The Jazz Guitar Blog

United Airlines Breaks Guitars

2009-07-09T01:42:00.001-07:00

When guitar player Dave Carroll travelled to Nebraska for a tour with his band Sons of Maxwell, he witnessed his Taylor guitar being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago.

The guitar was severely damaged and after a lot of communication he was told that United wouldn’t compensate him for his loss.

He promised the last United person he spoke with to make 3 songs and videos about the way United Airlines handles luggage.

Here’s the first video:

Here’s another funny music video:

http://www.jazzguitarblog.com/2009/01/korean-drummer-freaks-out-video.html

Tommy Emmanuel - House of the Rising Sun [funky]

2009-06-23T01:42:00.001-07:00

In this video Tommy Emmanuel plays House of the Rising Sun in his own inventive, funny, funky and virtuose style + he’s actually singing as well.

The video is from a concert in Zagreb (Croatia), check it out:

Modern Jazz Guitar: Lorenzo Frizzera

2009-05-01T02:39:00.001-07:00

Lorenzo Frizzerra, a subscriber of the Jazz Guitar Gazette, sent me a link to a YouTube video of him playing “Blind”, a composition from his album “everything Can Change”. I must say I’m impressed, Lorenzo swings without losing focus on the melodic quality of his lines. His improvisation is coherent enough to let his music tell a story.

According to his bio, Lorenzo Frizzera began his guitar journey at the age of 9, playing classical music, jazz and blues. At 14 he studied the music of Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall. As other influences he lists John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Ralph Towner and Bill Frisell.

Lorenzo’s band, the Lorenzo Frizzera Trio, features the famous Hammond organist Joey DeFrancesco, who played with people like Miles Davis and John McLaughlin.

Lorenzo’s gear:

Gibson ES175 D with D’Addario strings (010-046), Fender Heavy Picks and Cordial cables.
A Fender Twin Red Knob amp
Ernie Ball VP-JR
Custom Audio Electronic Boost/Linedriver – BMXR
Tube Screamer TS9
Phaser PH-100
Chorus Boss CE-5
TC Electronic G-Force
Custom Midi Footboard
FV-100 Expression pedal

Lorenzo’s website, where you can download the scores and mp3s of his last album: http://www.lorenzofrizzera.it

Here’s the video of the Lorenzo Frizzera Trio playing “Blind”. You can download the sheet music here: Blind Sheet Music

Amazing Jazz Guitar Solo Intro: Adam Rogers

2009-04-22T04:24:00.001-07:00

A subscriber (thanks Chris) recently told me I should checkout Adam Rogers. I did, and so should you, he's an amazing guitar player.

I had never heard of him before, I guess he's more famous in the States than he is in Europe (and there are so many great jazz guitar players these days, it's hard to know them all).

According to his bio, Adam Rogers is a post bop guitar player with a classical background. He plays in the John Patitucci Trio and in Chris Potter's band. Before that he played in the Michael Brecker Group and Lost Tribe.

Other people he played or recorded with include Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Paul Simon, Larry Coryell and Elvis Costello. Adam Rogers studied with John Scofield, Howard Collins and Barry Galbraith.

In this video, Adam Rogers plays a solo intro to Half Past Late on a Michael Brecker concert In Mexico:

Mick Goodrick & Pat Metheny Play Meditation [Video]

2009-03-06T03:11:00.002-08:00

Mick Goodrick is a jazz guitarist, but his most noteworthy contribution to jazz is his work as an educator. From 1973 to 1976 he played in the band of Gary Burton, alongside Pat Metheny (from 1975 on).

Mick Goodrick graduated from the Berklee College of Music, after which he began teaching there as well (he still works there today). His line of students is quite impressive: Mike Stern, John Scofield, Bill Frisell and many more. Pat Metheny cites him as one of his influences...

Mick Goodrick wrote a very good book, called The Advancing Guitarist

Here's a video of Mick Goodrick playing "Meditation" in duo with Pat Metheny:

Ben Monder Solo Exerpt

2009-02-22T13:09:00.001-08:00

Ben Monder's solo playing is out of this world. His ability to play multiple lines at once, while maintaining line independence and his incredible right hand have all made him the envy of many a guitarist. Check out this video excerpt of his tune "Orbits", to hear the full track check out his album "Flux".

