26 Reply by Instructor

(8 replies, posted in Introduce yourself)

The only problem I have with your mag is the delivery format, your embedded videos take forever to load or sometimes not at all.  This would cause many people to go somewhere else.  It also seems to be heavily ad sponsored, but that being the case I would suggest that the content have a bit more substance for the trade off.

And Danny Gill is a beast -  While the others are good, I think he has the most "teacher-like" mentality of all of them, and like Wolf Marshall, is one of my favorite real "teachers" out there.

Basically if I am buying a DVD for my students/Academy, and I see that Danny Gill teaches on it, I buy it.  I see that LL distribution is leaving Mel Bay, and Im getting ready to buy them out of a ton of LL inventory in the next day or so.  Most titles will be those with Danny Gill.

Best,

Instructor

Go to forum: Introduce yourself

27 Reply by Instructor

(2 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

jamesd74 wrote:

Are the lessons on your online course live or pre-recorded?

When I have finished my exams at the end of May I am looking to take my playing up a level.

With me been in the UK the time difference would make live lessons imposable.

What do you offer for the just above  beginner?

Hi James,

The lessons/lectures are all pre-recorded, and have some unique features to them, like tests, playing assignments (in later sections) and passwords to move on, etc.  This ensures that you are understanding the material before you move on.  I've had 100% success rate, and I have a lot of students in your corner of the world (the UK)

I'd also suggest that if you haven't done so already, to take a few minutes to go back to the site (I'm guessing it's you that sent me the email that said "hi"?) and click on the tour tab and watch my videos, that explain the school and teaching system, approach etc.  In the last one, I explain what a student should have/know before going in, and you can asses yourself along those lines.

One thing you may be surprised to learn, is that we don't just accept everyone, there is a screening and question and answer process, that will help me decide if what we do is right for you.  The notes on the neck, well, that can benefit everyone.  I have taught the notes on the neck to a 6 year old that didn't own their first guitar yet.

As far as what else the Notes on the Neck might do...well it might help you determine, can we teach?  If we can't teach, then you wont learn, seems fair right?  There's not a single reason that you or anyone else should sign up for what we do if we can't deliver on the claims, because in that case we aren't worth a single dime.

After the Notes on the Neck, should you decide to move forward, we'd have an interview in which I learned more about your playing level, your goals/needs and then I would give you an honest assessment, and a realistic expectation of how we could help, and if we couldn't (for example say that you more wanted to learn some hot licks and shred like a beast...we'll I don't teach a bunch of licks, I teach you to play and move perfectly throughout the entire neck...shredding is a result of practice and time with a metronome in specific ways) then I'd direct you to any trusted resources that I knew of to help you.

I can send you an online catalog if you'd like -  I see you wrote me about a pass to look around.  I have a limited number of those, available at any given time, and currently they are all in use right now.  The next opening I think will be in the Wed-Thursday time frame.  When it opens you'll be next on board.  Keep in mind, these expire after a couple of days, so allow yourself the time to really get a feel for it.

By the way, the only reason that I post my link in my sig is just because I want people to know of the option being out there, among hundreds of other options, as far as progressing on the guitar.  Whether its the right move for you, James or anyone else, is something that I cannot say, its aimed at a certain type of user and I do my best to answer questions, and understand your needs before making the recommendation one way or the other.

One thing that I will tell you is I am very involved in your progress as a student.  I just made a one hour call yesterday to a student that I hadn't heard from in a couple of weeks, to see if there was anything I could do to help (turns out there was a sickness/death in the family, and I reassured him that we are there for him, to take the time he needs to deal with his loss, and reaffirmed our commitment to help him through).

I hope this answers your questions.  If nothing else, I'd be happy to meet with you on IM to better understand your needs.

Best,

Sean

(Instructor)

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28 Topic by Instructor

(6 replies, posted in Product / Services Reviews)

SUMMARY -

The best thing about this?  The cost.  Even if it doesnt deliver, it's not a total loss.  I'm out $5.00

MY REVIEW PHILOSOPHY -

When I review any product or site on the web, there are a couple of things I look at:

1.  How does it manage to deliver upon its claims (both made and strongly implied through marketing)

2.  Are the people being marketed to appropriate for the product that's being offered?  Does there seem to be a qualification so that unsuspecting buyers have a fair chance to decide if they are buying something that will help them?

3.  How well does it teach?  Teaching approaches and methods are of particular importance to me since I am a teacher.

Let's go into the review.

