I’ve learned so much from my teachers. So, for this blog post, I wanted to feature one of my Berklee teachers, Ben Sher.
Ben Sher is an amazing jazz guitarist with a background in Brazilian guitar styles. Ben is basically the reason I was exposed to bossa nova and other Brazilian styles. His guitar lab on Brazilian Guitar Styles was a huge influence on my playing and understanding in the style.
I was also part of the first time (I believe!) he offered a Brazilian Choro Guitar Ensemble back in 2006 or 2007 at Berklee. Learning some of those tricky pieces really opened up my eyes and ears to idiomatic long flowing Brazilian melodies.
In his private lessons, Ben taught me a variety of topics including solo guitar, improvising using diminished arpeggios and the importance of transcribing. I think as a student I only really realised how extremely cool and important some topics (in the private lessons) he taught me were – after I graduated.
Recently, I had the amazing honour of being a guest lecturer for his Career Development class at Berklee along with my manager Yin. We’ve been guests for two semesters in a row. It was great to hear cool questions from the Berklee students!
In this blog post, I wanted to feature some of his solo guitar playing via these videos he posted on Facebook over the past year. I’ve transcribed some parts of it (and plan to transcribe more). Hope you enjoy these! Thanks Ben!
[Related Links]
Ben’s website: https://www.bensherguitarist.com/
About Ben’s classes: https://www.bensherguitarist.com/instruction
Ben’s Berklee Faculty Profile Page: https://www.berklee.edu/people/benjamin-sher
His FB Music Page: https://www.facebook.com/Ben-Sher-guitarist-1325561984187286/
[Lessons]
Intro to Jazz with Professor Ben Sher
https://www.lessonface.com/content/intro-jazz-professor-ben-sher
Major Scales Tutorial with Prof. Ben Sher
https://www.lessonface.com/notes/guitar-major-scales
Fretboard Harmony with Professor Ben Sher
https://www.lessonface.com/notes/fretboard-harmony
[Solo Guitar Videos]
Alone Together
There is no Greater Love
Summertime
All The Things You Are
Jam
[BONUS VIDEO]
FB Live Performance with Students at Berklee