Conference napalm::guitar

I've only seen a couple, but I'd recommend both of them.

	1. Monster licks and speed picking by Frank Gambale (DCI video)

                If you've ever wondered how to sweep pick, this is the video
                for you.  This guy is abolutely phenomenal.  I think there is
                a lot of information in this tape and plenty to work on.
		Lots of specific exercises, etc.  Very helpful.

	2. Total Electric Guitar by Eric Johnson (Hotlicks video)

                I just rented this tape and have mixed feelings about it.
                First, there was no booklet with any of the examples.  I
                don't know if this was because the rental place lost the
                booklet or because the video doesn't come with one.  
                Instead, you get tab on the screen and I found it all but
		unreadable.

		Definately not a "learn all of Eric's licks" tape.  He
		mentions several very useful techniques that he uses and give
		lots of examples of how to use them.

		There is one h*** of a lot of information in this tape, but
		you're going to have to be pretty accomplished to acutally
		use much of it.

I wouldn't recommend either of these tapes for beginners.  Must of the stuff
is just too hard to do unless you've been playing a while. And even then,
it's not easy.

steve

    Did you say rent?
    I did'nt know Video rental places rent instructional Video tapes.
    Where is this place? (If you don't mind, that is.)
    
    Errol

    Some MUSIC stores rent em

re -.2  I don't know where you're at so this info probably won't help.  Buck's
right, I rented the video at Colorado Springs Music, in CO.  They have a fair
selection and I've managed to talk the guy into ordering 3-4 that I'm interested
in so they're selection is getting better (as far as I'm concerned) :).

stev

    There is a booklet with the EJ video.  I think they must have lost it.
    
    Mike

    Oops, I am in the New Hampshire/Southern Mass area. Any such
    rentals out here. I have heard of a Video Rental Store in Cambridge,
    (don't know the name) that rents video taped concerts. Maybe they
    carry that stuff too.
    
    Thanks for making me aware of this anyways.
    
    Errol

    RE: -something
    
    I recently got a copy of the Eric Johnson video from a friend.
    Personally I love EJ but I found a lot to criticize in this
    video, and I'm glad I didn't spend 50 bucks on it.
    
    He does demonstrate some interesting techniques, such as a few
    picking methods, styles of his main influences, playing harmonics,
    using pentatonic scales, etc. but...
    
    He plays all examples at warp speed, and when he says, "lets slow
    that down and look at it", he is still playing very fast, way too
    fast. Then he proceeds to play riffs and passages for 5 minutes.
    After you see him play fast for a few minutes, I was thinking,
    ok Eric, we know you can play fast; now show me something useful.
    
    He described something about playing pentatonic scales in different
    keys over a pedal point. This sounded interesting but I thought
    he went by it too fast without explaining enough.
    
    At a few points he made some self deprecating comments about not
    understandin the theory enough to explain what he was doing.
    I couldn't help but think, jeeze if you don't know it hire
    someone to explain it for you.
    
    He mentions his equipment but doesn't show the array of pedals
    and switches at his feet.
    
    What he does teach could have been done in less than half the time,
    even if he did it twice as slow.
    
    As Steve said, this is not for beginners. It's also not much
    of an "instructional" video. I also admit I only
    watched it once straight through without the accompanying book.
    
    I still love his playing though, and I probably will get a lot
    more out of the video after seeing more over time.
    
    Bob

    
    	In the GP with BB and Billy Gibbons on the cover there is an
    	ad for a "Hot Licks" video sampler for only $9.95.
    
    	Says...
    
    	"One hour of licks, tips, etc... from the world's top players"
    	... full of highlights from the entire Hot Licks line".  Plus,
    	you get a coupon worth $5 if you order one.
    
    	Names in the ad (tho not sure if all are on the tape) are
    	"Eric Johnson, Vinnie Moore, Danny Gatton, James Burton, Joe
    	Pass, Arlen Roth, Stu Hamm, Viv Campbell, Emily Remler, Lonnie
    	Mack, Robin Trower, Larry Coryell, David Bryan, Tico Torres
    	and many more..."
    
