9COVER
GREATSTORY
MOMENTS IN ACOUSTIC FINGERSTYLE PLAYING
9 GREAT
MOMENTS
IN ACOUSTIC
FINGERSTYLE
PLAYING
by Pete Prown
1
JEFFERSON AIRPLANE
“EMBRYONIC JOURNEY”
(1967)
Bathed in sweet reverb, this track
is one of the earliest solo-acoustic
recordings in rock. While guitarist
Jorma Kaukonen is well known as a
fingerstylist today, this dropped-D
tuning piece back from the trippy
Summer of Love remains one of
his best. Also check out Hot Tuna’s
“Water Song” for more acoustic
wizardry from Mr. Kaukonen.
Fingerpicking is one of the most satisfying acoustic
techniques as it lets a single guitarist simultaneously
play the melody, harmony, and bass line. Whether
you’re onstage or just sittin’ on the sofa, fingerstyle is a
fun and worthy challenge for guitarists of all levels and
styles. Let’s check out a few inspiring examples of
the art form.
Pete Prown is the leader of Guitar Garden, which
has several CDs to its credit, as well as a veteran
guitar journalist. He also writes fiction, available
at www.peteprown.com
48
GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER
DIGITAL EDITION
DECEMBER SPECIAL