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What
people are saying about Chris Standring's "Play
What You Hear" home study course...
(These testimonials are updated regularly as new feedback comes
in)
I recently completed my study of PWYH, it took about a year and
a half of working with it almost daily. I took a lot of time on
the patterns and did a lot of careful reading and considering. I
really enjoyed your approach, as well as the time spent (I also
got a kick out of some of the anecdotes). Maybe best of all, I have
noticed how I have really come to rely, and have confidence in,
my ears. I am a better, and far more relaxed player for the effort.
Thanks to you Chris ... you are a real inspiration to this guitarist!
Frank Szubart - PWYH 3.0
Hi
Chris - I'll tell you, my vocabulary isn't big enough to describe
how great your course is. I have been playing the guitar for 10
years and I have made more progress in the past couple of months
using your book than virtually the entire time I have been playing.
I have also been playing the bass for the past couple of months
and your book has helped tremendously with that as well. I just
can't say enough about your ebook and if you write another one,
I'll buy it! Gary Lee - PWYH 3.0
I
can honestly say that "Play What You Hear" is one of the
best things I've ever bought. I was EXTREMELY skeptical about spending
money on an online guitar course because all the ones I've seen
before seem to be full of shortcuts and tricks that give people
quick fixes in their playing that have little more than novelty
value. This course is huge and extremely comprehensive. I also really
like the way it's written, as it's very succinct and easy to absorb.
I can't praise it enough. It contains enough information for up
to ten years worth of study and it costs as much as three one -
hour private guitar lessons. It's really amazing and it's got me
out of a serious rut. Thanks a lot! Mathew Barnes - PWYH
2.3 student
Chris
- It is going well. I can't fault your approach. Although the IDEAS
are familiar to me as a result of some jazz guitar lessons & workshops
I had some years ago, my teachers (a couple of whom were very well
known on the UK jazz scene) could not either express this stuff
with the clarity you do or accompany it with systematic drills as
on your course. So thanks a lot for the course, which is exceptional
value and packs a lot of learning. - Bobbie PWYH 2.4 student
"Hey
Chris, So far I have been playing with the "Play What You Hear"
CD, and I must say it really bridges all the gaps between all the
things I've learned so far in guitar (I've been self taught). I've
been playing for several years, and have been recently trying to
get off the rut I've been in, and your "Play What You Hear" really
did the job. To be honest, I wasn't sure at first, thinking this
is probably gonna be one of those intermediate guitar CD that only
hovers on some techniques and no emphasis on the importance of them.
But I was wrong, you've really detailed the works and I've learned
a lot from it. And the practices really made me work out my rusty
notation reading skills which I appreciate. Very beautiful stuff!
Cheers!" Muhammad Kamil PWYH 2.3 student
Chris, Thanks for checking in. I was amazed at how fast the cd got
here, for starters! The lessons are great. I've been playing professionally
for over 30 years, and have had some basic theory. But as I get
older I find myself playing the same old pentatonic & blues scales,
with a few tricks thrown in here and there. I feel my playing has
improved already, just by approaching the fret board in a different
manner. I was listening to XM radio the other day, and heard some
great guitar work, so of course I checked the display as I always
do to see who was tearing up the finger board, and lo and behold......Chris
Standring. I've got to check out some of your CDs. Thanks for the
chance to learn from a master, Russell PWYH 2.3 student
"Chris
- I am a very skeptical person. But, for whatever reason, I took
a shot on you and bought your course "Play WhatYou Hear". Me being
me I didn't expect much. Chris, you have got it. Everything that
an intermediate (or anvanced) jazz guitar player needs to know to
jump to the next level is put in your course. Even more important,
it is formatted with words and examples that are easy to understand
and really fun (no books that I have bought are fun). I thank you
for finally showing players on my level how to get it." - Bob
Austin PWYH 2.3 student
"Chris
- just a quick e-mail to say I’m working through “Play What You
Hear” with amazing success. My guitar playing has been…TRANSFORMED!!!
