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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Allan Holdsworth

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!

Buy cheap Allan Holdsworth now Get 10% OFF

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pete Huttlinger's Wonderful World of Chords

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.

Buy cheap Pete Huttlinger's Wonderful World of Chords now Get 10% OFF

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Les Paul (2005)

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.

Buy cheap Les Paul (2005) now Get 10% OFF

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Bass: Learn to Play



Buy cheap Bass: Learn to Play now

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Freddie King

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.

Buy cheap Freddie King now Get 10% OFF

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SongXpress Classic Blues, Vol 3 (DVD) (1999)

Product Description:
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Buy cheap SongXpress Classic Blues, Vol 3 (DVD) (1999) now

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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tony Iommi

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.

Buy cheap Tony Iommi now Get 10% OFF

DVD-Fingerstyle Arrangements For Hymns,Spirituals and Sacred Songs #2 Review

Beautiful teaching by America's foremost guitar instructor.Happy Traum's DVDs are the world's best.There are other gifted teachers out there, but there is only one Happy Traum. His choice of songs is perfect, including choosing Dylan.His love of music is contagious and he is always aware of student's struggles and knows exactly where to stop and pause, repeat, and bring the student to a place of confidence.

as a student guitarist, get EVERYTHING you can by Happy Traum, Artie Traum and the Homespun family of teachers. One DVD may equal weeks, or even months of private teachings. There is no better bargain in "bang for the buck" for guitar lessons than having America's most beloved guitar teacher come into your living room and teach you for just a few dollars.

Please see my other reviews on Happy Traum and Homespun.

Click Here to see more reviews about: DVD-Fingerstyle Arrangements For Hymns,Spirituals and Sacred Songs #2

Product Description:
Here are some of America's favorite songs of spirit and faith from the folk and blues tradition, specially arranged for beginning and intermediate fingerstyle guitarists. Each song can be played as simple accompaniment for singing or as a more complex guitar instrumental. The pieces advance in difficulty, so that by the end of DVD 2, the guitar student will have tackled some challenging material that will be applicable to any style of music. DVD 2: 70 MIN., INCLUDES MUSIC + TAB, LEVEL 3

Buy cheap DVD-Fingerstyle Arrangements For Hymns,Spirituals and Sacred Songs #2 now

Songxpress - Austin Blues Vol. 1 (2000) Review

SongXpress "Austin Blues Vol 1":
One big disappointment with this series (SongXpress) is you are NOT taught the whole song! The solos are missing altogether! The main song parts are demonstrated very well, but they should specify somewhere in the listing that they do not teach you the whole song with solos!
I had also purchased one of the SongXpress Singles "Crossroads" and the two main solos are not shown at all! When you think of "Crossroads"(Cream, Clapton) the majority of the song is soloing, and yet no solo is demonstated!
Big Disappointment!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Songxpress - Austin Blues Vol. 1 (2000)

Product Description:
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Buy cheap Songxpress - Austin Blues Vol. 1 (2000) now

Learn to Play The Alfred Way Baritone Uke [Paperback] Review

The clear pictures and diagrams make this the easiest way to learn the baritone uke.The summary of all the chords in the back of the book are an excellent way to find the chord you need on any sheet music.
And! it the book has songs you can play while you learn.Great!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Learn to Play The Alfred Way Baritone Uke [Paperback]

Product Description:
Now, everything you need to know to play the baritone ukulele in one book.Start from the beginning by learning about the parts of the instrument, learn how to hold it and how to tune it.You will then learn the basics of reading music.You will learn to play using popular songs including Tom Dooley, The Streets of Laredo, When the Saints Go Marching In, The Red River Valley and many more.A dictionary of baritone ukulele chords is included.

Buy cheap Learn to Play The Alfred Way Baritone Uke [Paperback] now

The Best of Black Sabbath Review

The DVD for the most part covers only the rhythm parts of the songs and on several songs the lead part is actually not mentioned at all. Check out this demonstration of how to play "War Pigs" without the solo section or the outro. You'd be much better off to buy the cd version of this which has all of the parts to most of the songs as well as songs not on the DVD such as"Heaven and Hell" w/the ending omitted, "Symptom of The Universe" without the solo or bridge and also features "Supernaut".
This DVD has Troy "demonstrating" Iommi's riffs with all the enthusiasm of somebody walking in their sleep. He doesn't play the full songs but merely repeats each riff a couple of times and explains when to hammer on and pull off and that's about it. This is very disappointing and noticeably lame.
The cd version with the book by the same author is far superior. Although thebook and cd requires a bit more concentration as well as the ability to sight read at least is far more beneficial in the long run.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Best of Black Sabbath

Product Description:
On this info-packed DVD that makes learning licks easy, acclaimed guitarist and educator Troy Stetina teaches Tony Iommi's trademark guitar riffs and solos on eight classics from one of hard rock's greatest bands. Features detailed analysis of: Black Sabbath; Children of the Grave; Iron Man; N.I.B.; Paranoid; Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath; Sweet Leaf; War Pigs (Interpolating Luke's Wall). Approximately 60 minutes.

Buy cheap The Best of Black Sabbath now

Mike Stern: Featuring Live Performances at the 55 Bar in New York City Review

I'm a professional touring guitarist as well as a clinician, and a big Mike Stern fan. I liked hearing Mike talk about his approach to playing, and the examples that he gives are really useful. This is not a lesson DVD as much as it is an interview with performance shots and explanations about what he is doing. You can definitely walk away with a few new licks and useful ideas. As I find with most videos, if you learn only one useful thing from it, it is an incredible value.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mike Stern: Featuring Live Performances at the 55 Bar in New York City

Product Description:
Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist Mike Stern has been in the public eye (and ears) since he was a member of the Miles Davis Band in the early '80s. His prolific performances and recordings have earned him recognition as one of the best and most popular contemporary guitarists today. This, his first instructional DVD, includes four live performances by Mike and his band at the 55 Bar in New York City, the historical club in which Mike has played for over 15 years, accompanied by many great musicians, including Jaco Pastorius. Additionally, in an exclusive interview with New York-based jazz guitarist Satoshi Inoue, Stern offers his own analysis and explanation of each tune. The songs - a blues, a standard, a ballad, and a funk tune - were carefully selected by Mike himself in order to demonstrate every aspect of his guitar performance and techniques. He also gives insight into his background, influences and practice routines, and provides a thorough review of his gear configurations. Everything you need to know about this versatile guitar master! Includes lesson sheets. 1 hour, 6 minutes.

