Creative guitarist, composer and arranger
I am a session guitarist specializing in rock, blues, funk, jazz and fusion. I have been playing my instrument and in bands of different styles for over 20 years, I really enjoy working on original music helping artists to achieve their goals.
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Interview with Juan Manuel
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The music for the interactive book that is about to come out. In this project I had to compose all the music as if it were one of the characters in the book. This job is closer to the job of an actor. The result is very interesting and the creative possibilities are amazing.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I just finished composing and arranging music for an interactive book and I am also learning how to mix, master and create professional musical beats.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I am new here.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: For many years I was a fan of analog, but the truth is that digital makes my life easier. And today technology has made great strides.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Original and soulfull guitar tracks .
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I really love making music and everything that involves the creative process.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: When can you have the track ready ? My answer is - When you need it ?
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I don't like to imitate other artists. I consider myself an original musician who tries to connect with the primary feeling of the music that I am performing.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I'm always interested in what inspired the song. In the feeling it has or something of the story with which it is related.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have a clear idea of what you are looking for or if not good reference songs and better if it is more than one song to be able to base myself on that and compose original tracks for your music.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My custom SG style guitar with Klein epic 59 humbucker pickups and a graphtec piezzo mic, a notebook, mixing headphones, a portable audio interface for example Arturia AudioFuse and a condenser mic ( AKG P2020).
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been playing guitar since I was 9 years old. from the age of 13 in rock, blues and funk bands. When I finished high school I went to music school where I studied jazz and contemporary music. Since I was 16 years old I teach guitar and from my 20 years I teach music theory and ensemble classes. Parallel to this I have always been playing in the underground scene of my country in different jazz, rock and fusion bands.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I have a very passionate way of playing with strong blues, funk and psychedelic rock influences. But I can also play on more complex harmonies (jazz). I spent a lot of time of my life practicing this.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would have loved to work with Miles Davis. I really like his constant search to innovate but without losing sight of the listener's perspective.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Playing on the groove is everything. If you are rhythmically ok, everything else is easier to achieve.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Jazz, jazz rock, rock, blues.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I am a creative musician with a lot of personality when it comes to playing.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Emotion and feeling.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Usually before everything else I listen to what the client wants, based on that I look for original ways to achieve that. Many times I write some references or listen to music that the client wants to draw on, or I play parts that I have in my head. It depends on the song and the style.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have an SG style guitar and a telecaster style guitar with P90 pickups. I usually record with my Line 6 Helix straight to my computer.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am inspired by artists who are always on the eternal quest, for example Miles Davis, Prince, Radiohead, Thom Yorke
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I record original guitar tracks adapting to the style that the artist or composer is looking for.
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