This installment delves into the music of the "Dark Knight" soundtrack, a collaboration between Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. I'll be examining the recurring ostinato patterns – those persistently repeated musical phrases or rhythms …

In this piece, I draw inspiration from Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto, taking a significant musical phrase and transforming it. I will first demonstrate the original passage and then reveal how I adapt it into a more contemporary idiom for …

This episode delves into the process of nurturing a musical idea. I'll guide you through the steps I take to generate, develop, and arrange musical concepts – whether for a film score, or simply for the accompanying music in my videos.

The spring of 1980 brought an event that irrevocably changed the trajectory of my life. I have confided in only a few close friends, and the secret remains unknown to my family. I felt compelled to share it with you. Thank you for your pres…

This story resonates with those found in "Fortunes of Hard Work"—a facet of myself that remains largely unknown, even to those closest to me. It recounts my rediscovery of rock music in my late twenties, a journey that ultimately led to the…

This installment of Everything Music delves into a shared characteristic of Bach and Charlie Parker: the use of octave displacement. This technique offers a powerful means of enriching melodies, enhancing their intervallic complexity, and i…

Tonight marks the premiere of my new program, "Sounding Off," with very special guest, guitar legend Steve Vai. In today's episode, Steve delves into a wide array of subjects, from the inner workings of the music industry to his experiences…

This is the tale of my first major label recording contract, a venture that proved to be spectacularly disastrous. It happened when I was thirty-six, and the experience taught me a profound lesson: be wary of your desires.

This week's Sounding Off spotlights Turkish pianist and composer Aydin Esen. In today's program, Aydin delves into his approaches to melodic and harmonic language, the significance of fluidity in improvisation, and how these concepts have s…

This week on Sounding Off, we speak with film composer Mark Isham. He’ll share insights into the multifaceted world of film scoring, covering everything from the initial creative concepts to the technical aspects of the craft: Digital Audio…

This installment features the legendary drummer Dennis Chambers, who offers insights into his approach to polyrhythms, feel, drum tuning, setup, and equipment, alongside some memorable anecdotes from his celebrated career. I even had the op…

On this installment of *Sounding Off*, I speak with Adam Neely, the widely recognized figure from Music Theory YouTube. Based in New York City, Adam is a bassist and composer, and he cultivates a popular YouTube channel dedicated to explori…

In this episode, guitarist Mark Lettieri of Snarky Puppy offers candid insights into his approach to playing, his instruments, and the equipment he uses.

Victor Wooten joins us today to share his perspectives on a life dedicated to music – as a performer, composer, author, and teacher.

This installment of *SOUNDING OFF* features an interview with John Petrucci, guitarist for Dream Theater. *** **John Petrucci** [Insert Biography Here]

This installment of Sounding Off features bassist Jeff Berlin.

Jordan Rudess, lauded as the "Best Keyboardist of All Time" by Music Radar Magazine, is widely recognized as the exceptional keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the Grammy-nominated progressive rock band, Dream Theater, whose albums h…

For over thirty-five years, Rudy Sarzo has been a sought-after recording and performing artist, lending his talents to iconic bands such as Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, DIO, and Blue Öyster Cult, among others. He is also the autho…

This video features my conversation with Scott Henderson, founder and guitarist of Tribal Tech.

Today on SOUNDING OFF, we welcome Steve Hunt, American jazz pianist and composer. For over a decade, from 1987 to 2003, Hunt was a vital part of Allan Holdsworth's ensemble, performing, touring, and recording alongside the acclaimed guitari…

## The Genesis of a Video: A Day in the Life The process of creating a video often begins with a spark, a fleeting idea that takes root and grows. It’s a constant cycle of observation, reflection, and refinement. Some days start with a f…

This video will guide you through the fundamentals of programming and understanding basic drum grooves.

This video features an interview with Jake Ottmann, Senior Vice President of A&R at RCA Records. We discussed the current landscape of the music industry and his perspective on identifying promising new artists.

This video marks the beginning of my exploration into the fundamentals of music theory. Here, I delve into the concepts of intervals, triads, and keys.

This video explores why Radiohead stands as one of the most significant bands in music history. I offer demonstrations and instruction on playing excerpts from their songs "Airbag," "Just," "Let Down," "Everything In Its Right Place," and "…

In this video, I explore my perspective on music and the broader experience of living. I discuss the significance of embracing life without lingering in regret.

This video offers a guide to playing four iconic songs: "Norwegian Wood," "Here Comes the Sun," "Strawberry Fields Forever," and includes a breakdown of the opening chord to "A Hard Day's Night."

Last week, my dear friend Aimee Nolte and I sat together to talk about the path that brought us both to YouTube Music Channels.

This video features a previously published arrangement of "When You Wish Upon a Star," with particular attention paid to the principles of voice-leading.

This episode features an interview with Gary Husband, the acclaimed English drummer and keyboardist. He is widely recognized for his collaborations with two of the most influential guitarists in history, Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin…

This installment of Everything Music delves into the idea that dissonance is fundamentally linked to emotion. It represents the second part of my tutorial on film scoring.

The news of Chester Bennington's passing is deeply saddening. He was a truly remarkable singer, and his talent graced one of my most cherished rock bands, Linkin Park.

A weariness has settled upon me regarding Apple.

This installment features a reading of comments from my recent Apple Rant, followed by a discussion of ageism prevalent on YouTube.

Djent refers to a distinctive rhythmic style prominent in progressive metal, characterized by a chugging, syncopated guitar sound.

Some consider a particular chord to be the foundational one, encompassing all others. This chord, it is said, contains within its structure the essence of every conceivable harmony.

This video explores the spectrum of minor modes, charting their distinct emotional landscapes. We journey from the vibrant intensity of Dorian to the profound melancholy of Hungarian minor, and the nuanced hues that lie between.

This episode of Sounding Off features Synyster Gates, guitarist for Avenged Sevenfold. Here is a biography of Syn.

Based in Los Angeles, Greg Wells has established himself as a highly sought-after record producer, songwriter, musician, and mix engineer. His work graces over eighty-five million albums worldwide. He has collaborated with a diverse array o…

This installment of Everything Music is a tribute to the life and work of Tom Petty, a true giant of American songwriting, who lived from 1950 to 2017.

On this installment of Sounding Off, I speak with Brian Schmidt, founder and creator of GameSoundCon. A recipient of the Game Audio Network Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, Mr. Schmidt has been shaping the soundscape of video gam…

This introduction to post-tonal theory will introduce concepts – such as those found in twelve-tone or serial music – that may initially seem unfamiliar to those accustomed to traditional compositional methods. Familiarity with these terms …

This video delves into the distinctions between MP3, WAV, FLAC (lossless), and AAC audio file formats, questioning whether a discernible difference exists, and if such distinctions hold any practical significance. We explore the interplay o…

Here's a look at the present condition of the music industry.

I addressed the issue I encountered with my Apple device as follows.

On this installment of *Sounding Off*, I speak with guitarist and longtime friend Marty Friedman about his latest album, *Wall of Sound*.

Developed by Johann Sebastian Bach in the 18th century, the fugue represents a distinctive musical compositional technique. This installment of *Everything Music* delves into the fundamental components of fugal writing.

Gratitude is extended to Dan Hannon and Codi of BRYTLY.

Malcolm Gladwell’s 2008 book, *Outliers*, posits a strong connection between achievement and the circumstances of one's life, particularly the amount of time dedicated to a skill. He suggests that mastery of any endeavor requires roughly te…