Category Archives: Guitar

Thoughts on openness

Posted on August 17, 2012 by fretgenie

I gave a talk at TEDGlobal 2012 in Edinburgh recently, alongside a young guitarist from Pakistan named Usman Riaz. It was an instrumental guitar performance, but still a TEDTalk with a great (and true) story behind it. The video of … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Culture, Guitar, Learning, Music, Teaching, Technology, Thoughts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The first year with my new guitar

Posted on December 9, 2011 by fretgenie

The first year with my Bailey baritone guitar was a great one. Custom built in autumn 2010 by Scottish-based luthier Mark Bailey to my design and specifications, it is the flagship prototype for the Bailey Guitars Preston Reed Signature Series, … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar, Luthiers, Music, Touring | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Do you want to be original?

Posted on November 4, 2011 by fretgenie

Somebody called me crazy in a guitar blog recently, referring to the integrated percussive guitar style I invented. It made me smile. I took it as a compliment. To me, “crazy” means things like refreshing, innovative, ahead of its time, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Creativity, Guitar, Literature, Music, Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

What is practicing?

Posted on October 29, 2011 by fretgenie

I am often asked how I practice, what I practice, and how much time I spend practicing guitar. I always feel like answering: I don’t :^) This is not true of course. But what is true is, the practicing I … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Guitar, Music, Performing, Touring, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Moving forward requires making decisions

Posted on July 31, 2011 by fretgenie

I am writing a tune at the moment. I have reached a point in the development of this tune where a decision must be made about what the tune is, what it is saying, and where it is going. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Guitar, Music | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The groove cloud

Posted on July 17, 2011 by fretgenie

While teaching a guitar workshop this past weekend, I was reminded of a key factor in the performance of music: the connection between groove and memory. In order to teach “Tractor Pull”, one of my busier tunes, it was necessary … Continue reading →

Posted in Composing, Creativity, Guitar, Music, Performing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

My new guitar

Posted on March 28, 2011 by fretgenie

It was time for a new guitar and a new sound. My custom Ovation Adamas was unlike any ordinary Ovation because it had been built especially for me, using special materials and a special pickup system. It had been my … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Guitar, Music, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 12 Comments