Fret Buzz The Podcast

It's break time. More to follow...

Brian Wampler is the founder and CEO of Wampler Pedals. Brian joins Aaron Sefchick, Joe McMurray, and Miles Harshman to discuss the world’s largest pedalboard, his favorite guitar effects pedals, how he spends his work-days and approaches design, and guitar amplifiers. Recently, Brian participated in breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest guitar pedalboard (with Rob Scallon and several other effects pedals companies). He tells the guys about his experience and about meeting Alex Lifeson (the guitarist of Rush). Brian tells the guys about his favorite pedals from Wampler Pedals. The guys want to know how he spends his workdays: from breadboarding to building plug-ins to creating content for social media. Brian gives insight into the guitar amps that he uses to test his effects pedals during the design stage. The guys also talk about the merits of running a pedal through a clean amp vs. a naturally dirty/overdriven amp.  They also talk about the virtues of amp simulators.  Brian tells the guys about his own Wampler Bravado amplifier. Find out more about Brian Wampler and Wampler Pedals at https://www.wamplerpedals.com or https://m.youtube.com/user/wampcat. Subscribe for more videos like this: http://www.youtube.com/c/FretBuzzThePodcast Website: https://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Jens Larsen is a Danish jazz guitarist who has become an internet celebrity for his YouTube lessons.  Aside from his incredible jazz guitar chops, he has posted over 700 YouTube videos, has acquired almost 150,000 YouTube subscribers, and recently released two books.  Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick sit down with Jens to talk about his journey, how to approach jazz as a player and as a teacher, musical gear, online success, practicing, composition, and recording.   Jens has become famous through his YouTube lessons on how to play jazz guitar.  In Part 2/2, he says that he originally started posting transcriptions of jazz solos, then began writing blogs for UltimateGuitar.com, and finally started posting videos on YouTube.  Recently he released two books, Modern Jazz Guitar Concepts and Advanced Jazz Guitar Concepts.   Aaron asks Jens how he approaches his practice sessions, and Jens provides an in-depth look into his practice routine.  He warms up by playing chromatically across the guitar neck in all 12 keys, he practices 7th arpeggio patterns, triads, and open-voiced triads over the entire neck, and he creates simple melodies by ear and transposes them to all 12 keys.  Then he practices his triad ideas over the chord changes of jazz tunes.  Jens practices with his metronome set on beats 2 and 4, but also experiments playing with the metronome set on unusual beats to spur rhythmic creativity.   Jens tells of some of his most meaningful performances as well as his dream show.  He talks about his band (Traeben), how he/they compose songs, and the differences among his three albums.   Finally, Jens gives us a few inside looks at his other hobbies and interests outside of music! Find out more about Jens Larsen at https://jenslarsen.nl/ YouTube: YouTube.com/c/JensLarsen Band Website: Traeben.com Subscribe for more videos like this: http://www.youtube.com/c/FretBuzzThePodcast Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Jens Larsen is a Danish jazz guitarist who has become an internet celebrity for his YouTube lessons.  Aside from his incredible jazz guitar chops, he has posted over 700 YouTube videos, has acquired almost 150,000 YouTube subscribers, and recently released two books.  Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick sit down with Jens to talk about his journey, how to approach jazz as a player and as a teacher, musical gear, online success, practicing, composition, and recording. In Part 1 of 2, Jens tells of his years playing on the streets of Copenhagen, followed by his studies at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague (in the Netherlands).  The guys discuss how to learn, review, and perform new jazz tunes.  Then they discuss the merits of preserving traditional musical styles vs. pursuing progressive musical styles.  Jens tells Joe and Aaron how he would approach teaching a new jazz guitar student, providing some very useful information for both teachers and players! Next the guys move on to a look at guitar gear.  Jens talks about his guitars (notably an Ibanez AS2630), amps, and effects. Find out more about Jens Larsen at https://jenslarsen.nl/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqepSCHTyWj4BzHxEEUNvlg. Subscribe for more videos like this: http://www.youtube.com/c/FretBuzzThePodcast Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

In this episode, Aaron sits down with composer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Barsom of The Weed Garden to discuss his project’s latest release, Boy Interrupted. Paul’s career as a composer and teacher of musical composition spans over 30 years and has influenced numbers of composition students and musical educators, including Fret Buzz The Podcast alumnus Tony Scaltz. As a result, Tony makes a guest return to the show to join Aaron and Paul on the mic and discuss the genesis and recording of Boy Interrupted and the various styles and musical idioms the album invokes. In addition, the guys explore how composers approach creativity, musical invention, various career paths, adaptation to digital audio environments, and so much more. Be on the lookout for Tony’s new line of skin care products, Prodigal Sun, which hits beaches across the country next summer. Find more about Paul here: http://paulbarsom.com/ https://soundcloud.com/user-920704663

In this episode, Aaron sits down with composer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Barsom of The Weed Garden to discuss his project’s latest release, Boy Interrupted. Paul’s career as a composer and teacher of musical composition spans over 30 years and has influenced numbers of composition students and musical educators, including Fret Buzz The Podcast alumnus Tony Scaltz. As a result, Tony makes a guest return to the show to join Aaron and Paul on the mic and discuss the genesis and recording of Boy Interrupted and the various styles and musical idioms the album invokes. In addition, the guys explore how composers approach creativity, musical invention, various career paths, adaptation to digital audio environments, and so much more. Be on the lookout for Tony’s new line of skin care products, Prodigal Sun, which hits beaches across the country next summer. Find more about Paul here: http://paulbarsom.com/ https://soundcloud.com/user-920704663

