John Mclaughlin instructional DVD

[Joe G]

Looks interesting (like I don't have enough instructional materials already ).

It became clear to me some years ago that the real art of teaching lies in the way of showing with detailed clarity the way the teacher accomplishes what he does. The student can then adopt the various techniques he has understood and progressively apply them to his own instrument. This is the philosophy I have adopted in this DVD, and it is for this reason entitled:

                                    "THIS IS THE WAY I DO IT"

There are 12 Chapters, and each chapter begins with me speaking about the scale with its particular set of modes that the chapter is dedicated to. The chapters are categorized in the following order :

•  The Basic Modes

•  Rhythmic Development of Basic Modes + Introduction of the Major Pentatonic Scale

•  Modal Fluency Development + Phrasing

•  Introduction of Linear Triads + Scale Tone Chords

•  Symmetric Scale and Development of Fluency

•  Chromaticism

•  Harmonic Minor and its Harmonic Development

•  Melodic Minor and its Modal Development

•  Advanced Development of Melodic Minor and Introduction of the 2 :5 :1 Movement

10.)Development of odd Time Signatures

11.)Combination of odd Time Signatures and Harmonic Development

12.)Advanced Harmonic Improvisation with odd and even Time Signatures

There is also a bibliotheque of over 100 phrases which relate to the various chapters and demonstrations.

I then demonstrate these on my instrument. (Invariably using two cameras in order that the viewer can see clearly the left and right hand. A 3rd video on screen shows the musical notation in real time.)

We then pass on to the exercises that are designed to develop fluency in the articulation of that scale and its modes. (These are also filmed using the same techniques of 2 cameras for left and right hand, and the 3rd video showing notation all together in sync.)

Some of these exercises address themselves to the development of rhythmic development, all the time staying in that chapter's particular scale and modes. In addition, in all chapters, I show the harmonic aspects of the scale, and its application to the guitar in its inherent scale tone chords. In this way the student begins to grasp the concept of understanding harmony, and its application on guitar.

From here we move to the actual demonstrations. For this purpose there is a 'virtual' band that I play with and the music the band plays is directly related to the exercises which preceded. Although 'virtual', the band consists of keyboards, bass, drums and percussion. I then play 2 demonstrations of real improvisation with the band. The 1st improvisation deals with the actual application of the exercises in an improvisational environment. The 2nd deals with the same application, but in a more advanced manner showing the student greater possibilities with similar material.

From here we go to the final aspect of each chapter. ANALYSIS

Here, I am filmed standing beside a large projection screen upon which is projected the musical notation of the advanced demonstration. I have a laser pointer which I use to pinpoint certain notes and groups of notes.

We then hear the music of the advanced demonstration while seeing the notation moving in sync. At certain points, I stop the music and speak about a particular phrase or group of notes, and its direct reference to the exercises which began at the chapter's beginning, and show what the student can do to apply in different ways the things he or she has learnt in studying the exercises.

Each chapter lasts between 12 to 15 minutes, and the 12 Chapters cover all aspects of development, and my way of mastering improvisation on guitar. They also cover detailed rhythmic and harmonic development, which is applicable to the different genres I specified in the target.

By the time the students have completed this course, they will have a complete grasp of harmony and rhythm, a very high level of improvisational ability, plus, the encouragement they need to become themselves in music.

This system of learning is completely new and has never been used until now. Of course, due to the amount of material covered in the DVD, and the attention to detail, the complete course will consist of 3 DVD's. If so desired, the complete notation scores from all chapters will be available as a PDF file download from our website.

Due to the inherent continuity of the course, it will only be available in the 3 DVD box set.  It should be ready for a spring 2004 release.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

I like it. How much? And where do I sign?

Mike

[Joe G]

Once it's out, it will probably be available from http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/. It will be a 3-dvd set. That's all I know.

[Uncle Skid]

John McLaughlin - This is the Way I do it (3 DVD Set)+Free Official John McLaughlin Shirt

Release Date : July 15, 2004

$185??? Ouch!

[7/4]

Thats nothing. John McLaughlin - The Montreux Concerts ( 17 cd Box set)

$230!!!

[Sundog]

$185??? Ouch!

That's a joke! And I Thought This Was Bad!

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Oh please - $185 for the McLaughlin 3-DVD set or $125 for the Lydian Chromatic Concept is not out of line for a resource that someone will use over and over again for years and years. I bought the new LCC as soon as it was available.

A single private lesson with a big time teacher can go for $150 or more. And what's the price of a 3-credit graduate course? How about the college textbook that goes with it?

Mike

[Uncle Skid]

Michael, while I agree with everything you said, I have a few comments:

1) $185 for an instructional DVD, regardless of the author, is simply well above the threshold of "what I would expect to pay". I realize that my expectations may have no basis in reality, but that price just seems excessive to me. I'd have no problem paying, say, under $100 for the 3 DVD set.

2) While Mclaughlin's talent as a guitarist is undeniable, his ability as a teacher is an unknown (to me, anyway). While the content of the DVD looks great, I have no idea whether or not the guy can teach. If this DVD had stellar reviews from other board members, I might reconsider the $185 price tag.

