I admit that I have been slow in writing my latest review, but only because I have had so much fun “preparing” for it. I have been spending a good deal of “quality time” with Frank Vignola’s two-CD set Vamps, Jams and Improvisation. Not only can he play, he’s a mighty fine teacher too. Anyone [...]
Improve Your Improv
This week has turned out interesting but not in the ways that I expected. I was hoping to start my “Mark Hanson Week” but I got caught up in several different things that were urgent. So I will start my 5-part series on the remarkable work of Mark Hanson next week, when I [...]
I do not have a new review on an improvisation method this week because I am in the midst of a thorough evaluation. In short, I am spending some quality time with Robert Conti’s Ticket to Improv series and this one is going to take some time. So far, I am having a blast working [...]
I have just posted the second of my reviews of improvisation materials. This one looks at Easy Soloing for Jazz Guitar, which is a much different approach than the Aebersold method that I am so enthusiastic about. I chose this one because I have a good bit of experience teaching with it and have found [...]
If there is a single universal guitarist’s lament, it is “How do I improvise?”
There is an unspoken assumption that those who improvise well are “talented” or “gifted”. It’s easy for them because they have an innate talent that we don’t have. Right. Well, have you ever spent months perfecting a song only to have someone [...]
I have not posted for a couple of days because I’ve had better things to do - playing my guitar! Ah yes, it was fun but also “serious work” as I was reviewing Textured Guitars, the latest series of sampled loops from Nine Volt Audio. (My review is here.)
In short, they are a blast. Creative [...]