Frank Vignola's Modern Method for Guitar...

**snoskier63** · 07-15-2016, 01:51 PM

Anyone here have any experience with this course? I am doing a 30 day free trial of Truefire.com, and I started going through this program last night. His method of practicing scales around the circle of 4ths/5ths is very helpful in learning the fretboard, so I am expecting the entire course will be very helpful.

https://truefire.com/techniques-guit...rn-method/c179

**MarkRhodes** · 07-15-2016, 02:12 PM

Frank is an amazing player. I have not used that course. It looked overwhelming. But I'm interested in hearing from those who have used (or are now using) it.

**mercosound** · 07-15-2016, 02:48 PM

I agree with Mark about Frank being an amazing player; I really like how he has combined (assimilated?) a bunch of different musical styles to create a style of his own. I've seen him in concert several times - duets with Vinny Raniola - and they were great fun to see.

I haven't taken any of his online courses, but I just visited his website and there's a 25% off offer going on now all of his courses. There's a lot he could show most of us...

**bonnerj** · 07-23-2016, 09:39 PM

Thanks for mentioning the discount. It also includes 90 days of access to truefire.com. I started working on Frank's 1-2-3 Chord Melody today

**rlrhett** · 07-24-2016, 01:10 AM

Highly recommend 1-2-3 Chord Melody. VERY similar approach to the Conti "Assembly Line" book. Would be really solid to do both.

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**Fidelcaster** · 07-24-2016, 06:44 AM

Of course I admire him as a player BUT I can't stand how he uses that gipsy-style very fast vibrato all the time, regardless of what he's playing.

**FatPick** · 07-31-2016, 10:46 AM

I've got the annual on-line subscription to TF (which I'm totally happy with). I'm sort of randomly working through his Method—good stuff. He got me practicing (and using) the rest stroke—who knew?

Props to his Chord 1-2-3 course too.

**MarkRhodes** · 02-09-2017, 10:30 PM

TrueFire has a buy-one-get-one-free sale going on, which makes this look tempting....

**snoskier63** · 02-12-2017, 01:31 AM

I started to go through Frank Vignola's Inversion Excursion course a while back and realized that it appears to be exactly the same as a Mel Bay book I have titled Encyclopedia of Guitar Chord Inversions, by Brian Balthazor, which was first published by Mel Bay in 2006. I will say that Frank's Inversion Excursion course is excellent, but for those who prefer books to online videos this is the book to get.

**MarkRhodes** · 02-12-2017, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

I started to go through Frank Vignola's Inversion Excursion course a while back and realized that it appears to be exactly the same as a Mel Bay book I have titled Encyclopedia of Guitar Chord Inversions, by Brian Balthazor, which was first published by Mel Bay in 2006. I will say that Frank's Inversion Excursion course is excellent, but for those who prefer books to online videos this is the book to get.

Thanks for the tip. I like books. Video is great for some things, but for inversions, I prefer a book. (To print Frank's charts would probably cost more than the Balthazor book!)

I have the "Mel Bay Rhythm Guitar Chord System" and have found it very useful. Its aim is practical rather than exhaustive. The goal is balanced, playable voicings with no repeated notes. Very well done.
Rhythm Guitar Chord System Book + Online Video - Mel Bay Publications, Inc. : Mel Bay

Frank has done a lot of books for Mel Bay. I wonder if he grew up on Mel Bay books....

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-12-2017, 01:26 PM

I followed that Mel Bay link, Mark, and the book sounds useful. However, I clicked the Samples tab, and what is there has no connection with the book whatsoever. I think I'll drop them a line.

**MarkRhodes** · 02-12-2017, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

I followed that Mel Bay link, Mark, and the book sounds useful. However, I clicked the Samples tab, and what is there has no connection with the book whatsoever. I think I'll drop them a line.

I hadn't noticed that before. Since you mentioned it, I checked it out. That first sample page looks like ukelele chords! Weird. Definitely not from the book in question.

**Rob MacKillop** · 02-12-2017, 04:14 PM

I've told Bill Bay. They'll get it sorted this week.

**snoskier63** · 02-12-2017, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by MarkRhodes

Thanks for the tip. I like books. Video is great for some things, but for inversions, I prefer a book. (To print Frank's charts would probably cost more than the Balthazor book!)

I have the "Mel Bay Rhythm Guitar Chord System" and have found it very useful. Its aim is practical rather than exhaustive. The goal is balanced, playable voicings with no repeated notes. Very well done.
Rhythm Guitar Chord System Book + Online Video - Mel Bay Publications, Inc. : Mel Bay

Frank has done a lot of books for Mel Bay. I wonder if he grew up on Mel Bay books....

The book is available here for $10 (unsure of the shipping cost).

Encyclopedia of Guitar Chord Inversions Book | Peter Sprague Music Store

**Bambus123** · 03-27-2017, 06:23 AM

Im currently working on Vignolas Modern Method for Jazz Guitar, about half way through it.

I am a member of Jimmy Brunos website as well, to have something to compare with. i have also tried different other websites as Electric Campfire, Practicin2play, and Mortenslessons.

Frank has a very systematic an thorough approach which I like, but I see why it could feel a bit overwhelming.
He starts with the basics and expand it bit by bit in a relaxed pace.

First with cromatic scales, then major and minor playing them all over the neck in 12 keys horizontal and vertical, with different fingerings just by changing which finger you start the scale with. Havent thought of this one before, but it makes perfectly sense.

Then he talks about 3-note arpeggios in major and minor, with the same approach, with different fingerings/shapes just by changing which finger you start the arpeggio with.

Then he shows all the intervals from 2nd to 7th, each string, all keys. Then harmonizing scales and melodies with different intervals, triads , four note chords, inversions, chord progressions, chord melody, voice leading, improvisation and much more.

Much to digest, and as he says its a lifelong journey to learn all of it in all 12 keys, different fingerings/shapes, inversions and so on.

But personally I have gotten a much more complete understanding of theory and the underlying principles of jazz guitar so far

**BFrench** · 03-27-2017, 07:39 AM

Where I live I'm totally isolated from anyone/anything other than online to advance my learning. In my case and where I am musically I haven't came anyone who is as understandable as Frank. I've learned so much from him through his truefire courses in the last year. It's worth every penny and then some.

I'll be 67 this year and I seldom play out anymore. At this point learning for me is purely an enjoyment and gratification. That being said, I'm guilty of jumping from here to there, learning a little of this and that and applying it to what I do know. I've looked through his Modern Method course and personally think it would be a monumental course. At my age i'll never be a jazz player per se but I'm sure enjoying learning new things and Frank has been the ticket for me. I just can't say enough good things about his teaching method.