3) The comparative price of graduate college credit and textbooks is irrelevant. I have paid substantial amounts for graduate classes that had minimal value.

Honestly, if I knew without a doubt that I would use this DVD "over and over for years and years", $185 wouldn't be that big of a deal.

-- Mark

[Sundog]

A three DVD set for $185, $62 per disc? That's pretty steep, educational material or not. Hey, I'm a capitalist at heart so whatever the market will bear. Apparently, John's castle in the english countryside is in dire need of tuck pointing.

Also read recently that George Russell is still paying off college loans. So upon further reflection maybe the $125 is understandable.

[7/4]

I wouldn't mind checking it out. Maybe I'll sell a couple of gtr pedals I don't need.

[Joe G]

I'm pretty curious about it as well. I could use a new infusion of ideas. Of course, I'd have to buy a dvd player first.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Heck, you can buy a DVD player for less than the price of 1 of the McLaughlin discs.

Maybe a package deal would be more palatable - McLaughlin instructional DVDs - $250 (includes free T-shirt AND free DVD player).

Mike

[Joe G]

Not bad. Throw in a meditation seat cushion and you've got yourself a deal!

[DTMX]

My favorite John McLaughlin group line-up was the one that did Birds of Fire.

Band photo, left to right: Jerry Goodman, Jan Hammer, John McLaughlin, Rick Laird, Billy Cobham.

Edited June 27, 2004 by DTMX

[Sundog]

Maybe a package deal would be more palatable - McLaughlin instructional DVDs - $250 (includes free T-shirt AND free DVD player).

You got me. I'm a sucker for electronics! B)

[casanovas347]

i would buy it.....i need a new t-shirt! ...(j/k)

...mmh? 185$ is a lot....but when i read the content....it looks pretty cool and worthy.....

greeetz

paco

[7/4]

it's here...

[Michael Fitzgerald]

I'll probably pick it up within the next month or two.

Mike

[Uncle Skid]

AAJ Review

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Received this today - quick shipping, ordered on Wednesday.

Just skimming through disc 1 so far. Setup is very nice with the three views (RH, LH, notation).

Personality is good - it's obvious to me that John is not an experienced teacher, but he is working on presenting the information clearly. It doesn't feel intimidating or monotonous.

The presentation seems to be consistent - exposition, simple example, advanced example (where the real difference is he allows some typical McLaughlin bursts of 32nd notes as opposed to the simple version which is more eighths and 16ths), then some analysis - playing back the improvisation with a few comments, occasionally stopping the playback to mention a point, etc. Each chapter concludes with a "play-along" passage where the accompaniment is played without McLaughlin doing anything. The accompaniment sounds to me like computer sequencer stuff, not real instruments. Everything I've seen so far has been a fusion-funk kind of thing.

I see some problems with the notation - which I believe was generated directly from MIDI guitar input. For example, there is an exercise on the "So What" chord changes and when it hits E-flat dorian, what SHOULD happen is that the key signature should change to five flats and there should be no accidentals because all the playing is diatonic to the mode. However, what DOES happen is that the key signature of no sharps/no flats remains from D dorian and everything is written using accidentals. And what's worse is that the accidentals used aren't even the notes in the E-flat dorian mode. You see things like C-sharp instead of D-flat.

Techniques such as slides, pull-offs, etc. aren't notated very well - it shows just notes as if everything were perfectly picked - now, McLaughlin's picking is extraordinary, but he does not pick every note. But I think any decent guitarist will be able to see and hear where he is sliding, etc. Apparently there are more notation resources on the website. I haven't looked into that yet.

Even for beginners, the notation is very advanced with all kinds of syncopations and subdivisions. This is NOT something I would play for anyone who doesn't already have a very firm grasp on how to play. The drag is that the starting theory concepts ARE very rudimentary - playing the modes in thirds up and down, etc. We'll see how things progress.

McLaughlin uses some terminology in non-standard ways that might confuse players - the Harvard Brief Dictionary makes it very clear that a triad is a three-note chord that has a root, third, and fifth - each note a third away from the previous. However, McLaughlin talks about and plays "triads" as if the term means any three note structure - so C - G - D - that's a "triad in fifths" - at one point during the triad discussion he plays a C major seventh chord. Now, I understand where he's coming from and what his point is, but others might not.

I will post more on this when I watch more. I am glad that I bought it - it gives a lot of useful insight into McLaughlin's style and he's a musician for whom I have a lot of respect.

Mike

[Joe G]

Thanks, and please do post more. This is still in the back of my mind to order someday.

[GregN]

Not bad. Throw in a meditation seat cushion and you've got yourself a deal!

Joe,

I actually saw a DVD player for sale at the local grocery store for 39.00.

True story.

g

p.s. I would be interested in going in on that with you, to defray costs. The DVD that is. You can buy your own stinking DVD player.

[Joe G]

Mike - just wondering if you've delved further into the dvds...

[Joe G]

This was in my mailbox today, and I've watched the first couple of chapters. So far, I think it's pretty well laid out. I look forward to working with this a bit at a time. Kinda cracked me up when he laid down some of his wicked 32nd note runs as "exercises". Sure - no problem.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

I must have missed that earlier note. Apologies. I'd like to hear more of your impressions.

Mike