About Jackal Music

Welcome! I am currently working on a number of articles, reviews and working on getting instructional and entertainment materials from some pretty awesome artists and instructors! We've got some of the best in the guitar community already! I've also got my friend Jane painting the official logo for me! I can't wait until she finishes!

Jackal Music is a dream that I've had for about two years now. I wanted to create a place that music students and fans (with an emphasis on guitar) could come and learn interesting, alternative ways to play and THINK! I have never been a fan of conventional and traditional thinking because it never seems to work for me! I will show you how watching movies and playing video games has improved my playing. I will show you how you can practice your right hand technique while drinking a soda with your left hand! WARNING: Contact your doctor before attempting any extreme techniques!

I also plan to have a section called "Wishlist" in which I'll keep a list of products/books etc. that we wish existed or the next version would be improved upon. For example, I wish the next version of Rock Band would have more educational setup options such as have real notes coming towards on the screen you with correct durations instead of colored tabs. I wish someone would create a Learn and Master Guitar style box-set DVD course for just blues or fingerstyle! I plan to allow members to submit ideas and I will keep a running log of all ideas with the name of the person who submitted it and a "what ever happened" section where I will update the status of the wish...

This site will have product reviews that are based on first-hand knowledge. I have gathered a group of friends, sponsors and affiliates, many of whom I've worked with in person. Although some of the products that I review may be products that I can make money on, I will NEVER lead my visitors astray, recommending something that I don't believe in myself. Some of the friends of the site include:
Mark Hanson (Grammy winning fingerstylist)
Al Petteway (Grammy Winning fingerstylist)
Chris Proctor (1982 National Fingerpicking Champion)
Doug Smith (2006 National Fingerpicking Champion)
Berklee School of Music (I am a student there)
Leo Kottke
Legacy Learning Systems (Learn and Master Guitar)

Here you will find a wealth of information for the aspiring guitar player, home recorder or song writer. Whether you want to play fingerstyle guitar solos in the style of greats like Leo Kottke, delve into the world of alternate tunings, learn ways to practice left-hand technique while running on the treadmill at the gym or set up a basic home studio, I think you will find the resources here fresh, original and informative.

I hope to have all of my preliminary articles and artist blurbs up by Saturday, April 19th because I will be away for a week on a cruise. I will be working feverishly to get this done.

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to contact me!

Keep on Playing and Being Creative!

Jeff