Gordon Irwin - Posted - 03/12/2010:  06:27:25

Being real excited when I bought my Resonator Guitar and having absolutely no musical background or experience, (and being a Great Grandfather) I gathered a lot of information on how to play it. So much that I find myself jumping around and really not getting very far. I have: Learning BG by Cindy Cashdollar, Tunes, Techniques & Practice skills by Michael Witcher, RG from scratch w/Jim Heffernan, Country & Bluegrass Dobro by Bev King and Ivan Rosenberg’s columns from Mel Bay Apr – Dec 07. Along with: How to play backup w/ Jim Heffernan, 100 licks for RG w/Jim Heffernan, Intro and Kickoffs, Intros, Sequences, How to Use Licks, & Backup Dobro Playing from Lessons from Troy. I would like to pick one and stick with it. Any comments on which one(s) I should stick with would be appreciated. If there is a consensus that another one would be better than all of these, I would consider adding it to my library. I really look forward to your comments. Thanks in advance

bmizell - Posted - 03/12/2010:  06:41:19

I would think you are on the right Track I almost have everything that is posted ,cut, burned etc cd, dvds. From everyone I hear about. When I hear about a new one, yep, I purchase it.
The way I see it, I can get the music, style, that I want from a little of his and a little of hers. ITs the best of all worlds
Its hard to say which is really the better to learn because each of us learn differently. Most of the stuff is good, pick which one you like the best and go after thier stuff.

claudeW - Posted - 03/12/2010:  06:43:12

I really find that pick 1 lesson with troy and play it from beginning to end until you get it and then get another and do the same his lessons are the best! I have all the others MikeA,JD,RobI,JimH,and StacyP and I find myself jumping around alot,so what I do is every once in a while I will take one out and I find that I can do more and more of it compared to the last time I tried. That seems to work for me.

popsey - Posted - 03/12/2010:  06:46:18

HI GORDON, I AM ALSO NEW TO PICKING A DOBRO STYLE GUITAR. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE A MUSICAL BACKGROUND BEING A PIANO TUNER AND DEALER FOR A LONG TIME. THE BEST ADVISE I COULD GIVE YOU IS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICING ROLLS AND SIMPLE SINGLE NOTE MELODIES WITH SOME TYPE OF RHYTHM TRACK. YOU CAN BUY A LESSON FOR DOBRO WITH ACCOM. TRACKS THAT YOU CAN PLAY ON A CD PLAYER OR DOWNLOAD SOME OF TROYS LESSONS AS THEY HAVE BACK UP TRACKS FOR YOU TO PRACTICE WITH EVEN SCALES. I USE A KEYBOARD THAT I CAN LAY DOWN CHORD AND REHTHM TRACKS BUT I AM FORTUNATE IN THAT I CAN DO THAT. IT CERTAINLY HAS HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY. PLAYING WITH A RHYTHM TRACK MAKES YOU MORE INVOLVED AND YOU CAN LEARN TIMING, EARTRAING, EVEN ON SIMPLE SINGLE NOTE MELODIES. I HOPE THIS HELPS.

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Originally posted by Gordon Irwin

Being real excited when I bought my Resonator Guitar and having absolutely no musical background or experience, (and being a Great Grandfather) I gathered a lot of information on how to play it. So much that I find myself jumping around and really not getting very far. I have: Learning BG by Cindy Cashdollar, Tunes, Techniques & Practice skills by Michael Witcher, RG from scratch w/Jim Heffernan, Country & Bluegrass Dobro by Bev King and Ivan Rosenberg’s columns from Mel Bay Apr – Dec 07. Along with: How to play backup w/ Jim Heffernan, 100 licks for RG w/Jim Heffernan, Intro and Kickoffs, Intros, Sequences, How to Use Licks, & Backup Dobro Playing from Lessons from Troy. I would like to pick one and stick with it. Any comments on which one(s) I should stick with would be appreciated. If there is a consensus that another one would be better than all of these, I would consider adding it to my library. I really look forward to your comments. Thanks in advance

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jwstahl - Posted - 03/12/2010:  06:53:09

When I started playing reso 2 years ago, I found Jimmy Heffernan's "Reso from Scratch" DVD to be the best introduction for the complete beginner.

The rest of the resources you listed are great -- after you get the very basic skills presented in "Reso from Scratch."

Good luck and have fun.

John

Grizz - Posted - 03/12/2010:  07:29:02

IMHO Lessons with Troy. Heff next. I think Troy has some of the best beginning lessons around. I used to teach (not music) and I can tell you this from experience, there are people who, having the same knowledge, can teach and those who can't. Don't get fooled into thinking that because someone is a great player that they are a great teacher. Whole different animal. You seem to have a lot of stuff, you will eventually learn from all these people and more. You will watch all the videos here and listen to all the audios and you will learn something from the novice to the pro. You can take live video lessons as well. I know of two, Mike Witcher and Jerry Bellar who offer web cam lessons and i am sure there are more. Good luck to you.

Mike

claudeW - Posted - 03/12/2010:  07:50:09

I agree with Grizz alot on this I know people that are superb players, but ask them to show you how they do it and they get all messed up. Teaching on these videos takes patience, being able to do it slow and have a fun easy going manner. Sometimes all it takes is 1 lick that you couldn't do on your own but to see it done slow and be like wow that wasn't as hard as I thought and then you get all fired up and excited. I know myself I over think things alot and make it harder on myself.

MissouriPicker - Posted - 03/12/2010:  08:11:26

Troys beginner lessons are superb for someone with little or no musical background. They also kick-open the doors that guys like me have only peeked-into over years of playing. I'd suggest taking one of his lessons and playing it until you really have it down. If you do this, I think you will learn techniques and music theory that will become a big part of your playing. Not only for the song on the lesson, but for all of the songs you will eventually be playing.

family-friendly-music.com/

Dean Upson - Posted - 03/12/2010:  09:15:51

Troy's methods of teaching and the subjects that he covers are excellent. I have many of his lessons and they all are worth buying. He has also been a great contributor here. Thanks, Troy.

Dean