Allan Holdsworth influences

[JonasPaulsen]

Hey, I decided to begin investigating the lineage of influences on some of my favorite guitarists, and I was therefore wondering if anyone knew anything about Allan Holdsworths major musical influences? I know he was influences a lot by Coltrane, and modern Classical composers, but I'm curious as to which classical composers and other jazz musicians he was influenced by?

[Christian Miller]

Hey, I decided to begin investigating the lineage of influences on some of my favorite guitarists, and I was therefore wondering if anyone knew anything about Allan Holdsworths major musical influences? I know he was influences a lot by Coltrane, and modern Classical composers, but I'm curious as to which classical composers and other jazz musicians he was influenced by?

Here’s a video I made about Allan. I discuss influences early on

I remember an interview where he said he was influenced by Debussy but i couldn’t track it down


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[GuyBoden]

As a pianist and Jazz lover, his Dad was maybe his biggest influence (in reality his Grandfather).. But Django, Coltrane, Raney have been listed in Allan Holdsworth interviews.

Not forgetting, that Allan Holdsworth played top 30 Pop hits for a long time in a Cabaret band. Where he could play Clapton type Blues solos if needed.

It's all listed here:
Allan's influences - Allan Holdsworth Information Center

[James W]

I also recall an interview where he said he learnt a Charlie Christian solo.

[GuyBoden]

I also recall an interview where he said he learnt a Charlie Christian solo.

Allan Holdsworth.
"when I listened to Benny Goodman, I was exposed to his guitarist, Charlie Christian. I also loved Django Reinhardt, but there was something about the electric guitar that I was drawn to. So I tried to learn Charlie Christian solos. I absorbed them quite quickly. Then I would play two of his solos and then play one of my own. I couldn't really create, and realized this was not a good process for me. I needed a different direction. I soon purchased some records by John Coltrane and this changed my whole life."

[James W]

Allan Holdsworth.
"when I listened to Benny Goodman, I was exposed to his guitarist, Charlie Christian. I also loved Django Reinhardt, but there was something about the electric guitar that I was drawn to. So I tried to learn Charlie Christian solos. I absorbed them quite quickly. Then I would play two of his solos and then play one of my own. I couldn't really create, and realized this was not a good process for me. I needed a different direction. I soon purchased some records by John Coltrane and this changed my whole life."

Interesting. These are some sort of enigmatic remarks - I think he means that stylistically pursuing a more Coltranesque sound was a better direction for him?

[Christian Miller]

Interesting. These are some sort of enigmatic remarks - I think he means that stylistically pursuing a more Coltranesque sound was a better direction for him?

I don’t think you’d end up where Allan was by copying anyone else - his approach is so specific to the way he played the guitar.

I feel that he was imitating more the effect of Trane than his specific notes.

OTOH he clearly went through a phase of checking out players. As I discuss in the video there sometimes phrases that remind me of other musicians. But most of it is quite idiosyncratic

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[James W]

I don’t think you’d end up where Allan was by copying anyone else - his approach is so specific to the way he played the guitar.

I feel that he was imitating more the effect of Trane than his specific notes.

OTOH he clearly went through a phase of checking out players.


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Agreed.

[Robertito]

Allan told me once that he was thinking of Michael Brecker when he playing single lines and Oliver Nelson when he played chords. At least that's how I remember it.

Michael Brecker said he was trying to be a cross between John Coltrane and King Curtis.

[Cunamara]

I feel that he was imitating more the effect of Trane than his specific notes.

That is really nicely put.

[olliehalsall]

I've always been curious as to when exactly he started on the Slominsky book, or took to copling his 'reams of notes' on scales.

[James W]

I've always been curious as to when exactly he started on the Slominsky book, or took to copling his 'reams of notes' on scales.

I don't think Allan read music so I very much doubt he used the Slonimsky book.

[olliehalsall]

I don't think Allan read music so I very much doubt he used the Slonimsky book.

That's exactly what I thought, yet i've heard people like Bill Bruford say he slaved over that book. I know Allan himself claimed the only thing he could read was clarinet scores and that only very slowly.

[GuyBoden]

Allan Holdsworth Interview 1978

"When and why did you start to play guitar?


I started when I was about 16 or 17 after I left school because I ‘d always been interested in music. My father was a pianist so I was exposed to a lot of music at home. He was like an inspiration to me really in that he often presented me with things I wouldn’t normally get to hear. He helped me a lot in that way but I never actually sat and down and learned to read music."

