DVD

As children, we knew the joy of singing, dancing, painting, laughing; all to the top of our lungs and outside of the lines. Along the way, however, our joy and creativity were muted by those around us, including family, friends, and teachers. For those of us involved in choral music, 95% of our work is spent away from the conductor's podium. In fact, the most important aspect of our teaching and of our lives is wrapped up in the person that we are or our own authenticity. What we share with students depends on our own individual journey and what we are willing and able to communicate with them through our music. This DVD and workbook will remind you of those days of youth and free spirit as well as help you to rediscover the creativity volume knob and turn it back to forte, where it belongs!

The Abercrombie/Erskine/Mintzer/Patitucci Band is comprised of four of the most acclaimed musicians in contemporary music. Here, the band performs a set of eight brilliant compositions - two by each member of the group. Interspersed among these phenomenal performances, each artist steps forward to discuss his own approach to playing his instrument and to playing in an ensemble. Running Time: 105 minutes.

Rick Ruskin's remarkable style captures all the nuances of a band/rhythm-section and transforms the parts into amazing, in-the-pocket fingerstyle grooves like you've never imagined on a single guitar! Split-screen video format covers: right- and left-hand technique, walking-bass and counterpoint lines, open-voiced triads, simultaneous bass/rhythm/lead parts, pedal-steel effects, double-stop bends, harmonics, and more. The techniques are immediately put to use in extraordinary instrumental versions of Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Georgia on My Mind, and four originals. His meticulous analysis of each phrase is loaded with variations and insight that show how to transform the essence of any tune into dynamic arrangements of your own. Musical notation and tab is printable from the disk (DVD-ROM). ...so brilliant at times that he seems to transcend normal approaches to the guitar. -Guitar Player magazine. 120 minutes.

Over the past several years The Slap Bass Program has become the undisputed bible of slap technique. The video has garnered more accolades and critical acclaim than any other program of its kind. The material has been remastered and finally released on DVD with extensive chapter breakdowns and extra features. Bass Institute of Technology (BIT) instructor Alexis Sklarevski is a phenomenal teacher, and has the rare ability to put all the pieces together in a refreshingly logical, integrated fashion. Starting with the fundamentals of slap technique, he elaborates one step at a time to incorporate complex damping and choking, funk patterns and vamps, machine-gun triplets, percussive right-hand tapping, flamenco-style strumming, double-stop riffs, scales, phrasing and much more. He is incredibly thorough, and his demonstrations with a guitarist and drummer show how this dynamic style can be applied in almost any musical situation. Absolutely the most complete and effective method ever produced on the slap style of bass playing. Streaming musical notation and tab is featured on the alternate video track. There's also a Notation Book that is printable from the disc. 83 minutes.