Guitarist...thoughts?
 

My favorite guitarist by far....had this posted in a different thread but it got deleted


I listen to a lot of death metal and crazy technical stuff but Chris Arp (and actually the drummer from his band too) completely blows it all off the map. Some of his stuff is so technically difficult that it is hard to lsiten to.

It got deleted because I used "F" in the title.

Here it is again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThU9BOWcmjM&feature=player_embedded#!

Ah that sucks...I didn't know you could be censored for abbreviations but I suppose it is fair game, not surprised in hindsight

Persona is a big part of it so...

Keith Richard's Cocaine Blues;



Dead Flowers

Normally I wouldn't comment on someone's taste but you asked!

I'm not much impressed, while these guys demonstrate some admirably finger dexterity I don't hear much else to commend. The tapping technique essential turns or reduces a guitar into not a whole bunch more than a pseudo-keyboard in my opinion, almost lacking in the capability that the uniqueness that an open stringed instrument offers.

As far as the music itself, I would be very surprised if the ripped off inspiration isn't traceable back to YES in their earlier couple albums like Fragile or Close to the Edge. It might be a little faster and the riffs purposelessly longer but not the most original I'd say.

That being said I don't think these guys are lacking some talent but they don't seem to have more than some limited technical virtuosity at this point.

If you really like players you would be advised to check out real masters like Andres Segovia, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny bands like Yes, ELP, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and there's many many others.

It probably not necessarily playing within the musical context that you’re used to listening to playing within but if you appreciate players it shouldn't be hard to like some of it!

I'm also a fan of some of Buckethead's more mellow works...



But I'm a guitarist and I'm definitely interested in great technique...

I also think these guys put together pieces that are technically amazing but also quite musical...

Punch list current players that ALL guitarists need to check out (minus the giants like Vai, Sat, Di Meola, etc.):

Guthrie Govan
Greg Howe
Tosin Abasi
Scott Henderson

Forgot to add: Alex Hutchings

I wouldn't be surprised if some of Arp's riffs are inspired by YES - but in terms of technique it is sort of a cross between metal and classical guitar...for example plenty of guitarists can do 6 string sweeps all day, but to be able to do seamless 10 finger sweeps is mind blowing--the excerpts I posted rely primarily on tapping but in his regular music (tough to listen to) he uses a wide variety. Funny you mention Pat Methany, I am hoping to see him in the near future as he's touring in the area--another guitarist I greatly respect.

I have seen Tosin several times both with Born of Osiris and Animals as Leaders. He does not fit in with BOO at all haha

Guthrie Govan is worth a look if you aren't familiar with him. He is quite possibly the best technical player I've ever seen. Awesome prasing, clean as clean gets, and doesn't stick to any one style. Look him up on YT.