Acoustic Guitar Virtuosos

By: James Duclos

Many of us think of acoustic guitarists as a home–town guy with a story to tell. As was discussed in an earlier article, Johnny Cash and Tim McGraw are two very popular acoustic guitarists. Primarily, their guitar playing provides a mood to help underlie the words telling the story. However, many acoustic guitarists have used the guitar itself to tell a story.

Andy McKee (left) is a very inspirational acoustic virtuoso. Andy McKee plays like Richard Simmons exercises – his music is very emotional with highs and lows in each song. He uses a very complex finger–picking style during which he has learned to play both rhythm and melody on the same guitar without overdubs. Unlike the campfire sing–along, McKee’s music does not need words for the listener to feel the emotion he is expressing.

Check out his music at http://candyrat.com/artists/andymckee/ –or–

http://www.andymckee.com/

Antoine Dufour (right) is sometimes known as the man of substance. Although Dufour is a younger musician for his style of music, his abilities are still amazing. Dufour is known for tying a bandana around his headstock in order to mute unwanted harmonics from behind the nut. He also uses capos that are altered in a particular way so that they only fret certain strings. He plays with a thumb pick and uses many percussive hits on both the strings and the body of his guitar. This guy is extreme, really… his song“Spiritual Groove” grasps you by the neck and will not let you stop watching. Dufour also uses a fair amount of right–hand tapping melodies and harmonics.

Check out Antoine Dufour at http://www.myspace.com/antoinedufour –or–

http://candyrat.com/artists/AntoineDuFour/

Michael Hedges is one of the few guitarists who began the amazing style of acoustic tapping. Hedges uses many unusual playing styles, such as using his fret hand over the neck instead of under. Michael is a classically trained guitarist and performs pieces like the Cello Suite #1 in G Major from Bach on stage. He is also known for using peculiar guitars like the harp guitar and Trans–Trem guitar. Hedges might be a little frightening to look at, but he has an amazing talent behind those looks.

Official Site: http://www.nomadland.com/ –or–

http://candyrat.com/artists/MichaelHedges/

Our last acoustic virtuoso, Don Ross can hardly be explained in text. For starters, Ross is the only person to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship twice (1988, 1996). He is self–taught and could likely play anything on the guitar you choose, even the“Chips Challenge” theme. A majority of his music is upbeat and perky with remarkable rhythms and intense melodies. Ross is another gifted guitarist who is able to incorporate rhythm and melody into one guitar. In a sentence, Don Ross is true expressionist.

Official Site: http://www.gobyfish.com/Home.html –or–

http://candyrat.com/artists/DonRoss/