GT: What is it about guitar instrumentals that appeals to you?
VM: I love playing and writing, and instrumentals seem like a direct and immediate way for me to express myself. I learned to improvise by recording chord progressions that I made up, and then playing over them every day. So without really being aware that I was writing instrumentals, I was well down the path when my intention was really just to work on my playing. Hearing Jeff Beck, Larry Carlton, Al Di Meola, and Carlos Santana opened up all kinds of doors in my mind.
GT: What can an instrumental provide a listener that a vocal song can’t?
VM: An instrumental can provide a more intricate melody because there are less limitations than with a voice. I don’t actually prefer one over the other, a good song is a good song. So I guess the best of both worlds is a great vocal song with some awesome guitar melodies and solos in there too. You could maybe say that since an instrumental song has no lyrics, it can leave more to the imagination whereas a vocal song clearly tells you what it is about.
GT: Any tendencies with instrumentals that you like to embrace or avoid?
VM: I mostly aim to avoid things I’ve done too many times before. If I become aware that I have done something similar, it kind of kills the spirit for me. So ignorance is bliss in a way. Having said that, there are a million great songs with the same chord changes. But I do get a big thrill when I’m writing and I do something I haven’t done before.
GT: Is a typical song structure always relevant for an instrumental?
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-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.
