Gitfiddles and Paradiddles

What a journey it's been. 50 episodes down and many more to come. In this episode we discuss how supply shortages have begun to hit manufacturing with musical instruments. Specifically how the shortage of guitar tubes is having an impact on amp sales and what the future holds. We also have a bit of a fanboy moment in this episode as well. Listen to find out the details. Thank you all for the support. Episode 50... Let's go!

Covid has changed everything. That's an understatement! In this episode Chris and Jon talk about the ways that they each have pivoted to continue working as professional musicians. Change of mindset and rethinking what it means to be called a professional musician, is common practice these days. Join us for a fun episode where we dive deep into the thought process of relying on playing live (pre-Covid), to refocusing your efforts and coming out better and brighter.

Please keep in mind that the perspectives of this episode are from the perspectives of the host, Chris & Jon. Touring musicians as a whole have been affected by Covid. As so any other jobs and professions have. In this episode we breakdown the ways the working musician / weekend warrior musician have been affected. We also discussed ways to pivot to other platforms and continue creating and staying positive.

Welcome to 2022! This is an episode that we've been talking about doing for about six months. We're very excited to finally flesh it out and share it with all of you. In this episode we discussed the differences of being a musician in a modern praise and worship enviroment / church, versus being a hired gun / side man with a touring band / artist. Of course there are many similarities in both environments. But there are some big differences that make a world of change if you're approaching it with the right mindset and attitude. Happy New Year, everyone!

New artist are jumping on the 80's sound. From the Weeknd to Dua Lipa and even artist like John Mayer . What is it about this iconic sound that is making a huge comeback? It's been shown that pop-culture repeats itself every 30 years. Is this a sign of that trend or is it something deeper? In this episode we attempt to dissect what is generating such great interest in the sound of the 80's. Is it record labels, money driven or just artist themselves?

A large majority of people who interact with musicians assume that being on a stage as an artist or backing up an artist, as a musician, is the only way to make it as a professional. During this episode Chris and John dive deep into this myth and do their best to bust it along the way. Join us for a episode that already has people talking.

We've come to the payoff. From starting in the 60's and making our way through the 90's, we've made a huge journey as we discovered the recording techniques throughout the decades. We are still blown away by the huge advancements in technology that shaped and changed the face of music in such a short time. We've had a fun time chronicling all of this and learning along the way. We hope you guys have enjoyed the journey!

The recording techniques from the 90's started us on a music recording revolution! In this episode we go deep into just what makes the 90's so pivotal to the music industry. We also look at how the 90's changed the way we view music as a whole. From bedroom recoring to the rise of Pro Tools, it's all here. Come join us!

The 80's were a pivotal turning point for music. The decade was a massive influence for us! In this episode Chris & Jon breakdown the recording techniques from this decade as well as some of thier favorite albums... and a few surprises along the way! This was a fun one for sure. Hope you guys love it. LONG LIVE THE 80's!!!

Recording Techniques Part 2. The 70's! This is the decade when recording and live music technology took off. There are so many great artst and albums that came out of this decade. During this episode Chris and Jon breakdown the groundbreaking techologies that shaped the decade AND future decades to come. Tune into this episode for Chris and Jon's detailed breakdown of thier favorite albums from the 70's and much more.

In this episode we begin a five part series that will dive into the recording techniques from each decade going back to the 60s. Jon and Chris will provide one album each, per decade during this series. We are super excited to begin this journey and dive deep into the albums and recording techniques that defined generations of music. This episode is also a very special one to us. We are proud and excited to have reached 40 episodes and are looking forward to many more. Thank you to all the great listeners out there! We are so thankful for your support. Jon & Chris

We're Back Baby!! COVID-19 may have slowed us down but it can't stop us. We all know 2020 was a year like no other. But is it possible to sum it up in one word or phrase? Probably not. It tested the world in so many ways and left us different than how started. The two of us looked long and hard at when (or if) we would bring the podcast back to life. Well, rest assurd the show is alive and well and we're ready to take on 2021! A BIG Thank You to all the listeners out there that stuck with us as we took a hiatus away from the show. Both of us are excited for what the future holds and hope you are too. Jon & Chris

This episode is one that Jon and Chris we’re excited to get out. We recap our incredible time going to see three of our favorite bands and the awesome events that transpired from it. PLUS… We dig deep into one of our favorite songs from a timeless band. Join us.

