Tag Archives: music theory

Carbon Leaf’s Guitarist part 2 of 2 (with Carter Gravatt) Ep053

July 4, 2019EpisodesAaron Sefchick, acoustic, acoustic amplification, acoustic guitar, band, Barry Privett, Carbon Leaf, Carter Gravatt, finger picking, fingerstyle guitar, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, gigging, gigs, guitar, guitar amps, guitar lessons, Joe McMurray, learn guitar, music, music lessons, Music podcast, music talk, music teacher, music theory, pedal board, pedalboard, play guitar, podcast, songwriting, talk showFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:44 — 54.9MB)

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As the lead guitarist of Carbon Leaf, Carter Gravatt has successfully toured and recorded since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, the Avett Brothers, and many more). What’s especially fascinating about Carter is that he performs not only on electric and acoustic guitars, but also on an incredible number of other instruments including mandolin, banjo, violin, cello, lap steel, pedal steel, bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, dobro, and probably more! In part 2 of 2 of this interview, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy talking with Carter about songwriting, and approaches to improvisation.

The guys discuss songwriting and look inside Carbon Leaf’s system of collaboration. They get Carter’s take on improvising as well as his musical influences which include Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, Danny Gatton, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Mike Marshall, Sam Bush, John Paul Jones, Peter Buck, and old time Appalachian music.

Fun facts: In 2002 Carbon Leaf won an American Music Award for their song “The Boxer.” They featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, “Learn to Fly.” They recorded music for the 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe. They have played with/crossed paths with other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others.

Find out more about Carter and Carbon Leaf at: https://www.carbonleaf.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carbonleaf/

Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g

Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com

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http://www.joemcmurray.com

Carbon Leaf’s Guitarist part 1 of 2 (with Carter Gravatt) Ep052

June 27, 2019EpisodesAaron Sefchick, acoustic, acoustic amplification, acoustic guitar, band, Barry Privett, Carbon Leaf, Carter Gravatt, finger picking, fingerstyle guitar, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, gigging, gigs, guitar, guitar amps, guitar lessons, Joe McMurray, learn guitar, music, music lessons, Music podcast, music talk, music teacher, music theory, pedal board, pedalboard, play guitar, podcast, songwriting, talk showFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:08:21 — 62.8MB)

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As the lead guitarist of Carbon Leaf, Carter Gravatt has successfully toured and recorded since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, the Avett Brothers, and many more). What’s especially fascinating about Carter is that he performs not only on electric and acoustic guitars, but also on an incredible number of other instruments including mandolin, banjo, violin, cello, lap steel, pedal steel, bouzouki, hurdy gurdy, dobro, and probably more! In part 1 of 2 of this interview, Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy talking with Carter about his story, Carbon Leaf, musical influences, and gear.

Carter tells the guys about Carbon Leaf’s efforts to release an album every 8 months and their history with record labels and FM radio. Joe asks how Carter became such a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist. The guys talk about practicing and how musicians used to learn music before the days of YouTube and the internet. Carter talks about the technical difficulties of touring with his many instruments: huge amounts of gear (multiple pedalboards, amplifications systems, the instruments themselves) and maintenance is required to keep everything working properly. The discussion includes insights into acoustic amplification, guitar amps, getting overdrive from amps vs. pedals, the complications of switching between instruments during shows, and different picks.

Find out more about Carter and Carbon Leaf at: https://www.carbonleaf.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carbonleaf/

Subscribe for more videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_-Theg14gom9gcgkmFk7g

Website: http://www.fretbuzzthepodcast.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fretbuzzpodcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fret_buzz_podcast/

http://www.joemcmurray.com

Carbon Leaf, Touring, Making It Big, Part 2 of 2 (with Barry Privett) Ep046

May 16, 2019Episodes90's alternative, 90's rock, Aaron Sefchick, band, Barry Privett, Carbon Leaf, conversation, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, gigging, gigs, guitar, guitar lessons, Joe McMurray, learn guitar, music, music business, Music podcast, music talk, music teacher, music theory, play guitar, podcast, recording, rock, songwriting, studio, talk show, touringFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:50 — 53.2MB)

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As the frontman of Carbon Leaf, Barry Privett has successfully toured and recorded with the same band since 1992, crossing paths with huge names in the music business (Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, Avett Brothers, and many more). Over the course of their continuous 27 year career, he has learned many things about music itself, the music business, record labels, touring, and strategies for keeping the peace among band members. Joe McMurray and Aaron Sefchick enjoy the opportunity to dive deep into the world of one of the music business’ hardest working bands!

In Part 2 of 2, Barry explains how the band adjusts its vibe and setlist depending on the region that they are touring through and the energy of the crowd. He goes on to talk about the Celtic-inspired phase that the band went through in the early 2010s, their lead guitarist’s multi-instrumentalism, their new bass player and drummer, and how they get together for a week at a time to rehearse and/or write.

