Robben Ford Discussion

dstefani · New Member Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 3

Hi,

I'm looking at the Playin' The Blues: Boxed Set.

Have you bought this?

Are they both DVD and not VHS?

I can't find anywhere to ask on his site and the stuff below it actually says, 'DVD'.

It sounds like a great set.

Thanks,

- Dstefani

jconstant · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:40 am Post subject:

Can you provide a link? I'm not sure what the 'boxed set' is all about. Robben's first instructional video was called Playin' the Blues, but it's available as a single VHS tape or single DVD.
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

dstefani · New Member Joined: 16 Oct 2005 Posts: 3

Here is the site:
http://www.robbenford.com/RobbenFordOnlineStore.html

I found them on eBay and some of them are listed as VHS, so I have a feeling that he came out with the DVD version later and never sold them as a set.

I ordered the DVD's on eBay just now and I'll order the CD/Book from Robben's site.

- dstefani

jconstant · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:15 am Post subject:

Oh, so it's just Playin' the Blues and The Blues and Beyond packaged and sold together.

All of his instructional videos were originally on VHS and then all became available on DVD. I don't know for sure, but I'd say they are probably only being sold as DVDs now. Certainly on his site everything looks like it's sold on DVD only.

But I cant tell you that both of them are excellent. The first one, Playin' the Blues, is very basic but still worth having. The second one is more advanced and excellent as well.

Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

dermotos · New Member Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

Hi,

Maybe someone can help me. I recently purchased the Playin' the Blues instructional DVD on the net and find it very difficult to impossible to use. It comes with a small booklet with some scales (on the first page it also says this is only representative and I need to get a supplementary CD as well, which is dissapointing). The music played by Robben Ford is excellent but I can't get started! For example, a graph of a guitar neck appears sometimes when he plays but it doesn't follow his playing. Maybe because I am in Europe and have the PAL TV standard? The DVD is NTSC but plays fine. Pity, because I was hoping to make some progress with blues scales etc.

Thanks if you have the time to answer this or make suggestions.

Dermot

jconstant · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:

Dermot,

The on-screen graph of the guitar neck only shows you the fingering of the scales and some of the chords. None of the soloing or anything like that is on-screen.

I own the full book that was published separately and it's much more complete than the little booklet that comes with the video. I'm traveling, but when I get home and I look at it and tell you who the publisher is so you might be able to get one too.

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're looking for though. Is it that you want note-by-note transcriptions of what Robben is playing?

Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

dermotos · New Member Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

Hi Jim,

Many thanks for getting back. I guess what I'm looking for is to be able to play some of the progressions. I did try with the small book over the weekend and made some small progress.

As far as the DVD goes, apart from the superb playing, it is no use to me. The graphic of the guitar neck that I mentioned, shows something which look like LEDs (but not lit up). If they were lit up as he plays the notes then that would be of some use.

This is my first DVD instruction set and maybe I just don't get it.

What I would have liked:

A set of lessons that I could practice and then progress by stages.

A play along feature.

A proper booklet (why sell a DVD as instructional when it is not complete?).They could have even included it on the DVD as a PDF and I could have copied it down and printed it.

Again, much appreciate you taking the trouble to reply.

Dermot

Budda · Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 80

AlChuck · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject:

The books jconstant referred to are published by Warner Brothers Publications...

jconstant · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

Dermot,

I think I get it now and I have to agree with Budda. What you have in your hands is an artist's video, and an old one at that. Part of the reason it's not 'complete' is because of the cost involved. You've got to pay someone to transcribe that stuff and that costs money. The more that's transcribed, the more money it costs the artist.

I think Robben's videos are excellent, but they are not step by step instructions about how to play the blues. They are ideas and inspiration. I've had all of his videos since they've been released and I still go back to them today and find nuggets of wisdom and brilliance. They are worth their weight in gold. In fact, sometimes struggling with a concept is the best way to learn it. So they are of use to you, but you just may not realize it yet.

But the good news, my friend, is that I can recommend some books (that come with play along CDs) that are exactly what you're looking for. Check out John Ganapes series called Blues You Can Use:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blues+you+can+use&x=0&y=0

I would try Blues You Can Use, More Blues You Can Use, and Jazzin' the blues. These are step-by-step, play-along, very detailed materials that will teach you more than you can imagine.

As you learn this stuff, you'll be able to go back to Robben's videos and each time you do you'll be better at understanding what Robben is doing.

Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

dermotos · New Member Joined: 30 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for all the help folks.

Jim,

Yes, I realise now that I'm looking at something that is beyond me at the moment. Funny that you recommend Blues You Can Use because I did some searching on the web and that was the book/CD that looked closest to what I want. You have helped me make up my mind!

Hope fully I will return to the RF DVD at a later date. I am taking classical guitar lessons from a teacher and want to delve into the blues as I like the expression and contrast to the formal classical music.

Help is much appreciated and greetings from Ireland

Dermot

jconstant · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:

I'm glad to hear that, Dermot. You're going to be very happy with the Blues You Can Use Books.

Take care,
Jim
_________________
"Somebody's got to make some music around here." - Robben Ford

AlChuck · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:26 am Post subject:

Re the publisher of the Blues and Beyond book, my apologies... Amazon says it's Warner Brothers Publications, but the book itself says Alfred Publishing. Maybe the original edition in 1993 was Warner Brothers and they sold the material to Alfred somewhere along the way.