Viktor Tanaskovski: Blending Rock, Jazz, and Experimental Music

Oct 17 2024 • 44 mins

Ever wondered how a passion for skateboarding could spark a lifelong journey into the world of music? Victor Tanaskovski, an acclaimed guitarist and GuitarZoom instructor, shares his unexpected path from being a punk rock enthusiast influenced by the Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtracks to becoming a jazz aficionado trained at a Jazz Academy in Macedonia. Victor’s story is a testament to the transformative power of music, evolving from playing in cover bands to crafting original pieces with Minstrels Gallery, Alembic, and the improvisational trio Improve. Each step of his journey showcases a dedication to exploring and mastering different musical styles, deliberately steering clear of traditional Balkan folk elements.

Victor reveals the layers behind his music creation process, beginning with mastering guitar fundamentals sans effects and progressing to a collaborative band approach enriched with innovative tools like loopers and octave dividers. His duo, Alembic, transforms into a full-band sound with the help of his classically trained pianist girlfriend, who adds depth with keyboards, theremin, and vocals. Dive into the intriguing dynamics of his improvisational trio, Improve, where every performance is a one-of-a-kind experience guided by Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies cards, ensuring that no two sessions are ever the same.

Explore the breadth of Victor’s musical influences and his unique recording techniques in our conversation. From the avant-garde impact of John Cage’s 4'33" to the magic of creating music with unexpected elements like a cat on a piano, Victor’s stories are as enlightening as they are entertaining. We also discuss the balance between technical precision and soulful expression in teaching guitar, aiming to inspire students with a versatile approach across genres. Celebrate Victor’s contributions to GuitarZoom Academy and get a taste of his original material, linking directly from our podcast. Don't miss this captivating episode packed with musical insights and creative inspirations!

Check out Viktor's YouTube Page for music and videos:
Viktor Tanaskovski - YouTube

Ready to learn Guitar with Viktor?
Viktor Tanaskovski (guitarzoom.com)

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