| | |
|
|
 |
Welcome
to www.PlayJazzGuitar.com!
Hello
there,
My name is Chris Standring and I'd like to personally welcome you to this site
- a little hub on the web specifically for people just like you and me - jazz
guitar enthusiasts.
Whether you are into playing and learning guitar or
simply reading about your favorite players I hope you'll find something of interest
here...
| |
Are
you looking to really improve your jazz guitar playing? Let me help
you take your playing to a whole new level with my unique and highly acclaimed
system!
"Chris
- I've studied with several instructors, and worked through at least 23 different
books and I can say without a doubt that the unique and effective approach of
your course is untouched by anything I've ever worked with. Your course is more
than a bargain - it's a dynamic process that has already begun to transform my
playing to a much better place - and your prompt attentiveness to one of your
'students' is part of what makes that transformation so effective. Thank you so
much!" - Larry Feinstein PWYH v.2.0 student "The
best lessons I ever had in such a short amount of time! The CD has greatly improved
my understanding of jazz and sight reading and improvising and knowing the fretboard
in ways I never thought possible. It's really given me a big boost of confidence
- yours sincerly Steven Kunoth - PWYH v.2.0 student.
|
| "Play
What You Hear" author Chris Standring has a brand new album out on Ultimate
Vibe Recordings entitled "Blue Bolero". "With
his sixth CD, Blue Bolero, Standring returns with a left-turning musical project
so daring in its scope but still so true to his sound that it is destined to be
one of the year's most-discussed projects, while certainly sure to be remembered
in years to come as a highlight of the guitarist's works. He's taking a chance
with Blue Bolero, but it's one his fans will certainly embrace as they follow
Standring's ever-evolving career. - Brian Soergel, Jazz Times |
Listen
to & purchase Blue Bolero
|
|
| The
brand new revolutionary program "Guitar
Made Simple"for beginners and intermediates is now available!
|
For more info on this amazing new guitar program click
here | Latest
Jazz Guitar Related Articles
Masterclass
- How
To Move People With Your Music - By Chris Standring
I have never been
more interested in musical phrasing than I am now. Perhaps it is because I have
recently been hearing young technically astounding players with chops up the yin
yang and I am not satisfied. Why? I have been asking myself. And I think the answer
is that, to me, it appears they are not 'in the music', they are simply showing
off their astounding technique. "Look what I can do!" in other words.
This is not the way of the peaceful warrior. - Observe
Yourself
- By Chris Standring
Distractions, they come a plenty
and in all shapes and sizes. One must be ready to deflect them but these days
my approach is a little different. I embrace them. Why? because they are simply
everywhere and the days of me torturing myself because things were not perfect
are over. - Interpretation,
Individuality & The Miracle Of Music - By Chris Standring
The one thing that I always come away with from these classical
maestros is the deep respect they have for the original composition. Of course
this is a very classical musician's approach, and quite different from the jazz
musician who is free to take a composition and butcher it as he or she sees fit!
- Creative
Guitar Comping
- By Dave Fox
I can't help it. I like guitar players - I like the fact that they can rhythmically
groove in a way that horn players just cannot do. This may be due to the fact
that a guitar has a built-in capacity for being strummed. Things that can be strummed
usually groove well with the beat, because of all the different possible ways
that they can be strummed. Both guitarists and pianists are practiced in the art
of strumming and, consequently, groove in a kindred way. - Put
That Guitar Down!
- By Chris Standring
From that time I have gone through
many periods of practicing and letting go, practicing and letting go. Personally
I like music to breathe, I don't like it cluttered, so if I want the music to
breathe I feel it is necessary for me to also. It's as simple as that.
- Take
A Breath, Listen To The Spaces - By Chris Standring
As
jazz guitarists, there is a terrible tendency for us to play a lot of notes, firstly
because the genre historically has given us permission to do so, and second, archtop
jazz guitars don't generally lend themselves to sustaining notes, so in order
to 'get over', guitarists fall into the trap of overplaying - Creative
Music Tools - Why Licks? Why Not?
- By Mark Stefani
Great lines (including bass) plus great progressions equals great music. It's
not all that unbelievable when you think about it. - Maintaining
Your Focus
- By Mark Stefani
What is a high priority goal as opposed to a low priority goal? Ah, that's a very
tough question, because it differs from player to player, and is highly dependent
on what stage you're already at, and where you're trying to go with your music.
- How
To Avoid Musical Burn Out - By Tom Hess
Do you
sometimes find it difficult to stay focused and motivated to practice or play
music? Most musicians I know (including myself) have had at least one significant
period in their lives when they have experienced musical burn out - a general
feeling of being uninspired, unmotivated, bored, or just plain lazy!
- Emotion
In Music - Passing The 'Soul Test' - By Mark Stefani
Self-expression.
Feeling. Soul. These are just three ways of describing the one most integral part
of a musical experience, and without these elements of emotion there's really
nothing of lasting significance in a performance. As I've said many times in the
past, it's so easy to get caught up in the mental or physical side of what we
do, but they're utterly meaningless without the most important ingredient of all.
