3 Brilliant Contemporary Guitarists
On this site we focus on guitar in open tuning—more specifically, Vestapol tuning. Originally, Vestapol tuning just referred to Open D tuning, but I and others have come to use the term to refer to all tunings that use 1-5-1-3-5-1 intervals. This includes Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D), Open E (E-B-E-G#-B-E), Open C (C-G-C-E-G-C), and even Open B (B-F#-B-D#-F#-B).
With that in mind, in this article I want to highlight three contemporary guitarists under the age of 50 who perform in Vestapol and are really innovating in this tuning.
1. Derek Trucks
The king of slide guitar, he is arguably the most emotive player of all time. His signature linear, melodic soloing really makes the guitar sing like no one else can manage. Like B.B. King before him, Trucks never plays superfluous notes. Every single movement says something, and makes you feel something.
And like much of the most profound music, Derek’s playing is largely derived from rather simple concepts. He relies heavily on major and minor pentatonic scales, though he also frequently blends in more exotic melodies derived from Indian ragas.
I’ve compiled a Spotify playlist of his instrumental songs, and also recorded a podcast where I discuss his playing and the development of one’s own style.
2. Joey Landreth
Known for both his solo work and his band The Bros. Landreth, Joey is a master of his craft. His preferred tuning is Open C and he has developed his own style of playing in this tuning. He loves simple triads and has a soft spot for diminished chords and chromaticism as well. Joey also mainly uses the major scale, major pentatonic scale, minor pentatonic scale and blues scale in his songs. He can seamlessly transition from one to the next, and this often brings out a gospel-like sound. Plus, he’s a master slide guitarist.
Definitely listen to his songs with The Bros. Landreth, as well as his solo albums. Joey also recorded a slew of solo electric guitar improvisations in Open E at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, and those videos are all on YouTube. They’re a great resource for seeing how his mind works when he’s improvising and discovering new chord voicings in Vestapol tuning.
3. Ariel Posen
Having launched a successful solo career, Ariel was also a member of the same The Bros. Landreth band as Joey. Ariel plays in Vestapol tuning as well as B Standard (just like standard tuning but down a fourth). He achieves everything from full-on fuzzy tones to sweet jazzy melodies, both with and without the slide. He’s very attuned to the song’s harmony when he’s soloing and has fantastic rhythm. Ariel achieves a beautiful balance between calculation and chaos, tension and release, and uses dynamics to great effect.
Make sure to listen to his solo albums and also spend some time browsing YouTube for some masterful arrangements and scorching solos.
Who are some of your favorite contemporary guitarists in open tuning? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re interested in improving your playing in open tuning, check out our three hour video course, music theory book, and private lesson opportunities. And stay tuned, more articles about Open D songs and artists are on the way!
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