craigd, it sounds like you're suggesting that seeing Merle live, e.g., is a unique experience, not to be confused with watching old concerts on youtube, much less listening to bootlegged recordings.... but also that there's lots of enjoyment to be had from watching the old shows, or even just listening to the songs.
I'm inclined to agree. And I'm sure glad Merle et al put songs to tape before they hung it all up.
I'm under no delusion that one can become a master by watching videos no matter how good they (videos or student) are. But if someone made a master-class gunsmithing video series, I would watch it over and over. And I would do the best that I could to put the knowledge to good use in my shop.
In fact, I've learned all manner of things from video. I even learn from online videos in my professional area of expertise, which is also a hands-on, 'see one, do one, teach one' kind of field.
Nothing can replace time at the bench or table or workshop or wherever the work gets done, but it definitely can supplement it.
All that said, Steven, what are the dates and other information for the course you are teaching in September? Like I said, one of these days....
