These are the user reviews I've received for each course
so far (as of August 15, 2008). If you have purchased
any of these courses yourself, please submit your review
here. -SG
Name: From: Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"the expanded learn and master guitar is the same course
previosly reviewed with the same dvds and jam tracks.
the difference is there is lots more written material.
lots more music and exercises to practice, along with
more dvds and jam tracks . this is the same course just
more of it! I have had this course for a while now and
it is a great program." Date: 11/14/2008
Name: Bryan From: Ohio Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"Very nice. The instructor takes time to explain why
you're doing what you're doing. He gives you assignments
to work on for each lesson, and even tells you when
you're ready to move on. I also like very much how the
course teaches you to read sheet music, not just tabs. I
think this will help me become a more knowledgeable,
well-rounded musician." Date: 10/30/2008
Name:
Jim D From: California Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I started taking guitar lessons when I was 8 years
old, a really long time ago. I switched to bass guitar
when I was 21. I took bass lessons from a pro in Los
Angeles who charged $45 an hour. Now, after 25 years of
not playing at all, my review of what's out there has me
convinced that it doesn't get any better than ""Learn &
Master Guitar."" For the price of four and half lessons
in L.A. I get 20 dvd's and what seems to be a great
course. I know it's hard work and it requires daily
dedication. The play along feature is what sold me. It
gets tedious when you're sitting by yourself trying to
imagine what you'll sound like with accompanying
instruments! But most importantly: you can't truly learn
any instrument without learning music theory and how to
read music. I've been looking for a comprehensive ""no
shortcuts"" course like this for a long time. I'll write
a second review after I've completed the first quarter
of the course." Date: 5/25/2008
Name:
Tom From: Iowa Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I
just recently bought this course, but I can already tell
that this is a great course and that I spent my money
wisely. This course is a lot of work if you take Steve
and your future Guitar playing ability seriously. If you
are lazy and want to learn by osmosis or some kind of
miricle through ciber energy transfer, sell you guitar
and take up tamborine or sand blocks. If you are willing
to actually do what Steve tells you,ie: the lessons, the
work book. the practice, practice and some more study
and pratice. Everything you need is extremely well
presented in the best way by far I have ever seen or
hoped for. It's very feed the baby slow, step by step,
just what you really need to truely, finally become any
level of guitarist you are willing to work up to. Buy it
NOW if you are really ready to do the work.
If not buy one of the others available that are a waste
of time, I've done that too. At least then you'll have
an good and righteous excuse for never learning and
succeeding" Date: 3/4/2008
Name: Rusty Gibson From: Harwood, Texas Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"Wow...this course is great...Steve is a great
instructor...the online support is awesome. I have been
trying to learn to play off and on my entire life and
this was the key. It is pricey, but it DOES GO ON SALE.
I waited, watched and purchased it on sale." Date: 1/10/2008
Name: David Bethune From: Bedford, NS. Canada Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"It is even better now as they have added more
dvd's with the additional book on line to cover the new
dvd's for members,absolutely the best course available
and well worth the price" Date: 1/9/2008
Name: Rod Runacres From: Canada via the U.K. Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"Played in a semi pro rock band in my late teens and
early twenties, as did just about everyone in the early
to mid sixties in the U.K. Never did learn to read
music, so now in my mid sixties I am getting stuck into
it, and for the price of a very few private lessons I
can go from A to Z, and repeat a lesson as often as I
like.
Easy to understand, well presented, so all you have to
do is stick at it." Date: 12/5/2008
Name:
Bernie From: Maryland Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Three Stars Comments:
"I had
been playing on and off for about 20 yrs. I just never
got to the level I thought I should be. I bought
""Learn And Master Guitar"" and REALIZED that NO COURSE
was going to take the place of a One on One teacher and
although the course has lots of info to get you going I
was way past the level of the course and what I needed
was hands on help with style and licks to be honed." Date: 11/12/2007
Name: Jerry S. From: Sunny Olympia, WA Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I'm only part way through the course, but this is the
real deal. I've tried other courses and methods and
this is way better than anything else I've seen. Like
anything else, you've got to commit some time and work.
