Singer and multi-instrumentalist is unimpressed by current social media trend that dates back to the “shredders” of the 1980s
The guitar world has resumed a trend with the “boom” of social media: virtuoso instrumentalists. When searching platforms like YouTube and Instagram, it is not difficult to find extremely fast and skilled musicians, including among the youngest. Although, Lenny Kravitz doesn’t seem to like it.
Adept of a style that prioritizes other qualities, the American was sincere when reflecting on the current trend in an interview with Guitarist. On the occasion, he also mentioned important artists who chose the opposite path in approaching the instrument.
Initially, Lenny said:
I think there’s everything out there. But you see the trends on Instagram with musicians where everything is about speed, you know? There’s a lot of that. James Brown used to say: ‘talk loud, but don’t say anything’. There are those who play a million notes without having absolutely any feeling, rhythm or intensity. Already BB King he could play a note, on a string, with one finger, and topple a mountain. I think musicians should be thinking more about feeling, dynamics and emotion, if they are going to think about anything.”
Created from the 1980s, Kravitz remembers the fast guitarists at the time he was starting out — it was also a trend at that time. Even so, these instrumentalists did not impress him.
The artist says he values the guitar work that the song requires, rather than displays of technique that do not contribute to the final result. He stated:
I remember being in high school, and the one who could play the fastest was the most impressive, but they weren’t concerned with the rhythm part itself. So it could be a chord, a funk jam or whatever you’re playing, like Bob Marley and the Wailersand your work is that.”
It’s not that easy
Still from the point of view of Lenny Kravitzit’s not always easy to do the simple thing. For him, demonstrating feeling in music can be as complicated as a fast and complex solo.
It can be as if you are playing James Brown: Your job is to go out there and do what the music requires and nothing more. That’s your job. Those guys who can play a million notes, 99% of the time can’t do so-called ‘simple’ things, because those things aren’t simple. Having a good feeling and grooving is a gift in itself.”
The Gift of Lenny Kravitz
Does the man himself Lenny Kravitz Do you have this gift? The musician, who usually records all the instruments on his albums, was sincere when answering this question and made it clear that it is necessary to learn to do it this way. Furthermore, he recalled that he already held auditions for his band — and came across musicians who were unable to play in such a way.
Yes, if it’s something I was born with, then I’ve cultivated it over time. What’s important to me is that you’ll find a lot of people who might think, ‘oh, that’s really simple’. I’ve had a lot of musicians come in for auditions and to play in the band, and you give them the simplest thing and they think, ‘oh God, that’s nothing,’ but they can’t play that.”
To Lennyeverything is linked to his love for music, something he says he has in abundance. The feeling for what is being created is more important to him than any kind of proficiency in guitar techniques.
So it’s always very difficult, it’s not always that simple. It’s about the vibe and how you express yourself. And I love what I do. I’m very passionate about what I do in the studio. It’s my favorite place to be. I love creating in the studio and putting these musical landscapes together. It’s magical to me.”
Lenny Kravitz in the studio
Lenny Kravitz he doesn’t lie when he says he’s passionate about studio work. In May 2024, he released his 12th new album, titled Blue Electric Light. The predecessor, Raise Vibrationcame out in 2018.
Between the two works, the musician remained active, collaborating on the film’s soundtrack Rustin (2023), from Netflix, produced by the former American president Barack Obama and his wife, michelle obama.
The film tells the story of the civil rights activist Bayard Rustinally of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Great March on Washington, in 1963. Topics related to racism and human rights are of great interest to Kravitzwho composed the original theme for the film, “Road to Freedom”.
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
