Unveiling the Factors that Shaped Carlos Santana's Stunning Soloing Style: His Initial Love for the Blues,paired with subsequent Influence from his Mexican Roots, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Tito Puente, and Gábor Szabó.
In the world of rock guitar, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Carlos Santana. Born in Mexico, Santana's musical journey began under the influence of his father, a musician himself, and was further shaped by the blues, B.B. King, Mike Bloomfield, and Peter Green.
In 1966, Santana formed the Santana Blues Band, and by 1969, he had assembled the first line-up of the Santana band and was signed to Columbia Records. Their debut album, simply titled "Santana," was released the same year, following their successful appearance at the Woodstock Festival. Tracks like "Evil Ways" and "Oye Como Va" showcased a groundbreaking blend of rock and Latin percussion that would become Santana's trademark sound.
Through the 1970s, Santana continued to push boundaries, releasing albums such as "Abraxas" (1970), "Santana III" (1971), and "Caravanserai" (1972). These releases showcased his evolving style, incorporating more jazz influences and extended instrumental jams, highlighting his improvisational skills and complex melodic development. "Oye Comó Va" from the album "Abraxas" is a testament to Santana's ability to quote from an impressive variety of styles in one guitar solo.
Santana was an early adopter of the singing, sustained notes made possible by playing at high volume. His playing style often involves using a wah pedal as a tone filter, playing long, held notes, and exuberant flurries of picking. He combines pentatonic ideas with a jazz influence, picking out minor 9ths, suspended 4ths, and partial arpeggios.
The album "Supernatural," released in 1999, thrust Santana back into the mainstream spotlight with nine Grammy Awards. It features collaborations with Rob Thomas, The Product G&B, and Everlast. Tracks like "Smooth," "Maria Maria," and "Put Your Lights On" showcase Santana's playing in a more contemporary setting.
Despite the passage of time, Santana's tones have not lost their vitality over the ensuing decades. His gear setups have included Fender amps, Gibson guitars, and Mesa/Boogie Mark I. Santana is most associated with various models of his PRS signature guitar and a wah pedal.
Subscribing to "Guitarist" magazine can provide savings and insights into Santana's world of music. For anyone getting into Carlos Santana, the album "Abraxas" is essential listening, containing his famous cover of "Black Magic Woman" and "Gypsy Queen."
This article first appeared in "Guitarist" magazine, celebrating the unique fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and Latin music that defines Santana's guitar style. His melodic, emotional playing and Latin rhythms continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
[1]: [Link to the reference for the first point] [3]: [Link to the reference for the third point] [4]: [Link to the reference for the sixth point]
- Carlos Santana's musical style, known for its groundbreaking blend of rock and Latin percussion, often utilizes a wah pedal as a tone filter and includes elements of pentatonic scales, jazz influences, and complex melodic development. [Reference]
- Santana's gear setups over the years have consistently included Fender amps, Gibson guitars, and Mesa/Boogie Mark I, with his signature guitar being various models of the PRS Santana series.
- In 1999, Santana released the album "Supernatural," featuring collaborations with various artists like Rob Thomas, The Product G&B, and Everlast, which propelled him back into the mainstream and earned him nine Grammy Awards. [Reference]
- For guitar enthusiasts getting into Carlos Santana, the album "Abraxas" is highly recommended, as it contains some of his most iconic songs like "Black Magic Woman" and "Gypsy Queen."
- The tracks "Smooth," "Maria Maria," and "Put Your Lights On" showcase Santana's playing in a more contemporary setting and are worth listening to for a feel of his diverse style.
- Subscribing to "Guitarist" magazine can offer savings and valuable insights into Santana's world of music, providing an opportunity to learn more about the unique fusion of rock, blues, jazz, and Latin music that shapes his guitar technique. [Reference]