Allan Holdsworth Interview 1974

"Why do you want to learn to read?


Well, it helps in a work situation to be able to read. And also, I compose quite a lot, but I can’t write it down. I have to remember everything and tell people, "You play this and you play that . . . It would be a lot easier to give them bits of paper with things written on. I’d really like to write more and arrange things - like I’d love to write something for a string quartet or something like that, which at the moment is totally impossible. I can hear the things in my head, but I can’t get them down."



******* Edit********************************************** *************
Personally, I believe Allan Holdsworth could read basic music notation, but very slowly. (After all, his father was a pianist and sometimes taught music. Basic Music was taught at school in England the 1950's.)

Allan Holdsworth was probably very embarrassed about his lack of sight reading ability, especially whilst playing with such good sight reading musicians. But, maybe I am totally wrong.

[olliehalsall]

Allan Holdsworth Interview 1978

"When and why did you start to play guitar?


I started when I was about 16 or 17 after I left school because I ‘d always been interested in music. My father was a pianist so I was exposed to a lot of music at home. He was like an inspiration to me really in that he often presented me with things I wouldn’t normally get to hear. He helped me a lot in that way but I never actually sat and down and learned to read music."

Allan Holdsworth Interview 1974

"Why do you want to learn to read?


Well, it helps in a work situation to be able to read. And also, I compose quite a lot, but I can’t write it down. I have to remember everything and tell people, "You play this and you play that . . . It would be a lot easier to give them bits of paper with things written on. I’d really like to write more and arrange things - like I’d love to write something for a string quartet or something like that, which at the moment is totally impossible. I can hear the things in my head, but I can’t get them down."



******* Edit********************************************** *************
Personally, I believe Allan Holdsworth could read basic music notation, but very slowly. (After all, his father was a pianist and sometimes taught music. Basic Music was taught at school in England the 1950's.)

Allan Holdsworth was probably very embarrassed about his lack of sight reading ability, especially whilst playing with such good sight reading musicians. But, maybe I am totally wrong.

It occasionally caused him issues:I remember Bill Bruford talking about his lack of sight reading and rhythm guitar skills in the band UK. Also Mark King of Level 42 also commented on Allan's disinterest in rhythm guitar during his brief stint in Level 42. Although strangely enough, his rhythm chops sound pretty good on the recording of their 1990 Hammersmith Odeon gig,and I'm certain he was the only guitarist on stage.

[Christian Miller]

I don't think Allan read music so I very much doubt he used the Slonimsky book.

He said he didn’t read very much but could read slowly. He did use the Slonimsky book.


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[Christian Miller]

I think he discusses it in this one, but I didn’t check


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[James W]

He said he didn’t read very much but could read slowly. He did use the Slonimsky book.


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Ah ok.

[GuyBoden]

It occasionally caused him issues:I remember Bill Bruford talking about his lack of sight reading and rhythm guitar skills in the band UK. Also Mark King of Level 42 also commented on Allan's disinterest in rhythm guitar during his brief stint in Level 42. Although strangely enough, his rhythm chops sound pretty good on the recording of their 1990 Hammersmith Odeon gig,and I'm certain he was the only guitarist on stage.

Ollie Halsall had a similar fluent legato Rock style in the 1970's.

[olliehalsall]

Ollie Halsall had a similar fluent legato Rock style in the 1970's.

He did indeed. Must have been in the water back then. I loved his tone as well. A lot thicker and 'chewier' than Allan's.

[Christian Miller]

Ollie Halsall had a similar fluent legato Rock style in the 1970's.

Doesn’t sound anything like Allan to me. Nice stuff though. More to the rock end of the spectrum.


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[GuyBoden]

Doesn’t sound anything like Allan to me. Nice stuff though. More to the rock end of the spectrum.

"fluent legato Rock style"

[Christian Miller]

"fluent legato Rock style"

You said similar. I don’t really hear the similarity.

That said, maybe it’s more like Allan’s earlier playing.

But one of things that defines Allan’s sound to me is the unique onset of his notes. I think that’s something he leaned into more in the 80s tbf

But Allan’s style was truly legato (most of the time). That’s not the same thing as using left hand slurs.

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[Christian Miller]

Of course Alan Murphy is often compared to Allan…. I can hear more similarities there


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[olliehalsall]

As an aside, one of Ollie's bandmates in his last outfit claimed he was intensely jealous of Allan and "hated him". Which is odd, as it's not like Allan was in any way more successful in his career.