Unclejake recently updated the forum on how his gear consultation with Neil Clark went. See link:

http://www.lloydcole.com/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=124

When I read Unclejake’s gear report  I sent messages via the forum and asked if I could add his discussion to the Neil Clark is My Guru Facebook site. He messaged me in that he also was able to test the Skype guitar lessons Neil offers on his site. I asked a few questions on how it went via messages and then thought it might be interesting to share some more with the forum. I’ve formed a few more questions and put them to him.

With the lessons were you trying to improve your playing of rhythm, lead or just general technique?

All these things need improving, I’m sure all guitarists feel the same to some extent, but specifically I wanted Neil to help me become a better musician. I know an awful lot of music theory, but it was crammed to help me pass exams, I actually understand very little of it. I wanted to translate music theory into something I could apply to my guitar playing/song writing. Find practical applications for all these letters and numbers.

Also, to find out how much I need to know… Perhaps if a guitarist of Neil Clark’s calibre doesn’t know it, it isn’t worth knowing. Sadly for the lazy amongst us, I can tell you, it is. And he does.

What was the approximate distance your Skype videos were travelling?

Around 3500 miles.

You mentioned in messages that there was a slight delay in the video, was it due to your internet connection? Or just an obvious side effect of this method, and how did you work around this?

It’s hard to say. I have a good internet connection, as does Neil. One session was better than another. It’s something that will get better as the internet continues to evolve, although perfect sync is a lot to ask… They are perhaps some convoluted work arounds, but it’s only a major issue when wanting to hear how a scale sounds over different chords, but you can easily find this out yourself after the session.

It’s just a slightly different approach to normal lessons. If it became a regular thing then I suspect that a bit of prep would solve it… Having the chords recorded before hand, to play over, either recorded yourself or by Neil and emailed over.

Were you daunted playing guitar in front a guitarist you describe as being on many of your favourite albums?

I think I was more nervous talking to him than playing, but only at first. He put me at ease.

I read that you have been a guitar player for nearly 25 years, on and off-mostly off the past ten years, what were you aiming to achieve through your lessons? Was it a certain style of playing or more technical input?

I’m still trying to work out what I want from the guitar, or what it wants from me. As I mentioned earlier, it’s the application of theory that I was after… But more came out of it. Neil helped with general ‘good practice’ advice and methods. He helped with recording techniques too. It’s not dissimilar to the ‘amp consultation’ experience, but instead, the subject is your musical life…

I was also hoping some of Neil’s talent would rub off on me.

You also mention that other than guitar you have a history of making music for television, is this what attracts you to Neil’s guitar playing style-the wide distinctive style he uses?

My main job for the last 10 years or so has been making television, I’m a TV Producer/Director – I also make music for telly – but before that I did a degree in pop music, and before that I played guitar and sang in bands. I heard Neil’s guitar playing before all of that… Rattlesnakes is definitely one of the reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place.

I’m attracted to how Neil’s playing is always in service of the song. Although his parts are often tricky to play, they’re not trying to draw your attention away from the tune with their flashness… but to add greater depth, more layers – to complement, not stand apart from the overall theme. This is actually much harder than ripping out a solo, which, believe me, he could do if he was so inclined.

Were you able to demonstrate your new amp from the consultation to Neil?

Yes – we actually delayed the sessions a couple of weeks so that I could get use to it.

Did you end up playing together on a song, and if so was it a Commotions song?

No – the delay doesn’t really allow this – which is why they work better more as consultations… We did discuss Heartbroken however, which Neil played. I’d always suspected he used his little finger playing the main riff there, but didn’t want to believe it.

Would you recommend this style of lesson to others and what would you suggest they aim for with the lessons?

Yes, I’d recommend it. Everyone is going to be different though… I’d suggest working out short-term goals, (long ones too if you can – I just find this hard), you can of course do this with Neil, but it would help having thought about it a bit. I did two lessons, the first was mostly chatting, establishing how it’s going to work – the second more practical. The things Neil gave me will take a while to learn properly… He helped me realize I knew what I needed to know, and that I also knew where to find it. So a regular session isn't really necessary. I’ll be checking back in before too long.

Is there a certain webcam you would suggest for this type of hook-up? Did you use inbuilt microphone or external?

I used a MacBook Pro with built in webcam (and mic) – as I think did Neil, although there’s no reason to believe that a PC wouldn’t work just as well. I haven’t used a plug-in webcam for years so can’t reliably comment.

Any suggestions to improve this service, or for anyone considering using it to aim in preparation?

I don’t really – as the digital world speeds up, the service will improve.

If you’ve got somewhere well-lit, away from too much outside noise that’s best, have a pair of headphones handy… They can help with the sync.

If you get a day with a lot of dropping out and calling back, it won’t be idea for concentration, but worth persevering I think.

Neil Clark online guitar lessons are available at his site.

http://www.neilclark.com/