Known as one of the “Three Kings of Blues Guitar”, along with BB King and Albert King, Freddie emerged from Texas as one of the most influential and powerful blues guitarists. A dynamic stage performer, Freddie had a command on both vocals and guitar. A move to Chicago in 1950 allowed him to see blues legends such as Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. These electric players would prove to be very inspirational to Freddie, who grew up listening to country blues players: such as Lightnin’ Hopkins … [Read more...]
Derek Trucks: Desdemona
February 2, 2010 by 2 Comments
Few guitarists have achieved the level of notoriety that Derek Trucks has at such an early stage in their career. Born in 1979, the Grammy nominated guitarist began playing at age 9 and by age 11 was performing gigs. It was at this time where he was invited to sit in with The Allman Brothers Band, in which his uncle Butch Trucks was a founding member. Derek received a genuine music education through touring and sitting in as a special guest with the band. Throughout his teens Derek was … [Read more...]
Sonny Landreth: Next to Kindred Spirit
November 14, 2009 by 4 Comments
Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Sonny Landreth is revered among guitarists as a true original. The influence of the south is reflected is his guitar playing, singing, and compositions, through growing up with Blues, Zydeco, and Rock music. Through being immersed in various styles Sonny became a sought after session guitarist and has recorded with artists such as Junior Wells, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, John Hiatt, and Mark Knopfler. In Sonny’s latest release From the Reach, he … [Read more...]
Steve Morse: Deep Purple
November 1, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Steve Morse is potentially one of the most diverse and virtuosic guitarists alive today. A true master of the guitar, Steve is an extremely versatile guitarist. His style and compositional skills draw from classical, jazz, country, blues, folk, and rock. As a founder of the fusion band Dixie Dregs, Steve has been playing and touring since the 1970’s. He has also released over ten albums between his solo efforts and The Steve Morse Band. In 1992 he replaced the legendary guitarist Richie … [Read more...]
Duane Allman: Don’t Keep Me Wonderin’
November 1, 2009 by Leave a Comment
For passionate guitarists, developing their sound and technique is an experimental quest that lasts a lifetime. Some search and develop their sound for years, and others are never truly satisfied. There are also a select few who possess their musical voice early on. This can be said about Duane Allman. One of a small group of guitarists in rock history, Duane left a major impact over the span of only a few years. Known as a powerful slide guitarist and improviser, Duane also co-founded the … [Read more...]
Exploring 7/8
October 18, 2009 by 2 Comments
This piece is not meant to be a theory lesson in meter and time signatures. Rather, it is meant to help you open up some new doors and hopefully get your creative juices flowing! Most of us have grown up listening to music characterized by the familiar time signatures of 4/4 or 3/4. 4/4 is the most common time signature in rock, blues, country, funk, and pop while 3/4 is often used for country & western ballads, not to mention waltzes, minuets & scherzi! Both of these time … [Read more...]
Les Paul: How High the Moon
October 18, 2009 by 1 Comment
Les Paul June 9, 1915 - August 12, 2009 Les Paul was one of the most significant musical inventors and innovators of our time. Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1915, Les began playing harmonica at the age of 8. His lifelong music career began soon thereafter. By age 13, Les was performing as a country western singer. A move to Chicago at age 19 sparked his interest in jazz. Soon after, Les formed the Les Paul Trio. By 1939 the group left for New York where Les began experimenting and altering … [Read more...]
Edward Van Halen: Eruption
October 18, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Edward “Eddie” Van Halen is undoubtedly one of the top influential guitarists in rock history. Eddie and his brother Alex originally formed the band “Mammoth”. With the addition of bassist Michael Anthony and singer David Lee Roth, the group then became “Van Halen”. Their 1978 self-titled debut was the lunching pad for them to become one of the most popular and influential rock bands to date. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, the band has sold over 80 million albums in … [Read more...]
Joe Satriani: Made of Tears
October 3, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Joe Satriani is one of the most influential contemporary rock guitarists. In his career he has defined Instrumental Rock as a genre through his virtuosity and compositional skills. Touring consistently throughout his career, Joe has also been featured as lead guitarist with Deep Purple and The Rolling Stones. Over the decades Joe has inspired countless guitarists. As a result he has sold millions of albums and been nominated for 15 Grammy awards. In 1987 his album “Surfing with the Alien” … [Read more...]
Al Di Meola: Passion, Grace, and Fire
September 26, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Al Di Meola is a Jazz Fusion guitarist well known for his advanced technical approach and Latin style. He attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 1971 before joining the jazz fusion group Return to Forever with Chick Corea. Extreme dedication to precise picking technique, rhythm, and melody, are key elements to Al’s musicianship. The stylistic and emotional influence of the Mediterranean is the foundation of Al Di Meola’s approach. The successes of his early solo albums, such as … [Read more...]