In this episode we highlight our favorite gear from the NAMM Show that took place this past January in Anaheim, CA. Jon and Chris also dive deep into the new Midi 2.0 protocol that was introduced at the NAMM show as well. Hope you guys enjoy!

2019 is almost over, so it seems fitting to talk about our favorite things during this part year. In this episode we breakdown our favorite albums, artist, musicians, movies, tv shows and so much more. Come join us as we cap off this past year. A huge thank you goes out to all of our listeners and supporters over this part year. We couldn't do it without you. Here's to 2020!

The music industry is a tricky thing. This whole “make it” thing can get you twisted up. But don’t worry, there’s always a way through this confusing business. In this episode Jon and Chris breakdown just what it means to make it in the music business and how you can “make it” your own way. In this episode we feature one of our favorite bands from the early 90's. Don't miss this one!

The Black Crowes are getting back together! We also got the news that Motley Crue will be reuniting and going on tour with Def Leppard AND Poison. In this episode we get into what we like to call a “Musical Walkabout”. This is when you go down a musical path that you may not be familiar with and want to strengthen it or just explore the genre more. Some players may do this to add value to an area / genre they’re already familiar with but want to return to the core elements of it and freshen their approach. During this episode Chris recounts the past year during his own musical walkabout and breaks down what he learned and the importance of moderation.

We promised consistent content and here we are! Glad to be bringing New episodes on a weekly basis. During this episode we discuss the legal struggle that Taylor Swift is going through currently with her former label. We also dive deep into the use of social media and its affects on upcoming, established artist and musicians. A big thanks to all the listens out there supporting us!

G & P is back and with a vengeance! We’ve been away but we had good reason. But have no fear, G & P is back on track and stronger than ever! In this episode we talk GA Dawgs, Toto (one of our favorite bands) and talk through a little drum speculation. What’s the next big innovation for the drum set? Jon and Chris have some thoughts. What do you think is the next big thing to push drums forward? Is it needed? Let us know at - gitfiddlesandparadiddles@gmail.com

It’s our one year anniversary!

Episode 30! Let’s celebrate! In this episode we breakdown our favorite Georgia sports teams as well as give predictions for the upcoming MLB playoff season. Neilson provided us with there Mid-Year music sales report. We dive into this report and reveal the staggering numbers that it shows. Music through video consumption is climbing, digital streaming is surging and vinyl is still on the rise. Join us for this fun episode! Neilson Report: https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/nielsen-us-music-mid-year-report-2019.pdf

In this episode we dig into a news article about streaming services (Spotify, Amazon, Google etc) filing an appeal over a possible rate increase for publishers and songwriters. Of course this is a topic of much debate. Chris and Jon are pretty passionate about this topic and are pretty outspoken over this. Where do you stand? We get asked a lot of questions about being full time working musicians. One of the most prominent is: How do you sustain yourself financially? Jon and Chris jump into this and give a lot of insight on ways to make it as a full time working musician. Don't give up. Stay the course!

We are back in full swing here at G&P! Life is busy but we're back on our regularly scheduled programing. In this episode we get to hear all about Jon’s fly date gigs that took place in Oregon. We’ve been following along as Jon has been gearing for over a month to be ready for this stretch of gigs. Dive in and hear about how things went for him. From rehearsal, the flights, the layovers and all 4 gigs. Jon gives us great detail along the way. Good, bad and ugly!

Fly Dates. In this episode we dive into how to best prepare for a fly gig. Planning for a fly date is much more of a detailed process than just showing up to your local bar / venue. Jon gives us some great insights on his most recent preparation for a fly date / gig he has coming up soon. What kind of gear should you bring? What gear should you request to have waiting on you? Chris and Jon cover these in good detail. We also add an incredible song to our list of “What Makes That Song Great” segment. Don’t miss this one!

In this episode Jon and Chris dive into the news that Gibson Guitars has restructured it’s corporate team. With this, they (Gibson) have released some interesting videos with specific comments that have the guitar community a little upset. We weight in on this with a few thoughts of our own. Chris and Jon also dive into the what it means to have good stage presence and the proper ways to include it in your own performance as a working musician.

