BORN IN 1984 in Austin, the musical heart of Texas, Gary Clark Jr. plays a lot more than just pure blues. Though he has performed alongside legends like Eric Clapton and B.B. King, the young guitarist’s musical style also reflects strong funk, soul and rock influences, which tastefully inform both his playing and singing style. When it comes to tone, the guitarist opts for a mix of Fender and Gibson-style guitars, which he plays through Fender amps with a small selection of pedals.
For this lesson and its recorded examples, we’ve gone more with the fat Gibson humbucker tones than the brighter Fender single-coil sounds, but the licks presented herein also sound great with the latter. Just dial in a little more gain, mids and bass to fatten up the tone. Volume also plays a part, adding a touch of sensitivity and sustain, while maintaining clarity and definition. Alternatively, try adding a compressor into your signal chain to liven up your tone without causing domestic disputes!
Our featured examples are inspired by and demonstrative of Clark’s soul-infused blues riffing, raucous lead style and funky, syncopated rhythmic phrasing. There’s an all important element of feel here, with such things as string bends, vibrato and quick, decorative finger slides. As you gain confidence you’ll start to add these vocal-like phrasing elements without thinking about them. But it’s important to get the techniques down first.
FIGURE 1: BASIC PENTATONIC RIFFING
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2020 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
KIM THAYIL
The mighty Soundgarden guitarist looks back on his most iconic riffs and solos, as well as the gear and tunings that guided him deep into the creative superunknown
ANDY BELL
The U.K. shoegaze pioneer discusses the recording of Ride's classic Nineties albums and his 10 years as a member of Oasis
MARC FORD
The respected SoCal guitarist explains why he chose the Black Crowes over Guns N' Roses - and how the Crowes' internal friction helped make them a compelling alternative to grunge
BRIAN VANDER ARK
Determined as he moves out of the shadow of his past, the guitarist recounts the origins of the Verve Pipe and the recording of a definitive Nineties anthem, \"The Freshmen\"
VERNON REID
From Vivid to Time's Up to Stain: How Vernon Reid's expressionist shredding juiced Living Colour through the grunge era
ART ALEXAKIS
The tenacious Everclear frontman/guitarist discusses the music, moments and \"dangerous\" amps that changed his life and maybe ours - in the Nineties and beyond
DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
The retro designs, digital innovations and misfit toys that defined guitar gear and technology in the Nineties
IT'S ALL A BLUR...
The rise and fall of Britpop, the Nineties' other massive, guitar-based movement
NEVERMIND NEVERMIND!
10 overlooked rock albums from the Nineties that are worth a second listen
A GRUNGY GUITAR GUIDE TO THE '90S
Guitar World