Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

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doveman

New member
Recently I've purchased Kirk Lorange's Plane Talk method & also his Drop-D approach to slide. For the price of a good pedal, I've found this to be a pretty effective way to widen my improvisation skils. I do need some practice but I can see great things coming. :bigok:

Plane Talk Method:
I don't want to give it away ... since he sells this learning method, but it's a very effective approach to learning and applying what Kirk calls "chord tones". It's the simplest ... most effective way of approaching improvisation that is not based on scales. Now I've used arpeggios for years (notes specific the to chord I'm playing) but I've always had to take a specific chord ... look up the arpeggio in a book and practice it for that chord position. Not very effective for improvisation. This is a way to see them all on the fretboard easily.

Drop-D Tuning:
I've been playing slide for years in standard tuning and was sort of in a rut. I had been trying open tunings but find it difficult to convert. This drop-d is great. One string (6th) tuned down a step to a D. The approach combines muting of strings with the right hand with 1, 2, 3 & 4 string combinations. 7ths, minors, major 7ths, 9ths ... it just open things up. The drop-d opens lower half of the strings too. It's all good.

Website:
Kirk has a website where he and others answer questions everyday. You can get in once you purchase the Plane Talk material.

My Recommendation:
I would have wanted you guys to share this with me ... so I'm putting it out here for what it's worth. I think it's worth every penny. I got the Plane Talk book and DVD, the Drop-D slide DVD, and the Chord Tone Blues Disk Lesson (full Plane Talk lesson that plays videos/audios on my PC). They are all good ... but if on a budget I recommend them in that order. If you are stagnating at all and want your playing to be more "melodic" ... consider this material. I personally prefer a glass slide over a brass one ... but I did get a short version of my glass slide to take advantage of the method.

Also:
I had always enjoyed Kirk's slide videos ... just thought he was a good picker. I did not know he was teaching ... here are some examples of his playing. Kirks Music Videos and MP3s At the very least, enjoy these videos and mp3s.
:fingersx:
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

id like a little bit of information about the plane talk thing, maybe a sample excercise or something? maybe if i like it ill buy it.. (or at least find it over the net hehe)
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

I felt the same way and searched everywhere. Just wanted to make sure that it was worth it before I bought it. I don't mind paying for something good. Could not find anything that really helped. Like anything thing else ingenious, it's pretty simple. But I respect Kirk's copyright ... he figured it out. I finally bought mine based solely on the way Kirk played ... here and other sites.

He does have another site that is for people that haven't bought the product. http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/forum/ But I really just took a leap of faith ... glad I did. And if you just get part of it (like one lesson) you'll probably miss something. For example, the Drop-D slide DVED thing is great but it really doesn't even mention the Plane Talk system.

It may not be for everyone ... but I've learned a lot in the last couple of weeks ... not much mystery ... just practice.
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

believe me it sounds great in theory, but its not a 20 dollar book you can get around the corner. (i was decided to buy it till i saw the price tag)

it got me wondering anyways... ill keep searching (and it kinda creeps me out a little bit cause it sounds like those, lose weight in 3 weeks, but for the guitar, with the testimonials and all)
 
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Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

LukeGilmour said:
believe me it sounds great in theory, but its not a 20 dollar book you can get around the corner. (i was decided to buy it till i saw the price tag)

it got me wondering anyways... ill keep searching (and it kinda creeps me out a little bit cause it sounds like those, lose weight in 3 weeks, but for the guitar, with the testimonials and all)
Click to expand...

Understood ... I was hesitant too. Definitely don't do it just cause I like it. I certainly don't have any ties to Kirk ... except I have his soundclick link on my PC ... I like listening to his stuff. Heard him at the SD forum initially.

I'm sure there are a lot of people who would not pay $83 (with S&H from down under) for the Plane Talk learning tool. I was hesitant too. I've got several $20 books at the house that may or may not have helped me. I have a sack full of pickups, pedals, speakers, recording equipment, drum machines, etc. All of it purchased to make me sound better ... so why not. The way I figured it, something that might help my skill (costing roughly the same thing as say a Phat Cat neck pickup or maybe a few guitar lessons) might be just as valuable to me. That was my logic. But my decision in the end was based entirely on the way Kirk plays. I felt if he could teach me some of that technique ... no big risk.

