Customer Reviews

George Benson: The Art of Jazz Guitar

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

this DVD is more like an intimate profile of George Benson as a solo jazz guitarist & as a veteran musician than a lesson... yet the video reveals just what an amazing guitarist / entertainer he is- without anyone playing with him... it makes me want Benson to do a solo CD featuring this aspect of his playing as he is simply phenomenal as a solo guitarist !!! whether he plays a Ramirez nylon string cutaway or his trademark Ibanez Benson model jazz guitar as he does in this video- he exhibits an awesome mastery of improvisation & Wes Mongomery-styled techniques of picking with his thumb & use of octaves as well as his unique ability to mirror whatever he sings with what he plays... simply awesome talent [without all the "bells 'n' whistles" of his band] demonstrating as simply as he can how he plays & how he feels the music that is his legacy... i think there are much better instructional videos to watch to learn jazz guitar technique BUT this intimate portrayl of George Benson's guitar playing & personality is a real gift of insight to any guitarist who appreciates grrreat jazz guitar & the overall talent of this stellar individual's charismatic personality... so, after watching this DVD, i am looking forward to a solo guitar CD from maestro Benson to take what he touches on to it's logical conclusion that will fully give to his listening audience what this product promises... a wonder-full finished product of jazz standards & his own creations that reveals what this guitarist is capable of alone without the distraction of other musicians- PLEASE GEORGE !!! GIVE US A SOLO CD !!! uhhh, make that a double... lol !!!!!!!!!!

first of all i'm a big fan of benson. he's one of the greatest guitar players/musicians of our time. it's always good to hear benson talk about music and listen to him play, and that's exactly what you'll get from this video. the video is done in his house and he's very relaxed. this will offer you something different from his other live performance videos. i have to emphasize that it's NOT an instructional video although he touches on a few harmony ideas very quick.

now, i need to make some complaints about the production of this video. benson is a master musician, not an instructor or video producer. it was hot licks' job to first set the purpose of this video, carefully plan and execute it. although it is always good to see benson, i really didn't get much out of this video either in instructional or general info category. also, the overall sound/mixing of this video is marginal. for example, the guitar sounds thin and is not loud enough--they could've done better job mic'ing/mixing his guitar.

if you're a casual fan of benson, or a guitar student wanting to get some practical advice or guitar instruction, you can safely avoid this one.

This DVD was recorded 2005 at Bensons home in a very relaxed atmosphere..and I agree with the othere reviewers..it is not a pure instructional DVD. Benson plays whatever comes up in his mind there is no real " agenda" that he follows....but it does not matter at all....to me it is x mas time just sitting watching this legend play..he can do anything on the guitar.
I know that there is some guys out there that are on equal level to Benson technically,,but I doubt that there is anyone that can play the guitar at this level with that GROOVE he has..it is just stunning.
As I am jazzguitarist myself my first thought was to just hang up the guitar and stop playing....but best thing is of course to let Benson inspire you .... anyway,,it will take some time before another player of Benson caliber will appear again

What George talks about, and shows, is how to find sounds. There are no licks to copy, no scales to run, but it's excellent in showing how a musician finds sounds. The rest is up to you. And George is a hell of a nice guy and loves the guitar, and music, and that comes shining out. This will not teach you how to play, but will get you thinking. For intermediate++ players and Benson fans in general.

I am very excited to let all of my fellow musicians know that this product is simply awesome! Before making my purchase, I read some of the reviews. Many were suprisingly very harsh, disrespecting, and critical of George and his aproach to his presentation. This is not guitar and theory 101, but George is getting some very valauble information to players who want to continue to grow and achieve. This DVD also has a slow-mo feature so that you can see in more detail some of Benson's unique techniques. My DVD player has a loop feature that combines into a very powerful learning tool that I would recomend to any accomplished player who is working to improve skills in jazz guitar.

Benson is a jaw-droppingly great guitarist on his records. Sadly, on this Hot Licks DVD, he noodles around for 90 minutes on two out-of-tune and toneless guitars without explaining what he is doing and why. As another reviewer wrote, some talented people are not necessarily good teachers. For excellent instruction, I recommend the DVDs by Joe Pass and Danny Gatton.

Ignore the five-star reviews from fanboys: this video is almost devoid of educational value. I bet the way it happened was as follows: the producer phoned George and said, George, would you mind if we borrowed your body for an hour or so? And we'll tape it move lips and hands, and a horde of fanboys will buy it, so we'll make some dough w/o exerting ourselves, and naturally, we'll toss some of it your way, 'cause after all the only reason fanboys will buy this piece of garbage we're concoctin here is 'cause you're featured in it.

Otoh, it's nice to see Benson. He's a nice guy and I love his playing. If you know what he's doing (i.e., you're not a beginner), you'll get something (though chances are it won't be new to you). If you don't know what he's doing, you won't learn a thing 'cause no one on this tape explains what George is doing; it's looks like a completely extemporised interview. There's a slowdown option though; this might be mildly helpful to some.

I totally agree with the reviewers here saying teaching is a separate skill, and moreover, making instructional materials involves thinking and working out a methodologically sound plan of the lessons, all of it done with the student in mind. None of it here. Two stars rather than one 'cause it's nice to see Benson walk around, move hands, talk, smile, play detuned guitar, etc. Like I said, we love you George, and even though you phoned this in, we still do. The studio is untrustworthy though; they don't deserve our money (me, I rented this from this red-envelope company; I won't be buying it like I bought the similar Bruno, Pass, and Johnson videos).

This is a great video from a great musician. Too often, music is over analyzed. This is not the case with this video. All one need do is bring ears and eyes for one of the best ways to learn jazz guitar.

This is a wonderful dvd. I have always been intriged by George Benson (the person and his view point with reference to the guitar). If you are expecting the usual instructional footage, think twice about getting this dvd, also the dvd would not suit beginners, its geared to intermediate and advanced players. I have most of the jazz guitar dvds out there, but this one is the best for me. Gearge simply sits down and plays and lets you in on the person that makes him such a wonderful entertainer. I learnt soo much from this lesson, he also has a great sense of humor. I started watching this dvd with guitar in hand, but a few minutes in, I forgot about the guitar and just absorbed the lesson. There is a lot in there to learn from, if you are the type that does not need to be shown stuff. You need to sit and pick out from this lesson what you want. Theres no denying Benson's mastery of the instrument. He is a beautiful person too. He is a natural entertainer. You can invite your family and friends to watch this dvd with you.
This type of dvd works for me, but it might not be everybody's cup of tea, cause if you are expecting to be hand held, or specific instructions, this dvd is not for you.
I concur with the other reviewer, and i wish all intruction dvds were like this one.
Thank you Hot Licks for putting this out (kudos to you).
I was disappointed though that you did not take the time out to put down the complete exercises in the booklet, i find myself trying to learn the rest from the dvd, well maybe thats a good thing.
Once again folks, George is a living legend, a must dvd for the serious player.
I had no choice but to put five stars, this dvd is easily ten stars, its off the chart.

If want to see a great guitarist noodle in what is essentially an in home jam session then this is the DVD for you. If you want to learn jazz guitar you might as well take the case it comes in and put strings on it. There is no real content here related to teaching jazz at all (he does his version of "Danny Boy" for God's sake!)