Electric Guitar - Paul Baloche and Ben Gowell (DVD)

 Review

"Electric Guitar" is the newest installment of Paul Baloche's popular "Modern Worship Series" DVDs that engages specific instruction for those ax-wielding members of your worship team. This electric guitar training is primarily led by guitarist Ben Gowell, but features Paul Baloche making intermittent appearances for focused topic highlights and demonstrations.

First, let's clear something up about the content of this DVD. This is a completely new teaching edition on electric guitar and its use in worship/church applications. Paul had previously released a teaching video on electric guitar (with guitarist Glenn Pearce), but this new DVD is completely different and is (thankfully) covering a host of complimentary topics that just weren't fully broached on the previous edition. But here is the good news- this new DVD includes its full 100 minutes of fresh content, PLUS the 80 minutes of content from the previous electric guitar DVD. You literally get 2 complete instructional videos on this one DVD. It's a great thing! Now on to what is on this new content!

Paul opens up the DVD with a hearty explanation of the general concepts we need to know about musical sound, and specifically, how the electric guitar fits as an instrument into the worship band and the corporate experience of worship. He and Ben talk about some essentials on philosophy and teamwork to lay the ground work for the approach to Ben's topical teaching demonstrations that will follow. One thing that is very notable about Ben is that he is himself a local church worship leader! All the worship leaders out there will breath a sigh of relief to hear this, because they know it means Ben is approaching the topic knowing the good/bad/ugly of integrating a full band sound with electric guitar, while trying to create a sonic blend that allows a congregation to engage with the songs as they worship God. After some of these early topics are covered, Paul hands the reigns of the DVD over to Ben and we begin a step-by-step dissection of electric guitar workshop style teaching.

Each topic is managed judiciously, with clear explanation and well thought out demonstrations. The videography and production values are stellar, as usual, for Paul's DVDs. And there is no dead space on this DVD. The DVD comes with access to a downloadable teaching booklet that allows you to have a printed material guide to work with as you follow through with the lessons (its a PDF you are given access to during the first session on the DVD). Probably most significant to current electric guitarists on this DVD is the modern approach Ben takes to his examples. While he does cover the ideas of focusing on some basic forms, distinctly demonstrates more of the modern rock sound heard on so many radio popular productions today. From the foundational chord voicings and positions to equipment/effect boxes etc to soloing concepts, Ben cruises through an excellent list of pertinent topics for the worship guitarist in church. Ben speaks well, has a pleasant voice, and demonstrates all the techniques in a broken down fashion, where you can follow along if you have your guitar in hand. Even when there is a demonstration including Paul on acoustic, the cameras and focus help the electric guitarist track what is supposed to be happening with the electric.

One thing I really liked was Ben's notes about sound levels in church. I think this is something all electric guitarists and (insert your favorite volume rampant instrument here) drummers should hear! Another thing I specifically liked was the topic of rhythm parts on electric guitar. Much of the modern guitar sound involves layering guitars, and this just can't be accomplished in most church bands where everyone is playing the same chords in the same positions- or worse- where everyone is doing what they want it is really just isn't well arranged. Electric guitars shouldn't always play whining leads, and this is a good demonstration for how to arrange and execute some rhythm parts on electric.

The DVD excels at demonstration on each concept, and I liked that. You won't find a single concept that is tackled without demonstration. The topics are segmented and handled in stages, so you have build through the lessons as you learn, practice, use the pause button on your DVD player, and go again. The DVD is not for the beginning electric guitarist, so it won't be something to get for Johnny who wants to learn how to play guitar for the first time. I'd say the video starts squarely at the intermediate player and moves on from there. Applicable to most church level good electric guitar players. If you have an electric guitarist who is learning and looking for foundational techniques first, then have them watch the 80 minutes with Glenn Pearce first (again this is also included as a special feature on this same DVD), which will give more specifics and language to what Ben does in his teachings. Again, it was a brilliant idea for Paul to include the original version of the electric guitar video on this DVD, since I think its very complimentary. To be clear, this DVD is not a "lesson-based" approach. In a "clinic time" approach, this is an extended walk-through of essential topics of modern electric guitarists playing in a local church worship environment.

Overall this DVD is another excellent addition to the Modern Worship Series from Paul Baloche. Ben Gowell has a warm personality that engages the viewer and the content is spot-on (as my British friends say) for worship settings using electric guitar. In this electric guitar edition, the planning, presentation, programming and execution continues to be top notch, making this video series easily the best production of any of the worship and music related training materials available to the church today. For content, production, accessibility and continued excellent focus on worship in local churches, I am pleased to give the Electric Guitar DVD a WorshipMusic.com Editor's Choice Award. Great work Ben & Paul!

Kim Gentes