ARIELLE
Guitar Techniques|May 2023
A minute's all it takes to discover what makes a great guitarist tick. Before she jumped into her limo for the airport, we grabbed a quick chat with the US singer-songwriter, guitar player, and Brian May Guitars artist
ARIELLE

GT: Do you have a type of pick that you can’t live without? 

A: Yes, I use Dava picks. When I was first starting out playing, I bought every style guitar pick I could find. Every size, thickness, and point type. I stuck with the Jazz 3’s for a while, and of course I used the Brian May sixpence, but I latched onto the Dava picks. I love the grip, as I am not a hard grabber with my right hand. The delrin tone is smooth, not too bright, and they have a break in the middle that allows you to have the feel of a medium pick or hard depending on how you grab or choke up on the pick. I recently found out that the founder, Dava Dave who was a genius in his own right, recently passed away. Heart-breaking to say the very least, but he invented my favourite pick that I truly couldn’t play without

GT: If you had to give up all your pedals but three, what would they be? 

A: I only use three anyway! My favourite pedal would be my 80s TC Electronics chorus/flanger. Eric Johnson got me into those. The next one would be my J Rockett Animal. Killer Dumble style pedal that I use if I can’t crank my amp as loud as I want. I suppose the last one might just be a wahwah. A simple Crybaby is fine. This is all I have on my rig, at this point. I suppose an A/B/Y switch too, but that doesn’t really count as a pedal, does it?

GT: Do you play another instrument well enough to do so in a band? And if so, have you ever done it? 

This story is from the May 2023 edition of Guitar Techniques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2023 edition of Guitar Techniques.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GUITAR TECHNIQUESView All
DOUBLE-STOPS
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
BOB DYLAN
Guitar Techniques

BOB DYLAN

This month Stuart Ryan shows how the fleet fingerpicking acoustic style of the protest song legend enriched song accompanient forever.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
BRIAN SETZER
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
ALLAN HOLDSWORTH
Guitar Techniques

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH

Experiencing Metal Fatigue? Sinking in quick Sand? Then join Charlie Griffiths as he unlocks the secrets of the master of Wardenclyffe Tower.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
RADIQHEAD
Guitar Techniques

RADIQHEAD

Martin Cooper checks out the sound of an era-defining band from Oxford, and guitarists Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Ed O’Brien.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
MUDDY WATERS
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
JOSÉ FERRER El Amable (Andante Sostenuto)
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
THE CROSSROADS Eric Johnson
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
ULF WAKENIUS Seven Jazz Licks
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
Country-Blues-Rock!
Guitar Techniques

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024