Vol. 1 Since I Fell For You

Bob Conti spoke about 'the flattening learning curve' on one of his Chord Melody DVD's, and spoke about how significantly easier it gets when the curve starts to flatten out. He was right in spades! The initial CM ('Since I Fell for You')took me a long time to get the grip of, but it's NOT hard to know what you need to practice to 'get it' - as it's demonstrated clearly and simply on the DVD. The second CM I worked on (God Bless The Child) started to recycle a part of the first one song, as Bob stated would start to happen... I only knew a few jazz chords grips before I started, but by this time I had mastered the majority of the common chords Bob uses. Of course I am learning new tricks along the way that will also be recycled in many more songs, but the curve is really starting to flatten now, and my speed of learning songs is rapidly accelerating. Another brilliant tip Bob gave was not to bother learning the names of every chord as 'You will pick them up through using them' - surprisingly, this is absolutely correct!!! lol I am now part way through learning 'Indian Summer' - a really show stopping CM if ever there was one. Bob has got even better in his DVD teaching delivery, by laying out the chords right through the arrangement from start to finish on the chords grip sheets - so people who don't know music don't have to keep moving around the codas etc, it's straight off the layout. The big question is: "How can his teaching GET any better?" lol I would like to say that I am more than satisfied with this world class tuition from a world class player. If any guitarist masters Bob's DVD arrangements then (even if it is one...

Some time ago I bought the Ticket to Improv 1 and 2. I was progressing well with the second volume but realised that I would never have the time to play in a band - and so I employed your analytical outlooks to learning some solo fingerstyle Dylan tunes and I just got better and better. However, the thought came to me about what you said about anyone can Learn to play in lucrative classy joints or some such with your solo guitar arrangements. Thanks to the good sense of your approach, I now have a fine level of confidence about my playing, so I am returning to jazz solo guitar and have targeted the next 5 years on absorbing how to get those gigs. I have just received 'Since I Fell For You' and I am over the moon with it! I (personally) should have opted for these arrangements rather than the 'improv' from the start - but Hey!, - nothing is lost if you learn something new about music right? I have learned persistence and focus from your approach and material - as well as never to give up on a song...

...song at a time) he must become a world class guitarist himself in the end. I only spend an hour a day on the DVD's but my progress has been remarkable even if I do say so myself. Another great thing Bob pointed out was that when you have learned 30 to 50 songs, a guitarist develops the ability to 'know' where the song is going and play it off the cuff EVEN IF they have never played it before. This must work in the same way that a lead player can play a tune straight off because his ear has developed over playing so many solos. The jazz guitarist can manage to do it because he has developed the lightning fast and accurate jump to hit a harmonising chord to an individual note.So if he's heard the melody he can instantly harmonise it and play embellishments taught in the DVD's. I could write about my discoveries over the last year or two using Bob's DVD's all day - but the bottom line, like Bob says is: "It's all in the playing!". You learn jazz by playing arrangements NOT my knowing every scale and mode known to man. It's like you can memorise all the words in the English language but it won't make you a great writer. Neither will knowing all the rules of grammar make you a great public speaker. My advice (after decades of floundering around with these stupid things) is if you want to play AND really understand jazz get Bob's DVD's and watch the scales (from your eyes) fall away one by one. The byproduct of knowing this stuff spills over into any songwriters bag of tricks as well. Better go, the guitar is calling.

part way through because it can seem 'too much'. That in itself is a major key to musical success in it's own right. I have learned more through doing an hour a day with clearly explained material than I did 'messing around' for years before - and I am now determined to become a fine solo jazz player. Some months ago my Dad passed away. He had a long illness but he was very strong minded. In those months he was listening to some old jazz recordings - He was a pretty useful jazz pianist himself, and I told him what I was doing with country fingerstyle. Well he always was a biased jazz purist - s he told me on his deathbed: Yes, but you listen to rubbish! I don't agree with that and I know you don't from your comments about your respect for top country players - but it certainly made me think about REALLY getting to grips with solo jazz arrangements. So here I am back on the horse, and I will certainly be learning one song after the other for the coming years till I CAN play weddings, restaurants etc.! lol Bless you for your fine work Bob as well as your good sense. I never get tired of hearing you talk as well as play – Honest!!

These arrangements have played a huge role in plotting my musical landmarks. I got into Berklee College of Music by re-arranging his chart for "Since I Fell For You." I've used his songs on proficiency exams and general showing off ever since. Anyone can strum the chords to a "Let it be" or "Free Fallin," but pulling one of these out of your hat proves you're a full-fledged guitarist.

Of all the various books, DVDs and even live lessons that I have taken, Robert's DVDs and accompanying PDFs are by far the best!