The Latest

TrueFire iPhone App! Download Me!

Jeff — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:31:50 +0000

TrueFire has just released its iPhone app Guitar Lab and it's mondo cool! Download it on iTunes or check it how at TrueTire's site. My 50 Blues Guitar Licks You Must Know is availbale for download! Too Cool!

All Blues Jam Download!

Jeff — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:35:47 +0000

Here is a live version of the Miles Davis tune "All Blues" performed by my trio The Brooklyn Carpetbaggers. I hope you like it! Warts and all!

This is from our steady Monday night gig at NYC's Oro Bar and Bakery.

Hari Ganglberger on drums

Bill Malchow on Keys

For the guitar geeks:

Tuttle 3 tone Classic S

90's Tweed Fender Pro Junior (LOVE the PRO Junior)

Zvex Box of Rock

T-Rex Relpica Delay

That's it!

Daniel Lanois

Jeff — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:40:37 +0000

I am a guitar geek, I love all the masters that we all do, Jimi, Beck, Page, Clapton, etc. But I have to say I have been as heavily influence by Daniel Lanois as I have been by Jeff Beck. Lanois is best know for being a producer of U2, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, and many others. He has a sound that is all his own and I can't get enough of it, I try my hardest not to steal from him too much! He got me to look at the guitar is a different way. He, like Beck and Hendrix, plays the guitar like an extension of himself. Watch him, physically. Check out his new band Black Dub and download this free tune. Anyway... I wanted to give you a quick look into his playing via youtube.

With the great Brian Blade on drums.

With Emmylou Harris.

Black Dub, Brian Blade and Trixie Whitley..

More Black Dub.

Love this tune.

Tuttle Carve Top Deluxe Demo

Jeff — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:05:23 +0000

Here is a demo I did for Michael Tuttle. I am a huge fan of his guitars and he is also a great guy. Since I am one of the owners of the 4 of these guitars in existence Michael asked that I do a demo for him. I am playing through a Bogner Mojado for the live clips and a Marshall 2061X through a THD 2x12 with greenbacks for the solo clips. Check out Michael's guitars here.

7 Killer Guitar Gizmos You Must Have!

Jeff — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:22:26 +0000

Here is a cool link to the TrueFire Blog that I contributed to singing the praises of the ZVEX Box of Rock. My must have pedal. I really can't say enough great things about this pedal, I never leave home without it!

National Guitar Workshop Course Dates in IL and VA.

Jeff — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:12:41 +0000

As usual, I will be teaching at the National Guitar Workshop this summer! Here are the dates and classes.

Elgin IL

British Blues: The British may not be known for their food, but they certainly are known for their take on the blues! In the 60's, bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac and Cream strived to recreate the sound of American blues; and in doing do so made it rock! This course focuses in on this magical period in music by examining the playing of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, David Gilmour, Rory Gallagher, Keith Richards, and Mick Taylor to name a few. Jeff will discuss the use of major and minor blues scales, modes, chord progressions, grooves, licks, repertoire, articulation, bends, slides, vibrato arpeggios, and chord voicings used by these greats. These concepts were the blueprint for rock 'n' roll as we know it today.

McLean VA

Atomic Blues: Bring your blues playing into the Atomic age with Jeff McErlain. Jeff will methodically take you through the the scales and techniques you need to super charge your blues playing. Some of the players covered will be Robben Ford, Jeff Beck, Scott Henderson, Michael Landau, John Scofield, and Mike Bloomfield,as well as the classic masters like Clapton, Hendrix, Page and Greene. Learn how to get the most out of your major and minor blues scales, repertoire, arpeggios, modes, diminished scales, whole tone scales, and altered scales. Jeff will also teach you chord progressions and voicings, licks, chord substitutions, grooves, technique, articulation, as well as how to build a great solo. Jeff will also discuss live performance and how to get a great tone.

Hope to see you there! Please feel free to ask any me any questions you may have!

Just Finished Shooting New TrueFire Course "Kings of Tone"

Jeff — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:01:58 +0000

I just got back from Florida and finsihed filming my new TrueFire course "Kings of Tone". In the course I discuss the styles, tones, and techniques of 12 guitar greats. The course includes background tracks, tab, pedal tweaks, amp tweaks, techniques, approach, and stylistic approaches 12 guitar greats.

Here are the Kings of Tone I cover: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Angus Young, Billy Gibbons, Mark Knophler, Duane Allman, Dicky Betts, The Edge, David Gilmour, and Keith Richards.

We are putting it all together and hope to have it out in the spring!

Billy Gibbons is The Man!

Jeff — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:35:38 +0000

I love this clip of Billy just messing around. Awesome.

ZZ Top 1980. Wow.

New Hendrix Tune Released Listen Here!

Jeff — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:14:23 +0000

OK so the "newest" release "Valleys of Neptune" is coming out soon, always on the fence about these being a Hendrix fan. But you can listen to a new tune here. I was torn with the box set because there were out takes that I don't believe Jimi as an artist wanted us to hear. The live stuff was awesome, as were some other versions of tunes. But overall I didn't flip over it. I like the Live at The Filmore cd just because I love the Band of Gypsys so much. I like of like the tune, but it's cool to hear more Jimi.

Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Jeff — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:09:05 +0000

For those of you not familiar with Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, you should be! I must admit I was late to the party and was introduced to him by a student (hi, Jared). Here are some great clips of the man and band in action. Green himself is somewhat of a tragic story wrought with mental illness and drug abuse. He is still living and performing but here he is as his peak.

I will be teaching a Brit-Blues class this summer for the NGW. Details on dates and locations to follow!

Oh Well

Jumping at Shadows

World Keep On Turning

Rattlesnake Shake with Hef and Barbi Benton!

Like It This Way