ORDERING CONCERNS

I saw the site looked it over, and nothing particularly moved me that it would be novel or unique, but the $4.99 price tag, made it worth checking out, because worst case scenerio, I could at least warn others, and keep things realistic expectations wise.  Coupled with the fact that it never hurts to have a few extra backing tracks as a teacher, it wasn't something that I felt too worried about.

Completed the purchase, and heard "nothing".  No acknowledgement, and no download links.  Just a "thanks for the money" from PayPal.

I waited, and it was about 40 mins before I got an acknowledgement.

DON'T STEAL FROM US, PLEASE!

Then a little while later I was promised the product soon, but because of their zeal to prevent piracy they had to invoke some measures before my link would be ready.  No problem there I suppose, no one wants to see their hard work squandered on a torrent site somewhere.

Then I got my link.  I'm not going to comment on the actual nature of their anti-pirating measures but to say it was pretty clever.  I get it.
If they will put as much care and passion into the rest of their product as they have to the protection of it, we will really be getting somewhere. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

TAKE YOUR PLAYING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Seems that this bit of marketing-speak strikes a chord in people.  It's well known that there are two selves to every person:  The person we are now, and the person we envision and hunger to be.  As a guitarist, there is the way you play NOW and the way you wish or hope to someday play.

Ethical marketing (such as ours) seeks to deliver on that idea with carefully crafted and deliberate goal-oriented measures.  I am positive that I have used that term before in describing what we do, because I feel that we can get a person there, so while it's a claim, it's also a responsibility we take upon ourselves to see that through, once a student decides to give us a try.  If we do not have that, we need not be in business.

Indiscriminate marketing seeks to also tap into that need to entice the sale.  You buy it because you want to take your playing to the next level.  When you think about it, who DOESN'T want to improve their knowledge or playing?

That said, I think that marketers should be ethical about respecting the realism of their claims.

THE SYSTEM/PRODUCT PACKAGE

I had 2 download links.  One for the Adobe PDF, and one for the backing tracks.  The first download of the PDF, took about 7 minutes on a high speed connection.  The second stalled and died and gave me a corrupt archive of backing tracks (I have emailed Matias about this and he was helpful and responsive and the problem was resolved, so this lets me know that he's sincere in wanting us to be happy with the product.  I also get the sense that this is in its initial launch stages, and there may be some wrinkles to be ironed out, that's okay, I don't expect perfection.  It's how you respond to issues that makes the grade for me and Matias did a great job at responding to my concerns)

The PDF worked fine, it's well organized and contextual, and divided by scales and articulations, and most of the examples were quite good.  I recall the days when I'd listen to the examples of a MI guy and hate their playing and the choices of melodic concentration.  The sound files are embedded within the PDF and are not included as separate sound files in the package.  It seems that it calls them from somewhere on the net and a player appears within the PDF.  Its pretty good, definitely more high tech than I know how to do.  As a delivery system it worked well, and the examples were clear.

ARE YOU GUTHRIE GOVAN?  JOE SATRIANI?

The problem I have is the sound files (examples) themselves.  They will not take you to the next level.  I say it again, your playing will not be taken to the next level.

Next level?  Nope....

Not gonna happen....in fact...

You have to BE at the next level to be able to play these!  This is NOT beginner stuff.  The average speed of these licks are 16ths and more times than not 32nd notes.  They are played at one speed - FULL speed.  This is what you could do IF your playing was at the next level!  If it's NOT, you're out of luck.  The sound files are not looped, slowed down or in any way shape or form taught/demonstrated so that a person wanting to go to the next level can do so realistically...as it claims to promote.

This should have been broken down.  As it is now they sound like GP5 sound files using RSE, and played at one speed.  This is a problem I have, with presuming to learn anything for the average player...it plays (flies) through at look-at-what-I-can-do-speed and stops.  That's it.  You have no provision to loop the file, or slow breakdown of it, by say using VLC Media player or a slowdown program for MP3's.  If you didn't get it the first round, too bad.  You get one speed...and that is light speed.  But, you have the tab.

The point is, this product does NOTHING to get you to the NEXT LEVEL.  And it certainly doesn't teach.  The truth is, that it can take you years to play these licks, and they aren't going to teach you or help you get there, only extended practice with a metronome under very specific conditions will get you to speed.  There are 299 licks.  Some of these have some killer stretches along with the blazing speed.

The good thing is many of these licks sound awfully good, and melodic.  They are divided by different articulations, but the fact is, time and time again you are hearing things that you are likely not able to play and are not given any assistance in eventually being able to play them.

