The Rochester Guitar Club

I thought it might be interesting to see who some of you might put on your list of top three influences on you as a guitar player. Or, if you're not a player, your favorite three guitarists to listen to. In my case, the lists would be totally different from each other, and would probably be different in and of themselves on any given day. Here's what I would say today:

Influences as a player:
1. Don Ross- The principal influence on nearly all of the modern players I listen to. I believe that he is to today's fingerstyle players what Jimi Hendrix was to my father's generation of electric guitar players.
2. Joe Satriani- I was primarily an electric player for a long time. His music and style of phrasing always spoke to me and I use a lot of his techniques and approaches for improvisation.
3. Paul Simon- His combination of complex song structure, sense harmony and dynamics, combined with traditional style fingerpicking was very inspiring and got me into fingerstyle.

Artists to listen to:
1. Andy McKee- A self taught player, he has stood on the shoulders of giants with his technique to create incredible and moving music with it, instead of doing it just for flash.
2. Antoine Dufour- A classically trained player influenced by contemporary fingerstylists; He is almost mechanical with his technique, yet is very emotional and groovy. Very rhythmically complex.
3. Steve Vai- A player on a level all his own. His ability to get inside of his guitar and express himself through his music is incomparable. His quirky and spontaneous phrasing keeps things interesting too.

Tomorrow these lists would probably change a little, depending on my mood. So what does anyone have to say about it? Any of these names surprising? Anyone else have a list? Lord knows it doesn't have to be as in depth as mine. It could be even more so! Even just names would be fine. Who's out there?

Well.... I had a rather lengthy reply going, got interrupted, and when I came back I'd been kicked off due to timing out. So, here's a short list:

Influences: Duane Eddy, Buddy Holly, The Ventures, Johnny Smith, Roy Lanham.

Favorites: Jorgen Ingman, Les Paul, Danny Gatton, Eric Johnson, The Hellecasters, Howard Roberts, Chet Atkins, George VanEps, John Pizzarelli. If I were to look through my stacks of CD's I could come up with another dozen names.

As you can see, "favorites" are not necessarily "influences". I imagine that's not uncommon, though!

John Williamson

Interesting topic. I think influences are Chet Atkins, Harvey Reid, and Chris proctor. listening faves (although the three previous are right in there) might be Tommy Emmanuel, Jerry Reed, Michael Hedges. How's that for variety?
JC

Interesting topic. I think influences are Chet Atkins, Harvey Reid, and Chris proctor. listening faves (although the three previous are right in there) might be Tommy Emmanuel, Jerry Reed, Michael Hedges. How's that for variety?
JC

I have no idea who Harvey Reid even is. I will have to check him out! Also; Michael Hedges...? I personally love his work, but that's a name I wouldn't have imagined you would list. It just sounds a little avant garde in comparison to your playing style. Way to expand your musical horizons!

[/quote]
I have no idea who Harvey Reid even is. I will have to check him out! Also; Michael Hedges...? I personally love his work, but that's a name I wouldn't have imagined you would list. It just sounds a little avant garde in comparison to your playing style. Way to expand your musical horizons![/quote]

re; Michael Hedges: Ahhh! Just 'cause I can't play him does not impede great enjoyment from listening. I love diversity but am too talent challenged to pursue the more ethereal styles. I also lack the elegance that formal training might have provided, but will continue to bang away at what I can do 'cause I love it - and I don't embarrass easily any more.

re; Harvey Reid: Try www.woodpeckerrecords.com. HIs own site. I think I have about 10 of his CDs. His secondary attraction to me is that he's one of the top autoharp players also - an instrument I've also been playing for 45+ years.

JC

I'm not here to judge, Jerry! Good for you. I'm just now starting to come to realize what Hedges was doing. A lot of his stuff is over my head too, but I will continue to "bang away at it" anyway, although I can only wish to be as uninhibited as you (stage fright, you know)!

My interests and favorites are more classical than the others posted here. At least so far.

My current favorite is David Russell. I saw his concert at Kilbourn two years ago and he was fantastic. His technical command is complete and his interpretations were very satifying. A great performance.

Other favorites are Scott Tenant and Bill Kanengiser of the LAGQ.

An early inspiration was Christopher Parkening. He is still a great player but time seems to have passed him by a bit. I think he got stuck in the I-adore-Segovia rut a bit too deeply.

And there's always John Williams.

michaelj53 wrote:My interests and favorites are more classical than the others posted here. At least so far.

My current favorite is David Russell. I saw his concert at Kilbourn two years ago and he was fantastic. His technical command is complete and his interpretations were very satifying. A great performance.

Other favorites are Scott Tenant and Bill Kanengiser of the LAGQ.

An early inspiration was Christopher Parkening. He is still a great player but time seems to have passed him by a bit. I think he got stuck in the I-adore-Segovia rut a bit too deeply.

And there's always John Williams.

Fresh meat! I'm assuming by your screen name that your name is Michael. Thanks for the input. I can appreciate a good classical player, or piece. I guess I just can't bring myself to listen to it recreationally. Just a mater of opinion.

FGarden555 wrote:Fresh meat! I'm assuming by your screen name that your name is Michael. Thanks for the input. I can appreciate a good classical player, or piece. I guess I just can't bring myself to listen to it recreationally. Just a mater of opinion.

There is certainly more to guitar than classical. I also like Pat Kirtley, Doug Smith and Ken Bonfield.

I' am also a Pat Kirtley fan. His Rural Life album was great. I learned most of the title track years ago but never polished it up. Great hearing from you Michael!