Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rodney Jones

Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rodney Jones

Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rodney Jones

In this episode of the Fret Dojo podcast, Ryan and Vin had the great privilege of talking to the legendary jazz guitarist and educator at The Julliard School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, Professor Rodney Jones.

Rodney has played with a who’s who of the music world, from Dizzy Gillespie to James Brown and has an amazing wealth of tips, lessons to inform and inspire any student of the guitar.

 

Key Lessons and Tips for Students:

  • On playing with greats like Dizzy – Make the bandleader comfortable; it’s not about flashy solos.

  • Getting session/TV gigs – Be a great reader; know different styles convincingly.

  • Mindset – Get inspired by greatness; uplift each other.

  • Practice – Apply what you learn to real tunes and playing.

  • Audition tips – Play blues with feeling; connect to your heart.

  • On improvement – Invest fully in yourself and your excellence.

  • Teachers – Absorb from those with real performing experience.

 

 Where to find out more:

The Infinity of Things
Rodney on Bandcamp: https://rodneyjones.bandcamp.com/album/the-infinity-of-things-2

Rodney’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Soulmanifesto

Rodney’s Instructional Book ‘Hip Guitar Lines’ on Mel Bay: Rodney on Mel Bay

What are your thoughts?

What stood out or gave you something to think about (there’s a lot here!)?

Leave your comments below!

Audio Version:

Join FretDojo’s online jazz guitar academy here

 

 

If you’re keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here’s what you get when you join up:

  • Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.
  • Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.
  • Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered
  • Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured – play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!
  • Members only forum – A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.
  • Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions – get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.
  • Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts – the ultimate idea “grab bag” for your solos.
  • Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

 

Jazz Guitar Books
Podcast: Interview with Classical Guitarist and Educator Dan McKay

Podcast: Interview with Classical Guitarist and Educator Dan McKay

Podcast: Interview with Classical Guitarist and Educator Dan McKay

Greg recently had the chance to chat with one of Australia’s leading classical guitarists, and an old friend, Daniel McKay, who’s latest solo CD “Suffering and Madness” features premiere recordings by some of Australia’s most loved and emerging composers.

Daniel studied extensively with Tim Kain and took masterclasses with leading guitarists like John Williams and Carlos Bonell. He holds music degrees from the Australian National University.

 

As a performer, Daniel has toured Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Europe. He has released albums with groups like Guitar Trek and the Melbourne Guitar Quartet, as well as duet and solo recordings. Daniel is an in-demand guitar teacher, having spent years on faculty at institutions like the Australian National University School of Music. He currently teaches at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

 

Key Takeaways and Tips:

  • Though now a master classical guitarist, Dan was inspired to start guitar by bands like Dire Straits and AC/DC. He eventually transitioned to focusing on classical guitar.
  • Dan shares tips on guitar practice – having a focus and goal for each session, developing technique and reading skills together.
  • For beginners, Dan suggests starting with simple melodies rather than diving right into music theory.
  • Consistent, focused practice is critical even if just 5-10 minutes at a time.
  • Dan and I both studied classical guitar under Tim Kain and were inspired by the Australian guitar scene in the 1990s.
  • We discuss reasons to love classical guitar – ability to play multiple lines simultaneously, portability, versatile repertoire.
  • We play one track from Dan’s album called “Cliffside” which was composed for Dan’s birthday by Robert Davidson.

 

 

Listen to Dan’s music and find out more about what he’s up to on his official website:

Dan McKay’s Website

And follow Dan on Instagram!

Dan McKay on Instagram

 

 

Audio Version:

Join FretDojo’s online jazz guitar academy here

 

 

If you’re keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here’s what you get when you join up:

  • Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.
  • Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.
  • Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered
  • Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured – play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!
  • Members only forum – A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.
  • Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions – get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.
  • Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts – the ultimate idea “grab bag” for your solos.
  • Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

 

Jazz Guitar Books
Yesterdays by Wes Montgomery – Harmonic Analysis

Yesterdays by Wes Montgomery – Harmonic Analysis

Yesterdays by Wes Montgomery – Harmonic Analysis

In this session Greg O’Rourke covers a harmonic analysis of the jazz standard Yesterdays and gives you cool tips to improvise over the changes of this jazz standard.

What are your thoughts?

What stood out or gave you something to think about (there’s a lot here!)?

Leave your comments below!

Join FretDojo’s online jazz guitar academy here

 

 

If you’re keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here’s what you get when you join up:

  • Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.
  • Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.
  • Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered
  • Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured – play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!
  • Members only forum – A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.
  • Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions – get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.
  • Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts – the ultimate idea “grab bag” for your solos.
  • Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

 

Jazz Guitar Books
Yesterdays by Wes Montgomery – Harmonic Analysis

Why did Wes Montgomery sound so unique?

Why did Wes Montgomery sound so unique?

Praised by many as the greatest jazz guitar player of all time, Wes Montgomery was as unique as he was good. Join Fret Dojo’s Greg O’Rourke for this guided listening lesson as he explores Montgomery’s playing on Jerome Kern’s ‘Yesterdays’. Discover the approaches and devices Wes uses to breathe new life into this classic tune, a performance that still sounds exciting and fresh to this day.

 

What are your thoughts?

What stood out or gave you something to think about (there’s a lot here!)?

