Music Radar recently caught up with revered Black Label Society guitarist/vocalist Zakk Wylde to talk about his forthcoming instructional DVD set for Guitar Apprentice, titled ‘The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition.’ A couple of excerpts from the chat can be found below.
‘The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition’ will be packaged as a six-DVD set and will be released on October 1st in North America and in November worldwide. The set will feature Wylde meticulously breaking down songs from Black Label Society’s most recent album ‘Order Of The Black’ with the aid of the patented Guitar Apprentice visual learning method.
Wylde explained how the idea came to fruition: “The guys behind the project approached me, basically. They asked me what I thought of Guitar Hero, and I said it was awesome. Who knows – you could have the next Jimmy Page or Dimebag or Yngwie coming out of that thing. Some kid starts out on that, and eventually he says, ‘Man, I want to get a real guitar.’ That’s what you want to happen. To me, anything that promotes the guitar is good.”
He added that the concept behind games such as ‘Guitar Hero’ were the inspiration for the DVD’s unique format: “So the guys with Guitar Apprentice came to me and said that it would be like a game, but you’d actually learn how to play. It’s not like you’re playing with a controller or anything like that – you’re using a real guitar. I said, ‘Yeah, of course. Sounds great!’
Each lesson featured in ‘The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition’ contains fifteen difficulty levels. “…we’re talking from a very beginner to being about to play the solo to f***ing Crazy Horse,” Wylde explained. “And you can do it, too, but you have to put in the hours. You’ve got to practice and get your technique together. But it’s all there, man.”
Wylde added that he researched other guitarists tutorial videos while creating his own: “I bought a bunch of them. Whether it’s Joe Pass or Albert Lee or Allan Holdsworth, sure, I’ve studied what they do. John McLaughlin, Al Di Meolo, I’ve got those ones. They’re cool, man. I like these kinds of things. That’s why I was into doing my own. There’s a lot for people to tear into. If they put in the time and want to understand playing, I break it all down. Have fun with it. Put in the work but have a blast.”
‘The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition’ also includes detailed explanations of signature rhythm patterns, solo breakdowns, tones, pedals and gear. Additionally, the Guitar Center exclusive edition is jammed with 60 minutes of extras.
Click here to read the full Music Radar interview with Zakk Wylde.
Click here for more information on ‘The Zakk Wylde Signature Edition Guitar Apprentice.’