ISBN: 1893884015
SKU / ORDER #: 4015
PUBLISHED: May 2000
FEATURING: Bill Edwards
VHS 105 MIN.
PRICE: $29.95 US, $34.95 Canada/International
Video II utilizes the same structured approach to learning, but this time the focus is on tone groups instead of the fretboard. You will build upon what you learned in the first parts of the method.
In Volume III of the Fretboard Logic series, the idea of a "spectrum" of music experience was introduced whereby a guitarist can be viewed as usually functioning either more creatively or more analytically. The emphasis of our first video effort was on creativity. Our strategy for accomplishing this was to develop solos in a lead playing context by choosing from a menu of available resources to both add interest and define the style being played. The emphasis of this second video is on the other end of our spectrum: analysis. The subject matter of Book II was Chords, Scales and Arpeggios, or the basic tonal materials of music. So our approach to analyzing tone groups is to present different styles of music, in the form of instrumentals, and study the various characteristics of a particular tone group in each one. Video II has three distinct sections. Chord Building and Harmonic Motion are discussed in the first section; Scales, Modes and their interactions are taken up in the second section; and Arpeggios are the subject of the third.
The tone groups of Volume II are applied in the context of instrumentals, using different styles of music and different types of guitars. While Video II is not for beginners, it will offer intermediate players much enjoyment, a few challenges and many opportunities for growth. It also features a slightly faster pace in order to include more material.
Many instructional videos feature well known artists who are very strong at certain musical, technical or stylistic aspects of guitar playing, but surprisingly weak at communicating what they are doing that is so interesting and compelling to us. As professional musicians, they often feel it is these very "trade secrets" which make them in demand, so there exists a fundamental conflict of interest when it comes to explaining or "revealing" what makes them sound so good. One typical result of this conflict is a formulaic type approach to learning, such as "copying licks," which can hardly even be considered educational. Another result is that a guitarist will either intentionally or unintentionally, avoid serving up those very things which would be the most desirable to the student. The Fretboard Logic video series doesn't feature the "20 licks fast and slow" formula or demonstrate compelling musical content only to change subjects and focus on relatively inconsequential matters such as how to hold a pick, for example. Instead the emphasis is on comprehension of the relevant elements and their interactions. The level and pacing are also different in Video II. Although it shouldn't be considered advanced, it will become obvious that it is not targeted toward beginners either, and the pace has accelerated to allow for the inclusion of more material. It is the producer's position that the video medium is ideally suited for demonstrations of principles in action, whereas the medium of the printed page is best for detailed explanations and graphic representations of concepts. Each has value in the learning equation. For the benefit of players who've not yet read Volume II, the building of the different tone groups is touched on in the video, but you will still need the book for reference, organization and those all important details.
Video II features instrumental performance pieces which can be learned via transcription. We provide addenda, not ads.
Once again, there are no advertisements, which, surprisingly, keeps us fairly unique in the field of video education. Again, it's not boring, and no one is subtly trying to make you give up in despair of ever being able to do the things demonstrated on the tape. Since the study pieces are instrumentals, there are no jam tracks this time, but for those who wish to learn them in their entirety, we will make transcriptions available to bonafide purchasers upon request*. The study pieces feature three different music styles played on three different types of guitars. "The River Song" is a fingerpicking piece played on an steel stringed acoustic. "Tearin' Up the Pea Patch" is a chicken pickin' little country ditty done on an electric, and "Francesca" is a flamenco piece played on a nylon stringed cutaway classical. The River Song was composed to demonstrate both chord building and harmonic motion. Several different types of scales are used for a variety of effects in the Pea Patch, and although it also includes chords and scales, arpeggios are the main focus in Francesca. We remain committed to the idea of learning without ennui or tedium. V2 will challenge and entertain you, but more importantly, you may find that you will never again play or even listen to another piece of music the same way afterwards. Almost anyone can enjoy good music on an audience level. Among the listening public, few know the intensities and challenges of enjoying music on a performers level. Fewer still know what makes music work from a composer's point of view. This ability brings a new level of appreciation and understanding to the musical experience. It also gives the power to control those factors to the persons who are willing to make the effort to learn and apply them.