Ryan Brown of "The Great Noise" joins Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray to talk about amp modeling (the Line 6 Helix), improving live shows with technology, and social media marketing. Ryan and his band decided to make the jump from tube amps and analogue effects pedals to all digital equipment run direct into the PA system.  He uses the Line 6 Helix Guitar Multi-effects Floor Processor, which gives him nearly infinite tonal options in one unit.  Ryan explains how the Helix uses impulse response to simulate the sound of a guitar amp, speaker, and microphone.  He also mentions some other useful tips for getting genuine sounds and feel/response from the Helix. Aaron, Joe, and Ryan discuss studio experiences and the need to interact with the recording engineer.  Joe talks about how he uses the Digitech TRIO+ for both practice and live performance.  The guys talk about improving live shows with lighting and Ableton. Finally, Ryan talks about social media marketing and branding.  They examine color schemes for branding, the failed Fyre Festival, short-term goals, the curation of content to show people your personality and your authenticity, and following your analytics. Find out more about Ryan's band, The Great Noise, at https://thegreatnoise.space/ or https://www.instagram.com/thegreatnoise/ or check out their music on iTunes.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Canadian guitarist Don Ross is a legend in the acoustic fingerstyle world.  With decades of experience, he employs modern techniques, altered tunings, and a strong melodic sense to write memorable songs.  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray have a fun and informative conversation with Don about a wide range of topics including his musical journey, his guitars, acoustic guitar pickups, traveling with guitars, songwriting, recording, his most memorable shows (good and bad), and much more. Part 2 of 2 begins with a discussion about Don's approaches to songwriting.  He expands on how he uses altered tunings to solve compositional problems and expand the range of the guitar.  He talks about following song structures, thematic development, and different grooves. Don talks about his experiences as a recording engineer, working with ProTools, and his favorite microphones and pre-amps for recording acoustic guitars.  He tells the guys about recording his wife's (Brooke Miller's) album at his home studio and having that album mixed by world-renowned music producer and engineer, Frank Filipetti. Joe and Aaron ask Don about his most memorable shows.  Then Don offers some advice about making money as a musician, songwriting, and originality.  He specifically gives praise to Petteri Sariola, a young fingerstyle guitarist from Finland.  Finally Don talks about his guitar camp that he is hosting at his home in Nova Scotia from October 11-14 (http://donrossguitarweekend.com/). Find out more about Don Ross at https://donrossonline.com/ or check out his music on any music platform.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Canadian guitarist Don Ross is a legend in the acoustic fingerstyle world.  With decades of experience, he employs modern techniques, altered tunings, and a strong melodic sense to write memorable songs.  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray have a fun and informative conversation with Don about a wide range of topics including his musical journey, his guitars, acoustic guitar pickups, traveling with guitars, songwriting, recording, his most memorable shows (good and bad), and much more. In part 1 of 2, Don tells Aaron and Joe about his musical upbringing in Canada and his early influences.  He talks about how his love of R&B music led him to write some songs around strong bass lines.  He also talks about how altered tunings can be used to solve compositional problems and expand the range of the guitar. Don talks about his Beneteau guitars, and how he maintains them on tour.  Check out Fret Buzz's interview with Marc Beneteau (Episodes 47 and 48)! Don sheds light on several different pickup systems for acoustic guitar amplification, including products from K&K and LR Baggs.  Joe asks Don how he safely travels with his guitars. Find out more about Don Ross at https://donrossonline.com/ or check out his music on any music platform.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Dr. Darden Purcell is a jazz vocalist and the Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University.  Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick have a wonderful time talking with Darden about her musical journey, her duties as a "Director of Jazz Studies," how to transition to singing jazz music, and specifics on vocal technique and practice. Part 2 of 2 is packed with useful information and tips regarding vocal technique and practice (applicable to all styles of music!).  Darden tells the guys about vocal habits such as speaking and singing on vocal fry, scooping into pitches, and falling off at the ends of words.  There is a discussion about the short careers of some singers resulting from poor vocal health.  Darden talks about how certain food and beverages affect your singing voice, and she emphasizes the importance of sleep leading up to a performance.  It is important to understand that your vocal range changes depending on the time of day and how far into a performance you are.  This is incredibly useful when choosing the keys of your songs and planning your setlist. Darden tells Joe and Aaron about her favorite gigs, ranging from performances with symphonies to jazz gigs with great audiences. Finally, Darden gives a ton if information regarding vocal practice.  She stresses the importance of singing with the piano and a metronome, critically analyzing the music you are singing, and keeping a practice log.  She addresses proper breathing for singing, singing long tones, singing with lip trills, and a couple other exercises to master pitch control.   Find out more about Darden at http://www.dardenpurcell.com/.  Find out more about George Mason's music programs at https://music.gmu.edu/.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Dr. Darden Purcell is a jazz vocalist and the Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason University.  Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick have a wonderful time talking with Darden about her musical journey, her duties as a "Director of Jazz Studies," how to transition to singing jazz music, and specifics on vocal technique and practice. In part 1 of 1, Darden tells the guys about how she started singing jazz music, her experiences singing in the U.S. Air Force Band, her time working and performing in Nashville, and her experience in graduate school at the University of Illinois.  They discuss the music scenes in New Orleans, New York, and Chicago. Darden explains her duties as the Director of Jazz Studies at George Mason.  They discuss trends in the incoming pools of students and how they are related to trends in society.  They also talk about Darden's students and some of her teaching approaches. Darden has released two albums, and she gives insight into her studio experiences, her influences while producing these albums, and the unintentional consequences of releasing an album with complicated arrangements (it's hard to gig!).   Find out more about Darden at http://www.dardenpurcell.com/.  Find out more about George Mason's music programs at https://music.gmu.edu/.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Quist has built an enormous online presence through his jam-backing tracks, and he recently performed as the lead guitarist for Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music).  This Danish guitarist has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Abbey Road Studios, and has established himself in the Los Angeles music scene.  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray enjoy an awesome conversation with Quist, diving into his musical journey, his jam-backing tracks, the LA music scene, and building and maintaining an online presence. In part 2 of 2,  Quist talks more about the origins of his backing tracks, and how he built a following on YouTube.  The guys discuss balancing the work-load of YouTube video releases, other musical endeavors, and personal time. Aaron and Joe ask Quist about opportunities to do session work and to tour.  Quist says that he is selective about the work he accepts - it has to be great music with great people or the right money!  His advice for acquiring this work involves 1) being great at what you do, and 2) networking, especially through jam sessions. Quist reminisces about his most exciting performances and studio experiences: highlights include performances at the Hollywood Bowl and the Royal Albert Hall, recording at Abbey Road Studios, and performing in Colombia with Mike Dawes (fingerstyle guitarist).  The conversation ends with a discussion on the eternal quest to improve as a musician, the insane levels of talent that exist on the internet, and the importance of playing meaningful, emotive music. Find out more about Quist Guitarist & Composer Get 'Trigger' www.Quistorama.com www.youtube.com/QuistTV www.facebook.com/Quistguitar www.instagram.com/Quistguitar Spotify http://spoti.fi/2xU5X6q   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Quist has built an enormous online presence through his jam-backing tracks, and he recently performed as the lead guitarist for Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music).  This Danish guitarist has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Abbey Road Studios, and has established himself in the Los Angeles music scene.  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray enjoy an awesome conversation with Quist, diving into his musical journey, his jam-backing tracks, the LA music scene, and building and maintaining an online presence. Quist tells the guys about his musical beginnings, playing his dad's guitar at age 6 and touring as a ballet dancer until he was 13.  After leaving the ballet world, he devoted himself to the guitar, eventually studying jazz at the Royal Academy of Music in London, performing in New York City, and settling in Los Angeles. Quist tells Aaron and Joe why he originally started creating backing tracks for practicing, and how they gained wide popularity on YouTube.  The guys have a healthy discussion of how to create mode-specific chord progressions, with lots of useful music theory. Quist, Aaron, and Joe discuss the differences in the music scenes of different towns with a focus on the LA scene. Find out more about Quist, Guitarist & Composer Get 'Trigger' www.Quistorama.com www.youtube.com/QuistTV www.facebook.com/Quistguitar www.instagram.com/Quistguitar Spotify http://spoti.fi/2xU5X6q Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Jennifer Gammill is a jazz vocalist and flautist who won the 2018 VEER award for "Jazz Album of the Year" in southeastern Virginia.  She also performs with co-host Joe McMurray in a jazz duo called "Blue Orpheus."  Aaron Sefchick and Joe talk with Jennifer about her background in worship music, jazz flute, teaching music to large groups, songwriting, jazz conferences, and online presence/social media marketing.   Find out more about Jennifer Gammill at:  Website: www.jennifergammill.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifergammill/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Gammill-Music-2108057676121720/.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Billy Brouse is a founding member of Papadosio, a band that has enjoyed tremendous success playing a unique blend of electronic jam band music at major festivals and concert venues, including a recent performance at Red Rocks.  Billy plays keys/synthesizers for the band, and he joins Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick on the show to talk about Papadosio, music festivals, the band's use of Ableton Live for both songwriting and live performance, other bands on the scene, and synthesizers. Billy tells the guys about his musical influences.  Then he recounts the story of how he and the other guys formed Papadosio and decided to tour full-time.  He tells Joe and Aaron about their very own festival, Resonance Festival, which occurs this Sept 19-22, 2019 (https://www.facebook.com/ResonanceMusicFest/). Next, the guys talk about Papadosio's approach to songwriting and how they use Ableton Live to write and record from their own homes and on their own schedules.  Billy explains how the band uses Ableton Live in their live performances and provides some detail into how he uses PADs. Billy, Joe, and Aaron touch on the subjects of gear damage/theft/insurance, practicing, and injuries before moving on to talk about Billy's favorite bands on the scene.  Billy finally runs through his favorite synthesizers and effects pedals.   Find out more about Billy Brouse and Papadosio at: https://www.papadosio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papadosio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papadosio/.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Billy Brouse is a founding member of Papadosio, a band that has enjoyed tremendous success playing a unique blend of electronic jam band music at major festivals and concert venues, including a recent performance at Red Rocks.  Billy plays keys/synthesizers for the band, and he joins Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick on the show to talk about Papadosio, music festivals, the band's use of Ableton Live for both songwriting and live performance, other bands on the scene, and synthesizers. Billy tells the guys about his musical influences.  Then he recounts the story of how he and the other guys formed Papadosio and decided to tour full-time.  He tells Joe and Aaron about their very own festival, Resonance Festival, which occurs this Sept 19-22, 2019 (https://www.facebook.com/ResonanceMusicFest/). Next, the guys talk about Papadosio's approach to songwriting and how they use Ableton Live to write and record from their own homes and on their own schedules.  Billy explains how the band uses Ableton Live in their live performances and provides some detail into how he uses PADs. Billy, Joe, and Aaron touch on the subjects of gear damage/theft/insurance, practicing, and injuries before moving on to talk about Billy's favorite bands on the scene.  Billy finally runs through his favorite synthesizers and effects pedals.   Find out more about Billy Brouse and Papadosio at: https://www.papadosio.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papadosio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papadosio/.   Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://joemcmurray.com/

