Customer Reviews

Bossa Nova Guitar Licksamples

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For several years I've been trying to learn Brazilian guitar on my own, with very mixed results. I've struggled with other books and videos, which I've found overly-complicated or, in the case of chords and chord progressions, frankly misleading. Well, this DVD is different. In slow, deliberate fashion, Brazilian jazz master Romero Lubambo demonstrates a series of ascending and descending chord sequences that, I guarantee, will have newbies slapping their heads and muttering "so that's how it's done." He doesn't solo or demonstrate entire songs, except for a couple of performances with members of his renowned Trio da Paz, and with his vocalist wife Pamela Driggs. So advanced guitarists looking to learn the bossa nova repertoire won't get as much out of this DVD as those simply trying to understand the basics of the genre. And that leads me to my one quibble with the DVD. The accompanying booklet includes helpful transcriptions of the lessons by members of the Japanese team that produced the DVD. But why couldn't they include a CHORD CHART!?! Bossa nova chords are voiced very differently from American jazz chords and it would have been extremely helpful to learn the chords first, before watching the DVD. Oh well, this is still a terrific DVD for guitarists who want to penetrate the mysteries of this beautiful music. Thank you, Mr. Lubambo!

Man, I really liked this DVD. It was my springboard into Bossa Nova guitar. The DVD gives you plenty of material for practicing Bossa Nova technique. Some are what the author called "rhythmic," while others are "harmonic," and the remaining ones have a bit of a melody included in them. Also there is an accurate little tab book included to help you get the chords right.

I started using the DVD after I had been playing guitar for around two years or so. It not only taught me Bossa Nova, but also helped me with my chord work and progressions. Up to that point, I had been studying primarily single-note songs, mainly Rock, Blues, and Jazz lead work.

He starts out with several progressions, and then teaches you different rhythm patterns to play them to. Most of the songs are slow to moderately fast, but some are very busy and fast. Also, the instructor, who was very clear and communicated well by the way, gives you some patterns that approximate the style of several Bossa Nova guitar greats. It shows just how complex and difficult this stuff can get, if you want to push it!

For those wanting to concetrate only on Bossa Nova Guitar, this DVD could really occupy your time. The bonus performances were also great, and one could transcribe the songs by starting and stopping the DVD and writing down the notes. The camera shots are very clear, and during demonstrations, shows both hands. The left hand is shown on the main screen with the right hand being an inset image in the upper left corner.

The only thing missing for me was more instruction on the arpeggios and single note lead runs that he laced into the Bossa Nova rhythms during his performances. But many would argue that that is a course in an of itself!

If you are new to Bossa Nova, this DVD will really get you going, and give you a solid foundation. I don't think you will be disappointed!

This is a wonderful dvd. The playing and songs are beautiful. I'd just like to clear up that there are no licks covered on the dvd- even though it says "lick samples." This is strictly chords and progressions.

Can't say enough good things about this instructional DVD. Mr Lubambo is very likeable as instructor, and the lessons progress at a challenging, but not impossible rate from basic to fairly advanced. If you are a guitarist who has gotten in a bit of a rut with the ordinary type chords and progressions this is a great way to expand your horizons . Learning the context for many of the chords is another benefit. A great way to get the basics of a beautiful and melodic musical style.