I Don't Know About This Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar DVD

I have mixed feelings about Rick Ruskin's Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar DVD. Ruskin would probably be a great guy to take lessons from. But you better already be able to play if you're going to learn from this DVD. You need to at least be able to play some simple songs and have good command of the alternating bass technique.

The lesson begins with Ruskin showing some of his unusual left hand techniques. One of these techniques is fretting with his left hand thumb.

Later in the lesson he shows playing a chord like this and says that there are conventional ways of playing the chord. The problem is that he doesn't show a conventional way of fingering the chord. You have to figure it out yourself.

It's good to figure some things out for yourself. However, most viewers would probably prefer a more clear cut explanation in an instructional DVD. Similiar things like this occur throughout the DVD.

Ruskin's approach is a little different in other ways, too. For example, he shows a variety of basslines and chords then he shows them used in a song. Most other teachers show the song and breakdown the techniques while they're showing the song.

Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar is filmed in an easy to view way. There are big split screens to show both hands. The songs shown include a great version of Steely Dan's Rikki, Don't Lose That Number and Georgia On My Mind.

Ruskin's aware that this guitar lesson DVD is a lot to learn at one time. He repeatedly urges the viewer to stop the lesson and practice what's been shown.

Even though Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar is 2 hrs long he says several times that it's a lot of information and that it will take some time to learn it all.

Conclusion

It is designed for the intermediate to advanced player. If rented, most guitarists will have to find the sheet music to learn the songs. If you rent it and watch it, you may want to buy it. Especially if you want to learn his killer arrangements.

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