SCOTT HENDERSON Talks New Album, Playing Influences, His Love For MESHUGGAH & PANTERA And More!

Sonic Perspectives

9 Jan 202457:52

EducationalLearning

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TLDRIn this Sonic Perspectives interview, guitarist Scott Henderson discusses his creative process for the album 'Carnival,' the importance of live exploration of music before recording, and his approach to balancing improvisation with structured composition. He also talks about the influence of other musicians on his style, his preference for teaching music-making with simple tools, and the challenges of touring, particularly in North America. Henderson emphasizes the joy of making music and the importance of supporting artists by purchasing their work.

Takeaways

🎸 Scott Henderson discusses his creative process for his upcoming album 'Carnival', emphasizing the importance of exploring music on the road before recording in the studio.
📅 The album 'Carnival' is Henderson's first release since 'Prime Mover' in 2019, with a gap due to the time-consuming nature of writing and refining music.
🔁 Henderson's approach to recording involves live recording with bandmates and then layering and expanding compositions in post-production, similar to directing a movie.
🎵 He highlights the balance between live spontaneity and studio perfection, fixing mistakes but also leaving 'cool' ones for character.
🌟 Henderson pays tribute to his influences, including Tower of Power and Wayne Shorter, and how they shape his music while maintaining his unique style.
🎹 The guitarist shares his experience with different instruments, particularly his fondness for the Seafo green Stratocaster and its role in live performances.
🎼 He talks about the importance of harmony and melody, as well as the challenges and joys of playing in different musical contexts, such as trios and with a second guitarist.
👨‍🏫 Henderson's teaching philosophy involves focusing on making music beautiful with even the simplest tools and concepts, for all levels of students.
🌍 The interview touches on the challenges of touring, particularly in North America, and Henderson's preference for playing in Europe and South America where the music scene is more receptive.
💉 Henderson mentions getting prepared for touring with various health shots, indicating the commitment and preparation needed for live performances.
🔗 The conversation concludes with Henderson's openness to teaching and the potential for booking lessons, as well as his anticipation for future tours post-pandemic.

Q & A

Who is the guest in the interview of Sonic Perspective?
-The guest in the interview is Scott Henderson, a renowned guitar virtuoso.
What is the title of Scott Henderson's upcoming album and when is it set to release?
-The title of the upcoming album is 'Carnival' and it is set to release on February 2nd.
What is the reason behind the long gap between Scott Henderson's albums?
-The long gap is due to Scott's meticulous approach to writing music, which involves exploring tunes extensively on the road before recording and spending time in the studio to layer and expand compositions.
How does Scott Henderson approach recording his albums?
-Scott Henderson records his albums in a way that involves live playing with the band, followed by layering and adding more to the compositions at home, focusing on finding the right sound and exploring the music's possibilities.
What is the significance of the song 'Covid Vaccination' on the new album?
-The song 'Covid Vaccination' is a tribute to Tower of Power and is born out of the frustration with the Covid pandemic. It uses a groove inspired by Tower of Power's 'Soul Vaccination' with Scott's own melody added to it.
What is the story behind the song 'Green Mansion'?
-The song 'Green Mansion' is a tribute to one of Scott's guitar heroes, Ted Greene. It reflects Scott's experience after studying with Ted and contemplating the disparity between Ted's genius and his living conditions.
What is the role of Lena Mowa in Scott Henderson's band?
-Lena Mowa is a second guitarist in Scott Henderson's band, playing rhythm guitar and allowing Scott to play single lines like a lead guitarist, adding more depth to the band's sound.
How does Scott Henderson view the impact of streaming services like Spotify on the music industry?
-Scott Henderson views streaming services negatively, as they have changed the business landscape and reduced the income artists receive from their music. However, he acknowledges that they can serve as a form of advertisement for listeners to eventually purchase the music.
What is Scott Henderson's teaching approach for beginners?
-Scott Henderson is open to teaching beginners and focuses on teaching them how to make music with even the simplest tools, such as the C major scale, rather than just teaching technical aspects.
What are Scott Henderson's thoughts on the importance of mistakes in music?
-Scott Henderson believes that mistakes should be viewed as opportunities for growth and humor rather than as failures. He emphasizes the importance of not letting self-criticism hinder one's enjoyment and performance of music.
Why does Scott Henderson prefer playing in Europe and other international locations over North America?
-Scott Henderson prefers playing internationally because of higher pay, fewer logistical challenges, and the location of his band members. Additionally, he finds the cost of touring in North America to be prohibitive due to the expenses associated with travel and work visas.