This course is worth every penny!" - Mathew Powell PWYH
v.2.3 student
"Dear
Chris, My wife Elena purchased your guitar course for me some weeks
ago, and forwarded to me your email requesting some feedback. To
put it succinctly, I'm thrilled. I've found your approach to be
thorough, easy to grasp and apply, and one that is taking me exactly
where I want to go, to wit, learning jazz in a structured, disciplined,
but very interesting way, and offering the option to explore blues,
rock and folk as well. Thank you so much, Chris, for helping to
make this happen. Again, I couldn't be happier. My very best wishes
for your continued success. Sincerely," David Decker
Falls Church, Virginia PWYH v.2.3 student
"Hey
Chris, I already have both your courses, and I must admit I didn't
realize how little I knew about guitar.. Ive been following your
PWYH course for around 3 months now, and although im still putting
the horizontal and vertical major scales in all keys (8 so far...)
my playing truly has transformed.. Thankyou.. I will recomend your
courses to anyone lookin to master the guitar, as I really believe
I will have achieved this myself If I continue to follow your lessons..
Its nice to see a guitar course that tells it like it is.. THERE
IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HARD WORK.. Congratulations to you. You should
be extremely proud of yourself and your courses, they are exactly
what I was looking for. Thanks again,
Tim Shannon PWYH v.2.3 student
PS I think my pinkie might even be starting to listen to me also!!
AWESOME course, Chris
"Hi
Chris, your course and book are outstanding and that is coming from
a player who has played for 32 years, and taught college history
for the last 22 years and who has received awards and cash grants
for developing college curriculum. In just a couple of weeks after
using your course I can actually pick things out by ear, visualize
scales and modes that other players are playing on CDs. This was
something I had given up on as impossible for me until I used your
course...it is the best I have found by far and this is after buying
a medium sized library of jazz and guitar instructional books. Your
course has opened up for me a universe of attattainable possibilities
in terms of musicianship. For some the course might seem expensive,
but it costs less than most boring college textbooks. Eric Mayer
Ph.D. History CSUSB - PWYH 2.3 student.
"Hi
Chris, I am making great progress with your 'Play What You Hear'
jazz guitar course, the E Book format with sound makes it so convenient
having everything in one place. I have been playing guitar for many
years, mostly blues and country, and have always loved jazz guitar
but just couldn't understand how to play it, so gave up each time
I attempted it. Now, just six weeks after downloading your course,
and putting in one to two hours per day, I understand how it all
fits together and my playing is even starting to sound like jazz
guitar should! Got a way to go yet, but I look forward to each session
and the progress that I'm making gives me the encouragement to keep
going. Thanks for a really great course, it's an absolute bargain
and certainly the best money that I ever spent." Terry Croker
England PWYH v.2.2 student
"Hey
Chris, I thoroughly, enjoyed the CD's. I haven't even gone through
a quarter of the information yet. This is not a learn guitar overnight
crash course. This is solidifying the ground work upon which great
music will be built. I love the fact that I'm learning tonal separations
rather than just mindless patterns with no understanding of how
they relate to anything. By forcing me to vocally imitate the scale
degrees while I play made me realize how little I actually knew.
I was way off, no wonder I could never "find" that note. Another
byproduct of this method is I'm actually learning the fretboard
for once too! It's gonna take a while but when I'm finished I'll
have FINALLY got it. Thanks so much Chris, my stress levels have
gone down and so has the intimidation factor. I've already turned
all my guitar friends onto this method!" Jerrold Hewson
PWYH 2.3 student
"The
PWYH course is the best thing I've ever come across in donkey's
years of trying to learn guitar (and I've tried just about everything).
I've always wanted to learn jazz guitar but I don't read music (as
yet) so the course has opened up a whole new world and I'm absolutely
loving it. I also love just listening to the bits where you play
some examples over the various changes. It's impossible to tell
you how much fun this is for me. It's lifted a previously impenetrable
barrier into a new world and it feels as if I've 'come home' musically.
Surprise, surprise (but perhaps not) - my rock playing has improved
no end too. Thanks!". John
Pritchard, PWYH v.2.2 student
"Hi
Chris, Just got in. Good to hear from you. The course is fantastic.
You've hit the nail on the head. In the beginning we as guitarists
need to hear what we play not just let our fingers fly because we
can. The great thing about your course is that you've covered al
the material in a college course in a "few" pages. This course is
good for the novice as well as the 'road dogs' out there who need
the occasional wrap on the knuckles. 4 thumbs up! Keep pickin'!"
