From: msr@kepler.unh.edu (Reno no BAKA)
Newsgroups: rec.music.classical.guitar
Subject: Re: Modern guitarists who play classical  (was Re: Yngwie Malmsteen)
Date: 18 Nov 1992 05:08:26 GMT
Organization: None what-so-ever
NNTP-Posting-Host: kepler.unh.edu

In article <1992Nov18.002548.12486@gn.ecn.purdue.edu> jprien@gn.ecn.purdue.edu (Jamison R. Prien) writes:
>In article <basinski-171192145915@lully.biosci.arizona.edu> basinski@biosci.arizona.edu (Mark Basinski) writes:
>>
>> Having said this, when I listen to Steve Howe play classical, I find it 
>>pretty bad. True, I thought "mood for a day" was cool when I was 17, and
>>I played it (but back then I also thought "Siberian Khatru" was cool and
>>learned that too...). Having spent many years listening and learning
>>music from all parts of the classical guitar repertory, I now find Steve's
>>"classical" stuff pretty bad - I mean it's OK for what it is, just an
>>amateur thing, but compositionally quite lacking. There is so much really
>>great music (that is not necessarily difficult or flashy) available for
>>classical guitar. I'd rather hear a simple pavan by Alonso de Mudarra
>>played well than hear someone playing paganini on a steel string, but 
>>that's just my taste. 
>
>From what I know, Steve Howe has had almost no formal training, and I also 
>read that he doesn't read music, either.  One must keep that in mind when
>criticizing his music, although I can understand your points.  His playing
>expresses so much more emotion than I have heard in other guitarists' -- that
>is why he is my favorite.  There are no lyrics on Steve's new solo album, but
>with the help of very brief liner notes, I (like to) think that I hear exaclty
>what he was trying to tell me.  Maybe I'm biased - I've been listening to Asia
>for 10 years.

It is true that Steve Howe never had a lesson nor does he read music which makes
me wonder how he puts the music together so well. I've always wondered how 
someone without any musical theory could do this, I guess he has a good ear :)
Anyway, Steve may not be the best guitarist (classical or otherwise) but, 
agreeing with the previous poster, that he is one of the most expressive 
guitarists I've heard. 'Beginnings' might be a little drawn out, but what he
does in it is very interesting. His version of Vivaldi's Concerto is the most
expressive version I've heard (even ones with traditional instruments). I've
learned the piece but can never play it like him (even though it is not played
on a classical guitar). I wish he'd do some more. I read that he might do some
Bach I think. Hopefully, now that he is out of Yes, he'll put out some more solo
material.
Anyway, I think Steve blends every aspect of music (country to classical) into
his songs. Maybe that's why his Classical compositions sound lacking, because
he is trying to make them more "modern". He's pretty much the only rock 
guitarist I'll listen to. Kind of makes me a Yes fan :)
--Matt

-- 
NNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII???????
And I thought I was going to graduate on time......
Matt Reno, a miserable excuse for a cs major!
msr@kepler.unh.edu
or the one I never use MSR_CS611@unhh.unh.edu
or the new one M_RENO@unhh.unh.edu
Newsgroups: rec.music.classical.guitar