Saturday, July 28, 2012

Five Most Significant Jazz Guitar Players of All Time

By Joe Davis


For the past century, Jazz has proven to be one of the most popular music genres that ever existed. Not everyone knows this but some of the greatest and most inventive guitar players have come from this music style. With its incredibly rapid method and complex style, jazz guitarists can surely equal what rock guitar players can do. Through the years there has been an innovation of Jazz music which has created an extensive variety of brilliant sound.

Learning jazz takes real dedication, passion and hard work. Jazz guitarist wannabes should always keep this in mind. So what makes one a top notch jazz guitarist? Three things: Extravagance, originality and a sprinkle of magic! Be inspired with the lives of the legendary jazz guitarists who have made such a great impact to music. Now here's a list of the top five jazz guitarists of the 20th century.

1. Wes Montgomery

Committed to his craft, Wes Montgomery has certainly made a mark in the work of Jazz music. His sound can be initially recognized by the use of difficult Octaves. Another trademark of this influential jazz musician is the way he plays the guitar. Wes doesn't use a guitar pick. He only uses his thumb and places his fingers on the body of the guitar. At 43 years old, his career was put to an end but the music and teachings he left are still alive today.

2. Django Reinhardt

The list won't be complete if this name is not included. Django's performance is mesmerizing which includes guitar picking pretty much close to its bridge and a single string solo. This jazz guitar maestro has only a few musical influences yet his artistry and skills have influenced a lot in his generation and the present one. He proves to be one of the most significant jazz guitarists in history.

3. Pat Metheny

Considered to be a vital element of the modern Jazz, Pat is a true artist who has impacted on Jazz modernization. He was able to blend different genres such as folk, rock, classical and traditional Jazz. His musical influences include Joe Pass and Wes Montgomery. His skills and techniques are definitely fascinating that his career lasted for over 3 decades and even in the present time, this man is still greatly looked upon.

4. Joe Pass

This Italian-American Jazz guitar master has greatly contributed in the Jazz music scene for over 50 fruitful years. Joe has worked with other amazing artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Ellis and the music legend Frank Sinatra. Pass was famous for his solo technique which includes intricate guitar picking joined with a nifty left hand method.

5. Les Paul

Highly respected in his craft, Les Paul is considered to be one of the most important guitar players in the Jazz music history. He was definitely a part of the inventive styles and methods of guitar and recording. He has a quick flowing guitar playing manner and a typical country strum, making him one of the top jazz guitarists of all time.

Anybody who wants to be great at something should dedicate himself to practice and learning. Just like these artists, success wasn't a piece of cake for them since they spent most of their lives discovering more of their skills.




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