April, 2006

WELCOME TO THE WATCH & LEARN, INC. NEWSLETTER!

Geoff Hohwald has played and taught the banjo for more than forty years. He originally studied with the likes of John Hickman and Robbie Robinson and later came under the influence of other legendary performers such as Earl Scruggs, Bill Keith, J.D. Crowe and Sonny Osborne. Geoff wrote his first banjo instructional book in 1979 which was the first in a long series of products which eventually became Watch and Learn, Inc. Bert Casey came on board a few years later with Flatpicking Guitar Songs which started the rapid growth of Watch & Learn as a leader in instructional products for the beginner. Since Geoff’s first crude banjo instructional book sold out of his basement, he and Bert have sold over 2 million books, videos, and DVD's worldwide. Geoff has written several books for Watch & Learn, including Banjo Primer, Banjo Songs, and the Banjo Primer Jam CDs. He also did the Introduction to Banjo DVD.

Having owned several music stores himself, Geoff brings to Watch & Learn a unique perspective of “the other side” of the business. He understands how important it is that music stores develop a relationship with their customers that will bring them back to their stores wanting more! He has used this insight to help develop many of the Watch & Learn products that will in fact, teach their customer how to actually play their instrument, turning them into real musicians, which in turn, brings them back for additional accessories and upgraded instruments. To further this, there are "tips" on the bottom of each page of several guitar books that make specific product recommendations. When customers purchase these books, they invariably thumb through all of the tips and come back to the store asking, "Do I need a Metronome, music stand, guitar case etc?"

Geoff, in the "using teachers rather than celebrities" tradition of Watch and Learn Inc, still keeps in touch with the needs of students by teaching beginners in group classes twice per year at the John C Campbell Folk School in Murphy North Carolina. He frequently attends jam sessions with beginners and intermediates that help him to develop unique products that meet their needs, increase their musical enjoyment, and expand your sales.

Mandolin Primer Jam CDs

The Mandolin Primer Jam CDs by Bert Casey and Geoff Hohwald are a 2 CD set that play rhythm to all of the songs in the Mandolin Primer at 5 different speeds. This companion product to the Mandolin Primer is the perfect way to increase your playing speed, improve your timing and make that critical leap between practice and actually jamming with friends. Every track starts with the mandolin playing the song one time to orient the student. The mandolin then goes away, letting you play along with a real bluegrass band. The Mandolin Primer Jam CDs will have you playing at your peak in no time.

March Special - Buy 6 for 50% off, $7.50 each

DeForest San Diego, CA
“I like the rack - It has boosted my sales tremendously since NAMM. The book/CD combo is very attractive to customers. Having a Watch & Learn salesperson call regularly helps me out.”

Carl Conway, SC
“Most beginner products presuppose some working knowledge of music material, but the Watch & Learn products are the only ones who can get an ABSOLUTE beginner to learn to play with out getting frustrated. I love the Let’s Jam CD’s. It’s like having the rest of the band in the house with you while you learn to play."

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McGuire's Music in Lafayette, IN

McGuire Music & Sound was established in 1971. They are a combo store featuring electric & acoustic guitars, drums, sound systems & related accessories. The store is owned and operated by Dave Grimes and Don Leuck. They have a friendly, knowledgeable & experienced staff of 9 employees. McGuire Music & Sound is celebrating their 35th anniversary of serving the Lafayette & surrounding communities. They are dedicated to music education teaching 200 guitar & drums students weekly. The store stocks a great selection of instructional materials, songbooks & DVD's. Some of their best selling books, CD's & DVD's are the Bert Casey Learning System materials which they believe are really good tools for musicians teaching themselves.