Product Details

• Actors: Tony Rice
• Format: Closed-captioned, 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: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Homespun Tapes
• DVD Release Date: April 30, 2002
• Run Time: 140 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008G694
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,377 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Actor

Tony plays and breaks down some relatively easy songs, including "The Last Thing on My Mind," "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" and "Wildwood Flower," showing how these country-folk standards can evolve from basic Carter Family style to an arrangement utilizing Tony’s unique embellishments. You’ll see, up close, the details of his right hand technique – his fluidity of motion and how he holds the pick, adjusting its angle to give him his trademark cross-picking sound.

Clarence White was Tony’s first major influence, and he relates how his own sound was derived from the rhythm patterns and licks of his early idol. He slows down astonishing solos they each played on "Nine Pound Hammer,"and describes the scales he uses for his improvisations both in basic G position and up the neck. Tony also discusses Doc Watson’s powerful role in his musical development, launching into an exploration of fiddle tunes "Stony Lonesome" and "Billy in the Lowground."

Tony Rice’s uniquely beautiful ballad arrangements of "Shenandoah" and "Danny Boy" (both in dropped D tuning) combine chord-melody style, improvised scales, the use of harmonics and other lyrical techniques that will give you endless pleasure in guitar exploration. Wyatt Rice then joins his brother in a demonstration of how to play minor key tunes "Little Sadie" and "Jerusalem Ridge." Finally, Tony uses "Salt Creek" to demonstrate his highly regarded back up technique, with Wyatt playing lead. The brothers then go out with a version of the classic "I Am a Pilgrim" to finish the set.

Product Description

In a wide-ranging and detailed session, Tony Rice demonstrates his world-famous technique, gives invaluable advice, analyzes some of his best-known pieces and discusses his style, influences, guitars and favorite players. This exceptionally rich two-part set is filled with fascinating conversation and the amazing playing we’ve all come to expect from this master picker. Tony has geared this lesson so that aspiring players at all levels can learn important techniques and benefit from his vast musical experience.

You’ll gain insights into important elements, such as Tony’s method for getting his guitar in tune, how he warms up for a show, the correct way to put on a capo, proper left hand fretting technique, advice about speed and dexterity, the secrets of Tony’s guitar micing and how he plays some of his signature licks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimidating, but good, March 30, 2003

By	"ohiowhit" (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This is an excellent DVD, but there are a few minor negatives. Compared to his earlier VHS "lesson," (An Intimate Lesson w/TR) this one was more difficult for me to follow because Tony isn't talking to you, the viewer. He's talking to Happy Traum. This makes it a little more difficult to match with the tablature because Tony will do a variation after Happy asks a question. The older VHS is straight forward - we're going to learn this one now. This new DVD really is like sitting in on two musicians playing around but not noticing you're there. The pieces are more difficult than the older video as well - I find myself very intimidated by how fast and clean he plays these more complex tunes - but that may be because I haven't learned them yet!!! Other than those nitpicks, it's always great to get a closeup view of just what in the world Tony's doing, hear stories, listen to that amazing old Martin and his very impressive newer Santa Cruz. And the ability to slow forward and easily rewind the DVD is magnificent. The selection of tunes is very good, the audio quality is excellent and the camera work is very good. Now if I could just get Tony to come to my house and teach me this stuff . . .

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Stuff, March 18, 2003

By	A. Torres (Tampa, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This dvd is a great buy. It is priceless,really. You feel you are in Tony's living room, hanging out. The tab is good too. He talks about his technique, equipment, and feelings behind what he plays. He breaks down several songs, including Little Sadie and Jeruslem Ridge. Well worth the price of a couple of lessons.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Tony Fans., January 18, 2008

By	Earl S. Cobb "Guitar repairman/teacher" (Richland, Ga) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Tony is a living legend in the bluegrass world. I wouldn't recommend this DVD for those who actually want to learn Tony's work, he doesn't go deep enough into it for the average guitar player to pick up a whole lot. But just watching him play in a living room type setting and explain certain concepts is well worth the price.