About
Originally hailing from Chicago, Jay now makes his home a bit further south and east--in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jay is currently on a live haitus after seven years with regional powerhouse LOVE TRIBE. Jay also maintains a full teaching schedule, does the odd session, and is in the midst of authoring a book detailing fresh, logical, and concise theoretical and technical approaches to advanced lead guitar improvisation. Recent recording activities include a track on the Guitar Nine instrumental album, "Alien8 Yourself". In addition, Jay continues to bash away at the composition of "Hangman's Hand"--a rock opera/concept album that he hopes to finish in the coming year and plans to feature some special guests of considerable reknown on lead vocals. More on this later....... ...... ..Other items of note include: A member of Ron Keel's "IronHorse" from 2002-2006 with whom he released the CD entitled "Bring It On" on Compendia/V-Tone Records. Most of you will remember Ron as the highly respected vocalist who founded the the popular 80's metal acts, "KEEL" and "Steeler." .. .........Featured in Mike Varney's "New Talent" column in GUITAR WORLD magazine (Mike has been responsible for the discovery of such guitar luminaries as Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, and many others) as well as having authored instructional columns for several other guitar publications.......Composed, recorded, and performed with multi-platinum selling artists such as Henry Paul of THE OUTLAWS/ BLACKHAWK and George McCorkle of MARSHALL TUCKER BAND among many others. A popular player and instructor in Chicagoland where he performed constantly with a vast array of different bands--from alternative pop and live Karoake to original hard rock bands and tributes to such metal icons as Judas Priest, The Scorpions, Iron Maiden, and Aerosmith......Attended the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he studied Advanced Classical Theory, Voiceleading, and Jazz Improvisation..............Is currently endorsed by Rotosound strings, Morley pedals, and In-Tune Guitar Picks........Teaches exclusively at LEECHFORD MUSIC in Cary, NC (Leechfordmusic.com) and FALLS RIVER MUSIC in N. Raleigh, NC (fallsrivermusic.com)
Current Location
Cary, NC
N. Raleigh, NC
Influences
Ritchie Blackmore, Uli Roth, John Sykes, Gary Moore, Doug Aldrich, George Lynch, Larry Carlton
The opportunity to help both new and seasoned players cut thru the mountain of misleading information out there so that they can better achieve their goals and understand the language of music is always a positive outcome.
Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Photos and videos
.jpg)
Reviews
Mark
Siang L.
Dave B.
Jeff F.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Assessing their goals and seeing if they are new to the instrument or if they have been playing for a while and need some technical tweaking. Then my goal is to take a teaching path that will help them become as self-sufficient as possible. This is done in part by explaining music theory as it can be used in a practical manner to help them teach themselves what they want to learn along with me assisting them by showing real-life musical examples so they learn the HOW and WHY at the same time. A major focus is teaching my students HOW to practice effectively so that they can see rapid progress in a relatively short period of time. I also specialize in getting new students over the initial hurdles regarding technical aspects of playing the guitar as quickly as possible so they can begin to really enjoy playing, rather than struggling with the instrument.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
--Over 30 years professionally playing, teaching, and performing
--Featured in GUITAR WORLD and other national guitar publications
--Recorded and toured nationally with million-selling artists
--Currently performs 70 dates a year across the Southeast
--Endorsed by/product demonstrator for Morley pedals/InTune picks
--Five years private jazz-rock instruction (1983-1987)
--Two years Advanced Classical Theory/Voiceleading and Jazz Improvisation at
Oberlin College Conservatory (1990-92)
--Utilizes a variety of methods and approaches tailored to the individual student-from beginner to advanced
--Lessons are given in a high-tech studio including practice amps, drum machine, metronome, play-along CDs, online access, and other state-of-the-art audio and written teaching materials
--Instructor is available outside of lesson times via email or phone to answer any questions that come up regarding lesson curriculum
--Specializes in rapid progress and understanding of the guitar both technically and theoretically--making sure you understand the "why" as well as the "how"
--Currently authoring a publication focusing on a fresh and logical approach towards both beginning and advanced guitar improvisation
--Fluent in all styles played with a pick (pop/rock/metal/blues/country/jazz)
--Reads both standard notation and tablature
--Organized, conscientious, personable, and enthusiastic
--Student references available upon request
--Please visit the Reverbnation page for more information, history, credentials, and playing samples