Emily Remler: Bebop and Swing Guitar

I have attended Berklee, and have been playing guitar for about 4 decades! Over the past 2 decades I have continued, as best I am able, to expand my playing and to take lessons. Remler is the best type of teacher, in my experience. One that knows how to simplify a complex subject so that the student can understand without having years of theory, instruction and performance as a foundation. While primarily a rock, blues, and fingerpicker, I am revisiting my jazz interest. I found the instruction on this DVD to be enjoyable, down to earth, and most importantly, digestable. First and most importantly, this is a single DVD and is aimed at a lower or intermediate player, I believe. There is the assumption of the ability to play chords, notation, and a bit of theory. If you have none of these it is still a useful tool adn still very usable. There are several exercises and at least three songs which a player can learn from this video-not only in notation but also simply watching them being played and in half speed mode-and take away the feeling of accomplishment, without a full semester of tutoring. One reveiwer asserts that this is not instructional in be-bop, but I disagree. ( I also didnt see anything other than enthusiasm, heart, and candor in Ms. Remler's eyes in both of her instructional videos.) It begins to lay foundation for be-bop with the presentation of a simple Bb blues, together with discussion of what leading tones are and using leading tones and how they assist in defining chord changes, and teaching how to develop eighth note solos. An excellent, non-heady, familiar choice, ie a blues, from which to start. This is worth full price. It actually can provide a month's worth of practice easily, more if you really work it and perfect it. Also as noted the emphasis on metronome and rhythm are simple concepts that most players just dont use, or use as much as they should. This will make it clear why it is critical, and will improve your timing (even if you think you have, or do have, great timing). The best part, however, is the down to business approach, with heart, humility, and respect for music as well as the student. Its a very enjoyable experience, and it will improve your playing and will serve those wishing to begin to study jazz to get a tiny taste without being crushed by too much theory, too many exercises in technique, or some of the other foibles of structured musical instruction that can dis-hearten a beginner. Miss Remler was a great loss, not only as a musician, but as a performer, teacher, and person.

I've been a player for a long time... a long, long time. First off (to me) in the DVD Emily was FUN! She presents in the DVD a mix of NY attitude ("Hey man, I got it....") and being a practiced player. Deceptively so as it seems so "simple" when she plays. That mixture seems to lend itself to being enjoyable to her audience (myself) as she conveyed her message. There's nothing startling throughout that she presents in this DVD but I enjoyed playing along with her (I mean, who doesn't love 'Summertime' in whatever form it's played??). I was reminded (for like the millionth time) that practice can be a "good thing" resulting in being a better player. And it was a bonus in my view that TAB was part of the package although I always disliked the 'Hot Licks' TAB as it was (more so for me know than when I was younger) REALLY TINY and awkward to read. I use it as an "opportunity" <right....> to rewrite it out where I can print something bigger I can see. The stuff on the DVD seems a little dated but that's because it is. It was a different time; different tastes; quite an evolution of players from then till now. Emily presents solid, foundational stuff that can help any player improve his/her playing. It was VERY VERY sad that she died so early in her life. The DVD doesn't really present it because that's not the purpose but Emily was a monster player.

First of all, both Emily Remler Hot Licks DVDs are worth buying for their moving end messages and introductory performances alone. After watching these DVDs you realize what a tragedy her death in 1990 at age 32 was and will probably want to seek out her CD's; some of which are unfortunately out of print. Both DVDs appear to have been recorded around the same time and I suggest buying both since they cover quite diferent material. In 'Bebop and Swing' you get a very clear explanation of swing feel, with having metronome and tapping foot on beats 2 and 4 only. Guide tones are also given a clear explanation, with an assignment of playing guide tone on each beat 1 of Jazz Blues and 'going to Mars and back' in between. There are a lot of good suggestions throughout DVD and I found myself scribbling notes in the included booklet. Part of end message in Bebop & Swing DVD is 'Dance while playing, have fun, express emotions, not about competition, music is to be joyous, free, you only have one life...' Hopefully you can hear message, learn something and be entertained by this DVD.

I wasn't really exposed to Emily's playing style until after her passing. So, for me, all I knew about her came from the static images of photos contained in CD packages, and from her playing style. I have long regretted never being able to have seen her play live, if only to have a chance to encounter the person who inhabited that technique. This disc goes a long way to providing a bridge to that person. It's an instructional disc, targeted at a guitar player whose level of accomplishment is much more advanced than mine, but what stands out is the person, herself. Like many other instructional videos, this one starts with the artist deep in the groove, playing a virtuosic introductory piece, and as she concludes it, she finally looks up at the camera and introduces herself. If you're an aspiring player looking at this disc for instruction, it's impossible not to take her seriously after watching her play that number. Having watched this disc, I finally feel like I know a little about her personality, all charged up with Brooklyn attitude and the intensity of a player whose playing and timing had become second-nature to her. She talks about having graduated from the Berklee College of Music at the age of eighteen, so she undoubtedly inhabited a very competitive environment, and since there weren't a lot of women playing this type of jazz guitar in those days, it's likely that she had to push herself to be that much better than her male colleagues, just to get noticed. She has no problem dropping the names of other guitar masters who had told her how good her sense of musical time was: guys like Larry Coryell, Herb Ellis and Pat Martino. In fact, while watching this 1986-produced video, I kept thinking about how much she resembled a female Pat Martino-type, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible. Like Martino, her guitar had become an extension of her very self, and it shows handsomely in this lesson. She must have been quite a pistol, and if you were ever one of her students on the the guitar, you probably have a few stories to tell about her intensity and commitment to her craft. If you ever had the occasion to have been "taken to school" by Remler's guitar instruction, I envy you. I'll definitely be checking out her other instructional video on Advanced Jazz and Latin Improvisation, and I hope to learn a few things from her, albeit some 20 years after she died. Good to meet you, Emily!

This is another wonderful instructional DVD , like the Jimmy Bruno DVD’s that have never been converted to streaming. It’s too bad. Hot Licks really needs to catch up to the change in technology.

fine player, but seems to be making this up as she goes along. did not get much out of this. If you have time problems , she does have some good ideas on developing good time.

Absolutely great! Down to earth method for learning jazz guitar with an interesting and easy method to learn the rhythm of jazz. I recommend this to everyone who is interesting in learning anything about playing jazz guitar.

It's inevitable not to love the amazing extremely talented knowledgeable heart went into the feeling sound is immaculate.

Lei sapeva insegnare rende densò tutto così semplice. Peccato ci abbia lasciato così giovane.

Excellent

Excellent.

弾いてる手元がよく見えるので、眺めているだけでも参考になります。ロックやブルースから入って、ジャズをやりはじめた私のようなジャズ初心者のギタリストにはすごく良いと思います。日本語字幕はありません。演奏を見てるだけでも参考になると思います。

I remember seeing this advertised in VHS format back in the 90's. Always meant to check it out, but the whole hot licks thing seem to disappear. Anyway, I got this on the strength of a review on Amazon. The person said it was worth the money, just to watch Emily play. I have not been dissapointed, it was worth every penny and more. I have returned to guitar playing after a very long lay off. I was looking for something that would give me an intro to Jazz, without being too simple or too complicated ( my background is Rock and Blues ). For me, this has been really good. Lots of good advice, and insight on this DVD. You can't really go wrong - especially at this price.