Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British rock band Dire Straits, which he co-founded in 1977 with his brother David. After Dire Straits disbanded in 1995, Knopfler continued to record and produce albums as a solo artist under his own name. Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits have sold in excess of 120 million albums to date.
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is one of rock music’s quintessential guitarists. Years before he released an album under his own name he was already an iconic figure on the British music scene. He is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, for his time with The Yardbirds, Cream and also as a solo performer.
The Beatles
The Beatles are probably the most talked about and listened to rock band of all time. It’s very easy to forget that we’re talking thirteen albums, more than half of which were recording in the span of four years. This month we put the spotlight on the Beatles, as well as on all the various Beatles song lessons available here at Guitar Noise.
Les Paul
There are few people who have contributed so much to rock music, to music in general, and to the recording industry, as Les Paul. Join us in honoring this true musical legend who passed away this month at the age of 94.
Bob Marley
In the near thirty years since his death, Bob Marley’s popularity hasn’t waned. His greatest hits album, Legend, has sold over twenty million copies, making him reggae music’s most recognizable and possibly best-loved ambassador.
Michael Jackson
Even if you managed to somehow get through your life and not hear the album, Thriller, you have certainly listened to music (not to mention musicians and songwriters) influenced by this best selling album of all time.
Coldplay Guitar Lessons
In terms of style, Coldplay are comparable to bands like U2, Oasis and Radiohead. As a four piece band many of their arrangements rely on melodic guitar riffs and piano melodies. We have two lessons on Coldplay songs, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face and Don’t Panic.
Bob Dylan for Easy Guitar
What can you say about Bob Dylan? The man is his own genre. No other songwriter from modern times can claim as much cultural and musical significance. Nor has there been a troubadour as willing to take as many musical turns, challenging (and occasionally alienating) listeners with a body of work that constantly changes step, stumbling into and exploring unfamiliar territory.
Neil Young Guitar Lessons
Neil Young’s music generally falls into one of two distinct styles: folky-acoustic rock (as in Harvest Moon, Old Man, and Heart of Gold), or feedback laden hard rock (Cinnamon Girl, Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) and Rockin’ in the Free World). You will find several of these songs arranged here.
Pink Floyd for Guitar
David Gilmour’s distinctive guitar style is often regarded as the most familiar aspect of the Pink Floyd sound. It’s instantly recognizable for its economy and tone and his gift of melodic phrasing is still influencing guitarists all over the world. We have several lessons on the music of David Gilmour and Pink Floyd.
The Rolling Stones for Easy Guitar
The Rolling Stones formed in London in 1962 with singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards forming one of rock music’s most enduring songwriting partnerships. Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the band’s early lineup. The Stones have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and are ranked number 4 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Easy Guitar Songs by R.E.M.
R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. Their debut album Murmur was released in 1983. The bands reputation grew with constant touring and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single “The One I Love.” In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their latest release is Accelerate.
George Harrison
Listed in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, George Harrison died at the age of 58 on November 29, 2001. Sometimes characterized as the “quiet Beatle,” he wrote such Beatles classics as Something, Here Comes The Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
There is a world of talented musicians out there. Some of them are famous – others less well-known. Here’s a look at artists we’ve either interviewed or profiled over the years.
Artist Profiles
Featured Profile
Todd Mack Interview
With FODFest starting up in ten days, I thought this would be a great time to check in on Todd Mack, a Berkshire based recording artist and producer, and find out what’s going on with this year’s festival honoring the life of Daniel Pearl. Plus we get to hear about some of the other music Todd’s working on.
Guitar Noise Artist Profiles
Bassist Al Caldwell on Being Yourself
When people learn an instrument, it’s easy to get caught up in copying the riffs and styles of one’s idols. Fortunately, Al Caldwell took some advice from Anthony Jackson to heart and learned to be himself, finding his own voice as both bass player and musician.
Jean Baptiste Django Reinhardt: Gypsy Genius
When the lists of world’s greatest guitarists are compiled by magazines, they tend to forget that there were some incredible players long before guitars became electric. Django Reinhardt was certainly one of them and Colette Dumont has been kind enough to whet one’s appetite for gypsy jazz by giving us a brief biography of this incredible musician.
