Product Details

• Actors: Keith Wyatt
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Hal Leonard Corp
• DVD Release Date: March 1, 2002
• Run Time: 225 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000639G8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,505 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #19 in Movies & TV > DVD > Performing Arts
  • #87 in Movies & TV > DVD > Special Interests

Editorial Reviews

By far the most comprehensive DVD ever offered for the beginner guitarist---well over 3 hours long! Over 50 Interactive Lessons!

Step-by-step lessons incorporating clear, easy-to-follow 3-D graphics and unique play-along tracks teach the viewer the essential chords, scales, and techniques used by acoustic guitar players in every popular style, including rock, blues and country. This DVD is separated into two major sections:

1)The First Step: tuning up · string names · essential chords and scales used by all players · music reference section (notes, rhythms, chords and scales) · practice tips · fretting-hand technique · picking-hand technique · backing tracks for play-along · animated 3-D fretboard graphics.

2)Play Acoustic!: rhythm technique (bare finger/thumb, bass/chord, fingerstyle, etc.) · soloing technique (chord embellishment, open-string chords, using a capo) · electrified acoustic · rock, blues and country styles · rhythm and solo technique in each style · backing tracks in each style for play-along · tips on caring for your instrument from the Fender Custom Shop.

Special DVD Features include: Bonus footage, including a Fender Factory Tour! Also: Web links, including a web site specifically designed for beginning guitarists · Multi-language feature so you can hear the DVD in English, Spanish, German, French, or Japanese.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

246 of 247 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best DVD for Beginners, August 4, 2004

By 

James LeMay (Lake Forest, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fender Presents: Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners (DVD)

This DVD has clear instruction, starts with the basics, gets a beginner launched correctly. No other DVD I've seen has looped backing tracks. The professional drums and bass (not midi imitations) allow you to play with a "band," and they loop, so you can work on a chord progression or solo technique over and over until you get it. I have tried the other DVDs - I unfortunately own them - and I can tell you that this one (and it's electric counterpart) are the most professional, effective, well-presented beginning guitar lessons available on DVD.

108 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done and worth buying, November 15, 2003

By 

Larry Kuttner "Lark" (Wonderful West Whately, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fender Presents: Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners (DVD)

This DVD, as well as the electric guitar version, are among the most well-produced and pleasant to watch videos on the subject (A lot of the other instructional videos I have seen are poorly produced and photographed). There is over three hours of material, much more than most videos. Keith Wyatt is an excellent instructor and communicator and I enjoy his presentations. While I agree with a previous reviewer that this video is no substitute for guitar method instruction, it is an excellent tool for getting new players started playing songs, and is much more fun than using typical guitar method books which include a lot of playing scales and the other not very enjoyable exercises. This DVD is well worth the price!

132 of 135 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Gets You Started!, March 28, 2005

By 

Classic Movie Mom "Kathy T" (Riverton, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fender Presents: Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners (DVD)

I am a guitar lover, and I play a little bit for fun. Before I bought this DVD, I knew about 25 chords, and I played rhythm guitar by ear. Not only was I looking for something to help me hone my skills, but I needed a beginning instructional DVD for my children. I play an Ibanez PF Acoustic-Electric, and my kids share a 3/4 Fender Acoustic. My 3 oldest children, were 14, 12, and 9 when they started using this DVD. They all play piano, and want to be able to keep up with me on the guitar.

This DVD got them off to a very good start. Keith Wyatt is an excellent teacher. His style is well-paced and clear. He covers a lot of little details without talking too much or overwhelming the student. He makes it look very easy, which can be frustrating, but anyone can apply his techniques with practice. He actually demonstrates most of the lessons on electric guitar, but it's all good. The first menu has a lesson on tuning, and gives the pitches for you to match.

He teaches basic chords and chord patterns in the easier keys. He also covers scales, strumming and rhythms, along with the simple use of power chords. There are practice tracks to play along with, and with the random access of DVD you can skip around to any lessons you like. There are also lessons in picking, fretting, and soloing. And he reviews all of these things in 3 genres - rock, blues, and country.

I have learned a lot new things from this DVD, and my children have a solid foundation of guitar basics and even a little music theory. I've gone about as far as this DVD can take me, and I'll be ready for something new before long. but my kids have only scratched the surface. As their hands grow and their coordination improves, they are getting great instruction and exploring avenues that were unavailable to me as a young guitarist.

I recommend "Getting Started..." to anyone looking to hone their guitar skills and fill in the gaps. I feel like I can play on a whole different level since I started using this DVD and practicing the techniques taught by Keith. Beginners won't need a level two DVD for at least a year if they really take this one seriously. It's a good investment, and while it won't turn you into John Mayer or B.B. King, it will really get you started!