Spotlight on Gypsy Jazz Guitar

Fri, 08/05/2016 - 9:54am
Written by ArtistWorks

Most people think of jazz as a quintessentially American genre of music. Within the jazz world, though, gypsy jazz sits as an important piece of the picture that can be traced to gypsy musicians in Western Europe. Its style builds around the gypsy jazz guitar and violin, and through its stages of development has retained a melodic, flowing style, and a focus on gypsy jazz guitar as both the lead instrument and the rhythmic engine. And while many musical styles come from several pioneers, gypsy jazz guitar indisputably comes through one specific source.

Emergence of Django Reinhardt

The Coal Burnin' Grease Fire

Sun, 08/07/2016 - 7:14am
Written by DarolAnger

Here's a great version of "The Coal Burnin' Grease Fire" I played recently with Mike Barnett (interviewed on this site!), and Joe K. Walsh on mandolin - recorded live at Augusta Bluegrass Week 2016! This tune appeared first on a Compass CD Mike Marshall & I made called Brand New Can. You can also download the Psychograss version here: https://darolanger1.bandcamp.com/track/psychograsslive-coal-burnin-grease-fire

Clinch Mountain Backstep on Guitar

Mon, 08/08/2016 - 5:35pm
Written by ArtistWorks

In honor of the bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley, we’ve added some new guitar lessons from Bryan Sutton on "Clinch Mountain Backstep”. Ralph was a bluegrass pioneer who passed away in early June, and is well known for his work with his brother, Carter. Together the Stanley Brothers helped forge a large amount of what we now consider bluegrass classics. Ralph's vocal and banjo sound evokes a very lonesome quality in bluegrass.

"Clinch Mountain Backstep" has been a jam standard for many years and we hope you have fun learning it, or trying out the variations. Bryan has recorded different versions for the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels in the curriculum - and for each version you'll find PDF tab/notation and play-along backing tracks available on the lesson pages. 

If you’re a member of Bryan's school and logged in, just click the links above to go right to the new lesson pages. RIP, Ralph Stanley!

NEW SM STATION DIGITAL SINGLE: ONEW FEAT LEE JIN-AH "STARRY NIGHTS"

Sun, 08/14/2016 - 8:46am
Written by andreas

Hey all,

When I was in Korea in April, I had the opportunity to write with a young and amazing talent named Lee Jin-Ah. She's a singer and song writer who became popular after her succesful participation in KPOP STAR which is like the Korean version of American Idol. Jin-Ah has a jazz background and she both sings and plays piano at a very high level.

The song we wrote together with Simon Petren called "Starry Nights" is now released as a digital single by SM Entertainment's digital channel "Station". I'm very proud of this song and happy to see Jin-Ah performing it together with Onew, from the very popular boyband SHINee.

I think u guys will enjoy this one, I also played a little guitar solo in the middle of the song :) The animated video is also very cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgVQ7YJRehM

Regards Andreas

 

Guitar Player Magazine Cover

Tue, 08/16/2016 - 12:50am
Written by PaulGilbert

I certainly appreciate all the Japanese guitar magazines that have featured me over the years, but I must admit that I'm pretty excited to read the new issue of Guitar Player Magazine (since it's printed in a language that I can read!) All those Japanese magazine photo sessions did teach me to hold my guitar upright so the headstock doesn't get cut out of the photo. And of course I haven't "abandoned" shred. I just make sure that it's not the only topping on my rock and roll pizza. 

Thank you,

Paul

What's the Deal with Jazz Guitar Scales?

Fri, 08/19/2016 - 3:58pm
Written by ArtistWorks

 

Maybe you've heard about them, maybe not. But if you want to play jazz guitar with the best of them, sooner or later you'll need to spend some serious time learning your scales and modes. So you might as well get started, it can only help! Not only that, but after you spend enough time playing jazz guitar scales you'll realize why they're so important. 

What are Jazz Guitar Scales?

The keyword here is "Scale" which comes from the Latin word meaning ladder. So in this case, we're talking about a musical landscape which has notes that ascend up and down.

The basic scale that we are all familiar with in Western music is what we often call the "major scale", which is also called the "Ionian mode". Generally speaking, a "mode" refers to a type of scale. Specifically, modes are different types of scales which can have different roots and tone.

Louis Stewart (1944-2016)

Wed, 08/24/2016 - 4:42am
Written by MartinT

It is with sadness that we hear of the passing of the great Irish jazz guitarist Louis Stewart.

Louis first came to prominance in the 1960's as a member of the Tubby Hayes Quintet, before joining Ronnie Scott's band and playing regularly at Ronnie's club in London.

In the early 70's he toured Europe with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and also played on several George Shearing albums.

In the mid 80's he toured as a guitar duo with Martin Taylor and they recorded an album together called Acoustic Duets. (Here's a link). His association with Martin Taylor led to him touring alongside Martin with the legendary Stephane Grappelli for one UK tour in 1986.

Louis worked ocassionally in Norway with Norwegian jazz musicians, but laterly rarely strayed too far from his beloved Ireland where he played a regular jazz gig once a week in a Dublin pub.

He was a truly great jazz guitarist who never fully received the recognition his talent deserved, but fortunately his catalogue of recordings will ensure that his music lives on.

Ballad of the Dreadnought

Thu, 08/25/2016 - 6:28am
Written by BryanSutton

Hey folks, 

I put this in the Shout Box earlier but some may have missed it. This is a nicely produced video from the folks at Martin Guitar: "The Ballad of the Dreadnought"

martin dreadnought guitar doc