Mark Lettieri, solo artist, session guitarist, composer and guitarist for famed jazz ensemble Snarky Puppy, joins us for a chat on practice, creativity and more. We also cover goals for the new year and upcoming plans for 2019. We now have an instigram: https://www.instagram.com/sharpenthataxepod/?hl=en Also help the pod and leave us a review o ...…

Its the end of 2018 and what a year it's been! We have had some great guests, there has been some great rants and great gear. Jon and Dylan (and Jon's dog Dexter) cover all of it! A huge thanks to all of our listeners and to all of our guests this. You guys have made our year. Big stuff in the year to come! Stay Sharp!FB: https://www.facebook.c ...…

This week we are joined by the amazing guitarist Ben Levin. He has some great thoughts on cultivating creativity and building momentum. We also delve into Nostalgia, since well we all love it and it's everywhere. More on Ben Levinhttps://ben-levin.squarespace.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLuHOqDilyLQT4NPXQuVN4Qhttps://www.facebook.com/be ...…

Jon and Dylan address practice gear, to use tubes or not to use tubes? What kind of pedals, amps and gear should you be practicing with. With that we discuss if brand names still matter as much as they used to. If you like what we do leave a review on your favorite podcast app! All the socials:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharpenThatAxeFB: ...…

We are totally stoked to have Corey Mastrangelo from Vasudeva on the show with us for this episode. If you don't know about Vasudeva, you should. Check the links below:Web: http://www.vasudevamusic.comBandcamp: https://vasudeva.bandcamp.com/FB: www.facebook.com/VasudevaMusic/Twitter: twitter.com/vasudevamusicCheck us out:FB: https://www.faceboo ...…

It's Episode 54 and we kick it off with Lick of The Week from one of the most influential metal artists ever. We talk about why your music tastes are stuck at 14 years old and why you need ear training and how to get started! Check out Adam Neely's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpPSF7-CtlcAnd New York Times Article here: https://b ...…

Yvette Young is back to talk about her new tour and new album with Covet! Be sure to check them out on the road and online:https://www.facebook.com/covetband/https://covetband.bandcamp.comAlso: How much is your music worth? How has streaming changed the music industry? We are living in a new era of music production and distribution, how do we m ...…

This week Jon and Dylan talk some basics on scales, what makes them, how to practice them and more. Also: Greta Van Fleet: inspirational return to Zepplin era classic rock or derivative hacks? Where is the line?All the socialsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharpenThatAxeFB: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpen-That-Axe-Podcast-779600132187413/Twi ...…

This week our hosts geek out with Irish session guitarist Philip Joyce. Dylan and Philip bust out the Irish slag - you might need a translator. Philip discusses his session work, touring and gear selection. We also talk about the guitar solo, guitar heroes, shred guitar and what's next for technical guitarists. This is based on a video from Ric ...…

Alright! To Celebrate 50 Episodes we are doing one of our most beloved segments: Jon and Dylan's Favorite Solos. Also Summer Namm thoughts - too many signatures models? Great custom shop gear and more! Leave a review on your podcast app and follow us on the socials:FB: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpen-That-Axe-Podcast-779600132187413/Twitter: h ...…

It's time for another rut busting episode. After awhile we all find ourselves playing the same thing or even losing motivation. Well Jon and Dylan are here to change that...again. Also new vs used gear. When to buy what and is new better? Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharpenThatAxeLike the Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpen ...…

We go acoustic! This week we drop all the pretense and pedal board nonsense and strip it down for a nice unplugged set. We talk acoustic guitars from affordable to Olson. Give us a shout on the socials Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharpenThatAxeFB: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpen-That-Axe-Podcast-779600132187413/Twitter: https://twitter.co ...…

In this Episode we have two of our favorite guests: Jens Larsen and Chris Zoupa. From across 4 time zones and 3 continents we bring you some of youtube's finest guitarist and their thoughts on why you need to know music theory. This is one of our best and was a blast to record. Also: Gear talk: DAWS - don't know what that is have a listen. A li ...…

There's a lot of Dylan on this so I hope you're ready! We talk about a new guitar, the Edge (of course), and getting into the studio and songwriting.

We get more of Greg Howe's wisdom. This is one of the most packed episodes we have done. Greg offers some great wisdom on finding your voice, playing and writing away from the instrument, cultivating musicianship and balancing your tone. Gear Talk: Pickups, WHAT ARE THEY? Humbuckers, Single coil, active passive and more!…

Yes the Greg Howe is with us to talk practicing, the road, new albums and developing your own sound. There is so much good stuff in this interview, and Greg was incredibly generous with his time, we had to split it into two parts. Also Gear Talk: Pickups! Hum Single Hum? What's the difference between active and passive and many more questions. ...…

This week Jon and Dylan talk signature gear. There's a lot out there and what is it really about? Is it worth the extra cash? Also what software and applications are out there just to help you get more done practicing.All the socialsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharpenThatAxeFB: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpen-That-Axe-Podcast-779600132187 ...…

