Steve Howe, John McLaughlin, Andres Segovia, Barney Kessel, Brian Setzer, The Beatles, Keith Emerson, Arnold Schoenberg
Sounds Like
Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Dixie Dregs, Happy the Man, King Crimson, UK, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, echolyn, Underground Railroad.
Check out Land of Chocolate performing "Misanthropic Cattle" (August 30, 2003):
Here's a brief instructional video on rhythm in rock music:
Here's the second episode in the series of three instructional videos, this one devoted to melody in rock music:
And the third episode, this one on harmony in rock music:
A native of suburban Detroit, John Covach began playing guitar in local rock bands at age 12. After graduating Livonia's Stevenson High School, Covach attended Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University before transferring to The University of Michigan School of Music, where he earned bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. degrees in music theory and composition. John was also a Fulbright scholar, studying the history of twelve-tone music in Vienna, Austria. During his years at Michigan, John remained active as a performer of both rock and classical music, performing works by composers such as George Crumb and Pierre Boulez with Michigan's Contemporary Directions Ensemble while working regularly with top bands in the Metro Detroit area.
John studied classical guitar primarily with Jack Moncrief and Matthew Mischakoff (master classes with Robert Guthrie, Manuel Lopez-Ramos, Michael Lorimer, Juan Mercadal, David Russell, and John Holmquist), and composition with Robert Jones, James Hartway, Steve Rouse, George Wilson, William Bolcom, and Fred Lerdahl. In the late 1980s, John led the guitar program at Interlochen, both at the Arts Academy and at the annual summer music camp.
After graduating from Michigan, John taught music theory at The University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music, The University of North Texas, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His students now teach in top music programs such as those at the University of Cincinnati, the University of Utah, and CUNY, among others. With the 2005-2006 academic year, John returned to Rochester to accept a joint appointment as Professor of Music at the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music. He also currently serves as Chair of the College Music Department at UR.
John is considered an expert in the history of twelve-tone music, as well as in the history and analysis of rock music, and he has published a long list of articles and book chapters on these topics. His university-level textbook on the history of rock music was published in March 2006 by W.W. Norton and Company. As a rock historian, John has lectured across the US and in Europe, and has been the focus of feature stories in newspapers and magazines, as well as on radio and television. His weekly radio show, Radio Rock, debuted in May 2006 on WRUR-FM.
John Covach has performed widely on electric and classical guitar in both the US and Europe over the past two decades, including a performance with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at New York's famous Carnegie Hall. Most recently, John has been working on a series of CDs devoted to his own music, while also playing lead guitar and recording with the progressive-rock band Land of Chocolate as well as with his Rochester-based bands, The Smooth Talkers, Going for the One, Heroes for Ghosts, and The Waiting Room.
John, you are a good dude. I realize that I have little grounds to make such a statement/judgment: we have never had a conversation, I've never met you, etc., but you just seem genuine and cool to me.
Heard you on Bob Smith's show today. Very cool. I really enjoyed it. Makes me wish I could take your history of rock and roll class. You did very well.
thanks for the add John...I'm still playing modes, scales, and jazz cords that you taught me way back and all the stuff I learned helped me and made playing so much more for me all these years!
Heard you on Bob Smith's radio show on 1370am yesterday. You did a great job. I found it very interesting. Makes me wish I could take your history of rock n roll class.
Thanks a lot for taking the time to listen to my stuff! I'm excited for the Analysis of Rock music class next semester, hopefully that will help me in my writing
Hey John! Thanks for the request. My pleasure to welcome you to my circle of friends. Long time no talk to. Nice page. Apologies to spam you right off the bat but here is our new updated flyer for our music fest. Vendorship/sponsorship/volunteer opps still available. Also visit www. bmcon. org. This is the 2nd year so we could use the support. Thanks and stay in touch. Sharon
As always, things seem to be going well, John. I like the new photos and I'm glad you still find the time to play. Hope the family is well. Take it easy...
Hello John! Please listen to our new song Chlorine and Strain on our myspace site, and maybe leave us a comment if you like it ;) Cheers from sweden HSD
Ciao John Covach - Una canzone è davvero bella quando le sue note giungono dritte al cuore! - A song is really beautiful when his notes come straight to the heart! - Una canción es realmente hermosa cuando sus notas vienen directamente al corazón!
