Product Details

• Actors: Paul Mehling
• Directors: Happy Traum
• 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
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Homespun
• DVD Release Date: May 1, 2006
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000FKOZSI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #93,806 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Guitarists - take control of your pick technique. Paul Mehling has developed a powerful series of exercises and practice regimens that will help all plectrum (flatpick) guitarists play with greater strength, speed, expressiveness and authority.

Paul provides many paths to success for players at all levels. He shows you the basics - how to grip the pick and maintain proper hand and arm positions for fluid playing and to avoid tension and fatigue. He then takes you through a graduated series of chord and single string exercises to get your mind and hand working together. These include strumming and damping, scales, chromatic exercises, "speed blasts," arpeggios, tremolo, sweep picking and much more.

Whether, like Paul Mehling, you are into Gypsy Jazz, or you play bluegrass, rock or swing, this lesson will give you the tools you'll need to get your rhythm strong and your lead picking fast and accurate.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful techniques for greater speed, expression, authority & dynamics, August 23, 2006

By	J. Ross "a-music_fan" (Roseburg, OR USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

110 Minute DVD (includes music and tab) - Professional musician Paul "Pazzo" Mehling is a founder of the Hot Club of San Francisco, a group known for its fine gypsyjazz music in the style of Django Reinhardt. Years ago, when Mehling visited the Django Festival in France, he noticed some others whispering about his playing during jam sessions. He discovered that it was because his solos were not being heard so he obtained some advice from other gypsy-swing players there and then proceeded to retrain himself to incorporate a "radically different" guitar-playing technique using bent wrist at a 45 degree angle. Using this approach will result in improved control, power, tone and speed.

Mehling points out that these exercises are for both hand and head because mental thought is also tantamount to good playing. Mehling is a very personable, articulate and knowledgeable instructor. The nearly two hours of instruction are graduated in difficulty and include such things as strums, vibrato, tremolo, single string techniques, chromatic exercises, string crossing, and sweep picking. Advanced techniques address legato, double down, and subdividing. All are excellent "keys" to good playing for more advanced guitarists. A committed guitarist practicing diligently two or three times daily with Paul (for at least 20-30 minutes at a time) will greatly improve their pick power. Not only will one's instrument sound louder and with better tonality, but you'll notice an ability to play faster (when needed) and with greater expression, authority and dynamics. Paul also shares interesting information about his guitars, strings and picks.

Mehling's group has released nine CDs, and I would further recommend that, in conjunction with this DVD, you also study his most recent recorded music to fully appreciate the potential of learning his powerful techniques. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for a tight right hand, February 20, 2009

By	D. Graded - See all my reviews

Once again Mehling delivers a great, concise video. Very helpful for developing right hand fluency and staying loose. Great techniques shown slowly and clearly.