Finding MY STYLE with Help from TED GREENE

[@coreymihailiuk5189]

Thanks for shining a light on the amazing Ted Greene. I bought his book Chord Chemistry when it first came out. I learned a raft of chords that I had no clue how to use effectively. That didn't matter, because my mind was opened up to how much was hidden in plain sight on the fretboard. My appreciation and love for unusual chord voicings was born and that was the whole purpose of Ted's book for me. That's left an indelible print on my guitar playing ever since. Thank you Mr. Greene! Not much later would come Lenny Breau, but that's another story!

[@slimpickens2182]

The intro to I don't know why on the live gig in Amsterdam was so amazing. You were smiling for some reason or another, and it I don't think I've ever heard anything so melodic. So masterful!

[@AdamLevyGuitar]

Paradiso, back in the day - ? That was a memorable show for me.

[@maestrophilkell]

Love this. In music as in life in general, it’s all about learning to be what my heart wants and not what I think others want. At 62 years old I’m still working on it. Adam you are an inspiration in many ways.

[@stefanobonoli8783]

Ciao Adam, I think I understand you perfectly. Mid ‘80 in Italy Pat Metheny was the jazz guitar hero and everybody trying to copy him. I was not able, too much for me and one day in Milano I was at a Bass Desires concert: John Scofield finished his solo and then I heard the other guitarist hitting a minor second, a pause, another cluster…Bill opened a door…

[@florianliebtmusik]

I discovered Bill the same way. I was aware of him, but attended the concert by the bass desires because of John Scofield. After they played „1951“ by Mr Frisell, I was and still am a big fan.

[@PedroBellora]

As always, a fantastic and inspiring video. Thanks for sharing, dear Adam!

[@davidburridge-yp2iw]

Really enjoyed that. I remember the 80’s well and it was definitely all about the shred. I cracked up because when you were talking about Howie somehow I knew you were going to say Eruption.

[@godofsporks]

Hey Adam, thanks for your stories and reflections. I’ve been drawn to your playing and your channel for the thoughtfulness and care you bring to what you do, so it was fun hearing how you were drawn to Frisell and others for that same reason. I’ve always taken a melodic approach to my playing despite all my peers favoring flash, so your words are very reassuring that I’m following the right path for myself. I appreciate all you do!

[@rodleaverton]

Love hearing your story of development and evolution. So much tension between what you “thought you were supposed to be” and what your heart was telling you how to be. Love hearing how, through that struggle, you found your voice.

[@AdamLevyGuitar]

Thanks, Rod.

[@uberjam-sam8512]

It's so great to hear your influences. How shred was in your sphere and how you found your way to Bill Frisell, who i can hear in your playing for sure. Cheers!

[@AndrewWolf-pf7bx]

Talking about self-consciousness and practicing in course quarters was gripping. Listening to what I’m playing as opposed to thinking about what I’m playing has actually helped me build on the things I can do and think less about the things I really just cannot do or am not interested in.

[@JohnB.6251]

Excellent differentiation of various styles of playing. IMHO there is so much hyperindividualistic ego and hunger/need for other reflected attention getting involved in shredding or a lot of notes playing. Though not all, e.g. Joe Pass, though I wish he'd left a few more spaces to breath at times. I liked your comment about playing for "the song." Certainly a more spiritually engaged way of feeling one and "conversing" with it. Of course take this or leave it. I appreciate you stayed with your personal sensiiblities of what you liked and felt akin too, then found your own style there - at your pace, more melodically "intentional" a note at a time, and/or your recent vid on spread triads. Thanks Adam...

[@klonthrudumble6251]

Mr. Rogers!!! A real laugh out loud moment, mainly because it makes so much good sense!

[@Lee-ss6uz]

You’re a very tasteful player. Blues wise I always gravitated towards Peter green, and Bb king - Hubert Sumlin, T bone walker and Clapton ( who I know is sometimes notes ) not a big fan of flash for the sake.

[@joelgevirtz6181]

I really appreciated this talk! Aside from my own great respect for Ted Greene, I also always felt that melodic and harmonic playing was the cat's ass! In my formative years in and around Greenwich Village in the late 50's and early 60's Bluegrass flatpicking was considered the epitome of playing. I never could attain the technical mastery to accomplish super flatpicking, but instead concentrated on finger style playing and getting clear, precise tone from the instrument. Your talk seemed to justify what I have always believed. Thanks!

[@mannoplanet]

I really loved My Life with The Chord Chemist: A Memoir of Ted Greene by his wife Barbara Franklin. Quite a view of a man and also an incredible love story.

[@AdamLevyGuitar]

I still haven’t read that book. I really ought to.

[@mannoplanet]

I never knew him but was very affected non-the less. More than a guitar book. (I took a picture of you with the Sicufuss Band at the Moss several months ago. Did you see it?)@@AdamLevyGuitar

[@kevincoghlan2509]

Adam, you mentioned something called the “check in” regarding your story about Ted Greene and an article about Wes. What is the check in, and where do I find it? Thanks so much.

[@AdamLevyGuitar]

‘The Check In’ is a weekly feature on my Patreon channel: Guitar Tips Pro.