Outlines

00:00

🎸 Introduction and Album Discussion

The interview begins with an introduction of Scott Henderson and the host, Rodrigo. They discuss Scott's upcoming album, 'Carnival,' set to release on February 2nd. Scott explains the lengthy gap since his last album, 'People Mover,' citing the time-consuming process of writing, performing, and refining music before recording. He highlights the importance of exploring songs live to fully develop them, and the intricate work involved in layering sounds in the studio.

05:01

🎶 Live Recording and Post-Production

Scott Henderson elaborates on his preference for recording live in the studio with his bandmates, Roma La and Alan Hertz. He emphasizes the importance of capturing the live interaction and spontaneity between the musicians. Scott discusses his meticulous approach to soloing live and ensuring any post-production changes align with the band's initial reactions. He contrasts different styles of songs, from those requiring tight grooves to more open, improvisational tracks.

10:02

🎼 Album Production Insights

Scott dives into the specifics of album production, sharing his views on making albums akin to movies, with multiple takes and meticulous editing. He mentions how jazz albums often capture live performances, while he prefers a more produced sound. Scott also talks about the balance between structured compositions and spontaneous improvisation in his recordings, and the potential for a future live album to showcase their raw, unedited sound.

15:05

🎡 Carnival Theme and Musical Inspirations

The conversation shifts to the theme of Scott's album, inspired by fairs and carnivals, and his regret of never experiencing the Rio Carnival. Scott praises the album cover, an idea from his daughter, and explains the inspiration behind the song 'Covid Vaccination,' which pays tribute to Tower of Power. He describes his creative process in emulating horn sections using guitar pedals and arranging the mix to reflect Tower of Power's expansive stereo spread.

20:07

🎸 Musical Memories and Inspirations

Scott reminisces about Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires, a place he has visited multiple times, and how it influenced his song of the same name. He reflects on the influence of jazz musician Wayne Shorter and the importance of harmonic complexity in his music. The discussion also touches on another song, 'Green Mansion,' a tribute to his guitar hero Ted Greene, and Scott's admiration for Greene's mastery of solo guitar.

25:11

🎵 Evolving Musical Style and Band Dynamics

Scott talks about revisiting the style of his Tribal Tech albums and his current preference for playing in a trio format, which offers more freedom compared to working with keyboard players. He introduces a new band member, Lena Mowa, a rhythm guitarist from Poland. Scott discusses the challenges and benefits of playing in a trio, balancing melody and chords, and the limitations and freedom it brings.

30:14

🎶 Influences and Guitar Techniques

The discussion delves into Scott's musical influences, including iconic guitarists like John Scofield, Allan Holdsworth, and Jeff Beck. Scott reflects on the evolution of his practice routine and the importance of improvisation. He shares insights into his guitar preferences, highlighting the unique qualities of different guitars made by John Suhr. Scott also emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself as a musician.

35:14

🎸 Practice and Evolution of Music

Scott explains how his practice routine has evolved over the years, focusing on creativity and improvisation rather than just technical skills. He discusses his shift away from traditional jazz guitar to creating his own music, influenced by various genres. Scott highlights the importance of self-acceptance and focusing on the music as a whole rather than individual perfection.

40:16

🎤 Live Performances and Music Industry

Scott shares his views on the importance of improvisation in live performances, contrasting it with bands that strive for consistency. He explains his approach to balancing structured and improvisational elements in his setlists. The conversation touches on the challenges of the music industry, particularly the impact of streaming services on artists' earnings, and Scott's strategies for managing his music distribution.

45:17

📀 Teaching and Online Lessons

Scott discusses his approach to teaching guitar at various levels, emphasizing the importance of musicality over technicality. He describes his satisfaction in teaching beginners and advanced students alike, focusing on how to make music with even simple tools. Scott provides details on how students can book lessons with him and his plans to resume online teaching after his upcoming tour.

50:18

🌍 Touring Challenges and Preferences

Scott explains the logistical and financial challenges of touring in the United States compared to Europe and other regions. He mentions the high costs of travel and visas, which make it difficult to tour in the States. Scott reflects on his past experiences with Tribal Tech and the changes in his touring strategy now that he has more responsibilities and financial considerations.

55:18

✈️ Touring Plans and Reflections

The interview wraps up with Scott discussing his recent and upcoming tours, including plans to return to Brazil once the situation normalizes. He reflects on his experiences playing in different countries and expresses his hope to perform in Brazil again soon. Scott also shares his preparation for touring, including getting vaccinated and ready for the road, and the importance of balancing family responsibilities with his music career.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sonic Perspective

Sonic Perspective is the name of the interview series featured in the script, where music-related discussions and interviews take place. It is the platform through which the conversation with Scott Henderson, the guitar virtuoso, is facilitated. The term is used in the script to introduce the setting of the interview.

