mike bereal dvd my first impressions not a complete review

[diverse379]

hi yall

I know some of you like reading my reviews so I am careful to point out this is not a complete review I will have one in the near future after I go through the complete dvd

however I thought I had to really tell you this dvd seems to be evertything Jermaine griggs says it is


First off if you have had any of the hear and play products

you know that he has two main approaches
either you are presented with several voicings in each scale degree

then he shows you how to connect these voicings and later how to use them in songs

or he will show you how to put together a traditional praise song


both approaches are great to get you started

however this dvd started from a completely different direction

since it is a master class it
takes a completely different stand point

he opens up to demonstrate how to do some worship moves

they were simple but effective

something you could learn and apply in your very next service literally

the next section is the praise
section

he demonstrates some funky stuff which I first thought to myself
oh boy here we go again some really complicated rhythm that will take many rewinds to try to catch

but he broke it down and it was really simple

and he does this with every thing even his runs

he breaks a run down into three parts allowing your brain to get around the little pieces of the run
then putting them to gether one by one becomes simple

that is where I am at right now

I am still watching it and I am excited about it
because I believe this will be a real saving grace for me

puting together fresh moves for me which will allow me to surpass my existing levels



my only complaint about this part of the Dvd so far

is he does the whole thing with a bass player
so if y ou dont have a bass player you dont get an alternative

but I understand he will do some bass teaching later in the course

wait one more complaint


the first dvd is over already
and he only taught a worship and some praise moves

but I will state this

you can find dvds that teach a lot more in the time frame

but if you walk away only learning one or two things it is not worth as much as a dvd that teaches a few things very well and has you walking into your next service with some real new skills

the few things he teaches is enough to run a praise and a worship flow

and with time you can perfect and expand and connect it with other things you do to take your playing to another level


this is another revolutionary approach from jermaine grieggs

[Craig G]

Good take diverse.  I got it Saturday, and still haven't opened it up yet because I still have to finish Jamal's Tritone Extravanganza.

I saw some of his clips and I was learning and perfecting that praise flow in Db already - I like his teaching style.

[under13]

Good take diverse.  I got it Saturday, and still haven't opened it up yet because I still have to finish Jamal's Tritone Extravanganza.

I didnt even open triton ext.. yet. I only got it 'cuz it was half price.

This weekend I've been working on worship extreme. I heard a great improvement right away.

[jjjoe]

I thought that the DVD is really great, but the only problem I have is some of the stuff that was on you tube wasn't on the DVD such as the shout that he did on you tube and the other stuff he did on youtube, however his style of teaching and the way he break down thank you lord is great.

[ehuey]

i mean im a mike fanatic but like the shout wasnt on there and it could have been longer and more of the stuff he does i think he was really holdn back lol but hopefully he does another one never the less i still luv wat he shares.

[diverse379]

Good take diverse.  I got it Saturday, and still haven't opened it up yet because I still have to finish Jamal's Tritone Extravanganza.

I saw some of his clips and I was learning and perfecting that praise flow in Db already - I like his teaching style.

what do you think of the tritones extraveganza

I was thinking of adding that to my collection

is there anything really new on that dvd

[aminstrelspraise]

GREAT! I'm a big fan of Mike's Playing but I truly believe that this west coast style is truly awesome for any keyboardist that is trying to learn how to stop playing 1-5-1 in your left hand. I guess I'm going to have to get that and pressure hear and play to make sure that they bring out vol. 2 ASAP! I'm truly interested in the shout session. Most Organists and Bassists are too busy for me to have some fun on the shout. So it is essential for me to try to get that under my belt.

