Flatpicking Essentials Student Feedback
"Thank you for your acknowlegment of my
recent puchase of vol. 1&2 flatpicking. I have to tell you, this
is probably the best investment
of any instructional material I have come across. I
agree with a lot of the feedback you are getting from other pickers, I
think there are a lot
of us out there that you seem to describe so well.
Started with fiddle tunes, and weak on the foundation. I play about
30 fiddle tunes, even
have a band, my boom chuck is solid, but bass runs are
weak. I have put nearly everything I practice on hold, and am focusing
on Vol 1,
dilegently, and am convinced it will make me a better
picker. It will probably be the first book I will actually work my way
all the way
through. Already looking forward to vol 2, but plan on
being solid with the basics first. Thanks for putting together such a
well rounded
program, and the history, the whole package." - Bob
"The wealth of information you have made available is
unparalleled. Being a technical type, your methodology fits my learning
style perfectly. I will comment more (keeping it short) as I go
through the material." -John
"I really appreciate all the extras that you have
posted, both messages and the additional .mp3 files of rhythm tracks.
I can tell you really care about your product and want it to be
valuable for everyone involved." -Doug
"First let me thank you for your fantastic books. I
was stuck and didn't know which direction to take with my guitar. I
love Irish trad music (i suppose thats not surprising as im from and
live in Ireland) so I turned my ears to bluegrass and haven't looked
back. Your first volume really livened up my rhythm playing, as did the
Carter Style in volume 2." -Paul
"I just wanted to say, after getting volumes 1 and 2,
that these books are great. They are filling in exactly the gaps that I
was missing, especially when it comes to soloing. I have been trying
to figure out how to create solos for a long time, but both the books I
have been buying, as wells as the one on one lessons I have received
have not been able to get me beyond memorizing licks or complex
arrangements. Working from the melody makes what I hear other musians
doing make a lot more sense." -Josh
"I have scanned the whole book last night in order to get
an idea of your intensions with it. Your approach seems to be in line
with what I perceive to be the correct way to study classical guitar
(which I also do). That is to spend a lot of time on the fundamentals
in order to build a solid basis before you proceed to the "real" stuff.
I can see that you put much thought into this series." -Regards, Deon
"I'm writing you to commend you on this book you published
"Flatpicking Essentials Volume 1"; which detail with rhythm
techniques; which in recently purchased and downloaded three days ago.
The history section alone makes this a good buy. The book provides me
tab and techniques on runs and fills that I haven't seen anywhere
else." -Take Care and God Bless You, Garry
"I have already obtained your Flatpick Essentials Vol. 1
and have read through the text. On first review of it, I found it to
be one of the most thorough and easily understood method book I have
seen. Thank you for writing it. I look forward to future volumes."
-Ellen
"Thanks for putting together this fantastic guide to rhythm
guitar. I’ve been teaching myself to play for the past thirty years
or so and I can’t believe I have never run across this much information
in one place before … but I haven’t . This is by far the best guide
I’ve ever studied. I’m playing with a metronome now (I never was quite
able to make myself use it before, but now I won’t play without it. Wow
what a difference) and working my way through the examples. I love
that you have explained the reasoning behind bass runs. It really makes a
difference. I can’t wait to finish this book so I can move on to the
next one, but I plan to learn this one well first so I’ll force myself
to be patient." -Best Regards, Buddy
"Just to let you know that I received volume 1 safely. I
had a quick browse this morning on my train journey to work & have
say that I am mightily impressed - what a wonderful book! I so wish I'd
had this a couple of years ago when I first went to Kamp &
struggled to understand the basics of flatpicking, base runs etc - its
just so clearly explained in your book & I'm very excited about how
much more I'm going to learn & more importantly really understand
by using it. Well done indeed!" - rgds, Guy
Dear Dan,
Just a note to let you know how pleased I am with
your new instruction book, "Flatpicking Essentials Vol. 1." When I read
the copy introducing the series, I knew this could be the book/teacher
that I had been searching for. You talked specifically about the
problems I was having: the where-do-I-go-next feeling after memorizing
solos, the gaps in my understanding of music theory, my
misunderstanding of the foundational role that rhythm guitar plays in
the development of a natural flatpicking style.
I thought, "Is this guy reading my mind?" Then I
realized that I'm not the only person who's ever tried to learn to
flatpick by emulating what she's heard. I had a teacher for a year,
but his thing is rock music of the '80s and he thinks that flatpicking
is 'country music,' which translates as boring. He'd teach me some
bass runs and then try to interest me in The Eagles or in finger
picking, but I am very single-minded about what I want to learn. I
just didn't know how to go about it; that is, until "Flatpicking
Essentials Vol. 1" came out.
