Joe Bonamassa suggests dividing by two to improve your playing.
Guitarist Joe Bonamassa reminisces about the valuable advice he received from blues-rock legend Leslie West 30 years ago that has now significantly improved his live performances. The interaction between the two guitar icons occurred during the pre-production phase of Bonamassa’s debut album, “A New Day Yesterday,” when West made a guest appearance on one of the tracks. Joe vividly recalls West’s distinctive voice stating, “you’d be my favorite guitar player if you’d just divide by two.” This cryptic suggestion puzzled Bonamassa at first, but after decades, he realized the profound wisdom it held.
The concept of “divide by two” meant playing with half the number of notes, a technique endorsed by West to refine Joe’s playing style. Joe admits that although he continued with his usual playing style over the years, he eventually grasped West’s underlying wisdom. Reflecting on the impact of embracing this adaptation, Joe notes a notable improvement in his guitar playing during live performances, especially in larger venues. He describes the moment of realization as breaking through an unanticipated artistic barrier that enhanced his musical expression.
Joe Bonamassa acknowledges that Leslie West’s guidance extends beyond his influence on Joe’s musical journey. West had also imparted a similar piece of advice to blues-rock musician Jared James Nichols. In a direct and blunt manner, Leslie urged Nichols to “slow down,” emphasizing control and restraint in playing techniques. This straightforward yet essential counsel highlights Leslie West’s raw musical wisdom, even in his final days before his passing.
Aside from Joe Bonamassa’s evolving guitar techniques, his renewed focus on acoustic guitar has sparked a new creative direction in his musical exploration. Initially identifying himself primarily as an electric guitar player, Joe’s acquisition of a vintage 1941 Martin 000-45 acoustic guitar marked a pivotal shift in his sonic palette. Joe’s subsequent endeavor into the realm of acoustic guitars broadened his musical horizon by refining his chordal accuracy and overall playing dexterity.
Embracing the acoustic guitar not only diversified Joe’s sonic palette but also contributed to enhancing his overall accuracy and precision on the electric guitar. This newfound synergy between the acoustic and electric guitar realms catalyzed an artistic breakthrough for Joe, as evidenced in his 17th solo album, “Breakthrough,” set for release on July 18. Joe’s exploration of both acoustic and electric guitars underscores the transformative impact of embracing new musical avenues and heeding valuable advice from legendary musicians like Leslie West.