But you'll save yourself a lot of time and money if
spend a couple of extra bucks up front with this
system." Date: 10/16/2007
Name:
David From: Scituate, MA Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"I give this four stars for beginner and intermediates
only! I agree with the comments about the high quality
of production and the clear delivery from the
instructor. Having studied guitar for five years (1/2
hr pro shop lessons) before purchasing this course, I
found that there was not that much for me to learn. For
the experienced guitarist this may be an expensive
refresher course, for the intermediate a good way to
take an inventory of your own fundamentals, and for a
beginner it is an excellent beginning because he has
you playing blues and rock basics right away. If you
can afford the cost and you are a beginner, jump in (it
is well worth the cost of 10-15 pro shop lessons). Then
go to a pro shop for a critical eye. This is a good
course but if you know your basic chops, left-hand
techniques, pentatonic blues scales and modes then you
may not have that much to gain. I returned my copy
without hassle and received a refund promptly." Date: 10/4/2007
Name: J.C.W. From: USA Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"This is a good course, but expensive. I have been
smoking the fretboard for 24 years, and best advice
practice, practice, practice, and even though I agree
this is the best course, if you are a beginner but
pretty pricey, for a moderate to an experienced player
who doesn't need some of these discs,and why pay for
something you don't need.just my opinion,but bear in
mind I never took a lesson one,I entirely taught myself
with a $10.00 chord book,you have to crawl before you
can fly." Date: 9/22/2007
Name: George Miller From: Louisiana Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I'm almost all the way through this course and it is
fantastic! I've taken private lessons in the past, but
never really understood the music that I was playing
until now. Steve is a great teacher and having him
available in the forum discussion area to answer
questions is worth the cost of the course." Date: 8/26/2007
Name: Daniel Parker From: Hollywood, CA Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I really never knew where to start...so I never really
did...At least not for more than a month or two at a
time. I always told myself : "Someday I'll have the
money and time to take lessons from the best
teachers".Ten years or so passed, and I still hadn't
taken a single lesson. Then one day I just said..""This
is crazy! I must learn the guitar...not ten more years
from now...but today!"So I stayed up all night
searching the internet for the "Best guitar learning
system".What I found was many postings and articles
claiming Learn & Master Guitar to be the best of the
best.So... I carefully watched the site every day until
finally they ran the special price deal. I purchased the
system using the multi payment plan..and soon was off
and running. I thank the universe every day for bringing
me this awesome teaching system. As an accomplished
drummer and drum teacher...I can say that this is the
exact way all instruments should be taught! Truly from
scratch...assuming nothing.What an accomplishment! I'm
on lesson 6 now...and I am truly on my way to playing
the guitar! Do yourself a favor ... stop wasting time
...and get this course now!" Date: 6/13/2007
Name: Ray from Canberra From: Canberra Australia Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"Great for
a beginner, and bridges the gap for an intermediate
player (theory from Tab to music etc.) but it's even a
great refresher for the expert we can all learn
something, if your not learning your not growing. You
tell me what you know and I'll tell you what there is
still to know! Anyway that's my bobs worth all the best
keep growing." Date: 6/10/2007
Name:
Vicki From: San Pedro, CA Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I am hovering between sessions 3 & 4. I slowed
myself down and took Steve's advice to use a metronome.
I think if anyone can help me learn to play guitar,
Steve's lessons, tips, play-along-cd's are the ticket. I
am great at 40bpm! Chord changes are my biggest
challenge. Hey, it requires practice and dedication but
Steve is a great motivator just talking to the camera.
It's like he's talking to me." Date: 5/30/2007
Name:
Bruce From: Indiana Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I bought
Learn & Master Guitar over Christmas, 2006. I have been
playing guitar since I was about 15 years old. I am now
40 and have always struggled to just be a decent rhythm
player. No real flare to my style, just a strummer that
knew common chords. I always envied those guys that
could rip out a solo on a whim and make it look
effortless. So, after trying many so-called guitar
lesson books, tapes, DVD's and a guitar teacher for over
a year, I finally found this program.
It is now April,
2007. So I've owned the system for 4 months. Now, I
must tell you, I play guitar EVERYDAY. So I put in a
great number of hours practice. But in four months I
have learned more than in the past 25 years. Now, I can
rip out a solo off good enough that my wife didn't
realize I was playing and thought I was listening to a
CD. That was the finest compliment I could have
received. I also fingerpick, have learned an amazing
number of chords to add flavor and flare to my picking.
I was skeptical at
first too, the internet is good for stealing your money
and giving you nothing. But, I finally decided if I was
ever going to get off my butt and quit wishing I had to
do something. So I spent the $ and bought the system,
and I haven't regretted it for a moment.
The teacher, Steve
Kranz is an amzing teacher and musician, and very
thorough. I like it best when he is giving an example
and doesn't quite hit it right the first time, like a
real pro and a straight forward teacher, he makes no
excuses. He simply says something like, ""oops, that
wasn't it, let's try again"", and he repeats it.
Showing me, the student, that even the guys at the top
of the heap are still human and continue to strive to be
better. Now, finally I play guitar like I want,
the way I want. And occassionally, I see someone envy
me.