Jake Langley's Sweet Blues

2009-02-16T20:23:00.004-08:00

Guitarist Jake Langley has developed a reputation as being one of the hardest swinging, modern beboper's on the scene today. In this video clip, taken from one of Jake's Mikes Masterclasses clinics, Jake lays down some serious blues and bop licks.

John McLaughlin on Johnny Carson

2009-02-13T19:32:00.002-08:00

Yes folks, there was a time not so long ago when jazz was featured on the late night talk shows. In this classic clip, guitarist John McLaughlin shows off his chops on a very up-tempo version of Duke Ellington's Caravan.

Ed Bickert Trio

2009-02-11T20:52:00.002-08:00

There aren't many jazz guitar players who possess the harmonic vocabulary and innate musical ability that Ed Bickert does. In this trio recording featuring Claude Ranger on drums and Don Thompson, Ed is at his very best. His chord melody and soloing are intricate and elegant at the same time, and his single lines are clean, clear and melodic.

This is Ed doing what he does best.

Ted Greene Masterclass

2009-02-09T16:06:00.002-08:00

Check out this rare video of master guitarist Ted Greene. In the video Ted demonstrates how he applies Bach chorale techniques to the jazz standard "Autumn Leaves." What's even more remarkable is that Ted is making it up all on the spot.

Lenny Breau Masterclass

2009-02-08T11:08:00.003-08:00

Lenny Breau was a master guitarist and teacher. Having helped to pioneer the 7-string guitar, using a high-A string, Lenny was also known for his mastery of two-hand harmonics, fingerstyle picking and pianistic comping.

In this rare teaching video, Lenny performs for the students, followed by a discussion on his guitar and approach to performing in the jazz guitar idiom.

Jack Zucker Brings Sheets of Sound to Youtube

2009-02-07T11:16:00.005-08:00

Jack Zucker, author of the popular "Sheets of Sound for Guitar" series, has recently begun to post videos of him performing examples from the books. Check out his blinding technique in this video that demonstrates a 5/4 Michael Brecker type lick. Jack lays out the lick on it's own, and then gives a performance demonstration where he uses the lick over a tune.

Funny Guitar Player Plays Summertime [Video]

2009-02-04T11:24:00.001-08:00

Here's a video of Fulvio Binetti, a multi-instrumentalist from Italy. He plays a very swinging version of Gershwin's Summertime. I love it when a guitarist can perform a standard in a swinging and entertaining way, just by himself, something that's not so easy. Remember this guy when aunt Phyllis asks you to "play something on your guitar" next Christmas...

Rare Video: Early Joe Pass Playing A Fender Jaguar

2009-01-27T04:37:00.001-08:00

Here's an old black&white video (beginning of the 60s) of Joe Pass, from the days he still had hair. He probably just got out of drug rehab at that time, but his chops were already quite spectacular. Joe Pass is not playing the regular guitar he used to play at that time (a Fender Jazzmaster owned by the Synanon Rehab Facility), but a Fender Jaguar through a Fender Showman amp. Here's more if you want to learn about Joe Pass' Guitar Gear.

Korean Drummer Freaks Out [Video]

2009-01-26T08:55:00.002-08:00

Here's a funny video of a Korean drummer freaking out on stage. The fun starts at 1:10, the real fun starts at 2:15 during the guitar solo. He sure is a passionate guy ;-) How's your stage act?

Rare: Video Clip For Pat Metheny's Are You Going With Me

2009-01-24T12:23:00.001-08:00

Here's a cool old school video clip for Pat Metheny's "Are You Going With Me" someone posted on Youtube (I hope this one stays online, record companies are probably loosing tons of money as we speak :-)

Are You Going With Me is one of my favorite Pat Metheny songs, it first appeared on the album Offramp in 1982 (not that I was very interested in music back then, I preferred playing with my toy cars) and has been a concert highlight for many years. The song James is on the same album, also one of my favorites (and very fun to play).

Lyle Mays plays a lovely harmonica-like synth theme and Pat uses his typical guitar synthesizer lead sound to play an awesome solo. Are You Going With Me also appeared on the live album "Travels" (such a great album, it only has 5-star reviews on Amazon). Many people like the live version more than the studio version and I have to agree, the live version has a more organic feeling compared to the studion version.

I just love those early Metheny albums!!

