The Bottom Line
Good instructional DVD for fans of Ford, or intermediate guitarists who want a new perspective on playing blues guitar. Not an appropriate DVD for guitarists looking to learn the basics of the blues
Pros
- Robben explains his favorite blues licks in detail
- additional DVD content is mostly insightful
- accompanying booklet includes tab of solos
Cons
- video pacing is probably too erratic for novices
- "how to get a good sound" extra is a waste of time
Description
- Focus throughout is providing supplemental blues ideas for guitarists who already know the basics
- Includes common chord voicings for standard blues changes, that can spice up your rhythm guitar work
- An interesting segment on harmonizing mixolydian scales in sixths, and using them in your solos
- DVD extras include a Robben Ford interview, as well as several Ford songs performed live
Guide Review - Robben Ford - Playin' the Blues
There are countless ways for guitarists to tackle the blues... some choose an analytical approach, while others try to put as much emotion into the music as possible. Guitarist Robben Ford seems to have found a happy middle-ground, which he tries to teach viewers to accomplish in Playin' the Blues.
Ford walks guitarists through some basics of blues guitar, and provides some insight (including use of a modified minor pentatonic scale, which substitutes a sixth for the flattened seventh). Ford outlines his unique left hand technique, bending ideas, and much more in this 60 minute DVD. Although perhaps not the best choice for a novice's first blues guitar instructional DVD, fans of Robben Ford will find much to like about Playin' the Blues.
