Guitar Players That Have Influenced Me the Most

Today I thought I'd name a few of the guitarists I listened to when I started playing.

This is by no means a complete list.

Doc Watson. I discovered Doc on a trip to our local library's record collection. It was a 33rpm album simply titled "Doc Watson".  Back then the albums described the artist as well as the songs on the record. I read that he played fiddle tunes on guitar, with a pick, and when I heard him do that I was amazed! There were very few bluegrass guitar players doing that in the 1960s. He also plays country blues using his fingers instead of a pick, and it was my first introduction to open tunings. I had no idea as a beginning guitar player that anyone tuned to a chord. If you're not familiar with Doc, check him out. Even though he's in his 80s now, he's still an awesome guitar player!

Chet Atkins. I heard his name time and again, and finally checked him out. I was under the impression that he was mostly a country guitar player, so was quite surprised at the many types of songs he had on his albums. He was a fingerstyle player, with a solid, alternating bass line going while the fingers played the melody and some harmony to the songs. You would swear that you were hearing more than one guitar. In fact, John Fahey, an accomplished guitarist in his own right, said in a Guitar Player Magazine interview that he was sure there was "no way that's just one guitar." Chet made albums with a diverse group of his contemporaries including Jerry Reed, Les Paul, Mark Knopfler and others. Again, if you're not familiar with Chet or his music, there's still plenty of it available.

Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey and Paul Simon.

Peter and Paul are the ones from the folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. I was absolutely a fanatic about fingerpicked, acoustic guitar and these guys were my favorites. I'd say I learned most of what I played by listening to these 3. Paul Simon got me hooked when he recorded Anji, a guitar instrumental that I still play. All of these guys demonstrate the 3 Ts of music: Timing, Tone and Taste.

Still crazy about guitar after all these years.

While that hardly scratches the surface, I think it demonstrates how other players can shape your playing. I've been playing guitar for over 40 years and I can honestly say that I still love it. So if you're just beginning guitar, find a good teacher, immerse yourself in the kind of music you enjoy, and open your eyes and ears to as many types of music as you can. I've always felt that I could learn something from everyone, even those that play music that's not necessarily what I like. I've learned and added songs, licks and tricks from all kinds of artists, guitarist or not.

Is It Possible to Practice Too Much?

How much is too much when it comes to practicing?

The law of diminishing returns. While it's extremely important to maintain a steady practice routine, there is a point where you've stopped making any progress that day. Usually after 45 minutes to an hour, it's time to take a break. Your fingers get tired, you quit hearing what you're playing, and you don't seem to be getting anywhere. That's how you know you need to do something else for a while.


I practiced that part over and over, but when I went to play it for my teacher I messed it up. Playing at home is a lot different from performing for someone else. Whether it's your teacher, your class, or a live performance, it's much harder to play in front of people. You need to build confidence in your ability to play the part that gives you trouble and you can't let it get the best of you. My students will say things like "here comes the part I hate", or "here's the part I always have trouble with", and guess what? They immediately have trouble with it! At that point the problem is in your head, not in your fingers.

How do you overcome this? No matter how painful it is, play in front of and with other people. I conduct a "controlled jam session" at the studio where I get students of the same level together so they can all experience playing with others. The first week or two everyone's timid, shy and pretty much unable to perform at their normal level. Once they become more comfortable and relaxed the tension slowly goes away and they play much better.

Open mikes, jam sessions and other outlets. Being nervous or scared is a common reaction, so the best thing to do is to learn a few songs that you can play well, record and/or make a video of yourself playing the songs, and play them for friends and family members. Most cities have open mikes or jam sessions, so the best way to get some experience is to just do it. At jam sessions, play along in the background until you're comfortable. Most jammers are very encouraging and you'll be surprised at how helpful they can be. At an open mike, it's only going to get better if you keep doing it. Again, most of the people attending will be very encouraging and helpful.

Be prepared. Before you leave the house be sure you have everything you need. Extra picks, strings, a capo, a strap and an electronic tuner should all be in your case. If you've never practiced while standing up, you'll be surprised at what a difference it makes. When you think you're ready, just go for it.

Not Happy With Your Progress on Guitar?

What may be holding you back and what to do about it.

Lately I've been getting more and more calls from beginning guitar students frustrated with their perceived lack of progress. Learning guitar is an ongoing process, and unfortunately it's one that you can't speed up very much. Here are some observations I've made recently as well as some helpful hints to improve your progress.

