How much worth is an instructional DVD to you?

[Jean-Paul]

I recently ordered a copy of Gregg Bissonette's (LMAOL) and Billy Ward's DVD. I have lots of vids and DVD's and although I am enjoying watching and listening instructional tapes I am not really suprised anymore or fall out of my chair. I don't want so sound arrogant but I understand more than a couple of years ago although I can't always play the material.

The Porcaro, Erskine's, Gary Chaffee's and Billy Ward's were something different to me. They still are valuable to me. And sometimes when you watch an "old" one it can be refreshing because you understand more of it. So I was thinking, how much worth is an instructional DVD to you? If there is one thing you haven't heard of before, is it worth to pay a certain amount for it?

In Europe they are expensive! You could have spent the money also on a private lesson although for me it is impossible to take lessons with the great outside my area.

A DVD IMO is a substitute but not really in depth. They cover the most fundamental topics, a little (sticking) technique, odd times, or explain the grooves and fills they played on a CD etc. but there are only a few giving you real study material. Ideas to start and work on to develop your own style.

What do you "miss" or would you have done when you had the chance to make a DVD? I know Gary Husband said that the most interesting parts of his vid were taken out. So there is also a commercial point of view. But I'd rather pay more to see the real deal. I would like to hear Steve's opinion too.

Next buy would be Stanton Moore and Ed Soph, opinions please.

[Steve Holmes]

Well, the one thing that instructional videos provide for me that's priceless is inspiration. There's nothing like watching a drummer you really like and getting inspired to go hit the shed right away.

I agree with you regarding content however. My goal with Shed Some Light was to have some usefull lessons in there that actually showed where I was coming from, as opposed to just basic exercises shown after a lot of cool blowing.
Then there's videos that try to show cool stuff but don't explain thm very well. I remember the Steve Smith 5's section from Part 2 which at the time was over my head, but the whole indian counting system was just ovrer-complicating things. I've always been interested in finding the ways to explain stuff so people really get it.

I may do anther video at some point. Derek has to get his home studio built first. [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 15, 2005 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Steve Holmes ]</font>

[troutbrooke]

Lately I've been digging live band videos where you can clearly see the drummer. I was just watching a live performance of the Pat Metheny Trio with Bill Stewart on drums, and it's amazing. Watching that for 10 minutes makes me want to run out and get me a Gretsch kit.

Anyone wanna buy my Yamaha Maple Custom Absolutes? [img]smile.gif[/img]

[SingleStrk]

Originally posted by drumming sort of person:
I was just watching a live performance of the Pat Metheny Trio with Bill Stewart on drums, and it's amazing.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">OT: Is this video/dvd commercially available? I want it...

[troutbrooke]

Originally posted by SingleStrk:
OT: Is this video/dvd commercially available? I want it...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know. It was from a live show at an Italian Jazz festival that was aired on Italian TV. I got it in VCD format from a friend. It's over 30 minutes too.

[PocketPlayer]

Well, the one thing that instructional videos provide for me that's priceless is inspiration.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">BULLSEYE!

Old topic, but so many videos are not pedagogical in nature. They are not really produced to teach per say, more perform. A good video has it all--quality performance, good teaching, concepts made fun and easy, and creative tid bits...stories. The vid's that show more bass and guitar under a DRUM label is inexcusable.

I agree as well DSOP...Live performance is great...unfettered...camera not roaming. So many produce withOUT the drummer at home...alone in mind. I started to notice this "camera rolling" with Chamber's vid. Some great groovin was taking place and a fill was coming up and off the cam went to the guitar and then keyboard. WHAT? I wanted to SEE Dennis during those sections. Rarely can you get that close in a live setting...and then what about those who NEVER get a chance to see their fav's groove hard? A vid is their only back stage pass.

I'm amazed at just how seeing a cat sit behind the kit insipres me to try something different. I was inspired to see JR Live recently...he reminded me of a street player as apposed to a refined machine like Lang (not a dig at ALL...just a contrast).

I've said it B4 Steve...you more than most have sensitivity to the audience. I'd love to sit and "Shed" some ideas with ya over coffee. I really think Jeff's vid is good because you want to watch it over and again. Like his playing, there is no wasted notes. It's very succinct and to the point.

Sorry for the rant...frustrated film student here [img]confused.gif[/img]

[Suspiria]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes:
I may do anther video at some point. Derek has to get his home studio built first. [img]wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ August 15, 2005 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Steve Holmes ]</font></font>

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Another video lesson would be fantastic. Looking forward to that!

[Clintuplet]

From my perspective of living in Alabama, drum instructional DVDs are an oasis in a wasteland that has no real cultural identity when it comes to music. A majority of clinics I've attended were local, but seeing the Dave Weckl Band for $5.00 in Alabama was a fluke in which I'll never see the likes of again. Most of the musicians we discuss here, play in either Nashville or Atlanta if we're lucky enough to have them come that far South. They almost always play during the week sometime so I have to be extremely selective on which shows I decide to attend. Instructional DVDs fill the void. That's why I enjoy a mixture of instruction and playing with a band.

I've said it B4 Steve...you more than most have sensitivity to the audience.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree. On your DVD and the clips you've posted, you instruct in a manner that's like being in the same room taking a lesson. Maybe slightly raw by Hudson standards but I like it. It's more personable and doesn't seem rushed for time.