SMP Music Instruction DVDs

SMP Beginning Harmonica DVD
You’re in total control while your own private teacher patiently guides you from your first notes all the way through to complete compositions. Several months of valuable lessons are included with phrase-by-phrase demonstrations, split-screen closeups, guitar accompaniment to play along with, and a tablature booklet (which shows you graphically how to play each note). Learn instrument care and maintenance, proper holding, scales and theory, note bending, flashy tricks, and cool endings. (Harmonica in key of C required.)

SMP Bluegrass Banjo Level II Intermediate (DVD)
Bluegrass Banjo Level 2 Intermediate features several months of valuable lessons programmed into one video. The songs are demonstrated slowly, phrase by phrase, with split screen close-ups so you can see exactly how to play them. Guitar accompaniment is provided so you can play along. A music booklet is included with exact transcriptions of fingering techniques in tablature.After a brief review of timing and tablature, you will begin using every inch of your banjo fingerboard as you develop more of that flashy, hard-driving bluegrass sound. Not only will you learn more songs, but you’ll learn corresponding up-the-neck breaks to them as well. You’ll learn movable chord formations, minors and 7ths, along with backup techniques and licks. You’ll also learn melodic scales and some more flashing endings.

SMP Bluegrass Mandolin Intermediate to Advanced (DVD)
Several months of valuable bluegrass mandolin lessons for the intermediate to advanced player are programmed into one easy-to-navigate DVD so you can advance your playing skills in front of your TV. An interactive DVD teacher patiently guides you through each step while interactive menus provide instant access to all lesson chapters. Bluegrass Mandolin Intermediate to Advanced demonstrates songs slowly, phrase by phrase, with split screen close-ups so you can see exactly how to play them. Bass and rhythm guitar play-along tracks are provided for songs at normal speed and at a slower speed so you play along. A handy booklet includes exact transcriptions of playing techniques in tablature.After a brief review of tablature, you’ll begin using every inch of your mandolin fingerboard, mastering the skills that will place you in complete command of your instrument. You’ll learn music theory, major and minor scales, bluesy licks, flashy endings, pentatonic scales, arpeggios, and scale sequences. You’ll develop your improvising skills by combining these scales with advanced techniques in second, third, and fourth positions as alternate breaks to a variety of bluegrass favorites.

SMP Beginning Fiddle DVD
You’re in total control while your own private teacher patiently guides you from your first notes all the way through to complete compositions. Several months of valuable lessons are included with phrase-by-phrase demonstrations, split-screen close-ups, guitar accompaniment to play along with, and a tablature booklet which shows you graphically which strings to play at which positions. Learn bowing patterns, finger positions, shuffle strokes, double stops, and tag endings while playing a variety of popular fiddle tunes.

SMP Delta Blues Guitar DVD
Your own private DVD teacher is here to patiently guide you each exciting step along the way with the Delta Blues Guitar DVD from SMP. See how fun and easy it is to advance your guitar playing skills in front of your own TV or computer. Interactive menus allow instant access to all lesson chapters so you can save time mastering the secrets of Delta Blues Guitar. (This DVD is designed for the intermediate to advanced player. It’s recommended that first-time beginners work through the Beginning Acoustic Guitar” DVD by SMP before starting this one.) After a quick review of guitar playing basics, you’ll begin learning the anatomy of the Delta Blues style and how emotion is expressed with your guitar. You’ll apply hammers, pull-offs, bends and harmonics and develop skillful control of the slide to pour that soulful blues feeling into every note you play. As you progress, you’ll explore three common tunings while collecting a storehouse of licks and riffs. You’ll learn how to tastefully combine all the elements into traditional Delta Blues song solos and to develop your own style of improvisation. Riffs, licks and patterns are demonstrated slowly, phrase by phrase with split-screen close-ups so you can see exactly how to play them. A printable PDF tablature booklet is also included on disk that is accessible from any computer with a DVD drive.

SMP Bluegrass Guitar - Flat Picking Guitar Techniques (DVD)
This DVD is designed for those who already know the basics and can already play chords and rhythm. Interactive menus provide instant access to all lesson chapters so you can save time while mastering the elements of Bluegrass style guitar. You can use the jump back button on your remote control for a quick review. See how fun and easy it is to play Bluegrass style guitar in front of your own TV. Your own private interactive DVD teacher is here to patiently guide you each exciting step along the way. The songs are demonstrated slowly, phrase by phrase with split screen close-ups so you can see exactly how to play them. After a quick review of the basics, you’ll learn how to combine melody note picking with chord strums to create full sounding arrangements to a variety of popular bluegrass songs. Then you’ll progress into open scale flat picking and apply hammers, pull-offs, slides, and string bending to develop flashy lead picking solos. As you advance, you’ll learn cross picking breaks that you can apply to previously learned tunes. Then you’ll top it all off by learning several bluegrass style endings. Approximate running time: 60 minutes.