Buy cheap Mike Stern: Featuring Live Performances at the 55 Bar in New York City now Get 10% OFF

All Star Bass: Bass as a Solo Instrument (2005) Review

Featuring some of the biggest Bass names in the industry, this dvd presents each artist as they explain techniques and approaches to their styles.

Click Here to see more reviews about: All Star Bass: Bass as a Solo Instrument (2005)

Product Description:
Ten of the most prominent bass guitarists since the inception of electric bass present the bass as a solo instrument and demonstrate their techniques. In this insightful hour-long DVD, each artist presents techniques for performing improvisational solos to help you create your own unique sound and develop your own style. Step into an in-depth and up-close session with these in-demand bass players for a view of the bass as a melodic, rhythmic and alluring solo instrument. Artists include: Nathan East, Larry Graham, James Jamerson, Abe Laboriel, Byron Miller, Chuck Rainey, Freddie Washington, Neil Stubenhaus, and Verdine White.

Buy cheap All Star Bass: Bass as a Solo Instrument (2005) now Get 10% OFF

Hands of Steel: X-Treme Strength & Technique (2009) Review

At first I thought John McCarthy's exercises and strength training techniques for guitar were too rudimentary.But, I was fooled by it's simplicity.Mccarthy's training techniques are awesome and the way he shows you within his instruction is superb in comparison to any mainstream or well-known exercise videos or literature out there.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hands of Steel: X-Treme Strength & Technique (2009)

Product Description:
The Hands of Steel- X-Treme Strength & Technique Training DVD is designed by renowned guitarist John McCarthy for guitarists of all skill levels. McCarthy includes workout routines to build the hand strength and coordination needed to take your guitar technique to the next level. You will find exercises such as "The Finger Crusher" for coordination of both hands, "Extreme Picking" that will light your pick on fire and "One Hand Rolls" that focus on working your guitar fretting hand. There are 3 routines with more than 20 workouts on this Rock House guitar instruction DVD that progressively become more challenging.Each Rock House video Includes a printable lesson tab e-book in PDF format, iPod-ready video, and free lifetime membership to Rock House's online lesson support. Enhance your learning experience to links with instructors, download backing tracks, access message boards, and much more. You'll connect with a community of musicians around the world learning to play music using The Rock House Method.

Buy cheap Hands of Steel: X-Treme Strength & Technique (2009) now

Learn to Play Waltzes - Essential Instrumentals for Flatpickers Review

As with many of these older recordings the process of converting themn to DVD isn't a smaooth path.My copy of this has the note wobble you can somtimes get as notes are held unwaveringly at a pitch and as a result show up the inconsistent recording speeds.It's not a deal breaker but as these DVD's aren't cheap it's not a great reflection on the quality standards of the manufacturer (whoever that was - can you imagine being on the recieving end of this process at Homespun and being stuck with these?).

However on the the content.The usual very high standard of Steve Kaufman that's making him an institution in this field of flatpicking DVDs and publications.All the songs are really nice and performable.The tunes are all transcribed to a little book - better when scanned and enlarged.(Would have been even better as a PDF - but producers seem reluctant to do this as they assume we'd all email their product everywhere - poeple do - but there must be a better way of supplying music in full size format)

So, overall a good mark - teaching excellent, songs excellent, content and value excellent, quality of this recording not excellent.Frankly it would probably be easier to update the session and just re-record it.The process is so cheap nowadays.

I bought s/h from someone.I'd baulk at paying full price for this considering the recording quality.But all the content is there so I'm happy to make adjustments to my expectations.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Learn to Play Waltzes - Essential Instrumentals for Flatpickers

Product Description:
For easy intermediate to advanced level players. Steve Kaufman teaches his arrangements to some of the most beautiful instrumentals in the guitar repertory, showing how to play them flatpick style: When I Grow Too Old to Dream * Star of the County Down * Ookpik Waltz * Memory Waltz * Skaters Waltz. 70-MIN. * INCLUDES MUSIC + TAB * EARLY INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Buy cheap Learn to Play Waltzes - Essential Instrumentals for Flatpickers now

Berklee Press: Essential Rockin Grooves for Bass (2003) Review

This DVD has a five star review by Ms. S. Vandegriff.It is not a five star product.Vandegriff has four other reviews, all of Berklee products.All of the reviews are five star and the all the descriptions contain the adjective "great". I feel a bit misled.The running time for this DVD is 32 minutes.Most of the time is spent talking about the groove and working with the drummer.There is not much time where Mr. Morris is actually playing the bass.I thought that as the title implies, Mr. Morris might be demonstrating several rock grooves.For me, the title does not correlate with the content.There is not much to be learned by watching this DVD.Two stars may be a generous rating.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Berklee Press: Essential Rockin Grooves for Bass (2003)

Product Description:
Learn how to lock into an airtight groove with Berklee professor and versatile bassman Danny Morris. In this Master Class, Morris teaches techniques to help you anchor your band with a foundation of solid bass lines, chord progressions and rhythmic and ha

Buy cheap Berklee Press: Essential Rockin Grooves for Bass (2003) now Get 10% OFF

Lead Singing & Rhythm Guitar DVD Review

I confess ignorance in having never heard Peter Rowan before, and that I only purchased this DVD because of Happy Traum's recommendation.I was treated to a great surprise.Rowan's singing is stunning, and the viewer is skillfully treated to expert guidance from Happy Traum.Happy has the wonderful ability to slow an artist down and anticipate where a student is going to need extra help.Like most all of Homespun, this is another excellent DVD that no guitarist and/or vocalist should be without.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lead Singing & Rhythm Guitar DVD

Product Description:
One of America's greatest bluegrass musicians has made a lesson that will help you improve your singing and strengthen your rhythm guitar playing. Peter Rowan imparts wisdom and advice based on decades of experience playing with bands from Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys to Old and In the Way.
You'll gain unique insights into Peter Rowan's instrumental and singing style, which will, in turn, help you in your own musical development. Through his thoughtful instruction you'll improve your lead singing and learn invaluable tips on breathing, phrasing, vocal improvisation, and how to achieve the "high lonesome" bluegrass sound. Peter gives you exercises for increasing your power and range, and builds your awareness of what you need to do to develop a strong vocal sound.
A top-notch guitarist as well as a great singer, Peter teaches the basics of guitar accompaniment for bluegrass songs. He shows you how to back up your singing with a strong sense of time, strumming full chords with the pick and adding bluegrass style bass runs (including variations on the famous "G run"). You'll also learn to pick simple but effective solos to a variety of songs, and establish an authentic bluegrass guitar sound.

