Testimonials From The
Essentials of Strumming & Rhythm Course
Dan Blight
Hi Colin, I really enjoyed Essentials of Strumming and Rhythm Guitar. You are a great teacher, I got a lot out of the course and I love mixing the strumming patterns and coming up with cool sounding stuff. I just bought your new 30 Beginner Blues Riffs course and I'm learning a lot from that as well, you make learning guitar fun.
I'm sticking with the Riff Ninja, you are awesome, great humor. I'm also a Riff Ninja member, lots of great stuff there also. Keep on Rockin!
Walt Warren
The Essentials of Strumming and Rhythm Guitar was exactly what the doctor ordered. I will go over and over it again and again. I need to know this stuff like the back of my hand - At least that is my goal.
Great job Colin with the teaching!
Joe Jacobs
Awesome rhythm & strumming course! You kept it simple and straight forward with some added touches. Very cool! It truly has helped me as a rhythm guitarist and a solo musician. Your format (the 3 screen) and honest approach really was a great help.
This seasoned guitarist benefited richly - it was worth every penny, but continue to keep them affordably priced. I highly recommend this course for everyone who plays guitar... electric or acoustic. Keep'um coming!! Hey how about a course for modern popular chord progressions - acoustic as well as electric!
Thanks Colin... you rock man!
Roland Wright
Hello Colin,
What a difference with this strumming course! I still have a way to go. For the first time I feel like I sound good.
Your slow guidance is so helpful. I have never had any musical contact, so it is a new learning experience. Thank You.
Rock on!
I just want to say how helpful your courses have been to me. I wish I had these years ago, but it's never too late. Rock on!
Bob McAvoy
Colin, your persona on this DVD is that of a very serious teacher with a very good SENSE OF HUMOR. You are very direct with your ideas and very understandable with your directions 'Practice Practice Practice' BUT have fun doing so.
I am having a lot of fun. Your strum patterns are terrific and very helpful and as they say timing is everything but location helps a lot also. Your DVD is chock full of guitar info and is too much to talk about here, just let me say "Thank You" for giving me a very clear path to follow and well explained instructions to keep me moving forward.
And I will 'Keep on Strummin'
Ian Oates
It's a great course Colin - one that finally got me 'over the wall' and strumming properly. Thanks a lot.
Ian Oates
Merle Lawter
I have reviewed the materials and I am returning to study more in detail. I understand most of what is presented, now I want to begin practicing. I would suggest that each of the 20 different strums be played as a jam session for students to play along with. I believe this course will help me become a much better player.
Charles Coughlan
If you have my photo, it was taken in 1965 - I am the front singer. I have never picked a guitar up until last Christmas 2013.
I think the Strumming Lessons are BRILLIANT - the lessons are easy to follow and I really enjoy it when you go into your riffs.
Keep up the excellent work for us beginners.
Sid Sewell
I bought Colin's "Essentials of Strumming & Rhythm Guitar" course after having purchased several "Improve your Rhythm" courses because although I have been playing guitar for about 40 years, the last 10 or so without a significant break 😉 my theory, though I may say so myself, is pretty good however my timing sucked (as I found out when I tried to record a song I had recently written having first laid down a rhythm section in Ableton)!
No other course (and there were quite a few) seemed to help. Colin's was a last ditch attempt before I resigned myself to recording just my guitar and voice and progressing no further. I have watched and re-watched Video 1 now and already my timing has improved dramatically, now I am looking forward to starting Video 2 soon.
Colin's teaching method is excellent and I can really understand where he is coming from when he takes time to explain why and how things work on guitar.
Raymond Park
Colin, this course does exactly as described and has made a huge difference to my ability to strum and keep rhythm within a count.
I have been playing what I thought was rhythm for many years, but now I can hear the beat, it is no longer random. It does not take long through your method of teaching to understand what makes and sounds like an excellent rhythm.
Your patterns are printed and on my wall and are the first thing I practice. Many thanks indeed!
Joseph
I learned so much in the DVD set, and the book really was very useful. You do not need to turn on the video after watching it for three times, I just do my strumming practice through the accompanied book. Maybe in a couple of weeks this will be in the shelf. Thanks, my money was well spent in this series.
Wendling Lindsey
The strum patterns are really great. Using the book to go along with your video made it so clear. I couldn't believe how easy you made it.
Now all I have to do is practice all of them with some rhythm and I'm sure I will get a lot better at it. Thank you so much for a great course. Take care and GOD bless!!!!!!
