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Posts Tagged ‘learn how to play guitar’

During my interview you start to understand just how badly Torn wanted to expand his knowledge of all music and just how deep his passion for creativity and individuality runs. Torn knows the rules of music well and has done an amazing job of breaking them. At one moment he’s using his trem bar to make swoopy, stuttering sounds and the next he is methodically practicing traditional oud scales. It sounds diverse, but it makes perfect sense when you hear his music.

David Torn spends much of his time scoring films and consulting with companies about music gear. The man has “ears” and knows innovative sounds. He was even a little concerned that his playing on this interview was not captured on a more professional format. So please be aware that I recorded his playing with the shotgun microphone on my Canon consumer camcorder. I do this on all my videos. Nothing fancy. but it gets the job done without much fuss and allows me to concentrate on other things.

Playing a prototype maple-neck gold D’Pergo strat-style guitar made from ancient swamp ash through a variety of vintage and modern effects amplified through two prototype Fryette amps he stood there like a sorcerer conjuring auditory daydreams and nightmares (often in the same musical phrase).

We may all be looking at the same picture, but some of us see it differently. David Torn is that kind of musician. Don’t just watch him play, listen to his thought process and philosophy about music-making. This guy is open-minded and unafraid to push the envelope. Prepare to be inspired.

This guy is not just playing pentatonic blues scales…who does he sound like? David Torn.

David Torn – Interview 1

Torn’s Los Angeles-area home studio showing effects rack, pedalboard, Fryette amps he is consulting on and more. Click on picture to enlarge.

The wizard’s work station. Click on picture to enlarge.

David Torn – Interview 2

One of Torn’s racks containing a looper and Lexicons used to create other-worldly tones. Click to enlarge.

David Torn – Interview 3
Demonstrating some of his unique approach to guitar on a prototype D’Pergo made of ancient swamp ash.

The newest amp from Fryette that David is consulting on. He had two and was comparing speakers with them. They sounded great clean or distorted.

David Torn – Interview 4

David Torn – Interview 5

Torn playing his Oud.

This is a short video jazz guitar lesson from John Pisano. He’s appeared on tons of albums including recordings with Joe Pass, Herb Ellis and Diana Krall. If you want to study with John, contact Cal State Northridge University and find out when he will be offering his next class. You couldn’t ask for a better teacher.

John had these guitars built to his personal specifications. Eastman guitars builds hand-carved high-end stringed musical instruments in China. The guitars are team-built by master craftsmen. You can purchase the Pisano signature Eastman guitar in the three thousand dollar range. Every detail of this guitar is beautiful all the way down to the inlay frog on the tailpiece. This guitar won’t make you play like John, but it will allow you to own a spectacular instrument at price point well under a domestically made guitar of similar quality

Notice the exceptional craftsmanship and highly figured woodgrain. The guitars come in maple and mahogany. They sound as good as they look. Clearly a great deal of planning went into these before production. The truss rod cover is a wood strip with magnets that allow the player to make quick adjustments without requiring a screwdriver to remove it. Very clever.

CLICK ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE

(click image to enlarge)

What if your accomplishments could have included one of the following experiences?:

• Playing guitar with Benny Goodman
• Playing at The White House
• Playing for the Queen of England
• Playing a show on the same billing as The Beatles (and hanging out with them)
• Playing with Herb Ellis, Joe Pass, George Van Eps (to barely scratch the surface).
• Play with Herb Alpert or Sergio Mendes on tons of top records
• Perform in a filmed concert at the legendary Olympia Theater in Paris, France with Diana Krall
• Have a high-end signature guitar designed to your specifications

Any one of those would be worthy of extreme pride. Jazz guitarist John Pisano has done all of those and much, much more in his six decades as a professional guitarist. Not content to rest on his laurels, John keeps performing at his weekly gig hosting Spazio’s Guitar Night, teaching at Cal State Northridge (Los Angeles, CA), while pushing himself to play using new guitar techniques and continually learning and evolving as a player.

John told me he considers himself to be a “good player who has played with some great players.” An understatement the size of Los Angeles. The remark underscores his humility. Clearly this guy keeps on giving of himself and has always been in the game for all the right reasons. I just does not get any more hip than that.

You know I only interview amazing players and people that make the very best gear and John Pisano is a perfect example of what it means to be at the top of your game. Listening to his experiences gives you a slice of American history and an introspective view of an important part of American musical culture. Not surprising was the fact this guy is also a gentleman and one heck of nice guy too. You might want to try out a hand-carved Eastman John Pisano signature guitar. Sweeeeet!

Please be sure to visit www.JohnPisano.com and look at his extensive discography.

by David Caris

This is part 1 of the interview series. Please make sure you view this in the best resolution.

Here is John playing some melodic improv on his signature Eastman guitar. He did not know the camera was on, but it was so inspired I had to post it.

This is part 2 of the interview series. Please make sure you view this in the best resolution.

This is part 3 of the interview series. Please make sure you view this in the best resolution.