Bassist Doug Wimbish on Playing Well with Others
Helena caught up with Living Colour’s bass player, Doug Wimbish, last fall in Chicago. Here, he shares his thoughts about the bassist’s role in a band and how to approach playing with different drummers and other musicians.
Judy Collins – Biography of a Child Prodigy
Colette Dumont brings us one of her well-researched musical biographies to start out the New Year. Read about Judy Collins and get a lot of links to more about her and her music.
Bassist Victor Bailey on Making Good Music
Guitar Noise welcomes writer / bassist Helena Bouchez to our pages with the first of a series of discussions with prominent bass players. Here, renowned bassist Victor Bailey (Weather Report) muses on how to go about making good music.
Guitar Goddesses
Women play guitar and play it well. If you’re not familiar with any great women guitar players, Guitar Goddesses, if you will, then let David Wagle get you acquainted with four exceptionally talented ones right now!
Making Guitars – An Interview with Alan Garcia-Torre
Alan Garcia-Torre is a manufacturer of affordable classical concert guitars in France. With 40 years experience playing the instrument, Alan knows what he’s talking about when he talks about guitars. A Guitar Noise first – this interview is in both French and English!
Paul Kossoff – Shadowed By Greatness
Guitar Noise reader Will Tobin offers us a look at the band Free and its guitarist Paul Kossoff. Part one details the forming of the band in the late sixties and follows them to their breakup a few years later.
A Giant Guitarist To Note – A Brief Profile of Memphis Minnie
There have been important women guitarists around for about as long as there have been guitars. Colette Dumont gives us a profile of Memphis Minnie, one of the first of the guitar greats at the turn of the century.
A Tribute To Gary Moore
You’ve read his name on our Reviews Page many times, now find out a bit about this venerated guitarist, courtesy of Todd Seely, writer for The Fuze.
An Interview With Dave Sanderson
Dave Sanderson sat down with Guitar Noise staffer Alan Green to discuss his new CD, Songbook, as well as all sorts of aspects of songwriting.
An Interview With Mark Summers
After listening to Disguise the Limit’s new album, Redemption, A-J felt that he just had to get in touch with the guys in the band. Guitarist Mark Summers agreed to share his thoughts on the group’s latest album and on his own career as well.
An Interview With Sheryl Bailey
Sheryl just got back from Europe this past week and was kind enough to answer a few questions for us at Guitar Noise. I think that you’ll find her insights into jazz and songwriting to be both helpful and enlightening.
An Interview With Martin Barre
Read A-J Charron’s fascinating interview with this guitarist whose work spans four decades. Martin offers some fine advice concerning the nature of playing for a living and the attitudes that make it a lot easier on one’s well-being. A definite must-read!
Conversations with Adrian Legg
Chris Juergensen’s latest piece for Guitar Noise is a Q & A with the legendary Adrian Legg. Get some great examples of Adrian’s techniques (banjo rolls, open string incorporation and pedal steel licks) to practice on your own.
An Interview with Janis Ian
One incredible songwriter/performer/guitarist meant getting two interviewers in for the job! Janis Ian kindly answers our questions on everything from getting into the business to internet music sharing. She even passes on a great tip that Chet Atkins gave her…
An Interview with Roine Stolt
Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, A-J didn’t have to go to Sweden to interview the front man of The Flower Kings, although I’m sure he would have preferred to do so! Here is his interview with Roine Stolt, which covers everything from the band’s early history to his custom Parker Fly guitars.
An Interview with Mato Nanji
Mato Nanji, the incredible guitarist from the band Indigenous, chats with Guitar Noise contributor Bill Cozzo about recording the band’s latest CD, his guitars and amps, playing live, and aspects of the band’s career from early beginnings to playing with legends.
An Interview With Joanne Juskus
We’ve got a two-for-one deal this week, courtesy of Nick Torres. After seeing Joanne Juskus in the Washington DC area, he managed to not only review her latest CD, but also enticed this incredible songwriter to do an interview for Guitar Noise.
An Interview (and tour) at Huss & Dalton
Recently Nick Torres arranged a tour of the Huss & Dalton guitar factory. Read this fascinating exchange and learn more about how guitars are made.
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