100 !!Chapter 6
their choices of instruments. Certain manufacturers make guitars that
sound appropriate for rock and roll but may not sound suitable for jazz
and so on. Very few guitarists play multiple styles well. Most accom-
plished studio musicians are versatile, but it is usually prudent to hire a
specialist.
Guitar solos are a staple in all styles of popular music.Lead guitar-
ists are similar to lead singers—the ‘‘stars’’ have their own ‘‘voice’’ (indi-
viduality). Each genre of popular music has certain characteristics that
define its style. Rock-and-roll players generally use distortion, whereas
traditional jazz players have a clean, undistorted sound. Other genres have
unique characteristics as well. Guitar solos generally have certain musical
elements that define the style of the genre, just as the characteristics of a
violin solo from the classical period differ from the performance style of a
violin solo from the baroque period. A violinist is expected to know and
perform the unwritten characteristics and ornamentations of a specific
musical period. The same concept applies to performers of popular music.
Within each genre exist subgenres. As previously stated, if a guitarist
is instructed to play a jazz solo, does that mean jazz in the style of the
1940s, the 1960s, or another musical period? Be specific when writing an
arrangement and hire an expert to perform the part.
A variety of electric guitars are manufactured.Solid-body and hol-
low-body electric guitars have different sounds, and each brand has a dis-
tinct sound. Fender Stratocaster guitars and Les Paul guitars, for example,
are among the most popular brands. Guitars are manufactured with an
assortment of pickups, which affect the sound. Arrangers must become
familiar with the different sounds since the choice of guitar will affect the
sound of an arrangement.
An infinite number of effects can be applied to a basic guitar sound.
Studio players bring effects racks to recording sessions, and producers and
arrangers usually experiment to find the most suitable sound for an
arrangement. Most effects can be edited and, therefore, offer a performer
numerous choices.
Strumming with a pick as well as finger picking are the most com-
mon techniques used to produce a guitar sound.In addition,ametal
finger slide, held by a finger of the left hand (by right-handed players),
slides across the frets to produce a unique sound, similar to that of a pedal
steel guitar. Some guitars have a lever (handle) that, when lowered or
raised, results in smooth pitch changing, not unlike using portamento on
a synthesizer.
Amplifiers differ in sound quality.Jazz players use different amplifi-
ers than rock players and so on. Distortion is the most prevalent guitar
sound in rock and roll, while a clean sound (no distortion), played on an
open-bodied guitar, is the most common sound used by jazz guitarists.
Amplifiers have distinct sounds. Know the differences in sound so that the
proper amplifier can be selected for a recording session.