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Worldwide Students Speak

4955 reviews
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Entrada Archtop Guitar
Scott Tarulli
Berklee Professor Reviews Lefty Entrada

See Attached Video Review by Scott Tarulli of Boston, MA

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Vol. 4 - Ticket To Improv
gerald mckinnon
volume four

Super excellent

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The Jazz Lines
Jack Marchewka
Just getting started

Worked though the first two lessons of the Jazz Lines book (more to go), but it opened a door for me. I’ve come to understand there is a difference between theory and harmony. This is about learning harmony. If you want to play jazz learn harmony.

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Vol. 4 Wave
Mike Sanders - Las Vegas, NV
One of Conti's Best Solo Lessons

All of the Robert Conti DVDs are top-notch, but this one takes the cake. He takes what some consider to be a harmonically complex tune and breaks it done into the simplest of terms. From here, the viewer is taken through the lesson a few measures at a time, with each concept explained in detail and with care. Once you have the lesson under your hands, you not only have an impressive solo but an increased vocabulary of lines to use on other songs and a better understanding of how to approve improvisation over any song. Great fun and well worth the effort. If you are new to improvisation, I recommend learning from a few of Conti’s “Ticket to Improv” DVDs first as you will internalize the lesson much faster and have a greater understanding of the concepts presented.

Preferred Gauge Strings

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Preferred Gauge Strings
Jack Marchewka
My choice of strings

For my Entradas. These strings came with my Entradas so I’m sticking with them. Live the wound 3rd string. Great tone and playability!

Chord Melody at Its Best!

This is a great DVD to start building your chord melody repertoire. Mr. Conti walks you thru the classic “Since I Fell for You” and provides you with several ways to approach the tune using a series of different chordal harmonic arrangements. Besides learning to play the song several different ways, Mr. Conti is at the ready with his famous “Off the Sheet” tips. These are items that not part of the regular lesson plan, but are sure to help take your chord melody playing to an even higher level. Of the Chord Melody arrangements, this is my personal favorite, but after finishing the DVD, I purchased ALL the other Chord Melody DVDs as I was so inspired to learn more.

The Formula

$29.95

Learn the Conti approach to advanced re-harmonization of your chord melody arrangements to achieve a pro-level sound.  Considered by many pro guitarists and pianists as the “go to” resource on the subject, this is another best seller now enhanced with 6 hours of DVD video!

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Streaming Video Options (Info About Streaming Video)

Description

Overview Video

Learn The Formula, the Conti approach to advanced reharmonization of your chord melodies to achieve pro-level sound.  Considered by many pro guitarists and pianists as the “go to” resource on the subject, this is another best seller now enhanced with 6 hours of DVD video! First, Conti reduces what is generally viewed as highly complex subject matter to a handful of quickly comprehensible guidelines. Next, through a series of examples, Robert clearly demonstrates his Formula to create the reharmonized pro-level arrangements as seen in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, the Play Pro Chord Melody Today DVD Series and his Signature Chord Melody Arrangement books.  Learn his methodology and you’ll be amazed when you hear the results you’ll begin to accomplish very quickly.

The Formula – Disc One – 4 Hours

Conti teaches The Formula! Then he presents 4 SOLID HOURS of the “How To Nuts & Bolts” with numerous ideas and examples. Within the first few chapters of this Book and DVD, any upper level intermediate student will learn exactly how to begin creating stunning Pass, Peterson and Tatum type substitutions and reharmonizations for any standard, simply by learning Conti’s Formula to manipulate the most basic elements of harmony with ease.

The Formula – Disc Two – 2 Hours

Robert spends ANOTHER 2 HOURS to present the viewer with 3 full length songs that further demonstrate real world applications of the methodology he taught on Disc One. You’ll soon understand why thousands of savvy jazz guitarists and pianists rank The Formula! as the ultimate methodology book on the subject of reharmonization.

We are frequently asked the difference between The Formula and The Chord Melody Assembly Line. Simply, The Formula teaches more advanced concepts in reharmonization.  If you’re just starting out with wanting to create chord melodies from a lead sheet or fake book, start with The Chord Melody Assembly Line instead.

The Formula Includes:

  • Full size 8.5″ x 11″ Booklet
  • Two DVD set totaling 6 Hours of high quality instruction from Robert Conti
  • Easy to read chord grids for every note

Customer Reviews

Based on 61 reviews
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Tancredo Netto - Brazil
I think it is the best

I think you are the only one that explains the magic of chord melody! I admire Conti's method, I think it is the best, a hands on approach and at the same time it teaches the way professionals play. Like we Brazilians say, he doesn't only give the fish, he teaches to fish! I love jazz standards and I hope I will study a lot with Conti's help!! Thank you very much! It's a pleasure for me to recommend a very good teacher and Conti is one!!!

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J.D.
Opened up a universe of sounds...

I would like to thank Robert Conti for sharing his knowledge, I have learned a lot from "The Formula" and his chord melody arrangements that I already acquired all of them. I spend hours reading the songs, absorbing the sounds and it inspires me a lot to find "The Formula" in them and find my own paths. His method has opened up a universe of sounds and harmonic pleasures that I didn't know existed. Thank you very much again and I hope to find you happy and in good health.

J
John Payne - Rockwall, TX
Incredible breakthrough for me

Over the years I've learned, memorized and performed many songs but it was only after reading your Harmonic Protocol that I now understand how to approach reharmonizing a song in a harmonically rich jazz idiom. Incredible breakthrough for me -- thanks again to you. Of course, still a long way to go in that direction, but I believe by learning to fluidly play several of your chord arrangements I will build my chord vocabulary and eventually get to where I can cycle through and play those chords as you say -- "as easy as writing my own
name."

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Alan Spring - United Kingdom
Enthusiasm to persevere

I am progressing well with the previous material that I have ordered. This is the first educational material that I have had the enthusiasm to persevere with - it's brilliant. I have a new lease on life, musically speaking!

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Tony Silber
The Formula

Amazing stuff- secrets unlocked!

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Alessandro Colico
Dense materials

I just read the first ten pages are full of great concepts and it will take time to assimilate and internalise them... I love your approach! It will be a great journey exploring the rest of the Formula!! Grazie Robert!

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Dr. Dave Walker - Canada
Terrific materials on chord melody

I am a retired (EARLY retirement!) university professor and administrator who taught music criticism at the graduate level. I've also been a practising musician for over 40 years now. Although I have played in jazz bands for years, I restricted myself mostly to comping until I discovered Robert Conti's column in Just Jazz Guitar, and then his terrific materials on chord melody. I was delighted with the DVD of The Formula to finally be able to see and hear Mr. Conti. His down-to-earth style of instruction really resonated with me.

Streaming Video Option

DVDs are now available in an affordable, instantly available streaming video format. Videos may be watched on any device with an internet connection. Printable PDF download file is included.

Upon clicking the Streaming Video Options button, you will be directed to a checkout with two options:

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Note: You will be asked to create an account at checkout. The account to access your streaming video purchases is different than your RobertConti.com account. Please view our FAQ for additional information.

black friday sale Details

Take advantage of this great opportunity to save big on the most effective jazz guitar learning resources on the planet – as verified by nearly 5000 reviews.

Through November 30, 2023, use coupon code BFCM23 at checkout (be sure to click the apply button!) to save 30% on all learning resources, both shipped and streaming. Please note that Conti Guitars are not included in this sale event, but we still have a couple of the heavily discounted Entrada prototypes available!