All Episodes
Episodes
[Album Deep Dive] George Van Eps - Mellow Guitar (Ep. 58)
In this episode of Album Deep Dives, I explore the remarkable contributions of George Van Epps, the father of the seven-string guitar. We dive into his 1956 album Mellow Guitar, highlighting his pianistic approach to...
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Minor II-V-I Primer (Ep. 57)
In this episode, I dive into the essentials of the minor 2-5-1 progression—a must-know for jazz guitarists. I cover how to build it, why the flat five and flat nine are key notes, and how to use the C harmonic minor...
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Written Studies v.s. Bits and Pieces (Ep. 56)
As jazzers, we're often culprit of only learning "bits and pieces" of the stuff we learn. A scale, an arpeggio, a few licks (etc.), and off we go improvising. In this podcast, we discuss the relevance of learning...
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Why Your Solos Sound Stiff (And How to Fix It) (Ep. 55)
In this episode of Jazz Star Insights, I reveal why your jazz solos may sound stiff and share practical strategies to make your playing more fluid and musical. If you've ever felt like you're playing the right notes...
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Key of the Week (Ep. 54)
In this episode, I dive into the "Key of the Week" method—a simple but powerful way to level up your jazz guitar playing. I’ll share how focusing on one key for an entire week transformed my improvisation and comping,...
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[Album Deep Dive] Sonny Rollins - The Bridge // 1962 and Jim Hall Live! // 1975 (Ep. 53)
In this episode, we explore two iconic albums showcasing Jim Hall’s versatility. First, The Bridge (1962) with Sonny Rollins highlights Jim’s ability to create space while delivering melodic, motif-driven solos. Then,...
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Jazz Guitar and Gardening (Ep. 52)
Ever feel like you're just throwing seeds into the wind with your jazz guitar practice? In this episode, I dive into the Gardening Effect—how nurturing your skills like a garden leads to real growth. I'll share why...
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[Album Deep Dive] Lenny Breau - The Velvet Touch (Ep. 51)
In this Album Deep Dive, we explore The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau Live! (1969), where Lenny blends jazz, country, and even Indian classical music like no one else. From jaw-dropping harmonics to funky grooves and...
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Blues & Science: Tone, Harmonics and Overtones (Ep. 50)
Why does the blues sound so natural and powerful? This video explores the science of harmonics, dominant chords, and what makes minor chords feel "sad." Plus, learn how to shape your jazz guitar tone and avoid...
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Intros + Endings (Ep. 49)
If you've ever run into the situation where you struggled to set-up a tune with a nice introduction or create a nice, smooth ending, this podcast episode is for you. Here, I'm discussing a few simple and effective...
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Accountability + Bb Blues Analysis (Ep. 48)
Accountability is one of the most powerful tool when it comes to getting things done. Lose weight? Get a coach (or a partner) Learn music? Get a good teacher. So long as we have to pay dues to someone, we make steady...
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Theory Primer Masterclass (Ep. 47)
Welcome to the final Masterclass! In this session, I break down essential jazz theory—scales, chords, progressions, reading music, song forms, and bebop vocabulary—while reminding you that theory should always serve...
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