Herbie Maitlandt PWYH v.2.2 student
"Chris
- I think the step-wise approach and using the ear to find the major
scale without looking at the fretboard or being locked into patterns
is extremely helpful. I've been playing by pattern for years with
modes, scales and arpeggios. Your exercises really forced me to
use my ears. Now I'm starting to feel more freedom in improvising
- and if I hear myself in a major scale sound I just go there by
ear. It's a little scary because sometimes I find myself out there,
not knowing where I just went. But then by the next chord I can
find my way. Still some clinkers, and I've got a long way to go
with the course, but this aspect has been really fun. The play along
recordings are fantastic!" - Beau K. Rymers PWYH v.2.2
student
"Hi
Chris, I just wanted to let you know that I think your customer
service is outstanding! I have never seen a company or private distributor
be as attentive to customers' needs and product and service quality
as you have been!"- Nichole
"Hi
Chris, Your lessons are really a breakthrough for me...all that
stuff inside this program is what I'm looking for for a long, long
time...As you know we Filipinos love music and guitar instrument.
And I used to play professionally but my frustration to all those
licks that you can buy on VHS really sucks. It gives you nothing.
Now they are all in the dust bin. Lucky I browse the internet thorughly
and was intrigued with "Play what You Hear" cause that's what I
want to be! To play what I hear! Anyway all the best Chris, You
are the kind of teacher I wanted. You give me not only lessons,
but most importantly the "insight" on how you approach your guitar
and hurdle stage by stage. Now I don't have any reason not to practice.
Anyway your program gives me so much trouble with my wife!"
Rio Singco PWYH v.2.2 student
"Hi
Chris, I've been using your PWYH course as my main highway in learning
jazz guitar and I just love it. I'm really learning a lot and I
would like to thank you for your quick response to e-mails giving
us valuable advice. I think that your "after-purchase customer service"
is what makes your course outstanding aside from your outstanding
teaching methods...heck...there are thousands of great guitar players...but
very rare effective guitar teachers!" - Dennis
NG, PWYH v.2.2 course student
"Chris
- I have to truly complement you on your course because as someone
who has been collecting guitar methods dating back to 71 (Hompespun,
Hot Licks, REH, Book/CD combos, videos, DVD's, and so much more)
yours truly stands among the very best. Maybe if I had come across
it sooner I wouldn't have had to buy every method I saw out there
that only provided a piece of the overall puzzle. Thanks
again and I'm sure glad I gave your method a second look!"
Edgar Villanueva PWYH v.2.1 course student
"The
level of how thorough and deep your course is strips down all the
illusions of 'knowing something' that players like me have or used
to have. To be free you just have to know everything to the bare
bones and forget about it. I believe in it and know your course
will help me to achieve it. Beautiful and exactly what we need!"
- Simon Luzny PWYH v.2.2 student
"Hi
Chris, I
am about one-third along in Play What You Hear. I must tell you
that PWYH is absolutely the best instructional series I have ever
purchased--and I have bought them by the dozens! I compliment you
on arranging the course in a logical, sequential manner. I especially
like your Play Alongs and your fretboard chord/scale/embellishments
visualization concepts. I love your "Hip Sway" album.
Great tone and innovative style." - Dan Harvey PWYH
2.1 course student
"Hi
Chris, your PWYH course has taught me more than an army of teachers
and 11 years of practice. Not only is my playing improved but my
appreciation and enjoyment of music (not to mention the range of
influences I have garnered) has flourished beyond recognition. I
have met a great many more people online who have been able to offer
assistance, so part of my thanks must go to them, but it was your
course that kick-started my understanding of what is needed. Flattery
over!". David Wells PWYH v.2.2 course student.
"Chris
- as far as the course I purchased from you is concerned, I think
it's GRAND! It really gave me another perspective to look at the
fretboard and, in general, at what is going on on it. Although I
have been playing jazz as a gig guitarist for something like 15
years now, I can still find patterns and ideas in the course that
I had never thought of before; it's really useful and brilliantly
explanatory. Yiannis Dimitriadis, Athens Greece- PWYH v.2.1
student
"Chris
- I love the tutor, since it addresses a lot of the challenges I'm
facing at the moment (I'm stuck in Chord based Bebop land) . Unlike
many other books (& believe me I've bought lots) its structured
well, and the explanations are clear. Like lots of people I suspect,
I've suffered from Guitar teachers who play well, but do not know
how to structure information to aid comprehension. I also like the
embedded musical examples - no need to find the CD that goes with
the book ! Good work ! & thanks. Regards Jeff Holdgate PWYH
2.2 student
"Chris
- I can't tell you how much I am enjoying "Play What You Hear".
