• Very Useful Techniques for Lead and Rhythm Guitar

  
  As reviewed by Dick Dixon on 2/21/2013

  In Fretboard Autopsy 1 and 2, Rusty teaches so many awesome, unique scale sequencing techniques that sound killer. Plus, these techniques are great methods for changing positions on the neck. If you know how important this is, stop reading, and go buy the DVD. If not read on. I will explain in detail. Yes, you can use these techniques to burn up and down the fretboard like Rusty does. He does show you how to produce some cool "Fret Smoke." While it does sound cool to do so, these techniques are simply powerful as methods to change positions without skipping a beat. Changing positions on the neck is the single most important skill a guitarist must acquire to move forward in their skill level. Great guitarists know that to simply pause and change positions can have a profound effect. However, most of the time a cool run across the fretboard sounds amazing, and they will use this method 10x more often than pausing. Why? Because, if you always pause, it becomes expected. Thus, the pause ceases to have that profound effect that an unexpected pause has. So what is changing positions? It is a strategy for efficiency (making playing easier). It is also a way of making use of the various tones you can get from playing the same note on a different string and different areas of the neck. For those of you that do not know, when in standard tuning, if you play the high e-string at the first fret, you can play that same note at many other positions on the guitar, for example: The sixth fret of the b-string, the 10th fret of the g-string, the 15th fret of the d-string, and the 20th fret of the a-string. Although each note is the same note and in the same octave, they all sound slightly different. When you use this to your advantage the result is, easier riffs, easier time switching between riffs, faster/cleaner playing, and/or some super cool ear candy by varing the tone of a note. Because positioning is so important and Rusty teaches so many useful techniques, you will not get tired of these DVDs. The DVD is not hard to follow, but if you need help, all of his techniques are included in TAB on the DVD, so just pop it into your computer and read it from the PDF file. Also, since the techniques are derived from the Modes, they will help you gain a more intimate understanding of the modes and how to apply them to your style of playing. One of my favorite techniques Rusty teaches on the DVDs is his, "Reverse Linear." In this segment, he teaches you to change positions from the high e-string to the low E-string while traveling from the nut to the bridge. This is so A$$ backwards, but sounds like a monster. "Reverse Linear" is such a cool sounding technique. I am not affiliated with Rusty or Rock House (wish I was). I am just a guy that teaches guitar to my son and all his friends. I own and love these DVDs. I only have two complaints, and really, I am being very picky here. These are Great DVDs; do not let these complaints stop you from buying them, just be aware of the limitations. First, he only uses plain alternate picking (up-down) and while I believe in the value of inside and outside "alternate picking," I know that economy picking and sweeping are both, "must learn skills" as well. Furthermore, since he does not teach Economy Picking, he does not discuss any of the various TAPs (Turn Around Patterns), so learn your TAPs and add these in yourself. For those of you who do not know what TAPs are: TAPs allow you to turn around during a riff and go in the opposite direction. This is very useful, however, they also can help you take a riff that isn't fitting rhythmically and make it fit without speeding up or slowing down too much. Learn all methods of picking and know your TAPs. A great guitar player can only benefit from knowing all methods. Rusty even says, 'if you know how to use economy picking, disregard my picking and use your own methods.' My second issue, is that I do not remember him telling the viewer, "Make sure that you practice this technique ultra slowly at first, so you do not teach your self mistakes. Practice this at the nut 2 times, then move to the next fret and repeat. Keep moving up a fret and repeating till you run out of frets. Do this once a day for five days. Then, do it once a day for five more days, but with you eyes closed!" This is how to really memorize the fretboard. It helps you get over the hump of fumbling on the fretboard due the frets becoming closer together as you travel up the neck. I totally disagree with anyone who says this video is not helpful or does not teach useful techniques. Yes, you might be able to find them on the internet, but it will take you days to find them all. Why waste your time when the DVDs are worth 24.95, and they often go on sale for 12.95? Rusty has clearly spent years developing his techniques. He will show them to you for a fair price. Just pay the man, he deserves being compensated for his efforts. Honestly, think about it, would you feel like sharing more cool secrets if every time you performed work for someone, they said WOW, thanks, and then walked away without payin you?

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• TERRIBLE INSTRUCTION - DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY

  
  As reviewed by Chris Morgan on 7/4/2011

  I bought this video thinking that I was getting an instructional video that would really help to open up the fretboard and would be something that I could use as a one stop resource. This video is more of a 'watch what I can do" show. I have seen better stuff on YouTube that provides more information. I haven't looked at the online information but there might be more there. But why should I care what is online when I bought this video? All this video shows is him playing the modes slowly then faster and moving to the next one. Also, if you do decide to buy this video, be sure to check online before you buy it at the Guitar Center store. I paid for my copy and it was a rip off. All in all, this is the worst instructional video I have ever seen that was produced professionally. The only thing I can see in this video is that if you want to see someone run through their way of playing a scale then this might be for you.

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