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:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:06 — 95.4MB)
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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
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