It is very understandable, and does not contain a lot of "fluff"
that has to be waded through to get to the good stuff. I am very
impressed with the material, and without doubt my playing abilities
have truly improved. I am working diligently to learn the course,
and know that my playing is only going to get better and better
as I discipline myself to learn the material. Thank you for such
a fine product. It is just what I needed to kick-start my playing
to a higher level. Kind Regards" - Rick Buzzard PWYH
v.2.1 student
"Chris,
I would recommend the course as a great benefit to players at all
levels, especially moderate players looking for rapid improvement."
Best regards, Frank Andrewartha PWYH 2.1 course student
"Hi Chris - Thanks for following up on my purchase of your
software. This is indeed a unique & innovative approach to playing
jazz guitar. I have been struggling to remain interested in learning
all the different modes & patterns which dictate a fairly rigid
approach & does not promote use of the imagination to be creative
& improvise. Your technique has made me realize that because
I became bored with the traditional method I skipped lessons &
tried to learn from lesson areas which were too advanced for my
stage of knowledge & technique. I have started your program
from the beginning i.e. back to basics which is giving me a better
understanding & enjoyment of playing jazz. At the moment I spend
about 40 minutes per night on your program, I am going to increase
this to one hour soon, as I find I am progressing well. Thanks"
- Charles Gromek PWYH v.2.1 student
"Hello
Chris! The guitar course is great. I've been playing guitar for
approximately 20 years and after purchasing your course (money well
spent) I now think of the guitar in a whole different light. I see
and hear the fretboard in a whole new manner. I can honestly recommend
this course to anyone looking to play jazz guitar or anyone who
wants to increase their knowledge of the instrument. You're a great
teacher!!! Cheers, Tommy Hart PWYH v.2.1 student
"Hi
Chris, I have had a little look through the first half of your program
so far and I think it's fantastic. It's probably one of the most
logical ways to look at the guitar. I think stringed instruments
are probably one of the hardest to learn because of the amount of
possible ways to play eveything and your course shows how to deal
with this problem Thankyou for the inspiration!" - Toby
Hack, PWYH v.2.1 student
"Chris,
this is a great course you've put together. I've only worked throught
the 1st section so far, but I can already feel a huge difference
- I'm one of the many 'post-indie-rock' guitarists that got by for
years on innovative tones and sounds but never made it out of that
comfort zone. This course is definitely teaching me to step outside
of the box. Congrats on developing this course and I'm promoting
it to my skeptical 'too-cool-for mainstream' indie-rock friends.
After they hear me though, I'm sure they'll change their tune"
- John Hong PWYH v.2.1 student
"Chris
- I am, indeed, enjoying the learning process of your "Play What
You Hear" CD. I am also trying to place emphasis on vocalizing the
lines, i.e.: at "Back cycling turnaround", and am working through
a few pages a day. I'm at 95 today. I really like the many choices
of melodic patterns to work from and will spend much more future
time on each, after I work through the remaining pages. And, I really
like that each pattern has both an example played by you and several
turnarounds by a small combo that I can practice those patterns
to. The "And now to the music" chapter looks inviting, indeed.
I can see that the structure here is very precise and germane to
the process of playing jazz on guitar, and is easy to remember.
Of course, the student, me, has to put in the time, over and over.
But even practice can be as easily structured by anyone working
on this course because of the easy "browser" access to any page
in the entire lesson. Just make a note of the page you were at yesterday
and go back there today. Or, having been through the course, use
the guide on the left hand side of the page to return to a section
you would like to work on. It's really a life's work, and it seems
to be all there for review. A great course, and well worth the study
by any guitarist wishing to learn how to create those single note
lines over chord changes in jazz tunes". Regards, George
West PWYH v.2.1 student
"Chris
- I'm finding the course to be simply outstanding! I would consider
myself an experienced player (20 years+) I can generally play anything
I hear with little practice, however- I always felt I lacked strength
in some very important fundamentals, which you address- the ability
to really HEAR the notes, and to make every note have value and
importance in their relationship to each other. I'm working the
course from the very start, but I love the structure of being able
to move to various sections to study and jump around as the interest
hits me. Because I don't have a ton of time on my hands, this type
of structure is very helpful.
