Learn a riff, Kelton Swade, Danny Mayer

Vivid Guitar -

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It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play. ― Dizzy Gillespie

Guitar Practice

Let's learn a riff

Today, let's learn a cool and ominous riff inspired by the theme song from a somewhat obscure Italian crime film from 1969, The Sicilian Clan (Il clan dei siciliani).

This isn't meant to be an exact note-for-note transcription, and the goal isn't necessarily to memorize it, but it uses a picking pattern you can work on applying to various other progressions.

Riff inspired by Il Clan Dei Siciliani
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Gear Showcase

Kelton Swade Guitars

Kelton Swade T-Style Guitar

This gear showcase is a bit different, in that they're no longer being produced, as luthier Kelton Swade sadly passed away from Covid a couple years ago.

I had the opportunity to check out one of Kelton's t-style guitars in a store recently, and was blown away by the quality and playability, and they remain in circulation on the used market.

While other guitars are often made to look like vintage guitars, Kelton Swade guitars really feel and play like them as well.

Kelton Swade was based in Nashville, and crafted hand-made authentic replicas of vintage guitars that have made it into the hands of greats such as Robben Ford and Keith Urban.

Kelton Swade focused on Tele & Strat style guitars, and offered some of the most authentic-looking relicing work you’ll find anywhere. While the finish work on the body is one thing, it was the feel and playability of the neck and fretboard that really stood out on the model I tried.

The attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into Kelton Swade guitars was simply awe-inspiring, and hopefully his name will at least live on in the used market.

RIP Kelton Swade.

View Kelton Swade Guitars on Reverb

Guitarist Spotlight

Danny Mayer

Photo by liveforlivemusic.com

Rooted in Funk, rock, and psychedelic blues, Danny Mayer's guitar playing blends creative rhythm playing with soulful lead lines - always bringing something unique to each musical situation.

As the guitarist for On The Spot Trio, the Alan Evans Trio, Star Kitchen, the Eric Krasno Band, the Danny Mayer Trio, and others, Danny Mayer has toured nationally for the last 15+ years.

He’s shared the stage with members of the Grateful Dead, Lettuce, Marcus King, Snarky Puppy, The New Mastersounds, Trey Anastasio Band, Ryan Montbleau, Turkuaz, Kung Fu and many more in countless collaborations.

I want to share a great quote from Danny from an interview with Live For Live Music (condensed a bit below), as a lot of us think we have to try to play and sound like our hero's, instead of figuring out our own sound and what we do best.

You have to be genuine and honest with your self about who you are as a person and as a musician. I went from trying to sound like Grant Green and John Scofield to realizing that who I am is much more blues based and simple than that! I had to realize that instead of trying to fake being a jazz guy, I could get real with myself and connect with audiences on a much deeper level by just being myself – a psychedelic blues / rock guy. That feels way better and comes way more natural to me. That mentality is also much closer to who I am as a person!

Key Gear:

  • Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster

Recommended albums to check out:

On The Spot Trio - “Straight Out The Garden”

Alan Evans Trio - “The Wild Root”

Danny Mayer - “Beginner’s Mind”

Danny's Website | Facebook Page

Fender Buck Owens Telecaster | Image c/o Fender Musical Instruments
  • 🎸 Fender introduced the Buck Owens Collection, featuring a signature Telecaster® and a Kingman acoustic guitar.
  • 🎧 Greg Koch interviewed blues rock guitar maestro Jeff McErlain on his podcast, where they dive into live musical performance, debate tube vs digital amps, and discuss music business industry changes.
  • 📹 Anderton's checked out Fender's new American Ultra II guitar line.
  • Fender continued the trend of new signature guitar models with a Jack White Triplecaster™ Telecaster®. It's a pretty wild take on a t-style guitar, featuring a a CuNiFe® Wide Range humbucker in the neck, JW-90 in the middle, and a custom Jack White humbucker in the bridge.The custom configured controls include an arcade-style "Stutter" switch, a switch to mute the signal entirely, and “Direct-To-Jack” selection for more bite.

Currently spinning in the office

The Smile: Cutouts