Search - Learn to Play Blues Guitar Level 1 on DVD

Brilliant

L. Moseley | Berkeley, CA | 08/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I could start my own blues guitar instructional business with all of the videos, dvds, and books that I have bought trying to learn blues guitar. I'm a very methodical learner and need the big picture first and then information organized into digestible chunks of data--and then repetition. This is the first time that everything came together in a complete lesson series. The teaching pedagogy of this Blues Guitar Level 1 is outstanding--well organized and comprehensive. I bought Level 1 & 2 but will spend the next 4-6 months being happy with just Level 1. I didn't even take the shrink wrap off of Level 2 after previewing Level 1. I'm also an educator and recognize and deeply appreciate the time, learning techniques and excellent navigation that went into making this dvd. To take a basic (and old) folk guitarist like myself and have me understand how to play blues lead guitar within 90 minutes is a real testament to the quality of this instructional dvd. I have months of practice to do now, but at least this dvd puts in front of me clearly what I'm reaching for and how to get there. When I'm ready, I'll be able to go to an outstanding private teacher I know to refine my technique. For $19.99 you will not have wasted a dime of your money buying this Blues Guitar Level 1. Hats off to John McCarthy and the instructional team that put this dvd together.
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So happy to play the blues!

Gregory Burger | 06/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been learning guitar for about 10 months now, but my learning has lacked focus and jumped from one method to the next, and one genre to the next, trying to find something that "clicked". Like another reviewer, I also have a stack of "Learn to Play Guitar" books about a foot high. But, this is the one the finally "clicked".

It not only comes with a CD, but also a DVD, which really makes a difference in my learning - being able to see as well as hear is really important. Also, not only is the method structured, with previous lessons being drawn upon for subsequent lessons, but right from the first few lessons you can actually improvising blues lead lines. (I'm sure it'll take a bit longer for someone that's just starting out - you need to have some level of left-hand coordination.) But basically, it's just the right mix of theory and "jump-in-get-your-hands-dirty" for me.

If you think blues or blues-rock are what you want to play, you can't go wrong with this book/cd/dvd combo. I'm learning so much so fast with level 1 that I can't wait until I can finish it and go on to the level 2 book. It feels as if I'll be able to jam with the best of them in no time!! (Well, maybe the "pretty-damn-good of them" at first...)"

Excellent instruction - well worth it

Mary Anne | 10/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is well paced and the instructional materials are well organized. The instructor on this video does a good job demonstrating and the filming of the demos makes it easy to understand what you are expected to do to get the same result. The chapters on this instructional dvd allow easy review so you can get to exactly what you want to practice or hear again to confirm your practice results or refine them. There's enough on this instruction volume to make it well worth the price but there is also a site at House of Blues where you can register your dvd and get session tracks to go with the materials for practice. These downloads are ok - don't get me wrong, it's a nice touch and I was impressed they had a support site for the instuctional series, but to REALLY pump up your practice and move along more effortlessly, get the "I Am The... Blues Lead Guitarist" blues session dvd WITH this HOB's dvd. You'll have the 5 blues scales pressented in this dvd memorized in no time practicing them against a variety of blues style session tracks, without any of the tedium of trying to do it through self disiplined metronome sessions, or the juggling of downloaded mp3's and so forth. This is a great series.
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SIMPLY THE BEST!

Scott C. Meeker | Madison, WI. USA | 07/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been playing guitar since 1983. For many years, I have been looking for an instructional device that will help me get to another level. Once I got past the firt couple of chapters that did not teach me anything new, the whole rest of it was EXACTLY what I have been looking for. For a beginner, the entire DVD is going to be a must. McCarthy is an excellent guitarist, who plays with a pleasant variety and doesn't sound at all generic. The overall architecture of these lessons has been so well planned, that the end-user is taken on an easy and enjoyable learning path. It's not exactly "the blues," but it IS the BEST instructions for learning rock guitar, which is founded from the blues anyway. Definitely buy this series, it's well worth every penny!
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