Customer Reviews

Guitar Method: In the Style of ZZ Top

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This DVD shows you all of La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago, along with Waiting for the Bus and portions of other songs. Curt focuses on the harder-to-figure out stuff in most cases (Check his Van Halen DVD).

I don't think these DVDs promise complete songs, but techniques instead. Basic chord progression can be found on the web at free tab sites. Also, for the money, he gives a fair amount of info regarding technique, sounds, equipment, and licks. These CDs complement other sources and are for more intermediate players. I own several, have found them useful, and would recommend them, while keeping the above information in mind. Rock On!

If you are fond of poor quality talking head videos, this DVD video is for you. If not, move on and find something better. All in all this was a disappointing video purchase. The quality of the video is not great and looks like it was a remastered from VHS video tape.

As the title infers, the video purports to teach techniques that will allow you to play in "the style" of ZZ Top not actual ZZ Top songs. The video covers the following content:
Basic Amp and Effect Settings
Blues Scale and how to Play Slide
Finger Picking
Pinched Harmonics
Play Along Rhythm Track
Basic Riff Examples
Printable Tab for the Exercises (in PDF format printable from your computer DVD drive.

This 60 min. video is done in 'talking head' format with Curt Mitchell talking about the basic style and techniques used by the Most Rev. Billy Gibbons of ZZ top. He demonstrates a number of the basic riff techniques used in the songs at full and slow speed:
Le Grange, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Heard it on X, Tush and Waitin' for the Bus. Note that he covers riffs similar to those used in the songs-and does not analyze the full songs.

Sorry folks. Unless you are an absolute beginner there's not much to be gained from this video. The video is organized as a series of 30 or so little sections that describe a style of riff. If you are expecting a cohesive discussion of the songs listed above, this won't work for you. If you're a dedicated fan of ZZ Top and play guitar you will have picked up all this information and the techniques described elseware. The ZZ TOP/Billy Gibbons Signature Licks book by Hal Leonard provides 10x more information and instruction than this video. Save your money and see them in concert--you'll learn a lot more.

Wow, beyond terrible. By FAR the worst video I've ever seen. If you can't read tabs and/or have never heard ZZ Top then you should buy this. It is just the major riffs taught in a very annoying way. Almost no lead work. I didn't see any section with amp settings or any setup stuff. It seems very amatuer but the guy is sitting in front of $20,000 of gear. Terrible though.

there are 2 van halen dvds, in the style of collection. most guitarist do what they can to mimic the riffs created. by using the dvd you can see axactly how its done loop it watch it and play along till you master the cords,riffs,hammerdowns and pullups. by far the 1st van halen dvd is the best. ive never learned so much so fast. its a grat help to me and im sure others will fing it a great tool beyond a beginners book. it will inspire many to experment and create their own style and material. good luck frostie(bass) group"gangsters" city/state jax fla