| Welcome music teachers! Ask about our program for Guitar, Bass, Resonator, Pedal Steel, Autoharp and Banjo teachers. |
 |
| Universal Picking Technique author Steve Trovato |
|
|
 |
| Veterans First in Santa Ana supports our returning Vets from the Iraq war |
|
| The Veterans First organization in Santa Ana, CA is now doing the assembly work for the Traditional model of the SharkTooth Crossover Pick!
Support our returning Veterans today by making a tax deductable donation to Veterans First in Santa Ana, CA.
Veterans First
1540 East Edinger Avenue, Suite A
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-547-0615
|
***
November 2009
Steve Trovato and Greg M. Atkin completed the mastering of the Universal Picking Technique (UPT) music CD at MoonWine Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Veteran engineer and Moon Wine studio partner Randy Wine worked with Greg & Steve to complete the project. Steve Trovato provided most of the guitar music used to demonstrate the rich Crossover Pick functionality. Greg M. Atkin contributed three arrangements for the book & CD combination.
The CD is designed to accompany the UPT book and includes many popular styles of music to play with the Crossover Pick. The long awaited book will be completed in early 2010.
***
October 2009
World speed guitar champion Nicolas Waldo of Bogota, Colombia has selected the hybrid model of the SharkTooth Crossover Pick as his latest tool. Nicolas plans to expand his already extensive right hand skill set using the Crossover Pick. For example, using all eight fingers for tapping on the guitar is now an option. Check out several new youtube videos that Nicolas has prepared as a demonstration of the power of the SharkTooth Crossover pick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHBsSod1lqI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0MuiUlBvXU
***
October 2009
Exceptional guitarist and USC educator Bruce Forman has endorsed the SharkTooth flat pick line as his primary guitar pick for both teaching and performing.
Bruce is the leader of the very entertaining musical group called "Cow Bop". Visit his web site at www.bruceforman.com
Bruce Foreman says; "I had been using the same flat pick for over thirty years, however, once I felt the grip of the custom shaped SharkTooth flat pick I was sold."
The size of the SharkTooth is a little smaller (tip to back) than a standard Fender pick while maintaining the same width. The improved grip is noticeable right away and makes for a very functional flat pick. The celluloid material is also sonically superior.
***
June 2008
Steve Priest, the bass player and song writer for the original English group "The Sweet Band", has joined with guitarist Stuart Smith, drummer Richie Onori, keyboard player Stevie Stuart and lead vocalist Joe Retta to reform the band. There is a new tour now underway that will take them through Canada and the United States.
The Sweet band had many hits in the 1970's including Ballroon Blitz and Fox on the Run.
Steve Priest uses the Traditional model of the Crossover Pick with a durable Kodiak flat pick on bass guitar.
***
February 2008 "Best Guitar Accessories for 2008"
May 2007
Greg M. Atkin develops the Artisan StudioWorks initiative.
Artisan StudioWorks is a harmonious group of noted artists joining together to find ways to integrate art and useful products that will serve to inspire others. The fruits of the artistic collaboration will be presented to the public through expanded gallery representation, participation in music, art & craft festivals, and will be presented here on the Internet as well.
A hallmark feature of the group is the desire of each artist to find ways to collaborate with each other and discover new creative applications for their artistic expression.
Visit the web site at www.artisanstudioworks.com for more information and the artist profiles.
***
October 27th 2006
Professional guitarist, composer and teacher Eric Elias enters into education oriented license agreement with Strum-N-Comfort Picking Systems.
Under the agreement, Eric will help develop guitar arrangements and related video for SharkTooth & Kodiak Crossover Pick teaching material. The project entitled "Universal Picking Technique" will include a series of DVD products that will be sold with the new Crossover Pick gear. Eric joins Steve Trovato (primary Universal Picking Technique developer), Dimitri Diatchenko, Radical Classical (Jocelyn Celaya) and Gil Parris already working on the project.
***
See further below for older news items!
