Playback Sessions

Sonora
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Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

  1. 2 hr ago

    Life After Hall & Oates | John Oates

    John Oates joins Playback Sessions for an honest conversation about life after 50 years on stage, reinvention, creativity, and what it really means to move forward after massive success. This is about identity, evolution, and staying inspired long after the hits. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:45 – The Weight of Legacy 06:30 – Why Reinvention Matters 10:12 – Finding Identity Beyond the Duo 15:40 – Nashville & Creative Reset 20:55 – Staying Curious After Success 25:30 – Writing From Experience 31:10 – Americana Influence 36:42 – Music Industry Then vs Now 42:18 – AI & The Future of Music 48:55 – Racing, Passion & Balance 54:20 – Lessons From Decades Touring 1:00:05 – What Keeps Him Inspired 1:04:30 – Advice to Younger Artists 1:07:57 – Closing Thoughts 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: John Oates Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #JohnOates #HallAndOates #PlaybackSessions #Americana #Songwriting #ClassicRock #MusicPodcast #NashvilleMusic #CreativeLongevity #MusicIndustry

    Life After Hall & Oates | John Oates

  2. 14 hr ago

    The 2-5-1 Most Players Don’t Hear | Noel Johnston

    Noel Johnston joins Playback Sessions for a thoughtful conversation about exploration, 2-5-1 thinking, Mick Goodrick’s influence, and why memorizing licks isn’t enough. This episode dives into curiosity, harmonic awareness, and approaching guitar as a lifelong study. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro at The Woodshed Guitar Experience 00:45 – Rethinking Common Progressions 02:30 – Why Exploration Beats Memorization 04:10 – Learning From Listening Deeply 05:50 – Thinking in Harmonic Movement 07:15 – Breaking Out of Scale Boxes 08:45 – Developing Musical Curiosity 10:20 – Teaching Through Demonstration 12:05 – Exploration as Practice 13:40 – Mick Goodrick’s Influence 15:10 – “The Advancing Guitarist” 16:45 – Moving Beyond Patterns 18:20 – Modern Jazz Language 19:55 – How to Study Differently 22:45 – Final Thoughts 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at @woodshedguitarexperience - Crossville, TN 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley Guest: Noel Johnston Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #NoelJohnston #PlaybackSessions #JazzGuitar #MickGoodrick #Improvisation #Fretboard #MusicEducation #ModernJazz #GuitarMindset #AdvancingGuitarist

    The 2-5-1 Most Players Don’t Hear | Noel Johnston

  3. 23 hr ago

    From Child Prodigy to 4x Grammy Winner | The Sarah Jarosz Story

    Sarah Jarosz opens up about creativity, vulnerability, and learning to trust your musical instincts. From leaving your ego at the door to singing ideas before playing them, Sarah shares how letting yourself sound “stupid” is often the doorway to something real. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:15 – Singing ideas instead of playing them 05:40 – Why sounding bad is part of the process 09:30 – Learning to trust your first instincts 14:10 – Don’t edit yourself too early 19:45 – Vulnerability in songwriting 25:30 – Letting songs reveal themselves 31:10 – Confidence vs control 36:40 – Staying honest in the studio 42:20 – Advice for young musicians 47:10 – What creativity feels like when it’s right 51:30 – Final thoughts & wrap-up 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Sarah Jarosz Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #SarahJarosz #Songwriting #AcousticGuitar #Mandolin #OctaveMandolin #ImWithHer #ChrisThile #AmericanaMusic #BluegrassMusic #GuitarLesson #CreativeProcess

    From Child Prodigy to 4x Grammy Winner | The Sarah Jarosz Story

  4. 1 day ago

    The Risk That Changed Everything | Jared James Nichols

    Jared James Nichols opens up about the real struggles behind finding his sound from early debt and self-doubt to ripping the neck pickup out of his guitar in search of clarity. Jared shares why picks never felt right, why speed was never the goal, and how embracing discomfort helped him build a voice that’s unmistakably his own. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome + Carter Vintage Guitars intro 05:45 – The tornado-destroyed “Dorothy” Les Paul 11:10 – Why Jared Never Used a Pick 12:17 – “My Tone Was Mushy” 14:10 – The Day He Ripped the Pickup Out 15:20 – Filling a Guitar with Car Bondo 33:13 – Entering the Les Paul Contest With No Plan B 42:29 – When Steven Tyler Walked In 45:23 – Truck Stops, Debt, and the Reality of Touring 1:22:33 – Wrap-up + where to follow Jared 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Jared James Nichols Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #JaredJamesNichols #BluesRock #GuitarLesson #LesPaul #GibsonGuitars #FingerstyleGuitar #SteveVai #StevenTyler #LynyrdSkynyrd #GuitarTone #BluesGuitar #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive

    The Risk That Changed Everything | Jared James Nichols

  5. 1 day ago

    The Guitar Lesson Tomo Fujita Gives Every Student

    Legendary educator Tomo Fujita breaks down how he teaches guitar at Berklee College of Music and why most players are practicing the wrong way. He explains why mastering one thing deeply matters more than learning everything fast. This is a must-watch for guitarists who want real musicianship, not shortcuts. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:10 – Tomo’s first test for new students 05:05 – The questionnaire that reveals everything 09:40 – Amp setup: no reverb, more truth 12:00 – Fixing guitars before fixing technique 14:10 – “Do one thing really good” 18:45 – Why patience is the real skill 23:00 – How Tomo learned rhythm (the hard way) 27:30 – Metronome practice that actually works 31:00 – Why you can’t play outside without playing inside 36:40 – Practice vs performance mindset 44:00 – Music education today vs the past 48:10 – Teaching John Mayer foundations 56:40 – The philosophy behind Play by Feeling 1:05:10 – Final thoughts & Guitar Wisdom 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 📍 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎥 Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Tomo Fujita Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley #TomoFujita #GuitarLesson #BerkleeCollegeOfMusic #JohnMayer #GuitarPractice #GuitarSetup #MusicTheory #EarTraining #GuitarWisdom #BluesGuitar #GuitarTone #AlternatePicking #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive

    The Guitar Lesson Tomo Fujita Gives Every Student

  6. 2 days ago

    Victor Wooten Explains What Most Musicians Miss

    Victor Wooten shares his philosophy on learning music naturally by playing first and understanding later. From why one note can be enough, to how feel, timing, and space matter more than technique, Victor reframes what it really means to be musical. Insightful, grounding, and deeply human, this conversation will change how you listen, practice, and play. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 04:00 – Why music education often teaches things backwards 06:20 – “We teach the naturalness out of people” 08:30 – Playing music vs playing an instrument 11:00 – How Victor approaches music theory (and why charts matter) 16:30 – Learning feel, tone, and accent through bluegrass 22:10 – Making other musicians sound better 31:00 – Using space to make music more powerful 35:20 – Wrong notes, tension, and emotional impact 40:30 – Identity, confidence, and longevity as a musician 51:20 – Living and performing with focal dystonia 56:50 – What’s next: tours, camps, and new Wooten Brothers music 1:02:05 – Final thoughts & closing 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 🎥 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎙️ Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Victor Wooten Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #VictorWooten #BassGuitar #MusicTheory #FocalDystonia #MusicEducation #JazzMusic #BelaFleck #WootenBrothers #BassLesson #LearnMusic #ImposterSyndrome

    Victor Wooten Explains What Most Musicians Miss

  7. 2 days ago

    Bryan Sutton on What Separates Real Players

    Bryan Sutton breaks down why groove can’t be rushed, why clarity matters more than speed, and how real musicianship is revealed through timing, restraint, and intention. Honest, thoughtful, and deeply musical, this episode is a must-watch for players who want their music to feel as good as it sounds. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 05:10 – Learning tunes by listening first 10:30 – Melody as the roadmap (not scale shapes) 17:10 – Finding your own voice beyond your heroes 26:50 – Balancing intuition and structure 35:50 – Imposter syndrome at every level 47:30 – Playing with Billy Strings & modern bluegrass 57:05 – Groove, pocket, and subtle timing 1:05:40 – Learning on the job vs formal practice 1:21:30 – Closing performance 1:23:10 – Outro & final thoughts 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 🎥 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎙️ Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Bryan Sutton Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #BryanSutton #BluegrassGuitar #Flatpicking #AcousticGuitar #GuitarLesson #TonyRice #FiddleTunes #ImposterSyndrome #MusicTheory #RhythmGuitar #ArtistWorks #BluegrassMusic

    Bryan Sutton on What Separates Real Players

  8. 3 days ago

    The Guitar Mistake Paul Gilbert Had to Unlearn

    Paul Gilbert gets real about melody, speed, and why great playing starts with listening. From kazoo wisdom to slide guitar and clean shred technique, this is a masterclass in musical thinking, not just guitar chops. 🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment 👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570 ⏱️ Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ 📍 Chapters: 0:00 – “I’m chasing my inner kazoo player” 3:00 – Losing (and rediscovering) your musical voice 5:30 – Why lyrics unlock better melodies 9:10 – Why exotic scales often fail 16:40 – Discovering slide as a new musical voice 23:30 – Finding melody across different songs 37:50 – How to actually build speed (clean first) 39:00 – Why sloppy fast playing doesn’t work 43:10 – Bottom-up vs top-down learning 48:20 – Melody vs speed in solos 🎸 Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast 🎥 Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. 🎙️ Host: Spencer Handley 🔥 Guest: Paul Gilbert Editor: Carl Reeverts Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #PaulGilbert #GuitarLesson #ShredGuitar #GuitarScales #EarTraining #MrBig #RacerX #SlideGuitar #GuitarSpeed #IbanezGuitars #MusicTheory #GuitarPhrasing

    The Guitar Mistake Paul Gilbert Had to Unlearn
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Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

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