Playback Sessions

Jared James Nichols opens up about the real struggles behind finding his sound from early debt and self-doubt to ripping the neck pickup out of his guitar in search of clarity. Jared shares why picks never felt right, why speed was never the goal, and how embracing discomfort helped him build a voice that’s unmistakably his own.

🚀 Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora.

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👇 Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more.

https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

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📍 Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome + Carter Vintage Guitars intro

05:45 – The tornado-destroyed “Dorothy” Les Paul

11:10 – Why Jared Never Used a Pick

12:17 – “My Tone Was Mushy”

14:10 – The Day He Ripped the Pickup Out

15:20 – Filling a Guitar with Car Bondo

33:13 – Entering the Les Paul Contest With No Plan B

42:29 – When Steven Tyler Walked In

45:23 – Truck Stops, Debt, and the Reality of Touring

1:22:33 – Wrap-up + where to follow Jared

🎸 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: Jared James Nichols

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#JaredJamesNichols #BluesRock #GuitarLesson #LesPaul #GibsonGuitars #FingerstyleGuitar #SteveVai #StevenTyler #LynyrdSkynyrd #GuitarTone #BluesGuitar #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive

Legendary educator Tomo Fujita breaks down how he teaches guitar at Berklee College of Music and why most players are practicing the wrong way. He explains why mastering one thing deeply matters more than learning everything fast. This is a must-watch for guitarists who want real musicianship, not shortcuts.

🚀 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

02:10 – Tomo’s first test for new students

05:05 – The questionnaire that reveals everything

09:40 – Amp setup: no reverb, more truth

12:00 – Fixing guitars before fixing technique

14:10 – “Do one thing really good”

18:45 – Why patience is the real skill

23:00 – How Tomo learned rhythm (the hard way)

27:30 – Metronome practice that actually works

31:00 – Why you can’t play outside without playing inside

36:40 – Practice vs performance mindset

44:00 – Music education today vs the past

48:10 – Teaching John Mayer foundations

56:40 – The philosophy behind Play by Feeling

1:05:10 – Final thoughts & Guitar Wisdom

🎸 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: Tomo Fujita

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

#TomoFujita #GuitarLesson #BerkleeCollegeOfMusic #JohnMayer #GuitarPractice #GuitarSetup #MusicTheory #EarTraining #GuitarWisdom #BluesGuitar #GuitarTone #AlternatePicking #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive

Victor Wooten shares his philosophy on learning music naturally by playing first and understanding later. From why one note can be enough, to how feel, timing, and space matter more than technique, Victor reframes what it really means to be musical. Insightful, grounding, and deeply human, this conversation will change how you listen, practice, and play.

🚀 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

04:00 – Why music education often teaches things backwards

06:20 – “We teach the naturalness out of people”

08:30 – Playing music vs playing an instrument

11:00 – How Victor approaches music theory (and why charts matter)

16:30 – Learning feel, tone, and accent through bluegrass

22:10 – Making other musicians sound better

31:00 – Using space to make music more powerful

35:20 – Wrong notes, tension, and emotional impact

40:30 – Identity, confidence, and longevity as a musician

51:20 – Living and performing with focal dystonia

56:50 – What’s next: tours, camps, and new Wooten Brothers music

1:02:05 – Final thoughts & closing

🎸 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

🔥 Victor Wooten

Editor: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #VictorWooten #BassGuitar #MusicTheory #FocalDystonia #MusicEducation #JazzMusic #BelaFleck #WootenBrothers #BassLesson #LearnMusic #ImposterSyndrome

Bryan Sutton breaks down why groove can’t be rushed, why clarity matters more than speed, and how real musicianship is revealed through timing, restraint, and intention. Honest, thoughtful, and deeply musical, this episode is a must-watch for players who want their music to feel as good as it sounds.

