Going on A Guitar Fast with Adam Levy | Dipped in Tone
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- On this week’s Dipped In Tone, Rhett and Zach are joined by contemporary jazz guitar legend Adam Levy, the thoughtful, soft-spoken accompanist known for his work with Norah Jones and his own jazz trios. Levy’s new book, String Theories, which he co-authored with fellow sideman-to-the-stars Ethan Sherman, collects a series of tips, challenges, and reflections for guitarists to deepen their playing.
“I need it to sound like Solomon Burke is singing,” Levy says of his style and philosophy, centered on leads and mid-register tones. His formative playing experiences were on a Gibson ES-335, and Zack and Rhett wonder why the semi-hollow remains Levy’s go-to over, say, a Les Paul or T-style guitar. “[We] kind of put guitars in buckets: ‘This guitar does this, this guitar does that,’” says Levy. “But a lot of it is just what you do with your hands anyway. I feel like the instrument itself is maybe just a third of all that stuff.”
Levy says that as the years go on, he gets “more like myself” when playing. A piece of that, he says, is stepping back from guitar music altogether. “Go on a guitar fast for a month,” he says. Levy says that removing the distractions of analyzing for specific tones and gear can create a clearer relationship to music. “All you can really notice is, ‘What’s the mood? How does it make me feel?’” Similarly, Levy warns of the dangers of overanalyzing your playing: “A little bit of reflection can go a long way,” he says, but “you don’t want to get so reflective that you shut yourself down.”
Finally, the trio dips a high-class vintage rig complete with a Gibson ES-125 with a floating wooden bridge-which shocks a sense-memory out of Levy. “It’s beyond, ‘I can hear that guitar,’” laughs Levy. “I can smell that guitar.”
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Lovely conversation there lads. Adam comes across as a very thoughtful human, alone musician. He reminded me a lot of Tim Lerch who also thinks about how to play from your being rather than just technicalities, and is also someone who thinks before speaking… another good possible future guest.
I love Adam's voice so much. I feel like he might have a side hustle somewhere doing voice work for guided meditations.
Adams solo on “Come Away With Me” inspired me to do my first CZcams video 11 years ago and guess who commented on it! Yes Adam himself! He was very encouraging. Great person and wow what a musician. I should have put as much effort into my channel and content as you guys. I think I am going to get more serious about it. You’re very inspiring as well. Keep releasing great content. Thanks!
Another heart warming person on your show. Really great episode!
Adam is one of my favorite guitarists as well! His guitar playing is so tasteful.
Such a thoughtful musician and a deep soul. Very inspirational.
Rhett, 70 comes a lot sooner than you think. Take care of yourself. I'm 73. I stopped drinking and cut red meat almost out of my diet years ago. I don't miss either. And I currently take zero medications.
Young man telling you now Rhett, listen to older dudes who say this! Life is to short to not put the work in today.
Awesome conversation! This podcast keeps getting better
I love the "Lazaretto" opening from Jack White to these videos.
Rhett! You got your own sound already dude! Nobody sounds like you. Def. Have your own “thing” going on.
Yall should do a classic non interview episode soon. Loved the interview!
One of your best shows ... thank you
Adam is the best! Great show fellas
Wow. Yesterday, I stumbled across his book on Amazon and ordered it. Now, I'm even more excited to dig in and soak up more of his wisdom.
Great video. Adam is coooool man.
I love Adam's playing and his insights. He's what I aspire to be as a guitarist - versatile & adaptable. I really struggle with the adaptable part (with regard to playing an unfamiliar guitar or amp).
props to Adam for turning me onto the City Champs! E
Ive got one of those Monoprice 15w amps, great value for the money and good 1st tube amp for a beginner
I have one as well. No regrets on buying that one.
Had to power through this one. Some good info, in the end.
This demeanour of his, that’s hard to find. You can’t learn that...
🖖
Great conversation! Have to weigh in on Tone Master amps. I recently saw a great vid on That Pedal Show where they play a tube reissue of 65 Deluxe and the Tone Master counterpart and tho the Tone Master sounds great by itself the character and midrange of the tube amp was far and away better than the tone master. But I realize it’s whatever floats your boat.
Special ASMR episode
So how long did it take to get to Colorado? Lol
You need that f250 power stroke dude
"If you make it to 70…" you said… I laughed (in a good way) at that because, being 66, seventy is just around the corner, but I feel like thirty, and would love another 30 years more. So, my reply to your comment goes like this: "if I make it to 99 and in good health, I'll be happy". 😂
Speaking of stepping away from playing, every time I get away from daily practice due to professional affairs, I return with a wider perception of what I want to accomplish as I grab the guitar back. It feels like my guitar playing has grown, even if I now must try to regain lost strength and playing agility. It's always a positive outcome.
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adam is not the status quo