Play With the Pros

May 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Tracy Katz

           
 

Traditional instrumentalists, especially guitar players, should add the video tutorials at iVideosongs (ivideosongs.com) to their arsenal of musical resources. Through its beginner-, intermediate-, and advanced-level videos, iVideosongs provides focused instruction on how to play popular songs (in a number of genres, from rock and folk to pop and R&B), taught by studio musicians and/or the artists who wrote them.

Unlike the videos found on YouTube, these are presented in sharp, high-definition MOV format and can be downloaded and viewed chapter by chapter (Intro, Verse, Chorus, for example). You can also view tab and notation for each song to help you nail a certain chord or melody.

Each video shows close-ups of the instrument as the instructor plays it, so you can see the correct finger placement and playing technique. The biggest advantage is that you can play the lesson over and over until you get it, without the pressure of an impatient instructor watching you. At about $10 each, these tutorials are a real steal considering that the price of a typical one-hour lesson from a professional musician often starts at $50. The site has free tutorials as well, which teach playing basics such as chord transitions and alternate picking.

Although iVideosongs is still in beta, its existing collection of tutorial videos and instructional material is impressive and is sure to grow extensively over the years. The site offers players at any level an efficient way to learn a complete song and hone their skills at the same time.