GT: What is it about instrumentals that appeals to you?
AS: The open-ended nature of instrumental music, its limitless colour palette, and technical possibilities are certainly appealing. I also feel that there’s some sort of special, unconscious language that’s only possible through instrumental music.
GT: What can an instrumental provide a listener that a vocal song can’t?
AS: I believe that instrumental music provides some unconscious form of communication, a sort of storytelling without words that’s not confined by interpretation. Maybe it’s a more direct form of communication!
GT: Any tendencies with instrumentals that you tend to embrace or avoid?
AS: The more tools one has in his/ her arsenal, the better, but there are certain things, technique-wise that I try to avoid. I suppose it just comes down to personal preference, and that ends up affecting one’s personal ‘style’ of playing. A particular example I can touch upon is trying to avoid articulation being unintentionally heavy-handed and sticking out awkwardly in the middle of any given phrase. I’m very particular about how I incorporate the notes that are picked versus articulated in a smoother fashion. The articulation and specific placement of those articulations really do play a big role in whether I feel a passage is effective or not. Expanding on that idea, time feel can suffer from misplaced articulation and limited dynamic sensibility.
GT: Is a typical song structure (intro, verse, chorus, etc), always relevant for an instrumental?
Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
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Denne historien er fra January 2021-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.
