How to Practice Improvisation w/ Alex Hargreaves, Mike Barnett, Elis Bishop, & Greg Byers

Christian sits down with 4 of the hottest young Creative String players (dubbed "the Young Guns") to discuss their practice techniques, exercises and moving between various fiddle styles. Meet the Young Guns Eli Bishop From the age of 3 until 11, Eli studied the Suzuki violin method. After completing the eighth book of the method, he began studying traditional classical music under the instruction of Cornelius Heard at the Blair School of Music, which was part of Vanderbilt University. Under Connie Heard’s instruction, Eli learned to play standard classical violin repertoire. At the age of 16, Eli’s interests shifted from classical to western swing. At this point, Eli began studying with Nashville legend, Buddy Spicher and spent the next year mastering western swing music. While enrolled at the Nashville School of the Arts, Eli studied swing and jazz music on the violin and also began playing the guitar. Now a sophomore in high school, Eli’s grew more and more interested in jazz music, specifically bebop. A close friend at his high school suggested he learn the tunes, “Donna Lee” and “Freedom Jazz Dance”. That was what ignited the desire in Eli to become competent in this style of music. Alex Hargreaves Violinist Alex Hargreaves is an active performer, playing on stages around the world including Austin City Limits, A Prairie Home Companion, Grand Ole Opry, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, Bonnaroo, Newport Jazz Festival, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, as well as venues in the UK, France, Italy, Canada, and South Korea. He is a member of world-renowned mandolinist Mike Marshall’s Big Trio, along with bassist Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers) and has toured with the trio extensively following the 2008 release of their self-titled album on Adventure Music. Matt Glaser, artistic director of Berklee College of Music, American Roots Program, states simply, “Truly, Alex Hargreaves is the best young jazz violinist in America.” Mike Barnett I’ve been having a blast travelin’ and performing around the country and internationally with heroes of mine. Having grown up in Nashville, I have a special place in my heart for bluegrass and country music. Fiddle camps- Mark O’Connor String Conference, Christian Howes’ Creative Strings Workshop, Mt. Shasta Fiddle Camp---have provided a tremendous source of inspiration and exposure to incredible players from a wide variety of genres. The great bluegrass fiddler Aubrey Haynie inspired me to record my first CD “Lost Indian” when I was 14. One summer at Crystal Plohman’s ‘International Fiddle Camp’ at Vanderbilt, I had the great honor of working with Bobby Hicks, Buddy Spicher, and Vassar Clemens, three of the finest people and fiddlers there have ever been. They willingly showed me everything I could get my ears on. Greg Byers Since Greg started playing cello at 2 1/2 he has immersed himself in many branches of music, each cumulative aspect elevating the others: performance, composition, recording, education, entrepreneurship. His debut EP Some Dark, Beautiful Morning was orchestrated jazz fusion, but his newer work finds Greg as singer/songwriter; a nuanced interplay of natural and artificial, nature and technology. The language of music is unique in that it can provide every listener with similar yet distinct messages of truth, beauty, freedom; this has motivated Greg to express his own authenticity through precise songwriting and improvisation. This episode is brought to you by the Electric Violin Shop. Visit the Electric Violin Shop, your one-stop shop for electric instruments, amps, gear & accessories, and most of all, expertise. Use code CHOWES at checkout and take 5% off of your order.