The legacy of Ted Greene
Ted Greene is dead.
I almost fell off my chair when I read that sad, sad news. During my studies at Musician's Institute I had the great fortune of meeting Ted a couple of times because he occasionally conducted a clinic/seminar there.
Let me tell you this: the musical talent of that guy was off the chart. His mastery of harmony, chord voicings and fretboard command was mind boggling and somewhat frightening.
Yet at the same time he was very humble and willing to share his profound knowledge.
I can say I always went away from any meeting with Ted enthused about music and motivated to do more. To practice a little bit longer, to work on counterpoint and walking bass lines, to learn another voicing and then one more, to put them in different combinations, and and and...
Ted authored 4 books that most likely already are in every serious guitarist's library. "Chord Chemistry" and "Modern Chord Progressions" deal with Ted's specialty - chord voicings and how to string them together. "Single Note Soloing Volume 1" and "Single Note Soloing Volume 2" deal with the linear aspects of improvisation.
I plan on writing a more detailed review and my take on how to get he most out of Ted's books soon once we start our review section of valuable must-have resources at worldsgreatestguitarist.com.
For now, if you are unfamiliar with Ted and haven't heard of him before, the first thing to do after finishing this newsletter is to grab yourself a copy of Ted's only available recording.
Finally and for the first time on CD - a remastered version of his 1977 LP release "Solo Guitar"
Solo Guitar - it's exactly that. One man by himself, no overdubs - but sounding like three guitarists at once. Melody, chords and bass - harp harmonics, masterful reharmonizations without sounding academic, just beautiful music.
Steve Vai said, "Ted Greene has the deepest ears that music can flow through. He is totally in touch with the potential of harmonic constructions. On this record he defies the technical physics of Jazz melody chord voicings but creates an organic and inspired listening delight. A must for anyone who puts their fingers on an instrument with strings."
Enough said. Enjoy the sonic legacy of a true music genius who brought guitar to a new level and unfortunately left this world too early. Grab your copy now!
Words of Wisdom
Contemplate this morsel by WGG July 2005 winner Eric Johnson
"Music can bring out the best in you or the worst in you, but maybe even that's for a good reason because it brings something to the surface."
Eric Johnson
Time for a Laugh
The guitarist in a band comes running to the keyboard player waving a piece of paper shouting;"I found it, I actually found it!" The keyboard player asks him what it is he's found. "Evidence that aliens live among us on earth! I found this letter written in an alien language, it's amazing!" The keyboard player looks at the piece of paper then says to the guitarist, "Sorry to dissapoint you my friend, but this is just a little something we call sheet music." | 
