Don't be afraid. It's fun. Here you see, I'm tracking a tune for a gig tomorrow night. One of northeast's leading country bands invited me on to play a gig with them, and it's been my pleasure to learn some of the parts from Chet Atkins, and many others! This one is a sweet and easy alternating-bass boom-chuck. Enjoy! I will add it to our lessons center soon. https://vimeo.com/1113779260/12c861f6db?share=copy

Let's get to know each other! Comment below sharing where you are in the world, a photo of your workspace, and something you like to do for fun. 😊 As you can see, our academy is "under construction". We are loading courses as quickly as possible, and your patience is appreciated 🙏.

Just curious about something. You know that spot in between when the singing stops, and starts again? It could use a filler, but how do you come up with that? Is it part of an ongoing lead that you are playing either in your head, or without volume and then you swell the volume up to fill? I do more of the latter, but I'm curious to hear what other do. I suppose there is a mix of styles/techniques and of course it is all about the practice and knowing what is coming. Hit me with your technique.

Simple is good. My student, Sammie, has made it all the way through “Mama I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osbourne except for the solo. I’ve been kinda dragging my feet on recording it because I knew it would mean some extra time and attention to technology/recording gear. I was just so inspired to get this right! Well here’s the funny part….your ear can advance faster than your brain and fingers 😂 I found the desired tone so quickly with my gear (A Marshall “drivemaster” pedal into my computer) and, the right delay and reverb in garageband. It just felt right. It sounded right. I also just set up my pawn-shop les paul with slightly thicker strings at Eb standard tuning. When your instrument starts out FEELING comfortable and SOUNDING great, honestly, it gets easy. I had just finished teaching Sammie her lesson, had a last-minute cancellation, and used that time to record in 1 hour’s time what I would call the quickest, cleanest and best solo of my 30 years playing. The perfect storm: quick, clean and comfortable (ok, and coffee). It’s an easy solo. Wanna know why it wins? 1. It’s simple 2. It’s recognizable 3. It’s melodic (you can hum it) 4. Clear rhythm 5. Short and sweet (radio-friendly!) Here’s the video. I hope you like it. A fitting tribute to Ozzy. PS if you’d like to REALLY improve your soloing chops - and all of your playing (including string gauge, guitar setup, and comfort aspect), message me! Happy to chat.

A mature guitarist understands that playing well with others means knowing where NOT to play. If you want to lock in with a bassist and drummer — or jam with a friend — stay clear of the bass notes and frequency range. This is the moment you move beyond bashing out big open chords and pounding the same rhythm. Nothing screams "amateur" and derails a groove faster than a guitarist trampling all over the bass line, forcing the bassist to awkwardly shift octaves or rewrite their part on the fly — only for you to drift into their new range a moment later. Don’t be that player. Let the music breathe. Create space. Serve the song. This is how you stop just “playing guitar” and start making music. See the book Contemporary Chord KHANcepts for more.