Hi! Welcome...

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.

01 September 2008 ~ 0

Letting Go

Most musicians at one time or another have problems “letting go”. Even if they have developed their understanding of music and their technique, “something” holds them back. This can often be traced to a simple though ultimately irrational fear. Fear of what? Maybe they’re not as good as they think they are. Maybe they’re not [...]

30 August 2008 ~ 0

Parental Objection to the Pursuit of the Arts

Parental objection to the pursuit of the arts is premised on what? It is based at least in part on a lack of clear-cut evidence of potential in the field. Because of the confusion concerning the stability of the field, it is possible that those with great ability never pursue a career in music. If [...]

29 August 2008 ~ 0

Unlocking the Guitar – Notes on the Neck

It’s unbelievable how weak guitar players are on knowing the notes on their own instrument!
No other instrument suffers from this same fate. Imagine a piano player not knowing the note names of the keys…or a trumpet player not knowing what notes come out if they push specific valve combinations. Yet, an amazingly high percentage of [...]

29 August 2008 ~ 0

Reading vs Sight Reading

I receive many questions on sight reading. The implication is that it is a special skill with tricks. The reality is that sight reading is nothing but a high level of reading. Guitar players are infamous for their lack of reading skills. Starting with sight reading is akin to wanting to go for your Doctorate [...]

28 August 2008 ~ 0

Progress – Pursuing the Horizon

Progress is never measured from where you are to the horizon but rather from where you were to where you are. Those who focus on what lies ahead to the exclusion of their accomplishments are destined for frustration. To keep balance, use the following affirmation. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and I’m looking forward [...]

24 August 2008 ~ 0

The Politics of Music

“Who you know” is a commonly thought prerequisite of success in the music business. Though there is a certain amount of truth to that, it is highly overrated. “Knowing” people who can assist you in your music career is nothing more complicated than meeting them. I do not deny the importance of “contacts” or the [...]

23 August 2008 ~ 0

Tribute to Al Stauffer

Al Stauffer was a giant musician but a gentle and supportive human being. Someone asked me recently what was it about Al that was so important to me. I must admit that no one ever asked that question of me before. It wasn’t difficult to answer but it was important that I got the words [...]

21 August 2008 ~ 0

Commercial Work

Commercial work is filled with adjustments. The musician interprets them as compromises, a term filled for the most part with negative implications. The music, atmosphere and audience are rarely to his choosing and still more rarely to his liking. The gap between what he has prepared for and what he finds is difficult to reconcile. [...]

20 August 2008 ~ 0

The Composer versus the Song Writer

To many, the terms composer and songwriter are interchangeable, In reality, they are not! They certainly share many common skills but there is a significant difference between the two.
A songwriter writes a single melody line and lays it over a chord progression. Lyrics are added if the song is to be a vocal tune. The [...]

15 August 2008 ~ 0

Neo Classical Guitar

What is neo classical guitar? According to some, it’s a style of lead guitar featuring speed as well as “classical scales and arpeggios” such as the Harmonic minor scale and the diminished 7th arpeggio.
To claim that this has anything to do with classical or neo classical guitar borders on the ridiculous!
We certainly recognize the [...]