George
Benson is by far the top-album-selling jazz guitarist of all time. He's
an incredible bebop
player
and his vocal ability is really what makes him so special. Some go even
as far as saying that Benson's voice was "more marketable" than his
guitar playing.
Mostly
inspired by jazz and soul music of the 1940's and 1950's, George
started to lead his own band at an unusually young age. His playing
denotes clear influences by Charlie Christian
and Wes Montgomery.
Gear and Playing Style
Benson has
been
playing with his signature GB Ibanez model for more than 30 years. Most
GB models are small hollow bodied guitars; it is preferable to avoid
feedback on large stages.
I believe
his sound comes mainly from the
way he holds the pick.
Benson gets an aggressive yet fluid type of "old school jazz guitar"
staccato sound. Even in the very fast melodic lines, every note has
clear definition.
By looking closely at videos and pictures of George's playing, I
understood that he holds the picks firmly between the thumb and index,
with the thumb articulation completely "locked".
The attack occurs at the very tip of the pick and it seems to be more
perpendicular to the strings than usual.
The flat parts of the pick
are facing left-right instead of floor-ceiling. It's all in the
angle...
