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The Guitar Style of George Benson Artist Transcriptions

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The Guitar Style of George Benson (Artist Transcriptions)

by Dave Rubin

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Language	:	English
File size	:	15603 KB
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Print length	:	72 pages

Benson's Signature Sound

Benson's guitar playing is characterized by its warm, rich tone, its impeccable timing, and its fluid, melodic phrasing. He is known for his use of octaves, double stops, and harmonics, and he often incorporates elements of blues, funk, and soul into his playing.

Benson's signature sound is often attributed to his use of a hollow-body guitar. He has played a variety of guitars over the years, including the Gibson ES-335, the Ibanez GB10, and the PRS George Benson Signature Model. Benson also uses a variety of effects pedals, including a wah-wah pedal, a chorus pedal, and a delay pedal.

Benson's Technique

Benson's guitar technique is based on a combination of traditional jazz guitar techniques and his own unique innovations. He is a master of the pick stroke, and he uses a variety of picking patterns to create a wide range of sounds. Benson also uses a variety of fingerpicking techniques, and he is known for his use of hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Benson's left-hand technique is also very impressive. He is able to play complex chords and melodies with ease, and he has a very strong vibrato. Benson also uses a variety of extended techniques, such as harmonics and artificial harmonics.

Benson's Improvisation

Benson is one of the most gifted improvisers in jazz history. He is able to create long, flowing solos that are both melodic and harmonic. Benson's solos are often based on the blues scale, but he also incorporates elements of other scales and modes into his playing.

Benson's improvisation is often characterized by its use of repetition and variation. He will often start with a simple melody or riff, and then gradually add variations and embellishments. Benson also uses a variety of call-and-response techniques in his improvisation.

Transcriptions of Benson's Solos

In this section, we will provide transcriptions of some of Benson's most famous solos. These transcriptions are intended to give you a better understanding of Benson's guitar style and technique.

"Breezin'"

The solo on "Breezin'" is one of Benson's most famous and iconic solos. It is a beautiful, melodic solo that showcases Benson's warm tone and fluid phrasing. The solo is based on the blues scale, but Benson also incorporates elements of other scales and modes into his playing.

[Transcription of "Breezin'" solo]

"Affirmation"

The solo on "Affirmation" is another one of Benson's most famous solos. It is a more up-tempo solo than "Breezin'," and it features a variety of Benson's signature techniques, such as octaves, double stops, and harmonics.

[Transcription of "Affirmation" solo]

"On Broadway"

The solo on "On Broadway" is a great example of Benson's ability to play in a variety of styles. The solo starts out with a slow, bluesy feel, but it gradually builds to a more up-tempo, funkier feel. Benson uses a variety of techniques in this solo, including octaves, double stops, harmonics, and artificial harmonics.

[Transcription of "On Broadway" solo]

George Benson is one of the most influential jazz guitarists of all time. His unique style has been imitated by countless guitarists, and his recordings have sold millions of copies worldwide. In this article, we have taken a look at some of the key elements of Benson's guitar style, and we have provided transcriptions of some of his most famous solos. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of Benson's guitar playing, and we encourage you to listen to his music and study his solos.