Graduate from Texas State with honors as a Jazz Guitar Performance major. Mentored by many local greats.

Learn more about Weldon

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  My first favorite musician was Michael Jackson at the age of 8. The first time I saw myself in an artist was Kurt Cobain at the age of 14. The first time I saw god in music was Robert Fripp at the age of 21. The first time I saw majik in music was with Mike Patton at the age of 26. And finally I saw the entire universe in jazz by John Coltrane at the age of 28.

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Jazz fusion, jazz-core, prog rock, break-core, IDM. Mr Bungle, King Crimson, Clown Core

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  Chord melodies. They require an extensive knowledge of chords and their inversions as well as knowledge of the fretboard. Add substitutions and embellishments and you've got years of work to do.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I think that guitar is not really talked about as a difficult instrument but it really is. It being a grid means the same notes occur in many different places on the neck creating a huge amount of options when composing, learning or arranging any guitar song. Not to mention the physical motion of playing it requires a challenging type of coordination and concentration. It's like rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  Consistency, discipline, openness, resilience

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  John Zorn- I admire his tenacity and audacity. I would ask him about finding the right players for his special brand of music.
  
  Robert Fripp- I admire his principles and his spirituality. I'd ask him how to always remember what's important.
  
  Mike Patton- I admire his taste and sense of humor. I'd ask him how to keep having fun in the face of the huge amount of work required of the musicians of his caliber.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  I was a pretty adequate self taught player from the age of 15 to the age of 28. At 28 I took my first lesson ever and 6 years later I graduated with a jazz degree. The very first lesson I took made me feel so silly. It dramatically improved my playing with only one lesson. Previously I had been hesitant to take lessons and I can't overstate how big of a mistake that was.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  For me studying and playing music is the best way to connect with the spiritual intersection between humans and the universe. In music we interact directly with history, physics, math, fitness, art, community, and psychology all at the same time. These are the things that give meaning to our individual lives and to humanity as a whole. This is central to my teaching philosophy.