[csedwards2]

what do you think of the tritones extraveganza

I was thinking of adding that to my collection

is there anything really new on that dvd

Its good to me. I have been pretty vocal about my critiques of his communication of theory and calling stuff incorrect; and not that this DVD is totally absent of all that. It is his finest, IMO. I didnt know tritones (in the gospel style) before this. But Im getting a pretty good understanding of it. To contrast with what Im finding out with the Mike Bereal DVD, Jamal on the other hand explains why he does something, and how you can use it elsewhere. Just totally adding super "application factor" to this lesson, that is absent from this thread titles subject.

The DVD is definitely worth the add, because where else are you going to find 2+ hours dedicated to the application of tritones and their substitutions? Everywhere else, the cover it for 5-10min and they move on. In this time he gets to dissect it, plus he gives you a few different ways to use them. I havent learned it all yet, so that means in all my practice of that DVD, theres still yet more subject matter to cover.

[diverse379]

Its good to me. I have been pretty vocal about my critiques of his communication of theory and calling stuff incorrect; and not that this DVD is totally absent of all that. It is his finest, IMO. I didnt know tritones (in the gospel style) before this. But Im getting a pretty good understanding of it. To contrast with what Im finding out with the Mike Bereal DVD, Jamal on the other hand explains why he does something, and how you can use it elsewhere. Just totally adding super "application factor" to this lesson, that is absent from this thread titles subject.

The DVD is definitely worth the add, because where else are you going to find 2+ hours dedicated to the application of tritones and their substitutions? Everywhere else, the cover it for 5-10min and they move on. In this time he gets to dissect it, plus he gives you a few different ways to use them. I havent learned it all yet, so that means in all my practice of that DVD, theres still yet more subject matter to cover.

thanks a lot bro

I will have to make that add soon

I definiitely have myself bvusy with my other dvds and books
and sheet music and cd listening lists

haaaaaaaaaaaa

but I will be making this add probably after I digest a couple more piano dvds

[Fenix]

Can you guys recommend a good jazz book? I am starting to be turned off DVDs.

[diverse379]

Can you guys recommend a good jazz book? I am starting to be turned off DVDs.

I hear you fenix you have to keep a balance of things you learn from

recordings youtube
live performances
teachers
dvds books

play along cd's


it all depends on what level you are on as to which book to recommend

and or what you are looking to accomplish


hal leonard has a nice series of jazz books in their keyboard series
the books by john valerio
post beebop
cool jazz
beebop

they contain theory voicings licks etc


jazz theory is a great must have by mark levine

jazz piano also by mark levine is a must have

I dont know what kind of learner you are but these above books are pretty good

they take you from the beginning to advanced level concepts

[Fenix]

I hear you fenix you have to keep a balance of things you learn from

recordings youtube
live performances
teachers
dvds books

play along cd's


it all depends on what level you are on as to which book to recommend

and or what you are looking to accomplish


hal leonard has a nice series of jazz books in their keyboard series
the books by john valerio
post beebop
cool jazz
beebop

they contain theory voicings licks etc


jazz theory is a great must have by mark levine

jazz piano also by mark levine is a must have

I dont know what kind of learner you are but these above books are pretty good

they take you from the beginning to advanced level concepts

D, God bless you. You are a well of knowledge. I know jazz books tend to have a lot of theory and staff notation. I sight-read at a beginner level...meaning i can recognize the notes and can play along slowly but not fast. I am working on it.

Is there any jazz book you know that can help? Thanks.

[diverse379]

another great book is the contemporary keyboardist by john novello

also stylisic etudes

by john novello

the etude book is more a book that presents short musical examples in a variety of styles from pop to gospel to funk to r&B
jazz blues you name it

the reading is not too difficult and the book comes with a cd to help you get the rhythms


highly recommended
 
the contemporary keyboardist

is also great
save your pennies it is expensive

but it has so much information you may never digest all of it

but it has everything you need to develop yourself

everything

did I say everything?

[GeneralMusic]

Praise God,

There will be a part two to Mike Bereal.  If you look on the back of the DVD cover you will see it is already titled with a website, but the site is not up yet.  So stay tuned. 

Brother Mark Wilson