|
 |
| Ross Nickerson with his SharkTooth Pick and banjo |
|
Spanning a career that began in the 70’s, Ross Nickerson has been playing professionally since the age of 17. Throughout his musical career, Ross has accomplished a lot, but the future looks even brighter. Presently, Ross is completing a banjo instructional book for Mel Bay Publications and along with the new release of his CD, Blazing The West, on Pinecastle Records, and a touring schedule that is ever growing, clearly the sky is the limit. You can get SharkTooth Crossover Picks, instructional books, music, and many other banjo related products at Ross's web site. VISIT www.banjoteacher.com
|
 |
| Pedal Steel Guitarist Dan Johnson & Singer Sean Raiford |
|
| THE RESIN VALLEY BOYS A local honky-tonk supergroup of sorts, the band is led by Sean Raiford, who sings here (and sounds a lot like Hank Senior) but bangs the traps behind John Evans. Two Hank III vets - steel guitarist Dan Johnson, who also played with Moses Guest, and fiddler Jason Ellsworth, who had a stint in the Clay Farmer Band - interweave twang and lilt over the slap-happy upright bass of Shawn Supra, who recently backed Wayne Hancock. VISIT - www.resinvalleyboys.com Get your own SharkTooth Crossover pick from www.banjoteacher.com
|
Matt Baldoni teaches at USC in Los Angeles and also works as a studio musician for many popular Rap and Hip Hop artists. Matt is shown here using the Traditional model of the SharkTooth thumb pick on the Fox Sports Network program called the "NFL Show". Matt was the band leader for the show that aired weekly during the 2002/03 football season on five national networks. Read more about Matt at his new web site (www.mattbaldoni.com).
Get your own
SharkTooth Crossover PicK
from
www.banjoteacher.com
|
 |
| Guitarist Matt Baldoni on the set of the NFL Show! |
|
|
 |
| Italian Guitarist Paolo Giordano |
|
www.paologiordano.com Popular Italian guitarist Paolo Giordano demonstrates his cutting edge playing that combines finger style, two handed tapping, and a highly developed percussion technique. Paolo was the first professional guitarist to embrace the Strum-N-Comfort SharkTooth Crossover pick. Paolo's influence regarding the product development is very much appreciated. Thanks Paolo!
|
| MORE NEWS!
(before 6/1/06)
Sunday, June 25th, 2006
Strum-N-Comfort Picking Systems and ECR Western Art Gallery (Linda Finley) joined forces to co-produce a successfull fund raising concert for the Cambria Historical Society (CHS). The concert raised over $400.00 for CHS using a silent auction.
The concert headliners were noted folksinger & songwriter Mark Spoelstra and Bev and Jerry Praver. Mark Spoelstra played with Bob Dylan in the early 1960's and both Janis Joplin and Harry Belafonte recorded his songs.
Western Artist Al Shelton (Cowboy Artist to the Stars) was also on hand at ECR Gallery and celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday at the event.
***
Friday, June 17th, 2006
Strum-N-Comfort participated, as a sponsor, in the semi-annual student concert recital produced by Dave Reid of Studio A Company in Hesperia, California. The Friday evening event was a great success and a gift certificate -donated by Strum-N-Comfort- of $40.00 was awarded to the most improved student during this teaching session.
Dave Reid is a strong believer in the teaching benefits of the SharkTooth & Kodiak Crossover Pick system and requires that all students obtain the picks and use them to improve their guitar playing skills.
***
The Famous "Riders of the Purple Sage" band endorse SharkTooth and the new Kodiak Crossover Pick. The historical group composed the hit "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and many other memorable songs for movies and television since their founding in the 1940's. Visit www.ridersofthepurplesage.com
***
SharkTooth Picks Aid Injured Guitarists
Los Angeles, CA -- SharkTooth Pick designer and Strum-n-Comfort Picking SystemŽ principal Greg Atkin set out to build an innovative combination flat pick and thumb pick. The SharkTooth Pick? is the latest addition to a previously unnamed category of guitar pick, now formally known as the Crossover Pick?. Little did he know of the incredible benefits that his SharkTooth Pick? would provide for injured guitarists.
In the first instance, recording artist Robbi Mitchell, suffering from kidney failure, became unconscious. He awoke to find the right side of his body paralyzed. Each day during the three-month rehabilitation period of learning how to walk, Robbi wondered whether he would ever be able to play the guitar again........... Click Here To Read On
***
Noted guitarist Gil Parris endorses the SharkTooth Crossover Pick!
Gil says, "SharkTooth Crossover Picks are definitely an improvement over conventional thumb picks for easily moving between fingerstyle and pick technique".
Gil Parris is a RCA/BMG recording artist, Hot Licks video artist & guitarist for Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Check out Gil's latest CD project "Jam This" available now.
www.gilparris.com
***
Strum-N-Comfort Picking Systems designer, Greg M. Atkin, receives a US Patent Award # 6,797,871 on September 28th, 2004 for his series of guitar & banjo pick innovations.
***
Harris-Teller, one of Americas' leading music products distributor, has agreed to market Strum-N-Comfort Picking System products to dealers across the country. SharkTooth Crossover picks use a flat pick and strap assembly combined with a flexible thumb sleeve. The combination allows musicians' of all skill levels to more easily apply crossover techniques for maximum musical benefit and enjoyment.