This is a problem, and should be addressed.

THE BACKING TRACKS

They sound great and hey, even if you forgo the book, and expect nothing else, the fact is 5 dollars for these backing tracks is not a bod deal.  For those who want to experiment with modes, they have some specific vamps to play with.  Even if you know nothing about what you are doing, you can at least fake like you do.

BOTTOM LINE

I think Matias is sincerely trying to help and inspire others, and trying to put something out at a fair cost, and is genuine, and I have been in contact with him to try and give him some advice and counsel as to how to make things better, and it remains to be seen, how responsive he will be.  He has the potential to have a nice niche product with a few teaching refinements, should he wish to do so.

In short, at the price, even if you get the backing tracks and nothing else, it's still a fair shake, I just think he can do better on the teaching end of things, and hopefully our correspondence can inspire a better, more helpful product for all of you out there.  In the event that he does, I want to re-do this review as I want whatever we write to be genuinely fair to the guy.  Its a lot of work and time to get out a product, and I don't want to knock anyone down that's trying.  It's clear that he's trying, and I think if he's willing to go a few extra steps, that others will benefit exponentially.

As it stands now, unless you are very accomplished with your technique, the licks will be of little use.  The licks book is definitely not in the reach of the average player.

As it stands now if you aren't Guthrie Govan calibre, this isn't for you. It is not for beginners, and in my opinion it should be better marketed in the interest of being fair, and matching the things the product solves, to the needs and abilities that the average player has. If he makes these changes, it can take your playing to the next level.

If he makes these changes, then this could very well be a breakthrough product for the price.  I think he's getting there, and with a few tweaks this will be a relevant product.

This gets us back to marketing.  Simply by adding a provision which allows for slowdown speed, I think he genuinely expands upon the market range that he can genuinely help, because at slower speeds, even if it will take a while, a guitarist can practice these ideas slow enough as to develop proper habits, sufficient reps to create and promote muscle memory and so on.

Best,

Instructor

Review is 2nd revision.

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29 Reply by Instructor

(2 replies, posted in Favorite Guitar Sites)

This is great.  I liked his views on a Turnaround.  Though its not teaching you the theory to it, he is establishing a very pragmatic jazz approach to chording.

For someone that already has a slight immersion into studying jazz this will be of relevance.

Instructor

Go to forum: Favorite Guitar Sites

30 Reply by Instructor

(6 replies, posted in Guitar Players)

I got to see it.  I didnt feel like he did much in terms of teaching....

It was more about his philosophical approaches to things.  I didnt expect much, usually these kinds of things tend to be long on hype and short on substance.  I really question the practicality of a Steve Vai Technique course at Berklee, other than to draw fanboys and play off his name.  I would love to be a fly on the wall...it seems like a money making idea rather than addressing a real need.

Instructor

Go to forum: Guitar Players

31 Reply by Instructor

(5 replies, posted in Introduce yourself)

I don't know my friend, it looks like a place to post generic content and make ad revenue via Google.  The problem with these articles is there's not a single idea that isn't a rehash.  So I have to ask, why do it if it's already out there?

Also, it looks like (and I hope not) that you came here for the simple purpose of promoting your site. 

This is a great community and I hope you'll stick around and not use this as a stepping stone.

Instructor

Go to forum: Introduce yourself

32 Reply by Instructor

(14 replies, posted in Introduce yourself)

Right now those guitars are my Breedlove Acoustics, and my Reverend Sensei HB.

But I do think I am going to get a guitar, that seems worth the money and will be an amazing guitar.  Its gonna take a while, but I'd eventually like to get me the Suhr Guthrie Govan. 

Instructor

Go to forum: Introduce yourself

33 Reply by Instructor

(40 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

Big Ian,

Peace offering accepted.  I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot also, in whatever way I played a part on that.  Never hurts to give people a chance, you never know what you could be missing out on, I guess is the moral here.

I have learned more about you, and while at first I may have seen one side of you, I can also now see that you have a pretty big heart and seem to be a good guy, so I'm glad you shared as you have about your life, musical background family and job.  I hope that you are given opportunities to make some spare change by helping others.  One of the most gratifying things for me is to be able to make a living helping others, and being appreciated for it.  I hope you get that opportunity as well.

