Which Stick method book+DVD do you prefer and why? Tell me the best of each! I am about to order ONE at the moment.

I'm a new Stick player and got both Greg and Steve's methods and DVDs. Both are very nicely laid out cover a lot of material.

Steve's seems more aimed at the crossover guitarist/bassist. Greg's seems more generally aimed.

Both move at a fairly rapid pace, going from simple fingering to full
on alternative chord positions in the first half.

I'm using Greg's method and while I think it's a very good collection, I would have liked to see more exercises/rudiments for both left and right hands. There are some, but they are limited in scope.

I'm comparing this to what I'm familiar to with methods for other instruments. Example: a particular pattern/exercise is presented in one key/position only.

Randy

The quick and easy answer is to get all of them. They all have different approaches and value. The longer answer is that it depends on where you are and what you want to play. If it is all possible it is great to go to a workshop when you start the Stick. There seems to be resistance to attending workshops when we are beginners. That is the best time to go to them. All the good folks who teach them have helped many many beginners get going on the right path. I highly recommend this, it will really help.

-Eric

To that I'll also add the benefit of having lessons via Skype. I really recommend doing this pretty early on, as you'll be able to avoid getting into some bad habits, in terms of hand and body position . You can also learn a bunch of things about the Stick itself that aren't covered in the books.

I have three: Bob Culbertson's instructional DVD's, Greg Howard's book and DVD, and Steve Adelson's book and DVD. Each one is very good, but each is quite different in its approach.

I found Bob's the best place to start as a beginner -- at least the first of the two DVD's. It moves at a slower pace than Greg's or Steve's and gets you playing little licks right away. I found it the easiest place to start.

Greg's moves a little faster, but it has great and important technique details that are not really part of Bob's DVD. So, while I found it a little too challenging at the very beginning, it was a good place to go once I had finished Bob's first DVD.

Steve's moves the fastest of all and is therefore a little challenging for a pure beginner, but it also has a lot of great chord theory and perhaps provides the most insight of the three into how to get the most of those rich stick chords and bass lines.

That's my 2 cents.

...great post, and it's nothing to add...

Thanks, that is pretty much what I expected (note, I am not the OP).

I assume you already own Free Hands, isn't it? It was my first book and constantly refers to it, it's a sort of a bible for me.

Different styles will lend themselves to different instructors, still the basics apply in each case.

Having a collection is not a bad idea, but where to start? Good to get some perspective from players of all skill levels.

I do agree with Eric - the best time to get guidance is at the beginning. A year of weekly (monthly, bi-monthly, etc.) lessons coupled with a seminar is a great way to start.

Being in the presence of just ONE other Stickist is enough to get one pointed in the right direction and to get questions answered that may be inhibiting that next stage of development.

Hi Bassmahem.

Don't overlook Emmetts Free Hands book as a source of essential reading.

Pages 8 & 9 provide you with a clear path towards all the major LH chord types and how to get aquatinted with them. There's a clear line or pedagogy in which these things are demonstrated.

Go to the source, it's a great just to have that book in your library.

Skype lessons and having a Stick buddy is also essential.

I've tried to make a habit of owning all the Stick books and vids, simply in support of all the great work our Stickist publishers have gone to the trouble of releasing.

Live long and prosper….