The Greatest Finger-Picker in the World

[Madam Music]

Hi

I just wanted to let forum know about an interview with Tommy Emmanuel (described as "The greatest finger-picker in the world" by Chet Atkins).

Tommy tells about his style, his favorite music and projects http://www.madammusic.com/tommyemmanuel.html

One of the greatest guitar players on the planet”, Chet Atkins

"The greatest guitar player I've ever seen" - Eric Clapton

"An innovator of the guitar" - Todd Rundgren

Enjoy..and let me know what you think!

Cheers
All the best
MMX

madammusic.com

[Cbanjo]

Man I cant stand tommy emmanuel, his music is repetitive and he tries to do chet's style and just blows it (IMHO). Notice how chet calls him "one of the greatest", classic humble Chet Atkins, obviosuly chet is much much better than tommy will ever hope to be.

(Can you tell i feel strongly about this? )

[Herb Hunter]

Thanks for taking the time to post the link.

[rrupert]

Tommy Emmanuel is great and one of the greatest, don't think you can say anyone is the best ever, way too many variables, just like saying a song is the greatest song ever, BUT, to say a great player is in fact not a great player, that's equally wrong
-personally, TE's playing, melody choices and arrangement really hit home for me, he is a great inspiration, here is another interview that is from an AWESOME magazine

http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/TommyEInterview.htm

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Cbanjo

Man I cant stand tommy emmanuel, his music is repetitive and he tries to do chet's style and just blows it (IMHO). Notice how chet calls him "one of the greatest", classic humble Chet Atkins, obviosuly chet is much much better than tommy will ever hope to be.

(Can you tell i feel strongly about this? )

Madam, thanks for the post.

Cbanjo, I disagree.

[Cbanjo]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OPwxige9XNs

nuff said

[Cbanjo]

and then you've got both their influences...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y-ZZtS0ApdY

[rattletrap]

Cbanjo, thats pretty harsh!!

You must be a tremendous musician!

I only wish I had the skills to badmouth someone who is so accomplished! I personally do not like Jimmy Hendrix's music, but that does not diminish the mans skills and mastery of the instrument.

Madam, thank you for the post

[astrummer]

I like Tommy Emmanuel alot but my vote for best finger picker ( from my extremely limited listening experience ) goes to Doug Smith.

[zombywoof]

I actually prefer Tommy E. on the Tele. For fingerpicking, I would still have to go with maybe Eric Schoenberg. Then, of course, there is always Richard Thompson.

[Cbanjo]

oops, sorry rattletrap, I didnt mean that he sucks or anything, he's good at the guitar, I just don't like the way he plays it.... (if that makes any sense) he's way too... percussive for me, and he's kinda all over the place....

And for the record I'm pretty amazing at the guitar... you know... if nobody already told you.....

[Herb Hunter]

Originally Posted by Cbanjo

Man I cant stand tommy emmanuel, his music is repetitive and he tries to do chet's style and just blows it (IMHO). Notice how chet calls him "one of the greatest", classic humble Chet Atkins, obviosuly chet is much much better than tommy will ever hope to be.

(Can you tell i feel strongly about this? )

Well, in Chet's honest opinion Tommy doesn't blow it when playing Chet's style. We all have our preferences but I'm having a hard time thinking of an acoustic guitarist of Tommy's caliber that I can sincerely say I can't stand with regard to playing style and showmanship.

[rgregg48]

Originally Posted by Cbanjo

Man I cant stand tommy emmanuel, his music is repetitive and he tries to do chet's style and just blows it (IMHO). Notice how chet calls him "one of the greatest", classic humble Chet Atkins, obviosuly chet is much much better than tommy will ever hope to be.

(Can you tell i feel strongly about this? )

I like Tommy very much, but i agree, im Tommied out...
Its nice to be called the best fingerpicker in the world, by the best
fingerpicker in the world....
I also like Richard Smith, Buster b. Jones, and others too
numerous to mention.. Cbanjo knows what im talking about.

Rick

[Gunny]

Originally Posted by Cbanjo

Man I cant stand tommy emmanuel, his music is repetitive and he tries to do chet's style and just blows it (IMHO). Notice how chet calls him "one of the greatest", classic humble Chet Atkins, obviosuly chet is much much better than tommy will ever hope to be.

(Can you tell i feel strongly about this? )

I've been to 3 TE live shows and every time it is not only different, but the songs are played a bit differently as well. Great guy as well. He always leaves the audience feeling good and awed which is why folks like to go see him. Variety is the spice of life and that is why we can like more than 1. I've had the pleasure of seeing:

Tommy E
Doyle Dykes
Pat Kirtley
Stephen King
Phil keaggy
Muriel Anderson
California Guitar trio
Leo Kottke
Lawrence Juber
Adrian Legg
Paul Jones
and a whole lot more and they each bring something different. For the record, I have seen Tommy do some exquisite renditions of Chet.

[arrowspace90]

TE plays "percussive" because he believes in "groove", as a way to hook the audience. I think he is right on in this, and it's something to keep in mind if you are going to play for an audience and not just in front of a candle at midnight.

One thing I have observed from the best finger pickers is that the "correct" way to play a chord is the way that leaves your fingers in position to play the next chord.

And TE, Juber, and Doug Smith all like to use chords that take advantage of open, ringing strings.

But the lightning fast runs that TE and Doyle Dykes can fire off...I don't know, someone help me, is it because they are both former electric guitar players? Should I get a T5 ? It would be a good excuse.