🚀 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

05:10 – Learning tunes by listening first

10:30 – Melody as the roadmap (not scale shapes)

17:10 – Finding your own voice beyond your heroes

26:50 – Balancing intuition and structure

35:50 – Imposter syndrome at every level

47:30 – Playing with Billy Strings & modern bluegrass

57:05 – Groove, pocket, and subtle timing

1:05:40 – Learning on the job vs formal practice

1:21:30 – Closing performance

1:23:10 – Outro & 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: Bryan Sutton

Editors: Carl Reeverts, Clayton Hopkins, Evan Bowser

Executive Producer: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #BryanSutton #BluegrassGuitar #Flatpicking #AcousticGuitar #GuitarLesson #TonyRice #FiddleTunes #ImposterSyndrome #MusicTheory #RhythmGuitar #ArtistWorks #BluegrassMusic

Paul Gilbert gets real about melody, speed, and why great playing starts with listening. From kazoo wisdom to slide guitar and clean shred technique, this is a masterclass in musical thinking, not just guitar chops.

🚀 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:

0:00 – “I’m chasing my inner kazoo player”

3:00 – Losing (and rediscovering) your musical voice

5:30 – Why lyrics unlock better melodies

9:10 – Why exotic scales often fail

16:40 – Discovering slide as a new musical voice

23:30 – Finding melody across different songs

37:50 – How to actually build speed (clean first)

39:00 – Why sloppy fast playing doesn’t work

43:10 – Bottom-up vs top-down learning

48:20 – Melody vs speed in solos

🎸 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: Paul Gilbert

Editor: Carl Reeverts

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #PaulGilbert #GuitarLesson #ShredGuitar #GuitarScales #EarTraining #MrBig #RacerX #SlideGuitar #GuitarSpeed #IbanezGuitars #MusicTheory #GuitarPhrasing

In this special episode of Playback Sessions, the legendary Tommy Emmanuel joins Spencer at Carter Vintage Guitars for an honest, joyful deep dive into creativity, tone, and musical freedom. Tommy shares the mindset, stories, and hard-earned wisdom behind his unmistakable sound from touch and dynamics to rhythm, emotion, and playing without fear. Packed with heart, humor, and inspiration, this episode is a masterclass in serving the music first for any guitarist who wants to express with authenticity, not just technique.

🚀 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 & Tommy’s background

02:15 – The transition from sideman to solo artist

05:30 – What “voice” means on guitar

09:40 – Tone secrets: gear, dynamics & touch

14:05 – Fingerstyle technique vs “just playing”

18:50 – Embracing spontaneity in live performance

23:20 – The role of rhythm, melody & harmony in solo guitar

28:10 – Practice mindset: freedom over rigid routine

32:45 – Advice for rising guitarists: listen first, play later

35:00 – Closing jam & key takeaways

🎸 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: Tommy Emmanuel

Editor: Carl Reeverts

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#TommyEmmanuel #PlaybackSessions #FingerstyleGuitar #AcousticGuitar #GuitarMasterclass #GuitarLesson #GuitarPodcast #GuitarTechnique #GuitarInspiration #ToneSecrets #GuitaristLife #CarterVintageGuitars #SpencerHandley #GuitarMotivation #GuitarEducation #AcousticFingerstyle #SoloGuitar #CreativeGuitar #GuitarWisdom #GuitarExpression

From Sideman to Slide Guitar Icon! Ariel Posen opens up about his journey from touring the world with other artists to building his own voice and his brand-new Fender Signature Guitar. In this Playback Sessions episode, Ariel breaks down the 5 Levels of Slide Guitar, revealing the techniques, tone secrets, and mindset that shaped his signature sound. Whether you’re chasing better tone, control, or creativity, this one’s packed with lessons straight from one of the most inspiring modern guitarists 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 Ariel intro: sideman to signature Fender

00:38 Episode setup: 5 Levels of Slide + new guitar

01:15 Kickoff & Cory Wong camp recap

20:18 Signature Fender: concept & build journey

24:30 Pickups/electronics (P-90 bridge + JM-style neck in P90 housing)

35:40 Level 1: Right-hand muting (finger vs pick)

37:00 Level 2: Left-hand anchor, tip-of-slide, intonation, vibrato

48:50 Level 3: Vocal lines, scale glides, sequencing

59:40 Level 4: Hybrid playing (slide ↔ fingerstyle)

1:02:10 Level 5: “Behind the slide” pedal-steel illusion

1:06:50 Volume swells & tone control for expression

🎸 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: Ariel Posen

Editor: Carl Reeverts

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#ArielPosen #SlideGuitar #GuitarLesson #FenderStratocaster #GuitarTechnique #BluesGuitar #SignatureGuitar #GuitarTone #MusicTheory #SessionGuitarist #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive

Guitar virtuoso Mark Lettieri (Snarky Puppy, Fearless Flyers) joins Playback Sessions at Carter Vintage Guitars to talk about groove, tone, and the creative mindset behind his playing. From why he doesn’t follow a strict practice routine to how he developed his rhythm-first approach, Mark shares rare insight into building feel, navigating genres, and writing music that grooves. He also breaks down his solo record Can I Tell You Something and the story behind the “Shimmy Tiger”, his latest funky feline alter ego.

