Some could argue that everything they play gets their best emotional attention, but I think we can all agree there are certain tunes that are obviously: technically challenging (total chops-busters) harmonically challenging (chord changes from hell!) filled with time and tempo challenges (4 different time signatures and quarter note = 400!) While this kind of stuff can be real … [Read more...]
The Big Startup – Entrepreneur Video Series from Marc Silber and Guy Kawasaki
I just wanted to let everyone know about a new video series for entrepreneur that is being produced by Marc Silber and Guy Kawasaki. I first learned of Marc Silber when I started to get more into photography a couple years ago. Marc produces and hosts an online series called Advancing Your Photography. I've spent many hours on this site. Thanks Marc! :) I learned via Marc's blog today that he … [Read more...]
New Site Re-Design
Cough, cough, wheeezzzz Just dusting the cobwebs off the site as I make my way back into it. I have to apologize, I really haven't been here that much this year. Actually over the past couple of years I've been devoting most of my spare moments to my photography. But, I'm finding that I really do miss spending more time here and putting more energy into this site. So thank you for your patience … [Read more...]
George’s Photo Shoot
Had a little free time last night that I didn't expect, so I took that time to do a little creative photo shoot with my Ibanez GB10. What inspired this was I had taken a shot of this guitar to use for a blog post on my web design site. The photo had received a number of nice comments so I thought I'd shoot a small pictorial series for the guitar. I had a good time shooting this and am pretty … [Read more...]
What’s Your Passion
It's always an interesting story (at least to me) when it's about how someone learns what their passion is. That moment when it occurs to them what they're crazy about and will probably end up obsessing over for the rest of their life. I started playing guitar when I was about 13, and of course my goal was to play as much Aerosmith, Kiss and Led Zeppelin as I could each day (of course at an … [Read more...]
The Jazz Session with Jason Crane
There are a few really good jazz resources out there. For those of us who can't get enough, I want to make sure you know about a jazz podcast that features interviews with current jazz artists that are out there in the trenches keeping the music alive and growing in new and different directions. The podcast is called The Jazz Session. The show's host is Jason Crane and you couldn't ask for a … [Read more...]
Playing With Feel
I've written other articles about this and have often stated how important "feel" is for a musician. Knowing a bunch of scales and being able to play at lightening speed is all good, but if you want your audience to feel what you're expressing, you've got to start with your feel. Here is an awesome example of how powerful feel can be when making music. Marcus Miller is an amazing musician. He and … [Read more...]
Jazz Guitarist, John Stowell
John Stowell is a fantastic jazz guitarist with, what I think of as a very advanced sense of harmony and approach to the music. I saw this video on John's website the other day and just wanted to share. You can learn more about John by visiting his website: JohnStowel.com … [Read more...]
iRealBook for the iPhone
This is really a great app for your iPhone or iPad. It's like having a RealBook in you pocket. Maybe your at a rehearsal and someone calls a tune you're not familiar with. Just pull out your phone and go to the tune you need. At first I thought having a chart on an iPhone screen might be a little to small to read, but it's not! Also you can invert the colors so you can either have a white … [Read more...]
Is Jazz Dead? No! Video by Bret Primack
I just wanted to share this video with you. 2010-02-19: Writer/Filmmaker Bret Primack, aka Jazz Video Guy, offers his thoughts on a question, which like indigestion, seems to pop up from time to time. Features clips of Sonny Rollins, Joe Lovano and Bob Mintzer. … [Read more...]