How long have you been an instructor at Guitartricks?
A little over 4 years
At what age did you start playing guitar?
12
Did you have lessons, or are you self-taught?
Dad showed me three chords, and strum patterns. He said if I really wanted to learn, I would figure out the rest. I'm Mostly self taught, but I stole a lot of tricks over the years.
Do you play any other instruments, besides guitar?
Mandolin, bass guitar, tenor banjo, dulcimer, if it has strings and frets I'll attempt to play it .
What was your first guitar?
I learned to play on a $20.00 K-mart special, but my first guitar was a Roy Rogers guitar. It was bright orange, and had a picture of Roy and Trigger on it.
What sort of rig do you currently use?
1970 American standard Telecaster (all original)
1993 American standard Telecaster with Seymour Duncan Alnico 2, and banjo tuners on both E strings
2001 American standard Telecaster with Seymour Duncan Quarter pound
2007 Forrest Lee Bendocaster with Joe Barden Danny gatton T style bridge
2000 American standard Stratocaster (all original)
1971 Washburn D-27S
1997 Washburn mandolin
Shure SM58 microphone
Shure SM57 microphone
Ernie Ball regular slinky (electric strings)
Martin medium guage (acoustic strings)
Dean Markley regular guage (mandolin strings)
Clayton USA .63 mm picks (electric/tenor banjo/dulcimer)
Dunlop Tortex .88 mm picks (acoustic)
Dunlop Tortex 1.14 mm picks (acoustic)
Dunlop USA 1.1 mm Gator Grip picks (acoustic/mandolin)
Boss pedal board
1 CS-3 Compression Sustainer
1 TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
2 BD-2 Blues Driver
1 CH-1 Super Chorus
1 RV-3 Digital Reverb/Delay
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
AKG SR 40 Wireless Receiver
AKG GB 40 Wireless Guitar Bug
Digitech RP7 Valve Effects Processor
1974 212 HD-130 Music Man with Kendrick Green Frame speakers
2002 212 Fender Hot Rod Deville with Eminence speakers
Peavey SP-130 with 12 inch Scorpion
What's your dream rig?
Turquoise Blue Custom Thinline Telecaster, some new Boss pedals slightly modified, and if I still had a roadie, 4 Fender Bassman 100 Silverface piggyback head with 4 12" speakers, 100 Watts/RMS Doublestacked
Who was your biggest influence, both musically and in general?
I've been trying to narrow it down to just one name, and I just can't do it. I've been influenced by so many musicians, songwriters, and artists that it's impossible to pick only one. Then I think back to the beginning, and the one that has been there since I started learning how to play. The answer to this question is my dad, James D Jarrell Sr. He taught me so much over the years, and I still use it in my rhythm, and lead playing.
What musician do you most admire and why?
Albert Lee, he is such a versatile guitarist, great style, and technique. He seems to get better with age, and he plays with such great taste.
What is the best guitar playing lesson you ever learned?
When to play, and when not to play.
How has your taste in music changed over the time you've been playing?
I started out listening to Bluegrass, and Country, and played only Bluegrass for 18 years. After playing in Nashville for 22 years, my taste in music really hasn't changed that much. I do listen to a wider variety of music now, and my versatility as a guitar player has really grown over the past 13 years. I still pick Bluegrass, and now also Country, Rock, Blues, Rockabilly, Western Swing, and even some Jazz.
What was the first song you learned to play all the way through?
Wildwood flower
What's the most challenging piece of music for you to play currently?
"Second Hand Smoke" by Forrest Lee Jr. on his Telethon album
You can find more information on J.D, and a listing of his lessons here.
Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com
