Although it would be a fun thing to try).
"Swing Guitar" encompasses such a broad variety of music.This book trys to touch on several of the swing styles.You'll learn the basics of Duke Ellington/Count Basie swing,Gypsy Jazz Swing (my favorite section) and even Texas Country Swing.But this is not a primer on how to play like Brian Setzer. It covers the traditional swing styles.
As with all of this publisher's CD this CD is excellent, if a bit over instructive.Every piece and every phrase is played slowly, and then up to tempo.But I could do without every teacher having a 30 second track to introduce themself.But as a practice and play-along tool the CD is excelent.

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Product Description:
This comprehensive book/CD pack includes 5 full songs (including "Minor Swing" and "Avalon") and 10 in-depth lessons for players of all levels, taught and recorded (slowly and up to tempo) by the master teachers at Acoustic Guitar magazine. It introduces guitarists to swing's essential styles and pioneering players - from Eddie Lang to Count Basie's rhythm master Freddie Green to Hot Club virtuoso Django Reinhardt, and covers topics such as jazz chord basics, movable chord forms, swing soloing, and more. Instructors include Dix Bruce, Hal Glatzer, David Hamburger, John Jorgenson, John Lehmann-Haupt, Tony Marcus, Scott Nygaard and Michael Simmons.

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DVD-The Guitar of David Wilcox-Secrets of Open Tunings and Song Accompaniment Review

If you enjoy David Wilcox music and you are an intermediate guitar player yourself, you will get a lot out of this dvd.It is filmed like a personal session with David Wilcox showing you how to tune and finger a few of his songs.I enjoyed it very much just watching it the first time.Now I am in the process of learning some of the fingerings for some of my favorite songs.

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Product Description:
One of the most popular and evocative performers on the scene today helps you unlock your creativity and develop rich, ringing guitar voicings in a variety of open tunings.
Working primarily in open C, G, D and DADGAD, and utilizing both pick and finger style, David Wilcox reveals the techniques that shape his distinctive guitar sound. His unusual practice of playing in "cross keys" and his use of string damping, rhythms, open chord harmonies, moving bass lines, partial capos other devices will open new doors and transform the way you approach your instrument.
Dave's invaluable advice on how to practice, re-tune by "feel," transpose mid-song, hear new sounds, experiment with a variety of fingerings and tunings and develop ideas for using the guitar as a writing tool will inspire you to invent your own fingerings and tunings and discover untold musical possibilities.
Songs: Eye of The Hurricane, Rusty Old American Dream, Show the Way, New World, Language of the Heart, Time Between the Lightning and the Thunder, Distant Water, Spin, Prayer, Show Me The Key.

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Blues/Rock Soloing for Guitar: A Guide to the Essential Scales, Licks and Soloing Techniques (Musicians Institute: Private Lessons) [Paperback] Review

I was at the point where I was playing blues scales too much.I took the time to learn one scale a week and played them thru these backing tracks mimicking the styles of the songs.I learned a lot.This guy takes you thru all types of playing styles from many of the greats in each solo.His two note exercise in Mixalydian mode (seventh scales) and minor seventh scales (very similar to blues scales) got me motivated to get deeper into the Mixalydian mode and learn them.That one two note exercise alone leads to better playing. I hear them used by Hendrix, Freddy King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and other aggressive greats including Johnny Winter. I have improved a great deal.I would suggest this for someone with over 5 years of experience who is very able to read tab. My only wish is that he puts out a second edition in the same exact style.If he did I would suggest a strictly slow blues book in differant scales with the same use of multiple artist styles.

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Product Description:
This private lesson with MI instructor Robert Calva covers: 10 complete solos in notes and tab; common scales and licks; blues, major, minor and combined tonalities; playing over changes; recommended listening; and more. Each musical example is demonstrated on the accompanying CD, which also includes rhythm-only tracks so you can practice your own solos.

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Accelerate Your Guitar Playing DVD Review

Tomo Fujita is not only an excellent player, but also a superb teacher (Berklee).
The DVD starts off with Tomo playing for approximately 3 and a half minutes, and then introducing himself and the DVD, as well as his gear. He then proceeds to show how to use a metronome in terms of emphasizing the 2 and 4 beats, like a snare drum, and briefly explains some basics on holding the guitar, picking, etc.
At around 6 minutes, we begin with exercise 1.