Number 42 and here we have youtube sensation and lead guitarist for the Bros. Landreth Ariel Posen. Ariel gives us some insights into performing, practicing, and tone. Check him out in the links below. Also in Gear Talk we ask some serious questions about signature guitars and their worth to working musicians. And What is the deal with that PRS ...…

This week we tackle the problem of time and practicing. No we don't have a Deloris and 1.2 gigawatts of power but we do have some tips and thoughts from a recent Chris Zoupa video (link below).Also in Gear Talk we talk inexpensive guitars and getting the most bang for your buck.Chris Zoupa's Real Talk: https://youtu.be/3kJJ-ieAxM4All the Social ...…

We aren't dead and didn't forget, but Dylan is lost in the jungles of Southeast Asia and surprise the internet is great in the jungle. So we have a special guest host who also helped with a very unique interview for us. We interview Dylan Ryche, fingerstyle guitarist extraordinaire and 2012 champion of the Canadian Fingerstyle Competition! Amaz ...…

We're back! Thanks for hanging in there! This week we revisit some of NAMM's coolest gear you probably didn't see most of these. Dylan talks a bit about the practice of songwriting and how it connects with his guitar playing. This is an insightful episode.All the socialsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharpenThatAxeFB: https://www.facebook.com ...…

Ever wonder what it's like to open for a half-hungarian, half-vietnamese, Berklee trained Synth-pop artist, with your $4 guitar? No? Well Dylan's gonna tell you anyway. AND...that's right AND there's more our first gear review brought to you by Forever Picks more info here: https://m.facebook.com/WoodTopTone/Reverb Store: https://reverb.com/sho ...…

Chunking, not Wayne's World style chunks. We talk about how to chop up a practice session, new guitars, of course there's a Steve Vai reference. We diverge from pedals on pedal talk and instead are looking at the AxeFx: pros, cons and everything in between.All the socialsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/SharpenThatAxeFB: https://www.facebook.co ...…

This week Aussie guitarist and youtube sensation Chris Zoupa joins us to talk about learning solos and making a fool of yourself. We highlight one of the most beloved pedals of all of time. Dylan revisits the 70s and Jon gets a bit folky in their listening selections while trying to keep up a solid practice routine for one crazy piece. Check ou ...…

The last episode of 2017! Dylan's Lick of the Week brings it full circle for our listeners. Thanks to everyone for making this even more enjoyable. One of the most talked about or possibly controversial pieces of gear is our pedal talk topic: the Boss Katana. We lay out our goals for the year and now that they are out there, we have stick to 'e ...…

Gretchen Menn stops in for our last interview of the year. We talk composition, practice, gear, Renaissance Italian literature and oh yeah guitar. Check out her podcast with Nili Brosh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCLXkZooShcIn Pedal Talk we break down our pics for pedals of 2017 and Jon goes nuts with reverb. As always What we have been li ...…

At 33 episodes it's time we address the elephant in the room: Modes. what are they, where do they come from (yeah Jon's a history nerd too so watch out) and how to practice them. Also, more Keeley Electronics this week, with the pedal to end all pedals. Plus Christmas time is here, Americans hawking cheap guitars in developing countries to Iris ...…

The our hosts interview one of Jon's childhood guitar heroes: Jim West - guitar player for Weird Al Yankovic, composer and famous slack key guitar player. Jim talks touring, practice, learning slack key guitar and gives a rousing endorsement for Axe Fx by Fractal Audio - we promise they didn't pay us for this....but we would take some gear. Als ...…

Big hair and big guitars are all over this episode! Dylan and Jon throw out some of their favorite solos. The chorus pedal features for pedal talk and the lick of the week requires a perm and a can of aerosol hair spray! And as always, what we've been listening to (including bad cover bands) and what we've been working on.All the socialsPatreon ...…

Ep 30: Christophe GodinWe’re 30 this week and its time to move out of our parent’s basement (or attic) and be a productive member of the podcast society. To celebrate this momentous occasion we have the Grand Shredmaster of France joins us to talk practice, teaching, touring and a 20th anniversary. Jon and Dylan talk strings - even though they ...…

This week: I’m not lazy, you’re lazy! We join the Joe Bonamassa pedal controversy for pedal talk. Jon, once again, plugs pedals for free (but would gladly accept some pedals as compensation) Our main topic, however, is how to get out of a playing rut. Also, Jens Larsen’s videos give us something to work on, even Dylan gets into theory and nerdy ...…

Nili Brosh!! Another fun and insightful interview! We talk weekly guitar licks, Brian May reacting to funky solos, Iron Maiden(s), performing, teaching, music schools, pedals, making time to practice and goal setting! Nili Brosh is busy making it work as a musician on all fronts and we were privileged to get an insight into how she makes it all ...…

Music industry work horse and guitar legend Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal joins us this week! This guy has played with more superstars than either Dylan or Jon have taken breathes! Great insight and well thought out opinions and of course some good old self deprecating humor. Pedal Talks gets some compression, and the Lick of the Week will help you to ...…

Irish post-rock legends Niall Kennedy and Rory Friers from the band And So I Watch You From Afar grace our microphones with their presence. Be forewarned: there is some next level pedal talk in this one! Great craic!Also, pedal talk: Dylan chooses a well known player to discuss his pedals but it's not who you think. Jon gets super nerdy, with g ...…

