Optek Fretlight Guitars

[DavidE]

Anybody ever try one? I was wondering if it might be a good method to learn some patterns and chords for some jazz playing...

[Guest Mike Lee]

The original Fretlights were cool because they were self-contained. Turn a knob to select a scale or chord and it lit up all the notes on the neck.

I bought the next gen model, the Smartlight, in 1996 and it SUCKED! It had to be plugged into a computer and only lit up one note at a time. You had to step through the notes with a little footpedal. I returned it.

If they make a self contained one I'd get it, but not another computer dependent ones

[DavidE]

Hmmmmm.... I think the current ones are computer dependent. They light up more than one note at a time. Scales, patterns, chords etc... But I do think it needs to be plugged into a computer because it works with software.

$300 too much for one of the current models (S/S/H strat with the software and an added case)?

It's this one:

http://eddriscoll.com/archives/011534.php

CNET review with short video

: http://reviews.cnet.com/home-entertainment...7-31325004.html

[DavidE]

Fretlight video on youtube:

[BCR Greg]

Lessons? DVDs?

Anything would be more practical and cheaper than one of those shitty guitars.

[DavidE]

My schedule isn't steady enough to arrange lessons. I tried once, but it was impossible to commit to being in one place the same time every week.

Maybe DVD is the way to go.

[MCChris]

Chicks don't flash their titties at jazz players.

Check this out:

http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/guitar/index_rb.html

[jettster]

http://www.guitargrimoire.com/gt01.htm

[Steve Haynie]

DavidE, how much theory do you know now? Scales and modes are almost the same thing, just different views of patterns. Patterns on the fretboard repeat themselves and flow from one to another. If you really want to learn how the stuff works do not learn scale patterns by themselves. Analyze why they are what they are. You can teach yourself this slowly with a book or the site MCChris suggests if you understand a basic major scale then work from there.