Roger McGuinn
The 12-String Guitar of Roger McGuinn
Homespun VD-GUI-GT01 (1996); 60 min.

Learning how to create the famous "jingle-jangle" electric 12-string sound of The Byrds is as easy as a cakewalk now, thanks to this new instructional video by Homespun. Roger McGuinn shows how he tunes up his famous Rickenbacker and demonstrates his stylistic techniques on such songs as "Turn, Turn, Turn," "Mr. Tambourine Man," and "Eight Miles High." His famous fingerpicking method, a cross between banjo-like rolls and double-time picking, is demonstrated along with some single-string bends and up-and-down picking exercises, a McGuinn trademark. McGuinn takes his time with each unit of instruction, and there are plenty of close-ups and repeats for those students who need extra help. "Mr. Spaceman" and Leadbelly's "On Easter Morn He Rose" are given special attention, with an emphasis on bass lines and lead riffs. He also spends time discussing playing advice, guitar maintenance, and recording options. The video is accompanied by an easy-to-use tablature booklet that explains in notation his fingerpicking patterns for all of the songs he demonstrates. - T.J. McGrath (Woodbridge, CT)