The thing that I appreciate about the blues videos you shared is how authentic they are to older blues, and that's something that I dont see as much over here.  I think it goes back to the fact that in the early part of last century, while the uS all but ignored traditional blues guys, folks in the UK really supported them and ate this stuff up, thats how you ended up with Clapton, Zep, Yardbirds and the like.  It seems like the real blues is still living greatly in the UK.  Kudos to you.  We dont hear this kind of theing much where we are.  Blues seems to be a homogenized mess of Hendrix and SRV, which sounds great, but it seems to dominate and overpower any other knowledge or sensibilities concerning the blues.

What you shared in these videos suggests a rich blues heritage that you have around you nurturing you, and for that I say "More power to you".  I could go watching guys like this all day long because they sound so different than what we have out here even in Austin TX.

Cheers,

Instructor

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34 Reply by Instructor

(9 replies, posted in Bands)

They are huge here in Texas among country guys.

Instructor

Go to forum: Bands

35 Reply by Instructor

(14 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Tell that to ESP, they've been doing it for years... 

I have them in at least 3 of my guitars.  The only thing I dont do is some extreme metal stuff.

Sean

Go to forum: Amplifiers

36 Reply by Instructor

(6 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Line6 are great.

a 99 dollar Spider15 can do a lot for dudes on a budget.  Ive even used them in a small 3 piece gig before.

Instructor

Go to forum: Amplifiers

37 Reply by Instructor

(21 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

Olly wrote:
Instructor wrote:

I tried the new 1 watt Blackstar last week, when one of my reps swung by the shop, and it was pretty cool...had quite a tone to it.  All tube, and a lovely clean and gain stage, with reverb.

Instructor

And how loud did it have to be to get that tone? I understand even 1 watt is extremely loud?

It didn't take getting loud at all to get it, it was not bad.  But for me 200.00 is a lot for a small tube amp that Im not gigging with, and I'm not using it to record (though I certainly might if I wanted to, but my album is acoustic, so...).  My 99.00 Line 6 is great.  But if tube at home is your thing it absolutely delivers.  I just cant justify the price, as I dont care if Im playing tube when Im home practicing.  If it were 150.00 I might spring just because it does sound very good and the reverb's a nice touch.  And it would make a solid small recording amp.

Instructor

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38 Reply by Instructor

(14 replies, posted in Everything Else)

When they need them.  Depending on how often Im playing. 

I use SIT's for the record.

Instructor

Go to forum: Everything Else

39 Reply by Instructor

(7 replies, posted in Products / Services Offered)

Mattias,

I bought your ebook, and I'm waiting for confirmation.

A couple of things:

1.  It doesnt tell you what will happen once someone pays.  This is against PayPal policies, you may want to get that checked.  There is no download link provided and nothing that states when and how I'll get that book.  I also have not received any order acknowledgement from you (its been 30 minutes) This is a good way to see a lot of reversals.   This is also against PayPal policy.

2.  I bought it specifically for the price and to review it.  I am always looking to keep people that presume to teach "honest" and true to their claims.  I have no need for the book, but I do have a need that everyone that claims to do what they claim follows through with it.


(edit - just received acknowledgement, it took about 40 minutes)  You may want to tell people up front what the process is, before they commit to the funds, so they have a chance to decide if that is acceptable to them or not - its just good policy.

As it is now, I understand that I need to wait up to 6 hours for the product to be delivered.

I will keep the good folks here at Olly's forum posted and updated as to my impressions of the product and the experience of the transaction.

Best,

Instructor

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40 Reply by Instructor

(7 replies, posted in Lesson Plans)

Whats a fortnight?

Best wishes,

Texas

Go to forum: Lesson Plans

41 Reply by Instructor

(13 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

The only place I see C moving to A off the top of my head is actually the chorus of sweet child o mine, and actually it's A to C.  I'd guess it was Am to C but the Slash line superimposed over it takes that theory and tosses it as it's in A Major.  The other place is in the Chorus to Comfortably Numb, I'd just make the point that from a beginners standpoint he's likely to see a lot more of C to Am in actual use. 

Instructor

Go to forum: Newbie Section

42 Reply by Instructor

(40 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

That makes sense ian, with regards to youtube.  I can see why you wanted to rush it.  I hope these things help you continue to make better and more helpful videos.

Go to forum: Newbie Section

43 Reply by Instructor

(5 replies, posted in Announcements)

This month saw our highest student enrollment month ever, online so I've been awfully busy default/smile 

I'm not sure how to do site rankings because theres a lot of metrics, because I have decided to go the one student approach at a time method, rather than fuss with ad's and the like, and let our reputation and word of mouth go from there, I mean I do help our at a few different forums, some I have well over 1000 posts helping people, plus mentoring others here and there, and I think I prefer the slow grow method, because then I'll draw more substance and be less on the spammers sights (at least for a while) so the year and a half that we've been online, a great many students online (107 as of this month), that's not bad because we have been fortunate to enjoy a great retention rate.  We've been getting more and more "believers" and a noted guitar lessons review site is wanting a story on us, so it's been good.