Expecting too much too soon.

I can't stress enough how important it is to learn, understand, and be able to execute a technique or concept. Beginning guitar players tend to rush through things so they can play the songs they want to play. Like learning math, guitar depends on your building a solid foundation. Being patient in the early stages is extremely difficult, but it's what will make you a better musician in the long run. Well meaning friends will try to tell you to learn barre chords, scales, alternate picking and other techniques that you may not be ready for. This is where having a live, caring teacher comes in. Your guitar teacher can guide you and make sure you're learning things in a logical order. I'll sometimes get a theory question from a student and the answer will be that you really don't want to ask that question right now!

Information overload.

The internet is a great invention, but again, I'm seeing and hearing from more and more frustrated guitar players. The best way to avoid information overload is to take small steps and to be sure that you're ready for the next concept. Go slow and absorb all the things you've learned. Ignore the wild claims that convince you that you'll learn the "secrets" of playing guitar. Do you want to know the secret to learning guitar? Commit time and effort, know what your goals are and practice. And no, you're not going to be the second coming of Jimi Hendrix in one weekend! Sorry, you have to put in the time.


Realize how important small signs of progress can be.

Minor breakthroughs are very important. If you've been working on a song and can now play it flawlessly and up to speed, it doesn't matter if it's Yankee Doodle, it's a breakthrough. Savor it and use the positive feelings to encourage you and to help you advance to the next level.

Push yourself, but don't pressure yourself.

Trying to improve, working hard, and spending time practicing are all worthy goals, but you don't need undue pressure. The value of taking private, one on one guitar lessons is that there is no competition and therefore, no pressure. Learning guitar is tough enough without adding the burden of expecting more than you're capable of playing. 

Actually, your fretting hand has 4 fingers and a thumb!

What's so hard about using the pinkie?

Beginning guitar students are way too eager to avoid using the pinkie finger at all costs. It won't stretch that far, it's not strong, I can't get it to work right, and who knows what else? I've watched ______ play and he or she doesn't use it.

Practice stretching exercises and quit avoiding it.

When you're serious about learning and improving your guitar playing, you use all of the tools available to you. Your guitar teacher can give you plenty of stretching and strengthening exercises to get the pinkie moving. Start out on frets 9 through 12, playing them in both directions: 9-10-11-12 and then 12-11-10-9, and be sure to use all 4 fingers. The other secret is to leave the 1st finger down through the whole sequence. When you can do that comfortably on those frets and all 6 strings, move to frets 8 - 11. You'll be pleasantly surprised at your progress.

Should I use my thumb?

While classical purists frown on thumb use, many guitar players use the thumb to fret the 6th string. You'll be in good company joining Jimi Hendrix, Chet Atkins, Mel Bay, and many others in using the thumb. I use it on some difficult chords as well as in songs when it's convenient. Angie, by Bert Jansch and recorded by Simon and Garfunkel is an example of using the thumb. I use the thumb to play the barre chord F at the first fret. Guitar students with smaller hands may find it more difficult, but the best thing to do is try it and see what happens.

Are You a Settler?

Do you practice the same songs over and over?

Have you settled into a practice routine that's in your comfort zone? Is playing the same old songs keeping you from learning new material? While it's a good idea to review and not lose the skills you have, you also can improve your guitar playing by working on newer, more challenging songs. I see students who pretty much refuse to move forward once they're comfortable with their repertoire. Or, sometimes they get so hung up on a song they end up in a rut.

Become a pioneer instead of a settler.

While it's not easy to pioneer new sounds, stretching out and playing other kinds of music, listening to different genres, and exploring the fingerboard are all ways to improve your guitar playing. Not sure what kinds of music you'd like to play? Have your guitar teacher play some different styles for you, listen to some of the best guitar players and keep an open mind. There are fantastic guitar players regardless of the type of music they play.

How many of these names do you recognize?

Here's a list of guitar players you may or may not have heard of. Spend a little time listening and learning about them and you just might be surprised as well as inspired. In no particular order and in no particular style:

• Chet Atkins
• Doc Watson
• Eric Clapton
• Jimmy Paige
• Tony Rice
• Joe Pass
• Django Reinhardt
• Carlos Santana
• Jerry Garcia
• Andres Segovia
• Julian Bream
• Les Paul

This is a very, very small sample of great guitarists past and present. Do some research and prepare to be shocked and amazed.