TrueFire - Larry Carlton - 335 Blues (2007)

SWF(FLV1), data-dvd | 320x240, 30 fps | MP3, 44 kHz, 160 kbps | English | ~ 2 hours | 1.4 Gb

Larry presents 335 BLUES in three main sections. First up, you'll play your way through a series of blues grooves in a variety of feels, keys and tempos. For each groove, Carlton demonstrates three choruses worth of comping and three choruses of improvisational soloing. Each performance is followed by an explanation of what he played and more importantly, why he played it. Then it’s your turn. Use the video, charts, tab, notation and practice rhythm tracks to make the material your own. TrueFire’s player controls make working with the curriculum a breeze.

Carlton drills down on essential techniques and improvisational approaches in the next section. Bending and vibrato (in fact, four types of vibrato) are demonstrated and broken down in unprecedented detail. Use of motifs, space and phrasing are likewise presented in an amazing, ear-opening fashion. Other gems of insight in this section include use of the melodic minor in blues, “knuckle voicings” and recommendations for how to approach both practice and playing.

The third section covers a wide variety of topics ranging from the technical to the philosophical. Tone and how to go about tweaking your equipment to achieve it, is presented comprehensively. Insight on recording, jamming and performing with other musicians is likewise addressed. A few anecdotes and even a little show and tell on the Steely Dan studio rig make this section one you’ll likely watch over and over again.