🚀 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/

00:00 – Intro: Mark Lettieri joins Playback

00:15 – Why he doesn’t have a practice routine

02:45 – Developing groove and timing beyond metronomes

06:20 – Playing with Snarky Puppy & Fearless Flyers

10:30 – Tone talk: his pedalboard and dynamic control

15:00 – Writing process & recording workflow

18:50 – How to build “feel” in rhythm guitar

22:15 – Finding creative flow without overthinking

27:40 – On gear, strings, and chasing tone

30:10 – The story behind his solo album Can I Tell You Something

34:54 – The Shimmy Tiger artwork & his cat alter ego 🐅

35:31 – Closing thoughts + outro jam

🎸 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: Mark Lettieri

Editor: Carl Reeverts

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #MarkLettieri #SnarkyPuppy #FunkGuitar #RhythmGuitar #PRSFiore #PRSGuitars #FearlessFlyers #GuitarLesson #GospelGuitar #RnBGuitar #GuitarTone #MusicTheory

Grammy-winning producer and guitarist Dann Huff opens up about his legendary career, from fronting the 80s rock band GIANT to shaping the Nashville sound for artists like Keith Urban, Faith Hill, and Rascal Flatts. Dann shares rare insights on tone, humility, and imposter syndrome, revealing how even after decades of success, self-doubt never truly disappears.

Discover Dann’s creative process behind his new solo record, the making of “Colorado Creepin’” and “Waiting a Whisper,” and how he balances chops, melody, and emotion in his playing. A must-watch for guitarists, producers, and anyone chasing purpose through music.

🚀 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 – Dann Huff’s legacy

01:15 From GIANT to Nashville’s sound

03:20 The making of his new record

05:40 Inspirations: Jeff Beck, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather

08:10 Early Nashville days & first studio sessions

10:25 On intuition vs. theory

16:20 The evolution from guitarist to producer

24:00 Learning leadership & studio humility

30:00 Imposter syndrome and embracing imperfection

34:10 Chops vs. storytelling

38:00 The creation of “Colorado Creepin’”

41:10 Producing yourself vs. producing others

44:00 What makes a great producer

50:00 Lessons from failure in the studio

52:40 Listening to “Colorado Creepin’”

58:30 Tone talk – Strats, amps, and feel

01:06:00 The Jeff Beck influence

01:14:00 “Waiting a Whisper” breakdown

01:33:00 Dobro, dynamics, and space in music

01:38:00 On spirituality, growth, and gratitude

01:41:00 Where to find Dann’s record

🎸 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: Dann Huff

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#DannHuff #SessionGuitarist #MusicProducer #GuitarLesson #JeffBeck #NashvilleSessions #MuttLange #ImposterSyndrome #StudioMusician #GuitarChops #PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #AcousticGuitar #GuitarTone

RJ Ronquillo is a master of tone, gear history, and session playing styles. If you've ever chased the lush, hi-fi clean guitar sounds of 80s LA session legends like Dann Huff, Michael Landau, or Steve Lukather, this is the masterclass you've been waiting for. In this episode, RJ takes us through Carter Vintage Guitars to build the ultimate 80s clean rig.

🚀 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 Today's Plan

00:46 Exploring the Eighties Clean Sound

02:28 Setting Up the Gear

03:49 Demonstrating the Sound

05:29 Fine-Tuning the Effects

09:50 Transatlantic Radio Band

12:19 Conclusion and Follow-Up

🎸 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: RJ Ronquillo

Editor: Carl Reeverts

Executive Producers: Spencer Handley

Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#PlaybackSessions #SpencerHandley #CarterVintageGuitar #SonoraGuitarIntensive #RjRonquillo #80sGuitarTone #GuitarPedals #ChorusPedal #JamesTylerGuitars #AOR #SessionGuitarist #StrymonTimeline