💡Guitar Virtuoso

A guitar virtuoso refers to a guitarist who possesses exceptional skill and technique. In the script, Scott Henderson is referred to as a guitar virtuoso, highlighting his mastery over the instrument. This term is central to understanding the guest's expertise and the likely focus of the interview on his musical talent and experience.

💡Album Production

Album production encompasses the entire process of creating a music album, from writing and arranging the music to recording, mixing, and mastering. The script discusses Scott Henderson's approach to album production, emphasizing the importance of live exploration of tunes before recording and the creative process involved in post-production. This concept is integral to understanding the artist's creative philosophy and the time and effort invested in his work.

💡Layering

Layering in music production refers to the technique of recording multiple tracks of instruments or vocals to create a fuller sound. Scott Henderson mentions layering as part of his studio process, where he adds more to compositions after live recording. This term is key to understanding the depth and complexity he brings to his music beyond the live performance.

💡Harmonic Dimension

Harmonic dimension relates to the range of harmony used in a piece of music, affecting its richness and texture. Henderson discusses adding voicings to chords to create a new harmonic dimension, indicating his attention to the harmonic complexity and depth in his compositions. This concept is vital for appreciating the musical arrangements in his work.

💡Live Performance

A live performance is a musical event where music is played in real-time, as opposed to a recorded performance. The script contrasts live performances with studio recordings, with Henderson emphasizing the importance of playing music on the road and exploring tunes live before recording them. This keyword is central to understanding the artist's preference for a dynamic and evolving musical experience.

💡Creative Process

The creative process refers to the methods and steps through which an artist conceives and develops new work. In the script, Scott Henderson describes his creative process, including writing music, exploring tunes live, and adding layers in the studio. This term is essential for understanding the artist's approach to making music and the stages involved in his craft.

💡Musical Influences

Musical influences are the artists, styles, or genres that shape a musician's sound or approach to music-making. Henderson discusses being influenced by various guitarists and how these influences have contributed to his unique style. This concept is important for understanding the breadth of Henderson's musical background and the development of his distinctive guitar sound.

💡Tribute

A tribute in music is a composition or performance that honors or shows respect for another artist's work. Henderson mentions creating a song as a tribute to Tower of Power, incorporating elements of their style into his own piece. This term is significant for recognizing the artist's admiration for other musicians and the homage paid to them in his music.

💡Carnival

Carnival is both the title of Scott Henderson's upcoming album and a theme that reflects the fun and vibrant atmosphere associated with fairs and carnivals. The script discusses the album's title and cover art, which were inspired by the idea of a fair. This keyword is central to understanding the thematic concept behind the album and its intended mood.

💡Musical Improvisation

Musical improvisation is the spontaneous creation of music during performance. Henderson emphasizes the importance of improvisation in his live shows and how it contrasts with the more structured nature of recorded music. This term is key to understanding the artist's commitment to a dynamic and interactive musical experience.

Highlights

Scott Henderson discusses the creative process behind his new album 'Carnival' and the reasons for the gap since his last album 'Prime Mover'.

Henderson emphasizes the importance of exploring music on the road before recording in the studio to capture the evolution of the tunes.

The role of layering and adding new elements to compositions during post-production to expand the music's depth.

Henderson's approach to live recording, including his preference for soloing live to maintain the band's dynamic interplay.

The discussion on the balance between live performance's spontaneity and the controlled perfection of studio recording.

Henderson's views on the use of technology in music production, including his extensive use of pedals to find the right sound.

The story behind the album cover of 'Carnival', featuring a creative take on a carousel with a guitar instead of a horse.

The tribute to Tower of Power in the song 'COVID Vaccination', showcasing Henderson's appreciation for the band's influence on his music.

Henderson's thoughts on the importance of harmony and melody, drawing inspiration from artists like Wayne Shorter.

The influence of legendary guitarist Ted Greene on Henderson, and the story behind the song 'Green Mansion'.

Henderson's perspective on the challenges and rewards of playing in a trio versus the freedom of playing with a second guitarist.

Discussion on the evolution of Henderson's guitar playing, moving away from traditional jazz to a more diverse musical style.

Henderson's practice routine and the importance of maintaining technical proficiency as a professional musician.

The impact of streaming services on the music industry, with Henderson expressing concerns over artist compensation.

Henderson's teaching philosophy, focusing on making music with even the simplest tools and the joy of teaching beginners.

Challenges and logistics of touring, particularly the difficulties of touring within the United States for Henderson's band.

Henderson's outlook on the future of his music career, including hopes for touring in Brazil and maintaining a global presence.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Scott Henderson Guitar Virtuoso Music Interview Album Production Live Performance Creative Process Jazz Fusion Musical Influences Carnival Album Guitar Techniques