In Part 2 of 2, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick continue their conversation with Brent Lyons of the "Solving Sounds" podcast. They talk about the process of writing and recording an album, the popular music scene, and the way that society consumes music. Brent tells us about his approach to writing and recording an album from start to finish. He writes songs in batches, with a focus on the overall sequencing and journey of the album (think Pink Floyd's "The Wall"). The guys discuss the virtues o...
Apr 25, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 43
In Part 1 of 2, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick are joined by Brent Lyons of the "Solving Sounds" podcast to discuss his podcast, the Seattle music scene, approaches to lead guitar and music theory, and guitar effects. Brent tells the guys about the different sub-scenes in Seattle, from indie rock to heavy sludge rock to folk and acoustic. He also talks about the transforming landscapes within the scene, including old venues closing down due to gentrification, and the challenge of "pay-to-play" ...
Apr 18, 2019•55 min•Ep. 42
In the 2nd half of our interview, we continue our conversation with Shaun Rodgers. In part 1 we talked a lot about Shauns current projects and teaching music in the Virginia public school system, and in part 2 we talk about the University of Maryland's music department and about drum kits. Shaun is a former colleague and bandmate of hosts Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray, playing drums in their original band, the Kairos Quintet. Shaun graduated from the University of Maryland's music department, ...
Apr 11, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 41
Shaun Rodgers joins the show to talk about drumming, teaching music in the Virginia public school system, and the University of Maryland's music department. Shaun is a former colleague and bandmate of hosts Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray, playing drums in their original band, the Kairos Quintet. The guys reminisce on the collaborative writing approach and overall professionalism of that band. Shaun tells us about the different bands that he is currently playing in around Northern Virginia inclu...
Apr 04, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 40
Dr. Shawn Purcell, who teaches jazz guitar and jazz arranging at George Mason University and performs for the U.S. Navy Commodores, provides us with many insights into his story, learning and teaching music at a collegiate level, touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus, and his career as a military musician. Shawn, Joe, and Aaron discuss methodical and efficient practice routines, working with new students to develop these practice routines, and the need to adjust these practice routines to pr...
Mar 28, 2019•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 39
Drummer and music educator, Joe Hamm, joins the conversation as we learn about the El Sistema philosophy of providing music programs to under-resourced kids, the social value of music, the role of the drums within the context of a band, and touring. Joe Hamm gives us his musical and educational background, and we talk about melodic drumming, ear training, and the deprivation of sounds and colors. The philosophy of El Sistema was created in Venezuela in 1975. It focused on the idea that an orches...
Mar 21, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 38
Steve Black may have conducted over 1500 interviews of famous musicians and bands over the past 30 years, but Aaron and Joe use the opportunity to get Steve's story of what it's like to be a rock radio host. Steve tells us about how his incredible journey started back in 1989 at a radio station in Detroit, Michigan, and how a blizzard gave him the chance to run his first radio program. We dig into Steve's take on what makes a good radio personality, how he runs his own show, and how he sets up i...
Mar 14, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 37
We dig into the experiences of Jason Cale, an incredible guitarist out of Southeastern Virginia. Jason gives us insight into playing in military bands, cultivating an original sound and leading a professional band. With formal training in classical and jazz music, Jason is very influenced by blues and fusion guitarists like Allen Holdsworth, Greg Howe, Ritchie Kotzen, Robben Ford, Jimmy Herring, Frank Gambale, Eric Gales, and Joe Bonamassa. He is also keen on blending blues, funk, and gospel int...
Mar 07, 2019•45 min•Ep. 36
We dig into the experiences of Jason Cale, an incredible guitarist out of Southeastern Virginia. Jason gives us insight into playing in military bands, cultivating an original sound and leading a professional band. With formal training in classical and jazz music, Jason is very influenced by blues and fusion guitarists like Allen Holdsworth, Greg Howe, Ritchie Kotzen, Robben Ford, Jimmy Herring, Frank Gambale, Eric Gales, and Joe Bonamassa. He is also keen on blending blues, funk, and gospel int...
