As I get older, I find myself worrying about the future of music and how much it has all changed, and nearly always for the worse. And then I see something like Hi Ren (by Welsh singer-songwriter Ren Gill) and I realise that I’m just getting older and ‘the kids’ will figure it out, and make something amazing from the new and exciting tools that are available to them these days.
Let me start by encouraging you to go find the Hi Ren video on YouTube and then sit down and give it some serious attention. I’ll warn you in advance that it is NOT for kids, or suitable for listening to on speakers at work. There is a lot of swearing and the subject matter is dark and powerful. It’s filmed in one take and it’s just Ren and his nylon-string guitar and a bucket of talent (and some beautifully crafted videography). The kid is a genius and it’s one of the most powerful performances I have ever seen. He’s not playing anything especially complicated, but what he plays is just perfect for the song, which is full of contradictory emotions and ragged around the edges.
It was a very welcome reminder of how powerful music can be, when so much of today's charting popular music is, frankly, bland drivel. But Ren is not making pop music and I don’t think it’ll make it onto BBC Radio 1 or 2 any time soon. And it shouldn’t be - that is not who it’s for. And he knows it. The kids will figure it out.
Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
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Denne historien er fra May 2024-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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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.
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.
