One of three new jazz fingerstyle guitar instructions taught by virtuoso Duck Baker, Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar: Bop to Modern takes viewers through seven jazz tunes, including Thelonius Monk's "Blue Monk," Sonny Rollins' "St. Thomas," Dollar Brand's "Tintiyana," and Charles Mingus' "Mr. Jelly Roll Soul." Each song is taught section-by-section, and includes a split-screen rendition showing both the right and left hand movements. As in previous entries like Celtic Airs, Jigs, Reels & Hornpipes and Guitar Aerobics (both reviewed in our March 1993 issue), Baker proves himself to be both an adept instructor and a willing storyteller of choice anecdotes drawn from the popular music history. The other two titles in the series are Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar: Swing to Bop and Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar: Improvisation. Excellent guitar instruction for intermediate to advanced players.The Jazz Tinge, featuring John Renbourn (whose lovely concert video John Renbourn In Concert was reviewed in our February 1993 issue) takes viewers through five jazz pieces, including Renbourn's own "Buffalo" and "My Dear Boy," as well as Abdullah Ibrahim's bouncy "Cherry." The tape uses the same format as the Baker series, although Renbourn (who uses pieces of ping pong balls glued to the inside of his fingernails for picking) often seems uncomfortable teaching. Again, the audience here is intermediate to advanced players.Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar: Bop to Modern is highly recommended. The Jazz Tinge is recommended. (R. Pitman)
Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar: Bop To Modern; The Jazz Tinge
(1993) 75 min. $49.95 (tablature booklet included). Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 1
Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar: Bop To Modern; The Jazz Tinge
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