Feb 28, 2019•47 min•Ep. 35
We explore synths, drum machines, samplers, LoFi music, studio monitors and so much more with the help of Mr. Paul Gaeta, an electronic music producer and manager at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC. Paul explains how he came to work at Moog, and then tells us about his electronic music project, which utilizes a Juno 60 synth. He also tells us about his lofi project and the copyright problems that arise from sampling songs. We delve into Paul's musical writing process, and Joe explains chord th...
Feb 21, 2019•44 min•Ep. 34
We explore synths, drum machines, samplers, LoFi music, studio monitors and so much more with the help of Mr. Paul Gaeta, an electronic music producer and manager at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC. Paul explains how he came to work at Moog, and then tells us about his electronic music project, which utilizes a Juno 60 synth. He also tells us about his lofi project and the copyright problems that arise from sampling songs. We delve into Paul's musical writing process, and Joe explains chord th...
Feb 14, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 33
Aaron and Joe delve deep into their memory banks as they share tales from the many concerts and music festivals they have experienced. As a musician it is incredibly important that you attend live shows: it fuels your passion for making your own music, it helps you learn how to build set-lists to hold an audience, it's FUN, and so much more. The guys talk about seeing bands like Rush, Big Something, Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, the Black Crowes, Metallica, Megadeath, Blink 182, Tedeschi Trucks, Pat...
Feb 07, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 32
In part 2 of our discussion with Miles Harshman, Miles continues telling us about being a student at Berklee College of Music: his famous roommate, the ensembles available to students, etc. Then we really dig into the details of modding guitars, amps, and pedals. Modding is a way to get new sounds out of the equipment that you already have by changing physical components of that equipment. Miles shares a wealth of information on how to change/improve your gear by changing out capacitors, rectifi...
Jan 31, 2019•48 min•Ep. 31
Who doesn't love to talk about guitar tone?? Aside from the obvious fact that much of your tone comes from your fingers, it is also greatly affected by your beloved gear: your instruments, amps, effects pedals, etc. Lots of the gear that you purchase off the shelf can actually be improved or changed through mods / modifications to the internal circuitry - some of which you can do yourself. We bring in guitarist, amp technician, music teacher, and Berklee graduate, Miles Harshman, to give us the ...
Jan 24, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 30
In part 2 of Fingerstyle Guitar, Dustin gets into his process of arranging his compositions and how he goes about coming up with his melodies. The guys also discuss one of his original songs, "Elder Tree", the role of an audience, how Dustin was approached by booking agents, the process of booking shows/tours, concertsinyourhome.org, Dustin's connection to fingerstyle and his solo show, his practice routine and resources that he recommends. dustinfurlow.com for more information Fret Buzz The Pod...
Jan 17, 2019•58 min•Ep. 29
Joe and Aaron bring in guitarist and vocalist, Dustin Furlow, to discuss all things fingerstyle guitar. The guys talk about influential fingerstyle guitarists including Tommy Emmanuel, Stephen Bennett (harp guitar), Andy McKee, Tony McManus, Garreth Pearson, Don Ross, Mike Dawes, Adam Rafferty, Adrian Legg, Alexander Misko, and Matt Thomas. They look into approaches to choosing the right keys for solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements, as well as alternate tunings such as DADGAD and open D tuning....
Jan 10, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Fret Buzz The Podcast, we continue the conversation with Cole Holland about his musical work on a cruise line. Cole tells us his path once he exited Berklee School of Music and how he happened upon the opportunity to join the B.B. Kings All-Stars at sea. He also goes into his setup and what rehearsal looks like. Finally, the guys get into a bit of guitar theory and what a daily practice routine entails. Cole Holland- hollandazemusic.com
Jan 03, 2019•45 min•Ep. 27
In Episode 26 of Fret Buzz, Aaron and Joe talk to Cole Holland of hollandazemusic.com. We discuss Cole's early musical journey and the preparation that led him to Berklee School of Music. We dig into the program and special ensemble offerings at Berklee and how they may or may not differ from those of other music programs. We look at the entrepreneurial skills required to make a living as a professional musician - self-promotion through a personal website and social media, understanding our tax ...
