Jersey Jack Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I'm looking to sharpen my piano skills, and I'm wondering what wisdom may be out there about instructional DVDs. I've been playing only classical for many years now, so I'm not exactly rusty, but I don't have much in the way of rock or country or jazz chops right now. I bought a few DVDs from a company called Homespun, including one on country and one on old-time rock and roll, both taught by Bob Hoban. I found the first useful, but the second really was limited to Jerry Lee and his stuff--good, of course, but not very diverse. They have some other keyboard DVDs, Dr. John on his NO style, Donald Fagin, etc. (In case you are interested, here's the url for homespun: http://www.homespuntapes.com/) Any suggestions about other DVDs that may help an old guy to get his grove back? I'm interested in piano, organ, and synth. Jack Jersey Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Zero Two Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I have a couple and none of them has been particularly helpful - don't get me wrong they are inspirational but I find working out of a book better. A while back there was an excellent thread on books in different styles and what people thought of them. Search this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Hi Jack and welcome to The Keyboard Corner. I have the Donald Fagen VHS tape to which you are referring. I think it's great, but I'm a big Steely Dan fan. If you are interested in this style of music, I think you would enjoy it. Unfortunately, I have not tried the other titles in the Homespun series so I cannot comment. Perhaps others will chime in. Tom "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrafon Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I have the Dr. John and Chuck Level DVDs. They are both interesting DVDs to own. ALthough I love the Dr. John DVD, it is not exactly what you would call instructional. You can watch him play in somewhat slower fashion than normal, but it really only gives you enough time to drool more. I suppose if you sat watching with your remote handy to freeze frame, it would be better. But, I find it tought to take away a lot from that DVD. You'd have to watch it a million times to understand what's going on in his right and left hands (in my opinion anyway). The Chuck Levell DVD is more instructional in my opinion and interesting. I would recommend them both for their entertainment value and you certainly WILL pick up good pointers from both of them. Just don't expect either DVD to turn you into either player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigT Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Jamey Aebersold has all sorts of books, CDs, and probably DVDs for jazz stuff. www.jazzbooks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverDragonSoun Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 A teacher would be ideal but if not you could call a local community college, university, or music teacher and also ask them for their recommendations. Begin the day with a friendly voice A companion, unobtrusive - Rush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midinut Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Originally posted by Jack Ax: Any suggestions about other DVDs that may help an old guy to get his grove back? Jack So where was your grove when you lost it. I used to work at a grove in Florida years ago and I haven't been able to get my grove back either! I've got the Fagen and Leavell and they are both great. I can't play like either one of them but I learned alot from both and managed to pick up a couple of licks anyway. I got the Chuck Leavell one because I named my daughter "Jessica" 28 years ago after the Allman Brothers song. He broke it down very well. Still can't play it, but hey ... I'll get there one day! Kronos 88 | MODX7 | Wavestate | Crave | KeyLab 61 | CPS SSv3 | MacBook Pro | MainStage | Komplete 13U | V Collection 9 | Roland Jupiter-Xm | Slate VSM ML-1 & VSX | Behringer Poly-D | ASM Hydrasynth Deluxe | Roli Seaboard Rise 49 | Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2, Trillian, & Keyscape | AAS Collection | More VSTs than I'll ever figure out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LithoJazzoSphere Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 http://stores.musictoday.com/store/dept.asp?band_id=633&dept_id=2129&sfid=2 Several instructional DVD's by Dream Theater/ex-Dixie Dregs keyboardist Jordan Rudess. A picture may paint a thousand words, but a melody can paint a thousand pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.