Rusty Cooley – Fretboard Autopsy (Level 1)

Fretboard Autopsy Level 1

Rusty has been a highly acclaimed player for some time and having already taken a look at some of Rusty’s other releases with CFH (in fact I’ve reassessed them in light of this video -- find the updated reviews here) I’ve been very keen to see his Rock House Method DVD series entitled “Fretboard Autopsy level 1” and of course “Fretboard Autopsy level 2.” I ordered Level 1 with some confidence, bolstered by the excellent support from Rock House on line, and having seen a number of positive comments about his teaching abilities (I already knew he was a great player!) as well as the content and quality of the Rock House Method productions.

Let me remove one misapprehension straight away -- this is most definitely not a product for those simply wishing to develop their technique; Rusty has of course addressed the issue of technique in other DVD’video releases, and in many online instructional columns (see appendix A). Rather,  both these DVD’s are aimed squarely at developing a solid foundation of knowledge with which to navigate your way around the fretboard in both vertical and horizontal patterns. To this end he utilises the popular three-note-per-string patterns (in 7 positions) and applies a sensible methodology of starting off with smaller pieces of the patterns rather than trying to digest the entire fretboard all at once -- full marks for common sense!

Opening the accompanying booklet for Fretboard Autopsy and  you are first of all provided with a complete neck diagram for the key of G Major (and some tantalizing adverts for other products!) As an aside here -- I am incredibly happy to see the inclusion of a booklet when so many products exist entirely on your HDD or the internet. Having the option to study the material away from your PC or DVD is an absolutely excellent idea and although the booklet is reassuringly “low tech” Rock House have also catered for the more technically savvy crowd by providing an I-pod ready video as well.

Starting with those patterns containing a 6th string route Rusty outlines all 7 patterns as the root position for the 7 modes whilst explaining that all the patterns fit together in the manner of a jigsaw puzzle before moving onto the 5th string root patterns in order to fill in more of those mental blanks.

Included as part of the online support package are 7 full band backing tracks for you to download and play over which Rusty utilses to demonstrate (at both normal and full speed) the scale shapes and their tonalities. To his credit whilst showing you the potential of the shapes via his highly lauded technique Rusty doesn’t descend into self-indlugence and keeps the demonstrations short and to the point.

Next up we see 12 note patterns in two positions presented as a way of breaking out of the box which many guitarists fall into, as well as a couple of variations (with the 7th degree, and then the 4th degree removed in each case) covering the full 3 octaves as a further aid to moving around the neck as fluidly as the man himself.

The final portion of Fretboard Autopsy Level 1 covers further position shifting courtesy of note groupings, slides and position shifting once more. 9 note groups are covered initially (using 6th, 5th, and 4th string routes) before moving onto slightly more extended groupings -  Rusty refers to these as “9 9 6″ and “6 9 9 ” patterns owing to the number of notes played in each position which typically of Rusty is both logical and easy to grasp.

Now, there were a couple of pieces of information I would have liked to see Rusty address on this video but fear not!…Rock House have once more proved their excellent online support with full lessons on the essential extra parts of modal theory -- to whit, chord construction, examinations of the modes and their formulae,  and harmonising the major scale. Without the knowledge of these essentials then no lessons on modes would be complete (and indeed, Fretboard Autopsy would lose a little impact) but with their inclusion (thus saving the space on the DVD for other content) then quite literally everything you need to know is provided…and here’s the amazing thing…all for one purchase.

It’s worth noting that a couple of the lessons are repeated on Fretboard Autopsy Level 2 but this is merely to ensure that a person who bought only level 2 would have all of the requisite information to make the absolute most of that volume on it’s own -- another selfless and innovative idea which could (and should!) catch on.

Bonus Material (DVD)

Theres more? Oh yes….never ones to do things by halves there’s a lot of extra material on the DVD:

The official video of “Under the Influence”

A lesson on “Reverse Linear Patterns” from Fretboard Autopsy Level 2

A song from Rusty’s 2003 Album -- “The Butcher”

A 30 minute interview between Rusty and Joe P which makes for very interesting viewing.

An examination of Rusty’s gear and his signature 7 string guitar from Dean Guitars.

Bonus Material (online)

Single string and double string techniques (another method of traverssing the neck via some 5-note groupings).

Access to the “Members Only” section of the Rockhouse site where apart from the instructional extras I mentioned above, there are also a number of downloadable lessons, backing tracks, some software (A tuner and a metronome) and frankly I think that I’ve never seen such attention to detail or value for money in an instructional product.

Rating:

Available from Rock House Method

Appendix A -- Further online resources

Rusty Cooley’s home page complete with a selection of lessons can be found here.

Chops from Hell onlime columists -- Rusty can be found a little way down this page on the left hand side.

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