Country music is not all songs about trucks, front porches and that girl who left you. This month Andy Saphir brings us licks from some of the extraordinary talents that put some rock into country.
If you’re curious about country guitar playing in general, mesmerised by the technical wizardry of string bending, chicken pickin’, double-stops and hybrid picking, or just generally turned on by twang, then this month’s Rocking Country feature is going to get your juices flowing.
I have assembled five original tunes in the style of five of the most recognised virtuosos in the field of Nashville style guitar; they are (in no particular order), Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Brent Mason. There are many others who could lay claim to the title of virtuoso, as Nashville has been a magnet for the best musicians for decades, but my choices are due to their level of output, influence, and stylistic differences.
All of the tunes have a ‘rhythm guitar’ section and a ‘solo’ section. As I’ve tried to replicate the style and approaches of the five players, each tune has its own technical challenges and utilises the kind of approaches that the player in question might incorporate. That being the case, there are fundamental country guitar style techniques in common with all five tunes, such as hybrid picking, bending, use of Major Pentatonic scale etc. They are geared towards the intermediate player, and with enough practice and attention to detail, playing the licks accurately will naturally help to develop proficiency in the various technical areas.
ALBERT LEE
Esta historia es de la edición August 2018 de Guitar Techniques.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 2018 de Guitar Techniques.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
DOUBLE-STOPS
Playing two notes together is a useful addition to any guitarist’s arsenal. Simon Barnard shows how this can be used in a variety of styles.
BOB DYLAN
This month Stuart Ryan shows how the fleet fingerpicking acoustic style of the protest song legend enriched song accompanient forever.
BRIAN SETZER
For this issue Andy G Jones is looking to unravel the style of rockabilly’s most ardent torchbearer, the stupendous Stray Cat himself.
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH
Experiencing Metal Fatigue? Sinking in quick Sand? Then join Charlie Griffiths as he unlocks the secrets of the master of Wardenclyffe Tower.
RADIQHEAD
Martin Cooper checks out the sound of an era-defining band from Oxford, and guitarists Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Ed O’Brien.
MUDDY WATERS
The father of Chicago blues is in the spotlight this month. Join David Gerrish as he examines the man who electrified and defined the genre.
JOSÉ FERRER El Amable (Andante Sostenuto)
This month Declan Zapala explores a hidden gem from 19th-century Spain's heritage of composer-educators of the classical guitar, whose influence is still felt today.
THE CROSSROADS Eric Johnson
This month John Wheatcroft looks at the iconic guitarist from Texas, atrue crossroads’ artist with a 4 phenomenal command of touch, tone and technique.
ULF WAKENIUS Seven Jazz Licks
John Wheatcroft brings you an exclusive lesson from the Swedish ex-Oscar Peterson virtuoso, showcasing his phenomenal technique and incredible jazz lines.
Country-Blues-Rock!
This month Andy Saphir shows how mixing Major and Minor Pentatonic scales, adding extra notes and country guitar articulations, can build you a whole new lickbag.