Buy cheap Lead Singing & Rhythm Guitar DVD now Get 10% OFF

DVD-The Guitar Building Blocks Series-Barre Chords and How to Use Them Review

This dvd is a great beginning approach to learning the basics of guitar.Very helpful information.

Click Here to see more reviews about: DVD-The Guitar Building Blocks Series-Barre Chords and How to Use Them

Product Description:
Barre chords are a vitally important part of your ability to move beyond the third fret, play solid rhythm in all keys and get a wide variety of sounds through chord inversions. Happy de-mystifies these powerful chord shapes, providing tips on how to play them cleanly and easily. You'll learn basic chord theory, how to transpose from one key to another and how to play several chord progressions and songs, including Abilene and Stagolee.

Buy cheap DVD-The Guitar Building Blocks Series-Barre Chords and How to Use Them now Get 10% OFF

Intermediate Rock Lead Guitar for Electric and Acoustic Guitar Review

It's as if he recorded this himself; a one man thing... The camera stood at least a feet from his fingers, NEVER ONCE zoomed in so we could see his fingers and what he was playing. Poor quality, he could at least employ a videographer to help him... the viewers WON'T see what he's playing... This should have been free since I learn't nothing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Intermediate Rock Lead Guitar for Electric and Acoustic Guitar

Product Description:
This comprehensive DVD picks up where Dave Celentano's Beginning Rock Lead Guitar left off. On this DVD you will learn exercises to improve finger dexterity, three-note-per-string scale exercises, alternate picking, tremolo picking, sweep picking, advanced string bending, triads, arpeggios, long legato licks, speed licks, string bending licks, connecting licks to make solos, and a complete solo to play over the rhythm track at the end. Transcription booklet included. 60 minutes.

Buy cheap Intermediate Rock Lead Guitar for Electric and Acoustic Guitar now Get 10% OFF

SongXpress Play Their Songs Now! Disturbed (DVD) (2005) Review

misleading - I thought this was a Disturbed "show" DVD - not a guitar instructional video

Click Here to see more reviews about: SongXpress Play Their Songs Now Disturbed (DVD) (2005)

Product Description:
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Buy cheap SongXpress Play Their Songs Now Disturbed (DVD) (2005) now Get 10% OFF

eMedia Bass Method Win/Mac Review

Forget beginner's books! Save your money and buy this program, the ability to play along with the computer while you watch the notes/chord progression alone is something that no book/ audio cd will ever match. The way the lessons are presented is excellent, giving visual types like me direct re-enforcement on what the lesson is all about by giving you follow-along examples, and most importantly encouraging you to improvise and experiment. I've been learning the bass on and off for a couple of years and while I can already play along with many songs and improvise a bit I have found even the most basic lessons in this program to be very useful. I'm really looking forward to the sight reading section of the course! Highly recommended! If #2 is ever issued I'll buy it!

Click Here to see more reviews about: eMedia Bass Method Win/Mac

Product Description:
Bass has never been so easy as with this beginning level CD-ROM.This CD features 114 step-by-step lessons by renowned bass instructor John Arbo. Learn to play using full motion video with multiple angles and close-ups. Over 200 songs and exercises teach all the skills you need to start playing, including triads, fills, syncopation, plus creating a bass line. Includes multi-track recorded audio, variable-speed MIDI, bass-only and no-bass options. Features songs by the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and others. Includes an animated fretboard, automatic tuner, recorder and metronome.'Even this lead-footed, tin-eared, rhythm-challenged oldster was turning out meaningful riffs not more than an hour after firing up eMedia Bass Method.'-James Coates, Chicago Tribune'There's enough material here to bring any aspiring bassist from their first note to very competent, all-around musical ability.'-J. Mochi Park, Musician.comOver 100 LessonsBass has never been so easy as with this beginning level CD-ROM. Bass Method 1 features 114 step-by-step lessons with on-screen instructor John Arbo. Over 30 split-screen videos show multiple angles and close-ups of both hands. Instructor John Arbo has been teaching bass for over 25 years and is currently on the music faculty of the New School in New York City. He has performed with Liza Minelli and Les Paul, among others, and has been the bassist for many broadway shows.Over 200 Songs and Exerciseswith an animated fretboard, recorded audio and variable-speed MIDI audio teach all the skills you need to start playing. Learn to play using triads, fills and syncopation, and to create a bass line for any song you like. Includes full multi-track audio, as well as bass-only and no-bass audio options, so you can perfect your technique and play along with the band. Features hit songs made famous by the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Dylan, Steve Mil

Buy cheap eMedia Bass Method Win/Mac now Get 17% OFF

Beginning Rock Rhythm Guitar: For Electric and Acoustic Guitar Review

You want the 1234-all-along-6-strings finger exercise that's all over the Internet? It's in here. By the way... what do those finger exercises have to do with rhythm guitar(at least at a beginner level)?

You want to hear doors screaching while being opened? They're here too. And the teacher on the screen doesn't wink an eye about it. You even get to think it might be a door at your house.

You want a teacher who corrects himself during an explanation? That is: he says sorry I said this, I wanted to say that. Which is human but not appropriate for a DVD. Documented here as well.

This DVD is not only a mediocre quality VHS transferred to DVD, it doesn't show a single diagram on screen (let alone animated ones). If there's anything close to interesting, it's not played slowly or clearly displayed and you don't get the tab or any indication (as happens with the groove that starts the dvd which is only a bit of showing off - although it's nothing fancy). As stated no clue as to how to play it.

The DVD is not expensive, but you can do better things with your money.

Sorry for being so harsh but I'm not used to being ripped off like this.
I bought it because of the other review here and that other person must be a close relative of Dave's who doesn't play the guitar and hasn't even watched the DVD. Otherwise I don't get it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Beginning Rock Rhythm Guitar: For Electric and Acoustic Guitar

Product Description:
Guitar educator Dave Celentano will take you through this comprehensive "hands-on" course and show you all the basic essentials for playing rhythm guitar. The DVD includes: anatomy of the guitar, holding the guitar, choosing picks, strings, tuning, finger exercises, open position chords, barre chords, power chords, strumming, keeping the beat, rhythms, palm muting, how to read tablature and chord diagrams, and many tips. Throughout the DVD are examples designed to assimilate the chords and strums, and get you playing rhythm guitar immediately. 60 minutes.

