Not only is Herschel Sizemore a widely regarded stylist, but a noted composer as well. Many of his tunes have become standards in the bluegrass mandolin repertoire, and several are taught in this presentation. The DVD starts with an analysis of the elements that set Herschel's music apart, and a discussion of how he was exposed to the mandolin and first learned to play.
Herschel is joined on screen throughout this presentation by Alan Bibey, another stellar player and a serious student of the Sizemore style. Alan functions as both interviewer and moderator and offers his insights into Herschel's music and the techniques employed to execute them. Alan's comments and questions add greatly to the value of this video.
After some discussion of technique and instrument set up, Herschel and Alan get right to work teaching the tunes. Five familiar fiddle tunes and six Sizemore original instrumentals are covered in detail, using a variety of camera angles and close up views:
Charmaine, Cotton Eyed Joe, Lee's Reel, Lost Indian, Tacoma, Joyce's Waltz, Rebecca, East Tennessee Blues, Amandolina, Fiddler's Creek, Grey Eagle
Each tune is played both fast and slow, with accompaniment and in a split screen format. Alan also walks through each tune with Herschel, taking them section by section, phrase by phrase. A printed booklet is included as well, with both tab and standard notation for all the songs as played on screen. With a bit of work and study, you can learn the Sizemore style!
More details online at http://www.acutab.com/artists/sizemore/video/sizemore_video.html
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