Allan Holdsworth (steveadelson.com 2000): Difference between revisions
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'''''Summary''': Allan Holdsworth shares insights into his musical journey, instrument choices, and influences. Initially, he wasn't interested in playing an instrument but later found his passion in the guitar, influenced by saxophonists like John Coltrane. He discusses his fascination with certain guitarists, such as Jimmy Raney and Jim Hall, and his evolution as a musician. Holdsworth also explains his unique approach to scales and harmony, his experiences with various instruments, and his preference for the Synthaxe. He highlights the importance of self-expression and exploration in music.'' | '''''Summary''': Allan Holdsworth shares insights into his musical journey, instrument choices, and influences. Initially, he wasn't interested in playing an instrument but later found his passion in the guitar, influenced by saxophonists like John Coltrane. He discusses his fascination with certain guitarists, such as Jimmy Raney and Jim Hall, and his evolution as a musician. Holdsworth also explains his unique approach to scales and harmony, his experiences with various instruments, and his preference for the Synthaxe. He highlights the importance of self-expression and exploration in music.'' ''[This summary was written by ChatGPT in 2023 based on the article text below.]'' | ||
Intro | |||
Jazz guitar, at times, can be homogenized and conservative. Contradictory to it's own idiom of improvisation, many presentations have become routine. What used to be adventurous is now standard. Art and music must move forward and challenge previous boundaries. In improvisational performance, the jazz guitarist should always keep searching for that perfect solo. Melodies, harmonies, rhythms, textures and dynamics must take on their own life as a vehicle for the guitarist's self expression. Don't play what you know, play what you feel. Allan Holdsworth certainly plays creative music, always pushing forward in search of the great sonic statement. From early recordings with Soft Machine, UK and Jean Luc Ponty, through eleven recordings as a leader, there's always been an uncompromising ideal to his vision. Allan's harmonies are sophisticated and complex with boundless textural considerations. The opening motif of "Metal Fatigue" is legendary. Melodies take unexpected turns with frequent intervallic jumps and unorthodox resolutions. His solos often are a cosmic storm of sound. Add to this the fact that Allan's style defines the term "Legato", with his combination of hammer-ons, pull-offs and picking techniques. And, although he's always attempting to improve his tone, it's never less than phenomenal. True to basic jazz ideals, Allan Holdsworth sings through his instrument and invents a personal landscape with every musical declaration. Allan was born in Bradford, England in 1946, and grew up in a musical environment, being taught music by his dad who was a very adept amateur pianist. Some early inspirations came from recordings by Ravel, Bartok, Stravinsky and DeBussy that Allan listened to as a young man. He was also exposed to Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Art Tatum through his dad's records. | Jazz guitar, at times, can be homogenized and conservative. Contradictory to it's own idiom of improvisation, many presentations have become routine. What used to be adventurous is now standard. Art and music must move forward and challenge previous boundaries. In improvisational performance, the jazz guitarist should always keep searching for that perfect solo. Melodies, harmonies, rhythms, textures and dynamics must take on their own life as a vehicle for the guitarist's self expression. Don't play what you know, play what you feel. Allan Holdsworth certainly plays creative music, always pushing forward in search of the great sonic statement. From early recordings with Soft Machine, UK and Jean Luc Ponty, through eleven recordings as a leader, there's always been an uncompromising ideal to his vision. Allan's harmonies are sophisticated and complex with boundless textural considerations. The opening motif of "Metal Fatigue" is legendary. Melodies take unexpected turns with frequent intervallic jumps and unorthodox resolutions. His solos often are a cosmic storm of sound. Add to this the fact that Allan's style defines the term "Legato", with his combination of hammer-ons, pull-offs and picking techniques. And, although he's always attempting to improve his tone, it's never less than phenomenal. True to basic jazz ideals, Allan Holdsworth sings through his instrument and invents a personal landscape with every musical declaration. Allan was born in Bradford, England in 1946, and grew up in a musical environment, being taught music by his dad who was a very adept amateur pianist. Some early inspirations came from recordings by Ravel, Bartok, Stravinsky and DeBussy that Allan listened to as a young man. He was also exposed to Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw and Art Tatum through his dad's records. | ||
