Guitarist Jon Herington Explains Why Solo Guitar Is Frightening 

Jon was a great instructor and such an inspiration to me when I was in College. I still have his hand written arrangement of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in my music. I’m no professional but his careful and thoughtful approach to instruction took me places I never thought I’d go. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is still one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever learned. As a former student, I have lived vicariously through his storied career as he plays for some of the most famous acts in modern music. Thank you for interviewing him, Bob! Love your channel!

Love this interview. Thanks! After many decades playing, a couple of those playing in restaurants with a bass player and/or other guitarist, I found the market changing to favor single players (less space, less money, etc.) so I decided to embark on a solo exploration. It's the best thing that I ever did personally (I am still exploring!). For most of us growing up, music was a band with specific roles - lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, and bass - "everyone stayed in their lane". When you try to 1) just understand all those different lanes, 2) simultaneously combine them, and 3) understand how your melody lines can reflect the harmony, etc., it's a whole new ball game. In addition, "chord melody" is good, but it's only a first stop and you're forced into "arrangements" rather than improvising as you might with others. As a consequence, for a several hour gig you need a very large number of songs. Not so much if you can improvise a couple choruses. Finally, you'll bore yourself to death if you end up playing in the same style/textures.

Nice interview! Jon is a beautiful musician. He is also great at explaining difficulties of arranging for solo guitar clearly and in depth. As you said, "a thinking man's guitar player." Will have to check out these books!

Great interview, Jon is a good talker and his channel for solo guitar arrangements is just brilliant. His arrangement of Donald Fagen's Maxine is exquisite. The same applies to In the wee small hours of the morning.

I could listen to Jon Herington talk about guitar all day.

Great interview. I couldn't imagine getting in front of more than two people with a guitar and entertaining them for more than 2 minutes! Lol

my advice? go study harmony for five years and then sort the rest out for yourself. j.

I think this is George Bush Snr's lesser known son. He had no interest in joining the crime cartel and went into music instead