Free Lessons

I’m always looking for new, interesting jazz guitar chords, as well as different ways of looking at all things musical in my practice room to apply to the bandstand. For example, my book, New Approach to Scales for Guitarists: A Modern Practical Method, is a good example of this inherent modus operandi in action. Over the years of shedding and [Read...]

As in part one of this two-article series, you’re utilizing some concepts that you may already know; Scales, Arpeggios, and Embellishments. If you don’t know about some, or all or these, or just need a refresher, or some new ideas, this lesson is perfect for you. When creating a musical line, whether composed in written form or composed in [Read...]

I’d like to share something with you that may refine some of the common jazz improvisation concepts that you already know; Scales, and Arpeggios. When creating a musical line, whether composed in written form, or composed in an improvised context, the same mechanics always come into play. In order for your ideas to sound strong and cohesive you [Read...]

For those of you that are unsure what an Etude is, essentially, historically speaking, Etudes come out of the Classical music tradition.  It is basically a “study” that is designed to help the musician perfect a specific technical aspect, often disguised as an actual tune. So what I am going to recommend when practicing a scale, like the [Read...]

Why use a metronome? Well, I can think of many good reasons why you would want to use a metronome when you practice guitar. People are born with perfect pitch, but very rarely does anyone ever have perfect time? Most people have to work at it. Time, as most people would agree, is something everyone needs to develop. This is where our good friend, [Read...]