In the end, however, recording this album became so much more about a process of discovering my own identity that I didn't want it to seem like a complete 'cover project.' John's version of Continuum is as good as it will ever get. At first I was frustrated because learning how to program a mere two bars of Steve Jordan's playing could take me several hours. So let's dive into a few things I learned on this journey.ĭisclaimer: There was one thing I fought Kristian on, but now I'm happy he suggested it. It's a good kind of frustration, but an ever-going battle nonetheless. There is always a frustration, at least for me, in finding the right guitar tone. But that's the beauty of music-the fluidity keeps us coming back for more. I recorded these files in August 2016, and even listening back to it now there are a hundred things I'd change. I'm not saying what I did was right or wrong, or anything but a mere interpretation of my version of the album. Getting inside the songs and really listening to each part instead of just learning something quickly by ear made me a better player.įor any John Mayer enthusiasts out there, please know this is just music. There are parts I never knew were in each song until I recorded them. I learned a lot through this homework assignment. When you're forced to put an album you love under a microscope and then recreate it in your own voice, magic happens. I thought I knew the album pretty well after listening to it so much, but when you start to dissect Pino Palladino's bass lines and Steve Jordan's drum parts, and, of course, all the great guitar parts, you come to appreciate the music on a whole new level. I had to play every instrument on the record myself.Įven though I didn't fully understand why Kristian asked me to do this, he's someone I completely trust, both in creativity and in life, so I cleared my schedule for the next two weeks and proceeded to work around the clock.

There were three rules for this homework assignment: But it soon sank in: My homework was to re-record my favorite record of all time. 'I want you to record the whole thing.' I stared at him blankly, not fully grasping the nature of my assignment. I had listened to that album from front to back more than anything else. Without hesitation I said Continuumby John Mayer. About a year and a half ago, I had a meeting with the celebrated producer and multi-instrumentalist, and he asked me what my favorite album was.

John mayer where the light is solo tab