Looks like Nov is going to be a fun month...To A Tee #3

[randyz]

Stan: Without knowing your guitar abilities, I think it's safe to say that this guy will leave you feeling inadequate. When he runs through the leads slowly note-by-note, it sounds so different that I can't figure where he is on various leads (i.e. "And Your Bird Can Sing"). Then when he runs through at normal speed, with the split screen showing anywhere from 1 to 5 fingerboards, I'm blown away. I could (and probably will) literally spend years trying to learn the 50+ songs presented on these DVD's. They are very well done, but I'm simply not a good enough guitarist to learn parts quickly. Most of it goes right over my head. I think these DVD's are a good investment for anyone who is serious about playing Beatle tunes on a guitar. Rob also gets serious bonus points for playing everything on the correct instruments (Duojet, Tennessean, Country Gent, Casino, J160E, 360/12v64, 325v63, 'Rocky' Stratocaster, and Rosewood Telecaster).

[wolfgang]

my #3 DVD arrived today and I was watching the complete 95 minutes immediately.
Great!
Two things to mention:
Long tall sally: John played both solos of the studio version, so we have to switch both guitars at the beginning of the second solo.
She's a woman: good idea, but I can't hear a guitar doubling the piano parts.
George played just the double tracked solo.

Wolfgang

[wj350]

Still waiting....

[Scastles]

I thought I would see what the Tee DVD's would be like, so I just ordered the first one. While somewhat daunting, it is an excellent learning DVD. It was good to pick up a few little nuances I was missing from the songs listed on this first disc. I would recommend it to anyone. Some of it is a challenge (learning all the different parts, not that difficult though), but that's what makes it fun!

[kog]

This probably sounds crazy to some of you, but Rob's videos have actually taught me to listen better. When I was a kid flailing around trying to learn the leads for these songs, I'd get "close enough" to where it sounded right to me. But I was in my teens, and impatient to take the time to practice. I remember learning "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Hard Day's Night" and "I feel Fine" and thinking I'd nailed it.

Even years later, when I'd haul out the guitar and try to remember how to play "I Feel Fine", I'd be playing it the same way -- and thinking, "Hey, after all these years, I've STILL nailed it!"

Then I saw Rob's vids a couple years ago, and realized I had a WHOLE lot more to learn. But then I started really really listening to those old Beatles recordings, trying to pick out those notes -- or even whole guitar parts -- that I was missing before. I really appreciate his To-A-Tee series not just for showing me HOW to play the notes, but also HOW to listen to the music.

[bitzerguy]

+1 Jerry. They are great tools all around. I have also learned to be a better listener from these. I am going to tackle learning the bass parts for the songs we would like to do, from the original recordings now. I figure it to be an interesting way to learn to play bass...

I got my #3 last Thursday and wow! Rob has made some nice improvements on picture quality and the multi screen interface. But as usual, his content is fantastic. Now to spend a few evenings learning all the parts...

[miamiric]

On the strength of comments posted on here about The Beatles to a Tee DVD's I have cajoled my wife into getting them for my Xmas present. Hopefully they will make it across the pond in time and be under the tree by Christmas morning. Coupled with the book Recording The Beatles it should be just like the old days, ie a new Beatles offering for yuletide. What an excellent idea, they look and sound absolutely accurate in every way, bring on the bass/drum versions. Will post my appraisal after Xmas. A big thank you to whoever it was who posted the original information.

[wj350]

I think you'll be very happy when you look under your tree!

Re the discussion above on Rob's presentation and how overwhelming it can appear, here are my thoughts. Like some of you have posted, I have no where near the ability Rob apparently has (not to mention the guitar collection!), but then I don't try and play every Beatles tune note for note. I use the Complete Beatles Chord Book for 95% of what I play and work on, with some help from Complete Beatles Scores, a couple different fake books, and of course tabs.

Where I really get into Rob's vids is in picking up strumming techniques for various songs, as well as some of the nuances that the chords don't convey--John's D riff on Norwegian Wood comes immediately to mind. I look at Rob as an ultra-talent that I can learn from, even though I may not be able to learn everything he does. Just me.

As my bud Johneek told me one time when I was struggling with a particularly challenging (for me anyway Beatles passage), "Hey Bill, even they needed multiple takes, and they wrote the song!" Kinda keeps things in perspective for me!

Bill

[bitzerguy]

I think you have to be realistic about the time it takes you personaly to learn a part, whether it is from Rob's videos or from any other source. Many of the parts Rob illustrates take me a long time to learn. Sometimes it can take weeks to get one song. But I love this music and I love learning it, so the time is well spent. He is a great guitar player and a very good teacher IMO. My learning abilities and fretboard skills get better each time I sit down and play along with these tools.

Many people feel that they must learn the parts in 30 seconds and play them as well as Rob can (and some actually do!). Part of our "instant satisfaction" society these days I guess. But if you have some patience with your own abilities, tools like the To A Tee videos are worth far more than their cost.

[mark_g]

Greetings,

Long time lurker here. I've purchased the To a Tee videos and they are amazing. Does anyone know about Rob's background? It is interesting that with vol 3 he uses the Vox Tone Lab. Wonder if he would share his settings.
Thanks
Mark

[wj350]

Mark, just email him at the To A Tee site. I've corresponded with him this way.

Bill