Learn to Play: Peter Green (2007)

Excellent introduction to Peter Green's guitar style - Learn to Play: Peter Green review by RP

I would class myself as a beginner guitarist - I've been learning for about 9 months. When I had the first lesson, my tutor asked me what sort of music I would like to play. My reply? "I'd like to play like Peter Green."

I truly regret that I never saw him in his heyday, first with John Mayall's 'Bluesbreakers' and then with his own band 'Fleetwood Mac' of which he is the founder, despite the name. I have seen him since, both with his 'Splinter Group' and more recently touring as 'Peter Green and Friends' - regrettably he is a shadow of his former self, albeit having recovered after many years in psychiatric hospitals and on antipsychotic medication following an LSD overdose. And 'Fleetwood Mac' went (IMHO downhill) from one of the greatest British blues/rock band to a middle-of-the-road, mid-Atlantic pop group.

As this DVD demonstrates, Peter Green had a wonderful touch that I only wish I could emulate - perhaps someday?

There are two discs in this DVD set on which Michael Casswell breaks down 5 superb 'Fleetwood Mac' tracks (including the classic 'Albatross') into the various guitar parts and gives an exhaustive demonstration on how to play each part. There are regrettably two issues with this approach. The first is the format: when learning, the disc has to be 'rewound' repeatedly until a specific phrase is mastered - this isn't the fault of the Mr Casswell, but is inherent in a video medium with no printed tab. Having said that, the teaching is pretty good - Mr Casswell is a talented guitarist and the breakdown of each piece is very thorough.

The second issue is that 'Fleetwood Mac' of the day had three guitarists (Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan) plus bass and drums (John McVie, Mick Fleetwood) so there are three guitar parts, not just a straightforward lead + rhythm. And Mr Casswell gives an impressive breakdown of the original recordings, but doesn't provide a simplified approach to allow a solo guitarist or a duo to get 'the sound'.

That minor quibble aside, this is an excellent introduction to Peter Green's guitar style aimed at the intermediate player. 5/5 stars - it's very comprehensive.