I feel so confident now - at Lesson 6 - that I am on the
right road. Gaps are being filled - how about that one-four-five,
that alternating root and fifth, that leading tone! My husband
commented that my playing is louder and stronger (strum like you're
shaking water off your hand).
I still play the versions of solos I've memorized, but
now I have a new appreciation of them. They weren't channeled
miraculously from some disembodied spirit in the outer limits, as it
sometimes seemed to me. They actually grew and developed from familiar
chords that learned how to jump through melody hoops while still
maintaining that all-important rhythm.
So, thanks, Dan, for all the pleasure you've added to my playing. And put me down for Volume 2.
Yours truly,
Nancy
I just got my copy of Volume 1 of your new
instructional series and I must say it looks terrific - just what I've
been looking for.
But the main reason I'm writing is that I was especially
pleased to see the material on Tom Paley's rhythm style. Tom plays at
one of the sessions I attend, here in London. He's been a resident here
for many years, although he also spends long periods each year back in
the U.S. and in Sweden, where he also lived for a while. These days he
mainly plays the fiddle and is especially fond of the most crooked
tunes, which gives the back-up guitars a good workout or a bad headache
or both.
However, he does still pick up the guitar or banjo now
and then, and picks a tune or two. I've often heard him play that
version of Frankie and Johnny, and a couple of times he's borrowed my
guitar to play Railroad Blues, which is a real honour for me. He
suffers somewhat with arthritis these days, and finds my medium gauge
strings a bit heavy, but he's still a great picker. In fact he's really
a better guitar and banjo player than fiddle player, if the truth be
told! The most striking aspect of his playing, to my eyes anyway, is
that he only lifts his (left hand) fingers a fraction of an inch from
the strings when he's not fretting a note. It's an object lesson in
economy of movement and effort. I regularly force myself through
exercises where I lift my fingers but keep them close to the strings. A
great deal of discipline is required!
So, anyway, keep up the good work. I really like your
historical approach to learning flatpicking. The FGM issue on the
pioneers is my most thumbed copy, and that approach solves so many
problems I feel a renewed urgency to learn and practice - and then take
it to the sessions.
Thanks again and all best regards, Simon
"Thanks for your email and for this series you are putting
together. I met you a couple of years ago at camp bluegrass (07) in
Levelland TX when Brad and Tim were there also. I am looking forward to
studying the history and evolvement of flatpicking as you have
presented here. It makes sense to me to study and learn the in the way
that it has evolved and so I am excited about getting started."
Thanks for the support!
-Steve
"The appeal for me is your approach of a logical order of
progression ( something many of my former teachers don't put enough
importance on.) And beginging with rhythm and timing ,it never fails
that no matter what i learn on guitar staying in time and on the proper
count and loosing your place ect. are always the most difficult part
for me given my level of experience. Being a white boy with no ryhthm
doesn't help either. Is there a vol. 2 ,3 , 4 available yet?" Hope all
is well get back to you soon , mike
"Very strait ahead approach and exellent for beginners to
start rhythm playing. as we're told by all the players, we always come
back to rhythym but usually don't learn it right first time around.
Thanks for your efforts". -Jeff
"I'm excited about the series. I recall reading the
comments in the "Flatpicking Pioneers" issue about this kind of
progressive approach, and not really having a clue about how to pursue
it in a systematic way. I'm looking forward to digging into them, and
I'll certainly give you a holler if I get stuck." Best, Joe
"Wow! All of this fantastic stuff that I didn't know. And it's not that hard to master. Keep it up." Thank you very much! Bill
"I just finished working with the first few lesson pages
of Volume 1 then scanning through both Volume 1 and Volume 2. I am
delighted with my purchases. The history is fascinating and your
instructions are clear, comprehensive and succinct. The examples are
great. I'm a solid rhythm player but have never done much with walks
and runs because I've been afraid of muddying the pulse. Your course is
going to move me out of that safe little boom-chick niche." Thanks,
Rebecca
"I've recently downloaded your brilliant Vol 1 & Vol 2
"Flatpicking Essentials". I plan to get the complete series! Your
description of the frustration felt by many learning to copy songs from
DVDs etc is right on the nail! At 58 years old, I've dipped in and
out of playing over the years. But all I've ended up with are a couple
of blues fingerpicking tunes learnt from DVDs. I'm greatly motivated
by your teaching approach; the gradual and thorough method starting
with the basics." Best regards, Les
"Just purchased your #2 carter style pdf. Ive been flat
picking for over 10+ years. I'll admit that I"ve been a tab junkie for
years like so many others. In the past have collected quite a
collection of instructional books, tapes, videos, and formal lessons
from Adam Granger. And I just wanted to say hands down this is the best
instructional material I"ve purchased for guitar. I"ll admit the first
section of the book was fairly simple but the latter half had me
stealing your licks and combining mine to your solos. Keep up the good
work and I looking forward to volume #3." -Keven
"I get something out of every book/dvd/tape etc. that I
run across. I started pickin' at 65 ( a bit over three years ago ) and I
am amazed at the things I hear when I go back to the basics that I've
already run though several times. Something new every time. So far I'd
say you have a hit on your hands with those books/CD's. You can never
be too old to start and you can never NOT get something out of looking
back" Thanx, Rick
"I was so impressed with Volume 2 I ordered Volume 1 to
that I could gain a better understanding of your references to
material in that Volume." -Fred
"At this point, I have to say ... it is unlike any 'course
or guide' I've ever looked at or used...If asked ...I would say you
are with out a doubt on to something with your approach to transfering,
not just information, but 'Understanding' of how to learn/play the
'flatpicking' style."
