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Course Review: The Definitive Gambale Sweep Picking Course by Frank Gambale

February 15, 2023 by azsamadlessons Leave a Comment

Frank Gambale has been an iconic figure in jazz fusion since the mid-80s. Most well-known for this mastery of the sweep picking and economy picking techniques, he has been a major influence for many guitarists to aspire to his level of virtuosity.

After releasing various books & instructional videos over the years, Frank embarked on creating this massive over 10-hour long course.

In the course, you get:

  • 10 + Hours of Video Lessons
  • 11 Chapters
  • 111 Downloadable Backing Tracks
  • 15 Downloadable PDF Booklets (TAB and Standard Notation)
  • 15 Downloadable Guitar Pro Files

The 11 parts cover fundamentals including the personal fingerings that Frank uses to play scales & arpeggios. He also coves an expanded look on those material and develops it over the 10 hours of instruction.

The topics covered are:

Part 1a) Fundamentals – Scales
Part 1b) Fundamentals – Pentatonic Scales
Part 1c): Fundamentals – Triads
Part 1d): Fundamentals – 4-Note Arpeggios
Part 2: Sweeping Chromatically
Part 3: Sweeping Inside Standard Scale Shapes
Part 4: Sweep Standard Pentatonic Shapes
Part 5: Sweeping Basic Triad Shapes
Part 6: Sweeping Other Chord Shapes
Part 7: Sweeping Intervallic Shapes – Diatonic
Part 8: Sweeping Intervallic Shapes Chromatic & Symmetrical
Part 9: Sweeping Mixed with Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs
Part 10: Sweeping Rhythmic Motifs
Part 11: Putting It All Together

This course is one that I bought many years ago, and continue to revisit from time to time. I still remember the first time I worked through it and how difficult it was!

The biggest takeaway that I got from the course at that time was how unique Frank’s left hand fingerings were… and how that made it possible to get the kind of phrasing and sound he is known for.

Some video lessons or courses focus on the actual mechanics of how you hold the pick & how the pick movements are. This one doesn’t go to the picking mechanics as much. However, the video shows both fretting & picking hand so you can observe what Frank does.

One of the best things about the course is that you can play along with Frank as he demonstrates the exercises. Frank often plays examples at different subdivisions so that you can develop confidence and fluidity with the exercises.

The challenge however is that there’s like YEARS of materials to work on in this course. You have to remember that this course is the culmination of years of Frank having a lot of discoveries & developments in his playing. So, remember that as you practice the material & especially when you face challenges during your practice sessions.

In conclusion, if you want to really understand how to develop your sweep picking (especially in terms of fretting hand fingering), I personally have never seen anything as detailed as what Frank has compiled in this course. Along with the PDFs, backing tracks and Guitar Pro Files, you have the essential resources to help you learn this material.

However, beware as this is best suited for intermediate and advanced guitar players who really want to get into the deep end of the pool of sweep picking. This is not for beginners!

Pros: Massive amount of material to work on, unique approach and fingerings.
Cons: Might feel overwhelming if you haven’t explored sweep picking before.
TLDR: If you’re interested in developing this technique to a high level, this course will give you a unique insight in playing in this style and with this technique.

You can enrol in the course here on the official website: https://www.frankgambaleguitarschool.com/course?courseid=gambale-sweep-picking

[Review Archive]
I wrote a lot of other book, course and video reviews too.
Check out the rest here:
[Read more reviews]

[Submissions for Review Consideration]

  • Are you an author who wrote a jazz, guitar or music book?
  • Have you created a DVD or an online video course or subscription based website?
  • Would you like me to review your book/course?

Please send me a message at azsamad3 at gmail.com with:

For courses: a link to the course/video/product + access info etc.
For books: a link to the book (Dropbox) or PDF attachment (if it’s small) for review consideration.

Depending on whether I dig the book/course, I’ll let you know if I do plan to review it!

I cannot guarantee a review for every submission & if I’m not too into it, I may opt not to review it. I mean, it’s better to get a good review that for me to write a bad review just because it’s not a match for the kind of stuff I dig right? :p

NOTE: All reviews reflect my honest personal opinion so be aware that I will point out both cool Pros and Cons that I see in the work. You dig? 

Filed Under: Guitar Chords, Guitar Scales, Guitar Technique, Jazz Guitar Harmony, Licks, Music Theory, Philosophy, Practice Secrets, Video Lessons Tagged With: arpeggios, guitar lessons, how to play jazz guitar, how to practice guitar, how to practice sweep picking, improvisation, jazz guitar, jazz guitar techniques, practice, sweep picking, sweep picking secrets, sweep picking technique, vocabulary

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