iFingers Guitar Experience

The Sorcerer

Carlos Santana has for a long while been one of my favourite guitarists. He has that special something that seems to transcend the realms of normal music, and take it to an altogether higher plane. In my quest to learn more about Carlos, I discovered one of his influences, that maybe helped put the magic in his playing.

Gabor Szabo was a Hungarian born guitarist and Carlos was a big fan:

“We used to fool around with ‘Gypsy Queen” because I loved Gabor Szabo so much. I used to see Gabor play a lot in the Bay area. He’d seem to lock himself into a certain position and just put everyone in a spell. He was the guitar player who took me out of B.B. King — otherwise I’d still be with those Chicago and Texas blues cats. ‘Gypsy Queen’ was our way of doing his music.”

I managed to get a copy of The Sorcerer a while back, and really enjoy Mr Szabo’s approach to the guitar, weaving circular, hypnotic patterns, which are deeply infectious and contagious. The Sorcerer was recorded live at the Jazz Workshop, Boston in 1967.

Unfortunately I never got a chance to see him live, but his recordings live on, and will no doubt influence future generations of players. Enjoy.

Gabor Szabo Links

• Gabor Szabo on Wiki
• Gabor Szabo Biography

My new iPod Hi-Fi may become my new practice amp, when I can find time to practice…

It has a nice tone, add a splash of Guitar Rig and I reckon we should be cooking…

My new Moleskine

I have for a number of years been a fan of Moleskine notebooks (not Moleskin), I use them for lyrics, song ideas, passwords and other data I really can’t afford to lose. I got a Moleskine Music notebook for my birthday and am very pleased that I did.

Great little Note Book

For a music notebook it is a little small, but what it lacks in size is more than justified by it’s useful pocket-friendly size. My guitar lessons have paved the way for me to use this little beauty. Before, I would have used tab to etch out my music, but now I am a (s l o w) music reader and writer. I will be making good use of this portable note machine, alongside other celebrated Moleskine users like Van Gogh, Chatwin and even Pete Doherty.

If you make music on a Mac and play guitar, sign up for Guitarists and the Mac in the UK. This time with Boyan Chowdhury, guitarist from The Zutons. Get some Zuton fever in your playing - I’ll see you in London.

Sign Up
Guitarists and the Mac Gallery

Guitar Player TV looks like becoming a nice site for us axe slingers. Good use of video for free online lessons, if you can handle the bandwidth.

Welcome to the iFingers Guitar Experience. A journey into the domain of the guitar, exploring guitars, amps and even those four string axes called basses. I have been playing the guitar for about 20 years, my music is testamount to my lack of discipline and practice, yet for whatever technique I do lack, I am very passionate about the guitar, guitarists, bassists and the music they create with their stringed instruments.