By Ross Boissoneau Mark Egan says his latest release, Cross Currents, encompasses influences from throughout his career. That’s saying a lot, as the bassist was a founding member and mainstay of the Pat Metheny group and spent years laying down the foundation for the Gil Evans Orchestra. Over the course of his career he’s played […]
Read moreBy Ross Boissoneau Music video at bottom for your listening pleasure. The promotional material for her latest recording suggests Missy Raines has been exploring other sonic territory at the expense of the music she grew up with and has played all her life: “On her newest release Highlander, the bassist/vocalist/songwriter returns to her bluegrass roots.” […]
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New, intermediate, and even experienced guitarists may ask the question “What are the strings on a guitar?” and why is the E A D G B E guitar strings order standard? Could these guitar string names be some arbitrary setup that has no particular meaning? Actually, this is called standard tuning, and it was invented […]
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As a guitar player, you know how important it is to have a comfortable playing experience. Your guitar strings are a crucial part of that equation. Strings that are too stiff or rough can cause finger pain and fatigue, making it difficult to play for long stretches. Investing in a set of smooth, flexible strings […]
Read moreBy Ross Boissoneau John Basile is not as well-known as many other guitarists. Perhaps it’s because his discography is limited, with 14 recordings under his name over the last 38 years. Maybe it’s because of his many other interests and vocations, including radiology and boxing. That’s right, he ran and managed various imaging clinics, and […]
Read moreBy Ross Boissoneau Michael Manring says his love affair with his chosen instrument has been nearly lifelong. “I fell in love with bass as a kid,” he says. “I was a little young for the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, so for me it was Woodstock. It was like a bomb going off for me and […]
Read moreRestringing a classical guitar involves removing the old strings and installing a new set. This important maintenance task should be performed periodically to keep the guitar sounding its best and a player’s touch and expression most consistent. Old strings can distort and even corrode over time, affecting tuning stability, response, and tone. Stringing a classical […]
Read moreBy Ross Boissoneau It’s not easy to stand out in the middle of a rhythm section in a band that boasts five horns and a dynamic lead vocalist. But Tower of Power guitarist Jerry Cortez manages just fine, thank you very much. Since joining the titans of funk in 2010, he’s been praised for his […]
Read moreBy Ross Boissoneau Joshua Davis is: A) A popular singer/sonwriter B) An instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy C) A finalist on season 8 of the NBC show The Voice D) All the above The answer, of course, is D. Familiar to audiences around the state and the Midwest from both his time fronting the band […]
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There’s a distinct charm in the resonance of a well-tuned guitar—a charm that is crucial whether you’re practicing alone, recording in a studio, or performing live on stage. While some seasoned musicians have the knack for tuning by ear, the precision and ease of using a guitar tuner are unparalleled, especially in a live performance […]
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