Buy cheap Beginning Rock Rhythm Guitar: For Electric and Acoustic Guitar now Get 10% OFF

SongXpress Classic Rock, Vol 1 (DVD) Review

I bought a cheap guitar a few months back. I saw this DVD and bought it on a whim. The box caught my eye when I saw "Aqualung" listed on the cover. Since that's one of my favorite songs I thought I'd plunk down a few bucks and see if this DVD was worth a darn. I thought I'd probably have to get a little more experience before I could actually come close to playing these songs.

Much to my surprise I picked it up pretty quickly and I had fun doing it. After a couple of weeks practicing a few minutes a day I can play Aqualung pretty well (minus Martin Barre's solo from the Jethro Tull album). The other songs were easily learned and fun to play as well.

I can't tell you how valuable this might be to a musician who is already fully competent with his instrument. I'm just a novice. But I would imagine that anyone who has experience and is inclined to learn these songs by DVD instead of studying tablature and sheet music would pick them up even more quickly and find it a rewarding experience.

I'm buying more from this series.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SongXpress Classic Rock, Vol 1 (DVD)

Product Description:
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Buy cheap SongXpress Classic Rock, Vol 1 (DVD) now

SongXpress Play Their Songs Now! Steppenwolf (DVD) Review

Amazon.com I luv'ya.....but with all your wonderful technology can't you please...please list the song titles and performance years on this item. This complaint applies to many other items in the "worlds best and biggest" inventory. Please ..."be the best"!

Click Here to see more reviews about: SongXpress Play Their Songs Now Steppenwolf (DVD)

Product Description:
###############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################

Buy cheap SongXpress Play Their Songs Now Steppenwolf (DVD) now Get 10% OFF

Dobro Variations - Explorations in Minor, Swing and Rockabilly Styles Review

Cindy Cashdollar is a marvelous teacher and all the tunes in this Dobro lesson are fun and interesting."Panhandle Rag" is in G6 tuning (DBDEBG), and is the number she played at the closing of her
"Beginning Dobro" video."Faded Love" and "Minor Swing" are both in G tuning (DBGDBG), as is the segment on minor key progressions.The remaining number, "Rockabilly Blues", is in E tuning (EBEG#BE). [This E tuning is mistakenly written backwards in the TAB booklet].
All pieces are performed and then played slowly.The teaching is clear and the emphasis is on playing in minor keys.All of these pieces are performance-worthy. Anyone interested in learning Dobro should get this lesson.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dobro Variations - Explorations in Minor, Swing and Rockabilly Styles

Product Description:
Cindy Cashdollar moves into intermediate territory with the blues, minor key and western swing styles that have become her signature sound. She builds knowledge of the Dobro step by step, teaching alternate tunings, music theory and invaluable bar and fin

Buy cheap Dobro Variations - Explorations in Minor, Swing and Rockabilly Styles now Get 10% OFF

Albert Collins Review

It would have been nice to see how to set up a guitar the way Albert Collins set one up. I don't really care about how to play Albert Collins in standard tuning...and why would anyone care, it's hardly necessary.

Way too much Keith Wyatt talking and way too little of Albert Collins relating to the viewer how he plays. A real dissapointment.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Albert Collins

Product Description:
Meet one of the true legends of blues guitar, Albert Collins. Hosted by GIT's blues expert Keith Wyatt, this DVD is packed with everything from Albert discussing his tuning, use of the capo, influences, and lots ofgreat "down home" playing.
You'll learn many of Albert's licks, unique rhythms, and how he uses histhumb and fingers to achieve those soulful, funky sounds. Then, sit backand enjoy Albert doing what he does best - playing 'live' at Hollywood'sMusicians Institute.

Buy cheap Albert Collins now

Concert With Class, Frank Gambale Review

If you're already a Gambale fan, then this DVD shows you where you go after you've already been where he's been.

Great DVD for a Gambale fan.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Concert With Class, Frank Gambale

Product Description:
This DVD features a 90 minute live concert performance byGambale, followed by an exclusive instructional segment with the legend himself, breaking down several songs featured in the live show and includes a free tab booklet. Lots of bonus footage.

Buy cheap Concert With Class, Frank Gambale now Get 10% OFF

Lee Albert/Highlights Review

If you wan't a little entertainment from Lee, who is a master of his style this DVD is OK.
Guitar Lesson; No!
The licks are never sufficiantly slowed down to grab them and Lee looks like he wishes he was somewhere else.
The guy interviewing him appears to be more of a fan than a host of the show.
Printed instructional material consists of one page of the so called "Blues Scale"
Save your money on this one!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lee Albert/Highlights

Product Description:
Using many of his favorite tunes and original compositions, Albert Lee runs the gamut of country guitar stylings, including intros and endings, banjo-style picking, double-stop runs, mimicking a pedal-steel guitar and creating long seamless runs based off chord shapes. The material in this DVD is a compilation of great excerpts from Advanced Country Guitar and Virtuoso Techniques. DVD special features include a performance only option, a tuning segment, additional video tips, getting to know your amplifier, and printable reference materials.

Buy cheap Lee Albert/Highlights now Get 10% OFF

DVD-Electric Country Blues Vol 1 Review

what can i say the very best get u some dude !!

Click Here to see more reviews about: DVD-Electric Country Blues Vol 1

Product Description:
Mississippi Delta meets Memphis country and goes electric! The result: swampy blues riffs and progressions blended with the funky picking and string bends of modern country.
Jim Weider has developed a powerful electric guitar sound based on this uniquely American style. He shows you how to play licks and solos in the Delta, Louisiana and Cajun-based tones influenced by James Burton, Roy Buchanan, Muddy Waters, Lonnie Mack, Jerry Reed, Scotty Moore, Robbie Robertson, Pop Staples, Paul Burlison, Fred Carter and others.
Jim provides a myriad of exercises and ideas: right hand pick-and-finger technique; bass damping; pull-offs and hammer-ons for speed work; string-bending licks combined with open strings; banjo-style rolls; shuffle and rockabilly rhythms, and much more.
Full band demonstrations illustrate the licks and techniques on jam session favorites, including invaluable sections where you can play lead to their rhythm track. Songs include Big Foot, Honky Tonk Women, Deep Feeling, Milk Cow Boogie, Dead Thumb Blues, Mojo and more.
Extra! Jim uses the vintage instruments, amps and outboard devices that have made his previous lessons so popular.

