Playback Sessions

Sonora

Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

  1. 6 hr ago

    Andy Wood's One Secret to Playing FAST

    Andy Wood, a virtuoso guitarist with deep musical roots in bluegrass, rock, country, metal, and fusion, shares transformative insights on technique, tone, and practice strategies in this episode. Wood discusses a pivotal mindset shift that improved his time feel, techniques from his mandolin playing that enhanced his right-hand precision, and his focus on depth over tone chasing. He also delves into his transition from sideman to artist, his alternate picking mechanics, and lessons from performing with top artists. With practical advice on practicing speed and maintaining precision, this episode offers essential tips for guitarists aiming to elevate their craft. 🚀 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 Introduction and Mindset Shift 01:08 Andy Wood's Practice Techniques 02:27 Exploring Slide Guitar Techniques 07:08 Community Announcement and Free Resources 10:34 Signal Chain and Gear Discussion 15:31 Speed and Practice Approaches 15:44 The Metronome Mistake 16:01 Learning vs. Practicing 16:39 The Bell Curve of Speed 18:17 The Bicycle Analogy 18:50 Practicing at Target Tempo 19:53 Precision Over Speed 20:48 The Importance of Clean Playing 25:28 Student Success Stories 27:24 Advice from the Front Porch 🎸 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: Andy Wood Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #AndyWood #GuitarLesson #AlternatePicking #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #GuitarSpeed #BluegrassGuitar #FiddleTunes #SlideGuitar #DerekTrucks #GuitarTechnique #MusicTheory #ShredGuitar

    Andy Wood's One Secret to Playing FAST

  2. 19 hr ago

    The Real Story Behind “Man of Constant Sorrow”| Dan Tyminski

    Dan Tyminski, a Grammy-winning icon of Bluegrass and Americana, shares his musical journey in this episode of the Playback podcast. Known for his role in 'O Brother, Where Art Thou' and performing with Alison Krauss and Union Station, Dan discusses his approach to groove, tone, and ensemble playing. He reflects on his influences, particularly Tony Rice, and shares insights on his transition to solo work, the impact of 'Man of Constant Sorrow', and his unexpected contribution to the EDM hit 'Hey Brother' with Avicii. The episode also explores Dan's personal stories, love for foosball, and thoughts on spirituality and storytelling. 🚀 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 Introduction to Dan Tyminski 02:06 Early Musical Influences 04:33 Joining Allison Kraus and Union Station 16:11 The O Brother, Where Art Thou? Experience 22:14 Life After the Film's Success 24:32 Transition to Solo Career 34:11 Foosball Obsession 39:25 Foosball Tournament Adventures 40:59 Meeting Foosball Legends 44:38 Spiritual Beliefs and Practices 46:11 The Unexpected Success of 'Hey Brother' 59:40 Musical Influences and Songwriting 01:04:08 Tribute to Tony Rice 01:09:04 Live Performance and Reflections 🎸 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: Dan Tyminski Editor: Carl Reeverts Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #DanTyminski #OBrotherWhereArtThou #BluegrassGuitar #ManOfConstantSorrow #AviciiHeyBrother #TonyRice #AlisonKrauss #AcousticGuitar #RhythmGuitar #BluegrassMusic #GuitarInterview #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintage #SonoraGuitar

    The Real Story Behind “Man of Constant Sorrow”| Dan Tyminski

  3. 1 day ago

    5 Levels of Bluegrass Guitar (Complete Masterclass w/ Shaun Richardson)

    Join Shaun Richardson, an accomplished bluegrass guitarist who has shared the stage with legends like Ricky Skaggs and Bela Fleck, as he breaks down the five levels of bluegrass guitar playing in an in-depth interview. From beginner tips to advanced techniques, Shaun provides insights into learning melodies, spicing up rhythms, incorporating jazz influences, and finding your own voice in bluegrass. 🚀 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 Introduction to Bluegrass Guitar Levels 00:09 Meet Sean Richardson: Bluegrass Phenom 00:57 Sean's Musical Journey 04:32 Professional Milestones and Collaborations 08:06 Deep Dive into Bluegrass Techniques 12:47 Exploring Advanced Bluegrass Concepts 16:58 The Five Levels of Bluegrass Guitar 38:00 Conclusion and Sean's New Music 🎸 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: Shaun Richardson Executive Producers: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy #ShaunRichardson #BluegrassGuitar #GuitarLesson #Flatpicking #AcousticGuitar #CarterVintage #SonoraGuitar #BluegrassMusic #GuitarTips #GuitarSolo #FiddleTunes #MusicTheory #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley

    5 Levels of Bluegrass Guitar (Complete Masterclass w/ Shaun Richardson)

  4. 2 days ago

    The Untold Story of Sierra Hulls Mandolin Magic

    Sierra Hull, a mandolin virtuoso, shares her incredible journey from performing at the Grand Ole Opry at age 10, to getting a record deal at 13, and playing the White House by 20. In this special episode, Sierra delves into her early musical influences, learning from mentors like Alison Krauss and Béla Fleck, and her experiences transitioning from a prodigy to a seasoned artist. She also discusses her creative process, songwriting, and the freedom and challenges of releasing music as an independent artist. Tune in for a deep dive into Sierra's path of redefining her relationship with craft, creativity, and ambition. 🚀 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 Introduction and Early Beginnings 00:56 Musical Influences and Early Mentors 04:17 First Performances and Breakthroughs 09:07 Meeting Alison Krauss and Early Collaborations 13:34 Transition to Adulthood and Continued Growth 18:51 Challenges and New Directions 35:13 Discovering a New Producer 36:01 A Chance Encounter with Béla 37:00 Collaborative Sessions Begin 39:22 Transforming the Record 41:09 Lessons from Béla 43:05 Practice and Growth 45:38 Songwriting Demonstration 59:57 Arranging for the Band 01:02:56 Balancing Career and Life 01:05:47 Independent Release Journey 01:10:48 Future Aspirations 01:13:00 Musical Performance 🎸 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: Sierra Hull Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Camera/Sound: Richard Handley Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins #SierraHull #Mandolin #Bluegrass #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #Bluegrass

    The Untold Story of Sierra Hulls Mandolin Magic

  5. 3 days ago

    How Did This Guitarist Play On 300 Gold Records | Sol Philcox Littlefield.

    Sol Philcox Littlefield is one of the most recorded guitarists of his generation, a Tele-wielding session machine with credits on over 25 #1 country hits and 300+ gold records. In this unfiltered episode, Sol breaks down how he went from a bored teenager in a small British town to a first-call Nashville session guitarist. We talk gear, tone, mentorship from Brent Mason, the reality of session work, and what younger players are doing right today. 🚀 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 Introduction to Sol Philcox-Littlefield 01:26 Early Life and Musical Beginnings 02:06 Discovering Country Music 02:36 Influences and Mentorship 04:21 Journey to Nashville 05:53 Parental Support and Small Town Life 07:21 Immersing in the Local Music Scene 12:32 Mentorship with Brent Mason 20:11 Transitioning to Session Work 25:49 Building a Career in Music 31:53 Advice for Aspiring Musicians 41:42 Remote Music Opportunities 42:52 Challenges of Living in Nashville 44:30 Adapting to the Modern Music Industry 46:19 Career Reflections and Decisions 50:30 Muscle Shoals Studio and Coffee Shop 53:52 Gear Talk: Guitars, Amps, and Pedals 59:21 Country Music Techniques and Influences 01:09:48 Future Aspirations and Teaching 🎸 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: Sol Philcox Littlefield Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Camera/Sound: Aly Jordan Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins #SolPhilcox #PlaybackPodcast #GuitarPodcast #SessionGuitarist #BrentMason #CountryGuitar #StudioLife #TelecasterTone #NashvilleGuitarist #GuitarPlayerLife #ToneCrafting #SessionWork #VolumePedal #PedalboardRig #RecordingTips #GuitarInfluences #SlideGuitar #HotWired #playbacksessions #Spencerhandley

    How Did This Guitarist Play On 300 Gold Records | Sol Philcox Littlefield.

