Wolf Marshall: Guitar Gods & The Art of Transcription | Mind Behind The Music | Op. 26

One of the most educational and informative interviews in Mind Behind The Music history. Legendary guitarist, author, and transcriptionist Wolf Marshall shares decades of wisdom on transcription, jazz language, improvisation, gear, and his journey through rock, blues, and jazz. His generosity with time and knowledge makes this an unforgettable deep dive for musicians of all levels.

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Chapters & Key Topics

00:00:00 – Opening & Career Overview
– Introduction to Wolf Marshall’s legacy as a guitarist, author, and transcriptionist shaping generations of players.
00:02:18 – Classical Roots & Early Ear Training
– Childhood under a grand piano, absorbing Chopin, Beethoven, and the art of pitch discernment.
00:04:23 – Discovering Guitar in a Classical Household
– Learning pop/R&B from the radio, first tune “Rumble,” and bonding with guitar as a transcribing tool.
00:05:31 – Scales vs. Melodies
– Why melody and harmony matter more than scales for musical expression.
00:07:09 – Early Transcriptions & Influences
– Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Mick Taylor, Peter Green, Buddy Guy, B.B. King.
00:09:34 – Learning Entirely by Ear
– Pre-tab era challenges, slow-down turntable, and developing transcription skills without formal theory.
00:11:36 – Rock to Jazz Transition
– From Beatles and Stones books to transcribing jazz legends like Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Pat Martino.
00:12:39 – Mentorship with Pat Martino
– “No bad notes, just bad connections,” understanding chord changes, and philosophical lessons.
00:16:18 – Creativity & Unique Voice
– The goal of transcription as a path to innovation, not imitation.
00:17:03 – Transcription Process & Notebooks
– Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee” and the stages: Acquisition → Assimilation → Innovation.
00:19:34 – Jazz Improvisation Techniques
– Side-slipping, bebop scales, hexatonic lines, and linking licks to chord shapes.
00:20:55 – Gear Philosophy
– Crafting tone organically, early distortion stories, and essential amps (Fender, Marshall, Mesa Boogie).
00:27:01 – Modern Technology
– Thoughts on plugins, amp modelers, and maintaining a vast vintage amp collection.
00:29:16 – Moving Beyond Blues
– Plateau in blues, discovering Howard Roberts, and coining the “Three B’s” concept: Blues, Bebop, Ballads.
00:32:55 – Favorite Modern Jazz Guitarists
– Pasquale Grasso, Gilad Hekselman, Oz Noy, Peter Bernstein.
00:34:18 – Rock/Metal Players Exploring Jazz
– Marty Friedman, Alex Skolnick, and why jazz appeals to evolving musicians.
00:36:31 – Writing & Analysis
– Wolf’s Vintage Guitar columns and approach to authentic, detailed transcriptions.
00:37:56 – Career Pivot to Publishing
– Notation innovations, Star Licks era, and creating calligraphy-based instructional materials.
00:41:03 – Session Work & Versatility
– Imitating famous guitarists for recordings and balancing multiple publishing contracts.
00:43:34 – Library of Congress Work
– Transcribing Pat Martino albums and Randy Rhoads projects.
00:44:25 – Behind the Scenes of Songbooks – Why “Day Tripper” was printed in E♭, piano arranger influence.
00:45:16 – Top Book Recommendations
– Music and Imagination by Aaron Copland & Creating by Robert Fritz.
00:46:39 – Jazz Guitar Course Philosophy
– Memorization, moving licks across positions, and adapting to personal style.
00:52:12 – Learning the Fretboard
– One string per week method, CAGED as a starting point, and “Uncaged Jazz Improvisation.”
00:55:33 – Reading Strategies
– Sight reading vs. rehearsed reading and working privately with Burt Bacharach.
00:55:56 – Giant Steps Concepts
– Using motifs to navigate complex chord progressions.
01:00:00 – Improvisational Freedom
– Applying jazz concepts to other genres while keeping the player’s voice.
01:10:00 – Art and Music Connection
– Wolf’s visual art, calligraphy, and creative process beyond guitar.
01:20:00 – Career Longevity & Adaptation
– Staying relevant through publishing, performance, and education.
01:32:00 – Closing Thoughts
– Gratitude, reflections on a life in music, and advice for aspiring players.

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Guest Links:
🌐 Official Website – https://www.wolfmarshall.com/
📖 New Book: Wolf Marshall’s Jazz Guitar Course – https://www.wolfmarshall.com/online/
📚 Full List of Transcription Books – https://www.halleonard.com/search/aut...

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