Barry tells the guys more about the ancillary duties of different band members and how that keeps their business afloat. He explains the origins of the name “Carbon Leaf.” Finally he tells us about the many bands that they have toured and performed with over the years.

Fun facts: In 2002 Carbon Leaf won an American Music Award for their song “The Boxer.” They featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, “Learn to Fly.” They recorded music for 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe. They have played with/crossed paths with other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others.

CarbonLeaf.com

Carbon Leaf, Touring, Making It Big, Part 1 of 2 (with Barry Privett) Ep045

May 9, 2019Episodes90's alternative, 90's rock, Aaron Sefchick, band, Barry Privett, Carbon Leaf, conversation, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, gigging, gigs, guitar, guitar lessons, Joe McMurray, learn guitar, music, music business, Music podcast, music talk, music teacher, music theory, play guitar, podcast, recording, rock, songwriting, studio, talk show, touringFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:46 — 54.9MB)

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In Part 1 of 2, Barry tells the guys about the beginnings of Carbon Leaf, their early influences, and their workman’s approach to the business. He then tells us about their unique method of songwriting in which band members submit song ideas to him and he writes lyrics and melodies to those ideas. The band has been incredibly professional in their ability to work together, use facilitative language to provide constructive criticism, and come up with seemingly endless song ideas.

Joe and Aaron ask Barry for his back story and learn of his early musical influences and training, including piano, trumpet, guitar, and choir experience. He tells them about Carbon Leaf’s first gigs playing at college bars near Richmond, Virginia.

Next, the guys talk about touring. Barry tells them about the vocal strain of performing every night, but how in-ear monitors have helped to reduce that strain. Carbon Leaf runs their band like a business, cutting out unnecessary costs. They drive their own tour bus, they each have ancillary duties (social media, recording, etc.), and play a lot of shows. Barry explains their process for booking tours.

Finally Barry talks about how the changing music market has influenced their recent strategy of foregoing record labels, building their own recording studio, and nurturing their fan base.

Fun facts: Carbon Leaf featured Katy Perry in their 2006 music video, “Learn to Fly.” They recorded music for 2009 film Curious George 2. In 2002 their music was featured on national commercials for the Pontiac Vibe. They have played with/crossed paths with major other major acts including Dave Matthews, O.A.R., The Avett Brothers, Sister Hazel, Big Head Todd, Blues Traveler, Jason Mraz, and many others.

CarbonLeaf.com

Seattle, Lead Guitar, Writing and Recording an Album Part 2 of 2 (with Brent Lyons of Solving Sounds) Ep043

April 25, 2019EpisodesAaron Sefchick, album, band practice, Brent Lyons, EP, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, guitar, guitar effects, guitar lessons, home recording, home studio, improvisation, Joe McMurray, lead guitar, learn guitar, music, Music podcast, music talk, music teacher, music theory, play guitar, podcast, recording, rock, Seattle music, Solving Sounds, studio, talk show, teaching guitarFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:44 — 55.8MB)

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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 of creating music for art versus promotion. Brent talks about how he writes individual songs – using different instruments to create the main hooks. The guys hash out creativity in the studio, including working with engineers who have songwriting/arranging input, using different equipment for different tones, and using Ableton and MIDI to spur creativity.

Finally, Brent, Aaron, and Joe talk about the state of the overall music scene and how it is influenced by the ways that the general public consumes music. With the lack of new band cultivation by major record labels, the legendary bands of the past have been elevated to even higher statuses, and reunion tours and tribute bands have gained momentum.

Check out Solving Sounds on your favorite podcasting app or at:
https://www.facebook.com/SolvingSoundsPodcast/
http://solvingsounds.libsyn.com/

Seattle, Lead Guitar, Writing and Recording an Album Part 1 of 2 (with Brent Lyons of Solving Sounds) Ep042

April 18, 2019EpisodesAaron Sefchick, band practice, Brent Lyons, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, guitar, guitar effects, guitar lessons, improvisation, Joe McMurray, lead guitar, learn guitar, music, Music podcast, music talk, music teacher, music theory, play guitar, podcast, recording, rock, Seattle music, Solving Sounds, talk show, teaching guitarFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:47 — 50.4MB)

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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” gigs.

The guys talk about Brent’s Solving Sounds podcast, its release schedule, and some of its memorable moments.

The episode ends with an in-depth discussion on approaches to playing lead guitar, learning music theory, and Brent’s favorite guitar effects pedals.

