Guitar Video Reviews

Novices often find jazz music to be an extremely intimidating and difficult style of music to approach. There are so many chords, so many extra notes, and so many things going on, many people find it overwhelming. Legendary jazz guitarist Herb Ellis knows this, and has put together an inspired instrucional video for REH Video that will surely provide jazz guitar novices/intermediates with an approachable introduction into this difficult style of music.
Ellis devotes a significant portion of this excellent instructional video's running time to a simple three chord blues. Ellis breaks down the progression, one chord at a time, and explains how he would approach improvising on that chord. Much of Ellis' concept is rather simple; visualize different voicings for each chord, then improvise 'off of' those chord voicings. Ellis does a good job of explaining this further, and an accompanying tablature booklet will provide the eager guitarist with a means of figuring out exactly what Ellis is playing.

Trading Fours

A really enjoyable feature of the video is the interactive element. In several segments, Ellis plays a four bar solo (with an accompanying rhythm guitarist), then pauses, allowing the viewer four bars to improvise. This is designed to inspire the guitarist playing along with the video to solo in a different manner than he/she normally would. It also gives more seasoned jazz guitarists an opportunity to "play with" a living legend of jazz guitar.

Technique

Although not specifically known as a guitarist with virtuosic speed, Ellis does show off some "monster chops" throughout the video, with some impressive double time playing. Those eager to find some insight into how Ellis plays technically will be pleased. The guitarist spends time discussing how he holds a pick (and how others should NOT hold one), several picking exercises, plus his pull-off and hammer-on techniques. Ellis also gets into detail on pick gauge, how to effectively set your pick-ups, how to find a good amp tone, and more.

What a Jam Track!

Jazz fans will also be very pleased to find that another jazz legend, bassist Ray Brown, accompanies Herb Ellis on various parts of the video. Brown and Ellis made up two thirds of the Oscar Peterson trio for decades, and still work with the pianist to this day. Unfortunately, REH Video didn't realize they had a second legend on their hands, and Ray Brown isn't even shown onscreen. Nonetheless, the two have several great moments together, and jazz afficianados can take pleasure in simply sitting back and listening.

Not Chump Change

Retailing at $49.95, this hour long video isn't a bargain. Despite the somewhat bulky price, hoewever, there is a lot of content covered in Swing Jazz - Soloing and Comping, and if you consider that it could be a great gateway into learning jazz guitar, the price becomes much less significant. If you're a fan of old "school jazz" guitarists, and think you could use some help with your jazz playing, this video comes highly recommended. Ellis won't clobber you over the head with theory and rules.. he instead makes jazz a highly approachable genre, that won't seem as daunting as it may before you watch the video. Definitely a good entry in the REH Video catalogue.

Buy Swing Jazz - Soloing and Comping at MusicBookStore.com

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