Author Archives: Mike
Michelle Video
This is a video slideshow for my chord melody arrangement of the Beatles’ classic “Michelle.” A transcription of the chord melody is available here.
Posted in Jazz, Music Lessons, Performance, Products
Tagged Free lessons, Guitar, Jazz, Music lessons, Performance, Products
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Jazz Guitarist Fabrizio Sotti
I just finished a great interview with jazz guitarist Fabrizio Sotti for Guitar International. He is a unique artist and a pleasure to speak with. We talked about guitar, jazz, the music business, creativity, the artistic experience, and his recent … Continue reading
Mike Op Music Newsletter
Last month the first edition of the Mike Op Music Newsletter went out, and received a great response! Thank you to all of the subscribers for your thoughts and feedback. If you didn’t receive it, here is a link to … Continue reading
Posted in Music Lessons, Products
Tagged Banjo, Free lessons, Guitar, Mandolin, Music lessons, Products
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Book Review at All About Jazz
A new book review entitled Trad Dads, Dirty Boppers, and Free Fusioneers: British Jazz, 1960-1975, by Duncan Heining is now available on the All About Jazz website. A very interesting read, in which Heining touches on the significant movements of the period … Continue reading
A Night in Dzodze Video
Here’s a video slideshow of my original Afro-jazz tune “A Night in Dzodze.” You can view the leadsheet and score here. I’ll be adding more videos of my playing and original compositions to my Youtube channel over the coming weeks.
Posted in African Diaspora, Ethnomusicology, Jazz, Performance
Tagged African Diaspora, Ethnomusicology, Jazz, Performance
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Michelle Chord Melody
Here’s a new chord melody arrangement of Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s “Michelle” for solo guitar. In addition to being a pop tune, it has become a standard in the jazz repertoire.
Posted in Jazz, Music Lessons, Products
Tagged Free lessons, Guitar, Jazz, Music lessons, Products
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Bluegrass Banjo Lesson Now Available
I’ve just published a new lesson on the bluegrass rolls for the five-string banjo. Check it out here!
Posted in Music Lessons, Products
Tagged Banjo, Bluegrass, Free lessons, Music lessons, Products
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Art Blakey’s Moanin’ at All About Jazz
My extended analysis of Art Blakey’s seminal hard-bop album Moanin’ is now available at All About Jazz. This includes an extensive review of Moanin’, its place and function in jazz at its release date and historically, and an overview of the impact … Continue reading
Newsletter Launched!
I’m happy to announce that the first volume of the Mike Op Music Newsletter went out yesterday! This newsletter is an opportunity for me to stay in touch with students, friends, and readers. The newsletters feature updates on myself, links … Continue reading
“Banjo! The All-American Instrument” Radio Program
I just found an archived radio program well worth checking out: the Illinois Humanities Council and WBEZ 91.5 radio website provide access to a lovely talk on the banjo and American folk music by banjo player mark Dvorak (Banjo! The … Continue reading
Posted in Ethnomusicology, Uncategorized
Tagged Americana, Banjo, Bluegrass, Clawhammer, Old-time
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