Playing along to the chords is a great help, and really forces me
to hear the notes and work on anticipating/understanding the changes.
The course does not lack in any area that I have studied - it is
an incredible tool, and I plan to refer to it as long as I'm playing
the guitar.
I'm convinced that this program has already dramatically changed
my thinking and approach to playing, but that it will also take
me to new levels of understanding and success as I study it more.
This course is not a snack - it's a full course meal, and was just
what I was looking for but could not find in any instructional programs
I examined". - Paul Pazienzo PWYH v. 2.1 student
"Chris
- Your approach to gaining a full understanding and fluency of the
guitar finger board is second to none. I say this because those
dark areas of the fret board that challenged me and in as many ways
restricted my freedom of expression, have now started to be removed
by my diligently following your very clear and concise charts and
grids as well as the exercises contained in them. I say this to
all guitarists both professional and novice , you need this book,
and you need to put away for a little while say at least 3 months,
any other theory book and patiently study Chris Standring's method.
You will come out benefiting with great technique, a better and
more intimate understanding of the guitar fret board and by extension
a full command of your axe that will afford you the freedom of expression
that is so necessary for creative jazz improvisation. Kindest Regards,
Stanley Ruiz , Guitar Tutor
"In
my experience yours is the only course that really addresses ear
training along with melodic development in the context of specific
harmony. The more usual approach is to just assign a mode/scale/arpeggio
based on the chord and key (if even that is addressed) and trust
to luck. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have someone endorse
the idea of actually being melodic and then back it up with a concrete
plan to get there. I'm very impressed with your work and it has
been very effective for me. I find it very pleasant to work on the
course. Regards, Bobo PWYH v.21. course student.
"Chris,
I wanted to let you know how much I love your course! I've been
taking it very seriously and working quite hard, but all that work
has been painless, a) because of all the method books, etc. I've
bought over the last three decades, I feel that yours is the only
one that truly gets to the point of what it is we're all trying
to do with our instruments, and b) because it feels as though the
benefits I reap from the work keep expanding exponentially. Just
at the right time, I happened on your wonderful program and I feel
that the results I've already gleaned have been truly astounding.
I can't thank you enough!" Robert Ithaca, New York -
PWYH v.2.0 student.
"PWYH
is great, I am really enjoying it, and taking my time with each
part. It has added a considerable amount of fuel to the fire for
me, and my playing has opened up already (and I really am still
just beginning with it, although I have read ahead on numerous occasions.)
I think the biggest benefit from the early exercises is that I am
becoming fearless in my movement around the fretboard, and I enjoy
trying to traverse the frets in odd and interesting ways, and with
a 90% success rate at that! It beats twiddling my thumbs in a few
box and extended box patterns. It feels like advancing from treading
water in the shallow end cautious not to get in over my head, to
doing the breaststroke into the middle of the ocean, it's very liberating.
I love PWYH!! Thanks a lot!" -Travis Roberts PWYH v.2.0
student.
"Hi
Chris, I have to say that I was impressed with your course. The
way it is laid out is very logical and it has helped me fill in
some gaps that I really didn't know I had until I started to get
into jazz . The single string approach to learning the fretboard
is a much faster and easier way then I learned it. Also the way
you think about harmony is very straight forward and easy to grasp.
Thanks for a very good product, I will use it for many years to
come!" - Fred Scofield, PWYH v.2.0 student
"I
continue to work on PWYH, and I am constantly amazed at the effect
these exercises have had on my ability to hear a note before I play
it. I've begun to realize that the biggest thing that was holding
me back in learning to improvise was that I truly didn't know my
instrument well enough. PWYH has certainly set me in the right direction."
