"Isaiah Sharkey discusses his insights into guitar soloing, having performed alongside musical greats like George Benson, John Mayer, B.B. King, and Albert King - akin towordlessly crooning their iconic solos."
In an insightful interview, renowned guitarist Isaiah Sharkey shared his secrets to creating captivating guitar solos. According to Sharkey, the key to a great solo lies in thinking of it as the human voice.
"I believe a good guitar solo can be sung by a listener," he said, citing artists like George Benson, John Mayer, B.B. King, and Albert King as examples of musicians whose solos have that vocal quality.
Sharkey's soloing style is characterized by its tasteful approach, with an emphasis on good time and feel, a steady melody, and emotional expressiveness. He prefers simple but effective chord melody concepts, ensuring his solos remain melodic and rhythmically engaging without becoming overly complex.
This emotional expressiveness, combined with his soulful style and vocal abilities reminiscent of soul singers, helps him connect deeply with audiences. "What comes from the heart reaches the heart," he said, quoting his father's advice.
Sharkey believes that the nuance in a guitar solo lies in considering what the song requires and what will make the moment shine. His philosophy is that if a solo makes him feel good, it will resonate with others. He also emphasizes the importance of taking the ego out of guitar playing.
The guitarist, who has worked as a solo artist and a session player for various artists including D'Angelo, John Mayer, Chris Martin, Corinne Bailey Rae, Keith Urban, and Paul Simon, was interviewed while holding his Ritter Princess Isabella jazz guitar. He made it clear that he has never pursued the prospect of being a celebrity guitarist.
In conclusion, Isaiah Sharkey's approach to guitar solos is marked by a focus on good rhythm, clear melodies, emotional expressiveness, and a consideration for what the song needs. This combination makes his solos not only technically impressive but also emotionally resonant and accessible.
- Isaiah Sharkey, when discussing his preferred guitar for his soulful solos, mentioned his Ritter Princess Isabella jazz guitar, showcasing his emphasis on the instrument.
- Sharkey's guitar technique, akin to human voices as he sees it, delivers solos that connect with audiences deeply due to their emotional expressiveness, a quality he shares with artists like George Benson and B.B. King.
- As a well-respected guitarist who's collaborated with artists like D'Angelo and John Mayer, Sharkey underlines the significance of considering the song's requirements and delivering solos that are rhythmically engaging, melodic, and technically impressive, resulting in entertainment that resonates with listeners.
