Guitarist Rick Vito was born in Darby, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia. Though very young, Rick distinctly remembers the impact of the early years of Rock & Roll and the effect it had on his interest in playing the guitar. "Everyone, of course, was crazy about ELVIS and I was too. Also, I was a faithful watcher of the "BANDSTAND" TV show which was broadcast every day from Philadelphia. This started even before DICK CLARK hosted it. Bandstand was the center of the universe as far as Rock & Roll went for me. Most of the classic rockers made their debut on this show before they got to Ed Sullivan, and I remember being fascinated with guys like JERRY LEE LEWIS, FATS DOMINO, and LITTLE RICHARD. But it was the guys with the guitars that really got to me. My mom had played Hawaiian lap guitar as a young girl and we still had her old Oahu acoustic. We have a videotape (transferred from 8mm film) of me about six years old going nuts with that guitar doing my Elvis bit in the living room. It's proof that I'm a bonafide 50's rocker!"
Ricks most recent activities have included much-heralded live appearances at the NAMM Show where he demonstrated the latest Rick Vito Signature guitar (now the best-selling model in the Reverend Guitars lineup), and a show-stealing set at Deke Dickersons Annual Guitar Fest in Anaheim, CA. Rick also appears on "Memphis," a new blues/roots recording from the great Boz Scaggs. Early 2013 saw Rick center stage in a jaw-dropping show at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center with the MFBB, Steven Tyler and a surprise appearance by the legendary Christine McVie, her first in 14 years! He is featured in two new "Best Seller" guitar-oriented books, "Burst Believers," by Vic Da Pra and "The Strat in the Attic," by Deke Dickerson. More touring and recording plans are now underway.
Rick is a fantastic guitarist who has a well defined style. Because of his skills and knowledge, he is able to create solos, rhythms and have variations that make him a very diverse guitarist, which inspires you to want to learn techniques to be able to play the guitar that way.
The dedication is not only shown as a guitarist but as an instructor because his way of teaching is clear and generates that you can learn in a continuous way and without getting lost with the content.
An amazing guitarist that is recommended for the learning that you can obtain.
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Jorge
10/11/21
A Slide with Soul.
An impressive guitarist with great experience with the guitar, as mentioned, if there is something that differentiates him from the vast majority is the use of the slide, as it adds variety, style and a certain magical sound that makes his playing characteristic. The quality, knowledge and technique of how he handles the slide gives his songs a sound that he likes and that generates the desire to continue learning more and more.
Rick Vito's lessons and skills are very good, his explanations are understandable at all times, he has the concepts well defined, the style he has is influenced by great guitarists being quite good to listen to when he plays the guitar, plus it inspires you to keep learning and improving. These are lessons that deserve to be seen.
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Todd C.
08/17/21
Great Instructor and Great Course!
I always wondered who was behind all of the fantastic guitar slide work I've heard over the airwaves throughout the years. Now I know the face behind the guitar. I have fallen for slide guitar more than ever! I feel like I'm able to offer something a little more special now - not just another guitar player. I've played slide in standard tuning for years, but never with the precision that Rick teaches in this course. Now, I'm understanding some of the awesome open tunings I would never have attempted before. His lessons have opened things wide up for me. I'm really taking off with slide now, and I truly owe it to this one little course. I'm feeling very confident with my playing now. It's just great to be able to watch the mechanics which Rick uses to create such soulful guitar work. Love it! Thanks for sharing Rick :) You sir, are a true master.
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aditya2509
10/22/20
Superb
As a Music Producer it was very important for me to focus on my guitar playing and develop my own sound. A few months ago I came across Rick Vitos lessons on the Truefire YouTube channel and I decided to start focusing on slide playing seriously to explore. It helped me analyse the song, build different styles of grooves, incorporate different techniques, which was really helpful. The lessons were really easy to follow, precise articulate and most importantly engaging. Hoping to see more lessons on truefire!
