"BOOM, chuck, chuck!" New guitar video plays its way onto the market

At just over 30 minutes long, the course aims to transform the ordinary person, regardless of age, into a capable guitar player within three days.

CENTRAL POINT, OR March 3, 2004 -- Wednesday, February 25th marked the release of Southern Oregon-based Brio Records' debut instructional video, 3 Day Guitar. At just over 30 minutes long, the course aims to transform the ordinary person, regardless of age, into a capable guitar player within three days.

Mike McCoy, producer and host of 3 Day Guitar, says such a feat is all but impossible through most traditional methods. "That's like building a skyscraper from the sky down," he explains. "You just don't do it that way if you want to progress in anything resembling an efficient manner."

The video, available on both DVD and VHS, begins by introducing the viewer to basic guitar terminology, handling, and tuning protocol. McCoy's live action work is supplemented by split- and fullscreen animation simultaneously illustrating finger positions on the fretboard.

Clearly enjoying himself, Mr. McCoy then proceeds to demonstrate three chords: the G major, C major, and D major, counting first in 3/4 and then in 4/4 time.

"These are the 'building blocks,' if you will, of most folk songs," says McCoy, whose video gives full demonstrations of a handful, including "You Are My Sunshine" and "Amazing Grace." As they progress through practicing various chord changes, viewers will find themselves with the ability to play the 12 bar blues, generally considered to be a gateway to most popular music.

"At that point, people really start getting excited, because they come to realize how easy it is to expand upon the foundations we've given them."

Aside from the desire to fill a need left gaping by conventional lessons, the course resonates on a personal level with McCoy.

Some years back, in the wake of diagnosis with a fatal disease, he became more determined than ever to use his remaining time to fulfill lifelong aspirations. With the support of his wife, acclaimed jazz pianist and music teacher Patti Moran McCoy, he began learning guitar as though, quite literally, there would be no tomorrow.

The diagnosis turned out to be false. "The relief just swept me over ... but I knew a great deal of value had come out of the ordeal. I said to Patti, 'If I can learn so quickly, I want to pass it on to other people.' And she said, 'You know, you need to. Even advanced students dependent on their sheet music could learn from this.'"