SPECIAL DELIVERY MAN

A look at the inspiring musical magic and distinctive touch in the playing of guitar legend Joe Walsh.

- JEFF JACOBSON

I HAVE WORKED as a professional music transcriber for most of my life, transferring music (especially guitar music) from the air to the page. Even before that, as a kid, I would always be doing what I then called "figuring stuff out," trying to decipher the magic I heard in my favorite musicians' playing. One day, I was struck by Louis Armstrong's trumpet solo on one of my dad's old recordings, and I knew right away I had to play it, in particular, one especially cool-sounding phrase. Once I figured it out, I quickly realized it was something I already knew how to play. I recalled that this had happened a couple of times before, and I had simply shrugged it off. But this time, it made me stop and think. As it turned out, I had stumbled onto one of the most important lessons I would learn about music: What made me want to learn that solo wasn't as much the notes as how Armstrong played them. In comedy, this is known as delivery. In music, we call it style, or phrasing - that elusive element imbuing notes with a special personal quality that makes you want to listen again and again, even though you already know the "punchline."

Joe Walsh is a master of phrasing, and it's no coincidence he also has a legendary sense of humor. Throughout his time with James Gang, his solo career and, of course, his continuing run with the Eagles, Walsh has written or co-written many classic songs and created some of the most memorable and catchy guitar parts committed to tape. There's even an internet meme floating around that says, "Even people who hate the Eagles are like, 'but Joe Walsh is alright." Let's explore what makes this celebrated guitarist's playing so much fun to listen to, while we learn more concretely what phrasing is all about, and how focusing on it can help each of us find our unique guitar voice.