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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PAT METHENY
Nick Mellor offers an insight into the jazz great's 16th-note lines, and his approach to improvising over static Minor and Dominant 7th chords.
MARTIN MILLER
Another fabulous JTC guitarist demonstrates his impressive techniques for us, focusing on an approach called Rythmically Dependent Alternate Picking.
THE KINKS' RAY DAVIES
This month Stuart Ryan takes a virtual trip into to North London to get to grips with the acoustic style of the original Muswell Hillbilly.
STEVE LUKATHER
This month Andy G Jones looks at the fluent soloing style of the LA guitarist who co-founded Toto in 1977 then ruled the 80s session scene.
JEFF HANNEMAN
This month Charlie Griffiths Shows No Mercy as he lays down the gauntlett with five shred licks from Slayer's undisputed master of attitude.
10CC
This month Martin Cooper checks out Eric Stewart and Lol Crème, whose distinctive styles helped give this UK band its unique sound.
T-BONE WALKER
From the heart of Texas to the cool West Coast, join David Gerrish on the journey of this hugely influential electric blues guitar innovator.
FERDINANDO CARULLI Andantino In G (Opus 241)
This month Declan Zapala goes back to basics to explore core classical technique with this emotive miniature by the pioneer of classical guitar playing.
THE CROSSROADS Steely Dan's Mu Chord
This month John Wheatcroft shows us how Donald Fagen and Walter Becker dressed their harmony to the 'nines, as he explores their trademark chord voicings.
GET YOUR MOJO WORKING! 60 Years Of Blues Licks
From the Kings to Jimi and Eric, Blackmore, Stevie Ray, Gary Moore, John Mayer, JoBo and beyond, Jon Bishop introduces six decades of blues guitar innovation.