The first Speed Kills DVD opens with Michael Angelo Batio playing an incredibly fast yet interesting electric guitar solo. After only a few minutes of watching it, I started laughing out loud. You know, the kind of involuntary, bewildered laugh that breaks out when a magician does something truly unexpected and incredible.
I had never seen a guitar play so fast. It almost seemed fake. Perhaps more surprising, though, is that Michael can actually teach these seemingly impossible techniques to us mortal guitarist moms.
If you’ve ever wanted to play lead electric guitar solos for rock, hard rock, metal, blues, pop, country, or improv jazz, pay close attention to this review.
The purpose
According to the author, Michael Angelo Batio, Speed Kills was created to be the ultimate guitar lesson on speed picking technique. This course concentrates on speed techniques that challenge even the most advanced player. Even so, an intermediate guitarist can start working with this and expect incredible gains.
About the author, Michael Angelo Batio
It has been said that Mr. Batio is the fastest guitarist on the planet. After watching his guitar lessons on video, I absolutely believe it. And as if that wasn’t amazing enough, he actually learned to play a custom combination of left and right handed electric guitar at the same time. Watching this alone was worth the price of the first DVD.
Guitar One Magazine Michael Angelo Batio as the Number 1 Crusher of All Time.
Batio has created the ultimate face-melting instructional DVD, he says guitar world magazine.
One of the elements that makes Batio a master of the guitar is his deep knowledge of music theory and classical music. He has even produced a DVD called 25 Jazz Progressions.
Who will benefit the most from Speed Kills?
This guitar lesson course is ideal for intermediate guitarists who want to improve their lead guitar skills and techniques with an emphasis on speed. An in-depth understanding of music theory is not necessary, but a basic understanding of chords, scale types, and modalities would be helpful.
An excellent preparation for this course would be Doug Marks’ 6 Part Metal Method Complete Video Guitar Lessons DVD.
Is this quick guitar course for acoustic or electric guitarists?
Electric guitar.
The lesson format
Each lesson begins with a short talk by the author explaining the upcoming exercises. This is followed by a fast then slow video closeup demo and an animated smart play tab with sound.
The Contents of the Speed Kills Solo Guitar Lesson DVDs
– A protective organizer case for DVDs
– Each DVD contains a printable PDF file with chapter lists and tabs for each lesson.
DVD #1 Speed KillsThis DVD features advanced picking techniques with unlimited playing, tuning, tremolo picking, hand injury prevention, alternate picking, hammer-on and pull-off, arpeggio madness, diminished licks plus discussion and performance in double guitar solo
DVD #2 Speed Kill 2, This DVD contains more advanced techniques as well as essential warm-up skill development. 28 groups of lessons with 69 exercises.
DVD #3 Speed Kill 3This DVD contains the most challenging techniques plus Advanced Crushing.
DVD #4 Fast Lives, Michael steps through the song, No Boundaries. In the last section of this DVD, you play the main part over his rhythmic backing.
the negatives
It was annoying to print the supporting materials for each lesson even though it only took about 15 minutes for the four DVDs. I would prefer to receive them all pre-printed and bound. However, this would add to the cost of the course substantially, so I suppose it’s actually a reasonable compromise.
The course would benefit from more thematic detail on video titles. It can be a bit confusing if you want to go back to a specific lesson.
the positives
Receiving advanced guitar instruction from a true guitar virtuoso is a rare opportunity. Michael speaks and plays with confidence and humor. He is down to earth, articulate and easy to follow, which is unusual for someone of his extreme playing ability.
The clarity of the video production is excellent. Close-ups and shot angles are extremely clear and understandable. I am glad that this course is not just made up of video snippets, but offers a richer learning experience that can only come from wall-to-wall video.
This course is incredibly affordable not only because the price is lower than most programs at this advanced level, but also because you can buy just one DVD at a time with no obligation to buy more.
Support
The Metal Method Company offers email, phone, mail, and a student forum to answer questions. They also offer a fairly comprehensive FAQ section on their website for quick reference.
The price analysis
Metal Methods Speed Kills Video Guitar Lessons contain the equivalent of about 6 months to over a year worth of guitar lessons if you were to space them out as if you were taking weekly lessons from a local guitar instructor.
A local instructor will usually charge between $20 and $50 per lesson. Your minimum cost of just $20 per lesson for 6 months would be at least $520.
The choice comes down to:
The full DVD Speed Kills program at $64.80 to $79.80 depending on how many DVDs you buy at once, or a local instructor at $520.
Guarantee
You can return DVDs for any reason within 60 days of receipt for a 100% money back.
The bottom line
Let me see. Recommend the cheap, advanced speed technique video guitar lesson DVD series taught by Michael Angelo Batio, the world’s fastest guitarist, which just happens to be incredibly entertaining? You bet I do. In an instant. Speed Kills is truly a must-have advanced electric guitar lesson course for anyone who is in the serious pursuit of excellence on lead guitar.
