Thanks for your visit to our website. It is likely that your visit is the result of searching for a better and more efficient approach to increasing your playing skills. If so, we urge you to take a few moments to carefully review the information below, as it will provide you with reliable guidelines to assist in your search for resources to become a skilled jazz guitarist. In fact, as indicated by scores of guitarists on our “Customer Testimonials” page, the frank information below may become a turning point in your musical experience.
Is This Your Current Situation?
Are you an intermediate Rock or Blues guitarist who has lost interest and enthusiasm in learning, because of instructors who endlessly preach that you must learn modes and scales as the only "correct" way to become a jazz guitarist? Have you had your fill of instructors who gladly take your hard earned money each week only to teach you everything - except how to start playing jazz guitar?
In your quest to to learn to improvise, have you spent a small fortune on several years of lessons - yet, you’re still unable to go to a jam session and play through the chord progressions to a few standards or even some simple blues changes? Have you reached the correct conclusion that you will not learn to improvise by practicing scales and modes? Have you collected enough books to jack up one side of a building? Have you had the experience of being given some abstract concept, and then told: “...now, you need to go figure out how to make jazz out of this concept...” Sound familiar?
At some point, every aspiring jazz player discovers it is essentially impossible to create great sounding pro-level improv lines out of modes and scales. Without doubt, those players would much rather be jamming with other players, rather than being tortured by instructors who insist on teaching yet even more scales, modes and endless theory.
Instead of another trip to yet another boring lesson, are your ready to enjoy learning with the time-tested methodology that is based on one rock solid principle? Simply, you can only learn to play jazz guitar by actually "practicing playing jazz guitar?"
The Internet Minefield - Claims From Hawkers And Impostors
In recent years, computer technology and the internet has caused a flood of junk DVDs and Books on the internet. In your search for an effective jazz guitar learning resource, you’ve probably already discovered an endless number of websites hawking learning products with ridiculously false claims such as: "secrets to be revealed" - "miracle systems" - "learn theory" - "ultimate program" - "play this in three days" - "learn scales, modes, theory" - “be a guitar god.”
Buyer Beware!
Unfortunately, the endless flood of products also forces real pros to compete with amateurs who actually present themselves as pro level players/educators behind a barrage of unverified claims. Even worse, on a daily basis, numerous aspiring guitarists are hoodwinked into spending their hard earned funds for nothing more than repackaged modes, scales and other useless garbage.
Consider that every doctor, lawyer, engineer etc, must obtain educational and regulatory approval to legally practice medicine, design buildings and bridges. However, boatloads of products are usually presented by an army of amateurs whose credentials amount to nothing more than ownership of a guitar. Moreover, those amateurs flagrantly present themselves as professionals in the belief that they have some inherent “right” to “...make some quick bucks on the internet...”
In our ongoing pursuit of producing the high impact jazz guitar DVDs, our staff made some interesting observations recently. In nearly all of the websites above, after bombarding you with ridiculous claims and promises in an attempt to appear credible, there is one very important element that is noticeably absent or intentionally omitted. There is no video or press documentation of their ability to actually play what they claim they will teach you to play in their ad promises. Again, Buyer Beware!
Remember, there is only one best system, approach or method and that is the one that produces satisfactory results for you- quickly and efficiently.
What Should You Expect From Every Educator?
Identifying The Real Jazz Guitar Pros: You may be thinking, “How can I differentiate with certainty who the real pros are, instead of being taken by amateur hawkers who make ridiculous claims?” Very simply, through legitimate, verifiable credentials.
Before investing in any learning product to improve your skill, we urge you to make your choices based on reliable non-negotiable requirements. There is only one certain method to identify an effective educator and/or high quality learning products - in two words, verifiable credentials. More specifically, a well documented history of legitimately released CDs, DVDs, Published Books and a website with numerous videos and more importantly, verifiable customer satisfaction commentaries.
Visual Documentation Of Actual Playing Skill And Teaching Ability
Intelligent reasoning dictates that every educator’s attained level of skill is the audible result of his/her teaching methodology and more importantly, what he/she should actually be able to teach you. Indeed, an educator cannot teach you to play what he/she is unable to play.
If an educator’s learning products and or methods are successful, it stands to reason that he/she would be delighted to visually display his/her teaching skills. Therefore, as a prospective student, you should certainly expect to see numerous video samples of the educator’s methodology and not just a few, but hundreds of student testimonials documenting their results and experience with that educator. If an educator is a successful player, there should also be verifiable and substantial documentation of industry and press notices from major publications, critics etc.
Don't settle for anything less than the above from anyone!
What Are Robert Conti’s Credentials?
We are proud to present nearly Five Decades of press notices from his live performances, numerous videos documenting his accomplishments as a highly successful performer and clearly, as the most prolific jazz guitar educator on the international scene today. In fact, there are video clips from the 1960's documenting his (already) high level of skill at that point in time. As demonstrated in scores of available video clips, the skill of Robert Conti is the unquestionable clear result of the data presented in his DVDs and books. Moreover, as he is an acknowledged legitimate pro, we are proud to present a well-documented forty-seven year history of Mr. Conti’s DVDs, published Books, CDs, several websites with numerous performance videos, major press notices and most importantly, scores of bona fide customer comments about their rapid improvement. Mr. Conti’s ability to deliver powerful high impact information is well documented and certainly obvious as he approaches his 30th DVD release - as the result of demand from customer satisfaction. |
As clearly evidenced through voluminous press reviews and customer comments, Robert Conti is the rare combination of a well documented world-class player with the skill to front an all star rhythm section and peel paint off the walls at outrageous tempos. In contrast, he is in continuous demand to perform at private corporate events and in five star Las Vegas hotels and restaurants playing beautiful solo guitar.