Michael O'Neill
The exercises are really great - playing the 3 or 4 nights in a row made it very easy to hear strumming in songs I try to steal, emulate (or whatever). Working with you book/DVD and then practicing with my all time favorite strumming CD - Gonzo Stew by Jerry Jeff Walker, encouraged me to work more on my alternate music presentation technique. Thank you.
Awesome and very intuitive
I have been a member since 2013. I admire the way Mr. Colin teaches. Awesome and very intuitive. I feel like a personal lessons with great knowledge and easy display for a student.
One of my students teacher asked me, how is your strumming so perfect? The secret is I have learned it from Colin's Strumming lessons. Thank you Sir.
Mike
I enjoyed the course, how it shows different strumming and rhythm patterns. In that case I have improved. Although I still struggle with how to count out the tempo and which strum pattern should be used. Maybe this will come with time, or you can go more into depth on these subjects. Not all songs I struggle with, I think its more the tempo thing than anything else. All in all its been a good experience thxs, Mike
Vic Supper
Hi Colin,
Love the Strumming lesson. I have a hard time with this. You make it look easy & I was watching the lesson & it really broke the barrier of learning the proper way to strum.
Thanks & keep up the good work.
Taught Me To Count!
Thanks Colin , you have taught me to "count" music!
Lynne Ryckman
I took lessons in the early 90's for four years from a very good instructor who taught a lot of theory, music reading, rhythm and improvisation. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I put the guitar down and didn't pick it up again until this year.
Your instruction was entertaining, fun and a basic review of things I use to know. Now that I have retired I am keen to master this beautiful instrument. I like your style and will likely pick up another course from you. It was surprising easy to learn LaBamba!!!
Michael Lavigne
Hey guys, it's been a while since I've written you. It's been almost two years since I bought my first course from you, and I've bought three more since. I have learned from all of them. My favorite and the one I still use is the Ultimate Blues Scales course.
The first thing I realized in my many years of playing is that I couldn't speak the language. The second thing is that being in shape to play is very important.
Both of those things frustrated me for many years. My favorite analogy is if you go to run a marathon in a foreign country and are out of shape and don't know the language,you will be lost. Most of my time was spent learning scales, for about a year and a half. My strumming left a lot to be desired so I ordered the strumming course, which got that fixed.
Now I practice or do work in music everyday. By work I mean do some book work on scales and look up tab to practice new songs. I don't try to be an instant Eddie Van Halen but I try to improve a little every day. That's how he did it. Today is the first time I didn't pick up the guitar or do anything with my music. That was on purpose, as I don't want to burn out either. My effects equipment and recording equipment will arrive this week. My plans for this year are putting a band together and recording. My thanks goes to all of you - keep up the good work.
Mike
Dan Petrilli
Hello Colin just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for your instruction and strumming course. I am not a professional musician but I love the guitar and will always play and learn. I am only about 4 years in, and I play or practice at some point usually every day.
I have purchased some very expensive courses to help me along, and they have for sure, because I want to understand guitar not just make it talk. Your course is inexpensive and fantastic quality.
Players think a lot about their fret hand but neglect the star hand or rhythm hand. I have learned you can know all the chords, runs, riffs and tabs but are very limited without your partner Mr. Rhythm Hand. My point being if you want to expand your knowledge even if it is one little “ah-ha” this product is well worth it. Thanks again Colin! Folk I am a real person who just loves to make my kids smile and guitars talk.
Randy Martinez
I purchased this course a few years ago and since then have still been learning basics in all other areas, (and other Riff Ninja lessons) especially chord shape/muscle memory.
Well I recently purchased a guitar that I feel is more noteworthy for playing than any of the others in my collection. I also just got quite interested in the music by Neil Young since he plays Harmonica with some of his songs. While strumming along to the song with my new 'Taylor 314-EC' (Thank You very much) I referred back to this strumming course in which Colin included the pattern for 'Heart Of Gold' . . . I would like to say 'Kudos' to Colin.
The pattern was on the money and quite a good experience to able to play along with the song in such a competent manner. It felt great!
The best part of all is that I believe my beautiful sweet girl was also listening in on me while I was playing 🙂
Keep up the good work in providing the RiffNinja lessons. They are much appreciated!
Ken Hatra
I have gone thru the video 2 times and each time I learn so much thanks for your hard work and help. I'm 67 and want to learn everything about the guitar and this course is great thanks Colin.
