Hello Mr. Conti, What a pleasure sir, I have no words to express my respect for you sir. I've been working with chord melody over jazz standards for the last 12 years. Always finding of course multiple challenges and problems. When I bought The Chord Melody Assembly Line, I saw all the doors opening in my face: What a feeling. Thank you for that book. In one month I felt I learned more than in the last 12 years. So well explained.

Until I came across Robert Conti's courses, I spent a lot of time in theory/scales/mode books and a few stints with teachers who really weren't providing good value. For the most part I'm going it alone, lifting licks off records for the most part to get my sound. This, for me, has been a slow process that seems difficult to work into our shows. I've discovered Robert's approach and style to be a perfect fit (I'm originally from Allentown, PA so Robert's south Philly ways are like a slice of home to me). I'm on the seventh solo from the Ticket to Improv series and am going to start Danny Boy today. Last night I created a chord melody to "There Will Never Be Another You". It is very apparent that I need "The Formula" next. My plan is to run through the rest of the DVD and then create several chord melody arrangements of some of my favorite songs before moving on to the Formula. My goal is to be able to play solo gigs around town within the next year. Along with that, I will master the eight solos form Ticket to Improv. I also purchased "Wave" which looks challenging, but I love the song and think I'm up to it as I already took some Ticket to Improve lines to 16th note runs. I do best when I understand what I'm creating on the guitar so I think the Source Code will be the key to advancing my playing to the next level...

...Ironically, that's why I thought theory was so important all these years. Robert's approach has opened my eyes, (and ears!), to bringing out the bop sound on my axe. My knowledge of scales/modes/theory has helped me integrate Robert's teaching fairly quickly; however, I completely agree with Robert that I've been approaching my guitar backwards for the past four years. I ran through the Ticket To Improv Volume 1 just days before a gig and I'm telling you I swung hard at the gig. My bandmates and the audience were totally digging my playing. It's not that I played all the lines with perfection, but my playing had that bop sound and feel. I laid down a hard groove and laid down several Conti licks (along with some harmonic generalization stuff) and BAM! I was tearing up the joint. What is most clear to me is that The Source Code series, along with several prepared solos/arrangements, is taking my playing where I want it to go quickly. And that's good because I'm 46 years old and need to hurry up and play! My plan is to purchase The entire Source Code series. I'm finishing the Chord Melody Assembly Line and own the Intros Endings and Turnarounds. P.S. Having Robert teach from the DVDs is what brings the books to life. He forces me to step through the material with patience which is critical to internalizing this stuff...it's like "a walk in the park!!"

I received The Formula and Chord Melody Melody Assembly Line. It is a pity that I did not start off with these two books as they are basically the most important. They are exceptionally good books and I want to thank Robert for these works.

I am enjoying your Comping Expo book/DVD and it's the 4th course of yours that I have purchased. Every one has been terrific. The first was the Chord Melody Assembly Line, and it was the best approach to teaching how to voice the melody with chords that I have tried.  Unfortunately I have a tremor in my right, (pick) hand so I cant play well and wont improve much but I enjoy figuring songs out and trying various substitutions. Just wanted to say how much I have appreciated your work. ALL THE BEST

I saw a video clip - thank the Lord I overcame my initial skepticism. Previously I had spent a lot of money for meager results. The method is pure genius. This has been a real eye opener. I feel like a struggling amateur magician seeing a Penn and Teller show for the first time. Just got the Chord Melody Assembly Line and the bonus dvd (ticket to improv - thanks!). I have spent hundreds of dollars on many books and DVDs on chord melody. Some are very good - but I really wasn't learning anything - just playing someone else's stuff. And they do not have anything like this - correct melodic voice leading that you can use immediately and then you can play from a lead sheet. I literally just stumbled on your website. What a happy accident. I can't thank you enough.