In this episode Chris talks about the new drumset he recently purchased, along with the history of the company it came from. Along the way Jon and Chris talk about how important it is to research the gear you purchase and what it means to be an individual while wading through the vast world of musical gear. Musical instruments are a tool. With that in mind, how do you shop when making a purchase? Do you buy a piece of gear because the flavor of the month plays that specific brand or are you buying with intent? These are questions we’ve asked ourselves throughout our musical journey.

Guitar Players and effects gurus, this one is for you! In this episode Jon shares a story about his move from his tried and true pedal board to the new Line 6 HX series of products. He dives into what it looks like to make a move like this and what to expect along the way. He also gives some pro tips on using the HX products so that you get the most out of them. They also talk about an event from a recent gig Chris & Jon played together, we’re something happened that nearly cost Jon this new setup and maybe more…

We get this question a lot… Should I Move To Nashville? Here's the thing... If you do move, do you have the willpower to stay? Can you afford to be there for several years as you build up your resume? These are just a few questions to ask yourself before you take this big leap. Well that all depends on a series of very specific things. In this episode Chris and Jon dig into what it means to move to Nashville and what to expect if you do.

As a working musician being a well rounded player is paramount to your success. Being well versed in multiple styles and playing situations means you get call backs… and we all want that. Listen as Jon and Chris dissect the importance of being a well rounded, i. e. hirable musician. Along the way they share stories of what they learned as they came up through their individual musical paths. They also provide a few tips on how to become more well rounded and how to be a “callback” musician.

Game of Thrones is back and so are we! This one was recorded about a month ago. In this episode we discuss Game of Thrones and the new season. We also talk about fitness as it pertains to your gig and overall health. As we all know by now, fitness is a very important part of being a working musician. It helps us in so many ways. How many of us have played a 4 hour gig and had sore muscles and our backs are killing us? Either on the gig or definitely by the next morning. I know we've been there before. Keeping ourselves in shape will help this by leaps and bounds. Taking care of our bodies will pay dividends toward your personal success with all your gigs. During this episode Jon and Chris provide stories about their own fitness and how being out of shape in previous years affected their gigs and heath. Artist of the Week: Jon - Bishop Gunn https://www.bishopgunn.com Chris - Dave Weckl http://www.daveweckl.com

Strap in, this is a deep episode. There is no doubt that musicianship has declined in our industry. But why is that? Jon and Chris have some theories they bring up in this episode as to why musicianship is declining so fast. And maybe some ways to correct it. Will we see musicianship return to the mainstream? We hope so. But until then it’s the responsibility of every true musician to point players in the right direction of quality musicianship. During this episode we also introduce a new segment we call “Headlines”. We will be discussing relevant news during this segment. In this episode we talk about the coming 2019 tour announced by the band Tool. As well as get into a big love of ours… Baseball! Especially the Atlanta Braves. PICKS OF THE WEEK: Jon - D’Addario NYXL Guitar Strings http://www.daddario.com/DADProductFamily.Page?ActiveID=3768&familyid=74&sid=0b91101b-90e6-4908-9138-933ffcdbf883 Chris - Promark Transport Deluxe Stick Bag http://www.promark.com/pmProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=3917&productid=1077&sid=11ff1abc-dad1-4402-8e26-0f96f0ef05f8

How many times have you went online to check out gear reviews and decide to order a piece of gear based on what you heard? Only to find out that when you got it home it didn’t sound anything like it did online. Has this happened to you before? Gear reviews are great way to explore the vast world of musical instruments. But it’s a good rule of thumb to take them at face value. Join Chris & Jon as they take a deep dive into this subject. ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Jon - Plini (Sunhead EP) https://www.plini.co/ Chris - Chris Potter / Nate Smith on Drums (Underground Album) https://www.chrispottermusic.com/

As a (sideman) musician, consistency is key to your success. Call backs, nailing that audition, getting the gig you’ve been striving for… Being a McDonald’s Hamburger gets you there. Seeking feedback is crucial in helping you understand how your developing. Consistency builds your brand. . . Start today! Dive into this episode as Jon and Chris expand on this topic. Artist of the Week: Jon - Allen Stone https://www.allenstone.com Chris - Mark Guiliana http://www.markguiliana.com

