DVD - Learning To Flatpick

Product Details

On DVD #1, "From the Beginning," youll learn a variety of essential flatpicking skills: proper pick grip, down-up strokes, rhythmic strumming and song accompaniment. Only a few minutes into the first lesson youll be starting to pick easy versions of well-known fiddle tunes.

By DVD #2, " Building Bluegrass Technique," youll have built a "runs vocabulary" and learned to cross pick, move up the neck, play bass runs and construct hot bluegrass solos.

DVD #3, "Developing Speed and Style," covers the finer points of style, using slides, arpeggios, bends, accents, intros and endings, and that most challenging of subjects, building up speed.

A patient and encouraging instructor, Steve pushes you forward while allowing you to advance at your own pace. He helps you develop a solid repertoire of classic tunes, including "Liberty," "Salt Creek," "Blackberry Blossom," "Ragtime Annie," "Clarinet Polka," "Home Sweet Home," "Cripple Creek," "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane," "Wildwood Flower," "Wayfaring Stranger," "Eighth of January" and "Bully of the Town."

Product Reviews

(5 stars) - Wow
This product is great, but comes with an awful amount of homework. the beginner stuff on this is more like intermediate, but i like a good challenge! steve is a good teacher

(5 stars) - A Great Way to Develop as a Beginner
If you are getting stuck for things to play as a beginner - you know; too many old traditional (no copyright) songs and too many exercises - well Steve Kaufman's set is a great way to develop your picking and left hand speed. You'll start very slowly and should be able to start doing these DVD songs after starting to play the guitar for about 10 weeks - assuming you are doing about 30 minutes practice a day. These DVDs will get you using your right hand picking much better, more accurately and faster. You'll learn how to do alternate stroke picking very well. Your right hand will get to play simple and then better chords for accompanyment tracks, then single note melody lines and faster single note fingerwork.

If you're learning on a steel string acoustic, these DVDs will show you other ways to play the instrument and get you away from simple stumming along to songs and desperately trying to make your guitar sound like the electic guitar you really wanted to play. Bluegrass Flatpicking is a great way to get the best from your acoustic steel strung guitar and you'll learn some solo pieces you'll be proud to show off to anyone. And there's a huge library of flatpicking material out there if you really get into it and want to learn more.

These DVDs are a great way to start and there's a Mel Bay Flatpicking book by Steve that would go well with the DVDs. Mel Bay Complete Flatpicking Guitar Book

(5 stars) - Wonderful intro to bluegrass flatpicking
I couldn't be more pleased with this DVD set. Steve is a very competent instructor who introduces flatpicking guitar at a pace that is neither too fast nor too slow. He makes you feel as though you are sitting in a room with him enjoying private lessons. The DVD set does assume some knowledge of basic chords and strumming technique, but Steve begins very slowly, addressing fundamental issues that are absent in other instructional sets.

Thanks to Homespun, the format is clear and accessible. Unlike other sets that are presented more like reference books, Steve's DVDs focus on helping you use specific techniques in well-known bluegrass songs. Instead of having you work through boring drills and exercises, he helps you work through short songs that gradually increase in difficulty. Most songs are presented first in a stripped-down version at a slow pace and then dressed up into something a little more challenging and fun.

I've had a lot of fun with this set and have already seen my skills improve in the month I have been working through the DVDs. I will certainly be investing in more tools by Steve that carry the Homespun label.

(5 stars) - High Quality Instruction From A Great Picker
I was a guitar "strummer" for several years, and decided to learn more about picking the lead parts. This DVD set is right on the money. The production quality is great. Steve has a very pleasant personality, and I feel like I am setting in a room with a real instructor. His playing ability is top notch. He takes you through each of the tunes at varying speeds so most anyone can keep up and also feel challenged. At the end of each DVD he plays one of the tunes freestyle where he really opens up and shows why he has won national flatpicking championships. I would give this review 6 stars if possible. I would recommend that you have a little experience under your belt for this one, but he does offer some basic advice along the way. I have learned a ton of good stuff, and have already ordered more of Steve's products. Excellent!!

(5 stars) - DVD - Learning To Flatpick
I am very happy with the quality and content of the Learning to Flatpick DVD set. Steve Kaufman does an excellent job of leading the viewer through the various techniques introduced in the lessons. If your interested in the bluegrass flatpicking style, then you will not be dissapointed with this set of lessons.

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