Jon Shields

  Exploring the Timeless Charm of “My Romance” on Solo Guitar What is it about the classics that keep us coming back for more? Perhaps it’s their timeless melodies, their heartfelt lyrics, or the way they seem to effortlessly capture a moment in time. Today, I’m diving into My Romance , a beautiful standard by the legendary duo Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, and giving it a fresh spin on solo guitar. This performance is part of my ongoing solo guitar journey. No backing tracks, no loopers—just me, my guitar, and the music. It’s been an exciting challenge to arrange these timeless tunes for solo guitar, combining melody and harmony in a way that showcases the song’s beauty while pushing me as a musician. My Romance was written in 1935 for the musical Jumbo , where it was first introduced by Gloria Grafton and Donald Novis. Though the musical itself may not be widely remembered today, this song has more than stood the test of time. In 1962, Doris Day performed it in the movie vers...

  Unlock New Sounds: Exploring Drop D and DADGAD Tunings on Guitar Are you feeling stuck in a guitar rut? If you’ve been playing in standard tuning for a while, it’s easy to fall into the same patterns and chord progressions. But what if I told you that by simply changing a few strings, you could open up a whole new world of sound? Let’s dive into two exciting tunings—Drop D and DADGAD—that will refresh your playing and add some new flavor to your guitar playing. Why Change the Tuning? Standard tuning (E A D G B E) is the foundation of most guitar playing, but after a while, it can feel limiting. The same chords, the same patterns—it’s easy to get bored. That’s when tunings like Drop D and DADGAD come to the rescue. These tunings allow you to explore fresh chord voicings and melody lines that would be difficult to achieve in standard tuning. And don’t worry, even if you’re not familiar with alternate tunings, these are easier to adopt than you might think. Drop D Tuning: A Simple T...

  Tune Tuesday: But Not For Me – A Gershwin Classic with a Grammy Twist Good morning, and welcome to another exciting Tune Tuesday ! Today, we’re diving into a classic by the incomparable George and Ira Gershwin— But Not For Me , a tune that has stood the test of time since its debut in 1930. Featured in the musical Girl Crazy , this song is a perfect example of the Gershwins' genius in blending catchy melodies with unforgettable lyrics. The Legacy of But Not For Me Written for the musical Girl Crazy in 1930, But Not For Me is one of the Gershwin brothers’ most enduring compositions. While it had a relatively modest debut, it became a beloved standard in the jazz and pop repertoires over the years. The song captures that timeless sense of longing and melancholy, emotions that resonate no matter the era. With its simple yet sophisticated melody and poignant lyrics, But Not For Me became a go-to tune for many legendary performers. One of the most fascinating aspects of this song ...

  Unlocking the Secrets of the Nashville Number System: A Game-Changer for Guitarists If you’ve ever been to Nashville or listened to a country or studio-recorded song, you’ve likely encountered the Nashville Number System (NNS) in action. But what exactly is it? And why should you care as a guitarist, educator, or jazz enthusiast? Today, we’re diving into this invaluable tool that could transform your approach to music theory and performance. The Nashville Number System (NNS) isn’t your typical musical notation system. Unlike traditional sheet music that provides exact notes and rhythms, NNS strips away the complexity and focuses on chords and their relationships. Instead of writing out each chord with a specific letter name, you use numbers to represent the scale degrees of the key you're in. It’s like shorthand for musicians, enabling them to play new songs on the fly without needing to know every intricate detail. Why was it created? In the 1950s, Nashville became a hub for stu...

  Tune Tuesday: Somebody Loves Me – A Timeless Classic by George Gershwin Good morning, and welcome to another Tune Tuesday ! Today, we’re revisiting a true gem from the Great American Songbook: Somebody Loves Me , written by the legendary George Gershwin. Released in 1924, this song has been captivating listeners for nearly a century, and its enduring appeal continues to shine through in every performance. The Story Behind Somebody Loves Me Somebody Loves Me was composed by Gershwin, with lyrics by Ballard McDonald and Buddy DeSylva. The song was introduced to the world in 1924, and the first recordings followed shortly after, marking the beginning of its long and successful journey. Some of the earliest renditions came from big names like Paul Whiteman, Ray Miller, Marion Harris, and Cliff Edwards. Of these early versions, Whiteman's recording was the most popular, helping to solidify the song as a jazz standard. Gershwin, of course, is well-known for his ability to blend class...