Julian Lage: There Are No "Bad" Guitar Sounds
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- Опубліковано 10 бер 2024
- Rhett and Zach are joined on this episode of Dipped In Tone by soft-spoken jazz guitar master Julian Lage. After Zach shares some last-minute production headaches with Mythos’ new Herculean Deluxe, Lage sits in for fascinating, spirited dive into how he thinks about tone, composition, and his new record, Speak To Me.
The gang unpacks just about every aspect of Lage’s playing and sound. They touch on Lage’s relationships with his amps and dynamics (“I have to get overstimulated by an amplifier,” says Lage) and get the details on his Collings signature model-plus, of course, what ‘good’ or ‘bad’ guitar sounds mean. “No sound is empirically good or bad,” says Lage. “It’s just how it fits into the narrative.”
Did you know that Lage gets to know his guitars by doing direct into his DAW, and that effects pedals kinda terrify him? He doesn’t like transcribing, either-he’s got a unique take on studying Robben Ford solos. Listen in to find out why, and hear about the best guitar lesson his father ever taught him.
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It’s almost embarrassing to admit how much I look up to Julian Lage as a musician and a person. Seeing him next week in NYC!
Julian’s honesty is intoxicating. I love hearing him talk about playing music. He speaks with great deference and grace. It’s inspiring. Thank you Julian.
he speaks & play the same way
Hopefully you’re a chick
I seriously hope you’re a chick
I was wondering how this would go, since Julian's rig is so bare-bones, but he delivered a master class on tone via electric guitar without being pretentious, just such grace. Good job.
He speaks so respectfully about other people. His dad, other musicians, whoever is interviewing him it doesn't seem to matter. And he plays like that too assuming that others have something interesting to add to the conversation besides what he has to offer. And he sure does avoid effects 😂
”..amateurs worry about equipment,
professionals worry about money,
masters worry about light…”
I believe you know where Julian fits in this quote.
I saw this guy eating breakfast the other day in my local cafe, i almost lost my shit. I got a smile out of him. Top player of our lifetime.
Julian's mind is so present. He is a deep thinker. great Interview! Cheers from Brazil!
Eaee cara! Sou brasileiro também
Julian is the best because his sound is just as intoxicating on acoustic as it is electric, and he can do it alone, or with a band. He’s amazing.
I just cannot describe how much I admire Julian on so many levels.
Tributary - one of the best guitar trio performances ever, if not the best!
Saw Julian play last night in Ridgefield CT. Blown away by his touch on the guitar (he played the tele for most of the set with a few songs on acoustic in the middle), the musicality, and the creativity. The band was also killer. Loved being in the room for the performance, and it looked like the band was also having fun. Mutual admiration all around!
Got to see Julian for the 3rd time in Seattle a couple of weeks ago. Amazing and my favorite living jazz guitarist. 🎸
how is it that every interview with julian is great? so insightful in how music means to him and others!
Guys youre really pro interviewers, and Julián a pro interviewee, delightful music chat you have created, thanks a lot, It was amazing to listen to it
Julian’s eloquence is reflected both in his conversations as well as his playing. Such a unique and amazing talent.
Julian seemed especially sincere and transparent here, which I think just enhances his naturally eloquent nature. Thanks for this. Favorite player alive
Wow one of the best interviews. Just wow! Thank you!
First, I listen. Then, I listen to my response. And, a little after that, I listen to what is being added. I don't think in terms of key or scale, but sound. Analysis of those interactions may be engaged upon re-hearing the performance. I have learned to respect what I do "live" which has taken me beyond my training.
As an amateur guitarist, It was eye opening the part about solos, i mean It can seem obvious but you never really think It can be a fully valid aproach until someone like Julián lage tells you, hey man just play the baseline and understand what the Guy is doing and why It makes you feel this way, truly enlightning, i got so much value from this chat, again, thanks
Great episode! Thanks for doing it 😊
Thank y'all for getting this done. That was amazing.
I have been "searching" and have come to a certain balance in the use of effects. I like overdrive, reverb, chorus, and delay to coexist to the point that they all lose themselves in the blend of each other without allowing any to "muddy" the overall "tone'. I've found that a minimal use of each (assessed alone) is the key to inclusion. this "blending" is also very responsive to EQ settings - regardless of source. Attempting to accomplish this "balance" in any and every "room" requires progressive exposure to various venues. But, I realize, I simply don't have the tolerance for the requirements of that search so I revisit "settings" very time I enter my playing space at home and enjoy the most diminutive "improvements" I know almost no one but me may appreciate. I have to tire of, and even join others (on line) who have similar obsessions.
