![Chris Buck Interview & masterclass](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5201/411051/5e43986fb3ae0/Chris-Buck-Interview-masterclass.jpg)
The above was the case with Chris Buck, whose soulful bluesy Strat tones ripple tonefully throughout his band Buck & Evans’ debut album, Write A Better Day. The album is causing a stir, with singles receiving A-list play on radio and live dates creating a buzz at venues across Europe. He’s even got his own set of signature Strat pups from Radioshop Pickups and we hear that they’re the company’s top-seller. He’s still in his 20s, and Chris’s reason for starting to play guitar is laced with juvenile cunning.
“I guess I’d have been about 12 or 13 when I started and, hand on heart, it was an excuse to get out of maths lessons in school, because I realized the guitar slots coincided with my maths lessons,” he tells us. “A mate of mine started playing and, suddenly, come 2 pm on a Thursday afternoon, he was buggering off for guitar lessons, so I thought, ‘I’ll have a bit of that action too.’”
And thus, a career in music had, albeit unwittingly, begun. Retrospectively, his choice to pursue guitar was a natural progression, as Chris remembers.
“I’d always been surrounded by guitar music I guess, looking back, whether it was The Beatles or Stones or Dylan…”
After the maths-dodging guitar lessons had begun to bite, a few guitarists first captured Chris’s imagination.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Guitar Techniques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Guitar Techniques.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![PAT METHENY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/uEdwopZH01722935380627/PAT-METHENY.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/RrVb4kdiR1722934962103/MARTIN-MILLER.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/iyflnop1q1722934817561/THE-KINKS-RAY-DAVIES.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/XlDmoNGsQ1722934690683/STEVE-LUKATHER.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/fqe4YS4wF1722934042314/JEFF-HANNEMAN.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/9DcB585nv1722933805716/10CC.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/zfVnbHkqU1722929643388/TBONE-WALKER.jpg)
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)](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/vC-NMuc7M1722929391414/FERDINANDO-CARULLI-ANDANTINO-IN-G-OPUS-241.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/jd7jt2AYH1722928925092/THE-CROSSROADS-STEELY-DANS-MU-CHORD.jpg)
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](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5201/1775289/kPZCCNJbn1722928428690/GET-YOUR-MOJO-WORKING-60-YEARS-OF-BLUES-LICKS.jpg)
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.