    	Either call 800-388-3008 or send check/money order for 9.95
    	payable to "Hot Licks Productions, Inc" to
    
    		Hot Licks Productions, Inc
    		PO Box 337
    		Pound Ridge, NY 10576
    
    	Questions, call 914-7638013
    
    	

    The criticism of EJ playing fast and riffing out is probably
    appropriate for every instructional video I've seen to date.
    
    dbii

    
    
    	Except that great one by Arlen Roth, right?

    
    re - whatever: Theory, and being able to read help you understand
    	(ie:provide a context) what you are doing, and reading helps
    	a musician share ideas with others.  It does not neccessarily
    	have anything to do with your chops, as has been proven time &
    	again.
    
    	If EJ can't remember the appropriate theory on something, it is
    	only going to matter to that subset of players who actually
    	understand.  In this context, i think it's only a frill.  I know
    	I remember very little theory from the past, but fortunately
    	i do remember how to read. Of the two skills. i consider the
    	latter more important, but frankly neither matters if you can't
    	play.
    
    	enough said... bob

    Actually no, Arlen's slide video is good, but he does get carried away a
    couple of places. I wouldn't say that any of the vid's I've seen are
    bad, but they all riff out to flesh out what they're presenting.
    
    dbii

    The EJ video is the only one I've ever seen, so my opinion is only
    based on watching that straight through once. 
    
    My main complaint is that what is actually demonstrated, that you can
    really learn something from, takes up a relatively small proportion
    of the tape. I did find it very entertaining to watch, but find it
    lacking as instruction. 
    
    I think renting these sounds like a great idea. Books with accompanying
    cassettes are good for learning also.
    
    Bob
    Bob

    I didn't have that complaint ("too fast") about the Steve Morse video
    but that leads to some quesitons:
    
    Are you trying to learn the notes he's playing from watching the video?
    
    If so, does it come with a book containing the examples in tablature
    that you've just decided not to use?
    
    In the Morse video, I could NEVER learn the notes from just watching
    the "slow" demonstration in the video.  The purpose I found to the
    slow video is to hear the timing of the notes and the phrasing.
    
    	db

    This reminds me of a record I was given back in the mid sixties called
    "PLAY GUITAR WITH THE VENTURES". They did each part slow, then fast then
    together. Slow was real slow. Walk Don't Run at 1/4 tempo. Guess you
    were supposed to play along with it. I think there was a section at the
    beginning for tuning up to the record.

    ALERT! Rathole warning. This reply is an interjection and NOT meant to
    start a discussion on "PLAY GUITAR WITH THE VENTURES". Do not reply to
    this note.

    kidding :)
    
    BTW, what are these VCR things everyone is talking about?

    Funny you should mention "Play Guitar With the Ventures", I have three
    or four volumes of that series at home.  Even has the full tab for
    "Louie Louie" if anyone's been looking for that....
    
    Bassists who have lusted over the lone "Play Bass Guitar With the
    Ventures" album should be interested to note that the regular volumes
    have bass parts as well as lead and rhythm.  
    
    						Brian

    Anyone run across any of these video thingies for us fingerstyle
    farts?  It would be *great* to see/hear, say, Michael Hedges or
    Leo Kottke do their thing in slo-mo.
    
    Rodney

    Didn't mean to rathole this topic, so I'll try to add something
    useful.
    
    I went to Acton music yesterday to look at sheet music and I asked
    about renting videos. They don't do it and he didn't know of
    any stores that did. Some videos they had in the store specified
    "not for rental" on the box. He did say that they probably could
    rent others that they own, and agreed that it was a good idea,
    but they have nothing set up to do that.
    
    There's an ad in this month's guitar player for a "Acoustic
    Finger Style" video with a guy named Rick Ruskin. Can't comment
    on the content though.
    
    All of the ads for videos that I've seen have been for rock, heavy
    metal, or jazz. I've seen ads for jazz ones by Joe Pass and Herb
    Ellis, one by Frank Gambale.
    
    I think if you're going to buy one of these you should be aware that
    lots of them are not for beginners. The biggest aid I've found to
    learning music (any kind) is learning how to read standard notation.
    