SharkTooth Crossover picks will be featured in the Harris-Teller catalog in 2005. In the meantime, direct mail notice to dealers of the Shark Tooth picks' availablility will be conducted. "We sell a lot of picks here." Says, George Selsky of Harris-Teller. "We pride ourselves in being able to provide the greatest selection of innovative products to over 5,000 dealers"
***
SharkTooth Crossover Picks get A+ from Music Teachers... Read all about it by clicking on the link!
***
The SharkTooth Crossover Guitar Pick crew just returned from the 2004 summer NAMM show in Nashville, TN. It was great to meet so many music dealers from the mid-west and east coast.
The SharkTooth Pick was well received at the show. This was due, in part, to the fantastic product demonstrations provided by some of the best guitarists on the planet. Our thanks go out to guitarists Gary Freeman, Shane Amar, Sid Jacobs, Steve Rector and Steve Trovato.
Thank You Nashville for the great hospitality!
***
Now Music Dealers in the United States can purchase SharkTooth Crossover Picks right here on-line!
Note: SharkTooth Crossover Picks are sold to dealers in a shipping box that converts to a handy store display.
***
Brian Bromberg, music producer, inventor and virtuoso bass player uses the SharkTooth Crossover Pick on his current CD project.
***
***
- SharkTooth Pick innovator Greg M. Atkin is elected by the Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists board to serve as President of the organization for the 2004 year (www.afg.org). The Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists is a -nine year- southern California based group dedicated to teaching and preserving the art of fingerstyle guitar.
***
- Banjoteacher.com experiences increased SharkTooth sales due to expanded marketing efforts. SharkTooth "Crossover Pick" sales have increased four fold since early December 2003. www.banjoteacher.com
***
- Guitarist Matt Baldoni utilizes the benefits of the SharkTooth Pick during his recent Masters recital at USC in California. www.mattbaldoni.com
***
- USC Doctor of Music Arts candidate and US Fulbright scholar Mageshen Naidoo demonstrates the cross-over benefits of the SharkTooth Pick while teaching Jazz technique in his home town of Durban, South Africa.
|
 |
| Cutting edge guitarist Michael Hewett demonstrating the SharkTooth "Crossover Pick" to a NAMM show buyer. |
|
| Michael Hewett uses the new Traditional model of the SharkTooth "Crossover Pick"! Get your own SharkTooth "Crossover Pick" on-line at
|
 |
| Guitarist Richard Alcoy |
|
Another early adopter of the SharkTooth Crossover pick, Richard Alcoy (AKA - Ric Ickard) is shown here using his favorite flat pick with the SharkTooth "Hybrid" model.
Richard continues to take a strong interest in the SharkTooth pick product development.
Thanks Richard for all of your support!
Visit Richard's informative web site at www.ricickard.com
|
SPECIAL THANKS ARE IN ORDER!
We wish to thank all of the many great people and organizations who have contributed to the success of Strum 'N Comfort. Special thanks goes to Richard Alcoy (AKA - Ric Ickard), Muriel Anderson, Matt Baldoni (Band Leader for "The NFL Show, FSN 2002/03"), Thom Bresh (Son of famed Merle Travis), Daryl Chambers, Cesar Cruz (Carvin), Willy Davoli, Paul Farnen, Paolo Giordano, Steve Hall, E.B. Jensen, Dan Johnson (Hank Williams III), Mario Monteleone, Nassler & Schneider, Mageshen Naidoo, Sadaaki Nakano (Pickboy Inc.), Ross Nickerson (www.banjoteacher.com), David Oakes (special thanks), Peter Page, Eddie & Alonzo Pennigton, Steve Rector, J.D. Roberts, Aaron Rosenberg, Rick Rothenberg, Jason Scheuner, Pete Stienberg (thanks for the drawings, Pete), Steve Trovato, Adam Werner, Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck & The Flecktones), Burt Zeldin, The Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists, Stitchtek and Wilder Distribution in Italy.Visit this great article written by Mario Monteleone. Do you speak Italian?
|
| Opportunities now available! For guitar-related music teachers, accessory distributors and music product manufacturers, there is an opportunity for you to benefit by private label licensing or distributing the SharkTooth Crossover Pick directly.
* Buy product custom labeled to promote your own name or brand.
* Resell the SharkTooth brand directly.
|
| Disclaimer
1) Strum 'N Comfort is a Registered trademark of Greg M. Atkin 2001.
2) "SharkTooth Pick" and "Crossover Pick" are trade names of Greg M. Atkin and the Strum-N-Comfort product line.
3) Strum 'N Comfort products are Patented.
Strum-N-Comfort Picking Systems designer, Greg M. Atkin, receives a US Patent Award # 6,797,871 on September 28th, 2004 for his series of guitar & banjo pick innovations.
4) All images, documentation and photos are Copyright (2002) by Greg M. Atkin.
|
Thanks for visiting and be sure to check back often for updated information.
|
|
