Guitar: a secret friend
Those who know me personally and follow my musical work, know me primarily as a pianist and keyboardist. Indeed, I've been socializing with my main instruments since early childhood. Although I'm completely self-taught, over the years I've developed my skills to such a level that I can handle even the most demanding repertoire when it comes to performance, composition, and production. Many aren't aware that I also play all kinds of guitars and similar instruments, for almost as long. Although I'm not as proficient here as I am when it comes to keyboards, I like to believe that I know more than I think.
The guitar started to interest me when I was a teenager. As always, I wasn't under the particular influence of my surroundings, but admit to having hopes about getting attention from the girls. ; Unfortunately, I was born a little too late. Things are probably even worse these days. Anyhow, I was looking for new possibilities of expression and wanted to try something different.
The first guitar I ever played was borrowed from my neighbor. It was one of those cheap classical guitars you could once see in almost every other household. Painted with a palm tree motif and with strings so hard your fingers bled. But even this didn't discourage me so I continued with my adventure. As a matter of fact, the classical guitar is the only musical field where I have some kind of formal education. As a high-school student, for several months I attended classes in classical and flamenco guitar led by my music teacher. This has given me some foundations and drove me away from musical styles that usually draw in the majority when it comes to guitar.
In the following years, I began experimenting with electric guitars as well. However, I was never particularly interested and attracted by typical guitar styles like blues, rock, and metal. I haven't spent hours learning riffs by well-known guitarists, nor did I practice scales to the point of exhaustion. Many think that technique is what makes all the difference, but they are wrong. Unlike talent and natural musicality, the technique can be acquired with time and practice.
I was always rather indifferent toward so-called guitar heroes and acclaimed virtuosi. Instead, I favored those for whom the guitar is not only an instrument but also a creative tool. In that respect, my personal hero is Mike Oldfield, not only for his recognizable playing style but more so for his complete opus. I appreciate the work of Mark Knopfler and Ry Cooder too, both of who are much more than guitar masters. In time, I started showing interest in the solo acoustic guitar as well (fingerpicking style) and was particularly inspired by William Ackerman.
Due to practical reasons, I usually resort to using virtual instruments in my productions. But more and more often I try to put at least a few guitar elements into an arrangement. Especially when it comes to ambient and jazz guitar. I'm also thinking about trying to make a whole album of music produced by using only acoustic instruments. However, making a quality recording of acoustic and classical guitar in a home studio environment is still quite a challenge, despite the relatively affordable prices of pro-grade microphones and other equipment.
Faced with the complexity and quantity of choice that working with virtual instruments brings, reaching out for a guitar from time to time feels like the most welcome refreshment. Also, here you cannot edit every particle of recorded material; you have to embrace certain imperfections. However, this can be very liberating in the end.