Review Summary:
Enjoyable and effective lessons
God-exalting focus
Professional production quality
Affordability
Full Review:
“My daughter wants to learn guitar,” my homeschooling friend sighed, “but the only way we can let her take lessons is if we find someone cheap who can come to our house.” With multiple children, stretched schedules, and limited funds, providing music lessons for our kids can be a challenge. Jean Welles’ Worship Guitar Class DVD offers a refreshing solution.
Worship Guitar Class, Volume One is a complete set of video lessons of beginning guitar instruction in an appealing, God-exalting format, plus an 18-page music book with chords and lyrics (English and Spanish) for the songs taught on the DVD. For just $29.95, a new student can grow from no musical experience at all to competent playing in about seven weeks. If he wants to continue, Volumes Two through Four are also available. Having tried out the program for several weeks, our family enthusiastically recommends it for its effectiveness and enjoyability.
Assuming no previous knowledge, the DVD begins by identifying the parts of the guitar and explaining how to tune. In every lesson, the student learns one or two new chords and a new strumming or picking style, then applies those techniques to a worship song. Clear close-ups show fingerings and hand positions, making them easy to imitate. Scattered throughout the lessons are appropriate tips to help beginners avoid pitfalls.
To cement newly acquired skills, each of the seven lessons is followed by a corresponding guided practice session. Rehearsing the same worship song more slowly, the practice sessions give details such as number of strums to use or how to find the opening pitch for singing along. One lesson plus practice session would provide a week’s worth of material for a typical student, whether an adult or older child. (Children under age nine or ten might consider beginning with Jean Welles’ Kid’s Guitar Lessons, which move a little more slowly.) Worship Guitar Class Volume One provides solid introductory training, teaching seven songs, twelve chords, and six strumming and picking patterns.
You couldn’t pick a more appealing instructor than Jean Welles. A worship leader with a master’s degree in guitar performance, she exudes a peaceful joy. She has a great smile and a lovely voice. I have to say, viewing the DVD brings me back to those early childhood afternoons which I spent watching Mr. Rogers; Jean Welles communicates the same warmth, acceptance, and friendship across a TV screen.
Production quality is thoroughly professional. With bright, colorful backgrounds and high-quality recording, packaging, lighting, and editing, this DVD is impressively made.
In choosing a guitar instructor (DVD or otherwise), students should realize that teaching philosophies differ. Some guitarists begin by teaching individual notes on the staff, waiting until later to build the notes into chords. Worship Guitar Class starts with chords, teaching them by letter names rather than staff notation. The chord-first approach motivates a student by giving him the satisfaction of immediately playing songs. My ten-year-old son was thrilled to be producing recognizable music after just a lesson or two. Jean Welles’ teaching philosophy works fine for us, but others may prefer a more parts-before-the-whole approach.
Another issue purchasers should consider is the inherent difference between video instruction and in-person teaching. Because of the one-way nature of a DVD, students receive neither feedback on their performance nor personalized assistance with their own particular weaknesses. On the flip side, DVD instruction is incredibly convenient. Feel like having a lesson at 2 a.m. in your pajamas? No problem! Furthermore, the price is great. Where else can you find a professional instructor willing to come to your house, teach all your children individually, and supply free sheet music, all for just $4.28 per week? DVD lessons can be a prudent way for parents to try out an instrument with a child to gauge his interest before committing to more expensive, traditional lessons.
I highly recommend Worship Guitar Class. Its instruction is effective and a pleasure to use. Throughout the lessons, Jean Welles keeps the focus on learning music in order to glorify God, turning the whole DVD into an edifying experience. For a joy-filled approach to learning the guitar, Worship Guitar Class is a great place to start. For more information and to view a sample lesson, go to the Worship Guitar Class website.
-Elizabeth Fox
Other Reviews:
“These sets are something I have wanted to purchase for a very long time. I kept downloading the freebie version online and always wanted to have more.”
-Nancy King, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
“I have enjoyed this video immensely... effectively displays clear instruction on chord progressions, … strumming and timing. As a Christian, it is wonderful to be playing Christian songs on the guitar, all the while learning and growing as a guitar player, while deepening your faith.” –G. Allen, Amazon.com