By: Robert Cavuoto
Fret 12 has just released two new instructional DVDs; The Sound and the Story Series featuring Josh Rand of Stone Sour and Jim Root of Slipknot/Stone Sour.
The Josh Rand installment features over 90 minutes of lessons taught by Josh and offers a never-before-seen look inside the dramatic life story of Stone Sour’s guitarist.
In this DVD Josh shares his compelling story of overcoming cancer and a run in with the law that put him back on track to finding his identifiable guitar style.
The lessons include tips on alternate picking, finger independence, hammer ons/pull offs, string skipping, sweep picking, musical modes and exotic scales. In addition, there are in-depth lessons on how to play seven of Josh’s signature Stone Sour solos. Included is a 46-page tablature book to help with digesting and understanding the leads.
The instructional portion of the DVD is more geared toward the advanced player who is familiar with scales, yet wants to grow as a player. Prior to each instructional segment; Fret 12 sets up the guitar tuning to better achieve the sound and to follow along correctly.
With the use of three split screens you can view what each of Josh’s hands are doing, as well as correct body positioning and form. Josh breaks each lead into bite size sections and takes you through at half speed and full throttle. With the click of the rewind button, you can watch these sections as many times as needed.
Slipknot/Stone Sour guitarist Jim Root’s 2-disc collection offers an-depth look at the origins of his style, the sounds that add up to create his signature sound, and the emotional story that has molded him into the musician he is today. It features 11 complete songs: covering solos, riffs, leads, overlays, and effects usage – over 3 ½ hours of lessons.
There is a 60 minute documentary dedicated to Jim’s life study of music and the guitar. From growing up playing in rogue bands to developing lasting friendships and eventually going on to play with Stone Sour and Slipnot.
This DVD gives an uncensored look that helps fans understand how his incredible drive, desire, and sense of humor have taken him down this musical journey. Not to be missed is an in-depth look at his massive guitar collection that’s in the same league as the personal gear vault of Rick Nielson [Cheap Trick].
For over 15 minutes Jim stacks guitar case upon guitar case and shares their unique history. He even has a Gibson Silverburst Firebird Five, still sealed in the original shipping box ,that he knows is destined to be a collectable and refuses to open.
Fret 12 does an amazing job on the instructional DVDs as they are extremely comprehensive, yet understandable. Jim’s explanation on the origins of his songs, combined with his dry sense of humor, provides a solid and well balanced look at writing riffs and leads.
Just as it in Josh’s video, there is a three-way split screen and song break downs with full and half speed versions. Jim’s DVD might be a little more geared towards the intermediate/advanced player, as it shows how to play the rhythm parts that don’t seem so complicated, once he breaks them down into small bites. All of the songs are performed with their original backing tracks, minus vocals.
I wish I had such sensible and understandable instructional videos when I started out. They’re about as close as you can get to sitting down with your favorite guitarists for one-on-one guitar lessons.
