Guitar Practice 🎸
Let's Learn a Riff
Let's take a look at a short (but interesting) riff that uses question-and-answer chord phrases - a technique often used by jazz greats such as Joe Pass, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, and many others.
In each of the 2 bars below, there is a descending moving line that is followed by an ascending moving line. We are keeping parts of the chords the same, while changing the low note on the D string.
Guitarist Spotlight
Mateus Asato
Mateus Asato is a Brazilian guitarist known for his emotional playing and mix of pop, rock, and soul styles. Born in 1993 in Campo Grande, Brazil, he started playing guitar at the age of 9. What began as a childhood interest soon grew into a passion. He spent hours learning songs by ear, practicing chords and melodies, and shaping a style filled with smooth bends, rich harmonies, and lines that sound almost like a singer’s voice.
In his early 20s, Asato moved to Los Angeles to study at Musicians Institute. The experience gave him new musical ideas and helped him sharpen his technique. Around that time, he began posting short guitar clips on Instagram, where his expressive solos and melodic phrasing quickly went viral. His videos built a worldwide following and connected him with other musicians and fans across the globe.
Asato’s talent opened doors to perform with major artists. He toured with pop stars such as Bruno Mars, Tori Kelly, and Jessie J, playing on big stages and learning from the world of professional music. While these opportunities gave him valuable experience, he also wanted to focus on creating his own music and building a personal career beyond being a sideman.
Recently, Asato announced that his first solo album is complete and ready to be released. Stepping away from the security of touring was not easy, but he felt it was the right choice to follow his own artistic vision. Now in his 30s, Asato says he has a clear sense of direction and is excited to share his original work. With his new album, he is entering the next stage of his career—not just as a guitarist for others, but as a solo artist in his own right.
Today, Mateus is seen as one of the most influential guitar players of his generation. Young musicians admire him for the way he combines feeling and technique while always keeping the music as the main focus. Even though he first gained fame through social media, his sound feels timeless and connects with listeners everywhere.
Key Gear
- Suhr Classic S Mateus Asato Signature Model
- Suhr Classic T II
- Suhr Classic T Mateus Asato Signature Model
- Suhr Classic Telecaster Super Relic
- Suhr Badger 30 Guitar Amp
Gear Showcase
Orangewood Clementine
Los Angeles-based Orangewood Guitars started in 2018 with the goal of building a timeless guitar brand with a modern twist. While their focus in the past has been on acoustic guitars, they recently branched into the world of electric guitars - with their newest model being the Clementine.
The Orangewood Clementine is the company’s first semi-hollow electric guitar and its most high-end model so far. It has a slightly smaller double-cutaway body (12.4" bout width) with a chambered design and a deep belly cut, making it comfortable to play while still keeping the rich, resonant sound semi-hollows are known for. Built with a solid carved maple top, mahogany back and sides, and a smooth satin finish, the Clementine blends classic style with modern touches. It also comes with a rosewood fingerboard, a deluxe hard case, and two pickguards so players can switch up the look.
The guitar uses Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers, along with a coil-split switch that lets you switch between warm, full humbucker tones and brighter single-coil sounds. A Tune-O-Matic bridge and Grover locking tuners add to its stability and reliability, whether on stage or in the studio. Priced at $1,495 and available in Americano, Bluebird, and Evergreen finishes, the Clementine is designed for players who want a mix of comfort, versatility, and classic electric guitar tone.
Key Features:
- Comfort-first design: A modern semi-hollow electric guitar with chambered construction, solid carved top, and deep belly cut
- Solid wood, smooth textures: Glossy maple top with satin mahogany back & sides
- Specialty hardware: Grover Roto-Grip Locking Vintage tuners and Tune-O-Matic bridge
- Award-winning pickups: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover™ humbuckers with coil-split toggle and volume/tone controls
- Maintenance: Headstock truss rod adjustment; backplate for electronics access
- Extras: Retro 3-ply cream pickguard installed, with a bonus black pickguard to switch up your style
Check out the Orangewood Clementine
Noteworthy 🗞️
- PRS announced a 700-piece limited edition Reclaimed Wood S2 Special Semi-Hollow guitar. Each top has it's own character, making each guitar unique. FEatures 22-frets, a 25” scale length Pattern Regular neck, and a humbucker/Narrowfield/humbucker pickup configuration. A 5-way blade switch and two mini-toggles allow players to tap the humbuckers, creating twelve distinct pickup combinations.
- Heritage Guitars announced a Standard II Collection. The series starts things off with a newly updated H-150, which features a new headstock design, modern wiring (including push/pull tone pots), a slim 60's neck profile, custom shop pickups, and a Mahogany body with weight relief.
- Gibson released a Les Paul Custom 70s guitar, available in Tobacco Burst, Ebony, Buttercream Top, and Wine Red finishes.
- Godin released a ACS Denim Blue Flame nylon-string/synth guitar.
Enjoy this newsletter? Please forward to a friend or hit reply to share your thoughts.🤘
