Ready to take on Gilbert?

Hey guys im contemplating picking up the Intense Rock DVDs by Paul Gilbert and Im wondering if you guys think that an intermediate player like myself could learn anything from learning from such an advanced player. Especially since I know I cant come close to playing the licks as fast as he does but do you think it would improve my technique or whatever starting out extremely slow and working up?

In general do you think guys should learn at their current level such as intermediate paced dvds or should I shoot high and aim high and be prepared to go very slow until I get the clean and speed?

Hmmm.... I guess it depends on what you want to get out of it. If you want to be able to riffle off those lightning fast riffs like he does then if you spend the time and start SLOWWWWW you will get it at some point. Years and years ago I read about some dude named Steve Vai so I went out and bought a cassette of his (Alien Love Secrets) listened to it, had my mind blown and then went in search of the tab book for it. For me it was more about how he approached soloing and to be simple, the notes he was using. I was at that time under the impression that the only scale that existed was the minor pentatonic. In the end I didn't learn any songs and not to many riffs that can be applied in a multitude of songs or styles BUT I did get out of a rut that I didn't really know I was even in.

I have never checked out any of the Paul Gilbert stuff (just not my thing but I acknowledge his abilities). As I have stated in other similar threads, I am really really really reluctant on spending money on video/booklet lessons like these because they are usually more then just a few bucks and you don't really know what you are going to get. If you can check out some samples online/youtube etc.. and you think that it may impact your playing.... go for it. Learning absolutely anything in any style will only benefit you in the long run. Cheers.

. As I have stated in other similar threads, I am really really really reluctant on spending money on video/booklet lessons like these because they are usually more then just a few bucks and you don't really know what you are going to get. If you can check out some samples online/youtube etc.. and you think that it may impact your playing.... go for it. Learning absolutely anything in any style will only benefit you in the long run. Cheers.

Joel
If I told you that for just $25 you could buy something that would make your Tele sound anywhere between 20 and 200 percent better, and not only that, make your Strat and your friend's Les Paul sound better, I think you'd buy it. Me too. And the rest of our TDPRI friends, who spend hundreds of dollars on bridge plates and saddles and aftermarket pickups, would be lining up behind us.

Well that's what a decent DVD will do for you.

I think we're generally in agreement here about the value of education.
But let's discuss the price for a second.

Yes, we're in an age where there's lots of great stuff (and yes, lots of garbage too) for free on YouTube and elsewhere. That's great.

But when you compare a $25 DVD set to a $40 guitar lesson--which is still a bargain--it's pretty cheap. And a stone cold steal compared to a new bridge plate. (Which is a bargain compared to a psychiatrist, but I digress.)

The fact is that guys like Paul Gilbert need to make a living, and $25 for a DVD or CD package that'll help you play better forever on any guitar, is a good value. I admit that I don't know Gilbert's work either, so this is a general comment on the idea of paying for electronic lessons.

To the OP. I think there's something to be said for working on a few things at once. Some easy stuff that you'll get quickly, and some harder stuff that raises the bar. And as far as speed, you've got to take a double pronged approach. Play it slowly and perfectly. And then once you can do that, you need to push yourself--and your metronome--a little knowing that you'll likely crash and burn. You learn to play by playing slowly. You learn to play fast by playing fast.
So do both.

Thats the best advice I have recieved in a long time. Thank you both.

Starting slow is really the best advice. Work on being clean and efficient with very little extra movement (e.g. don't let your left pinky fly all over the place, keep it just above the the strings.)

Slow = smooth, smooth = fast. The speed will come naturally.

I have his "Get out of My Yard" DVD.

Even though I'm not too into shred, it did help me develop some better technique. It was a little intimidating when I first bought it a few years back, totally different approach to guitar than what I had, but over time I started to improve with it, and the stuff Gilbert was playing went from being--"that's just downright impossible" to "OK, so that's what he's doing".

I'm still not 'there' yet, but I'll have this DVD for years to come. So for that it's well worth it.

@ allen st. john. Yup I 100% agree. If $25 was the case... I would do it in a heart beat. As I stated, I have not looked into the Paul Gilbert stuff. If it is around this price then do it. Were my reluctance lies is paying for something, trying it and thinking it was a waste of money. The last time I expressed my opinion on a thread like this, I had borrowed a set from a friend (which I had just about ordered) only to find it was basically a complete waste of time (for me). Had I ordered it, coupled with the fact that I live in Canada, I would have tossed out over $100. I'm not rich.

$25 on something that you can go through at your own pace when it's convenient and actually learn something.... worth every penny. Cheers.

P.S. Between the Steve Vai cassette and tab book I prob spent around $30 and it was well worth it.

Netflix has some of Paul's DVDs....

http://www.netflix.com/WiSearch?oq=&v1=paul+gilbert

yeah price is always a huge factor for me as well. In the past wth other dvds I would start out all pumped up and ready to go and then five minutes into it I find myself watching the dvd more than learning from it. I just love seeing people play that have such a deep understanding of the instrument. But right now the Intense Rock 1&2 dvds are on sale together as a collection for 15 dollars on MF so for that if I can walk away with any new knowledge it will be well worth it.

ARThriller, Paul Gilbert is probably my favorite guitarist out there. He IS a great teacher as well. Let me tell you what I think the value of Intense Rock 1 & 2 (At $15 one of the best deals out there) is. In the first DVD Paul goes into the 3-note-per-string diatonic scales. He shows you the patterns and a few great sequences for running them. This is worth the entire price of admission and invaluable to your development as a player. From this imformation I guarantee that you (with practice) will improve your picking, fretboard knowledge, knowledge of modes, speed, technique, etc. You will become a better player ... period.

I took lessons from a good teacher over twenty years ago. He recommended the VHS to me. I don't know I may have been turned off by the hair, but I didn't buy it. Had I purchased it, I know that I would be such a better player today. You can immediately become a better player by simply adding some of the diatonic runs to your already made licks and riffs! He shows you tons of licks that have become part and parcel of a well rounded guitar player's must know repertoire.

I can't recommend this DVD enough. It has and continues to make me a better player. Paul has a friendly (sort of self depreciating) childlike attitude about him that makes him a great easy to understand teacher. Get the DVD you WILL be glad you did. Good luck.

Netflix has some of Paul's DVDs....

http://www.netflix.com/WiSearch?oq=&v1=paul+gilbert

I was about to cancel netflix - I mostly stream, and the I find the selection disappointing - but I just added like 20 instructional dvds to my queue. They owe you a commission hombre! Thanks for the tip, I would have never even thought to check.

FWIW, and that's not much, I think PG is one of the better dvd instructors. I like his style and attitude too. Thumbs up!

For a while, people thought Gilbert was Buckethead.