Just bought “Unlocking the Keys” by Kevin KC Conley
I just picked up Kevin Conley’s DVD that was produced back in 2008 by Wheatworks. I was impressed with the videos I saw on Youtube by Kevin, plus the positive reviews on other keyboard forums. In fact, as of this blog post, I bought it from an online company called “Showmethat.com” for $39.99. Thus I have yet to see it. The shipping was huge though at $21, so if you live overseas like I do, you’re going to pay dearly for this DVD!! I also highly recommend that you do not buy from GospelSkillz if overseas as the shipping ( over 30 bucks ), is a rip-off. I’ve been in Japan for over 17 years and never have paid that much for a DVD to be shipped to Japan. Ouch!
I wish downloads were available for Wheatworks DVDs, but unfortunately they are behind the times a bit, or at least certainly missing out on overseas customers. Check out HearandPlay or GospelMusicians who do offer DVDs as download. They also offer discounts too. Kevin’s “Unlocking the Keys” will be the only DVD I buy from Wheatworks as the shipping is way to high for frequent orders unfortunately. I just had to get this DVD as I’ve heard it’s the best of the bunch. If you live in the States though, then Wheatworks is great.
What primarily sold me on the DVD in addition to the material, was the nature of how Kevin teaches one to approach the keys. It’s a beginner and intermediate level DVD, but definitely the material can be applied to advance users of Gospel, Jazz, RnB etc. I’ll present a review once I receive the DVD and have had a chance to absorb the content.
All in all, a very expensive DVD for me to buy, but ultimately one that should help me better grasp some key concepts with my Jazz and RnB playing.
Today, exactly one week from my post above, I received the “Unlocking the Keys” DVD in the mail from Showmethat.com. I can say the DVD arrived very quickly despite the expensive shipping cost. The DVD packaging was excellent and supposedly on the DVD there are midi files and other PDF documents to suport the video material. It’s going to be a fun weekend! – Jim
jimdatwood
July 17, 2010 at 5:17 am
I have no complaints from Unlocking the keys.. KC is cool, love what he is teaching, Id recommend this to anyone
brandon williams
July 29, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Indeed Kevin KC Conley has a very likable “teaching” personality. This is definitely a must have DVD in my book.
jimdatwood
July 30, 2010 at 12:35 am
http://neosoulkeyz.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/doobie-powell-neo-soul-instructional-dvd/
Shipping at Showmethat is WAY too expensive. I wish they would consider video downloads which is the direction everyone else is going. I’m in Japan and Shipping & Handling of $16.00 for a DVD is simply too expensive. I ordered Kevin K.C. Conley’s video from showmethat.com and promised myself I would never buy another video from Showmethat with that high of a shipping expense. I’m planning on keeping that promise.
If you are looking for a good alternative DVD for learning Neo Soul Keyboard, I highly recommend GospelMusicians Jamal Hartwell’s series called “Fundamentals of Neo-Soul Keyboard”. He offers a download version which allows for zero shipping costs. It’s an awesome package and a must buy.
Note that I’m not against paying for shipping to Japan. The point is that I’ve been living in Japan for almost 18 years now and have ordered literally “hundreds” of items during that time from all over the world. $16.00 shipping for a DVD is a rip-off and that’s just keeping it real folks. Anything over $10.00 is outrageous.
Doobie Powell’s Neo-Soul Instructional DVD looks pretty good, but I’ll sit this one out.
If anyone actually buys it, I’d appreciate any comments you might have on the content of the DVD. There’s very little info about it which makes it hard to understand what’s inside. Also, how much live footage is mixed in? I heard the DVD is two hours, but I wouldn’t want to pay all that money for a DVD with half being live footage.
As I mentioned before, I bought the Kevin K.C. Conley’s video from showmethat.com and although the video is definitely highly recommended, you will get nailed on shipping big time!! Watch out!
jimdatwood
April 3, 2011 at 5:03 am