Thank you Steve" Date: 4/10/2007
Name: Dave From: NC Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"Excellent!
Worth it all the way. I have his link on my website
where I sell guitars and stuff too.
http://www.moogletech.com" Date:
1/12/2007
Name: David From: Course: Learn & Master Guitar Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I've had
the material for a few months now (but I've been working
slowly) and I'm into the fifth session out of twenty.
So far I'm learning how to read standard music notation,
which is good since I never learned how.
The material is very professional and well produced.
Each lesson is broken up into different sections, the
lesson itself with the instructor, the homework
assignment, and a workshop where you can do the
exercises with the instructor to make sure you are up to
speed before you move on to the next lesson. There is a
workbook that has all the lesson material in it as well.
It's a lot of music theory, which is good since I never
studied it before.
There is a forum available where students who purchased
the material can log on for free and dialogue with other
students and also have questions answered by Steve
Krenz, the creator of the material. He also makes
available on the website additional material for
students at no extra charge.
I think if you've never had professional lessons before,
and you want to get the most out of your ability and
instrument, Learn and Master Guitar is a very well
thought out and sufficient instructional series that a
beginner to an advanced guitarist can benefit from. I
believe Steve Krenz has an advanced degree in music and
extensive experience as a professional musician. I
wouldn't hesitate to recommend the material to anyone.
Maybe in six months to a year I will be able to give a
more technically detailed review since I'm sure I will
know more about the foundation of music and how it is
made on the guitar. It's nice even now to get beyond the
basics of just strumming. Hope this helps." Date:
12/10/2007
Name:
Joe Clements From: Emeryville, CA Course: Jamorama Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I
agree. For the beginner with little money to spend,
Jamorama is the place to go. I found the lessons to be
simple and easy to follow. The course syllabus includes
a rudimentary introduction to music theory, as well as
chord theory, both essential elements of the beginning
guitarist's learning experience. Jam tracks give the
student some practical experience playing along with
recordings made by actual band members. For very little
money, the serious student of the guitar can establish a
firm foundation, upon which he can develop technique and
personal style." Date:
10/9/2008
Name: Kock Anballs From: Detroit Course: Jamorama Rating: Zero Stars Comments:
"An
absolute WASTE OF MONEY!!! I am a self taught guitarist
of 6-7 years and the lessons in this course I taught
myself within 6 months with all the great free knowledge
accessible on the internet. SAVE YOUR MONEY - DO NOT
WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS CRAP!!! I'D RATHER CHEW ON
GLASS!!!" Date:
10/3/2008
Name: Jim From: Oregon Course: Jamorama Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"Hi,
I have tried a few other courses, I find that the
jamorama course is easy to follow and learn from, keeps
me anticipating when I can work without a cours of
instructions, The only thing slowing me down is my own
hand speed Im 75 have RA, so the training is good for
my hands and spirit. Recomend this course for all
beginners. Thanks Jim" Date:
9/3/2008
Name: Jarrod From: NZ Course: Jamorama Rating: Five Stars Comments:
"I've
actually found the course to be valuable. I'm
relatively new to guitars. I took lessons years ago but
my tutor didn't teach how to read guitar tab etc - his
way of teaching is to teach songs and learn to play by
ear. This might be a good style for someone else but
for me who can't tell the difference between the lead
guitar and a well tuned vocal voice - this didn't help.
Jamorama has helped me to get a grasp on learning to
play from the very beginning. I find their customer
support quick and helpful. I also found the downloading
no a problem (I use Windows Operating System). And the
lessons are well laid out and easy to follow. Maybe
it's their new version? Dunno as I didn't use the old
version. But I've had no major concerns whatsoever. My
next purchase is the Acoustic package." Date:
7/8/2008
Name: Gram
West From: England Course: Jamorama Rating: Three Stars Comments:
"I
had no problem with this course but I agree with some of
the other reviews - it won't turn you into Eric Clapton!
What it will do is give the beginner an easy to follow,
well produced course with videos and diagrams each step
along the way. My advice? Download it! If you have just
started playing it will save you a fortune in expensive
lessons - you can hire a tutor when you've completed the
course!" Date:
3/16/2008
Name: jackpee From: Chicagoland Course: Jamorama Rating: Three Stars Comments:
"I
tried out the Jamorama course based on the website's
assurance that it included advanced materials in
addition to beginner's stuff. I checked through a lot of
lessons, but I didn't find much that was of use to me.
