A guest post by Jenn at Random Chatter Music
Intense Rock I begins with some credits, behind which, a young, fluffy-haired Paul Gilbert, wearing a sleeveless “I learned to play the guitar” t-shirt and playing a pink, whammy bar-equipped Ibanez, proceeds to melt the eardrums and face of anyone within “safe viewing distance”.
This guitar interlude, PowerTabbed here by Liquidy Licks here, lasts about 2 minutes, and then we get down to business. Gilbert spends about thirty seconds telling us about his beginnings as a guitar player, tunes up, and then jumps right in to probably the technique he’s best-known for: alternate picking.
Intense Rock I focuses strongly on picking. Exercises with interesting variations are presented and TAB with picking dynamics is shown on the lower half of the screen. As Gilbert plays each variation, he dispenses many tips and hints.
One thing that is refreshing about this video is that it’s unscripted. Gilbert explains each technique and concept very naturally. He may be following an outline off screen but each encouragement, and each smile are spontaneous and genuine. This gives the video a very personal touch. The “guitar tricks”, including the Makita pick-drill, also add some humor to the video.
Another item that viewers will appreciate about this DVD is Gilbert’s ability to play each example at a slowed down tempo. The exercises are not shown once slowly and then blazed through ten times. Gilbert takes the time to explain each example, giving viewers advice on keeping things within a shape or key, telling them his rationale behind a picking sequence and then finally he speeds it up, to somewhere near warp speed.
Something I noticed is how clearly each lick is explained. Even if one turns off their computer monitor and listen to the DVD, they will glean helpful playing tips and be able to replicate most of the exercises, as Gilbert verbally presents the key, the notes and some of the pick mechanics as he plays.
There aren’t sharp cut-offs between topics, with the exception of the sections titled Picking, Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs, and Arpeggio Techniques, which divides the video into right and left hand work and combining techniques. This video flows conversationally and naturally.
There is no audible metronome, and Gilbert never says “you should play this lick this fast.” The full speed at which he executes some of these licks is mind blowing. He’s not telling fellow guitarists to play everything as fast as possible – he is more subtle then that. This video is hailed as one of the finest “shred” instructional resources out there – but there is so much more to offer, especially since this isn’t explicitly supposed to be “for metal” or “for shred”.
It’s simply intense rock. There is a decided focus on speed, but if one really delves into this, they will get so much more out of it then an appreciation for fast fingers or economy of motion. Besides teaching a variety of ways to coax notes from the guitar, for example hammer-ons, pull-offs, alternate picking, sweep picking, and even tap-sliding, some of these exercises will help viewers to build accuracy. Other exercises will build coordination, and still others will help with phrasing issues.
One thing to keep in mind is the context. This is an instructional video, made by Gilbert when he was fairly fresh out of GIT, now called MI, which apparently taught it’s students a lot of scalar work. Many items in this video are built on scales, or they basically run up and down scales. This is not a representation of how Gilbert actually plays music – these are teaching tools meant to help students become more proficient players. Variations of these building blocks or sequences can be used in actual music.
In order to get the most out of Intense Rock I, some background in music is very helpful. A basic knowledge of music theory, a familiarity with musical ’shapes’ (as they are applied to the fretboard), by-heart memorization of the guitar string names, basic facility in picking, and knowing most root notes in various keys is assumed.
The only things that Gilbert seems to gloss over in these videos are all items which he’s really drilled into his students in face-to-face lessons or clinics. These include, paying very careful attention to eliminating string noise (i.e. muting), making sure to practice a lot, and paying very careful attention to rhythm. Keeping those errata in mind, one will really excel if they apply themselves to learning from these videos.
Packaged in 100% recyclable polypropylene, this more eco-friendly DVD product by Alfred Publishing’s Artist Series, contains small bonus clips from other artists as well. These items further expand on Gilbert’s teachings. It truly is a “the more you know” feature.
The bottom line is this man is teaching viewers from years of hands-on, real-life guitar playing and guitar teaching experience. These lessons really will help viewers. If you are serious about improving your technique, buy this DVD. You can watch this all-killer, no-filler DVD many times. I got it as a gift and I truly appreciate it. Paul Gilbert’s practical knowledge, presented in simple language, is a gift to us all.
Links
Intense Rock, Vol. 1 and 2 on Amazon