Matt Thomas has won several international fingerstyle guitar competitions (twice in "contemporary thumbpicking" and once in "open style"), is an avid harp-guitar player, and has played with some of the biggest names in the acoustic guitar world (Tommy Emmanuel, Stephen Bennet, and many more).  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray talk to Matt about his personal journey, fingerstyle techniques, acoustic pickup systems, recording, and gigging. In part 2 of 2, Matt continues telling the guys about acoustic amplification.  As any acoustic guitarist eventually realizes, amplifying acoustic guitars can be difficult if you want to preserve the natural sound of the guitar and avoid the sometimes "quacky" or "tinny" nature of many pickups that come stock in acoustic-electric guitars.  Matt talks about different acoustic pickup systems on the market, including the K&K Trinity, the K&K Big Spot, the K&K Pure Mini, the Fishman Matrix Infinity Mic Blend, and the Skysonic Pro-1.  He also talks about different acoustic pre-amps on the market, including those from Grace Designs, Pendulum, and D-TAR.  The guys also briefly examine issues of phase alignment. Matt tells Joe and Aaron about his performance goals and opportunities, and the guys discuss the complexities of booking shows as an instrumental musician. Find out more about Matt Thomas at: Website: https://www.themattthomas.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themattthomasmusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMattThomasMusic/ Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

Matt Thomas has won several international fingerstyle guitar competitions (twice in "contemporary thumbpicking" and once in "open style"), is an avid harp-guitar player, and has played with some of the biggest names in the acoustic guitar world (Tommy Emmanuel, Stephen Bennet, and many more).  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray talk to Matt about his personal journey, fingerstyle techniques, acoustic pickup systems, recording, and gigging. In part 1 of 2, Matt tells the guys about meeting Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, and Stephen Bennett at a harp guitar convention when he was a teenager.  He then goes on to explain and demonstrate percussive methods on the acoustic guitar: the use of thumb slaps on the 2 and 4, a palm kick on the 1 and 3, and a palm kick on the 2 and 4. Matt gets deep into the details of amplifying acoustic guitars.  He tells Joe and Aaron about Tommy Emmanuel's setup with a Maton guitar and AER amp.  He talks about sound hole pickups, magnetic pickups for running effects, and transducer pickups. The conversation shifts to Matt's experience recording with Kim Person (who has also recorded Tommy Emmanuel and Stephen Bennett), and her approach to recording acoustic instruments. The guys talk about practicing their instruments and the need to practice properly to avoid injury.  Finally (for part 1 of 2), Matt talks about some modern guitar players who use effects and multiple pickup systems to create some very unique music.  Those players include Alexandr Misko, Adrian Belew, and Petteri Sariola. Find out more about Matt Thomas at: https://www.themattthomas.com/, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/themattthomasmusic/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheMattThomasMusic/. Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

Adam Rafferty is a jazz guitarist-turned fingerstyle guitarist who has found huge success through YouTube, as an online guitar-coach, and as a touring performer. Check out his awesome fingerstyle arrangements of tunes by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, as well as jazz standards. Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick have the opportunity to talk with Adam about his journey, his internet success, his method of arranging for fingerstyle guitar, his gear, and his experiences with copyright law. In part 2 of 2, Adam tells the guys about his Maton and Cole Clark guitars, his AER amp, and the rest of his gear. Aaron and Joe are very interested in how Adam deals with copyright law as it applies to his YouTube videos of cover songs as well as his teaching business. He is incredibly open and informative! Adam recounts his musical journey from his childhood and teenage years, to his classical training in college, his formation of a hip hop group, and his jazz studies with Mike Longo (pianist for Dizzy Gillespi). Finally, Adam talks about life as a touring musician and how he practices and stays comfortable and confident on the road. Find out more about Adam Rafferty at: https://www.studywithadam.com/ or https://www.adamrafferty.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adamraffertyguitar/. He also hosts the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout podcast. Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

Adam Rafferty is a jazz guitarist-turned fingerstyle guitarist who has found huge success through YouTube, as an online guitar-coach, and as a touring performer. Check out his awesome fingerstyle arrangements of tunes by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, as well as jazz standards. Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick have the opportunity to talk with Adam about his journey, his internet success, his method of arranging for fingerstyle guitar, his gear, and his experiences with copyright law. In part 1 of 2, Adam tells the guys about his career as a jazz guitarist and teacher in NYC and why he now spends the majority of his time touring throughout Europe with guys like Michael Fix, Don Ross, and Petteri Sariola. Then he talks about the early days of YouTube, how he tries to stand out in an oversaturated online video market, his stint working as a computer programmer, and his Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout podcast. The next topic is how Adam arranges for fingerstyle guitar: capturing the bass and melody lines and making sure it grooves. He also has a thorough knowledge of Bach 4-part harmony and utilizes it in his arrangements. Find out more about Adam Rafferty at: https://www.studywithadam.com/ or https://www.adamrafferty.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adamraffertyguitar/. He also hosts the Fingerstyle Guitar Hangout podcast. Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