I'd been playing for 10 years (mostly self-taught), and
I was looking for something that would help strengthen
my music theory knowledge and boost my understanding of
lead guitar and solo construction. This is not the
program for that. However, they quickly responded to my
email and granted me a full refund." Date:
1/18/2008
Name: Sage From: Pasadena, Ca Course: Jamorama Rating: Three Stars Comments:
"I
purchased the jamorama course approx. about 1yr. ago
when I first started playing guitar. The only thing I
got out of the course was the Quality of the videos and
the games. Did I really learn much from the course? Not
as much as I would have liked. You must consider the
cost of the course;so you really can't expect much. If
you would rather have someone display the chords insted
of seeing a diagram for free is something you may want
to consider. In my overall opion you won't lose much If
you do or don't buy the coarse. Although I kept the
course." Date:
1/14/2008
Name: Gareth From: Singapore Course: Jamorama Rating: Three Stars Comments:
"good course
very accesible albeit all over the shop in terms of
styles . Poor inreaction with microsoft windows as most
of the time the video overlays the sheet music and you
have to print off. certainly more effective than most
beginners books and guides
and as they promise you can jam after six months" Date:
12/5/2007
Name: Kev From: UK Course: Jamorama Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"It
won't make you Jimi Hendrix, but Jamorama is great if
you need a focus point to get you starting to play. I
bought a guitar but it was just sat there not being
played - I didn't have lessons because of the cost. For
a fraction of the cost of lessons (£24), Jamorama can
help you find out if you actually enjoy playing the
guitar, and help you decide if it is worth getting
proper lessons.
It loses a star for saying it will teach you to play
like Clapton, Hendrix etc...." Date:
9/28/2007
Name: Jude From: Boston, Mass Course: Jamorama Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"I
like it. Jamorama is for rhythm guitar (he's come out
with an add-on more recently for fingerstyle), and I'm
just having fun playing along with the jam tracks. I
don't think learning to change cords in first position
is the best way to start someone out, but it seems to be
traditional in American guitar instruction. I didn't
have any trouble downloading the file or opening the pdf
when I got it last year, although there seems to be a
problem with the current version (Aug. 2007 - but the
older one version is still available). The sound tracks
to play along with are worth the price of the course,
IMHO, although offering a slowed-down version for the
first few might have been helpful. He shows you how to
play the chords, and provides a fun way to keep working
away at them until they begin to feel easy and natural.
It's not a complete course in how to play the guitar,
but it's enough to get you started, and for a lot of
people, there's probably more than they'll ever use" Date:
8/28/2007
Name: Mike From: San Francisco Course: Jamorama Rating: Zero Stars Comments:
"Waste
of money! Downloads don't work - lack of customer
service." Date:
8/4/2007
Name: TonyB From: New Orleans Course: Jamorama Rating: Zero Stars Comments:
"i
agree i received this course about 1 year ago and has
collected dust, i took it upon my self to get private
instruction... these books taught me nothing and the
cd's dont work on my computer. i took the liberty to
email them about this problem they sent out another set
of cds but they did not work either....what else can i
say besides from what i have learned so far you can pick
up some bad habits from this course....total rip off!" Date:
7/20/2007
Name: Matt From: Oregon Course: Jamorama Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"the
best way to start! this course is going to give you a
VERY solid foundation. After you get your feet wet
you're on your own, play with friends better than you,
look up tabs, try playing by ear. " Date:
7/18/2007
Name:
Will From: UK Course: Jamorama Rating: One Star Comments:
"WHO ELSE Wants To
Learn Step-By-Step How To Be An Awesome Guitarist And
Play Great Guitar Like The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Jimi
Hendrix,...? I do, so I bought jamorama and am
very disappointed. For me its a glorified chord book,
missing the opportunities that multimedia brings.
Instance, there is a chord diagram then a video of the
same chord being strummed. I can’t see anywhere the
promised instruction about how to play like Hendricks or
Clapton, the very information I bought it for.
Maybe it just
doesn't suit me, so I took the opportunity to ask for a
refund as advertised. Of course there is no reply to my
emails, the same total lack of response to the emails I
sent about the PDF's that don't open etc. etc. I
cannot get any response from these people. ""Clickbank""
give advice to its clients about how to avoid giving
refunds; perhaps it is just to ignore the clients!
Shame, it all looked so promising." Date:
4/10/2007
Name: niel From: australia Course: Jamorama Rating: One Star Comments:
"i
didmt find it that useful.....looks lik a scam........" Date:
4/7/2007
Name: Richard From: New Zealand Course: Jamorama Rating: Two Stars Comments:
"Hard to know
where to start really. The course’s creator appears to
be a player of moderate ability and experience with
little or no formal training nor professional
qualification in performance or teaching the
instrument. That ought not necessarily be an
insurmountable obstacle to producing a good product but
should cause one to approach with caution.
