Search - Andy Summers: Guitar (DVD and Booklet) on DVD

A Pop Guitar Master does it right

ZenKen212 | New York, NY USA | 11/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a guitar playing songwriter, I was never the one to be attracted to instructional guitar videos figuring it could somehow point me in a direction of un-originality, but this DVD proved me all wrong. I bought it on a whim along with Andy's autobiography and his aproach to songs and chords is eye-opening.

To me, it turns out, he was secretly the coolest of The Police members which makes it fun to hang out and see him talk about and teach the parts he played with them. It's a great way to learn new chords that will stretch your hands and get you away from your normal patterns.

It's a little funny when he calls the triad based major chords "boring," but his whole point is to find new colors and not do the cookie cutter thing (which helped his band become the biggest band in the world).

It's got a slow-down section (which is not all that important with the control that comes from DVDs these days).
It's got him playing a bunch of Police songs with a band.
It's got him playing a bunch of originals with a band (they can get out there, but they are cool).

I'd say, if you like The Police, you will love this video. If you aren't a Police fan but are looking to get out of old habits and approach your instrument by way of an original minded instructor, you will love this video.

If you're looking to shred solos, look elsewhere. If you're looking to learn blues licks, look elsewhere. If you are a total beginner, look elsewhere.

If you're looking to open your eyes and ears and see that the pop/rock music that most people love has guitar playing a supporting role augmenting the impact of the SONG and want to witness a guy who worked that role to perfection, this is the video for you."

An excellent guide to MORE than just the music of the Police

Andrew Peterson | New York | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Overall, a great set - a long (2 hours plus) session with Mr. Andrew Summers himself, with an extensive accompanying booklet.

Summers give lessons and explanations on all the facets of his style, as well as extensive demonstrations of his best material in the Police. But don't buy this just to boost your cover band's repetoire; Summers covers much, much more, including practical advice on playing over changes, fingerpicking, and extended chord voicings.

Overall, a good buy, one that is thoughtful enough to provide slow motion, pitch corrected versions of ALL of the examples presented, with extensive closeups. It's a must have for anyone looking to play challenging material."

Andy Summers, Guitar Master!

Richard Foulkes | Chicago, Il, USA | 09/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was 16 in 1968 I saw a band called soft machine with a kid playing guitar named Andy Summers. Later in the mid 70's I was in a liquor store on Sunset and La Brea and there he was again. A&M was across the street and he said he was working on a great album with his new band The Police. Well the difference between the fusion/jazz influenced soft machine and the Sting driven nuanced pop fusion was not that great and much of this is from the master guitar work of Andy Summers. So if you are a intermediate guitar player that knows your pentatonic scales and some basic bares and open chords get ready to take your guitar playing to the next level. Andy is such a great instructor! He really knows how to deconstruct the sounds that come from the guitar and to get you seeing why you make the shapes you do on the fretboard. He carries the credentials of the police but he is so much more than that music which is featured here. This is a must if you are serious about expanding your guitar knowledge! Thanks Andy!"

A unique and useful approach to the Guitar

Jeff Barnaby | Richmond, Virginia | 07/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have watched a number of these guitar instructional DVD's so far. For the most part I have enjoyed all of them to one extent or another. But this one really stands out, and it does so for a number of reasons. Andy Summers has a very good point to make regarding "interesting" chords and chord progressions -- with a "twist of lemon" as he likes to say. In talking about his Jazz background he mentions the quick tempo chord changes that don't always let one fully appreciate the character of the more complex harmonies that there are to be heard. The entire first section is dedicated to a chord library that has numerous variations on harmonies that most guitarists have probably never considered. It is doubtful that anyone will use all of these. But it is likely that any guitarist, even a lazy hack like myself, will be interested enough to pick up a guitar a learn a few of these and find a use for. Many of the chords are finger exercises in themselves, which also makes them useful.

There is a section devoted to his years with the Police. Though most of us probably managed to learn the Police standards when growing up it is worth while listening to him talk about his approach to the songs. I was interested to hear him talk about how few guitarists can really play a straight 4 by themselves. It's also quite interesting to hear him talk about his years with the Police. He almost sounds like he's apologizing for them. Which is interesting because he appeared, in 1997 when this was shot, to be something of a British schoolmaster behind a green hollow-body electric guitar speaking cautiously, and almost hesitantly about the songs being what he used to do. All this was well before the Police went on reunion tour in 2006 -- go figure.

There are also several of Summers' solo works which are worth listening to. In both sections he alternates explanations with a studio band performance, that's usually quite good. Most of the time he is playing a Gibson 335 and the tone is superb.

Fan of Summers or not, this is one to check out. Enjoy

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