Jazz guitar players are distinguished by their ability to improvise and each one has a unique style of their own. While there is no specific rule for improvisation, there are some great jazz guitar players who develop a pattern and technique, which sets them apart and makes them immortal in the world of music.
Different Styles Jazz Guitar Players Use
Some famous jazz guitar players develop the style of focusing on a few specific ideas when they play a solo. They tend to modify these with various techniques and rhythms – and this performance gives their audience the sense that they are experiencing something amazing. What’s more, it is possible for the audience to join in and sing with the song, making it a totally enjoyable experience. Every fan of Wes Montgomery will testify to this, as practically all his solos are wonderful to sing along with.
There are jazz guitar players like Holdsworth, Pat Metheny, etc. who follow a particular pattern where they focus on an intricate harmony, underplaying the rhythm part. You will find that it is not as easy to join in vocally with these kinds of solo players; nevertheless, these players are masters in terms of technique and hold their audiences enthralled with their music.
Another type is the kind of player with whom you can sometimes sing along, and sometimes not, depending on what he or she is playing. These players put in some work before their performance and time them with accuracy. When they play, they sound extremely practiced since it is like a preplanned performance flowing through a familiar chord progression. If you listen to Robert Conti, Pat Martino, etc. you will recognize the style.
Here is an inspiring look at ten of the most well-known and well-loved jazz guitar players who have inspired millions of aspiring guitarists through their most famous works:
Pat Metheny, best known for American Garage in 1999 has a very unique style with a blend of the Midwestern blues. He puts a lot of attitude and freedom into his jazz guitar playing, making him stand out. Jim Hall has the distinction of being a composer and a jazz guitar player who saw no limits. His “Concierto”, in 1997 was a masterpiece of his tonal abilities. Joe Pass’s work “Virtuoso” put him among the world’s best. He has a sense of melody and improvisation that is unmatched – so much so, he can play alone and yet sound like a band. Kenny Burrell, a Detroit player, has been a source of influence for players through the generations with his outstanding lyrics and blues-style. Wes Montgomery hailed from Indianapolis. But jazz music fans all over the world know him for his “Incredible Jazz Guitar”. He was so creative that he set a whole new trend to jazz guitar music with his techniques. Tal Farlow was an expert with his solos incorporating hard bop into them. Johnny Smith’s Moonlight in Vermont will be fresh in any jazz music fan’s memory forever. He was a master of chord arrangement with his jazz guitar playing, blending it with superb technique and artistry. Charlie Christian was a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet. He has the distinction of being among the first to use amplifiers and his modern jazz playing influences every jazz guitar player in some way or the other. Eddie Lang of the ‘Yazoo” fame is the incredible jazz guitar player who performed the solo recording “Feeling My Way”. He was the first Jazz guitar Virtuoso. Django Reinhardt, a European is famous for his gypsy jazz music, giving the jazz guitar fresh new sounds. His deformed left hand did not stop him from carving a unique place for himself in jazz music history with his fantastic control over techniques.
What the above proves is that each jazz guitar player is distinctive, no matter what ’style’ they are typecast into.
By: Brian Trainer
