How do you watch these DVDs?

[Tier_One]

I know this question sounds sorta stupid but I gotta ask it nonetheless. I need some input on how others watch Doug's videos.

What I specifically mean is do you just listen to each lesson then go back and try the exercises? Or do you try to play along with them while its playing?

I'm asking this question only because I tend to do the latter, and I'm starting to go a bit overboard I think. I sometimes will keep playing back an exercise to try and learn it before moving forward through the lesson and when I can't even play it slowly it really bothers me. I think this is more psychological than anything but it is really causing me to start running into a progress blocking wall. BTW I'm on Stage 4 now, gotta get a recording for the Stage 3 lead up sometime.

Thanks again for your answers.

[Steve Dunlap]

Good Question. When I get a DVD lesson, I always watch the DVD in it's entirety first and study it. After that, I always print the tab from the disc because the tab is a very integral and most important aspect of every lesson as far as I'm concerned. I watch and listen to the DVD's to get the idea of what a solo or exercise is supposed to sound like, then match it by reading the tab. But to answer your question, no, I never play along with the DVD. I watch the DVD's and read the tabs/play separately with the exception of playing one of the given solos to a provided backing track on the DVD. That's the only time I'll play along with the DVD.

[Sarah Spisak]

That's a great question and excellent reply.
I was thinking earlier this morning about posting a short lesson on this very topic! I can think of many different approaches, each with different advantages. Stay tuned...

[sinfreealex]

I do the same thing as FadedSG now and it's really improved my chops. I used to ply while watching but I ended up missing a lot of what Doug was trying to tell me, which is more than half of what you should be learning.

[petiterose]

I first watch the lesson without playing along with.
After that, I put the tab on my screen (explore function of the dvd) and I start practice exercices to my own pace. Once I master the technique, I play along with scorch files to get the right tempo, and only after that, I try to play along with the dvd.
Oh, and sometimes, when I'm not able to do something well, I go back to watch the dvd to see how Doug plays it (like how are his hand form, fingering, etc.) and most of the time, I discover that I have to change a little thing in the way I play it to make it works.

PS : Can't wait for your lesson and tips, Sarah !

[Sarah Spisak]

That's an excellent approach!
I have a few more ideas about getting the most from the DVDs. I'll try to get them posted this week.

[jlogicalor]

I do pretty much the same as already posted. The first thing I do is print out all the supporting material. Then I review the objectives so I know what it is that I'm expected to learn. I watch the whole lesson through taking notes where necessary on my printouts based on the objectives and notes on how Doug is playing the lessons...fingering, etc. After that, I practice, practice, practice until the objective is met. Oh...and I watch the videos on my laptop.

[Tier_One]

Thanks all of you for your great answers.

I think I'm going to try what was suggested on a lesson to lesson basis as opposed to the entire DVD. That might be biting off a bit more than I can chew. And that would be really cool if you did that Sarah, I know it would help out a bunch of people.

Anyway, I'm off to finish writing these stupid university application essays. Argh....

Peace

[surfdog]

Same for me... I rarely play the DVD and play the guitar at the same time. I get lost too quickly with that whole "follow the bouncing ball" concept. I would rather focus on what Doug is saying and DOING first...then go from there. For me anyway, trying to play along with the DVD is a bit like trying to watch a movie with somebody talking throughout..."OK, enough already! Keep quiet so I can watch it!" So after viewing what I need to, I stop it...work on the exercise...and then replay that lesson to make sure I'm on the right track... Repeat as needed.

[Sarah Spisak]

Here's the new lesson! I hope this helps:
http://www.metalriffs.com/lesson_04.htm

[Tim Ray]

GREAT IDEAS! (should have been doing this while I was off work the last 2 weeks!). I have lots of time that I can't actually practice, but could listen or watch the videos. How can you listen to audio if you don't have an Ipod?

[Sarah Spisak]

You can put it on a CD. There are different ways to do this, depending on your gear. I think there's a post about this on this board...

[weldfish]

I don't have a printer so I watch the lesson and then practice by myself and then play along with the DVD when I feel I am ready. Gotta get a printer one of these days.

[Sarah Spisak]

Do you live near a "Kinko's" or whatever kind of shop they have in your part of the country? I'm talking about a place with Xerox and fax machines. They could print your PDFs.

[weldfish]

We have an Office Max about 15 miles away. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion Sarah.