    RE: Dave, I wasn't trying to learn the notes, and I didn't have the
        book. I borrowed the tape only. I'd use sheet music to learn
        the notes and a tape (audio) to get timing and phrasing.
    
    
     Bob

    I know nearby Minor Chord music store in Acton, MA *used* to rent them. 
    I know, I rented the Yngwie and Steve Lukather ones from them.  Not
    sure if they still are into that, but you could always give em a call.
    
    Buck

    The Derry NH public Library has at least one beginning guitar tape
    which I've rented a couple of times..the tape mentions a book and
    cassette that goes along with it but I can't remember the name at
    the moment...as a beginning beginner I found it quite helpful.
    
    
    
    
    
    Jim

    Re: acoustic videos
    
    I'd love to see Kottke and Hedges do a video also.  The Homespun people
    seem to focus more on acoustic players, but I'm not familiar with any
    of them.
    
    Mike

>
>    Anyone run across any of these video thingies for us fingerstyle
>    farts?  It would be *great* to see/hear, say, Michael Hedges or
>    Leo Kottke do their thing in slo-mo.
>    
>    Rodney


Rodney,

	From memory, I am sure the HOT LICKS or similar have vids for pickers
I have seen country and classical items in my catalogue. Can't vouch for the 
artists you mention tho'....

Dave

    The Music Nook on main street in Milford, MA has a few instructional
    videos available for rent at $5 per night.  They've got 2 Arlen Roth
    Hot Licks (beginning Guitar and Chicago Blues and a few others I 
    can't recall.

    Re .13 
    
    >>> Books with accompanying cassettes are good for learning also <<<
    
    Anyone like to share their comments on these ?
    
    I'm trying to get back into guitar seriously after a bit of a lay-off
    and I've been looking at the numerous offerings in the cassette/book
    line in GP and Guitarist mags.
    
    I've played for a few years but I'm mostly self-taught - no videos and 
    limited good books when I started.
    
    I've got a few Arlen cassetes (Blues, Lead Guitar etc.) which I
    find good for 60s/70s rock/blues. I'm looking for something that covers
    some of the 80s/90s generation of rockers, but there's so many to
    choose from - any advise ? or is buy it and see :-(
    
    I'd like to get to grips with Modes and Minor scales (the best ones to
    use and when to use them ) .
    
    Rgds.....Gordon.
    
    
     

    There is a Leo Kottke video.
    
    It's advertised inside the tape insert for one of his albums - "My
    Father's Face" I think.
    
    It's not instructional as far as I am aware.... just him at home and in
    concert.
    
    I've not seen it and would certainly buy it except that I am in the UK
    and doubt that a version in PAL is available.
    
    andy  

    Several years ago I saw some Leo Kottke documentary on TV. I don't
    know if this was an airing of the tape you referred to. Anyway much
    time was devoted following him around home and other places. I seem 
    to recall we got to see his boat sitting in his backyard ( where most
    boats seem to wind up). We got to see him working on an old beat up
    car in his garage. He seems like a real "regular" guy kinda like some
    neighbors i've known. I also recall they followed him on a visit to
    the writer of an old tune that he re-did (I can't remember the title
    but I starts out "ring, ring, telephone ring") and they talked about
    the origin of the song and such. All in all I recall it was interesting
    especially if you're a Kottke fan.
    
    I've been dissappointed in recent releases but really love his old
    monster 12-string stuff.
    
    jim

    
>    I've been dissappointed in recent releases but really love his old
>    monster 12-string stuff.
    
>    jim


Yeah, that old stuff was great!  But after a case of tendinitis, Leo had to 
slow down and lighten up.  If he had paced himself more sanely, he might still
be up to the monster material.

BOb

    I've seen that program too on the PBS stations.  I enjoy his odd sense
    of humor ;-)

    re: .27 and Tendinitis
    
    Did he really have a problem with Tendinitis? I guess it wouldn't
    surprise me. I saw an add recently for his "signature" guitar made by
    Taylor. The ad went on about how Leo's 12-string had been stolen and
    he had given up 12-string cause he couldn't find one that he liked.
    That is of course until he worked with Taylor to develop the signature
    model. 
    
