The Fusion language

[Meggy]

Hi folks, this is my first post in the improv section for some time (I am/have been working on stuff where I feel I know what material it is that I want to master, so have not really had any specific questions to raise for a while - not that it matters! ).

Anyway, these days I am an unashamed fan of what you might call the classic jazz guitar era - people like Wes, Kessel, Pass, Jimmy Raney, Jim Hall, those kind of guys. But I find myself also interested in music/guitarists that are often described as "fusion" players - I can't say I love all of it, but I find some musically attractive.

Really my question is a bit vague (for which apologies) but I'm kind of wondering what fusion "is" - so as a guitarist, if you play both jazz and fusion, do you conciously use different material/language/technique when playing fusion? If so what are the differences, and what are the things that a competent fusion guitarist should know in addition? Well there you go, a whole raft of questions really, but I'd be interested in any thoughts or opinions forum members have, thank you!

[jmstritt]

Well this is just my opinion, but I think of fusion as more scalar and straight ahead as more arpeggiated. In other words, straight ahead plays over chord changes whereas fusion plays over tonal centers. Fusion will also allow more tension, outside playing, and unresolving dominants. To my ears fusion came out of guys like Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson as far as tunes like Inner Urge, Jiniriksha, Ju Ju, and then of course the Weather Report Stuff.

Here is a Bop to Fusion continum IMO

Wes-> Jim Hall-> Pat Metheny-> Mike Stern-> Frank Gambale

To me I use different language playing fusion. Usually you will be able to go with a distorted tone and do more outside playing.

Maybe I am off of what you are asking, but those are just a few thoughts.

Also, fusion is a pretty wide spectrum. Some folks consider Kurt Rosenwinkel to be fusion. Some will have the latin vibe like some of Dimeola's stuff. Some with have the Middle Eastern flavor a la John Mclaughlin. Some will be bluesy like Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Scott Henderson. Some will just some like an atomic bomb going off in your head... Allan Holdsworth.

My point is that my response is extremely broad and you can delve in deeper based on what particular area of fusion you are interested in.

[Meggy]

Thank you JM that's not off my question at all - really I think you see fusion as an extension from jazz, or at least a continuum between the two. So although you are using a different language, the difference is more a matter of emphasise - on longer, more scalar lines/outside playing/different guitar tone - rather than a completely different approach? Forgive me if I've got the wrong interpretation.

As you say, it's a wide spectrum, and I don't really want to get into the whole "definitions game" about fusion or jazz! Cheers for your interesting answer though, much appreciated.