In this masterclass, Jamie McLean dives deep into the realm of guitar playing with a focus on expanding beyond foundational techniques to embrace more soulful and rhythmic elements. Jamie starts by sharing some anecdotes from his recent tour around the northeast, where he encountered students and engaged in lively performances. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and encourages participants to suggest topics they're interested in exploring in future lessons. The initial discussion sets a tone of collaborative learning, with Jamie expressing a keen interest in tailoring the content to meet the learners' needs. He briefly touches upon the past lessons focused on New Orleans rhythms and chords, expressing satisfaction with the students' progress and their impressive video submissions.
As the masterclass progresses, Jamie shifts his focus towards soloing concepts, aiming to break away from the mechanical aspects of playing scales and modes. He shares a personal anecdote about how his interaction with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Widespread Panic influenced his playing style, making it funkier and more soulful. This segment of the class underlines the transformative power of immersing oneself in different musical styles and the impact it can have on one's technical and expressive abilities. Jamie also addresses common challenges guitarists face, such as feeling stuck or robotic in their soloing, and proposes ways to overcome these obstacles by thinking of scales and modes in a more dynamic and fluid manner.
In the concluding part of the masterclass, Jamie delves into practical techniques to enhance soloing skills, including the use of Mixolydian mode and pentatonic scales. He emphasizes the importance of not getting trapped in repetitive patterns and encourages thinking outside the box to make solos more engaging and expressive. By focusing on specific notes and breaking up scales in creative ways, Jamie suggests that guitarists can achieve a more spontaneous and less calculated sound. The session is interactive, with Jamie addressing participants' questions and sharing insights on how to approach soloing with a fresh perspective. Overall, the masterclass is a blend of practical advice, personal experiences, and encouragement to explore guitar playing with curiosity and openness.
Ok guys this is the last one, and really the one I wanted to make. Sorry for the levels and multiple posts... I'm doing everything, so still lots of pieces to work through and out.
Anyway, I tried to make it as a complete pass through each chord variation. I would record both guitar and track on separate tracks next time.
As the Axe man for The Dirty Dozen Brass Band for years, and working with all the heavy hitters including Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trombone Shorty, Los Lobos, Blues Traveler, Marc Broussard, and so many moreโฆ Jamie is the PERFECT window into what it takes to thrive with the very, very best.
(IMHO, The level of musicianship in NOLA is probably the best in the country - if not the whole world. THE RHYTHM. THE SWAGGER. THE VIBE!!)
Jamie is a spectacularly tasteful guitarist - but thatโs not the whole story: Heโs an equally Incredible singer and songwriter. As you know, Iโm obsessed with understanding WHY things get stuck in your head, WHY hits are hits, and HOW rhythm, harmony, and wait for it - MELODY - work together to craft something moving and unforgettable. Jamie is uniquely able to take us on a journey beyond the fretboard, and go deep into the craft of making great music & being an even better storyteller.