Product Details

• Actors: Roger McGuinn
• Directors: Happy Traum
• 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: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Hal Leonard
• DVD Release Date: February 11, 2003
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008JUHB
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,751 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Roger McGuinn brings his love of folk guitar to novice and intermediate players, providing a solid repertoire of classic songs as well as the basic techniques needed to play them. Putting his trademark 12-string guitar aside, he uses a six-string acoustic to show you the chord progressions, bass runs, and special licks that make his arrangements distinctive. You’ll be able to use either standard fingerpicking or Roger’s flatpick-and-fingers approach to make these songs come to life.

The sea chanteys, ballads, blues, spirituals and cowboy songs you’ll be learning are part of the backbone of the American folk music tradition, and they are great fun to learn and sing. You’ll also be playing McGuinn originals such as "Gate of Horn," "May the Road Rise to Meet You," and the Byrds’ hit, "Chestnut Mare," which Roger demonstrates on his Martin 12-string for a more authentic Byrds sound.

By the end of this lesson you’ll be playing these great classic folk songs: "Off to Sea Once More," "Buffalo Skinners," "Spanish is the Loving Tongue," "The Water is Wide," "East Virginia," "Delia’s Gone," "Wayfaring Stranger," "All My Trials" and "Long Time Man."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dishonest title, not for beginners at all !, June 20, 2004

By	D.B. Satzine "Practitioner" (Raleigh NC USA) - See all my reviews

While McGuinn's artistry is excellent, this video's title is totally misleading - claiming "Basic" and "Easy arrangements" are totally untrue here. "Basic /easy" does not mean simultaneously flat picking and finger picking at 100 bpm. This isn't even structured as a learning video, its really a quick run through by an accomplished artist at full speed. A performance video for his fans perhaps but really not something a beginner could do. There's also some gratuitous shots of the peghead to let your know whose brand of guitar he's playing. If you have anything less than intermediate to advanced guitar skills you will be disappointed. Which is a shame because this publisher does put out some excellent learning tools (for example Steve Kaufman). Shame on them for misleading us on this one. Save your money !

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Somewhere Beyond Beginner, But Very Enjoyable, October 10, 2005

By	Paul Corcoran (Leesburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd agree that this is beyond pure beginner level - but I think even the aspiring folk guitarist will find inspiration in Roger McGuinn's instruction and performance. Certainly playing ability and level are subjective measures, even so - perhaps "advanced beginner" or "intermediate" may be more appropriate ratings. But you will not be disappointed with the musicianship and Roger's obvious labor of love that these traditional songs represent. I loved "The Water is Wide" and have found that it's one that even a beginner might have success learning. And Mr. McGuinn does suggest that these can all be played with simple strumming; no advanced hybrid picking is really required. So grow into it!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars for "Chestnut Mare" alone., June 3, 2004

By	James R. DeSalvio DO (Dunlap, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a McGuinn fan, and love the song "Chestnut Mare", get this DVD. It is very well produced, with excellent sound and visuals. The songs are well chosen and the techniques demonstrated will be helpful to players of all levels. The last song on the disc is an acoustic 12 string version of "Chestnut Mare". He plays this on his Martin signiture model, and it is just fantastic. Of all the songs by the Byrds that I remember, this was my favorite, and if you watch closely, and have some skills, you can bring it to life. Great product.