Arlen Roth's Masters of the Telecaster

Starring:Various Artists
Studio: Warner Bros Publishi
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
The Telecaster is the only guitar to have ever spawned its own cult following of "Teleplayers." The Tele's raw, penetrating sound, combined with unique physical characteristics such as a deeply scooped headstock and placement of its volume and tone controls, enables Teleplayers to exploit techniques and sounds not available on other guitars.

Description

The Telecaster is the only guitar to have ever spawned its own cult following of "Teleplayers." The Tele's raw, penetrating sound, combined with unique physical characteristics such as a deeply scooped headstock and placement of its volume and tone controls, enables Teleplayers to exploit techniques and sounds not available on other guitars.

Customer Reviews:

Just like old times.......2007-01-07

This book and cd reminds me of learning the guitar as a teenager. Mates sitting around teaching each other different tricks. Thanks Arlen, I am enjoying it hugely.
Owen

Great, but incomplete DVD.......2005-08-01

I bought this DVD thinking I wouldn't need to buy the book edition, but apparently that's not the case since they each cover a lot of different ground (or more precisely the book is more about the techniques and licks, the DVD is more about showing the examples and the players). I think it would have been better had the book been obviated by this DVD so there would be no need to buy both.

The actual content of the DVD, however, is great. Arlen covers a lot of different styles with tabbed/notated examples. He starts out simply and thankfully with some rhythm stuff, then he gives more advanced ideas and techniques. A lot of styles/sounds/techniques are covered. Rock is covered lightly, but this definitely goes more into the blues, rockabilly, country and redneck jazz style of tele playing. Arlen also gives some history of the telecaster and the history of some of the telecasters more famous (and skilled) players over the years.

The real gems, however, are the clips of the guest artists like James Burton, Danny Gatton, Jerry Donahue and a few other great players. Their performances aren't transcribed, but they are inspiring. My personal favorite is the clip with Jerry Donahue. He really tears it up in the short clip!

Another nice touch was the performance at the end that featured Arlen's late daughter at 14 years old playing a silver sparkle tele with her dad and his band. Her playing is astounding for any 14 year old girl, and is better than some adults I know. She was truly blossoming into a hell of a female artist. It really shows what a loss her untimely death was.

If you love the "masters of the telecaster" and want an inspiring DVD with a ton of licks to learn on it (and you are an intermediate player), then get this. If you just want as many licks/tips as you can get without any of the frills, get the book.

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