What famous/great jazz guitarist do you think you sound the most like?

**Tom Karol** · 12-02-2011, 10:40 AM

I think I may be repeating myself; I may have posed this question a year or two back, but ...

I've always liked Herb Ellis, but he's never been my favorite and I've never consciously tried to sound like him. Strangely though, when I listen to myself I seem to sound more like him than anyone else ... except not nearly as good of course!

What about you. Is there someone you've ended up emulating without actually intending to do so?

**jmstritt** · 12-02-2011, 10:53 AM

Jimmy Raney.

I always liked playing bop, but never really listened to him for some reason. Then somebody told me after a gig that they thought I sounded a bit like him, and decided to take a listen. Granted, I don't consider myself to be at his level, that would be sacrelige to say, but stylistically I think we are similar. Lately I have been working on more modern stuff Coltrane Changes, odd time, different things like that, but even when I do that, a lot of the bebop language still comes through.

I used to hear George Benson a lot, but that was just because I played fast when I was younger lol.

TH · 12-02-2011, 11:11 AM

I always imagine I'm Ben Monder when I'm playing, but people always tell me I sound most like Jandek.

I wonder what Ben's secret is.
David

**brwnhornet59** · 12-02-2011, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by TruthHertz

I always imagine I'm Ben Monder when I'm playing, but people always tell me I sound most like Jandek.

I wonder what Ben's secret is.
David

I love you style and your sound Truth!!!

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 12-02-2011, 12:03 PM

Pat Martino. Not playing, just talking.

**Carpal55** · 12-02-2011, 01:09 PM

I sound like the guy who mows Pat Martino's lawn. Someone told me I play like Barney Kessel and since he knew Barney I was happy but he must of heard me on a rare good day...

**jmstritt** · 12-02-2011, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Pat Martino. Not playing, just talking.

Do you mean talking, or traversing the ever expanding cosmos of human based aural communication through the sacred medium of speech?

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 12-02-2011, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by jmstritt

Do you mean talking, or traversing the ever expanding cosmos of human based aural communication through the sacred medium of speech?

**mr. beaumont** · 12-02-2011, 02:19 PM

I'm honestly not sure who I sound like. I know there's some Metheny in my writing...

Maybe some Johnny Smith and Django in my single note lines...

I want to be Ed Bickert when I grow up, though.

It might almost be fun to post soundclips and have people guess our influences...

**brwnhornet59** · 12-02-2011, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by jmstritt

Do you mean talking, or traversing the ever expanding cosmos of human based aural communication through the sacred medium of speech?

+1

**tonedeaf** · 12-02-2011, 08:07 PM

Herb Ellis

---when he was a year old

---and had a stinky

**Soco** · 12-03-2011, 05:53 PM

Hard to say.
Larry Carlton?
SoundClick artist: Jostein Gulbrandsen - page with MP3 music downloads

**keith** · 12-03-2011, 06:44 PM

Nobody, unfortunately!

**vinlander** · 12-04-2011, 03:34 PM

John Mclaughlin being my main influence, I can't avoid to "borrow" some of his licks minus the chops...

**reventlov** · 12-04-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

It might almost be fun to post soundclips and have people guess our influences...

That could indeed be fun......I'll bite....

Click here

**mr. beaumont** · 12-04-2011, 07:26 PM

First of all, nice playing!

First two thoughts are Grant Green (snappy tone and reverb) with touches of Johnny Smith and Howard Roberts.

**reventlov** · 12-04-2011, 07:43 PM

Interesting indeed!!! ty for the compliment

I've only ever heard Howard Roberts playing one tune, and although I like what I've heard of Grant Green, I haven't heard a great deal of him either! Johnny Smith I've heard a lot, and I like his playing a great deal. I think probably on that particular track I posted, I'd say I hear bits of Johnny Smith for sure, also Django, Charlie Christian, Chet Atkins (yes, really) and above all, my favourite 'straight' jazz guitarist, Hank Garland.

**mr. beaumont** · 12-04-2011, 09:00 PM

Yep, I hear those too...not so much christian... you sound like guys whoo were influenced like christian though!

If you like, check out my website and try me...and no, I won't get upset if you say "schizo who can't decide what decade he lives in."

**Kataway** · 12-04-2011, 09:04 PM

People told me I sound like Pat Metheney...well...honestly, I don't know. And many time they ask me to play Metheney's songs...well again...I don't know his repertoire that much. Ok, I listened to him but no more than many others. Joe Pass is one of my favorites. When I play "chord melody" style, I can sound a little bit like him...but Joe is Joe...he's a lot better than me...lol...

Like Soco...I put an example here -

- and you tell me. I don't think I sound like Metheney. And here I don't play chord melody...so neither I sound like to Joe Pass...lol...I let you bet on who...lol...good luck...

**wizard3739** · 12-04-2011, 09:22 PM

Hiya reventlov, I hear a strong Howard Roberts influence combined with some Hank Garland (Sugarfoot) sounds. Good job on the playing, thanks for sharing.

wiz