One quarter of the way to the century mark! We talk about how your timing is all wrong...your weird uncle, and Electro Harmonix pedals. Oh and put on coat, where are your mittens and Don't Forget Your Metronome!The Videos we talk about in this episode: Bumblefoot Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nurMXLoR4oIJens Larsen Video: https://www.y ...…

Jon and Dylan discuss the virtues (and humiliations) of loop pedals, Tom Petty (what makes a great band leader), and the benefit to locking yourself in a room with a bunch of your mates to write music. And our main event: Jon interviews Yvette Young. They discuss horses, Morses (Steve Morse does not make an appearance)and also things like guita ...…

What's worse than having a rehearsal run on for two hours? One that goes on for 3 hours and nothing gets done. This week Jon and Dylan talk about what to do and not to do in a rehearsal and how to run one. Also stripey guitars and pedals Erupt into pedal talk (hint-hint). All the socialsFB: https://www.facebook.com/Sharpen-That-Axe-Podcast-7796 ...…

This episode is full of history, hidden treasures, pleas for social media engagement and of course guitar nerd talk. We delve into the history of Boss pedals and what makes them such a mainstay even in this day and age of specialty and boutique pedals. Then we kick it off with a couple of the most overlooked guitarists. No these aren't your pub ...…

Episode 21: This week Sean Young, Professor of Behavioral Phycology breaks down how we can become better at guitar AND how improve other aspects of our lives. Great guy and some really valuable insights. Pick up the book on sale soon! Worth the read...we did it, you can too. Dylan gives us his pedal board of no limits, a further debate about a ...…

Jon and Dylan bring it back to the technical side of things: get that Legato in shape! Also pedal talk: If money was no object what would buy? But there's a catch: the devil will make you play this fiddle made of gold! Also what we've been working on and what we've been listening to. Lastly how would ya'll feel about some 'merch! Let us know!Pl ...…

Special guest and YouTube guitar hero Jens Larsen is with us this week! If you don't learn something from him you're not listening. Also new special feature of pedal talk, a listener comments on wahs (this is the never ending controversy) and the last time we talk about the ****ing Master's Degree (maybe) Jens Larsen Youtubehttps://www.youtube. ...…

Wah-Wah! No that's not the sound of a sad trumpet with a mute. That's the topic of pedal talk (even if initially wahs were designed for horns). Also we have Matthew O'Callaghan, friend of the show, finger style guitarist. Despite some technical difficulties we press on to bring you some advice on what not to do and how to keep your rhythm with ...…

In case you missed it: Here is a throw back and a reissue of our 2nd episode. Before our theme music, before our interviews and before you knew who we were, we were still talking guitars in dungeons of University College Cork. We talk Distortion Pedals, Joe Bonamassa's business acumen and Maximizing your practice time. "Don't Skip Pinky Day" Do ...…

Jon gets an education on British bands pre-brothers Gallagher. Jon takes a crack (or craic) at the 250 quid pedal challenge. And getting the bends. We discuss ideas on how to improve and practice your bend technique. We give a little shout out to one of our favorite youtube guitar geniuses.Hit us up on all the socials:Like, Share, SubscribeFB: ...…

Take a trip with us to the most famous cliffs in guitar and how they can be shaped by battery flutter. Jon tells stories about famous people, Dylan relives the '60s with Brian Wilson and the first part of our 250 quid (buck - whatever monies you spend on either side of the ocean) pedal challenge. And of course: Pt. 2 of our interview with Troy ...…

This week: one of the wackiest pedals ever made gets the special slot for pedal talk. Dylan has a his weekly Steve Vai rant, and once again brags about how great it is to be in Europe during the summer for all the shows. Special guest Troy Grady joins us to talk about his series Cracking the Code and learns a bit of Irish, sheds some light on p ...…

This week feel ashamed because a player with just two fingers smokes us all. But in addition curses rain down on Fender for their confusion of vibrato and tremolo in the early 60s, Fedoras and synth pedals bring the ire of Dylan and we bring it back to some of the ideas that started this podcast: Guitar Technique and practice. We talk Vibrato a ...…

This week Jon and Dylan sit down to create some controversy and tell you that your favorite guitarist is probably overrated. Plus the Lick of the Week brings us a lick from an obscure album by a well known guitarist. Modulation pedals are the topic for Pedal Talk Also as always: What have we been working on (with a shout out to Troy Grady) and ...…

Even illness can't stop them this week! Dylan and Jon discuss some of the hottest multi-fx and amp simulators on the market (and may have talked themselves into purchasing a few of them). Dylan sends Jon on quest for a White Whale that leads to a man-mountain, Phil Collins and trip to 80s nostalgia. They talk three more key things to help estab ...…

These Episodes go to 11! Not even the mighty Atlantic can stop our hosts (good thing it's not the 1950s!)! This week Jon and Dylan discuss the pros and cons of modern multi-fx processors, Dylan can't find his pants, and why he hates Queen. Don't believe us? Listen.Leave a comment Like, share and Subscribe: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sha ...…