There have been many great guitar players in history. Some got the spotlight, and some didn't get much of it.
However, their contribution to the evolution of music and guitar playing have been significant to say the least, especially considering the perspectives they brought with them.
In this blog, I will list 5 such guitar players.
I have grown up listening to all of them and they all have had some level of influence in my playing and philosophy of music.
If you have such names in mind as well, comment down below!
Allan Holdsworth
Not sure how old I was back then, but I remember searching for "best guitarists in the world" on google.
As I was still a self-taught guitar player during this time, I used to rely on google and YouTube for lessons, pdfs, tutorials, blogs etc.
Anyway, on a related blog, I had come across, is where I found the name Allan Holdsworth amongst some other well-known names like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Jimmy Hendrix, John Petrucci etc.
The picture that was shown there showed Holdsworth playing a very stretchy intervallic line and honestly, that really hit the curious spot for me. So I searched for him on YouTube. And, my jaws dropped!
Never had I ever seen such mind-blowing guitar playing. It sounded alien to me. It had lots of harmonic changes. But, he was SHREDDING through them with some of the best legatos I have ever heard!
So, obviously, I started listening to whatever records I found of his online, and I was hooked!
In my books (and in many other's), Holdsworth is one of the single most important guitar players to listen to, analyse and study, especially if you want to work on your legatos and chord voicings.
He has influenced hundreds of guitar players over the years and continues to do so after he passed away on 15th April, 2017, at the age of 70.
Before passing, he left us with a lovely lesson video on REH, which is a hidden gem.
Click Here to watch the YouTube video.
I also want to appreciate and share a mammoth effort by John Vilo, who made a priceless video on the study of Holdsworth and his recordings. It is a must watch! Watch It Here.
Ted Greene
Somewhere in my journey, I had just moved to Boston to study music at Berklee College of Music. During this time, I got introduced to the idea of playing the guitar as a solo instrument (which later became my main area of focus).
The idea of playing a melody and harmonising it at the same time was a concept and style of guitar playing that immediate caught my curiosity. I immediately fell in love with the idea and started looking into it.
Somewhere along the way, I was taking lessons from the one and only Tim Miller. When I told him about my liking towards solo guitar playing, he asked me to look into Ted Green, and no further than that.
He said Ted's work is perfect for a player like me. And I can't thank him enough for that advice.
Again, I searched on Youtube, and found this amazing researcher playing the guitar like it's an extension of his soul. Beautiful articulations, harmonically rich, melodically out of the box and musically genius.
For anyone looking into the art of solo guitar, Ted is a must listen.
There are two books he wrote which are a great source of learning. Chord Chemistry and Jazz Guitar Single Note Soloing Vol. I.
Unfortunately there aren't too many records of his. But you will find his debut recording titled 'Solo Guitar' on Spotify and other digital platforms.
Aside from these sources, the greatest source to his work is a website that runs on donations.
Click Here to check it out.
This website is an archive of all available recordings, transcriptions, notes, arrangements, lessons etc., collected and donated graciously by his students and followers .
I have also found a lovely channel on Youtube dedicated to archiving his legacy.
Click Here to check out this great man!
Scott Henderson
There are many blues players out there and in history. But I can boldly say that very few (if not none) can play the blues the way mighty Scott Henderson can.
With a unique blend of jazz and blues, Scott has made a name in his niche as one of the most proficient and hardcore guitar players.
He is well-known for his work with groups like Tribal Tech, Vital Tech Tones, and The Chick Core Elektric Band.
I discovered him through my friend Pritesh Walia, who was his student while he was studying at Musician Institute, Los Angeles.
What struck me the most about Scott was his "in your face!" style of playing and his extensive (and not-so-delicate) use of the whammy bar.
He makes the the guitar sing, cry, scream..... you get it, right?
You can find lesson clips, masterclasses and quite a few live clips of him on YouTube. A must listen if you like some jaw dropping solos!
Scott has also written books published under Alfred Music and Hal Leonard.
Two of my favourite solo records of his are Dog Party and Tore Down House.
Tim Miller
Now, Tim, is someone I'm baised about. Mostly because I have had the privilege of learning from him first hand and witnessing his genius mind and playing.
Tim is a fine, fluid player and educator who has exceptional knowledge and proficiency on this instrument. His methods of teaching is bound to make you a better player.
During the six months I learned from him, I had never seen him make a mistake while playing. Or at least, it never looked like a mistake.
Tim's website is where you will find all his work and his online school.
I personally like every single record of his and I encourage anyone and everyone to check him out. You will not regret.
The lessons I had with him, shaped my understanding of harmony, application of voicings and linear playing, and a deep development of touch on my instrument.
It changed my life and the way I felt and looked at music.
An absolute genius!
Frank Gambale
And last but not the least in any possible way, the mighty Frank Gamble.
An Australian jazz fusion guitarist, well-known for the 'Gamble Sweep Picking'. He quite literally flys through the fretboard. Absolute master of a player!
I won't say much about him. Just check him out. He is insane!
Frank has played and toured around the world with some of the finest names in the world of jazz fusion such as The Chick Core Elektric Band, Vital Information, and Return To Forever IV.
Frank is also known for his REH lesson DVD called Chop Builder. It is one of the most intense guitar training courses out there.
I could never complete it. But, it is great for anyone looking to up their game!
Want To Learn Music?
If you wish to learn the art of music and express yourself your way, email me: contact@subharaj.com for pricing and details!
*Open to students from all over the world and all age groups.
Here are some of the things I talk about in class:
Music fundamentals and theory
Ear-training
Composition
Improvisation
The guitar as a solo instrument
Musical, compositional, and improvisational philosophies
Artistry
Expression
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