Your Cart is Empty
Free shipping in the US on all orders $50+
Free shipping in the US on all orders $50+
Carlos Santana is a true pioneer. When he burst on the scene with his namesake band in the late 1960s, his fusion of rock and Latin American Jazz was a revelation. And, his continued commitment to the art of great guitar playing has inspired generation after generation of players.
With the recent news that Carlos Santana has almost finished recording a new album (featuring guest spots from Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Living Colour frontman Corey Glover and Steve Winwood), we thought that it was prime time to run through some of the legendary guitarist’s most profound and inspirational statements over the years. As always, if you’re looking for some six-string motivation, feel free to print these out and stick them up around your practice space.
On other guitar players:
“No one's better than me. I'm not better than anyone. Whether it's Eric Clapton or BB King we look straight at each other. And that keeps it real.”
“You can take things that Jimi Hendrix took, from Curtis Mayfield or from Buddy Guy for example, because we are all children of everything, even Picasso. But if you want to stand out, you have to learn to crystallize your existence and create your own fingerprints.”
On the importance of melody:
“There's a melody in everything. And once you find the melody, then you connect immediately with the heart. Because sometimes English or Spanish, Swahili or any language gets in the way. But nothing penetrates the heart faster than the melody.”
“Ever since I was a child I've always been very attracted to melodies. Whether I hear Jeff Beck, a choir, an ocean or the wind, there's always a melody in there.”
“I have been accused of being a very simplistic, very lyrical player, and that's okay. That just comes from the blues, which is my background. But every day you wake up and transcend. You can't ever rest on your laurels.”
“I think of music as a menu. I can't eat the same thing every day.”
On the power of music:
“I realized that it's all really one, that John Lennon was correct. We utilize the music to bring down the walls of Berlin, to bring up the force of compassion and forgiveness and kindness between Palestines, Hebrews. Bring down the walls here in San Diego, Tijuana, Cuba.”
“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.”
What’s your favourite Carlos Santana moment? Have you ever seen the great man live? And how did he influence your approach to guitar playing? As always, share your stories in the comments section.
It’s safe to say that some of the most influential musicians in the 1960s came from Britain. The list sure backs up that fact: Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Peter Green, Richie Blackmore, John Lennon, George Harrison, and I can go on and on and on...
Notice, though, that I said musicians, not just guitarists. There are many heroes to be found for every instrument, particularly with our focus for this piece: the drums.
I’m not sure what the origin of this particular instrument was (though we may find out later), but maybe it was a crafty guitarist who thought: “You know what’s better than six strings? Double! Twelve strings!”
This story likely isn’t true, but the 12-string guitar is valuable in any guitarist's arsenal. With its thick, bright, and lush sound, the instrument has been a staple in most styles of music since its inception.
From being found in the wash to being left on counters and desks to being counted with change out of a guitarist’s pocket, guitar picks are the definitive proof that the holder undoubtedly plays the instrument.
But as omnipresent as they are, how many guitarists have pondered the history of the pick itself? Who are they? What were they doing?
