I was asked by @Mentor Bob Kinney in a previous upload to share my production process, so here 'tis! I run my Epiphone Sheraton Pro II through a Positive Grid Spark 2 practice amp. The amp has a USB output that goes into my digital audio interface, which is connected to my MacBook Pro. I have 2 different ways of recording, depending on if the backing track is playing back from the browser or not. For the former, I record video using Apple's QuickTime app (QT). I use an app called "Loopback" to create an output device that is just the browser playing the backing track. I use this to listen to while playing. I create a 2nd output device that is combination of both the browser and the Spark 2 amp. In QT, for the input, I select this 2nd device, so that everything gets recorded to stereo along with the video. I.e., once I finish the recording, I'm done. The other method I've been using more frequently is to import the backing track into Logic Pro X (LPX). This allows me to adjust the tempo of the backing track, which is useful for practicing. Also, LPX has a 'stem splitter' function, so I can split the stereo mix into the component parts, with each instrument on its own track. This comes in handy when using original recordings of the "masters". It allows me to mute soloists and play over the original rhythm section. In this setup, I still use QT to record video, but now the input to QT is just the output of the Spark amp. I also record the Spark into a separate track in LPX, which allows me to add a touch of EQ and any other processing like reverb. Once I finish the recording, I'll mix down the LPX tracks to stereo, and then marry that mix to the video in a video editor like Davinci or Final Cut Pro. That allows me to add fade to/from black. I hope that's helpful. Feel free to hit me with any questions if anything is unclear!

I'm uploading this despite feeling like I'm not even at 80% (or perhaps just *barely*). This is by far the most difficult tune I've tackled since joining JGA, and it shows 😀. For the improv, targeting the 3rds in this tune is essentially playing the melody, so I strove for just playing some simple lines that sound musical. I'm still struggling to land the key changes at the ends of the A and B sections. I also had to slow the tempo down a bit as I couldn't quite keep up with the 168 BPM of the original. As always, feedback welcomed! @Coach Gabriel Sebrian @Coach Marc-Andre Seguin

I've fallen into the trap of falling down rabbit holes chasing the improvisation bunny, waiting for perfection to emerge before uploading here. Putting an end to that today. I wanted to attempt a ballad and thought it would make for easier improvisation. In many ways it turned out to be the opposite. 🙃 I chose the Oscar Peterson/Prez version of the tune and am copying Barney K's comping style - just straight quarters, which I think fits the circumstances. Any constructive feedback welcomed! @Coach Gabriel Sebrian @Coach Marc-Andre Seguin

@Coach Gabriel Sebrian directed me to continue with the C-Eb exercises. This is still an exercise and not yet to improv, but it's showing a bit of fluency up and down the neck, which should certainly help with improv. I'm pleased with how the fretboard coverage is coming together. For this exercise, I tried to challenge myself by not stopping between positions and posting them separately. I also challenged myself by not just doing all upper tone-->lower tone-->targets in C then lower-->upper-->target for Eb, but instead alternated U-L then L-U for back to back targets throughout. Also, it got unplanned/prescriptive and a bit amorphous at the end, but that's not all that bad; perhaps it's a good thing that it didn't go completely off the rails once it became a bit ad libbed, even if I didn't continue the alternating U-L-T, L-U-T approach. There's still some work to do, but wanted to give Coach something to review before a momentum call this week. Figured I'd share it with the masses! https://youtu.be/GeBngoPP3Hk

Trying to hang with a weekly video cadence, this is where I’m at with this Gershwin tune. Struggling with a couple of chord shapes - particularly this A-11 where the second finger needs to bend to cover the first and second string. Anyway, just getting to part C this next week will be the goal. I’m also working on a new arrangement from Nathan Corr that is even more challenging. I’ll do that one next. Thank you for comments and encouragement: https://youtu.be/HJFS16gjxFU?feature=shared