Buy cheap DVD-Electric Country Blues Vol 1 now

DVD-Blues By The Book #1 Review

I have just started to learn fingerstyle acoustic blues.I have been working out of two (2) books both found on Amazon: 1) Beginning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar by Berle and Galbo and 2) Fingerstyle Blues Songbook by Steve James - both excellent and great for the beginner.But I was getting to the point that I wanted something a little extra - some coaching that I could get into and learn from.This is the DVD lesson that will do that (for me and you!).Roy is easy going, and he makes learning fun.He starts slow and adds licks, flourishes, turn-arounds and endings and does it in a way that will have you laughing and learning and in a bit - amazed that you are doing it as well.My only comment that could even be a bit negative is in reply to his statement that he wonders why any one would want to play like him, well I understand that we need to devote time and study and having fun so that we can sound like ourselves, but Roy, it would be wonderful if we could play (and sound) just a bit like you.Highly recommended!!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: DVD-Blues By The Book #1

Product Description:
If you're ready to develop your own distinctive blues style, Roy Book Binder has assembled a complete vocabulary of licks and techniques to help you do it. Roy humbly calls this thorough breakdown of the elements of his own fingerstyle blues style "some tricks about playing the guitar," but don't let his laconic delivery fool you. By the time you're finished studying with "Book," you'll have a solid base of skills under your fingertips.
Roy's firsthand knowledge of the great Piedmont-style players makes this video a must for anyone who loves traditional blues. Our trademark Homespun split screen makes it easy to learn as Roy demonstrates a wide variety of chords, right- and left-hand patterns and several of his favorite licks. He also teaches endings, runs, slides, open-string techniques, pull-offs, hammer-ons, damping, turnarounds and much more!
By the end of this video, you will have mastered Pink Anderson's snapping string technique, Rev. Gary Davis' two-finger style and Roy's arrangements to "Black Dog Blues," "Hesitation Blues" and his own medley of ragtime/blues

Buy cheap DVD-Blues By The Book #1 now Get 10% OFF

The Robben Ford Clinic: The Art of Blues Solos Review

This DVD was a real treat.The opportunity to watch one of my favorite guitarists in a casual setting and listen to him talk about what developed his style and how he does what he does, coupled with him teaching several of his pieces, is an awesome combination of education and just plain musical enjoyment.the 50+ page PDF with the music and various technical explanations of scales and techniques is a truly appreciated bonus.I went out and bought the blues rhythm DVD based on this and will tell you what I think once I listen to it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Robben Ford Clinic: The Art of Blues Solos

Product Description:
Robben Ford is simply one of the most emulated modern blues players of our time. In this DVD, his impeccable soloing techniques and tasty phrasing are brought to the forefront. You'll learn dozens of Robben's favorite phrases as he plays several tunes loaded with classic Ford riffs. Robben also answers questions about theory, style, recording, technique, influences and using altered scales. The video features a live performance of Robben's Cannonball Shuffle where you can cop every lick as his burning solo is shown in real time and in slow motion. Includes a 50-page printable PDF file with solos and examples. All songs are transcribed in music and tab! Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes.

Buy cheap The Robben Ford Clinic: The Art of Blues Solos now Get 10% OFF

Learn Jazz Guitar Chords With 6 Great Masters! Review

39 minutes for 6 segments. once you figure in transitions that is 5 minutes per segment. And the segments are pretty thin. A bit of info on substitutions. The tabs book is VERY thin and very little of the video is transcribed. Try Jimmy Bruno's No Nonsense Jazz Guitar it has a fat tabs book, is way longer, and it fits together instead of just throwing parts of several videos together like this piece of trash.
Over all a RIP OFF

Click Here to see more reviews about: Learn Jazz Guitar Chords With 6 Great Masters

Product Description:
Six great lessons from the masters of Jazz Guitar: Sal Salvador-on basic progressions; Joe Pass on chord voicings, substitution, chromatic movement and harmonic choices; Mundell Lowe on Freddie Green style; Charlie Byrd on "dark" chord voicings; Emily Rem

Buy cheap Learn Jazz Guitar Chords With 6 Great Masters now Get 10% OFF

Advanced Bass Grooves: Instructional Bass Featuring Tony Smith Review

When I first ordered this dvd from amazon.com I thought boy what a lousy dvd only 30 minutes and I was not very impressed.I just put it to the side for a while.I watched it again a few more months of lessons and started to understand some of what tony smith was talking about.Now I think that this is an outstanding dvd smith covers dynamics, slap, does different grooves demonstrating them with the band and a nice cuban groove on the bass at the end.This is a gem and really for more experienced players very good I give it four stars just because of the length.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Advanced Bass Grooves: Instructional Bass Featuring Tony Smith

Product Description:
See Tony Smith knock the top off bass guitar! A true innovator, he has performed with Steve Morse, Average White Band, Grover Washington and Larry Carlton, to name but a few. In this incredible DVD, he takes viewers step-by-step through an array of his one-of-a-kind techniques. He demonstrates slap bass over a rock shuffle and shows hip-hop grooves using slap and pizzicato. He teaches his touch technique over a salsa groove and demonstrates a montuno with his left hand and the clavi with his right hand. The accompanying booklet includes notation and easy-to-follow diagrams that correspond exactly to the DVD. 30 minutes.

Buy cheap Advanced Bass Grooves: Instructional Bass Featuring Tony Smith now

The Power of Delta Blues Guitar, Vol. 1 & 2 (2005) Review

Whilst Rory Block is a great teacher her style is not to my liking sat all. The DVD says Delta Blues guitar - but as the DVD starts she even says its showing you how to play "Coutry Blues"!

For me the country style conflicts with the original idea of what the delta sound is - I think its wrong to advertise this as so.

