Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.resohangout.com/archive/24267
Bigfoot21075 - Posted - 10/14/2011: 05:23:25
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to offer a total newbie review of Lessons By Troy. First some background, I have been playing guitar on and off for 35 years. I have never had formal lessons, I am very intermediate. I can strum about every Eagles song out there, I know a lot of country tunes and some more detailed finger picking songs like Babe I Gonna Leave you and Blackbird. I know how to read Treble Cleff, but have no idea how it corresponds to the fret board. I have enough (mostly useless) guitar instruction books to make a paper mache duplicate of the Hearst Castle. I have tried CD's DVD's and just books. VERY few were any good - none held the secrets they promised or they were simply too convoluted and boring to get through - so yes, I am a bit jaded.
A few weeks ago, I heard an amazing rendition of When The Levee Breaks on a resonator guitar (would LOVE to have that tab). THAT got my attention, I never even considered a resonator before. That launched a massive You Tube search - I was totally hooked! After a few odd chains of events, I found myself in possession of a new Resonator Guitar (more on that in another post).
I found many sights that offered books, CD's, DVD's and various lessons. I immediately felt that terrible feeling again, then someone showed me Troy's site. I thought hey this is sort of pay as you go, if I stop liking it I stop paying for it. Heck 7 bucks for a lesson? Sign me up! I went to Troy's site (lessonswithtroy.com) and saw they were offering 20% off of orders $40.00 or more (again with the sinking feeling). I looked over the site and figured I would have a hard time without the basics, I did not want to sabotage myself from the get go. So I got The Complete Beginners Package part 1 for $39.00, and I added the Know EVERY Note on the Dobro Lessons $7.00 (I know that is key to really being good now). I also added the beginner 2 versions of Amazing Grace $7.00 just so I have a song to work on.
Check out was easy and he takes Pay Pal. I got to the down load page the two smaller lessons were down loaded in less than a minute, the larger one was 409MB and took 2 minutes. Things are hopeful.
I went to unzip the beginner package, had some problems getting it to unzip and figuring out what should be done in what order - there is a lot of stuff in that package - a short Read Me file would help a lot and reduce frustration, especially on the first one. After some time I got it figured out and had the first video playing.
Troy was VERY clear and concise, the videos are very clear with excellent sound. Troy explains EVERYTHING. He even numbered his Resonator along the fret board to leave no question as to where on the board he is. Troy also laid a black cloth under his strings to make it very easy to see what string he was playing. WOW a lot of detail and consideration went into this lesson. In the blink of an eye, we are passing by the 20 minute mark when I realized - I am TRULY having FUN. Regular guitar somehow turned into more of a chore and frustration, I have not had this much fun with music in a LONG TIME.
I decided to take a quick break, then I went on to try the Amazing Grace lesson for fun (I will finish the rest of the first lesson later) Again, Troy made it ABUNDANTLY clear what I needed to do and broke the song into simple steps, before I knew it I was playing the harmony line of Amazing Grace and STILL having FUN! Yeah, I sound a little rough - but thanks to Troy - I know why and what to work on to fix it. I spent HOURS just having fun and being in AWE of the voice of this type of instrument.
I have to say - FINALLY, a lesson method that does what it says.
THANK YOU TROY!
Dean Upson - Posted - 10/14/2011: 05:44:01
Many of us have had similar experiences with Troy's lessons.
Dean
McStubbins - Posted - 10/14/2011: 05:55:04
I'm a relative dobro newbie myself, and I too was frustrated by available lesson materials. Bought Troy's beginner package #1 on recommendations of others here and I agree about the clarity that is brought out. I especially like the intonation exercises, I've been doing those pretty religiously with my morning cuppa joe, and in even just a few short weeks I've noticed how much sharper my playing has become. I just downloaded a bunch more lessons this morning in fact!
jmb3450 - Posted - 10/14/2011: 05:59:12
Nice review Rob, In my opinion Troy is one of the best teachers there is for squareneck. Jimmy Heffernan's lessons and DVD's are also excellent.
Jim
Edited by - jmb3450 on 10/14/2011 05:59:54
LessonsWithTroy - Posted - 10/14/2011: 10:21:38
Thanks guys!!!! Always motivating to hear such kind words!
I'm in the process of some new things on my site! Keep an eye out over the next few months! ;-)
~Troy~
McStubbins - Posted - 10/14/2011: 10:48:24
Although being from St Louis, if you're a Cardinals fan I may have to take some kind words back.... ; )
\bitter Cubs fan
Grizz - Posted - 10/14/2011: 10:51:22
That was an outstanding testament to Troy. You most certainly will not get any argument here. Troy has it down to a science. But I also agree lets not forget Jimmy Heffernan. He methods may be different, but he is another superb instructor nonetheless. You can add Mike Witcher to the mix and Troy would agree on both of them. We are blessed to have these people here to help us. For all of them, 
for sharing your expertise with us. It is greatly appreciated.
Edited by - Grizz on 10/14/2011 10:53:14
oldredneck57 - Posted - 10/14/2011: 12:25:08
I have to echo the chorus here. Thanks Troy
kimbro - Posted - 10/14/2011: 15:25:04
I think most everyone on this sight knows how much I agree with everything you said about Troy's lessons. Most everything I've learned I learned from troy. Had I not found his sight I probably would have given up trying to learn dobro. Not only is he a great teacher but a great musician and a very down to earth nice person as well.