The DVD is divided into 4 sections, and demonstrations by professor Fujita.
The 4 exercise sections are also included in an accompanying booklet (around 80 pages).
Section 1: Fingering and picking exercises.
Section 2: Understanding the fretboard intervals and ear training.
Section 3: Rhythm, muting, and sight reading.
Section 4: Blues changes and one chord grooves.

The exercises should give the student an idea of what to practice (i.e., maintaining the fretting fingers close to the fingerboard, reducing the distance the pick travels, using dynamics, etc.). They are useful to illustrate what to do and how to do it. The DVD provides a clear view of both the right and left hands. With this information, the student can (and should) expand on these exercises. For example, by doing them in different strings or by doing them all across the fretboard. The accompanying booklet also provides many tips on how to practice, as well as the purpose of the exercise and ways to practice the exercise.
Section 1 ends before 11 minutes, but it has sufficient material to keep you practicing for weeks!

This brings my "preliminary" review to an end. While I have watched the whole DVD, I'm still in the first section of exercises. I've been playing for 19 years and have greatly benefited from this DVD. I wish I had something like this when I was starting out.
I am familiar with most of the material included, or variations of it. I'm focusing more on the first section, and probably will go quicker through section 3 for example, since I have done many of those sight reading exercises in the past.
Tomo puts everything in a well organized, easy to use package, and each student can focus more or less of their time and effort in the specific areas they need to improve upon.

Maybe I'll update the review later on, but for now I wanted to HIGHLY recommend this DVD, given that there are no other reviews yet. I've purchased DVDs that I've sold after watching them once. This one is definitely a keeper, destined to be watched again and again.

Thank you Tomo!

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Product Description:
Take your playing to the next level as Tomo Fujita shares his proven method for improving the essential skills required to play with other musicians and to freely express yourself on the guitar. This DVD includes easy-to-understand exercises and demonstrations that can be applied to all levels and styles. Topics covered include: scale and picking exercises u interval and ear training u rhythm studies u stylistic grooves: blues, swing, jazz, R&B, and funk. Includes 80-page accompanying instruction booklet. 55 minutes.

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Guitar Soloing: The Contemporary Guide to Improvisation with Daniel Gilbert & Beth Marlis Review

I have the accompaning book to this DVD & was hoping that it followed the same format. As it turns the DVD spends very little time on sections and jumps around pretty quickly. This is my own personal view, but I prefer the book over the DVD.

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Product Description:
This DVD is a comprehensive source for mastering the art of single-note, melodic improvisation. It covers: scales, modes, arpeggios and technique exercises, rock, blues, jazz and other styles, sequences, phrases and licks, and more. 51 minutes.

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Getting the Sounds, Classic Guitar Effects Review

How many times have you listened to a record and wondered "How did they make a guitar sound like that?" or have you walked into a guitar store and said "What does that gadget do?"Well, this DVD does exactly that.It shows you what each major type of effect is, and how it works.
I was a total guitar novice when I ordered this DVD.After I watched the DVD, was able to truly understand what they were talking about and knew exactly what effects were for me.

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Product Description:
In this DVD, Nick Nolan, the Musician's Institute's rock expert, explains how to use all the most popular effects, like compression, distortion, chorus, digital delay and many more. Special DVD features include additional video previews, "getting to know your amplifier" interactive features, and much more!

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Ultimate Guitar Technique: The Complete Guide (Musicians Institute: Private Lessons) [Paperback] Review

While I have only read the initial chapter - Left hand Concerns - if it is any indication then this book is a worthwhile investment for any budding guitarist. I have never seen a book that addresses the concept of downward pressure as it applies to the fretting hand and walks step by step through what the fretting hand should be doing while playing an A pentatonic scale at the fifth fret. From the get-go, an exact picture is presented of what is expected of the reader.The exercises in this chapter - which focus on stretching, minimizing movement and finger independence will help most budding players like myself.

I sure wish the publisher would give this book the Look Inside treatment, it is pretty comprehensive and a one-stop shop for all sorts of techniques and introductions to different idioms.

Pick it up today.

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Product Description:
From bends and picking styles to multi-finger tapping and animal sounds, this book/CD pack contains loads of guitar techniques to learn and master. Hone your skills with chop-building exercises, and use the demonstration CD to master every technique in the book. Includes: chop-building exercises * tremolo bar, tapping, harmonics * bends, slurs, slides * picking styles, rakes * fret-hand techniques * pick-hand techniques * lead and rhythm guitar * rock, classical, Latin, folk, metal, jazz and more * tricks and sound effects * standard notation and tab.

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