Acoustic Guitar Player

Philip Catherine may be unknown guitarist to many people but he was the guitarist that joined Focus (Hocus Pocus) after the great Jan Akkerman left. The following video shows him in in action on what loks like a Lowden guitar.  Nigel Clark is a superb guitar player from Scotland. Another great Scottish player worth investigating is Martin Taylor.

These guys are serious.  Some of you readers may remember the incredible duets that Philip did with Larry Coryell on the Splendid and Twin House albums of the 70’s. Some of plectrum guitarists greatest in action

This is a brilliant duet that exemplifies how beautiful two guitars of different styles can work together, still play fast and sound musical.  Coryell’s playing in this tune, when he takes a guitar break reminds of the great player from Belgium Philip Catherine.  It’s a very fine line always, playing at a very high technical level but trying to keep musical.  Playing fast is not hard at all, being musical and playing fast is hard.  It requires technique, restraint and the correct use of both speed, space and phrasing.

The late great Joe Pass is a perfect example of someone that has mastered improvisation on the guitar.  Although he didn’t play straight acoustic guitar, he was a master of the semi-acoustic, what’s a few different shaped sound holes amongst friends anyway. I first bought the Joe Pass guitar books over 30 years ago now.  What is really important to recognise is that we don’t necessarily play the same style as a person/guitarist but they can still inspire us, give us a new resource to draw from and help us to develop as guitar players.

 The tune is “All the Things You Are”. 

Some people are intimidated by great players. But I find all good players inspring, regardless of style because they show us a potential that we may not have ever considered.