by ONEbpm » Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:18 pm
Hey all,
Before we get into learning other peoples solos, I don't do that anymore. Nothing wrong with it to a point. I use to do it with everything, I stopped with Yngwie, learning off a cassette tape. Great for the ear, but it takes a very long time to get a solo down...time better spent doing my own thing. I read an interview years ago where Yngwie said, when asked about what advice he'd give to guitar players: " stop listening to guitar players, stop listening to me...don't do what I do, do something else..." That stuck. So I may practice technique, but I don't transcibe solos.
Satch may be difficult to play, but I never heard him play anything that made me want to sit down and learn it note for note. One of the things that turned me off about Satch was he has a VERY processed tone. I wonder if he had an acoustic release what would it sound like? I remember reading about him when he was on the cover of Guitar Player years ago. I bought the Surfin' album (yes...I said album) listened to it a handful of times and tossed it aside...he was VERY hyped at the time in guitar circles. At that time, I felt there were much better players but he was hyped based on who he taught.
I went to see him with Eric Johnson opening for him. I heard about 4 or 5 songs and walked out. He was doing this "grab the whammy bar and pull up with a delay" thing in just about every tune! Okay fine, call it a signature move. I left because he did something simple, (a power chord maybe?) then made a fist, gritted his teeth and nodded...and a cluster of people up front were raising their fists and screaming...it was then I realized I was in a church and people were worshiping him. I had to leave before they handed me a pamphlet.
I got the G3 DVD in Tokyo and had the same impression. I just wasn't floored...but Vai, holy shit! That's a different story. I've seen Clapton, Page, Nugent, Yngwie, Steve Howe all left me inspired. I just don't get Satch...or Gary Huey for that matter.
As far as under-exposed guitarists, Johnny Winter, Guthrie Goven, Shawn Lane to a point, Danny Gatton. Shit, the best players in the world are probably sitting in their basement playing every style.
J.P.
Give us this day our daily shred...