Thanks a lot Dan! I couldn't be happier!, Rod
"Your volumes ! & 2 are great just the way they are. I
particularly liked the fact that the songs are not all that difficult
to play and have enough panache to keep things from getting
monotonous. I put my skill level at about Beginning Intermediate
mostly playing out of the first position." -Howard
"Thanks Dan. Volume 2 looks really interesting & I'm
already trying my own Carter-style version of "Will the Circle be
Unbroken". Can't say I've mastered vol 1 yet but I'm sort of dipping in
& out of both. They're a real labour of love by the way &
beautifully written in my view. " rgds, Guy
"I have beat on my guitar, on and mostly off, for 30 years. I
never got better. I always played the same couple of songs. I have
been inspired by the musicians that I have heard at Bluegrass festivals
and local venues here in North Florida. You touched a cord with me,
since I am self taught, that if I start back with the basics of rhythm,
scales and training my ears that I will have a better base to grow
from and will become a better player. I can't wait to play tonight."
Regards, Tim
"I am not advanced very far yet with them since I have just
tackled example 13 of the 1st section of the 1st volume and gone back
to the beginning as suggested but I would like to say that I very much
appreciate your pragmatic approach which was what seduced me to buy the
1st volume and I consider myself lucky as a beginner to have come
across such great instructional material. It is in fact the best method
I have ever come across and some of the principles explained I can
already apply successfully to simple songs for use in jam sessions.
Also I don't believe going too fast is a good thing. One has to allow
time for things to sink in hence the good idea to go back to the
beginning every once in a while." Sincerely, Francois
"I'm enjoying working through volume one and am keeping my
hands off of volume two until I get the material in volume one under my
belt. This is the first course that I have come across that follows a
logical order of teaching and is just what I was looking for
especially having been a bass player for the past forty odd years and
really only dabbled with guitar never really getting past the rythm
stage. Thanks for producing such good instruction material." -Steve
"I have really enjoyed working through volume 1. I am in
the area of just starting working through the G run series. I just got
back into playing guitar playing after about a 25 year hiatus.
Although I enjoy a variety of music, to my ear, flat picking and
acoustic guitar belongs together. The Essential books include
more details which has prompted me think about what I am learning
rather than just reading the tab. This enhances the learning. I
picked up on your suggestion about working with the metronome. It gave
me better discipline in my practice. I have volume 2 now and I am
looking forward to participating in the following volumes. Many thanks
for the well done books. Thanks too for the track list for volume 1."
-Robert
"Just a quick note to let you know I have added the
metronome into my daily practice and it really isn't so hard after all
(lol). My instructor has embrased the information and I am
implementing the base runs and walk ups to a number of songs I work on
daily. This is more difficult but I am working through it and finding
it a "labor of love." I am moving slowly but I am trying to implement
the material into my playing rather than just learning it and still
needing to learn how to use it (like a lick). I am excited about vol#2
but I want to have a firm grip on the information in #1 before moving
forward. Thanks for your work, it is a great tool!" -Rocco
"Dan,
I wanted to let you know that I'm really enjoying both books!
They're exactly what I was looking for! When you wrote in the first
book about people memorizing the melodies and not spending a lot of
time with rhythm and then having difficulty at jams, that was my exact
story.
However; about a year ago I went to an Old Time music gathering and
learned how important good rhythm play is, and how much fun you can
have driving a fiddle tune with the rhythm part. I looked around but
couldn't really find a good instructional book on rhythm guitar until I
came across yours. It was just what I was looking for!
I've been playing for about 7 years. I'm good with the boom/chuck,
my ear has developed, but the embellishments were really missing. These
books have given me great inspiration and path to follow on my guitar.
Thanks!" - Gerard
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