  6. 4 days ago

    Billy Strings Shares His Practice Method for Progress

    In this episode, Billy Strings sits down with his longtime mentor Rob Cappelletto at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville to talk about breaking out of ruts, rethinking practice, and staying a student even at the top of your game. We cover Billy’s journey from instinctive, ear-based bluegrass to studying jazz, Bach, and fretboard fluency through Sonora. He breaks down how specific exercises shaped his new record, shares stories from the road (including playing with Ringo), and gets candid about nerves, self-doubt, and the grind of staying sharp as a performer. 🚀 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 – Playing Without Thinking 00:12 How Billy Found Sonora & Met Rob 01:59 Does Music Theory Kill Creativity? 03:28 Learning to Apply New Concepts on Stage 04:18 Billy’s Early Years: Playing by Ear 06:10 Hitting a Plateau & Seeking Growth 07:12 From Practice to Performance: The “Escanaba” Story 09:31 Chord Mastery & Playing the Changes 11:12 Robb and Chris Thile Story 12:15 Breaking Out of the Bluegrass Box 14:06 Balancing Jazz, Bach & Tony Rice 15:15 Real Progress: Chord Integration in Old Tunes 18:56 Early Influences: From Hendrix to Doc 21:11 Improvisation, Melody & Staying Connected on Stage 27:24 Playing with Intention & Audience Energy 34:57 Rob & Billy Jam + Practicing What Matters 37:31 Dealing with Success, Doubt & What Comes Next 🎸 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: Billy Strings Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Camera/Sound: Aly Jordan Editors: Spencer Handley, Clayton Hopkins 🪕 Subscribe for weekly interviews with some of the world’s most inspiring guitar players. #BillyStrings #Guitar #Sonora #RobCappelletto #Bluegrass #GuitarPractice #Improvisation #FretboardFluency #HighwayHypnosis #CarterVintage #Playbacksessions #SpencerHandley

    Billy Strings Shares His Practice Method for Progress

  7. 5 days ago

    How Did This College Kid End Up Playing Stadiums | Noah Levine

    Noah Levine went from broke college kid building cabinets to playing stadiums with Noah Kahan, all without credits, connections, or a plan B. This isn’t a story about luck. It’s about obsession, relentless follow-up, and delivering when it counts. In this raw and revealing episode, Noah breaks down what actually gets you the gig — the invisible traits producers look for, how to follow up without being annoying, and the mindset that took him from a garage in Vermont to the biggest stages in the country. 🚀 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 Introduction to Noah Levine's Journey 01:05 Early Musical Influences and Beginnings 03:39 High School and the Path to Berklee 06:13 Internship and Breakthrough with Noah Kahan 10:33 Touring and Songwriting Success 16:06 Creative Process and Collaborations 21:16 Songwriting Techniques and Inspirations 29:35 Touring Experiences with Noah Kahan 29:47 The Greatest Feeling and Hilarious Experiences 31:21 First Large Show and Pinch Me Moments 32:55 Skills Acquired as a Touring Guitar Player 35:18 Balancing Health and Social Aspects on Tour 36:29 Life on the Road vs. Time at Home 37:41 Vision for Personal Artist Project 40:07 Influences and Guitar Heroes 48:43 Imposter Syndrome and Personal Reflections 51:44 Advice for Aspiring Musicians 55:11 Conclusion and 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: Noah Levine Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Camera/Sound: Aly Jordan Editors: Spencer Handley, Clayton Hopkins #Noahlevine #NoahKahan #PlaybackSessions #Spencerhandley

    How Did This College Kid End Up Playing Stadiums | Noah Levine

  8. 6 days ago

    How He FINISHES Big Creative Projects FAST! | Korby Lenker

    Korby Lenker has made 10 albums, published a book, and created a TV pilot based on his life. But he still wrestles with self-doubt, failure, and the pain of the creative process. In this conversation, Korby opens up about what it really means to be a lifelong artist — the brutal honesty, the pivots, the heartbreak, and the joy of making something meaningful in a world that often doesn’t care. 🚀 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 Introduction to Korby Lenker 01:57 The Power of Storytelling 05:39 Influences and Inspirations 11:03 The Creative Process 15:49 Challenges and Discipline 24:47 Journey to Nashville 28:03 The Struggles and Freedom of Obscurity 28:52 Discovering New Skills and Passions 29:51 Navigating Pivots and Embracing Curiosity 31:40 The Journey of Creating a TV Pilot 42:49 Advice for Aspiring Creatives 47:33 The Importance of Meaning and Creativity 52:26 Musical Performance: Meet Me at the End of the World 56:23 Final Thoughts and Podcast Plug 🎸 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: Korby Lenker Executive Producers: Spencer Handley, Ben Montague Production Manager and Design: Aly Jordan Camera Operators: Richard Handley, Micah Mathewson Audio Lead: Keith Cypert Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins Korby’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MorseCodePodcast #Korbylenker #playbacksessions #Spencerhandley

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Weekly interviews with the world's best musicians.

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