Up all night editing videos of this past spring’s Coffee Shop Jam. As I’ve waited for the videos to upload, I’ve been looking at some old videos and reminiscing. Here’s one of my favorites, from 2007. It’s gorgeous singing, and I like the unusual pairing of Mike, a snowboard builder and Starbucks employee, and Paul, a retired professor from a …
A Defense of Tablature
The following is an excerpt from my forthcoming how-to book on running a successful guitar teaching business. I thought it would inspire an interesting discussion. What do you think? I can hear the legions of Standard Notation Defenders sharpening their swords even as I write this. I’m sorry—I think it’s crazy how militant some teachers are about starting their students …
Funeral Music
My cousin Steve died unexpectedly a couple weeks ago, and I just returned from his memorial service in California. I was asked to organize and lead the service, and one of the challenges planning it this past week was choosing a song to sing. I eventually found a couple “church” songs—“One Eagle’s Wings” and “Be Not Afraid”—that were sung at …
"Haven't Got a Pet Yet" by Recess Monkey
For their past few albums, the awesome children’s music band Recess Monkey has invited me to record as a “guest artist.” On their new album “Field Trip,” I played guitar on their infectious ska-influenced song “Haven’t Got a Pet Yet.” Apparently it’s a hit on the kid’s channel on Sirius XM radio. I’d like to thank my producer…. On Saturday …
Falling Slowly
For the past couple days my girlfriend Meg and I have been rehearsing in my little backyard studio, she on my keyboard, me on guitar, both of us singing under my Japanese lantern lights. We’re preparing the song “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, for my students’ Coffee Shop Jam next month. This is the first time I’ve …
Gearing Up for the Coffee Shop Jam
It’s that time of the year again. Students suddenly realize that they need to replace their dull, stained, dead-sounding strings. Conversation during our lessons moves from music theory to how to execute a leap on stage while still hitting the song’s final power chord. And I’m once again making promises to myself that I won’t leave printing programs until 2am …
Here's My Guitar Pro Catalogue
I often use the tablature editing/playing software Guitar Pro 5 to write out complicated riffs and solos for my students. This evening it occurred to me that I should post them on my website—who knows? Maybe someone out there is dying to learn how to fingerpick Steve Earle’s “Goodbye,” and here I am hoarding the song like some musical Scrooge. …
Great Backwards Moments In Rock
I love recording studio shenanigans. And one of my favorite tricks is recording backwards. This technique has a rich tradition—the Beatles made liberal use of it, Led Zeppelin was demonized for allegedly exploiting it, and, in my opinion, we are all better for it. Here is my list of Great Backwards Moments In Rock. 1. “Are You Experienced?” by Jimi …
Coolness Is SO Last Year
I just got back from a morning jog, listening to my iPod as always. “Stairway to Heaven” came on, and the line “A new day will dawn, for those who stand long,” played as I approached my sunlit house, my camellia tree full of pink blossoms, and the snow-covered Olympic Mountains in the background. I fell in love with the …
Me and Zane
My friend Ryan took this photo of me jamming with his son, Zane. This photo is why I teach.