So-called "obsessing" over the relative "positive" and "negative" qualities of sound as it is being generate can help the player to focus by engaging the senses beyond the strictly necessary. The recipients of such are "focused" effort are then engaged "beyond the necessary". That extra "intensity" of delivery is appreciated without explanation. Generating music which relates the "intangible" along with the "tangible" is the draw for both the performer and recipient of that performance.
This was a great one, I could listen to that all day, thank you!
So happy this exists, thanks to all involved!!!😊
Such a thoughtful and articulate individual.
Great interview! I love it. I think its worth to hear it several times and think about how it can inspire you as a musician and guitarist 😎
Great guest and great rig!
Very well spoken. A joy to listen to this one.
Great interview!
I love the way he talks as well as the tone of his voice. So gentle and soothing. Congrats on a great interview guys, can't wait to see Julian live in April for the first time!
Great interview. Julian is superb.
Thank you for this episode. Amazing human that happens to be a musician. 👍
That was truly an amazing interview. The advice Julian gave about finding paths into the music that aren't just about beating ourselves up and all the ways we fall short, but instead how we can understand more deeply and connect more directly with the music and musicians we love is just masterful. Mind blown. Thanks Julian, Rhett, and Zach!
Perhaps the best interview with Julian I’ve seen! Well done Zach and Rhett….. and Julian. So much fascinating conversation and so much to think on! Atonal, polytonal, the touch sensitivity of an instrument, no tone is inherently bad, playing in the mix! OMG, enough here for months of work!
Lage's insight on how shifting tonal centers changes tone is brilliant. If you want to change tone, shift tonal center not you eq 😮
Depth of musicality is alive and well through Julian. Well done Rhett and Zach.
I feel like I could listen to Julian Lage talk forever. It was awesome to see him at his residence at SF Jazz and seeing Speak to Me live was amazing.
What a time to be alive being able to hear this master share so much valuable information. Such inside baseball going on. Thank you DIT and Mr. Lage!
So much logic in his thinking. I also didn’t transcribe much unless songs I loved so much that I wanted to be able to play them so I could enjoy them. Not to learn from them.
Learning was also the solo along way. Just felt so natural and fun.
The nicest thing for Julian was that he had people around him who put him in the right direction.
Tnx. This was a great interview.
what a brilliant man , brilliant musician , wow thanks
That was brilliant!!! I started listening to Julian Lage because I started listening to Margaret Glaspy. Thanks to him, all of the EQs on my amps are set to 3 (10 o'clock). Such a great interview!!!
I'm in Durango hope ya had fun Rhett
Talkin 12 tone with edge of break up dudes, this is great thanks guys.
Great conversation with Julian! I thought his discussion on the velocity of attack was spot on. That is what unlocked funk and reggae for me. A fast attack is what you need for those sounds.
I was lucky enough to see Julian at the One Longfellow Square for an absolutely stunning acoustic perfomance. He is so connected with the instrument, the room and the Audience. He pulls you in and you disappear in the world of Julian Lage for a bit. It's crazy how emotional the experience can be. Absolutely love every and any interview with Julian thank you dipped in tone for making this possible. You should Watch Jules at 8. It's a documentary about Julian when he was well 8. It's amazing he's been phenomenal all his life.
I was at that show! Got a recording of it on my UA-cam page
Wow, that was truly insightful and I agree with Rhett that this may be the best podcast interview about playing guitar and tone I’ve heard for probably ever.
I particularly liked the glass of water analogy in regards to soloing. The idea of making space and mixing short lines with long lines, maybe repeating a line but in a slightly different way - these nuances are what makes a great solo amazing.
Also playing the guitar DI’d and just hearing the raw tone of the guitar - that spoke to me as well, to learn how the guitar actually sounds, how are you? Interact with that sound with your fingers and hearing its sound uncoloured by amplification or pedals etc.
At the Fretboard Journal Summit in Chicago a couple years back, I was so taken by Julian's solo electric guitar performance, the next day I went straight to the Collings booth and ordered a 470 JL. I still can't play like Julian, but I absolutely love the guitar.
