"Joe Bonamassa recalls discovering Eric Johnson's music through a tear-out disc in the Guitar Player magazine from 1986, expressing that Johnson's playing was unlike anything he had ever heard before in his life!"
In the realm of guitar music, Eric Johnson stands as a beacon of versatility and innovation. His career, spanning over three decades, has been marked by a prolific output of seventeen albums, showcasing his mastery of guitar skills across genres such as rock and jazz.
One of Johnson's most iconic works is the instrumental song "Cliffs of Dover," renowned for its melodic phrasing and technical brilliance. The creation story of this piece, involving Vince Mariani, highlights Johnson's thoughtful approach to composition and his enduring impact on guitar tone and style.
Johnson's influence extends beyond his compositions. His style, a blend of precise technique and expressive phrasing, has earned him respect among both rock and jazz guitarists. This is evident in his collaboration with jazz guitarist Mike Stern, producing the album *Eclectic* in 2014, which garnered critical acclaim and even landed Johnson a cover feature on *Downbeat* magazine.
Throughout his career, Johnson has maintained a reputation as a guitar virtuoso, influencing generations of players with his tone, technique, and musicality. His live performances and recordings continue to inspire guitarists who seek to combine technical skill with emotive playing.
As we look forward, Johnson's latest work, "Breakthrough," is set to release on July 18 and is available for preorder via J&R Adventures.
The author, a guitar enthusiast, shares Johnson's appreciation for vintage tube amps and analog pedals, even when playing live. His playing style, influenced heavily by Johnson, is characterised by fast cascading pentatonics, quick position shifts, and long phrases structured primarily in four-note groups.
The author's first encounter with Johnson's music was in 1986 via a flexi-disc included in Guitar Player magazine. It was then that he heard Johnson's studio recording of "Cliffs of Dover," a moment that left a lasting impression.
In Figure 1, Johnson begins with a D note, the flatted 7th (b7) of E, which he then bends up to E and shakes vigorously. This line follows the E dominant pentatonic scale (E, G#, A, B, D). Similarly, Figure 2 illustrates a longer line that ascends and descends within E minor pentatonic (E, G, A, B, D). Figure 3, on the other hand, ends with fast ascending 16th-note triplets, culminating with a high natural harmonic above the 24th fret.
Johnson's influence on the author's playing is significant, with a lot of his faster playing and phrasing coming directly from Johnson's style. The author even plays through seven amps, following a similar model to Johnson's approach to equipment.
In conclusion, Eric Johnson's career has evolved from a prolific recording artist in the 1980s to a celebrated and influential guitarist whose work bridges rock and jazz, leaving a lasting impact on guitar playing through both his recordings and collaborations. As we eagerly anticipate "Breakthrough," it is clear that Johnson's influence will continue to shape the future of guitar music.
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- Eric Johnson, a prominent figure in guitar music, owns a collection of various guitars, including a Les Paul and a Stratocaster.
- Alongside his guitars, Johnson is known for his preference for vintage tube amps and analog pedals, enhancing his unique tonal qualities.
- Gibson and Fender are among the guitar brands that have resonated with Johnson and guided his sonic choices through the years.
- Bass guitar enthusiasts may find common ground with Johnson, as his techniques and stylistic approaches can extend to that instrument as well.
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- Incorporating pedals in the instrument's setup, Johnson and other guitarists expand their tonal palette, enabling them to explore broader musical territory.
- In analyzing Johnson's playing, one may recognize his penchant for utilizing four-note groups in structuring his long phrases, as demonstrated in figures 1, 2, and 3.