    Has anyone played one of these Taylor Leo Kottke signature model and
    could give us a review???  It looks gigantic.
    Does Leo use this guitar in concert?
    It's been quite 
    
    a few years since I've seen him in concert.

    
    I've seen Leo twice this year, and both times he played 2 Taylor
    guitars, a 6 and a 12 string.  I believe they are the same model.
    
    Does ANYONE know the name of that tune that has the lyrics "ring, ring,
    telephone ring....." as mentioned before?  He played that song ("this
    next song is ridiculously optimistic, don't know why I'm playing it" is
    what Leo said before he played it!) both times that I've seen him, and
    they are the only times I've heard it.  Its a great tune, but I don't
    know the title.....been checking albums for a title that might fit but
    haven't found it....
    
    Dave

    
>    Did he really have a problem with Tendinitis? I guess it wouldn't
>    surprise me. I saw an add recently for his "signature" guitar made by
>    Taylor. The ad went on about how Leo's 12-string had been stolen and
>    he had given up 12-string cause he couldn't find one that he liked.


I read some interviews in which Leo recounted a gruelinng tour that left him
unable to play.  By the end of the tour he was "just clubbing the strings".
He eventually found a medical specialist who could help him.  After mostly 
recovering (there is usually not a *complete* recovery after tendinitis - 
I'm still recovering after four and a half years), Leo decided to rethink 
his approach to playing.  He put aside the twelve-string for a while, went 
from fingerpicks to fingernails and slowed down.  

I saw the same ad and wondered if he meant that this was the first twelve-
string that wasn't deadly to a recovering tendinitic (that's a scientific term 
I just made up).  

The moral of this story is "pace yourself".  If playing the guitar fatigues 
your hands or wrists, then stop and rest and think about how many years you 
want to be able to play.  If playing causes pain, then go find a 
rheumatologist or orthopedist who specializes in injuries from repetitive
motion.  "No pain, no gain" is for body builders, not musicians.  End of 
sermon.

Bob

    Time to reopen this topic.
    
    I rented Vinnie Moore's 2nd instructional video, Speed Accuracy and 
    Articulation this weekend and took it to our Sat night jam session.
    
    It was very intertaining and each of us got something different from
    it.  His teaching of the modes was very informative.  The video came
    with a little book of sheet music with no copy or protection clauses
    allowing us to copy it.
    
    Vinnie showed some finger exercises and stressed the "no pain" go at
    your own rate theory.
    
    Mark

    
    No copy/protection clauses:
    
    Excellent!  Send me a copy!!!!!
    
    Kev --
    

    My post-Christmas present to myself this year was a video, Andy West's
    "Creative Musical Approaches for 6-String Bass".  Since leaving the
    Dregs, Andy's been involved in several less commercial projects and
    he's also been doing some freelance computer programming to help pay
    the bills.  This video was done in 1989.  It's not an instructional
    video per se, and specifically stays away from discussions of
    technique, theory, etc.  Andy's stated purpose in this video is to
    give sort of a macro view of the creative processes he employs when
    writing and performing, hopefully to inspire viewers to explore new
    directions of their own.  Plus if you like Andy's playing, it's a
    chance to get a good dose of it up-close-and-personal-like.
    
    The first half of the tape is Andy performing with a New Age/Fusion
    project he had in the late 80's, Zazen.  The music is heavily
    synthesized and tightly arranged, with lots of odd time signatures
    and polyrhythms.  They break down one of Zazen's pieces section by
    section, showing the thinking that went into each, then finally perform
    the piece in it's entirety.  One thing that struck me was that the
    explanations of what they were doing often sounded more interesting
    than the final result. "The drums are playing a three while the bass
    does a 13/8 figure and keyboards a 13/4 figure that syncs with the
    bass every second time through".  Then when you hear it, it doesn't
    sound very radical at all.  Which I guess is one of Andy's points;
    that odd time and multiple rhythms work best when they seem to flow
    naturally.
    
