Introduction to Playing African Guitar styles
Most guitar styles sound familiar and bits and pieces from other styles can be heard in other styles and many guitar players are familiar with world guitar styles but African electric guitar styles are very very different to all others. For one – they are always very ‘up’ bright and fun sounding – rarely in minor keys and always make you smile and want to dance like perhaps more familiar folk, Irish and Scottish music. African guitar is about rhythm and clarity and timing.
In fact a great example of how this music can be blended with western musical styles can be heard on Paul Simons’ Graceland album – a fantastic listen that I nearly wore out in 1986 when I got it. Paul Simon was captivated by these African rhythms and after getting as much as he could down on tape – set about adding his own lyrics and creativity. But all the time you can the unusual and unique sound of African guitar in the tracks to great effect.