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Chuck Anderson Jazz Guitar Combining virtuosic technique with stunning originality, Chuck Anderson projects the soul of jazz to his audience. Original works, jazz classics and jazz blues are all transformed in every performance. The art of spontaneity has always been the hallmark of jazz and this spontaneity has become a trademark of his music. Chuck is now focused on his concert jazz guitar work and his contributions to music education through master classes, lectures, clinics and workshops. He currently records for the Dreambox Media label.

25 April 2009 ~ 0

Wes Montgomery and Pat Martino

I recently wrote this in Pat Martino’s guest book after hearing an interview that he did about his experience with Wes Montgomery.
I listened recently to your interview about your experience with Wes Montgomery, It was strangely similar to mine. It took place when I was 16 and it was also at Pep’s Bar. After a [...]

07 February 2009 ~ 0

Jazz Guitar Solos

Today’s blog will be very brief but important.
Jazz guitarists are, like many other guitar players, obsessed with speed. Although speed is a good measurement of how much you’ve practiced, it’s not a good measurement of how musical you are.
Today’s advice is simple. Remember that whole notes , half notes, dotted half notes and quarter notes [...]

12 January 2009 ~ 0

Jazz and Promotion

This is a copy of an E mail that I sent to Ben Ratliff, jazz critic for The New York Times It’s in response to a question concerning the market for jazz.
Ben,
I am a veteran jazz guitarist, born in Chicago but based in suburban Philadelphia.
I appreciate how you handle sensitive topics related to the Art [...]

12 January 2009 ~ 0

Picking

The issue of picking has been debated for years with opinions on all sides. Picking gets down to pairs: 2 downs, 2 ups, 1 down and 1 up and 1 up and 1 down.
Alternate picking is typically used for 2 notes on 1 string. Consecutive picking is used to transition from string to string when [...]

10 January 2009 ~ 0

Does Jazz Blues Exist?

This question was posed on The Jazz Network. This was my response.
Blues can be typically described as a 12 bar song structure based on the I, IV and V chords. These fundamental chords appear at specific locations within the 12 bar format. The function of the I chord occupies bars 1 through 4. Bars 5 [...]

04 December 2008 ~ 0

Develop Your Own Uniqueness

The guitar world has always been obsessed with who is faster or better. The reality is that all good players are fast and knowledgeable about chords, improvisation and harmony.
What makes one different than another is not the external factors of technique but the unique projection of personality that comes through the music. Just as you [...]

13 November 2008 ~ 0

Just Jazz Guitar

I’m currently writing a series of articles for the national magazine Just Jazz Guitar. The articles take a detailed look at the process of reading music for the jazz guitarist. The first installment appears in the November issue of 2008.
Just Jazz Guitar, as the name implies, focuses on the art and craft of the [...]

04 November 2008 ~ 0

Marketing and Music

No matter what your involvement is in music, marketing needs to be a way of life. This is true more for the musician seeking to make a living in music but it generally applies to anyone with goals other than pure aesthetics.
What is marketing? Marketing is the entire range of activities that involve increasing your [...]

01 November 2008 ~ 0

Practice and Performance

Practice is necessary to develop the skills required to pursue music successfully. But practice can also be a crutch – a delay tactic. Just as many people continue their college educations to avoid the necessity of getting a job – of facing the real world. It can be the same in music. You’re “never” ready. [...]

23 October 2008 ~ 0

Chuck Anderson Latin Casino Story