Great engaging episode! I got to see Julian a good while back, sit down and play/jam with Mundell Lowe at the Stanford Jazz Camp. Epic!!!
Did you put the link to Julian’s gigs in the description?
Great interview. Got JL going on an interesting take and let him talk in until he was done. And it was clear you were really listening and present, by the way you let his word hit you. Then found other fruitful topics. Well done.
I learned, early on, that the less I mimic playing I admire, but allow the sensibilities to inform me, the more I sound like me.
Yes, Rhett! I like a 3 position OD and a boost (after) for maximum "on tap" drive (bending down only to flip the OD presets between song styles).
Such a great interview! Julian’s honesty and complete lack of pretense is so refreshing. I’m lucky enough to have tickets to see him play tomorrow and am even more excited after watching this. Congrats on the great guest and show fellas!
“Complete lack of pretense,” you nailed it.
How was the show?
He is an amazing artist, I saw him a few years back with Nels, and I keep replaying that show in my mind lately. He is one of the truly great players alive.
@@JeremyAndersonBoiseI loved it! I didn’t understand everything I was hearing or seeing as I’m not familiar with jazz, but it still hit me hard in the best way. He mentioned his gig with Nels Cline when he spoke to the audience - wish I would have seen that too 😮
That was so good I watched it twice!
There's nothing fun about my sound 😂
Julian is just amazing, both as a musician, and human being. Thank you so much, guys, for this one, keep going!
Rhett turned me onto Julian. I went to see him play immediately after that and just saw Julian and his trio as part of the Portland jazz festival and it was so good. I'll see him live every chance I get. I can't not smile through his whole set. Great interview!
you look like someone i sold a hummingbird pedal to in portland lol ive caught julian a couple times at mississippi studios, check out my group Fighting Jazz 😎
I've heard View with a Room so many times now , the songs just flow in my head. Less is more and I can't think of a better example. Makes me wanna pick up my guitar and play. Thank you :)
One of the best improvisers period. Of any musician on any instrument
Complete agreement here
The Ellisonic pickups look very close to Gibson’s P-90S, as found in the Gary Clarke Jr signature SG, 2015 LP special and some melody makers. The S in P-90s stands for slug, as they have magnet pole pieces like a Fender.
An actual genius, man.
I love listening to Julian , even so i don't understand most of what he's talking about. He's on a different level intellectually and musically .
Julian is one of my favorites guitarists and phiosophers of all times
What I've picked up from Julian is the method of remembering the whole canvas instead of focusing on a single position which can help bring musicality to your playing if you are too theory-focused or what not.
When it comes to effects, it's understandable why Julian doesn't use them. Just before this conversation, he was discussing techniques like slowing down the velocity of striking a note to create a darker sound or altering the harmonic content of his playing to avoid specific overtone relationships. All the sound variety he needs is in his playing. There's no better example of "the tone is in the hands." So good.
This dude just blew my mind. Different level.
Man I love this guy
Just an amazing human being.
This is a rabbit hole. I will go to band practice on Thursday and be consciously thinking about my pick speed as I strike and whether its negatively affecting my tone! That’s a good thing … I think! 😥😂
Damn, while we are wondering about what odd and even order harmonics our overdrive adds he just plays them when he needs them. Joke aside, what a great interview. I saw him live here in Germany and he truly is remarkable as a musician and from all the interviews/conversations I have seen he seems to be remarkable as a person as well.
Saw his trio about 18 months ago and they blew the roof off. Jaws on the floor (probably the guitar players in the crowd). I felt like I got to see a true great in their prime.
To use harmony for changing tone, I think that's what the ancient greek tuning systems did also, you can emulate that by tinges of polytonality, or thinking in terms of another tonality than the one you are actually playing in, which gives you layers that are important for increasing artistic quality.
Ectoplasm travelled across the upper left corner at 26:10, it feels very intentional in accordance to his thoughts at that moment. The goo from beyond also drops in at 45:07. Best Episode so far!
wtf are you talking about?
A beautiful soul
he is incredible
La sensibilità umana di Julian Lage é quello che gli permette di suonare come suona. Si capisce da come parla che é un musicista molto bravo. Uno dei miei preferiti tra i contemporanei.