You’ve asked and here it is… It’s time to talk about the gear we use! In this episode we breakdown the gear we use and why. We all go through a journey of acquiring the gear that will become what we use as working musicians. This is natural. The evolution of that gear is what makes a player begin to have a unique voice. It’s always important to choose the gear you use based on your gig. Jon takes some time to breakdown the types of guitars that cover almost all bases and genres. The gear you choose can help you get call backs and future gigs. It’s a very important process. In this episode we also cover some tips when shopping for new gear. PICKS OF THE WEEK: Jon - D’Addario DIY Solderless Pedalboard Cable Kit http://daddario.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=22&sid=9fd9676c-d9b9-44d0-89a1-f1ef632b1901 Chris - Ableton Live 10 https://www.ableton.com/en/live/

Musical Calibration is something every true musician will go through. We all have a musical starting point. But along our musical journey, other musicians and genres of music will help shape and mold us into the type of player we will become. This may take 10 years or it may take 50. It all depends on your personal journey. How we practice will help develop and push that calibration in exciting directions! Some of the most successful artist and players have evolved and changed with the times to stay relevant. The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Michael Jackson and so many more. This is also an essential element for the working musician to remain hireable. Join Jon and Chris as they dive deep into this topic. PICKS OF THE WEEK: Jon - Reunion Blues RBX Gig Bag http://reunionblues.com/product/232/rbx-double-electric-guitar-gig-bag Chris - Meinl Cymbal Tuners https://meinlcymbals.com/index.php?id=23&txfleshopproduct%5Bproduct%5D=1180&txfleshopproduct%5Baction%5D=show&txfleshopproduct%5Bcontroller%5D=Product&cHash=c42a907b7591827ae57e4c79a90932e3

In this episode Jon and Chris breakdown their reasons for why you need to spend time learning and absorbing Jazz Music. Jazz music is a vast ocean that you can get lost in. It’s like peeling an onion. The deeper you go, the more you learn from it. The understanding and development of Jazz and Fusion music into your playing, will help develop and enhance all aspects of your playing and even the ways you think about your approach in other genres and well. Jazz will increase your pocket and feel. So much so, that any other genre you play will be affected in a positive way as a result. Join us as we take this deep dive into a very important topic. Picks of the Week: Jon: Vocal Eaze https://vocaleze.com *Chris: * Prologix Practice Pad https://www.prologixpercussion.com/products-workout *Jazz Listening: * George Benson Pat Methany Grant Green Miles Davis John Coltrane Dig deeper. The rabbit hole runs deep.

Technology is all around us. From our iPhones and iPads to our computers and watches. But the one area that gets a bad rap is the use of technology in music. Specifically stage performance use of technology. These technologies have propelled music forward in so many ways. In this episode, Jon and Chris breakdown a few myths that go around our industry and try to help dispel any negative reactions to technology in the live and session music industry. Topics include: Amp Modeling The use of laptops on stage Ableton Live Click tracks vs Metronome use In Ear Monitor (the differences in this and floor wedges) And much more! Picks of the week: Jon: Line 6 HX Effects https://line6.com/hx-effects/ Chris: Vic Firth Double Glaze Drumsticks http://vicfirth.com/new-feel-options/

For our second interview to the podcast we had the distinct honor to interview a world class drummer, Mr. Shannon Kori. Shannon has played with many diffrent artist in his years of playing. Such as, Funk Band New Reality, Jazz Fusion Group Pruitt and Davis with Adam Nitti and Colonel Bruce Hampton. He studied with drummer Sonny Emory during his time at Georgia State University. He's also a brand ambassador, so to speak, for the drum company Trick Drums. Having spent 21 years with them. Join us as Shannon takes us down a very cool musical journey from first seeing The Police at age 7. To where he is now in the Atanta Music Scene. PICKS OF THE WEEK: Shannon: Tempo App - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tempo-metronome-with-setlist/id304731501?mt=8 Live BPM App - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/livebpm-beat-detector/id554766778?mt=8 Jon: MXR Tap Tempo Pedal - https://www.jimdunlop.com/product/m199-7-10137-08777-4.do *Chris: * Yamaha HW3 Crosstown Hardware - https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musicalinstruments/drums/acdrums/hardware/hw3/index.html *Where to find Shannon: * Twitter - @shannonkori Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shannonkori Trick Drums - https://www.trickdrumsartists.com/cb-profile/221-shannonk13

Money, People and the Music we play are the three determining factors in just about every gig you choose to accept . . . or decline to play. Every artist or band you choose to play with will need to be evaluated. How will you decide which is the best fit for you? Join us as we breakdown these three very important elements in choosing the right gigs for your future as a working musician.

