Sam
GuitarBanjoUkuleleBass GuitarPiano
About Sam
Sam Shinnick is a Los Angeles–based guitarist, composer, and educator. A versatile performer, he works across jazz, indie, rock, pop, punk, Americana, and musical theater, appearing in settings ranging from solo and small ensembles to big bands and pit orchestras. In addition to guitar, he performs on ukulele, bass, banjo, and piano.Sam has collaborated with emerging artists with significant online followings and has composed music for award-winning independent films. As a dedicated teacher, he maintains a private studio and takes pride in helping students develop both musical skill and lifelong passion—many of whom have gone on to study music at the university level.He holds a Master’s degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar from the USC Thornton School of Music and a Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies from San José State University, and has studied with Bruce Forman, Hristo Vitchev, Randy Vincent, and Richard Smith, among others.
Q&A with Sam
Which musician would you like to play with?
Björk
Which musician has influenced you the most?
Pat Metheny
What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?
Improvisation and how to apply music theory practically to modern popular music genres (so that it's useful and speeds up your creativity, rather than being intimidating)
How did you learn to play your instrument?
Started guitar lessons at 9 years old, playing alternative rock and classic rock. Later went on to study jazz guitar in high school and college.
What equipment do you play on today?
An assortment of guitars and instruments such as 1981 Ibanez Semi-hollow AS200 (ala John Scofield), Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Sire Marcus Miller Bass, Kala Ukulele, Deering Goodtime banjo.
Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?
Fascination with all aspects of music, including all the small details that add up to a great performance and curiosity about many different styles of music.
What does your instrument have that others don't?
Unlike other chordal instruments such as piano, guitar has many different places on the instrument to play the same notes, which while initially challenging adds a world of phrasing and tonal possibilities.
How do you handle children?
I am experienced in teaching children, with over a decade of teaching students of all ages, and find ways to connect with students and make learning exciting for them so that they look forward to lessons rather than feel forced to be there.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
Playing for private parties, such as New Years Eve in Palm Springs, has been awesome as the audiences usually a much more attentive and love the music.
What was the biggest stage you played on?
San Jose Jazz Festival at the Hammer Theater with Dee Dee Bridgewater and the SJSU Jazz Orchestra
Which record would you take with you to the desert island?
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Besides music, what else is important in your life?
My family and girlfriend, meditation, reading, and creative writing.
Music style(s)
JazzIndieAlternative RockFolkFunkFusion
Level(s) Comfortable Teaching
Beginner to Advanced
What languages can you teach in?
English
Videos
Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations
Currently recording and performing with: Nadia Younes, Brayden Curry, the Gig Economy (jazz trio)
Other Music-related work / goals
Transcription work for Handshake MOVE and Soundslice, recording my own original music, production and helping students learn recording
Accolades
Sam Shinnick is a versatile Los Angeles–based guitarist, composer, and educator, performing and teaching across multiple genres including jazz, indie, rock, pop, punk, Americana, and musical theater.
Personal Interests
Guitar, composing, jazz, rock, Americana, film scoring, music education