As the lead guitarist of Carbon Leaf, Carter Gravatt has successfully toured and recorded since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, the Avett Brothers, and many more).  What's especially fascinating about Carter is that he performs not only on electric and acoustic guitars, but also on an incredible number of other instruments including mandolin, banjo, violin, cello, lap steel, pedal steel, bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, dobro, and probably more! In part 2 of 2 of this interview, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy talking with Carter about songwriting, and approaches to improvisation. The guys discuss songwriting and look inside Carbon Leaf's system of collaboration.  They get Carter's take on improvising as well as his musical influences which include Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, Danny Gatton, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Mike Marshall, Sam Bush, John Paul Jones, Peter Buck, and old time Appalachian music. Fun facts: In 2002 Carbon Leaf won an American Music Award for their song "The Boxer."  They featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, "Learn to Fly."  They recorded music for the 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe.  They have played with/crossed paths with other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others. Find out more about Carter and Carbon Leaf at: https://www.carbonleaf.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carbonleaf/ Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

As the lead guitarist of Carbon Leaf, Carter Gravatt has successfully toured and recorded since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, the Avett Brothers, and many more).  What's especially fascinating about Carter is that he performs not only on electric and acoustic guitars, but also on an incredible number of other instruments including mandolin, banjo, violin, cello, lap steel, pedal steel, bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, dobro, and probably more! In part 1 of 2 of this interview, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy talking with Carter about his story, Carbon Leaf, musical influences, and gear. Carter tells the guys about Carbon Leaf's efforts to release an album every 8 months and their history with record labels and FM radio.  Joe asks how Carter became such a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist.  The guys talk about practicing and how musicians used to learn music before the days of YouTube and the internet.  Carter talks about the technical difficulties of touring with his many instruments: huge amounts of gear (multiple pedalboards, amplifications systems, the instruments themselves) and maintenance is required to keep everything working properly.  The discussion includes insights into acoustic amplification, guitar amps, getting overdrive from amps vs. pedals, the complications of switching between instruments during shows, and different picks. Fun facts: In 2002 Carbon Leaf won an American Music Award for their song "The Boxer."  They featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, "Learn to Fly."  They recorded music for the 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe.  They have played with/crossed paths with other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others. Find out more about Carter and Carbon Leaf at: https://www.carbonleaf.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carbonleaf/ Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

Musicians are often confused about what a trademark is or if they really need to register their trademark.  Marcella Dominguez, a trademark lawyer, joins Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray to discuss the benefits and costs of registering a trademark for your band or music business. As an example, because Metallica trademarked their logo, nobody else can use something that looks or sounds like "Metallica."  This protects them against impersonators hoping to profit from their success - nobody else can put on a show or event and falsely use the name "Metallica" to bring in an audience, nobody else can perform under the name "Metallica," potentially playing poorly and damaging the reputation of the band, nobody else can sell "Metallica" merchandise, etc.  Trademarks assert position and show professionalism, they help the consumer to know the difference between the real brand and any competitors or impersonators, and they protect you from anyone trying to infringe on what you've built. Joe asks Marcella for advice regarding his old band, "Albino Rhino," which struggled to differentiate itself from a Swedish band of the same name.  He had applied for a trademark in the past only to have it denied because it "looked too similar" to the Rhino Records trademark.  Marcella explains how you or a lawyer can draft an argument to appeal the decision by the US Patent and Trademark Office.  She also talks about how US trademark law works outside of US borders. Marcella, Aaron, and Joe discuss the potential to trademark one's name.  Then they talk about copyrighting songs, and how to provide proof and evidence that you are the author of your work. Any good conversation about music legalities should bring up the recent "Blurred Lines vs. Got to Give it Up (Marvin Gaye)" lawsuit, so it was discussed. Marcella tells Aaron and Joe how much it costs to hire a lawyer to register your trademark and how much it costs to register your trademark by yourself at uspto.gov.  She provides useful advice on things to watch out for if you decide to register your trademark on your own: Make sure your drawing is final and exact, make sure you register under the correct categories (music/entertainment, CD/audio-visual recordings, merchandise, etc.), and check out the trademark information of other registered trademarks in the same realm as yours (i.e. if you are thinking about registering your podcast's trademark, look up the trademark info for other podcasts' trademarks to see what categories they are registered under, etc.). Useful links regarding trademarks: https://www.uspto.gov/trademark http://tess2.uspto.gov Find out more about Marcella at: https://marcellatm.com/ She also hosts The A.M. Show, a podcast about ambitious and motivated people. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-m-show-with-marcella-dominguez/id1434615083 Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

Are you confused about what mastering really is?  Are you tempted to skip this important step in the process of preparing your music for distribution?  Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray bring in the esteemed Chris Graham of Chris Graham Mastering and the Six Figure Home Studio Podcast to talk about the final polish in the process of preparing your music for release.  According to Chris, mastering is "optimizing a music track for goosebumps for the most people on the maximum number of listening devices." Chris tells the guys his story of how he became a musician, started producing music, and fell in love with mastering.  When he started his mastering business, he had the idea to put raw vs. mastered samples on his website and provide free mastering samples to new potential clients. The guys talk about business books including The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris.  Then they discuss the podcasting world, how podcasts are making it possible for niche shows to thrive, and how podcasts provide people with the opportunity to better themselves by learning while they drive or perform other life-tasks.  Then they dive into the topic of higher education and whether it pays off. Aaron and Joe get to ask Chris lots of questions about mastering.  Chris tells them that it involves compression, equalization, limiting, and much more in order to make the tracks sound consistently better, more cohesive (on an album), and often louder on as many different listening devices as possible.  The guys ask Chris about his thoughts on having your tracks mixed and mastered by the same person.  Chris recommends doing a "mastering contest," in which you go to multiple different mastering engineers and ask for a free mastered song from each.  Then compare the tracks and choose your favorite. Finally, Chris, Aaron, and Joe talk about the "Loudness Wars." You can find Chris at: http://www.chrisgrahammastering.com https://www.thesixfigurehomestudio.com/ Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/ http://www.joemcmurray.com