In this episode we got the chance to interview Myles Brown. Myles is a very accomplished Atlanta musician who attended the Berkley College of Music and the Atlanta Institute of Music. We discuss many topics in this one. A lot pertaining to his time at music college. Thinking of going to music college? Have questions about what it’s like? Come join us as Myles sheds some light on these questions. Topics include: What it's like going to the Berkley College of Music and Atlanta Institute of Music How those two schools differ Audition tips What he learned along the way Real world application vs. school knowledge Charting Live Gigging Jazz deep dives Live playing And many other things! You can find out more about Myles by clicking HERE (https://www.mylesbrown.net)

Playing the right gear for the gig is essential to the success of the working musician. There are certain unspoken (and loudly spoken) guidelines to all genres of music. Being able to properly interpret them is your job as a musician for hire. Topics include: Gear Breakdowns Guitar Styles Fender, Gibson etc.) Selecting the right gear How scale length effects the sound of a guitar Proper cymbal selection Sound characteristics Universal rules of genres Single Coil vs Humbucker Pickup Drum Tuning Coated vs Clear Drumheads Along with some others! No need in re-inventing the wheel. Follow the guidelines to your own succuss! Picks of the Week: Jon - https://line6.com/hx-stomp/ Chris - https://www.ableton.com/en/live/

Let’s face it. When we first started playing we all imagined ourselves on a big stage in front of a screaming crowd. That’s the dream. . . That’s the goal right!? But are we interested in the process of getting from A to B? Do you know what the impacts of being a professional musician will have on our lives? Being in love with the process is what makes or breaks you. Your struggles will determine your successes. In this episode Jon & Chris dive into these topics and much more. This episode was inspired by the incredible book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck” by Mark Manson. We recommend that everyone read this book! LINKS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-f-ck/id1071409887?mt=11 https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713/ref=sr12?ie=UTF8&qid=1543194676&sr=8-2&keywords=subtle+art+of+not+giving+a+f

Let's face it, gear is expensive. But do you have to spend a ton of money to sound your best? We don't think so. In this episode we breakdown some areas to focus on to get the most out of your money so that you can sound like a million bucks in any gigging situation. Topics Include: The $1,000 threshold Areas you sound focus spending dollars on Guitar Brands Guitar Pedals Amplifiers Cymbals Drum Tuning And much more! Jump into this episode to discover where you should spend your hard earned money.

From preparing your gear for the show. Load in, Load out and everything in between. We had fun covering it in this episode! Topics include: Gear Prep Be On Time Load in Backline Assessing the Stage Plot Setup Downbeat Load out And many other topics! We all have to go through these steps before and during our gigs. But do you take the time to examine them and maybe even learn from them? This can be essential in sharpening your skills each and every time you pack your gear for the next show.

As a working musician we all learn songs for our gigs. Sometimes a few, sometimes a lot. But is there a right way to learn? We think so. Dive in and what tried and true ways work for us. Topics include: The importance of listening first. Not playing first Getting the right tones for the songs your learning The Nashville Number System and ways to utlize it best Sight Reading vs. Stage Presence Taking the songs you've learned into the gigging / show situation LINKS: More about the Nashville Number System - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashvillenumbersystem

Practice is essential to developing on a musical instrument. In this episode we breakdown all the aspects of practice and how it helps us as working musicians. How much can our brains handle at once? Do they get overloaded? Are you practicing with intent? Do you have a plan for practice when you sit down? During this episode we breakdown practicing with a metronome vs practicing ideas with a band. How to build up your chops. Do you get feedback from your bandmates? Are you asking for it? This episode was fun! We love talking about practice and how it can make us better players and band members. Come join us!

In this episode we discuss the importance of timing. Timing is relavent in all parts of music. Do you practice this? Do you make it a priority? As musicians we try to sharpen all these things. At least we hope to. Speed and precision. Pocket and groove. Both are important but which are you spending more time on? We get into all these topics in this episode. Come join us!

In this episode we talk about the importance of synergy within a band. The individual ways each band member functions and works together is crucial for a bands succes. Come join us!

In this episode we talk about the importance of networking within your city to help expand your brand as a musician. Join us!

Welcome into Gitfiddles and Paradiddles! In this episode we discuss our origins, backgrounds and reason for this podcast. Dive in and join us!