Check out Solving Sounds on your favorite podcasting app or at:

https://www.facebook.com/SolvingSoundsPodcast/

http://solvingsounds.libsyn.com/

Jazz and Higher Education with Dr. Shawn Purcell Ep039

March 28, 2019EpisodesAaron Sefchick, Airmen of Note, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, George Mason University, guitar, guitar lessons, improvisation, jazz, jazz guitar, Jazz Performance, Joe McMurray, learn guitar, McMurray, military musician, music, music school, music talk, music teacher, music theory, play guitar, podcast, practice routine, recording, rock, Sefchick, Shawn Purcell, sight reading, talk show, teaching, U.S. Navy CommodoresFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:37:32 — 67.2MB)

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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 prepare for different sorts of gigs and musical opportunities.

Shawn’s story takes us from his youthful days of Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, and Van Halen to his college days in which he studied jazz guitar and the recording arts at Duquesne University. Upon graduation he landed a gig touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus, for which he spent two years traveling around the country on a circus train and played guitar for a living. His next stop was eight years as the guitarist for the Air Force’s premier jazz ensemble, the Airmen of Note.

in 2004, Shawn and his wife, Dr. Darden Purcell, moved to Nashville where he gigged and earned his Master of Arts in Music from Middle Tennessee State University. He gives us details of his experiences in the Nashville music scene.

If you thought Shawn had already received a lot of music education, he and his wife then moved to Illinois where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance. After a period of teaching at the National Guitar Workshop, he landed the job as the guitarist for the U.S. Naval Academy Band, and a couple years later he won the position as guitarist for the U.S. Navy Band “Commodores” jazz ensemble in Washington DC. Shawn tells us lots of information about becoming a military musician, the lifestyle, the necessary skills, etc. He stresses the importance of being able to sight read!

Finally we get into a deeper discussion about higher education: how to become a music professor, what that experience is like, how universities work, etc.

Shawn was one of Joe’s jazz guitar teachers at George Mason University, and Shawn’s methodical and organized style of teaching helped Joe achieve tremendous growth as a guitarist and as a teacher.

Check out Dr. Shawn Purcell at www.shawnpurcell.com

Mods for Guitar, Amps, Pedals and Gear Part 1 of 2 (with Guest Host, Miles Harshman) Ep030

January 24, 2019Episodes5150, Aaron Sefchick, amplification, Berklee, biasing, brown sound, capacitors, coil tap, conversation, ear training, fat switch, fender, fret, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, fuzz, fuzz pedal, guitar, guitar lessons, guitar pickups, guitar wiring, Harshman, humbucker, Joe McMurray, learn guitar, marshall, McMurray, Miles Harshman, mod, mods, music, music talk, music theory, phase reversal, pickups, play guitar, podcast, power tubes, preamp tubes, red plating, resistors, Sefchick, signal flow, single coil, solid state, talk show, teaching, tube amp, twin reverbFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:06:19 — 45.8MB)

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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 ins and outs of musical equipment.

In Part 1 of this conversation we dig into guitar tone, ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan to Robin Trower. Miles talks about his love of different types of fuzz pedals, an effect that Joe rarely uses. While Joe uses several types of overdrive and natural small amp distortion, he commits to giving fuzz another try. Miles presents an overview of how tube amps work – their different gains stages, how the tubes break up, the feeling of a tube amp due to the sag/sponginess in the rectifier tube.

Miles tells us about his journey to becoming a gear technician, including building his first stratocaster in high school and his more recent telecaster with unusual switches.

We talk about clean guitar tones, and how hollow, semi-hollow, and chambered bodies affect the your sound.

Miles begins telling us about his experiences at Berklee College of Music, including the many ensemble choices, the enormous practice room amps, and the general atmosphere. Check out next week’s episode to discover who was Miles’ freshman year roommate!

Fingerstyle Guitar Part 2 of 2 (with Guest Host, Dustin Furlow) Ep029

January 17, 2019EpisodesAaron Sefchick, acoustic, acoustic guitar, Andy McKee, Beneteau, Beneteau Guitars, conversation, Dustin Furlow, Emmanuel, finger picking, fingerstyle, fingerstyle guitar, fret, fret buzz, Fret Buzz The Podcast, Furlow, guitar, guitar lessons, Joe McMurray, Larrivee, Larrivee Guitars, learn guitar, McKee, McMurray, music, music talk, music theory, play guitar, podcast, recording, Sefchick, talk show, teaching, Tommy Emmanuel, WoodscapesFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:27 — 39.7MB)

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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 Podcast

fretbuzzthepodcast.com

Music School and Job Opportunities Part 2 of 2 (with Guest Host, Cole Holland) Ep027

January 3, 2019EpisodesB.B. King, bb king, Berklee, Berklee College of Music, blues, blues guitar, Cole Holland, fret buzz, fret buzz podcast, Fret Buzz The Podcast, guitar, guitar lesson, guitar talk, guitar teacher, guitar theory, harmonic major, harmonic minor, jazz, jazz guitar, melodic minor, music employment, music school, music theory, podcast, practice routine, talk showFret Buzz The Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:47 — 31.0MB)

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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