All of the above and he is also an equally skilled teacher who has the ability to place music under your fingers quickly. More importantly, for the serious student, as verified by thousands of bona fide testimonials, Conti doesn't hold anything back when it comes to teaching you to play jazz guitar.
Robert Conti is well documented as a world class performer and as an educator in the business of teaching guitarists and other musicians to play jazz, quickly and efficiently. The student demand for Thirty DVDs from this one educator is clearly a verifiable and reliable indication that he is very successful and highly skilled in delivering high impact information. We are not aware of any other educator who has produced such a body of works!
Other Informative Articles Of Interest
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine: "The Robert Conti Approach To Teaching - Why It Works" by Paul Getty
An interesting and highly informative article written by Paul Getty, a guitar enthusiast and one of the "Captains of Industry" in Corporate America.
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine Cover Story: The Amazing Robert Conti
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine: The Power Of Eight" Robert Conti at Rocco, Bel Air, CA
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine: Ventano Gig Review by Ed Benson of Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine: Source Code DVDs Review by Mike Irish, Dir of Jazz Studies, MTU
- Just Jazz Guitar Magazine: Play Pro Chord MelodyToday DVD Review by The Publisher of JJG
- Dr. Dave Walker’s Blog: Ticket To Improv Review
- Vintage Guitar Magazine: Robert Conti, by Ann Wickstrom
- Video: See numerous videos documenting the skill and career of Robert Conti
- Robert Conti is also a 10 Year Columnist For Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
Indisputable Jazz Guitar Facts
We don’t believe there is any person who would disagree or factually refute the following statements:
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Insight To The Robert Conti “No Modes No Scales®” Methodology & Approach
Like the early Founding Fathers, the verifiable high level of Robert Conti’s playing skill is the result of NOT studying modes, scales and theory. Since 1966, he has adhered to an unshakeable philosophy that spending time memorizing modes and scales will take you forever to get nowhere, as the only thing you will accomplish is playing scales very well. As indicated in the interview excerpt below, Robert’s philosophy since he began teaching in 1966 is to direct all energies toward playing the music and the working theory will become obvious as a result of playing.
Growing up and learning the craft in the musical hot bed of South Philadelphia in the late 50's, all of his learning experience resulted in the firm belief of one simple common sense principle - you can only learn to play jazz guitar - by practicing jazz, not useless modes or scales. In direct contradiction to modes and scales, the Robert Conti approach has continuously proven extremely effective. He is clearly one of a very few super players, and more importantly, one who is willing and able to teach you what he knows - as evidenced by the continuing worldwide demand for nearly 30 DVDs in six short years. It is this combination of pro player and educator that makes Robert Conti stand out from the crowd.
Robert stated in a recent interview: Theory vs Reality:
“Theory is often defined as a guess, conjecture or an idea of how something works. In relation to jazz improvisation, it is the branch of the art form that deals with its principles or methods, its practice. As most aspiring students soon discover, there is no shortage of educators who will try to convince you to believe that modes, scales and theory are the only correct path to learn to play improvised jazz. The obvious question - if improvising well is your goal, then why pursue modes, scales and theory first? After spending several months or years trying to comprehend modes, scales and theory you’ll still need to learn to play. Conversely, if you expend your energy learning to play well (the same approach as all the early greats) you’ll quickly discover two great truths: 1) Modes and scales are useless. They were not necessary for stellar players like Wes Montgomery, Grant Green et al and they are most certainly not necessary for you to learn. 2) Theory suddenly becomes obvious as a by-product of playing lines that are tangible enough for clear analysis. From the student perspective, the best part of this pragmatic approach is that they have the great pleasure of practicing and playing jazz on their instrument, rather than trying to comprehend painfully boring modes, theory, scales etc. In the low- tech days of the 50s & 60s, there were no DVDs with instant playback. There were no computers that provided instant rhythm sections for practicing. There was nothing even remotely close to the array of learning resources that are widely available today. In those days, nearly everything was learned by watching a good player very closely, and/or listening and endlessly lifting the needle on a usually worn out vinyl recording. However, the most effective method of learning was simply sitting down with a friend and saying, "Yo, Louie, show me that line you just played!" Robert jokingly calls this the "Mooche Mode" (Actually, it was the only method that worked for scores of jazz players who emerged from that great era).” |
The Clear Leader In Jazz Guitar Education
Drawing from his early learning experience and as evidenced by 30 DVDs, Robert Conti is the clear leader in jazz guitar education through his ability to effectively harness high quality DVD video to benefit guitarists seeking meaningful info. There is a sample compilation of 15 Improv DVDs and another from the Play Pro Chord Melody Today DVD series. He takes the time to patiently break the solo lines into small pieces and measure-by-measure, he shows you exactly how to duplicate everything that you saw and heard him play.
Please take a few moments to watch those highly informative video segments, as you'll recognize his attention to detail, the quality of the material and more importantly, his ability to place that data under your fingers, where it counts.
It doesn't and it simply can't get any better or be made any easier than Conti's approach. Instead of modes, scales and theory, Robert Conti delivers a mother-lode of valuable, useful and playable "take it to the gig tonight" type of information, all presented at the song and performance level, which is everyone’s goal. The Conti DVDs are the equivalent of a world class pro teaching you in the comfort of your home! We believe you'll agree that Robert Conti delivers exactly what you're looking for in a common sense, result-producing approach to teaching jazz guitar.
Please click here for help in determining which Robert Conti product is right for you