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Curt Mitchell instructional DVD... any good?


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Posted

I know he doesn't get alot of respect around some of these forums but I'm a huge Ace Frehley fan (and proud!:D )

 

I'm thinking of picking up the Curt Mitchell DVD "in the style of KISS" off of eBay. Has anyone seen it or others in the series? IS it any good or should I avoid and look else where?

 

Thanks!

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Posted

I have a few of the Curt Mitchell tapes, they're okay at best, but not really informative...

 

What he does is go through a brief gear discussion at the beginning, then play a series of about 50 or so riffs by whoever the video happens to be about- first normal speed then slowed down.

 

You get a little TAB sheet for each booklet, too.

 

I have about four or five videos by him, they're all generally the same in terms of content. He doesn't really get into a discussion about scales, chords, influences etc. So you're not really getting a true "In The Style Of" lesson, since you're not really being taught the elements of the player's style.

 

If I were you I'd just look for tablature books for KISS albums, or whatever. That way you'd be getting a full song in tab rather than just riffs. That would be the best way to learn someone's style from a book.

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Posted

I have to disagree with the previous poster. I have several of his videos, and one DVD. I have found them all useful and fun. I don't have the KISS version, but I'm sure you will find something of use there. BTW the DVD I have is the Alternative Style, and the DVD format is a big improvement in all areas.

 

The biggest criticism I have, is he never tells you which song/lick he is playing. If you know all their songs, you can figure it out. I wish he would say, This is from this song by this Group, and then play it. But he never does. I am not that familar with alternative music, and I had fun playing the licks, but had no idea where most of them came from.

 

He is sort of a burnout, and tends to ramble on. And there are some innacurracies. But his rhythm and lead playing are both very good, and he shows some cool ways to play the licks that you may not have thought of on your own.

 

You could get a tab book, but I hate tabs, and for me, there is nothing like seeing/hearing it played. Also, I try to copy what he plays without looking at tabs, so I get some ear training when I play.

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Posted

Thanks guys!

 

I have some KISS tab already but my reading skills aren't what they should be. I have found the method DVDs better for me the way I learn. I just wanted to make sure this guy's stuff wasn't total crap.

 

I think I'll pick one up and give it a try...

 

Thanks again!

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Posted

Originally posted by Diende McAuk

I just wanted to make sure this guy's stuff wasn't total crap.


I think I'll pick one up and give it a try...


Thanks again!

 

I've seen the play like Hendrix and the play like VH. Definitely not crap. Did they make me play like Hendrix and VH? No. :D

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Posted

I guess it depends on how you learn... I suppose it can be helpful to see someone play the riff, maybe you can pick up a tip here and there about someone's playing style.

 

It would almost be better to find a teacher who is into the type of music you're into, and can show you a certain style. You'd get a lot more out of that, I think.

 

I've found that usually the best way to find out about someone's music is a tab folio. They're not for everybody, but at least you'd get complete songs rather than riffs. Look for articles & interviews with that artist, watch videos of them playing.

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Posted

I have the Van Halen one. I bought it a long time ago when I first started playing guitar. It's okay if you just want to learn how to play a few riffs. It really doesn't go into much detail. It wasn't really what I thought it was going to be.

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