Virtuosos

[freeztar]

vir·tu·o·so Audio Help /ˌvɜrtʃuˈoʊsoʊ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[vur-choo-oh-soh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, plural -sos, -si Audio Help /-si/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[-see] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation, adjective

–noun

1. a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.

2. a person who excels in musical technique or execution.

3. a person who has a cultivated appreciation of artistic excellence, as a connoisseur or collector of objects of art, antiques, etc.

4. Obsolete. a person who has special interest or knowledge in the arts and sciences; scientist; scholar.

–adjective

 

For the purposes of this thread, number 2 aligns best.

To me, a virtuoso is a musical expert on a particular instrument. This person is capable of achieving anything possible on the instrument. An example would be Bach. Although we do not have recordings of Bach, the literary descriptions of his playing describe someone who is intimately connected to their instrument.

 

Virtuosos are rare, but they certainly exist. This thread is about virtuosos and their music. Please feel free to post your own virtuoso-candidates! I'll start it off with a virtuoso probably no one here is familiar with. :bouquet:

 

Jacob do Bandolim

 

If you've never heard his music, then I suggest the following:

 

One of my favorite songs by him. Listen to the amazing technique and impeccable timing!! :(

YouTube - Jacob do Bandolim http://youtube.com/watch?v=s9gGSTrqRps

 

Bad audio on this, but again, great playing (so melodic).

YouTube - Noites Cariocas com Época de Ouro http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnZhXefUR8s

 

This is quite a trio.

YouTube - Santa Morena - Jacob do Bandolim http://youtube.com/watch?v=sG_32mCqkvE

 

And one last clip.

YouTube - Saia do Caminho - Jacob do Bandolim http://youtube.com/watch?v=pNWHi772ANU

[Galapagos]

Victor Wooten is one of my favorite bassists, not only is he an incredibly adroit player, he is also a very unique and original composer.

 

If you watch in this piece, "Classical Thump", you will notice that he is thumb-slapping in an up-down motion, which partly defines his unique and versatile sound. Originally invented by bassist Larry Ghrahm, then explored further by the works of Marcus Miller, the thumping technique makes for dazzlingly rapid assault of slapping and popping sounds.

YouTube - Victor Wooten-Classical Thump http://youtube.com/watch?v=zT6LxkuUZjI

 

Performing a beautiful cover of "Norwegian Wood":

YouTube - Victor Wooten - Norwegian Wood http://youtube.com/watch?v=f9a4ThBNacY

 

And "Amazing Grace":

YouTube - Victor Wooten amazing grace http://youtube.com/watch?v=pEyEu-hS0fA

 

I really love the use of harmonics in his renditions of both "Amazing Grace" and "Norwegian Wood".

[freeztar]

Good call Galapagos. I had the fortune of seeing Victor live with his mentor. His mentor plays guitar and it was the most distinct guitar playing I've ever heard. Him and Vic put on quite a show! :shade:

[freeztar]

Since I'm a guitarist, I've got to present some of the players that I consider guitar virtuosos.

 

YouTube - meeting of the spirits 2 john mclaughlin paco de lucia larry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEVXS13An1g&feature=related

 

YouTube - PACO DE LUCIA , John McLaughlin , AL DI MEOLA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ

 

YouTube - Al DiMeola John McLaughlin Tales of the Black Forest live http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOVWqhGXVNA&feature=related

 

You've gotta love the "Pink Panther" improv. :shade:

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

For bass two names two gods-Geddy Lee, Les Claypool

Metal Bass only one-Jason Newsted

guitar-J.A.H., S.R.V., Eddy Van Halen, J.G.

Folk guitar-Norman Blake

Cello- P. Casals

[InfiniteNow]

One of my favorite songs by him. Listen to the amazing technique and impeccable timing!! :shrug:

YouTube - Jacob do Bandolim

 

And "Amazing Grace":

 

I really love the use of harmonics in his renditions of both "Amazing Grace" and "Norwegian Wood".

 

Thank you very much, indeed, gentlemen. That was spectacular.

[Monomer]

Joe Satriani and his student Steve Vai are considered virtuosos:

 

YouTube - JOE SATRIANI - THE EXTREMIST (NEW RECORD) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxg95St1GZE

 

 

YouTube - Steve Vai - "For The Love Of God" - G3 1996 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDZuNM3HmU4&feature=related

[Monomer]

Here are a couple of piano virtuosos:

 

YouTube - Art Tatum- Yesterdays http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzj6Q61h3oA

 

YouTube - Oscar Peterson http://youtube.com/watch?v=HHr6ZZxb3G4&feature=related

[iViolet]

here's a sampling of guitar virtuosos celedonio and pepe romero from the romeros guitar quintet.

 

 

:)

[freeztar]

Awesome! I enjoyed it, thanks! :)

 

My latest addiction is jazz. Miles Davis had an uncanny knack of gathering the most gifted musicians. The album "The 58 Sessions" is stellar. Jazz is free flow, but these players are virtuosos at it. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly, Paul Chambers, and Bill Evans. :)

 

Amazon.com: '58 Miles Featuring Stella by Starlight: Miles Davis: Music http://www.amazon.com/58-Miles-Featuring-Stella-Starlight/dp/B0000027R5

[Galapagos]

Jaco Pastorius

 

YouTube - Jaco Pastorius - Come On, Come Over (1976) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STWzVlgULrs

YouTube - Jaco Pastorius - Continuum (Invitation) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIM8WqRP2fM

 

Ray Brown

 

YouTube - Ray Brown - Solo Bass on "Black Orpheus" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJu2owDM2E

[freeztar]

You are a very knowledgable gentleman, sir!

 

Ray Brown and Jaco! Awesome! :)

 

Edit: Are you a bassist Galapagos?

[Galapagos]

You are a very knowledgable gentleman, sir!

 

Ray Brown and Jaco! Awesome! :)

 

Edit: Are you a bassist Galapagos?

 

Yeah, I play electric bass, nothin like any of these guys though. I play a bit of guitar too.

 

Buckethead is probably my favorite virtuoso guitarist. The solo in this song is amazing:

 

YouTube - BUCKETHEAD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8akmP6Sjv2o

 

YouTube - Buckethead - Big Sur Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkeXE6FOf6s

[ChunTzu]

Nick Angelis and Jeff Queen on Marching Snare (shown here on Broadway in Blast, the two in the beginning and then again at 5:40): YouTube - dci blast drum battle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL3vREcEGck

 

All the drummers in Blast probably could qualify as virtuosos but these guys freak me out.

[Turtle]

Nick Angelis and Jeff Queen on Marching Snare (shown here on Broadway in Blast, the two in the beginning and then again at 5:40):

 

:Glasses: Nice! Some of the rhythms got me thinking of Indian drumming which got me thinking of the sitar which got me thinking of the virtuoso Ravi Shankar. :hihi: :smart:

 

YouTube - Ravi Shankar - Raga Anandi Kalyan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JjrWxun46M