As a result I think it's a little misleading. Left me a little dissapointed in the choices of songs especially as some have been changed by her. There's also a rather dissapointing ballad "The Water is Wide" which does nothing to add to the "extras" on this disk. It's tacky!
For me Rory borders on the edge of shouting and bangs the guitar so hard it looks like she might do herself injury at some point. Her style - like her dress sense - is forced and I feel a little uncomfortable watching her play. She hammers through some songs at a terrific pace and I found this very off putting. The songs that she does play she teaches well (I watch a lot of training vids and women always make the best teachers - imho). If your a fan of hers you'll like this DVD but if you just want to learn Delta blues songs as performed by the original artists you'll be left feeling a little dissapointed.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Power of Delta Blues Guitar, Vol. 1 & 2 (2005)

Product Description:
In The Power of Delta Blues Guitar DVD, one of America's most knowledgeable and talented exponents of the Delta blues, Rory Block, teaches several of her favorite tunes and blues guitar techniques. In this 2 DVD set, Rory covers regular and open tunings, treble melodies, bass runs, slides, string bending, and a variety of amazing acoustic blues styles.

Buy cheap The Power of Delta Blues Guitar, Vol. 1 & 2 (2005) now Get 10% OFF

SongXpress Heavy Metal V1 (2002) Review

Rented this from NetFlix first. My husband liked it so much, we ordered three from the series!

Click Here to see more reviews about: SongXpress Heavy Metal V1 (2002)

Product Description:
Hold on to your hat as Dan Warner, your SongXpress instructor, shows you the all the great riffs and licks from these smoking heavy metal guitar classics. Plus, our exclusive on-screen diagrams and tablature will have you performing these classics in no time. Titles include "Crazy Train" (Ozzy Osburne), "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath), "Rock & Roll" (Led Zeppelin), "White Wedding" (Billy Idol). Special features include tuning segment, additional tips video clips, internet connectivity, on-screen chord diagrams.

Buy cheap SongXpress Heavy Metal V1 (2002) now

An Evening With Joe Pass Review

When I popped in this DVD, I had no inkling that it was, in large part, an instructional video. Now you know. It's not quite "An Evening with Joe Pass" in the sense of "My Dinner with Andre," but it is certainly not the concert video that one might expect from the title.

This DVD takes way too much time to deliver the goods, whether one expects recital or lesson. The scenes of Joe setting up for rehearsals would not be all that bad, except for the editor's penchant for trying to "jazz up" the proceedings by, paradoxically, cutting out much of the jazz. I thought if I heard one more brilliant solo snipped off just as it began to heat up, I might personally go to the editor's house for a "talk." That, coupled with an inexplicable tendency to show Pass in black/white and in slow-mo while he played, made for a rough start.

The nature of the video became clearer to me when the interview began. Joe sits down for a few minutes after rehearsal with some Guitar Institute pedagogue. The interview was relatively uneventful and not particularly insightful. It was basically a short, live version of the average "Downbeat" or "Jazziz" coverage. Certainly not worth taking up valuable time during which we could be listening to some actual GUITAR MUSIC!

As the concert itself finally began, my heart melted a bit. Joe shows himself to deserve his mantles of "genius," "virtuoso," etc. on even the most familiar tunes. If you don't really feel a need to hear "Satin Doll" or "Stella by Starlight" again, Pass will prove you wrong. He is a master of the "fill," those flourishes and colors that link the individual phrases and notes of a melody. He makes tunes his own, without coming off as flashy or overly busy.

Guitar players will enjoy the intimacy of the videography: tight shots, well-lit, with the fingers in full view. It might not make for an exciting documentary, however, for fellow viewers not drooling over the licks. So get `em a magazine or something.

Later in the video the music is interrupted yet again for audience Q&A. These questions are slightly more interesting than the earlier interviewer, but only for those who are versed in the language of music theory. Talk of 9ths, dominants, II-V, and the like, will lose some viewers (even some musicians.) Watching JP demonstrate his answers on the guitar is enough to make this section worth watching, even if you don't get all the lingo.

I hope that there are other available Pass videos with more music. The concert footage here was just enough to leave me hungry for a whole video shot with the intimacy seen here.

Click Here to see more reviews about: An Evening With Joe Pass

Product Description:
Live performance footage from a jazz giant.

Buy cheap An Evening With Joe Pass now

DVD-A Fingerstyle Christmas-Guitar Arrangements to Seven Beloved Songs and Carols Review

Great collection of Christmas songs for guitar.The DVD is clear, upfront, and the close ups of the left and right hand are invaluable.It is like paying for expensive guitar lessons that can be used over and over.What a great product for the Summer months!Learn the songs and be ready for Christmas to entertain friends and relatives.This is a level 2, which means that you should already be familiar with the basic chords.Happy Traum's personality comes across warm and encouraging on DVD.Homespun has built an excellent reputation for excellence.

Click Here to see more reviews about: DVD-A Fingerstyle Christmas-Guitar Arrangements to Seven Beloved Songs and Carols

Product Description:
These seven traditional Christmas songs and carols have been specially arranged so that even an early-intermediate guitarist can play them, but more advanced players will have much to learn as well.
Drawing on his experience as one of America's most popular guitar teachers, Happy Traum has carefully chosen each classic song for its "playability" as well as its timeless beauty. The songs range from fingerpicking versions of old-English carols to a bluesy African American Christmas spiritual. Once mastered, these guitar pieces will become favorites season after season for years to come.
The beauty of this lesson is that you can make each tune as simple or complex as you want to. The easiest of these arrangements will provide wonderful pieces to learn for the holidays coming up, but you can also continue your studies at a more advanced level. Each song will provide important insights into different aspects of the guitar, including fingerstyle technique, harmony lines, moving basses, alternate chord shapes, use of the entire fingerboard, variations on a theme and many other insights to help make you a better guitarist, regardless of what songs you play.
Here's what you'll be playing: "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "What Child Is This?" ("Greensleeves"), "Pretty Little Baby," "Silent Night," "Twas On A Night Like This" (Italian Christmas Carol) and "Jingle Bells."

Buy cheap DVD-A Fingerstyle Christmas-Guitar Arrangements to Seven Beloved Songs and Carols now

SongXpress Heavy Metal V2 (2001) Review

I bought this for my 14 year old son after trying to teach him guitar many times.This just takes some of his favorite songs and slowly shows him how to play them without any theory, music reading, etc.When he heard how easy it was to play like his favorite guitarists, he has gotten motivated to learn more.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SongXpress Heavy Metal V2 (2001)

Product Description:
Break out the platform shoes and black leather as Dan Warner, your SongXpress instructor, shows you everything you need to know to play these heavy metal classics. All the tunes you listened to back in those days will now come alive on your own guitar after learning all the chords, riffs, and power melodies from greats such as Dokken, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Deep Purple. Titles includee "Flight of Icarus," "Iron Man," "It's Not Love," "Smoke on the Water." Special DVD features include special tuning segment, chord diagrams, additional video tips, internet connectivity, and much more!

