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Learning to Play Solo Guitar

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Lyle Raymond

Today I’d like to share some thoughts regarding solo guitar. And by that, I don’t mean “guitar solos,” or so-called “lead guitar”. I mean playing the guitar by yourself, in a way similar to how a pianist might play. Most… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips, Teaching, Video
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A Response to “Why Bands Need to Stop Bitching”

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Lyle Raymond

I follow Music Clout on Twitter, and often see posts that suggest they view their target audience as aspiring pop stars, not musicians for hire. So when I caught the title Why Bands Need to Stop Bitching, and upon skimming the… Continue Reading →

Culture, Pro Tips, Reviews
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Practicing Like You Play

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Lyle Raymond

My father was a basketball coach, and one thing he used to say that has remained with me is “Practice like you play.” When he said it, he usually meant that one should work as hard during a practice as… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips, Teaching
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Why We Should Avoid Tablature

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Lyle Raymond

Let me begin by stating that I love tablature. I use it a lot, both in practice and in my lessons. When I have an idea for a lick, I often write it down on tablature paper. Sometimes I compose… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips, Teaching, Video
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On Being a “Real Book Musician”

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Lyle Raymond

Eric at jazzadvice.com has written a pretty solid article on why jazz musicians shouldn’t rely too heavily on the Real Book. Read it here. I’ll follow up with some of my own thoughts: Real Book Origins and Use The Real… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips
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A Brilliant Masterclass with Kenny Werner

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Lyle Raymond

There are two modes of performance: A practice mode, in which you assess what your doing, and a live mode, in which you let go of self-conciousness. In the first few minutes of this clinic, Kenny Werner shares some powerful thoughts… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips, Video
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Beating Creative Block

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Lyle Raymond

Creative block can be deadly if you allow it to be. It is tempting to blame your lack of progress on a lack of ideas; but it’s merely the threat of not having ideas that intimidates you from continuing to… Continue Reading →

Pro Tips
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Are You a “Professional” Artist?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Lyle Raymond

Whether you consider yourself a pro or not, professionalism will show in the way you work, practice, and present yourself. At skinnyartist.com, a blog devoted to independent artists, there’s an excellent article on what distinguishes amateur behavior from that of a… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips
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How to Be Mediocre at Jazz Improvisation

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Lyle Raymond

Forrest at Jazz Advice posted a list of anti-tips for the performer who wishes to remain mired in mediocrity. It’s worth a look: How to Be Mediocre in Jazz Improvisation, Soloing, Performing Tip number one, “Avoid Transcribing at All Costs,”… Continue Reading →

Lessons, Pro Tips
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What’s Your Naked Setup?

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Lyle Raymond

I was listening to a live track by Exodus, and thought how pleasant it might be to employ a thrash metal setup, containing little more than an amp, guitar, and perhaps an overdrive pedal. In some scenarios, one might not… Continue Reading →

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