jeff beck

The Tao of Jeff Beck

Here's a crash course in how one of the most eclectic and influential guitarists of all time developed a unique vocabulary through speedy rockabilly licks, fuzzed-out melodies, and an otherworldly use of the vibrato bar.

Intermediate

Understand Jeff Beck’s rockabilly roots.
Learn how to create tension-filled phrases over a 12-bar blues.
Develop a more nuanced vibrato technique.

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Jeff Beck is arguably the most eclectic and ever-evolving guitar hero. He was part of the holy trinity of Yardbirds guitarists, along with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, and is the one who has consistently remained at the forefront of the electric guitar ever since. From John McLaughlin to Eddie Van Halen, Beck is a favorite of just about any guitar player you could name, and that includes the other Yardbirds alumni. Stephen Colbert explained it best at the Grammy awards, “You know the game Guitar Hero? He has the all-time high score—and he’s never played it.” Let’s take a look at some of the many highlights of Beck’s playing throughout his illustrious and uncompromising career.

Watch Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp's New Video for "Isolation"

Video

The duo is joined by Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Rhonda Smith on bass, and Vanessa Freebairn- Smith on cello.

Los Angeles, CA (May 12, 2020) -- Legendary guitarist and two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Beck, one of the great collaborators in music history, recently released his latest collaboration with Johnny Depp: a re-imagining of John Lennon’s classic track “Isolation.” The duo has now premiered the official music video for the track, featuring live footage of their performance from Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival last September.

Following its debut last month, “Isolation” has been lauded as “riveting” by Rolling Stone, who noted that “Beck drifts effortlessly, as always, from nimble picking to scorching heroics, while Depp delivers a sturdy vocal performance.” Beck and Depp are joined on film by long-time Beck collaborators Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Rhonda Smith on bass and Vanessa Freebairn- Smith on cello.

17 Guitar & Bass Heroes Hail Their Heroes

Joe Satriani, Thurston Moore, Molly Tuttle, Tommy Emmanuel, John Doe, Lzzy Hale, Kurt Vile, Wayne Kramer, Chris McQueen, and eight more of today’s greats discuss the contemporary players who give them the shivers.

Guitars heroes don’t just play guitar. They live it, breathe it, and love it. And their lifelong fandom extends not only to the instrument but to the players they share it with. We asked 17 of today’s most interesting, inventive guitarists in a wide span of genres about their favorite peers. Their answers are thoughtful, heartfelt, and fascinating—providing insight into not only who they admire but the qualities in their heroes’ playing that inspire them, which in turn reveals much about what they love about guitar. So, plug in and read on!

Buddy Miller on Marc Ribot

Marc Ribot is my guy. I find him fearless, and he knows so much, but it’s not like he applies everything he knows to everything he plays. He can do anything, and it all goes through the filter of Marc, so he doesn’t try to stay in the idiom he’s recording. There’s something subversive about his playing, and him as a person. He’s an agitator. That’s what I love about him. He’ll turn over the applecart, but in a beautiful way. And when I play with him, he challenges me, and makes me play better, and makes me think … but not too much. You don’t wanna think too much, so what’s in you just comes out. And he can balance that. He’s got that brain on/brain off thing.

New Bush Rig Rundown!

jeff beck

The Tao of Jeff Beck

Here's a crash course in how one of the most eclectic and influential guitarists of all time developed a unique vocabulary through speedy rockabilly licks, fuzzed-out melodies, and an otherworldly use of the vibrato bar.

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Jeff Beck — “Blues to the Maximum”

In Honor of Jeff Beck: Guitarists Pay Tribute

Jeff Beck Has Died at 78

Jeff Beck Sounds Like Jeff Beck, Even Through a Roland Cube!

Kenny Greenberg’s Blues for Arash

Hooked: Papooz on Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk"

Eddie Van Halen vs. Jeff Beck—Blow by Blow

Hooked: Carmen Vandenberg on Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Lenny"

Hooked: Nels Cline on the Yardbirds' "Over Under Sideways Down"

Hooked: Joe Bonamassa on Jeff Beck's "Let Me Love You"

Watch Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp's New Video for "Isolation"

The duo is joined by Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Rhonda Smith on bass, and Vanessa Freebairn- Smith on cello.

17 Guitar & Bass Heroes Hail Their Heroes

Joe Satriani, Thurston Moore, Molly Tuttle, Tommy Emmanuel, John Doe, Lzzy Hale, Kurt Vile, Wayne Kramer, Chris McQueen, and eight more of today’s greats discuss the contemporary players who give them the shivers.

Buddy Miller on Marc Ribot

Snarky Puppy’s Chris McQueen on Isaiah Sharkey