Dec 27, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 26
Today on Fret Buzz Aaron and Joe continue their conversation with Randy Nicklas, a touring bassist and music teacher. The guys talk about how to approach writing a bass line, the importance of being aware of the drums, different teaching styles and ways to approach your instrument, feeling the music beneath your fingers, bassbandicootmusic, the out of body experience you get with performance, and music therapy. bassbandicootmusic
Dec 20, 2018•52 min•Ep. 25
Today on Fret Buzz Aaron and Joe feature the awesome Randy Nicklas, a touring bassist and music teacher. The guys discuss Randy's musical journey along with stories from the road from his time touring with Broccoli Samurai. During this time Broccoli Samurai had the opportunity to open for popular jam bands like Umphrey's McGee and Pidgeons Playing Ping Pong. The guys discuss whether you should play a 4-string or a 5-string bass guitar as well as different bass amps and effects pedals. They explo...
Dec 13, 2018•47 min•Ep. 24
In today's episode we talk about the cross-over of jazz and classical guitar, Andrés Segovia's role in the classical guitar, getting work as a classical guitarist, why classical guitar isn't as popular, what to look for when buying a classical guitar(woods, strings), nail upkeep and angle, a funny nail story, calluses, where to start when interested in classical guitar, different exercises and books to consume, players to check out, and alternate tuning. Thank you to Nick Lee... https://fretbuzz...
Dec 06, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 23
In part 2 of Recording and Mixing, the guys get into topics like where to start with a mix, how to approach mixing drums, an audio engineer vs. a producer, preproduction and communication, laziness and stealing music, having the client mix with you vs. mixing on your own, and expectations of an audio engineer. Tynz Hampton - District Entertainment Recording derecording.com
Nov 29, 2018•41 min•Ep. 22
derecording.com This week Joe and Aaron sit down with guest host Tynz Hampton and talk about taking care of yourself before the studio, releasing your music now, the fear of putting yourself out there, mixing in a sonic space, the Fletcher Munson Curve, and taking a breaks for fresh ears.
Nov 22, 2018•41 min
In this weeks episode Joe and Aaron have Larry Berwald of rosewoodguitarrepair.com in the guests chair. They get into the subject of how to care for your instrument and the things you can do to help extend the life of it.
Nov 15, 2018•55 min•Ep. 20
Aaron and Joe begin the process of familiarising those who may not be as knowledgable in the studio envirornment. Making sure the palyer in in top condition, using the right microphone and experimenting with mic placement, cables, and the interface/preamps.
Nov 08, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 19
Aaron Sefchick and Joe McMurray discuss the influences that jazz has had on their lives. They talk about the jazz guitarists (and other instrumentalists) that originally made them excited to listen to and/or play jazz, including Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, Grant Green, and many more. Whether you are interested in playing jazz or just listening to inspiring music, this ever-evolving genre has many different flavors to discover.
Nov 01, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 18
This week, guitar virtuoso Brent Barker joins the Buzzards as a guest host to discuss how to develop and maintain an original voice, sound, and style in the face of an ever changing music industry. Topics include: staying true to your sound and artistry, adapting to shifting trends in modern music, reinvention of playing style, learning new ways to express traditional techniques, the future of instrumental guitar music, and so much more.
Oct 16, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 17
In this episode, Aaron, Joe, and Tony deliver their top picks for the albums most influential on their playing styles, techniques, and overall musicianship. Sit back and relax this hour, as the guys run down their favorite riffs, licks, tones, recordings, noises, chirps, and echoing mountain ranges- all in the name of “Fret Buzz The Podcast’s Best of The Top”
Oct 09, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 16
This week, Aaron and Joe share their stories of reinvention following relocation to various cities and work experiences. They discuss the intersection of their own musical journeys, perspectives on academic music training, developing a foundation in ear training, and their evolving definitions of musical success. Today’s episode is dedicated to cough drop companies around the world, as Tony seeks an endorsement to combat his severe laryngitis.
Oct 02, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 15
This week, renowned metal guitarist and bassist Taylor Nordberg reunites with his Blacknote Studios mentors, Aaron and Tony, to join the Fret Buzz team as a guest host as the fearsome foursome angle their picks, lock their wrists, and perfect their Dio hand gestures to discuss all things metal. Topics include: working as a metal musician, the appeal of metal as a changing genre, how to play within various forms of metal, bringing metal music out from the underground, self-promotion, and so much ...
Sep 25, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 14