    The second half of the tape features another 80's project, "Crazy
    Backwards Alphabet", with Henry Kaiser on guitar and John "Drumbo"
    French (from Beefheart's bands) on drums.  It was about as far
    removed from the Zazen stuff as you could imagine.  CBA plays free
    improvisational jazz, with only the barest structure to the tunes
    and guided almost entirely by real-time interaction between the players.
    They perform two tunes on the tape, including a rendition of Albert
    Ayler's "Ghosts".  Ghosts is a cool piece, because the main melody is
    this very simple (and memorable) sing-songy melody line.  After stating
    this theme the piece goes really really out, but you can always hear
    the thread of the original theme peeking through the pandemonium.  As
    a result, it's simultaneously very wild and yet very accessible.
    
    I enjoyed this video very much.  The music is dense and interesting,
    and new things pop up to your attention on repeated viewings.  Andy's
    comments are good although at times I wish he had dug even deeper,
    especially with regards to his thinking on the bass role in the pieces
    being performed.  In fact, although marketed as a bass video, it really
    isn't.  I'd say it's more a good source of ideas and inspiration for 
    players of any instrument and many different styles.  Recommended.
    
    Btw, Andy's currently involved in a new project called "The Mistakes",
    with Kaiser, Mike Keneally, and drummer Prairie Prince from the Tubes.
    Sounds similar to the Crazy Backwards Alphabet idea with a few more
    styles thrown in to the blender.  They have one CD out, which I'm
    looking for.
    
    Andy's web page is at:
    
    	http://www.xen.com/~awest
    

    Quite a ways from A.W., but while the topic is in front of me......
    
    Has anyone seen the Robin Trower video??? I'm a big fan af his style
    and was wondering if it is worth the $70+.......
    
    -kev

    
    	Rick - your comment about making odd time signatures seem
    	easy reminded me of Bruford.  I have a few of his solo albums
    	(the 2 with "Joe Frazier" at least).  I remember listening
    	several times on tape in the car and not noticing anything
    	odd at all.  I played it for a drummer friend and he immediately
    	went nuts about the odd signatures.  Sure enough, I snapped my
    	fingers to the snare and was constantly out of sync!!
    
    	Tom
    

    
    I don't have the CD with me... but there's a song on the new
    King Crimson that's totally crazy... everyone is playing in
    a different time signature.

    Take enough amphetamines, and I suppose you could even dance
    to it! :-) :-)

    -b

    I got the Adrian Legg 'Beyond Acoustic' for Christmas.  He plays 4 of
    his tunes and goes through them showing you how to play them.  There's
    even a little music booklet with it to show you what the notes are, and
    the music is shown on the video.
    
    I really like the video, I've never seen him play before so that was
    an education in itself.  One of the tunes looks impossible to play
    without banjo pegs on the guitar.  One of them he just glosses over,
    which is a pity cos it's really nice, I've spent the last couple of
    weeks transcribing it (St. Mary's it is called).
    
    One of the tunes is a nice slow waltz which is reasonably easy to play
    (if you can bend the top 3 strings up a tone at the second fret, only
    kidding :-)
    
    I shall definately be seeing if his other video is similar.
    
    tmp

    I too am getting real curious about these instructional videos. There
    are several that have caught my eye, in particular those made by James
    Burton and Brian Setzer. However, so far I've been deterred by the
    exorbitant price tag; can you really afford to shell out that sort of
    money when there's always the nagging doubt that you might learn very
    little from it (there's no rule to say that great guitarists necessrily
    make great teachers!)
    
    Then again, there are certain techniques which are difficult (even nigh
    impossible) to learn from a book. I've got Mick Goodrick's "Guitar for
    the Improving Musician" (I can't remember if this is the exact title)
    and it's choc-a-bloc full of hard theory. Much of it is still above my
    head (well there's no point in kidding yourself!), but I can probably
    get a fair bit out of it through hard study. But it's one thing gaining 
    a comprehensive understanding of modal scales and how to apply
    them...learning Travis picking or James Burton's double string bends is
    a whole different kettle of fish and I don't feel I could ever learn it
    from any rockabilly guitar book!
    
    But those price tags...
    
    Dom  

    Actually Wood'n Strings in Arlington Ma. used to rent out
    instructional videos.  I'm surprised the distributer
    allows it, but its a good way to check 'em out 
    before you buy. 
    
    Dave