If I were you I'd consider having your loyalists intentionally "seed" the forums, with a sense of a interest in how it ultimately fares.  This may mean broadening their perspectives and proactively creating and responding in depth in many topics, so that it feels less cliquish to outsiders, and more or less inviting people in for comment.  You may already have a lot of visitors, but you need a certain percentage to feel moved to participate, and thought provoking articles, topics and the like.  Not just topics, but responses that are well thought out and in detail will invite for more participation.  Have your friends promote you in sigs and shore up the areas so that when people arrive there's something going on.

Cut out dead wood also, if a topic isnt getting interest cut and streamline.  If you end up with 3 general forums with activity and stimulating topics, and an inclusive group of core members  thats better than a well organized forum with several areas with infrequent posting.

I hope this gives you some food for thought.  I can't recall how I found you, though.  I think it was a sig or something.  The other thing I'd recommend is creating and maintaining a niche. 

Instructor

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44 Reply by Instructor

(16 replies, posted in Recording / Studio)

There's a new service called GrooveZoo that debuted at the NAMM show this year that allows you to hook up and contract with session players and negotiate percentage points for release and the like.  I'm there now and though it's in the early stages, it seems promising.  I am looking to collab with bass and drummer myself, but in the mean time I keep producing my own stuff and hitting it out there  on RevNation, and I've already picked up on some potential leads.

Instructor

Go to forum: Recording / Studio

45 Reply by Instructor

(1 replies, posted in General Chat)

It was one of the biggest that weve had here.  Very well attended.  Had a great time!

Instructor

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46 Reply by Instructor

(8 replies, posted in Common Student Issues)

Teach him melodies, and single note stuff.  If you are being paid to teach and it were me Id have a heart to heart talk that the lessons will have less than optimal results until he can get situated with a properly sized guitar.

Instructor

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47 Reply by Instructor

(6 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

Slowing down and not rushing things.

Instructor

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48 Reply by Instructor

(40 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

If I may comment:

You seem impatient in your teaching, and I hope people get something out if this.  You teach as if what you are teaching easy, and rush through it assuming people are going to understand you.  Well it might be easy for you, but for many it is not, and you tend to keep over playing, and, I must stress, that merely demonstrating this, is not the same as teaching.

Study the way Lick Library does this, and you'll see what I mean.  I think they are the best bar none when it comes to showing someone how to play a song Danny Gill in particular is the best.

Not everyone can teach man, but if this helps you learn to slow things way down, and spare a beginner from being overwhelmed with your frenetic teaching style, then it's only going to help you if teaching guitar is what you are after.

Best,

Instructor

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49 Reply by Instructor

(13 replies, posted in Newbie Section)

Hi Terra,

I'd suggest that 30 to 40 mins a day  is probably overkill if you're a beginner.

As Olly said, the fingernails should be trimmed.

What is important is that you are learning and practicing chords in a logical order.  By logical order, I mean chords that are likely to be used together.  Drawing on Olly's suggestion C to A...I wouldn't be inclined to agree with it, simply because there aren't many songs that I can think of that you're going to NEED to play C to A. 

Now, if he meant to say  C to Am, that's a different tune all together, and you definitely want to learn that, as they are used all the time.

I'm not sure how long you have been learning, but if you don't know the Big 9 and have not learned how to transition between commonly used chords, I'd ignore bigian's advice on barre chords and the like, they would be detrimental and ridiculous at this point for your development.

Now, I mentioned the big 9, so what are they?

A Am C D Dm E Em F and G.  When you have those down and can play in common chord progressions and transition between them, you'll be much more better situated.

So some of these common chord connections would be:

D G and A

G C and D

C F and G

C Am F and G (you can also experiment with Em, anywhere you normally have a G)

Am F Dm and E (You can also experiment with C anytime you have an Am and vise versa)

A D and E

When you have those transitions down, you can play a lot of songs that use those chords in some combination.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Instructor

Go to forum: Newbie Section

50 Reply by Instructor

(21 replies, posted in Amplifiers)

I tried the new 1 watt Blackstar last week, when one of my reps swung by the shop, and it was pretty cool...had quite a tone to it.  All tube, and a lovely clean and gain stage, with reverb.

Instructor

Go to forum: Amplifiers