Go here for Pat Metheny licks
Go here for Pat Metheny sheet music

Amazing Tap Guitar: Erik Mongrain Plays Airtap [Video]

2009-01-20T11:56:00.001-08:00

Erik Mongrain is a Canadian guitarist who is specialized in "lap tapping", a technique that you can compare with playing piano on a guitar. With the guitar on his lap, he taps the chords as if it is a piano while also playing rhythmic elements on the body of the guitar.

According to his website, Erik's main influence is Michael Hedges, one of the pioneers of tap guitar.

Erik Mongrain is not alone though, these days there are quiet a lot of tap players and most of them have an impressive technique (I'm not even going to try tap guitar myself, I guess that means I'm getting old :-) What I miss sometimes in tap guitar players is musicality. I'm watching these videos on Youtube, thinking "wow, that's amazing", but on the other hand it bores me after one minute.

Erik plays this piece, Airtap, on a guitar with the open tuning of F: FACFAF.

Anyway here's the video:

Technorati Tags: erik mograin lap tap guitar

In case you want to make an attempt at Airtap yourself, you can download the guitar tabs here (in exchange for $10/piece): http://www.erikmongrain.com/Login.asp

Hang Drum Solo [Video]

2008-08-28T01:07:00.001-07:00

The hang is a relatively new instrument created in Switzerland in 2000. It's a melodic percussion instrument that looks a bit like a UFO. It produces sounds similar to a steel drum, but sounds less harsh in my opinion. In the middle of the hang there's a bass note that is surrounded by 7 or 8 harmonic notes.

Here's a video of Manu Delago playing the Hang:

technorati tags:hang, drum, solo, video, steel, drum

Pat Metheny Plays Lonely Woman [VIDEO]

2008-06-26T02:54:00.001-07:00

Here's a Youtube video of Pat Metheny playing Horace Silver's beautiful tune "Lonely Woman" in duet with bass player Charlie Haden. Pat plays an Ovation here. The sound is not really good, but the music is...

technorati tags:pat, metheny, charlie, haden, horace, silver, lonely, woman, jazz, guitar, ovation

Mike Stern Playing Some Shabby Acoustic Guitar

2008-06-18T02:38:00.001-07:00

HI Guys, it's been a long time since my last post, I've been kind of busy.
Here's a cool video of Mike Stern playing some shabby guitar live on Argentine radio. It's nice to hear even the great guitarists do sound like #$!@ sometimes.

Click here for Mike Stern Licks...

technorati tags:mike, stern, acoustic, guitar, jazz, blues

The Never Ending Guitar Lick

2008-03-31T12:50:00.001-07:00

Do you know these guitar licks that seem to go on forever? Well, here are 3 of them.

The first lick is one of mine, a good exercise to get some common chromatic patterns into your fingers. The second one is a Pat Metheny lick, that amazing solo break from Third Wind. The third lick is one from Pat Martino.

You can find all 3 of them here:

Never Ending Jazz Guitar Licks

technorati tags:jazz, guitar, licks, lick, pat, metheny, martino

Put Some Jazz In Your Guitar Scales: Chromatic Playing

2008-02-20T07:38:00.001-08:00

I just published a new guitar lesson, a guest lesson by Matthew Warnock. In this lesson you'll learn how to add chromatic notes to your scales and arpeggios. Chromatic playings is an essential ellement of the jazz sound.

The link to the lesson:

http://www.jazzguitar.be/chromatics.html

technorati tags:chromatics, chromatic, jazz, guitar

How to Get a Jazz Guitar Tone: Amps

2008-02-07T14:47:00.001-08:00

Many aspiring jazz guitarists wonder how to get a good jazz guitar tone. The key is getting the swing feel in your ears and fingers and getting the right gear. In this article I made an overview of the guitar amps that are the most popular in jazz:

How to Get a Jazz Guitar Tone: Guitar Amps

technorati tags:jazz, guitar, amps

14 Ways To Play Over Major Guitar Chords

2008-01-25T07:07:00.001-08:00

There's a new jazz guitar lesson @ Jazzguitar.be, about the different scales and arpeggios you can use to improvise over major chords.

Click on the link to go to the lesson:

How To Improvise Over Major Chords...

technorati tags:jazz, guitar, lesson, chords, scales

Jazz Guitar Class With Pat Metheny

2008-01-24T01:06:00.001-08:00

Here are some videos of a Pat Metheny master class.

The warm up:

Turnaround:

All The Things You Are: