Thanks for visiting. This site is currently getting redesigned and things are a little messy. If you are looking for something and can’t find it, please email Jason at jason@knowingtrees.com . He’ll do his best to be helpful!
p.s. 2011!?!?!?!? Wow, I have been at this for a long time.
Recently, I was passing along some approaches toward, and conventions within, a sing-along-style jam. I was reminded of this article from Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
I was interviewed for the article, and I’m proud to say that a lot of my thoughts were included!
❞ Yet, it’s not a performance. Those people are your allies, not your audience. “It’s more like basketball than theater,” says Jason McInnes, a guitar teacher who leads several regular jams at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. “Everybody wants the game to keep going, so they’re going to do everything they can to keep it going.”
The other day I was noodling around with some “mini shape” transitions and stumbled upon the intro to End of the Line by the Traveling Wilburys.
The last phrase of the intro has the chords G > A > D > A > D.
I’m playing it using a combination of mini shapes with the
root on the 3rd string
root on the 2nd string
or root on the first string
The phrase sounds like this.
Thre major “mini” chord shapes. R = the root note.
Playing it before I really dig in. Click to enlarge the video window.
Maybe you can hear that there are some small gaps in the moves between chords. I can hear that, and it’s NOT how I want to sound! I’d better dig in.
My understanding of what to play is clear, so that means my playing habits are creating some hesitations between the chords.
Time to remove those hesitations.
How does one go about that?
Here is the process I use to find, and begin to correct, habits that are holding me back.
It’s not just a matter of practice. I need to figure out exactly what my fingers are already doing, and work one changing THOSE habit. What I don’t want to do is just keep practicing over and over and over, and there by continuing to engrain the stuff I’m trying to remove.
Here is a video where I’m not looking for the sound. I’m looking for where I see moments, of hesitation, or confusion on the part of my fingers.
Looking for issues in my left hand fingers. Click to enlarge the video window.
Now it’s just a matter of putting in the time and effort to build a set of new habits. I’m going ot have to spend A LONG TIME practicing like this.
Part of the problem is that I’ve been playing for a long time and these habits are well engrained. I’m going to have to be mindful of this work throughout all of my playing time for week? months? Years?
Beginning the Process of Cleaning Up My Playing
Yep. Now that I’m aware of the issue, it’s getting a little bit better.
But, this is far from a new habit. It’s going to take A LOT longer, and a ton of patience, to be able to do this with less tension.
I know that, once the tension is relieved, I’ll be able to bring it up to tempo.
It I try to play it at a faster tempo now, I will unconsciously revert to the ingrained habit of playing with tension.
I hope this was interesting for you.
Do you have known, or unknown habits, that you’d like to work on? I’m available for private and small group lesson, in person in Albuquerque, NM or virtually on Zoom.
In my experience, it is doing this kind of work that is PERFECT for virtual work. We’d be able to identify problem areas, and create a practice plan for you to bust through those limitations!
Journey back to the era of flannel, grunge, and iconic acoustic performances in this unique music class for adults! “MTV Unplugged: The Acoustic ’90s” offers a deep dive into the legendary live sessions that epitomized the decade.
Whether you’re an experienced musician or just picking up an instrument, this class provides a fun and engaging environment to learn and play some of the most beloved songs from the 1990s.
The Music Crew Unplugged classes run on Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:00 for eight weeks, beginning July 9.
We’ll meet at the Saavedra Filing Station, 225 Saavedra RD SW.
Get on the bus this summer as you, your intrepid teacher Jason McInnes, and your fellow Deadheads gather for this eight-week adult education music class dedicated to exploring and performing the music of the Grateful Dead.
Designed by considering the needs of beginning, intermediate and advanced musicians, this course offers a deep dive into the band’s rich catalog, from beloved classics like “Truckin’” and “Friend of the Devil” to deeper cuts and extended jams.
The class includes hands-on instruction, group rehearsals, and opportunities to jam in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Whether you’re a guitarist, bassist, vocalist, keyboardist, drummer, or other instrumentalist, you’ll gain new insight into the Dead’s music through playing it among a generous, encouraging community.
The class will culminate with a gig during The Days Between; the week of celebration and commemoration between the anniversaries of Jerry Garcia’s birth (Aug.1) and death (Aug. 9). Gig details TBA.
Some photos which I took of our compost toilet and outdoor shower.
Photo of the outside of our bathhouse.
Front cover of the book, Bathrooms with Dignity, publisted by Not Our Farm
Our bathhouse (compost toilet and outdoor shower) at the Saavedra Filling Station are featured, along with tons of information and photos in the new book, Bathrooms with Dignity, by Not our Farm.
I’m so honored that they used so many of my photos!
I didn’t know anything about compost toilets when I moved to Albuquerque, and I’ve learned a lot!
Same with the kinds of physical demands it takes to be a farmer.
This is a very cool book and I highly recommend it if you are curious.
From Not Our Farm
This stunning 100-page book is full of farmworker testimonials, horrifying, heartbreaking and hilarious stories about lack of bathroom access on farms, food safety implications of this issue, compost toilet tutorials and blueprints, incredible art and photography and so much more.
Purchase Options
You can purchase a print edition, or download a free digital version at Not Our Farm.
The Vision and Construction
It was Maria who had the vision for this project. They saw something that I didn’t. Now, the compost toilet and shower are integral to the smooth-ish function of our household.
The structure was designed, and built by Tanner Slick and Darah Gillum. During the initial discussions Maria said something like, “Build the compost toilet of your dreams!”
Tanner used pallet wood to make the sides of most of the shower.
Me and Maria with Tanner and Darah during construction of the Filling Station Bath House
Darah with the frame
Guitar players – Acoustic guitars are recommended, but not required. We’ll figure out amplification needs as the class rolls along.
Drummers – There won’t be a back line at our practice space. Hand percussion instruments are HIGHLY recommended.
Keyboardists – Jason will be providing a keyboard for the band to use. Obviously, should we have more than one keyboard player, there could potentially be some challenges. But, nothing that I think will hold us back. Please contact Jason at 773-369-8268 (phone/text) or jason@knowingtrees.com if you plan on playing keyboards.
Worried that you’re not good enough to play? Worried that you’re too good?
This will be a multi-level class. Everyone will be asked to go to the edge of their abilities. Now, that edge will be very individual, as some folks are just beginnng and some folks have a lot of experience. Jason is confident that, no matter your experience level, you’ll walk out of class with a) something to work on, musically and b) a spring in your step from sharing music with such an positive community
Grateful Deadhead Ensemble – Live at Canteen Brewhouse – Aug 10, 2025
This is just a quick taste of our gig. Here is our full setlist
We got to hear Robyn Hitchcock at the South Broadway Cultural Center last week. He’s such a fantastic performer.
He played two sets of music, all requests, with his wife Emma adding some harmony for the last few songs. Then, he played the “encore” in the lobby. It was incredibly beautiful when he started A Day in the Life by the Beatles and everyone gently joined in for a sing along.
What an honor to be asked to share our love for Ella Jenkins for the Children’s Hour podcast.
I think the host, Katie Stone, did a fantastic job capturing the many ways that Ella touched so many lives.
When you listen, you’ll also hear the Young Stracke All-Stars perform Ella’ This Train. What a delight to hear this song on the radio so many years after we recorded it.
