Tony Rice Teaches Bluegrass Guitar Book/Online Audio: A Master Picker Analyzes His Pioneering Licks and Solos

I don't do many review's but this book rates a few words. For one thing it's so thin! only 22 pages. Unimpressed? I was a bit... but; I will be very surprised if I get to theend in my lifetime. Simply put; if you can play these tunes with the fluency and articulationof Tony I look forward to seeing you at Merlefest! This is as close as you can get to being on the porch with the man himself. Tony present's thematerial in a wonderful self-effacing way. He (1) breaks the tunes down as far as they will go. (2) describes in-depth exactly what he is doing. (3) you have a complete transcription in frontof you (4) You still won't be able to sound like Tony!! (5) You will be a better player from just trying to...

Can't fault it ! most of us will never play as well as Tony -this helps with the insight with his style .

Very elegant little book, if you're looking to learn some more bluegrass repertoire and starting to solo. these are a good series, as i have the sam bush one for mandolin, the Richard thompson one too.TG

Tony Rice is probably the greatest living Bluegrass guitar player, so there's no reason not to buy this if you're interested in getting an insiders look into his technique. Comprised of two separate Homespun sessions with Tony there's enough content here to keep most people playing for years, if you can bring yourself to even try. The book and CD are taken from an older session from the 80s and includes some very helpful lessons from Tony on his approach to picking as well as teaching you the songs from start to finish.The DVD features an older, raspy voiced Tony and is frankly the most interesting small gig I've ever watched but can be difficult to follow as Tony rips through complex arrangements in lightning speed. Happy Traum sits by and manages to be informative and non-intrusive although I wish he'd have reigned Tony in slightly as us lesser musical beings will be lost in a cascade of notes that follow often after Tony's complex, theory based instructions. If you're looking for a step-by-step approach, this is not it; instead this DVD is much better suited to people who want to interpret the techniques and songs in their own way, which is as Tony intended the lesson. I just wish it was longer, I could get lost for hours watching Tony talk about improvising and scale choices, he's a master of theory and arrangement, however even those without any interest in the technique will enjoy an informal sit down with Tony and Happy.Just buy it, you wont regret it. It's also worth noting that all of Homespuns DVDs are region free so don't be afraid of needing a fancy DVD player.