- How
To Develop Your Own Style Part 1 - By Tom Hess
Among
musicians in general and guitar players specifically, the approach that is commonly
taken to being "original" is often crippling, oppressing, unnatural. This is why
so many people only seem to struggle and become frustrated. - How
To Develop Your Own Style Part 2
- By Tom Hess
Some musicians rely
heavily on the crutch of their instrument through improvising. While I do know
that creating music in this way is perfectly legitimate and can produce good results
in some situations, it is the most difficult process in which we can hope to discover
our own originality. - The
Pursuit Of Artistic Greatness
- By Tom Hess
The Pursuit of Artistic Greatness has
been among us for thousands of years, yet it has eluded most of us. It seems almost
impossible to pursue that which we can hardly define.(artistic greatness). It's
not surprising so many people, who may possess all the potential they need, still
fall short because they didn't realize they already possessed the single most
important element. But what is it? - Thoughts
From A Robben Ford Masterclass - By Chris Standring
An
artist becomes a truly great artist when he or she is thinking about their own
music and how to make it unique. The struggle for an identifiable and distinctive
voice becomes the number one goal. - Take
Command Over Your Instrument - By Chris Standring
"What
do you really want to say musically? Play a phrase and damn well mean it! Every
note from beginning to end!"
- How
To Seriously Improve Your Guitar Playing - By Chris Standring
There are bedroom guitar players and there are live performers.
There doesn't seem to be anything in between. The minute you walk on to a stage
(whether you get paid or not) you are a professional. You are in the business
of entertaining and displaying your wares, so to speak. And if you really want
to seriously get your guitar playing together it is the latter you need to strive
for in my opinion. - Developing
Good 'Time' -
By Chris Standring
How
do we approach improving our 'time'? Well first, it is extremely important that
we are aware that it is one of the most important aspects of music. At all levels,
we need to work on this. - Playing
With Conviction - By Chris Standring
Imagine
you are in a club or even a concert hall. Play a musical phrase and imagine that
the people in the back of the theater need to "feel" that phrase, just
like you mean to feel it. How would you do that? - Building
A Relationship With Your Guitar By Chris Standring
To
become a wonderful guitarist takes time. This article addresses the idea that
positive results often happen in their own time and that we must let things ebb
and flow, just like a healthy relationship. - Defining
the True Artist - Do You Have What It Takes?
By Chris Standring
Great artists are uniquely different
from the norm. But what makes those true greats really stand out from the crowd?
This article explains why real talent is so elusive to many and what musicians
need to focus on in order to reach dizzying heights of success.
- Reaching
For The Soul Zone
By Chris Standring
That Zen like trancendental state
is what all serious searching musicians are striving for. The question is; why
is it not always possible to get there? This article answers that question and
presents some thoughts on the subject. - Learning
From The Masters
- By Aaron J. Weibe
In October,
I was able to get in touch with Pat Martino. He spends a lot of time touring,
so getting together with him took a few tries. I have been well aware of Pat Martino
for quite a long time and I am well aware of his exceptional ability as a musician.
My lesson with him was on January 4th, 2007 at his home in Philadelphia.
Motivation
- Inspiration
- Go Grab It - By Chris Standring
We all get
discouraged from time to time in our musical journey. It's only natural. "Mom,
can I get a guitar for my birthday? - I really want to learn how to play guitar"
- is often how it begins. Then lessons start and it's just all too much for many
and most give up. This is the first 'wheat from the chaff' separation.
- Are
You A Bad Student? - By Tom Hess
I wasted years
of valuable time, thousands of dollars and much frustration in my pursuit to become
a great guitarist and "make it" as a professional musician. If I knew then what
I know now, I might have been able to turn pro a lot faster than I actually did.
- Inspiration
Wanted - Apply Within! By Chris Standring
Every
musician goes through mental road blocks when it comes to improving. Often we
just don't know what we should be working on. This article shows you where to
find all the inspiration you need to get to that next level. - If
You Believe, You Can
- By Tom Hess
If you believe that you can, and will,
overcome your greatest challenges, you will find a way, or you will seek help
from a teacher, trainer, coach or mentor that will help you through it. If you
don’t believe you can achieve, your done, it’s over, because you won’t.
- Natural
Talent - By Jamie Andreas
Having "talent" is not the primary factor in whether or not you will
become a good or great player. Your burning desire and desperate need to play,
coupled with the correct understanding and approach, are the most important things
you must have.
Practice
- The
Art Of Practicing - How To See Real Results By
Chris Standring
Learning to play an instrument can be a chore. More importantly
the process can be completely overwhelming to many. This article discusses how
to put the fun back into practice and shows how you can see fast results.
Professional
- How
to beat the competition in a freelance music world
- By Andre Berry
Want to be a successful touring
sideman? Avoid all the pitfalls from day one. Hear it from one of the busiest
touring pros in the US. - Are
You Unique? By Kyle Hicks
Have
you ever asked yourself or been asked by other people questions like these: "What
does my music have that really makes it different and unique from anyone else's?"
or "What sets you apart from every other musician out there trying to make a name
for themselves?" Well, if you are like me, then you have not only had these questions
come up, but put much time and thought into them while trying to prove and understand
what really separates you from everyone else. - Jealousy
Among Musicians - By Linda Dessau
Jealousy – do you feel it? Do you sense it in others?
Does it hinder your relationships with other musicians? Does it sap your confidence?
Does it block your creativity? Here are some questions to help you get clearer
about the jealousy in your life. Recording
- The
Challenges Of Recording Solo Acoustic Guitar
By Chris Standring
Recording solo acoustic guitar in
its exposed isolated form can present some technical issues for sure. This article
looks at this challenging procedure and shows you things to watch out for.
Teaching
- Finding
The Right Teacher By Chris Standring
Finding the right music teacher can be tricky. This article shows you how.
| | Blue
Bolero - the new album from Chris Standring, released March 2nd 2010 |
