Style vs Skill

[stomachmonkey]

Was reading an article from Black Keys guitarist. Apparently Billie Gibbons has been a fan since early on. They noticed him in the audience on night while playing a small venue with maybe 30 people in attendance.

They eventually became friendly and Billie popped by during recording sessions for the latest Black Keys album.

They remarked he showed up without any guitars so they handed him something, he plugged in and he sounded like himself.

Now Billie uses coins for pics, it’s what gives his tone that bright piercing ring and is very distinct. Brian May also uses coins.

But Billies style is unmistakable, you can tell it’s him within the first few notes regardless of what gear he is using.

So there are phenomenal guitarists out there with unbelievable chops but somewhat generic styles but this list is style, not chops.

People I know who they are with only a few notes.

Billie Gibbons
Carlos Santana
Willie Nelson
David Gilmore

Add your favorites

[Roswell]

Robert Fripp
Adrian Belew

[Seahawk]

I am not nearly as musically in touch as most here, but I have a few:

Mark Knopfler

Duane Allman

Ry Cooder

Wes Montgomery

[craigster59]

SRV
Lindsey Buckingham
Mark Knopfler

[Superman]

David Gilmour. If you want to play a convincing rendition of the solo in Comfortably Numb, you will need to use Mr. Gilmour's fingers.

Same with bass. I am a bass player. If you want to sound like Paul McCartney, you will need to use Paul's fingers. Even if you have a Hofner violin bass and a Vox amp from the sixties. You will not sound like Paul.

[herr_oberst]

I can pick out Neil Young in a couple of notes, especially when he's on Old Black

Peter Green
David Lindley
Derek Trucks
Bonnie Raitt
Lowell George
Jerry Douglas
Tony Rice

[upsscott]

Jack White
John Fruciante
I definitely know when these guys are playing.

[LWJ]

Keef.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Superman

David Gilmour. If you want to play a convincing rendition of the solo in Comfortably Numb, you will need to use Mr. Gilmour's fingers.

This ^
I've tried playing some of Gilmore's simple parts, and even note for note, I sound so mechanical, while Gilmore is purely musical.

My fat construction worker fingers don't have the dexterity to try the more intricate parts.

[Superman]

Nobody else can either, Dan. Except Rick Lee, it seems.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Superman

David Gilmour. If you want to play a convincing rendition of the solo in Comfortably Numb, you will need to use Mr. Gilmour's fingers.

My guitar teacher back in the 80s was your hair and shredder Steve Vai, Malamstein, type of player.

Had a formal music education, MS.

Asks me what i liked, Floyd was one of the answers. He says we can start with that, it’s simple enough to stuff.

So next week he shows up with Comfortably Numb and says “I never realized how difficult Gilmore stuff really is. The basics are easy but there is so much little nuanced stuff going on to do it his way is extremely difficult. Took me all week to figure this out and i’m still not all the way there”

[pwd72s]

This guy had quite a career...and sure wish he'd have played a riff or two when he was on Gutfeld!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJoxXRf3FSI&ab_channel=GuitarWorld

[TimT]

Jerry

[javadog]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Now Billie uses coins for pics, it’s what gives his tone that bright piercing ring and is very distinct. Brian May also uses coins.

But Billies style is unmistakable, you can tell it’s him within the first few notes regardless of what gear he is using.

For what it’s worth, Billy G doesn’t use coins, he uses Dunlop heavy gel picks…

Orange ones, to be specific.

Interesting choice, given the very light strings that he prefers.

Carry on…

[Superman]

Soft picks are for acoustic guitar where the strings are much stiffer. Something has to give, and with acoustic guitar, that is the pick. For many players anyway.

As near as I can remember, I have never played in a band with an electric guitarist who did not use a stiff pick. At least a medium. Those strings are so thin as to be nearly nonexistent. Everybody seems to prefer the super slinkys.

Stomachmonkey....it might very well take a skilled guitarist more than a week to really nail the timing nuances of Comfortably Numb. Many of those notes are just x milliseconds ahead of the beat or behind it. And even then, he's not going to sound like David Gilmour. And....Gilmour still sounds like Gilmour whenever he plays. Live. Studio. Acoustic. Electric.

I would be fun to watch Clapton and Gilmour try to emulate one another. For them, it would likely be hysterical. THEY will tell you then cannot do it.

[KFC911]

Though a big fan of many, Gilmour and Knopfler just have that special 2-3 note instant recognition thing for me.

And for a style that WAS purely "his", although often borrowed and imitated by a few since...
Chuck Berry