I think I made the right decision ... glad I made the purchase. I've been playing since '67 ... so I've seen a lot. You can listen to my clips ... I should be better by now! I think it will help expand my improvisation capability. So ... just wanted to share. But I have no problem with someone making a little money off a good idea/product.

Maybe I'm the only one here that's tried it ... I know I had never heard of it before. Anyone else know anything good or bad about it? Better yet ... anyone have any other good examples of learning materials that paid off? Surely somebody has had some good experience paying a few bucks for knowledge rather than gear.

:feedback:
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

I am also interested in learning more about this.

I can infer it is VERY simple idea, because you and other folks in Kirk's forum don't say a word about the specifics of the method because it would give it away.

But what you CAN say (Doveman) is: How much more do you know now, after reading the comics (book)? How much easier to improvise is it? What aspects of your playing does this method improve and what aspects does it not improve? Can you relate this book to the "Fretboard Logic"?

Thanks for the input!

Dilney
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

BTW, I have listened to your tunes and I find you do really good!
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

The Plane Talk stuff:

My improvising ... like many others ... is based in scales & modes ... plus licks that I have picked up over the years. The "system" is an ingenious way to apply the notes in a chord (arpeggios). I have used them in the past ... but not so much in improvisation. I have had many scale, chord and arpeggio books. So I look up an arpeggio that matches a specific chord position and throw it in ... but again not much improvisation. What Kirk has developed is a system to know where these are pretty easily. Musical relationships to the chords based on a few simple patterns. Another advantage is you can "all of a sudden" see where the notes are in terms of of their positions in the chords.

To illustrate: After a week, I could look up any chord name in one of my chord books and predict where the notes would be ... then looked at the chord. I had it nailed ... if I was improvising ... I'd be all over it. I could not do that before. Now I still need practice so that I can convert this to muscle memory ... just like I did with scales. That's what I've been practicing during the 2nd week. It will take a while but I can see it.

Now the slide thing:

I've always played in standard tuning. Tried open tunings but just not for me. The Drop-D really opens up the low strings ... power chords. I just happen to use my right hand the way Kirk teaches ... if you don't use that method yet ... you should. But there are more (again melodic) opportunities than what I've been doing ... if you take full advantage of these right hand techniques. Takes advantage of 1, 2, 3 & 4 string relationships in all the chord types. I have not even scratched the surface but I can see it.

What's different for me?

What's it do for me? I can play like I normally do ... then move to these methods ... then back. I sound different ... more melodic. Both tools provided "holy-crap" moments for me. I've been playing for 40 years ... I don't have many of those. For the price of a pickup ... or two if you get the whole thing like I did. I was looking for something to get me out of a rut ... this will do for now.

I can't be the only one on this forum who's bought this ... anyone else?
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

Thanks.

BTW, it looks like you're the only one who bought this here :)
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

Hmmm ... 93 reads and only two responding. If someone had a bad experience ... they'd probably mention it.

Maybe you're right :eek13:
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

On the PT method, I've been concentrating on improvising over blues chords up to the 9ths in multiple keys ... since I play blues with a lot of 7th and 9th chords. I've also been tying the slide lessons on these same patterns. I'm learning to maximize the effect of the left hand muting techniques with the drop-d tuning. Doing this ... I've quadrupled the amount of barring patterns that I can use. I'm coming up with some really nice new sounds.

I'm still liking it. It's ingenius but simple ... the practice time is not a chore since it's something fresh for me.

I still can't believe I'm the only one here that has tried this.
 
Re: Best Learning Tools I've Seen In Years

Just wanted to let everyone know that I bought the book (got it on the mail yesterday) and so far I like it a lot.

It is not a secret or miracle thing. It is just a frame of mind, a way of simplifying and organizing how you think about notes, chords, and where they are in the fretboard.

I have to say that I just started reading it yesterday, but I feel it was money well spent.

Now I have to start applying what I learn.

Thanks Doveman and thanks Kirk Lorange for the great method.
 
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