What is your guitar-gear nirvana?  Is it a trip to your local guitar shop, a trip to NAMM, or perusing the internet for video demonstrations?  Maybe for your gear curiosities you should also be looking to podcasts, as there are a few that do a great job of exploring this ever-growing industry.  On episode 49 of Fret Buzz the Podcast, Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray bring in Blake Wyland, the host of the Tone Mob podcast and a co-host of the Chasing Tone podcast (alongside Brian Wampler of Wampler Pedals). Blake tells Aaron and Joe about his background and how he got into the inner workings of guitars, amps, pedals, etc. The guys have an interesting discussion about how a new guitarist should get started finding the proper gear to achieve their desired tone(s).  Blake recommends starting with an amp simulator/amp-in-the-box to find the "base" amp sound(s) that you like.  There is a big difference between the sounds of amps made by Fender, Marshall, Vox, etc.  Blake then recommends getting a dirt pedal (overdrive or distortion) followed by a reverb pedal and a delay pedal. This leads to talk about preferences for using a clean amp and getting your overdrive/distortion from pedals versus driving your amp (turning it up enough for it to naturally compress and overdrive) and using pedals to shape or refine that natural distortion.  This obviously leads the guys into the subject of hearing protection! Blake talks about the music industry and how pedal builders tend to share a comradery and a mutual geekiness. Blake tells the guys about his top episodes of the Tone Mob, including interviews with Robert Keeley, Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem, Joel Korte of Chase Bliss Audio, and Richard Hoover of Santa Cruz Guitars. Next, Blake tells Aaron and Joe about his pedalboard (which is always changing).  He talks about his go-to pedals including the Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive, the Emma Electronic PisdiYAUWot, the TomKat Green Muffer Fuzz, the Dr. Scientist Atmosphere, and the SolidGoldFX Electroman Delay. Blake also talks about amps, from the Chris Benson (a local Portland builder) "Vincent" to the Sunn Beta "Lead" to the Fender "Deluxe Reverb" and "Vibrolux." The conversation turns to building your own pedals and the large amount of labor (soldering!) it takes to build pedals, which is why they cost so much.  There is talk of Gibson's bankruptcy, low-end Gibson versus high-end Epiphone guitars, and profiling amps/amp modeling.  The episode ends with a dazzling tour of Blake's studio, filled with many beautiful guitars and amps, and an obscene number of effects pedals! Be sure to check out the Fret Buzz The Podcast YouTube channel to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g Check out the Tone Mob at www.tonemob.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Marc Beneteau has been building custom acoustic guitars out of his workshop in Canada for 43 years.  He builds such high quality instruments that many modern virtuosic acoustic fingerstyle players (including Don Ross, Tony McManus, and Dustin Furlow - our Fret Buzz Episode 28 and 29 guest) choose to play Beneteau guitars.  If you play or simply appreciate acoustic guitars, you won't want to miss this conversation between Marc and Fret Buzz co-hosts Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray. The guys talk about the renaissance of acoustic guitar music, with players like Don Ross, Tommy Emmanuel, Andy McKee, and others pushing the limits of what can be done with acoustic guitars and inspiring new players. Next is a discussion about humidity and how that affects acoustic guitars.  Marc educates the guys on the qualities of different types of wood and how guitars built from those different woods have unique sound qualities.  Softer woods like mahogany, koa, and walnut produce different tones than harder woods like rosewood.  But Marc says that the back and sides don't do as much to the overall tone as the guitar's top, which is often made with spruce or cedar.  And keep in mind that the body shape, string type, method of picking, and other factors all affect your tone too!  Another interesting topic of conversation is the regulations that Marc deals with in exporting guitars across national borders.  He has to register and cite all restricted woods that each guitar contains when he ships any guitars from Canada into the US or elsewhere. Marc gives Joe and Aaron his take on factory-built (like Martin, Taylor, and Gibson) vs. custom guitars.  He talks about the "mojo" of a hand-built guitar and advises against buying factory-built guitars sight-unseen.  Next, Marc weighs the merits of old vintage guitars against new custom guitars in the same price bracket.  This leads to talk about the process of torrifying (a process of artificial aging) the tops of acoustic guitars. Finally, Marc tells about CNC vs. hand-crafted guitars.  CNC is "Computer Numerical Control," which is essentially referring to the use of automated computer-controlled cutting machines to cut/shape/sand the wood pieces for guitars. Marc is incredibly informative and friendly as he shares many insights into acoustic guitars.  Drool over his guitars at http://www.beneteauguitars.com Music provided by Don Ross: It's Fun Being Lucky, and From France to India https://donrossonline.com/

Marc Beneteau has been building custom acoustic guitars out of his workshop in Canada for 43 years.  He builds such high quality instruments that many modern virtuosic acoustic fingerstyle players (including Don Ross, Tony McManus, and Dustin Furlow - our Fret Buzz Episode 28 and 29 guest) choose to play Beneteau guitars.  If you play or simply appreciate acoustic guitars, you won't want to miss this conversation between Marc and Fret Buzz co-hosts Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray. Marc's fascination with building guitars began in 1974 when he saw legendary John McLaughlin with a custom guitar in a magazine.  He tells the guys his story of becoming a custom guitar builder. Marc discusses many details of acoustic guitars: internal bracing patterns, how different body shapes affect the overall sound quality, and custom options such as arm rests, rib rests, and sound ports, and fan frets.  He tells Joe and Aaron about when Don Ross asked him to build his first fan fret guitar a decade ago.  Marc explains the benefits that players gain from fan frets as well as the challenges that builders face in building guitars with them.  The guys talk about fret ends and bindings, harp guitars, baritone guitars, and even the idea of a microtonal guitar. Marc is incredibly informative and friendly as he shares many insights into acoustic guitars.  Drool over his guitars at http://www.beneteauguitars.com/

As the frontman of Carbon Leaf, Barry Privett has successfully toured and recorded with the same band since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, Avett Brothers, and many more).  Over the course of their continuous 27 year career, he has learned many things about music itself, the music business, record labels, touring, and strategies for keeping the peace among band members.  Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy the opportunity to dive deep into the world of one of the music business' hardest working bands! In Part 2 of 2, Barry explains how the band adjusts its vibe and setlist depending on the region that they are touring through and the energy of the crowd.  He goes on to talk about the Celtic-inspired phase that the band went through in the early 2010s, their lead guitarist's multi-instrumentalism, their new bass player and drummer, and how they get together for a week at a time to rehearse and/or write. Barry tells the guys more about the ancillary duties of different band members and how that keeps their business afloat.  He explains the origins of the name "Carbon Leaf."  Finally he tells us about the many bands that they have toured and performed with over the years. Fun facts: In 2002 Carbon Leaf won an American Music Award for their song "The Boxer."  They featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, "Learn to Fly."  They recorded music for 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe.  They have played with/crossed paths with other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others. CarbonLeaf.com

As the frontman of Carbon Leaf, Barry Privett has successfully toured and recorded with the same band since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, Avett Brothers, and many more).  Over the course of their continuous 27 year career, he has learned many things about music itself, the music business, record labels, touring, and strategies for keeping the peace among band members.  Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy the opportunity to dive deep into the world of one of the music business's hardest working bands! In Part 1 of 2, Barry tells the guys about the beginnings of Carbon Leaf, their early influences, and their workman's approach to the business.  He then tells us about their unique method of songwriting in which band members submit song ideas to him and he writes lyrics and melodies to those ideas. The band has been incredibly professional in their ability to work together, use facilitative language to provide constructive criticism, and come up with seemingly endless song ideas. Joe and Aaron ask Barry for his back story and learn of his early musical influences and training, including piano, trumpet, guitar, and choir experience.  He tells them about Carbon Leaf's first gigs playing at college bars near Richmond, Virginia. Next, the guys talk about touring.  Barry tells them about the vocal strain of performing every night, but how in-ear monitors have helped to reduce that strain.  Carbon Leaf runs their band like a business, cutting out unnecessary costs.  They drive their own tour bus, they each have ancillary duties (social media, recording, etc.), and play a lot of shows.  Barry explains their process for booking tours. Finally Barry talks about how the changing music market has influenced their recent strategy of foregoing record labels, building their own recording studio, and nurturing their fan base. Fun facts: Carbon Leaf featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, "Learn to Fly."  They recorded music for 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe.  They have played with/crossed paths with major other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others. CarbonLeaf.com

Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray bring in drummer Graham Doby to discuss drums and the music scene in New York City. Graham tells the guys about his musical journey, including playing jazz in high school and studying jazz drumming at George Mason University before moving to NYC to work as a full-time musician.  Graham remembers playing at different venues in Washington, DC while he was in music school, and Joe and Graham reminisce about ear-training classes at George Mason with Dr. Anthony Maiello.  The guys also contemplate the value of Berklee College of Music as it compares to other music programs/options. Graham talks about the complexities of the NYC music scene: it's competitive nature, it's different circles of musicians (from professional jazz players to wedding bands to professional players of other genres), and it's often low-paying or pay-to-play gigs.  Despite any difficulties, Graham loves being part of NYC's scene.  There are great players, exciting opportunities, and cool people. Aaron gets Graham to tell us about his experience opening for Parliament and the stories of his interactions with George Clinton. Graham has built a recording studio in NYC to record other bands and to produce his own music.  The guys ask him to explain how he manages the noise and his neighbors in an apartment building. Aaron, Joe, and Graham discuss how to book gigs for a self-managed tour.  Graham talks about his work with a non-profit group that provides music education for youth, senior citizens, and students with disabilities, which reminds Joe of Fret Buzz Episode 38 with Joe Hamm of El Sistema. The guys talk about the business skills it takes to make a living playing music, from doing taxes to wearing multiple hats (teaching during the day and performing at night).  Graham answers the burning question about how NYC musicians deal with getting show equipment to their gigs considering the obvious transportation difficulties.  The answer: they often don't have to worry about it because so many venues have house drum kits and amps. Graham tells us about his plans for the future, including recording projects, more teaching, and staying in NYC for at least five more years. Late Sea https://www.lateseamusic.com/

In Part 2 of 2, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick continue their conversation with Brent Lyons of the "Solving Sounds" podcast. They talk about the process of writing and recording an album, the popular music scene, and the way that society consumes music. Brent tells us about his approach to writing and recording an album from start to finish. He writes songs in batches, with a focus on the overall sequencing and journey of the album (think Pink Floyd's "The Wall"). The guys discuss the virtues of creating music for art versus promotion. Brent talks about how he writes individual songs - using different instruments to create the main hooks. The guys hash out creativity in the studio, including working with engineers who have songwriting/arranging input, using different equipment for different tones, and using Ableton and MIDI to spur creativity. Finally, Brent, Aaron, and Joe talk about the state of the overall music scene and how it is influenced by the ways that the general public consumes music. With the lack of new band cultivation by major record labels, the legendary bands of the past have been elevated to even higher statuses, and reunion tours and tribute bands have gained momentum. Check out Solving Sounds on your favorite podcasting app or at: https://www.facebook.com/SolvingSoundsPodcast/ http://solvingsounds.libsyn.com/

In Part 1 of 2, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick are joined by Brent Lyons of the "Solving Sounds" podcast to discuss his podcast, the Seattle music scene, approaches to lead guitar and music theory, and guitar effects. Brent tells the guys about the different sub-scenes in Seattle, from indie rock to heavy sludge rock to folk and acoustic.  He also talks about the transforming landscapes within the scene, including old venues closing down due to gentrification, and the challenge of "pay-to-play" gigs. The guys talk about Brent's Solving Sounds podcast, its release schedule, and some of its memorable moments. The episode ends with an in-depth discussion on approaches to playing lead guitar, learning music theory, and Brent's favorite guitar effects pedals. Check out Solving Sounds on your favorite podcasting app or at: https://www.facebook.com/SolvingSoundsPodcast/ http://solvingsounds.libsyn.com/

In the 2nd half of our interview, we continue our conversation with Shaun Rodgers.  In part 1 we talked a lot about Shauns current projects and teaching music in the Virginia public school system, and in part 2 we talk about the University of Maryland's music department and about drum kits.  Shaun is a former colleague and bandmate of hosts Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray, playing drums in their original band, the Kairos Quintet. Shaun graduated from the University of Maryland's music department, and we ask him to detail his experience.  He tells us about his reasons for choosing the University of Maryland, the teachers (many of whom perform with the National Symphony), the amazing music facilities on campus, the classes, and the overall vibe of the school. We dive into the world of drum kits.  Shaun explains his different kits, and how he chooses which one to use for each gig.  We discuss drumming techniques, choosing drum sticks, snare drums, the sounds of different drums based on the types of wood that they are made from, electric drum kits, and hand drums. Shaun currently plays in several bands around Northern Virginia including: -  Broken Ground Band: a 1990s/early 2000s cover band (www.brokengroundband.com) -  Half Pint Harry: a band featuring tiny instruments (www.halfpintharry.com) -  FarAway: an acoustic duo (plus drums) (www.farawaysongs.com)

Shaun Rodgers joins the show to talk about drumming, teaching music in the Virginia public school system, and the University of Maryland's music department.  Shaun is a former colleague and bandmate of hosts Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray, playing drums in their original band, the Kairos Quintet.  The guys reminisce on the collaborative writing approach and overall professionalism of that band. Shaun tells us about the different bands that he is currently playing in around Northern Virginia including: -  Broken Ground Band: a 1990s/early 2000s cover band (www.brokengroundband.com) -  Half Pint Harry: a band featuring tiny instruments (www.halfpintharry.com) -  FarAway: an acoustic duo (plus drums) (www.farawaysongs.com) Shaun tells us about life as a general music teacher in the Virginia public school system.  He teaches Kindergarten through 6th grade and although it can sometimes be exhausting, Shaun points to the beauty of having a full-time salaried position in the musical realm.  We discuss why he is choosing to teach younger kids versus older kids (no after school programs!), semester planning, "Standards of Learning" (SOL), teaching young kids how to "school,"  teaching recorder in public schools, and the usefulness of the piano and guitar for teaching. We then talk about melodic drumming, a topic that we have discussed in the past with Joe Hamm of El Sistema in Episode 038.  Shaun, who has an incredible ear, tells us about his past ear training and how it helps him to sing harmonies.  We also talk about the importance of designated listening for ourselves and our students.

Dr. Shawn Purcell, who teaches jazz guitar and jazz arranging at George Mason University and performs for the U.S. Navy Commodores, provides us with many insights into his story, learning and teaching music at a collegiate level, touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus, and his career as a military musician. Shawn, Joe, and Aaron discuss methodical and efficient practice routines, working with new students to develop these practice routines, and the need to adjust these practice routines to prepare for different sorts of gigs and musical opportunities. Shawn's story takes us from his youthful days of Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, and Van Halen to his college days in which he studied jazz guitar and the recording arts at Duquesne University.  Upon graduation he landed a gig touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus, for which he spent two years traveling around the country on a circus train and played guitar for a living.  His next stop was eight years as the guitarist for the Air Force's premier jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note. in 2004, Shawn and his wife, Dr. Darden Purcell, moved to Nashville where he gigged and earned his Master of Arts in Music from Middle Tennessee State University.  He gives us details of his experiences in the Nashville music scene. If you thought Shawn had already received a lot of music education, he and his wife then moved to Illinois where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance.  After a period of teaching at the National Guitar Workshop, he landed the job as the guitarist for the U.S. Naval Academy Band, and a couple years later he won the position as guitarist for the U.S. Navy Band "Commodores" jazz ensemble in Washington DC.  Shawn tells us lots of information about becoming a military musician, the lifestyle, the necessary skills, etc.  He stresses the importance of being able to sight read! Finally we get into a deeper discussion about higher education: how to become a music professor, what that experience is like, how universities work, etc. Shawn was one of Joe's jazz guitar teachers at George Mason University, and Shawn's methodical and organized style of teaching helped Joe achieve tremendous growth as a guitarist and as a teacher. Check out Dr. Shawn Purcell at www.shawnpurcell.com

