Chris
Steckbrief
Name: Chris
Age: 34 Jahre
Teaches you in: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele
Education: Bachelor in classical guitar at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore (USA), Master in classical guitar at the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, Master in contemporary music und CAS in music pedagogy at the Hochschule für Musik in Basel
Plays the guitar since: 19 Jahren
Guitar teacher since: 9 Jahren
Languages: German, English, French, Italian
Styles: Experimentel, Soul, Hip-Hop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Noise
Influences: John Cage, Radiohead, Herbie Hancock, Shostakovich, OutKast, Animal Collective, Miles Davis, J Dilla, Julian Lage, The Bad Plus
Interview
How did you get to your instrument?
I had played the violin for 10 years before I discovered my father's old guitar and started teaching myself songs by Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was so excited to finally be able to play the music I was listening to. Then I started studying both jazz and classical guitar and fell in love with the versatility of the instrument.
What fascinates you about the guitar?
It can do everything! The guitar has its place in so many musical genres. It can accompany harmonically, it can play a melodic solo, it can be percussive, it can create unrecognisable electronic sounds. It can be delicate one moment and blow you away the next.
What has helped you the most in practising?
Being an active music listener has been very helpful in identifying long-term goals and maintaining motivation to practice. Constantly seeking out new artists, attending concerts and talking to others about music often are important in keeping the enthusiasm alive.
What do you pay particular attention to when teaching?
My goal both as a teacher and as a musician is that the instrument is an extension of one's arms and voice. Therefore, in my lessons I focus on comfort with the instrument and with the music. Specifically, I value improvisation, fretboard knowledge, ear training and technique very highly.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
As part of an exploration with alternative concert formats, I once organised a musical games evening with one of my ensembles. We composed experimental music, arranged and played rock songs, improvised freely, acted, sang and communicated directly with the audience. It was the most artistically complete project I've ever had and the audience had a lot of fun!
What equipment do you prefer to play on?
I play on a Warmoth Strat-style partscaster that I designed and assembled myself and absolutely love. I prefer low wattage amps - I'm currently using an Orange Rocker 15 Terror - because I usually play acoustic instruments and I like being able to use the nice natural distortion of the amp without having to play absurdly loud.
What else is important in your life besides music?
Family and health are the most important things for me. I also have a few hobbies: table tennis, DIY guitar effects, video games and cooking, among others.
I had played the violin for 10 years before I discovered my father's old guitar and started teaching myself songs by Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I was so excited to finally be able to play the music I was listening to. Then I started studying both jazz and classical guitar and fell in love with the versatility of the instrument.
What fascinates you about the guitar?
It can do everything! The guitar has its place in so many musical genres. It can accompany harmonically, it can play a melodic solo, it can be percussive, it can create unrecognisable electronic sounds. It can be delicate one moment and blow you away the next.
What has helped you the most in practising?
Being an active music listener has been very helpful in identifying long-term goals and maintaining motivation to practice. Constantly seeking out new artists, attending concerts and talking to others about music often are important in keeping the enthusiasm alive.
What do you pay particular attention to when teaching?
My goal both as a teacher and as a musician is that the instrument is an extension of one's arms and voice. Therefore, in my lessons I focus on comfort with the instrument and with the music. Specifically, I value improvisation, fretboard knowledge, ear training and technique very highly.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
As part of an exploration with alternative concert formats, I once organised a musical games evening with one of my ensembles. We composed experimental music, arranged and played rock songs, improvised freely, acted, sang and communicated directly with the audience. It was the most artistically complete project I've ever had and the audience had a lot of fun!
What equipment do you prefer to play on?
I play on a Warmoth Strat-style partscaster that I designed and assembled myself and absolutely love. I prefer low wattage amps - I'm currently using an Orange Rocker 15 Terror - because I usually play acoustic instruments and I like being able to use the nice natural distortion of the amp without having to play absurdly loud.
What else is important in your life besides music?
Family and health are the most important things for me. I also have a few hobbies: table tennis, DIY guitar effects, video games and cooking, among others.
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