In this episode, Brian Jump presents various audio recordings from his intense work-week at Central State University, including an interview/performance with Thomas Heyward, several sight-singing examples from his musicianship class, and excerpts from his guitar recital.

Chasing the Chords

A Week In The Life

In this podcast, Brian Jump speaks to Central State University student, Thomas Heyward, about how he got started in music, his primary musical interests, and his goals for the future. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so here: brianjump.net/support/

Meet My Student

In this podcast, Brian Jump answers questions about learning music, taking guitar lessons, practicing, performing and more. Guitarist and singer, Justin Sellers, co-hosts the episode and presents questions gathered from Facebook, colleagues, and friends.

Ask Me Anything 1

In this episode of the Chasing the Chords podcast, Brian Jump speaks to English-American guitarist and singer, Joel Lindsey, about his journey from London to Pittsburgh and his transition from amateur to professional musician. Jump and Lindsey have a wide-ranging conversation about repertoire, gigging, discipline, and the importance of listening to oneself critically. This podcast also includes a performance of Lindsey's song called "Always Wanted."

Performance, Repertoire, and the Business of Music

In this episode, Brian Jump speaks to Pittsburgh-area drummer and songwriter, Brett Staggs, about the genre of metal, the practice of meditation, and the curious interaction between the two. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so here: brianjump.net/support/

Metal, Meditation, and the Meaning of Life

In this episode of the Chasing the Chords podcast, Brian Jump speaks to Pittsburgh-area guitarist and singer, Billy Schneider. Billy is a member of the Pear Jam tribute band, Ten, and he's an active solo performer. He's also is an excellent lead player with many tasty and innovative ideas lurking behind his every solo. Most of all, Schneider seems to have a subtle touch for bending and phrasing like a singer. Jump and Schneider get down to the heart and soul of musicianship by covering practicing, performing, and education. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so here: brianjump.net/support/

Covering Integrity

In this podcast, Brian Jump speaks to Pittsburgh-area guitarist, T.J. Riggs, about being a beginner. They cover learning scales, playing three-chord songs, and—most importantly—sounding like a rock star. Jump and Riggs perform many musical examples while having a fun conversation about learning music. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so here: brianjump.net/support/

Beginner's Luck

In this podcast, Brian Jump speaks to Pittsburgh-area guitarist, drummer, and songwriter, Brian Sproul. They discuss electric-guitar playing, altered tunings, rock influences, excellence in drumming, riff-oriented songwriting, rock presentation, and fantasy bands. Sproul is the founding member, and creative force, behind the instrumental power duo called Patton. He’s also the lead guitarist for the local blues-rock band called Sweetheart of the Barricades. Sproul’s approach to electric guitar is especially compelling, specifically when it comes to Patton, which features textural experiments, altered tunings, and stacked overdubs. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it: brianjump.net/support/

Electric Texture

In this episode of the Chasing the Chords podcast, Brian Jump has a wide-ranging conversation with his friend and duo partner, Justin Sellers. They speak about many topics related to playing in a working band like performing, gigging, booking shows, and repertoire. Also, Jump and Sellers address their current quest to change the name of their group—The Vagrants—to something more fitting their business model. A hilarious exchange occurs when they discuss candidate names like The Hit Slammers, The Pop Charts, and The Great White Snakes. Jump and Sellers wrangle this podcast to a close by performing the 1984 hit song by The Cars called “You Might Think.” If you enjoy the Chasing the Chords podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so here: https://brianjump.net/support/

Living The Dream

In this podcast, Brian Jump speaks to Pittsburg-area guitarist, T.J. Riggs, about band leadership, group rehearsals, and musician maintenance. Riggs is the guitarist and founding member of the 1980s tribute band called Stainless. Included in this conversation is a demonstration of the guitar solo from "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns 'n' Roses. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so here: brianjump.net/support/

Band Leadership and Rock Maintenance

In this episode, Brian Jump speaks to Pittsburgh-area guitarist and educator, Ross Heastings, about lead guitar, music theory, cover bands, songwriting, and education. During the conversation, Jump and Heastings demonstrate musical examples, perform jazz excerpts, and improvise licks and phrases. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. You can do so by clicking here: brianjump.net/support/

Inside Lead Guitar

In this podcast, music educator/guitarist, Brian Jump speaks to bassist/singer, Jonny Southern about contemporary hits radio (CHR). They examine the banal, often offensive music inhabiting Billboard’s Hot 100, and they critique the top ten songs occupying the list for the week of October 6, 2018. For context, the thesis of John Seabrook's book, The Hit Factory, is covered. This book declares that hits are still what matters in the music industry despite the virtual annihilation of the record business. Moreover, Seabrook explains that the same few writers and producers are responsible for a significant number of hits and a disproportionately large share of the revenue. To perform this dark magic, Seabrook explains, the hitmakers rely on two principle types of hit: one descended from Europop, which have long-ish melodies and clear verse/chorus structure; and another descended from R&B, which have melodic hooks repeated over rhythmic grooves. To make these two forms of music, producers today rely on the track-and-hook approach, which features one musician writing the beat and the chord progression and another musician writing the melodies and the hooks. Essentially, today’s hit songs are constructed by teams of experts who know how to pack their music full of irresistible ear candy. Please consider supporting this podcast: brianjump.net/support/

Contemporary Hits Radio

In this podcast, music educator, Brian Jump, and bass player, Jonny Southern, talk about gender disparities that exist in rock bands and in rock audiences. They comment on the curious phenomenon of all-male styles, the ridiculous ritual of slam dancing, and the relative scarcity of female rock bands. Jump argues that the boy's-club mentality of rock music represents a type of support group for men and boys. Southern argues that equally-balanced audiences, like that of jam bands, is a result of drug culture. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting it. brianjump.net/support/

Rock 'n' Roll Boy's Club

In this episode of the Chasing the Chords podcast, Brian Jump and Jonny Southern discuss the complicated dealings and elaborate interactions that occur when writing, rehearsing, and performing with other people. Famous band dynamics, like that of The Beatles, The Band, and Metallica, are covered for scope and context. Also included in this episode is a performance of the Chuck Berry song called "You Never Can Tell."

Band Dynamics

In this podcast, Brian Jump and Jonny Southern discuss musician-types and the importance of establishing a musical identity. They cover the similarities and differences that exist between drummers, singers, sidemen, producers, electronic musicians, basement shredders, DJs, etc. Jump and Southern perform the 1965 hit by Lee Dorsey called "Get Out My Life Woman" for this episode's outro. If you enjoy the Chasing the Chords Podcast, please consider supporting it: https://www.patreon.com/brianjump

Musician Categories

Join music educator and guitarist, Brian Jump, as he explores music philosophy, education, and technology. Jump earned a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in music technology from Duquesne University. He teaches a wide range of classes at Community College of Allegheny County including Music Technology, Music History, Class Piano, and History of Jazz. In addition to teaching, Brian performs regularly as a professional pop, classical, and jazz guitarist.

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Chasing the Chords

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