Robben Ford Discussion

Liquids · Member Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 5

Months ago I was surfing Robben Ford videos on YouTube, and discovered what it turns out were some clips of "The Art of Blues Rhythm" DVD. I was so impressed by the clips of his presentation, that when I found that it was all on a DVD, I ordered it the next day. I've taken plenty of lessons and seen plenty of good hot licks (etc) guitar instructional videos, many of which were worth one watch, but this was the most accessible and practical for where I'm at right now and the long haul, and likewise worth keeping as a frequent reference rather than just one watch.

I love that video. I love Robben's leads, but I've felt like I 'get' most of the lead stuff he does and don't want to emulate him exactly, having studied jazz a fair amount. His chording, however, has always impressed me, from his Jimmy Witherspoon stuff on, and I'd rather be guilty of emulating him than stay where I am with my comping, at this moment in time. Very Happy

I watched the video through the first day I got it, and I decided to work through it slowly...and then got busy. I just went back to it now that I'm slowing down and can gear up on practicing again...and, what a video!

More so, I just checked out a copy of "Blues For Guitar" Book/CD and also was able to skim "Rhythm Blues for Guitar" Book/CD, as well as the "Playin' The Blues" book, though I don't own any of those yet. I am likewise impressed with them.

It seem the "Rhythm Blues for Guitar" is a precursor to the Art of Blues Rhythm DVD. It's a bit short and gives you a lot of chords and concepts, but may be redundant since I own the DVD. He takes a lot of the printed examples on the DVD from here, but adds plenty of others, except for the focus on the 80's "funky blues" stuff.

The shocker was "Blues for Guitar" which, when I saw it was "just Hot Lines," and mostly pentatonic, I wrote it off...since I've done plenty of work on my leads anyway, and know what I need work on in that department.... But when I tried a few of the examples, I saw the book is littered with Robbens explanations on what notes he's favoring in certain lines, and it's full of his tasteful use of intervals and chords within his leads. Score! More chordal stuff. So now I think I want to get this one....actually now I want them all. Very Happy

But funds are stipend...

So, does "The Art of Blues Solo" contain the bulk of what came before it like Art of Blues Rhythm did? Actually, I can't even tell if it's out yet or not. Anyone have it?

Should I wait and just get that, expecting that it sums up the other ones mentioned? Are "Robben Ford Back to the Blues" and "The Blues and Beyond" worth getting, in addition to the others? I'm looking for as many opinions as I can from those who own them, and if anyone own's them all, some perspective and comparison on the overlap and unique qualities of each.

Cheers,
Matthew

AlChuck · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:23 pm Post subject:

The Blues and Beyond has more meat IMHO than does the Art of Blues Solos. There's a separate book that parallels the CD and contains more detail (plus it's easier to work with) than does the small booklet that comes with the video.

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

I haven't been terribly impressed with the "Art of the Blues Solo" release. There's some useful stuff on the use of diminished scales (which I still need to dig into)--probably the best coverage of that available. But, there's too much duplication of stuff from the "Art of Blues Rhythm" video (which I think is really, really good).

I think it would have been much better to have released a single package with all the material from the two discs--that would have been a much better value.

I'm glad I got the Solo disc--there's enough in there to make it worth while, but I would recommend both "Robben Ford Back to the Blues" and "The Blues and Beyond" before the "Blues Solo" release. I think they are much stronger packages.

frank0936 · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:12 am Post subject: Duplication

The "Art of Blues Rhythm" also duplicates material from the earlier releases. But there is enough new material on both to make me glad that I got them.
Frank

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

I've been wanting to check out the new "AOBS" Solos DVD as well. The Rhythm one is really good!

I posted some stuff on Triad Pairs in the Theory Section of this Forum awhile back. Is there anything similar in the "Solos" DVD?