In the beginning of this video I was thinking about how are these two things related… have a rich vocabulary or language to express yourself and be a great musician. I am convinced now they are related. Julian is a medium, a vehicle of flow, a reflector of human emotions… and it happens to channel those through a musical instrument.
@@hormosapiens Yeah, I think you really got the point I was trying to make with the right words. And Julian is one of the many people one can take as an example for this concept you just expressed.
Guys - make sure to promote this interview in your other videos or podcasts (Pedal Pushers). I almost didn’t watch it because I want to watch you two… not an interview with someone I’ve never listened to. But this was an incredible interview, he is so well spoken and generous. I feel like I learned so much! I’m off to listen to his music. But please, let people know this is a worthy interview and not just another interview video.
i like that he said something to the effect that " 'tone' does not exist beyond the phrasing" (my wording).
Setting a guitar amp for the lightest playability allow for the greatest dynamic range possible - with that amp. Shopping for the most dynamic amp and allow for the widest dynamic range within which to play.
A beautiful mind.
This is for sure a completely other level. Human being meets music - meet sound - meets vibration - meets energy - meets God, or something. Dont know, but its extremely inspiring…
saw him a couple years ago live - if you get the chance, 100% go see folks.
This reminds me of Rodney Mullen. Genius level stuff
As a player, I know that return of sound to my ears must coincide the the current note and precede the next one.
What's the name of the intro song? I need to put it on a playlist.
Rather than try and transcribe a recorded solo I realized that it only lives relative to the song surrounding it. So, what was it about the song that lead to the solo? When playing live can I allow a solo to live within that particular performance. Knowing that each performance has it's identity due to the performers, will I allow the solo to honor both the composer and the performer's rendition? Committing to the "yes" response while the song is alive is why I continue to respond favorably to invitations to join. Honoring my own compositions when only I am playing requires an even greater awareness of the possibilities for compositional expansion. That opportunity for re-arranging keeps me recalling a piece for the chance to respond more freshly.
greatest living guitarist, cant wait to see what he does next...i really hope he somehow ends up playing with Jazz is Dead
Great great great interview - a smart boy, that Julian.
Hey, if I wanted to cosmetically upgrade my R8 with nicer plastics, where would I start, if I didn't totally want to bust the bank?
The chad Julian Lage dipping a rig: “I don’t even know what that sounds like”
Props for Derek Bailey… nice.
I just got the new vinyl yesterday. If anyone can ask Julian why he chose an image of himself for the cover? Great photo, but I suspect, considering how thoughtful he is, there was a poignant reason for that. Maybe I just look for things? Ha! Great interview.
I honestly doubt that was his decision.
@@obsoletecd-rom really? I am betting he had the call
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe SHIT.! Let's GOOOOOOOOO! WELL DONE FELLAS!
I have not become comfortable with the use of delay as a time keeper. I like it when it adds background ambiance but is not heard while playing chords. I use it carefully when I want a slap back single delay for a single note at a time in a phrase or for a close room reflection. The level, time, note duration and percentage of and number of repeats must be carefully set not to interfere when playing in any style. There is similarity between "delay" and "reverb" and I use both - but for similar reason. I may turn on short delay and then add a longer delay or select two different longer delays - briefly. Always , the basic amp EQ and OD must dominate and never is effect allowed to compete.
Instrumental music allows us to interact non-verbally. Even the human voice is capable of non-verbal utterance. Word may change even when the music behind them varies little.
Just saying, Zach had a Spinal Tap moment! Here is Stonehenge!
The secret of his tone resides in his Spinal Tap Goldtop Les Paul.
Sounds like Julian needs to use a Roland Jc120.
Bets living guitar player? Maybe.
Yes. Best too.
Definitely, maybe.
what is DI ?
Thus we witness the birth of the ultra-rare Herculean HSC (hand soldered cap) which will eventually be worth 100 times more than a non-HSC version. Because it sounds better.
Julian Lage is one of the most technically skilled guitarists of this time. But he is yet to produce a piece of work as leader that innovates and pushes the boundaries of this music. He is the ideal session guitarist. Yet, many of his contemporaries without his same outstanding technical proficiency, say Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki, Gilad Hekselman, are more innovative and genre defining. It's puzzling.
I dont think he is not inovative.