Buy cheap SongXpress Heavy Metal V2 (2001) now

Songxpress: Classic Acoustic, Vol. 4 Review

An excellent collection of songs presented clearly and accurately for a solo performer.A real bargain!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Songxpress: Classic Acoustic, Vol. 4

Product Description:
SongXpress is the fastest and easiest way to learn your favorite songs onguitar.It's like having a good friend teach you in the comfort of your living room!With this exciting and fun format, you'll learn all thechords, riffs and guitar patterns for each song.Plus, our exclusiveon-screen diagrams and tablature practically guarantee you will be playing time.SongXpress has quickly become the instructional video ofchoice for beginning and intermediate guitarists worldwide.Now you can enjoy the same quick and easy style of learning on your home DVD player!

Buy cheap Songxpress: Classic Acoustic, Vol. 4 now Get 11% OFF

Wired: Guitar Care & Repair Review

This video was somewhat informative but they never did show you the actual maintenance or repairs being done. They talk about alot of maintenance and setup information but never come through with a visual of what they are explaining. If all your looking for is general guitar care and repair information and not "How To" instructions, then this is the DVD for you. I hate to say but I will be tossing this video. I did get a good one that John Carruthers (Carruthers Gutars) is on and he shows you what he is talking about and how to do most everything he is addressing on the video. See the reviews on "Alfred's Teach Yourself Guitar Repair and Maintenance".

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wired: Guitar Care & Repair

Product Description:
Renowned Guitar Luthier Ken Nash guides you step-by-step through care and repair that will preserve the life of your instrument.Learn how to adjust the action, stop fret buzzing, correct intonation, adjust the nut or saddle, and much more.He'll show y

Buy cheap Wired: Guitar Care & Repair now

Albert Lee-Instructional Guitar DVD Review

I just got the DVD, but it is barely different than my VHS copy. In fact, it looks like it was made from a production copy (like the one we've all purchased) and not the master. Very high contrast, tons of video noise, 'clay face' artifacts and piss poor soft image. Audio sounds as good as it did before. Sheesh. Oh well, at least I didn't have to digitize it. This video has been around since 1983. Albert is fascinating. The tab is confusing for some of the licks, which are in a non-standard tab format. Get your right hand ready, and prepare to get frustrated! 2 stars DVD, 5 stars Albert, 3 1/2 stars instructional.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Albert Lee-Instructional Guitar DVD

Product Description:
Learn an exciting assortment of Albert's most popular country guitar techniques like slick chicken pickin', flowing double stops, speedy scale runs, open-tuning tricks, tasty steel guitar effects, colorful pick hand pulls, and much much more. 45 minutes.

Buy cheap Albert Lee-Instructional Guitar DVD now Get 10% OFF

DVD-The Fingerpicking Blues Of Mississippi John Hurt Review

This is not a note-for-note transcription of John Hurt's songs.Rather, Sebastian and Traum try to convey the feel of Hurt's style as they have come to interpret it.Not to say that they've changed the songs much -- they will get you very close, and then the finer details can be picked up by listening to the records.Also it becomes quite easy to figure out songs not included in the DVD once you have gotten the hang of it.

It's worth mentioning that they do not teach you how to fingerpick, so it would be helpful to have a little experience with that style. (don't worry -- the only "fingerpicking" song I knew before the DVD was Paul McCartney's much simpler "Blackbird," and I was able to pick up the basics of John Hurt in a few weeks.) The songs are nonetheless difficult to master, especially if you plan on sometimes singing along with them, as everyone should.

Finally, the conversation between Traum and Sebastian and the interview with Sam Hood are warm and fascinating.4 stars because they could have included more of John's songs and definitely could have discussed more about his life in Greenwich Village.

Click Here to see more reviews about: DVD-The Fingerpicking Blues Of Mississippi John Hurt

Product Description:
No traditional musician is better loved than Mississippi John Hurt. He has influenced innumerable musicians through the years and, four decades after his death, his songs and instrumentals continue to be played throughout the world by novice guitarists and professionals alike.
This lesson is filled with the songs, licks, sounds and techniques that make Mississippi John Hurt's music so popular. John Sebastian and Happy Traum, whose friendship goes back to the sixties, had the privilege of knowing John Hurt and hearing him play first hand. With their enthusiasm and love of his music, they take apart eleven of his classic songs, bringing fresh insights into the picking styles of this treasured artist.
Songs: "Spike Driver's Blues," "Got The Blues (Can"t Be Satisfied)," "Coffee Blues," "Richland Woman Blues," "My Creole Belle," "Monday Morning Blues," "I'm Satisfied," "Stack O"Lee," "Candy Man," "Avalon Blues" and "Make Me A Pallet on Your Floor."
Bonus section: Sam Hood, owner of the Gaslight Cafe, the Greenwich Village coffee house that was "home" to John Hurt when he played in New York City in the '60s, shares memories, insights, anecdotes and some laughs with Happy and John about Mississippi John and other members of the folk and blues community.

Buy cheap DVD-The Fingerpicking Blues Of Mississippi John Hurt now Get 10% OFF

Learn Jazz Guitar with 6 Great Masters! Review

I think it was a good idea to put together some of the highlights from the original DVDs of these players. This could have been great. However, they did a really poor job putting these together and they were very cheap about it --the instructional part of the video is just over 25 minutes of content. That sucks! Most of the original videos are at least 45 minutes. They could have expanded this quite a bit more and made it worth buying.

