In Alison’s world, music has never been a side path. It has been the constant thread – paused, rerouted, re-found, and ultimately returned to with, in her words, “a vengeance.” Her new album, Coming Out Alive, arrives after a long creative silence, a life coaching chapter, and a personal process of rediscovery. We spoke about… Continue reading Alison Whiteacre on Coming Back to Music and ‘Coming Out Alive’
Tag: guitars
Gabriela Quintero & Daniel Ho’s Creative Collaboration Comes to Life in Mysterious Bird, Premiering at San Francisco International Film Festival.
Yamaha Guitars proudly spotlights the world premiere of Mysterious Bird, a new documentary directed by Beth Aala that follows Gabriela Quintero’s deeply personal journey as she creates her debut solo album in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Grammy-winning producer Daniel Ho, a longtime Yamaha artist alongside Gabriela, collaborated on the film and composed and performed its music. Image… Continue reading Gabriela Quintero & Daniel Ho’s Creative Collaboration Comes to Life in Mysterious Bird, Premiering at San Francisco International Film Festival.
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | David Ryan Harris
Although he had been performing and recording for many years, most listeners first heard the talented guitar stylings of David Ryan Harris on Dionne Farris’ hit single “I Know,” back in 1995. The rootsy slide parts of Farris’ tune might seem disconnected from Harris’ smooth R&B work or his playing with John Mayer, but dig… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | David Ryan Harris
Trading Licks: Episode 11 – Instant Lydian Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale
This month we’re going to be jamming over a C Lydian progression. We’ll be using a simple, but unique approach to outline that modality, perhaps one you’d never thought of. The rhythmic approach to the chord progression features several “pushes” (upbeat anticipations) and a cool double-stop embellishment … so it’s well worth learning the chord… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 11 – Instant Lydian Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Chris Buck
The master of tone and touch reveals what makes him feel “connected” to a guitar and why sometimes less input produces better results.
Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool B Dorian rock progression. The B Dorian mode is the second mode in the key of A Major. Simply put, B Dorian is the A Major scale played from B to B. The intervals we create by sequencing from the second tone of a major… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
This month we’re going to be jamming over an R&B style groove, with a tonal center of E7. That means we’ll be phrasing our lines and licks towards the chord-tones of E7. The tones of E, G#, B and D will be the strongest tones to resolve on, from the two melodic devices I’ve chosen… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 8 – Melodic Contours
Trading Licks: Episode 7 – Double-Stop Phrases
This month we’re going to be jamming over a mid-tempo rock track, in the key of A. We’ll be phrasing a mixture of double-stop ideas that start on the upbeat of one. Phrasing on the upbeats sounds a little more “hip” than if we start our phrases on the downbeats … I think you’ll like… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 7 – Double-Stop Phrases
Trading Licks: Episode 6 – The Dorian Mode / Shifting Keys
This month we’re going to be jamming over a swing sixteenth Dorian progression, and modulating through four different keys. We’ll be targeting the Major 6th in all four keys to really evoke the characteristic sound of the Dorian mode. The Dorian mode, simply put, is the second mode of any Major Scale. So if you… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 6 – The Dorian Mode / Shifting Keys
Trading Licks: Episode 5 – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale
Trading Licks – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool R&B progression in A Minor. We’ll be using the A Minor Pentatonic scale with added chromatic tones, and the Major 6th (F#) to create our five, four-bar phrases. I’ve added the chromatic tones to create 16th… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 5 – Adding Tones To The Pentatonic Scale