Chop Builder, Frank Gambale

I expected this to be more technique based instruction on Frank's style. Instead it is more like a work out video to stay in shape. This is not for a beginner guitarist make no mistake. It covers exercises that you can apply to get better at endurance and dexterity, but you need to understand that it's a work out video designed to keep your chops in shape. If you don't already have the chops then this is not the video you want. It also contains three performances that are worth watching especially if you enjoy fusion style guitar.

I originally bought this on VHS over ten years ago. At the time I could barely keep up for more that five minutes. If you stick to this work out you WILL improve your chops. The only fault I see in this program is that there are no tips or advice on how one should work up to speed. Though this is not speed program it does require a certain level of ability in order to keep up and play along with the video. Also, a suggested fingering guide may have been helpful. One great thing about this work out is that all of the exercises are still musical and will inadvertently help train your ear too - something you don't find in most books or videos that are geared solely for increasing technical skills.

I revisit to this video whenever I feel a need to get my hands in shape. Ten years later - it still kicks my butt.
Highly recommend this to players of all intermediate and advanced levels. It could be beneficial to driven beginners too but most likely it will be far too overwhelming - learn to walk before you run.. ;-)

Gambales chop builder is exactly what I was looking for as far as picking exercises go. It covers everything from alternate picking, legato to his sweep picking and each exercise is quite melodic and interesting to play. The only criticism I have is I would rather just have it in CD form rather than DVD. I think working on his Monster licks and speed picking dvd first would make learing the Chop Builder exercises a little more easier to learn. Just so you understand how he is using his right hand when sweeping arpeggios and 3 note per string scales.

I have always been a great fan of Frank Gambale. His technical abilities are amazing, and so are his teaching abilities. This is not the video for you if you want to learn theory, but if you want to get better at playing guitar, you must own a copy of this video! As the title clearly states, this is a guitarists 'workout' video. It is not a technical, theoretical, or a licks n tricks video. There are so many good and not so good theory videos out there if that is your purpose, however, don't forget that theory is a small part of playing guitar! So don't be fooled, there are no magic pills that you can take to be a better player, it takes practice, dedication, and boring exercises. Frank's humor turns the most mundane guitar task (exercising) in to a fun and enjoyable workout. Expect to build your chops if you faithfully follow his routines. This video comes with a 74 page booklet that has all of the exercises in tab and standard notation, and I may add that the booklet is one of the better ones I have seen compared to the cheesy ones that usually accompany instructional videos.

Frank covers many types of exercises in his regiment of exercises: Alternate picking triplets, Alternate picking sixteenth notes, Combination triplets and sixteenth notes, Major scales and their modes, Melodic minor modes, Harmonic minor modes, Diminished and whole tone scales, Interval scales and patterns, Chromatic exercises, String skipping, Sweep picking triad arpeggios, Hammer-ons and Pull-offs, Stretch voicings, Blues progressions, and much more.

This video delivers what it claims to: An unbeatable chops workout. No matter if you have just started playing guitar, or have been playing for 25 years as I have, you will benefit from using Frank's chop building routines.

Don't read "guitarhomie" below. This IS the DVD for practicing. Of course the humor is super cheesy, but it gives the DVD a unique flavor that Gambale fans and others will just laugh at ! It goes with the character. It is very dense stuff, so of course it ain't playing at a slow pace. You have to learn exercices first then try to play it with the master, it's not that difficult and this idea is GREAT !! Really stimulating stuff.