- Barbara Cuvier PWYH v.2.0 student
"Chris
- I've studied with several instructors, and worked through at least
23 different books and I can say without a doubt that the unique
and effective approach of your course is untouched by anything I've
ever worked with. Your course is more than a bargain - it's a dynamic
process that has already begun to transform my playing to a much
better place - and your prompt attentiveness to one of your 'students'
is part of what makes that transformation so effective. Thank you
so much!" - Larry Feinstein PWYH v.2.0 student
"So
far I really like what I am seeing. I am learning and retaining
a lot more than I ever have taking live lessons from somone. You
have produced a wonderful way to teach jazz guitar. I only hope
it is profitable for you! I have a life goal of being the best jazz
guitarist I can be and PWYH 2.0 is helping me get there. There is
a lot of material here and it is taking me a while to go through
it. Overall this is a wonderful package and I appreciate you making
it available." - Alan Hoops PWYH v.2.0 student
"Hello
Chris, This is just what the guitar doctor ordered. I had been,
until recently, attending a well known music school in Hollywood,
and I just couldn't take the patterns anymore. I think it's better
to try and sound musical as opposed to sounding like a scale player.
I've always had this philosophy regarding any education: It's not
how fast you get through the material that counts, but how much
of the material can get through to you. Guitar playing is a life
long pursuit that can't be taught in 1 year at a school. That's
just baby food. Your course provides enough "meat" to last years
and at a fraction of a fraction of the cost of that school. It's
made studying guitar fun again without feeling like a chore. At
my pace, on my time, without worthless tests or a piece of paper
at the end that says I'm now a qualified guitar player. Thanks,
George Stevenson PWYH v.2.0 student. (p.s. Private instruction
is still pretty important though.)
"Hi Chris, I'm getting stuck into your 'Play What You Hear'
course and I have to say it's the best 50 quid I've spent on tuition!"
- Wayne Scott PWYH v.2.0 student
"I
have bought a few good jazz books over the years but none of them
have been able to actually grab my attention and get me motivated
to make a comittment to take my studies any further in the way that
yours has. Since getting this course now I can actually see a proper
direction to head in and all I've got to say to you is a very big
'Thanks' for making the effort in putting this together, I am sure
there's a lot of fellow guitarists out there who will agree. Additionally,
the web browser based 'interactive' format in which it is presented,
goes to make this course heads above anything else I have been able
to find out there. Please keep up the good work!" - Michael
Paul Maitland PWYH v. 2.0 student
"Yes,
I am making headway. I guess what I really like is that your course
feels 'real'. So many of us (me) spend so much time looking for
a magic pill. A magic pill that will help us avoid the obvious hard
work required to get anywhere. You've outlined several key elements
that I certainly feel are necessary. If I can just keep plugging
along, and not get side-tracked, I'm sure your course is going to
be extremely helpful. Thanks for your course." Steve,
Tulsa PWYH v.2.0 student
"The
PWYH course you have created is exceptionally well thought out in
my humble opinion. I've spent most of my time digesting the information,
the lessons and illustrations are laid out quite clearly, not to
mention the pristine audio examples. This wealth of knowlege you
have laid out and formulated so well can't help but take a jazz
enthusiast to the next level. One of the greatest assets I personally
love, is the fact that the course is portable, meaning that I travel
extensivly, as long as I have my Axe with me, an audio source, and
the printed lessons and charts I can practise anywhere at any time.
The downloadable MP3s of the lessons and lines are played constantly
in my vehicle as I travel, this helps tremendously in firmly implanting
the rhythms and melody lines visually and aurally in one's head
on the lesson being worked on. Aces Chris, Thanks!" RK WELLS
Toronto ON. Canada - PWYH v.20 course student.
"Chris,
I am very impressed with your integrative approach to teaching,
especially using multimedia to its highest for learning. You have
touched upon very important concepts that may be overlooked by many
teachers. One of the greatest things that you show is the importance
of tension and release with your notes while still maintaining the
MELODY. Also I think your CD will help the player develop their
hearing which is especially important when one improvises. Also
with this approach you're still allowing them to creatively explore
new ideas and theories where the sky is the limit. Above all music
should be fun and you instill this into every lesson." - Justin
Briggs PWYH V.2.0 student
"Hi
Chris, I am getting on great with the course thanks, it is really
well laid out and the audio clips are what makes this course better
than any of the others I have tried. It is so much easier to click
on a link rather than play a CD over and over, also I like the fact
that it doesn't interfere with my other practice routines and I
can go along at my own pace, thanks again Chris it is excellent
value." Steven Embray, PWYH v.20 student
More
testimonials and student reviews
Read
more about Chris' course and order here
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