The course is of
mediocre standard. Early descriptions and illustrations
of technique and posture are poorly presented and have
potential to mislead students, for example chords are
badly fingered and rationale for various postures are
absent.
The tutor’s
teaching inexperience manifests itself frequently with
only superficial thought given to a progressive and
cohesive amalgamation of musical, technical and
theoretical concepts.
Mr Edwards is
fresh out of college, his website states he is a “highly
respected” teacher. However it is unlikely that two or
three years of lessons on the guitar followed by a
couple more in a band does necessarily qualifies one to
teach instrumental music, most professional teachers
have a decade or more training and some sort of formal
qualification on their instrument.
Learning from a
good, qualified private teacher is a better option than
this course.
On a positive note Jamorama includes
great graphics and a great marketing machine." Date:
12/11/2006
Name: Steve From: UK Course: Jamorama Rating: Three Stars Comments: "This
is a basic Get you up and playing course - the idea is
to get you used to playing chords - thats it - nothing
really on scales or theory or lead breaks, just chords.
Overall the written material and is good, easy to use
and an ideal way to give you confidence. You can't
teach yourself with this course but you can get
started. In the end you will need to get a teacher, no
getting away from it. I quote form the booklet, ""the
guidance of an experienced guitar teacher is also
recommended..." Having said that, I started out with
this course and it gave me the confidence to continue
playing." Date:
11/16/2006
Name: George From: Ohio Course: Jamorama Rating: Three Stars Comments:
"I purchased Jamorama (11/06) based on the being Mac
compatible (Mac logo displayed), rating and cost of the
program. After I received the program I couldn't get the
software to run so I emailed the company. They informed
me that their software portion won't work on the newer
(?) Mac operation system and that it could be weeks or
months before the problem could be fixed. I'm waiting to
hear what they are going to do for me (not holding my
breath)." Date:
11/8/2006
Name: Maria From: Canada Course: Jamorama Rating: Zero Stars Comments:
"I have paid for but have not been able to download the
course and I cannot seem to get any help! I have
waited 4 days and have tried everything. I am not
satisfied." Date:
8/26/2006
Name: Patrick From: Georgia Course: Jamorama Rating: One Star Comments: "Honestly,
there is a bunch of good theory IN THIS COURSE, (and a
little philosophy too). But there are pictures in
chapter 2 of someones hand doing an ""A form Barre
Chord"", and he has his pinky BEHIND THE NECK!! THIS IS
WRONG!!!
I can't express my disapointment enough Yes it is a big
deal. Keep you pinky floating above the fretboard when
playing this chord." Date:
8/20/2006
Name: Larry From: Ashland MA USA Course: Jamorama Rating: Four Stars
Comments:
"In August '05, I decided to really learn to play the
guitar. After a few evenings of research, I stumbled on
Jamarama. Back then, it offered a free lesson series
that taught three open chords, and how to play those
chords in a song. After that, I bought the course.
Jamarama is a great way for beginners to learn;
relatively painless and definitely rewarding. The price
was right, too. Hey, I'm still playing!" Date:
7/3/2006
Name:
John From: America Course: Unlocking the Guitar Rating: Two Stars Comments:
"I found it really useless" Date: 9/2/07
Name:
Mark From: Nashville, the guitar capitol of the
universe! Course: Unlocking the Guitar Rating: Four Stars Comments:
"As a total beginner I had no idea where to start. This
program does a nice job of assuming you know nothing and
gently guides you through understanding the instrument
and basic playing techniques. It teaches you to be
patient and make slow but steady progress. It also shows
you how to avoid the most common mistakes of holding the
guitar wrong, how to place you hands and shoulders, and
find a comfortable way to play as a beginner. Because it
uses simple but popular songs as a means to the end of
playing basic chords, you actually feel like you can
progress at a reasonable pace while actually enjoying
the exercises since they are songs you like to hear." Date:
6/17/06
Name:
Martin From: London UK Course: Guitar Tutor Pro Rating: Two Stars Comments:
"This is a dull, an extensive paper based course send as
PDF files. Also included in the knock down price are a
metronome programme (not many options and not very
exciting) and 'Guitar Cords Pro' which would be useful
if it really work properly. A similar service is freely
assessable on line from WholeNote by the way. The
promise of a fully functioning upgrade for Cord Pro via
email from the author never arrived. It was cheap and
seems worthy in its intentions but it doesn't inspire me
to want to use it much. Be careful of the claims before
you buy!" Date:
10/29/2006