Drummer and music educator, Joe Hamm, joins the conversation as we learn about the El Sistema philosophy of providing music programs to under-resourced kids, the social value of music, the role of the drums within the context of a band, and touring. Joe Hamm gives us his musical and educational background, and we talk about melodic drumming, ear training, and the deprivation of sounds and colors. The philosophy of El Sistema was created in Venezuela in 1975.  It focused on the idea that an orchestra is a community and thus models the larger society.  Organizations that adhere to the El Sistema philosophy provide under-resourced students with consistent access to intensive music education.  Joe Hamm tells us about his program, Soundscapes, with which he and ~9 other teachers work with students in Newport News, Virginia. We talk about Joe Hamm's former rock band, Chasing Arrows, their tour schedule, and the impact of the financial crash of 2008 on the music industry. More information about Joe Hamm can be found at https://www.joehamm.com/ More information about El Sistema can be found at https://elsistemausa.org/ More information about Soundscapes can be found at https://soundscapes.org/

Steve Black may have conducted over 1500 interviews of famous musicians and bands over the past 30 years, but Aaron and Joe use the opportunity to get Steve's story of what it's like to be a rock radio host. Steve tells us about how his incredible journey started back in 1989 at a radio station in Detroit, Michigan, and how a blizzard gave him the chance to run his first radio program. We dig into Steve's take on what makes a good radio personality, how he runs his own show, and how he sets up interviews and then prepares for them. Steve tells us about interviewing Ted Nugent, Bob Ezra (producer for Pink Floyd), and Paul O'Neil (producer for Trans Siberian Orchestra). He tells us about his friendship with Steve Vai. He even tells us about the time he went to a birthday party with Guns 'N Roses. We discuss the changing music industry and how to get your music onto the radio. We also get the story behind Steve's book, "From Black to Light." Steve has his own show called the Chop Shop, which is centered around the guitar, but includes many different styles of music. Also check out Steve's podcast: The Sound Of https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-of/id1272892687?mt=2

We dig into the experiences of Jason Cale, an incredible guitarist out of Southeastern Virginia. Jason gives us insight into playing in military bands, cultivating an original sound and leading a professional band. With formal training in classical and jazz music, Jason is very influenced by blues and fusion guitarists like Allen Holdsworth, Greg Howe, Ritchie Kotzen, Robben Ford, Jimmy Herring, Frank Gambale, Eric Gales, and Joe Bonamassa. He is also keen on blending blues, funk, and gospel into his music. The guys discuss gigging bands, the impact of horn and piano players, professional rehearsals, and how to play to audiences. Jason tells us about his career as a military musician primarily with the United States Air Force, including performances in the Middle East for the US troops, backing up John Popper of Blues Traveler, performing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. We can't help but to talk about gear. Jason tells us about his rig, complete with details about his Fender tube amps, analog pedals, and multiple guitars. Aside from Jason's guitar playing, we talk about singing, production and studio work. Check out Jason and his band, the Jason Cale Band, at www.jasoncalemusic.com

We dig into the experiences of Jason Cale, an incredible guitarist out of Southeastern Virginia. Jason gives us insight into playing in military bands, cultivating an original sound and leading a professional band. With formal training in classical and jazz music, Jason is very influenced by blues and fusion guitarists like Allen Holdsworth, Greg Howe, Ritchie Kotzen, Robben Ford, Jimmy Herring, Frank Gambale, Eric Gales, and Joe Bonamassa. He is also keen on blending blues, funk, and gospel into his music. The guys discuss gigging bands, the impact of horn and piano players, professional rehearsals, and how to play to audiences. Jason tells us about his career as a military musician primarily with the United States Air Force, including performances in the Middle East for the US troops, backing up John Popper of Blues Traveler, performing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. We can't help but to talk about gear. Jason tells us about his rig, complete with details about his Fender tube amps, analog pedals, and multiple guitars. Aside from Jason's guitar playing, we talk about singing, production and studio work. Check out Jason and his band, the Jason Cale Band, at www.jasoncalemusic.com

We explore synths, drum machines, samplers, LoFi music, studio monitors and so much more with the help of Mr. Paul Gaeta, an electronic music producer and manager at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC. Paul explains how he came to work at Moog, and then tells us about his electronic music project, which utilizes a Juno 60 synth. He also tells us about his lofi project and the copyright problems that arise from sampling songs. We delve into Paul's musical writing process, and Joe explains chord theory by comparing chords to cookies. No matter what instrument you play, a synthesizer could be a great way to spur some creativity in your music. Paul talks about how to generally use synths - don't try to recreate a sound in your head (like a "saxophone" sound), but try to explore the sounds that you can pull out of the synth by way of filters, LFOs, oscillators, and different waveforms (saw tooth, square, triangle, etc). He explains the differences between mono synths and poly synths, between analogue and digital synths, and places to start if you want to get into synths but have no prior experience. From there we move into the world of drum machines and samplers. Paul tells us about different pieces of equipment and generally how to use them. The conversation gets into the music of Stranger Things (from the synth-oriented electronic band Survive) and Michael Jackson, the evolution of MTV and VH1, and GarageBand and the modern era of instant gratification. Check out some of Paul's projects: Paul Abdul (lofi beat stuff) https://paulabdul.bandcamp.com/album/promises-to-keep Panther God (synthy stuff) https://panthergod.bandcamp.com/album/golden-changes Xero God (rap project) https://xerogod.bandcamp.com/album/bandidos

We explore synths, drum machines, samplers, LoFi music, studio monitors and so much more with the help of Mr. Paul Gaeta, an electronic music producer and manager at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC. Paul explains how he came to work at Moog, and then tells us about his electronic music project, which utilizes a Juno 60 synth. He also tells us about his lofi project and the copyright problems that arise from sampling songs. We delve into Paul's musical writing process, and Joe explains chord theory by comparing chords to cookies. No matter what instrument you play, a synthesizer could be a great way to spur some creativity in your music. Paul talks about how to generally use synths - don't try to recreate a sound in your head (like a "saxophone" sound), but try to explore the sounds that you can pull out of the synth by way of filters, LFOs, oscillators, and different waveforms (saw tooth, square, triangle, etc). He explains the differences between mono synths and poly synths, between analogue and digital synths, and places to start if you want to get into synths but have no prior experience. From there we move into the world of drum machines and samplers. Paul tells us about different pieces of equipment and generally how to use them. The conversation gets into the music of Stranger Things (from the synth-oriented electronic band Survive) and Michael Jackson, the evolution of MTV and VH1, and GarageBand and the modern era of instant gratification. Check out some of Paul's projects: Paul Abdul (lofi beat stuff) https://paulabdul.bandcamp.com/album/promises-to-keep Panther God (synthy stuff) https://panthergod.bandcamp.com/album/golden-changes Xero God (rap project) https://xerogod.bandcamp.com/album/bandidos