Leave your comments below!

Join FretDojo’s online jazz guitar academy here

 

 

If you’re keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here’s what you get when you join up:

  • Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.
  • Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.
  • Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered
  • Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured – play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!
  • Members only forum – A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.
  • Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions – get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.
  • Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts – the ultimate idea “grab bag” for your solos.
  • Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

 

Jazz Guitar Books
Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Davy Mooney

Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Davy Mooney

Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Davy Mooney

Join hosts Ryan and Vin as they interview jazz guitarist and educator Dr. Davy Mooney of the University of North Texas on this episode of the Fret Dojo podcast.

This was a fascinating discussion that showed us a glimpse of what it was like growing up in the jazz music mecca of New Orleans and how the music scene differed for musicians from places like New York City and Austin.

We also heard some great tips for jazz guitar students from the head of the department at one of America’s leading jazz guitar programs. Great stuff!

 

Key Highlights:

  • Mooney grew up in New Orleans and was introduced to jazz guitar through local teachers and the jazz program at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts high school.
  • He started on electric guitar playing rock and gravitated toward jazz via progressive rock and metal.
  • Davy says teaching at UNT has made his own playing more modern and he tries to give students tough but constructive feedback.
  • Mooney discusses his recently released 7th album, “Way Back”, as well as his two jazz guitar instructional books published by Mel Bay.
  • The differences in the New Orleans and NYC jazz scenes. New Orleans has more opportunity to “fake” different jazz styles; in NYC you have to specialize more.
  • Davy gave us his unique insights into the challenge of playing solo guitar gigs and his approach to practice and goal-setting.
  • He advises students to set realistic goals and not get frustrated playing things that are too difficult and provides other valuable insight for any aspiring jazz guitar student.

 

 

 

Where to find out more:

Davy on Bandcamp: https://davymooney.bandcamp.com/

Davy’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DavyMooneyMusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davymooney/

Davy’s Instructional Books on Mel Bay: Davy on Mel Bay

What are your thoughts?
What stood out or gave you something to think about (there’s a lot here!)?

Leave your comments below!

Audio Version:

Join FretDojo’s online jazz guitar academy here

 

 

If you’re keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here’s what you get when you join up:

  • Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.
  • Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.
  • Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered
  • Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured – play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!
  • Members only forum – A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.
  • Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions – get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.
  • Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts – the ultimate idea “grab bag” for your solos.
  • Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

 

Jazz Guitar Books
Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rotem Sivan

Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rotem Sivan

Podcast: Interview with Jazz Guitarist and Educator Rotem Sivan

Fret Dojo instructors Greg O’Rourke and Ryan Dillahay sat down with one of the guitar’s leading performers and instructors, Rotem Sivan, just a few weeks before his new release in Jan 2024!

 

Key Highlights:

  • Rotem has an eclectic musical background, studying classical composition and guitar as well as jazz
  • He was immersed in high-level classical music from a young age which inspired him to learn more deeply
  • Moving to New York and attending music school there was a shock that pushed him to study and improve more
  • Key tips for jazz guitar practice: learn songs deeply, understand melody/chords relationship, sing melodies, start simple then dive deeper into changes
  • Improvisation tips: see the fretboard clearly, know chord tones, feel the rhythm, transcribe masters like Wes Montgomery
  • Gear setup: uses a hollow body archtop guitar with blending pickup, mic and piezo for wide range of sounds
  • Recommends finding a teacher or mentor to guide you rather than just using books/YouTube
  • As a teacher, focuses on fundamentals like a language – simple pieces that clarify musical relationships

 

Where to find out more:

Rotem’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RotemSivanGuitar

Rotem on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rotemsivanguitar/

Rotem’s Website: https://www.rotemsivan.com

 

 

What are your thoughts?
What stood out or gave you something to think about (there’s a lot here!)?

 

Leave your comments below!

Audio Version:

Join FretDojo’s online jazz guitar academy here

 

 

If you’re keen to have a structured, step-by-step approach to learning jazz guitar, it might be worth checking out my online learning system, the FretDojo Jazz Guitar Academy.

Here’s what you get when you join up:

  • Detailed step-by-step video lessons on new classic jazz tunes and essential jazz guitar skills added to the club website each month. Includes listening recommendations, demonstrations of the melody, analysis of the harmony, and detailed explanations on how to solo over the tune.
  • Key improvisation concepts and techniques for soloing, and classic licks and example solos that relate to each tune, so you can continue to expand your jazz vocabulary and have more options when it comes to soloing.
  • Detailed comping ideas to suit the style of each jazz standard covered
  • Lessons on how to make chord melody and solo jazz guitar versions of tunes featured – play a complete jazz standard completely on your own like Joe Pass!
  • Members only forum – A worldwide community of jazz guitarists from all around the globe.
  • Regular workshops, masterclasses, and Q & A Sessions – get direct answers from me on anything holding you back in the practice room. Replays of all sessions are available to access for all members even if you can’t make it live.
  • Massive searchable database of jazz licks and soloing concepts – the ultimate idea “grab bag” for your solos.
  • Optional monthly challenges where members participate to get feedback on their playing, reach new milestones and be eligible for cool prizes.

Go here for more info: https://www.fretdojo.com/signup-offer

 

Jazz Guitar Books
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