The actual content is good, though I think that Brian Setzer's segment should not have been in this "Jazz Guitar" DVD, but rather in a blues/rock DVD. He was definitely out of place after Joe Diorio and Emily Remler. Regardless of the content, this DVD is just a sampler and should be about 5-10 bucks max, or free to help sell all the original content --most of which I own/have seen and it is very good. That they want to charge as much as a full length DVD makes this a total rip off.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Learn Jazz Guitar with 6 Great Masters

Product Description:
Six great lessons from the masters of Jazz Guitar - Joe Pass on jazz chord substitution for blues; Emily Remler on swing, comping, guidetones, and the Charleston rhythm; Brian Setzer on unique blues chord substitutions; Duke Robillard on Charlie Christian

Buy cheap Learn Jazz Guitar with 6 Great Masters now

Happy Traum Teaches Blues Guitar: A Hands-On Beginner's Course in Acoustic Country Blues : Featuring a Comprehensive Audio Lesson on Cd (Listen & Learn) [Paperback] Review

This book has a lot of good material. I picked up some new tricks from it. On the other hand, it isn't anywhere near a complete course in beginner acoustic blues. Now, it's always a mistake to expect too much from a single book. Some people seem to think that a single book should turn you into Stevie Ray Vaughan. I won't make that mistake; but it seems like the book ends just as it's really beginning. Three or four more songs would have made me happier and given my review a fourth star.
Nevertheless, the material that *is* here is good. I figure, for the price I paid, if I learn just one really good chop, it's worth the price. I got more than one chop from this book. The book is aimed at beginners; it hits its target fairly well. None of the stuff is terribly hard. Keep in mind that if you're a beginner at guitar, as well as a beginner at acoustic blues, then this stuff will seem impossibly hard at first. But I've bought a ton of books, and I can tell you that there are beginner books that are really aimed at beginners, even if they're tough for a novice to pick up, and then there are books with the word "beginner" in the title that are so stinkin' hard that they still sit on my shelf, and I've been playing for four years. This book is truly aimed at the beginner. In short, there are better choices for beginner acoustic blues, but if you're like me, and you snag just about every available title on acoustic blues you can find, this book is worth getting.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Happy Traum Teaches Blues Guitar: A Hands-On Beginner's Course in Acoustic Country Blues : Featuring a Comprehensive Audio Lesson on Cd (Listen & Learn) [Paperback]

Product Description:
A Hands-On BeginnerÕs Course In Acoustic Country Blues Homespun Listen & Learn Series Take a lesson in fingerstyle blues guitar from one of the worldÕs most respected teacher/performers. All you need to know is how to play a few basic chords to get started playing along with this user-friendly book/audio package. Beginning with the most basic strumming of a 12-bar blues pattern. Happy gradually starts adding fills, runs, turnarounds, bass rhythms and Õboogie woogieÕ walking bass patterns that make the basic blues progression come alive. All of these elements are notated in both notes and tab.

Buy cheap Happy Traum Teaches Blues Guitar: A Hands-On Beginner's Course in Acoustic Country Blues : Featuring a Comprehensive Audio Lesson on Cd (Listen & Learn) [Paperback] now

Guitar Method: In the Style of Stevie Ray Vaughan Review

I bought a copy, and I rented a copy on Netflix ... both had the "50 Blazing Riffs" version on the disc (a version I already had).I was quite miffed that I spent a lot of money and time getting this just to find out that the people making it have crossed up (apparently) a lot of these and printed them on the wrong discs and put them in the wrong jackets.Buyer Beware!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Guitar Method: In the Style of Stevie Ray Vaughan

Product Description:
Hosted by Curt Mitchell, an acclaimed and respected guitarist. Besides a notable career playing, recording, composing and touring with Razormaid and Bangalore Choir among others, Curt has been dedicated to guiding new guitarists with over 50 MVP videos & DVDs. These guitar lessons and others in the series have garnered many "best new guitar instructional product" awards and are certain to help you play guitar in the style of your favorite artists, and discover your own music playing style.Each title covers amp and effects settings, picking techniques, plus full band and rhythm tracks for practice.NOTE: Stevie Ray Vaugh does not endorse, appear, or participate in this program.

Buy cheap Guitar Method: In the Style of Stevie Ray Vaughan now Get 10% OFF

Scott Ainslie: Robert Johnson - Guitar Signature Tricks Review

This DVD is a great learning tool for anyone who wishes to dive into learning the styles and playing of the one and only Robert Johnson.This lesson features a variety of songs that will get you going along with a jam along cd for practice.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Scott Ainslie: Robert Johnson - Guitar Signature Tricks

Product Description:
This lesson demonstrates the techniques Johnson used to create his remarkable guitar parts for 7 songs: Come on in My Kitchen, Cross Road Blues, Drunken Hearted Man, Kindhearted Woman Blues, Ramblin' on My Mind, Sweet Home Chicago, Walkin' Blues. Includes a guitar techniques section, jam-along songs, and practice tips. 66 minutes.

Buy cheap Scott Ainslie: Robert Johnson - Guitar Signature Tricks now Get 10% OFF

Danny Gatton: Telemaster! Review

Danny starts by stating "I'm really an un-educated ear player who doesn't know much theory" Holy crap! This man had a sense of humour! Then he proceeds to blaze through the most complex chordal/single string passages without a blink of an eyelid whilst reaching for the volume pot to create the most alarming "crying" swells. This man was GIFTED..i would even go so far to say he was a genius. The cascading harmonics are among the most difficult aspects to learn. I triedto keep up with Danny at certain points and i nearly ended up in traction!!Gatton displayed the harmonics more impressively than Lenny Breau could, and that's saying something.What also is a striking feature is the tone that Danny gets from his weather beaten 1952 Fender Telecaster. The tone is rich and mellow but also snarls like a tiger when he switches to lead pickup.
I find it hard to grasp his technique because this man was a naturally endowed musician who didn't have to think about what he's playing. It's difficult for him to explain something that is, to him, a natural reflex but he goes about it well. His style went far beyond just country picking although lap steel harmonies figure alot in his repertoire.
But all said and done the whole film is worth 10 stars just to catch a rare glimpse of one of the most underrated and talented guitarists since the days of Django Reinhardt & Les Paul.
I just wish he could come back and teach us the rest of it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Danny Gatton: Telemaster

Product Description:
In this lesson, blistering country guitar star Danny Gatton teaches you an endless array of harmonic techniques, volume and tone control usage for pedal steel effects, B3 organ effects, jazz chord and mode juxtapositions and substitutions, new blues progressions, jazz/country styles and pick-and-finger independence. He also works on banjo-style rolls, Scotty Moore and Cliff Gallup styles, rockabilly and echo effects, Les Paul style trills and harmonies, Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell styles, as well as slide guitar and right-hand damping. Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Buy cheap Danny Gatton: Telemaster now Get 10% OFF