Music Lesson Tip on Guitarist Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck

by Sean Bray

English guitarist Jeff Beck was born June 24th/1944 and burst onto the scene in 1966 (the year I was born) after joining the Yardbirds. The Yardbirds were a launching pad for another couple of British rock guitar heroes, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Jeff Beck quickly set himself apart from the other British rock guitar players establishing a unique approach to the instrument.

Jeff Beck formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart on vocals and Ron Wood on bass in 1967 and recorded ”Truth” and “Beck-ola”. Beck disbanded the group when Stewart and Wood left to join the Faces but formed a different version of the Jeff Beck Group in 1971 and recorded “Blow By Blow”, and “Wired” which incorporated jazz fusion influences. Beck favored a black Gibson Les Paul in his earlier days, played a Fender Telecaster off and on and now play a Fender Stratocaster almost exclusively.

The thing I like most about Jeff Beck is that he is always growing as a musician and is constantly trying new things musically. He plays with his thumb and is one of the handful of guitar players that actually uses the whammy bar to create very intriguing sounds and along with his volume knob he is able to make the guitar sound very human.  Check out his last 3 recordings, as they are another fusion of a bunch of things including electronica, which isn’t normally my favorite kind of music.

Elite Music offers private guitar lessons under the instruction of outstanding, notable and experienced teachers. Guitar lessons are offered in diverse styles ( jazz, rock, blues classical, finger picking,  flamenco, improvisation). For a free guitar consultation please contact the main desk of Elite Music at 416 406 5355 ext 1.