Aaron and Joe delve deep into their memory banks as they share tales from the many concerts and music festivals they have experienced. As a musician it is incredibly important that you attend live shows: it fuels your passion for making your own music, it helps you learn how to build set-lists to hold an audience, it's FUN, and so much more. The guys talk about seeing bands like Rush, Big Something, Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, the Black Crowes, Metallica, Megadeath, Blink 182, Tedeschi Trucks, Pat Metheny, the Yellowjackets, Tito Puente, Mark Whitfield, Mike Stern, Bon Jovi, Jeff Healey, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hootie & The Blowfish, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Phish, Umphrey's McGee, Jack White, Kanye West, Elton John, the Black Keys, Joe Bonamassa, Paul McCartney, Tori Amos, Iced Tea, Snoop Dog, Weezer, Stevie Nicks, Tool, Meshuggah, Yes, Gov't Mule, Prince, Danzig, Suicidal Tendencies, Flaming Lips, Skrillix, John Butler Trio, Green Sky Bluegrass, Ween, Sublime, Incubus, Cake, and many more!! When you see a live show you should keep in mind that the venue is going to dictate your experience. Often smaller venues provide a more intimate experience with the chance to really interact with the performers. Large arena concerts can be fun, but often the experience is dependent on your seats (pit vs. lawn, etc.) and the people you went with. The guys talk about specific venues from jazz clubs to warehouses to theaters to arenas. Aaron talks about his experience at the Milwaukee Metal Fest. Joe talks about the differences between the music festivals he has attended, from Bonnaroo, Firefly, Lockn, All Points West, and many local festivals. Different vibes, different lineups, different camping situations, different experiences. With so many different live music options available to us, there is no excuse to not get out there and see a show! Support your local musicians, experience a new genre of music, try camping out at a festival, or crowd surf for the first time (make sure your phone is in a secure pocket).

In part 2 of our discussion with Miles Harshman, Miles continues telling us about being a student at Berklee College of Music: his famous roommate, the ensembles available to students, etc. Then we really dig into the details of modding guitars, amps, and pedals. Modding is a way to get new sounds out of the equipment that you already have by changing physical components of that equipment. Miles shares a wealth of information on how to change/improve your gear by changing out capacitors, rectifier tubes, pre-amp tubes, and power-amp tubes, speakers, etc. Did you know that changing out a rectifier tube in your amp can cause it to naturally break up sooner (for more natural overdrive at more reasonable volumes) or later (for more clean headroom). Miles also helps to clear up the mystery revolving around biasing tube amps. Please keep in mind that any work involving the internal components of a tube amp can be very dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, even if the amp is off and unplugged. The more you learn about your equipment, the more you can get the most out of it. Even things as simple as knowing when your amp's tubes are going bad can make a huge difference to your sound on stage or in the practice room.

Who doesn't love to talk about guitar tone?? Aside from the obvious fact that much of your tone comes from your fingers, it is also greatly affected by your beloved gear: your instruments, amps, effects pedals, etc. Lots of the gear that you purchase off the shelf can actually be improved or changed through mods / modifications to the internal circuitry - some of which you can do yourself. We bring in guitarist, amp technician, music teacher, and Berklee graduate, Miles Harshman, to give us the ins and outs of musical equipment. In Part 1 of this conversation we dig into guitar tone, ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan to Robin Trower. Miles talks about his love of different types of fuzz pedals, an effect that Joe rarely uses. While Joe uses several types of overdrive and natural small amp distortion, he commits to giving fuzz another try. Miles presents an overview of how tube amps work - their different gains stages, how the tubes break up, the feeling of a tube amp due to the sag/sponginess in the rectifier tube. Miles tells us about his journey to becoming a gear technician, including building his first stratocaster in high school and his more recent telecaster with unusual switches. We talk about clean guitar tones, and how hollow, semi-hollow, and chambered bodies affect the your sound. Miles begins telling us about his experiences at Berklee College of Music, including the many ensemble choices, the enormous practice room amps, and the general atmosphere. Check out next week's episode to discover who was Miles' freshman year roommate!

In part 2 of Fingerstyle Guitar, Dustin gets into his process of arranging his compositions and how he goes about coming up with his melodies. The guys also discuss one of his original songs, "Elder Tree", the role of an audience, how Dustin was approached by booking agents, the process of booking shows/tours, concertsinyourhome.org, Dustin's connection to fingerstyle and his solo show, his practice routine and resources that he recommends.   dustinfurlow.com for more information   Fret Buzz The Podcast fretbuzzthepodcast.com  

Joe and Aaron bring in guitarist and vocalist, Dustin Furlow, to discuss all things fingerstyle guitar. The guys talk about influential fingerstyle guitarists including Tommy Emmanuel, Stephen Bennett (harp guitar), Andy McKee, Tony McManus, Garreth Pearson, Don Ross, Mike Dawes, Adam Rafferty, Adrian Legg, Alexander Misko, and Matt Thomas. They look into approaches to choosing the right keys for solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements, as well as alternate tunings such as DADGAD and open D tuning. The guys dive seriously into the details of nail maintenance and acrylic gel nails for fingerpicking. Dustin, with his wealth of experience playing and performing with high end acoustic guitars, explains the benefits and downsides of many types of guitars, especially as they relate to fingerstyle guitar playing. They look at the differences in sound and playability of Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Larrivee, and Beneteau guitars, as well as choosing the right pickups and pre-amps to get the best live amplified sound. dustinfurlow.com for more information

In this episode of Fret Buzz The Podcast, we continue the conversation with Cole Holland about his musical work on a cruise line. Cole tells us his path once he exited Berklee School of Music and how he happened upon the opportunity to join the B.B. Kings All-Stars at sea. He also goes into his setup and what rehearsal looks like. Finally, the guys get into a bit of guitar theory and what a daily practice routine entails. Cole Holland- hollandazemusic.com

In Episode 26 of Fret Buzz, Aaron and Joe talk to Cole Holland of hollandazemusic.com. We discuss Cole's early musical journey and the preparation that led him to Berklee School of Music. We dig into the program and special ensemble offerings at Berklee and how they may or may not differ from those of other music programs. We look at the entrepreneurial skills required to make a living as a professional musician - self-promotion through a personal website and social media, understanding our tax system, etc. In the next episode we will dive into Cole's year as a cruise ship musician as a member of the B.B. King All Star Band.

Today on Fret Buzz Aaron and Joe continue their conversation with Randy Nicklas, a touring bassist and music teacher. The guys talk about how to approach writing a bass line, the importance of being aware of the drums, different teaching styles and ways to approach your instrument, feeling the music beneath your fingers, bassbandicootmusic, the out of body experience you get with performance, and music therapy.   bassbandicootmusic

Today on Fret Buzz Aaron and Joe feature the awesome Randy Nicklas, a touring bassist and music teacher. The guys discuss Randy's musical journey along with stories from the road from his time touring with Broccoli Samurai. During this time Broccoli Samurai had the opportunity to open for popular jam bands like Umphrey's McGee and Pidgeons Playing Ping Pong. The guys discuss whether you should play a 4-string or a 5-string bass guitar as well as different bass amps and effects pedals. They explore the role of the bass guitar within the context of a band, approaches to chord progressions when playing the bass, and a ton of great music, especially jam bands. @bassbandicootmusic

In today's episode we talk about the cross-over of jazz and classical guitar, Andrés Segovia's role in the classical guitar, getting work as a classical guitarist, why classical guitar isn't as popular, what to look for when buying a classical guitar(woods, strings), nail upkeep and angle, a funny nail story, calluses, where to start when interested in classical guitar, different exercises and books to consume, players to check out, and alternate tuning. Thank you to Nick Lee...   https://fretbuzzthepodcast.com/