Featured Flatpicker for June 2003 - Gary Smith
Name:
Gary Smith
Age:
46
Town:
Tunnel Hill, Ga.
At what age did you start playing guitar?
I was 20 when I first started playing guitar. We have a lot of flatpickers in North Ga, so it seemed like the thing to do at the time.
First guitar:
A mahogany Yamaha dread.
Early Influences:
My grandfather, Offit Seritt, Norman Blake (who lives in Rising Fawn, Ga), Doc Watson, and Tony Rice.
Tell us about your early playing days. What motivated you? Did you have friends that played?
I find that one of the best ways to learn is to jam with people that are way better than you.
First gig, if any:
My first tune was Boil 'em Cabbage Down, taught by my grandfather. I also played 5-string banjo, and currently, I've added the mando. The only gigs that I've played are basically jamming with other pickers at an old railroad depot that has been converted into a pickin' place. One of our pickers is Roy Curry, a 2 time Winfield flatpicking champ. I try to learn from everyone I meet and jam with. Some people that play guitar have a know-it-all attitude, but you need to have an open mind when learning to flatpick, so you can pick up ideas from all levels of player
Acoustic Guitars you own:
I have a D-18v Martin, modified by Dan Lashbrook in Asheville, NC. It's an awesome sounding guitar. I also have a D-16 GT Martin
Favorite Guitar:
1930's D-18 Martin dread and my D-18v
Your Style, and how you developed it:
In Georgia, we have a lot of great BG players. We have a lot of pickers to emulate. I like Norman Blake's style, and his tone, taste, and timing are awesome!
Practice Regimen:
I try to play fiddle tunes every night. I play 2-3 hours Sat and Sun.
Favorite Artist(s):
Norman Blake, Tony and Wyatt Rice, David Grier, and Clarence White.
What general suggestions would you give to someone who wants to either start playing guitar, or start playing bluegrass guitar - having come in from another genre?
I took a long break from BG in the 70's and 80's. I was into rock and progressive blues. I started back flatpicking 2 years ago. I learned a lot of scale stuff in most of the major keys. I used this as a foundation for my lead work. I started learning some fiddle tune melodies. I actually like to listen to a tune, and then add my own spin to the tune. After listening to a tune numerous times, I learn the chord progression, and then I pick out the melody. I add my own runs and play some short scale stuff over the chords. It works pretty well. If you learn from tab, you will become more of a clone player. I guess being able to play note for note like Tony Rice wouldn't be such a bad thing. I just feel that after you learn the basics, you need to learn to improvise!
Hear Gary playing "Billy in the Low Ground"
Banks of the Ohio
Bully of the Town
Archives:
Terry Barnes
Paul 'Gus' Gustafson
Gary Smith
Bryan Kimsey
David Dugas
Allen Shadd
