When you think of great guitarists, certain names inevitably crop up. The rock genius of Hendrix, Clapton and Beck, the lyrical blues phrasing of BB King and Albert Collins, the pyrotechnics of Van Halen, Vai and Satriani, and the awesome riffs of Hetfield and Townshend. But when it comes to pure groove guitar what names spring to mind? Stax label’s Steve Cropper and James Brown’s iconic Jimmy Nolan? Yes, but as Yoda remarked in The Empire Strikes Back, “There is another...’ And that’s Nile Rodgers.
Rodgers has been a major player and producer since the mid 70s. From his band Chic (alongside Bernard Edwards) to playing or producing for the likes of Sister Sledge (We Are Family, 1979), Diana Ross (Diana, 1980), David Bowie (Let’s Dance, 1983), Madonna (Like A Virgin, 1984), The Vaughan Brothers (Family Stand, 1985), Jeff Beck (Flash, 1985), Duran Duran (Notorious, 1986), and Daft Punk (Random Access Memories, 2013), he’s responsible for much of what we appreciate as mainstream funk guitar. With his clean Strat tones reverberating on countless radio and TV shows as well as finding favour with modern R&B and hip-hop acts, Nile sat down with GT so that some of his 16th-note genius can rub off on you. Read on...
Although you’re known as a funk or R&B guitarist, your influences and musical appreciation are far wider than that…
Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
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Denne historien er fra December 2020-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE MOODY BLUES
This month Stuart Ryan delves into the picking style of this British prog legend whose acoustic guitar has powered many a Moody Blues song.
WAYNE KRANTZ
This issue Nick Mellor provides an insight into this brilliant jazz stylist, focusing on his approach to improvising over static chords.
OPEN G TUNING
Open tunings are great fun and can help create exciting new ideas. Simon Barnard shows how to incorporate open G tuning into your playing.
RODRIGO GOUVEIA
Last month we featured Mateus Asato, and mentioned the importance of the neo-soul style in his playing. Here we turn to his fellow Brazilian, the master of neo-soul fusion.
MARK KNOPFLER
Our topic this month is a master craftsman as both guitar player and songwriter. His style is unique and his influence spreads far and wide.
U2
Martin Cooper checks out the chiming pedal delay tones of this stadium-filling band from Dublin, Ireland, and guitarist The Edge.
LUTHER ALLISON
It’s blues with a touch of soul this month, as David Gerrish explores the dynamic, expressive style of an often overlooked Chicago bluesman.
JOHANN KASPAR MERTZ Capriccio
This month Declan Zapala explores the music of Austria at the turn of the Romantic period with a fiery caprice to level up your fingers and unlock your inner virtuoso.
THE CROSSROADS Michael Landau
John Wheatcroft explores the playing of a session ace _ and blazing blues-rock maestro who graces the top-flight m band of singer-songwriting legend, James Taylor.
VIDEO MASTERCLASS Troy Redfern
This month GT welcomes this slide guitar virtuoso. If you've been wanting to take your slide playing to the next level then this is one's for you. With Jon Bishop.