Jeff Finkbeiner
I've been playing guitar, on and off, for 30+ years. I hit a rut after a few years and never really advanced in my ability - that is until I became a Riff Ninja member. Although I'm pretty good with strumming patterns, the video has helped me a lot with my timing. The online lessons have really filled in the gaps in my theory knowledge.
I've improved more in the past couple months than I have in over 20 years.
Thanks Colin, you're an outstanding instructor!
Jim DeGarmo
I have been really impressed with this course. I started taking lessons just before my 61st birthday and for the first year thought I would never get beyond basic variations of Up-Down strumming. This course has taken me way beyond that. I am now even "hearing" strum patterns to some of my favorite songs when I listen to the radio/iPod. Thanks Colin! Great Course!
Randy Martinez
It goes without saying that Colin and Jonathan are great instructors. I grab my guitar as time allows (At least 1/2 hour daily but most of the time longer) and I have realized that it takes time as well as understanding. But all the time is good. Knowing the guitar and how to play are more than just hands on which is why I have come to respect 'Guitar Theory'. The classroom is always needed.
I have purchased Strumming & Improvising lessons from Colin. And the Scales Patterns, I IV V, and Barre Chord lessons from Jonathan. I have been working through them all. I can feel them coming into place (Rome wasn't built . . .) But I will say that now that I have a better understanding of Strumming, I also have a better understanding of what bars are, 1e+a etc. So now the songs are making more sense. Kinda like a light turning on . . .
I have and will always recommend both Colin and Jonathan's lesson's to all who can appreciate clear, step by step lessons, both written and verbal, from those who have clearly shown an appreciation for the instrument. Keep the lessons coming! Thanks to both of you.
Charles McCluskey
Colin, You're a special teacher. Your freebies convinced me to purchase "Essentials of Strumming." I'm now anxious to practice.
Better than Guitar Center lessons
I just started playing in November last year I took 6 months of lessons at the local Guitar Center. Yours are so, so much better. I’ve gained a lot more talent since I purchased your information. And thanks for that!
Joe LaBruna
I just wanted to think you for the excellent Strumming Course.
I have had some problem with understand how to strum, and this a cleared up a lot of my problems.
Robert Nemeth
I am enjoying Essentials of Strumming and Rhythm guitar course. I have also purchased courses from Jonathan. I am 69 and have been working at my music for the past two years, I play for myself and anyone who wants to listen to me, having fun and learning more everyday. Thanks Colin.
David Bauer
I recently purchased the Rhythm Guitar course, and have found it to be very helpful. My timing has improved greatly. and I'm finding it much easier to pick out the rhythm in songs.
For anyone wanting a solid base for strumming, this is a good purchase.
Ian Oates
Man I can tell you, you are THE MAN. Your strumming course helped me so much. Thanks alot
Tom Giordano
Colin, I've been trying to find this course for 30 years, thanks for making it happen. Guitar playing is all about the basics. I finally feel like I know how to strum a guitar.
Thanks again... Tom
Colin Gitsham
Hi Colin, I have gone through the Essentials of Strumming & Rhythm Guitar course, and I'm very pleased with my progress.
Even though I can play the guitar it gave me different ideas of how to plan out for different songs.
Congratulations on putting together a very good course.
You're speaking my language!
I would just like to thank you for helping me. I’m having a wonderful time with part one of the strumming course. This is going to be a great relationship, you could say you’re speaking my language. I’m hearing things I’ve heard before but in a different and more understandable way.
Thank you, I’m looking forward to buying more of your lessons.
Jeff Finkbeiner
Guys, this was another awesome lesson (Essentials of Strumming). Although it’s labeled as a beginner level lesson, I found so many great pearls within it. Again, I’ve been playing on and off for 30+ years with a lot of holes in my theory and technique that Colin always fills in. Great job guys.
Kytronn Bueno
Thank You for the lessons, the follow up and advice, it is greatly appreciated. Your teaching style is easy to follow and comprehend, and very informative. I find that learning to strum correctly in some ways is more difficult than learning scales, however, with your lessons I am making progress.
Paul
Received a guitar as a Christmas present a year ago. It was my request, I always wanted to learn to play. I practiced chords and scales for a year. Very, very boring but I did get better. I was getting disillusioned because I was not making music. The Strumming course has helped me a great deal.
I enjoy practicing much more using the techniques taught in the course.
Bruce
I am an old dude who has taken up guitar late. The package has helped me understand strumming. 16th note strumming is still a challenge though. I agree with the Merle of Las Vegas comment about the strums being presented as a jam session. However I am convinced the lessons will help me improve my rhythm and strumming abilities.