Fripp on Guitar Technicalities

Unsouled wrote: Admittedly I wrote that post while tired with an exhausted brain.  Let me explain. Mr. Bob Fripp has stated in interviews (which can be found on the Elephant Talk wiki) that he believes he has not inherited any "natural abilities or qualities" when it comes to playing the guitar, and that his technical skill and sustain is a result of sheer effort and commitment.  However, to say "talentless" was an obvious mistake, as "talented" has become synonymous with "skilled" and "accomplished" in modern culture. Anyways.... By "shredding," I was referring to playing as many notes as fast as possible, such as in "20 note-per-second alternative picking lines."  I wholly understand that this does not "need" to be done, nor is it "ideal," or "preferential."  I ask this question out of simple curiosity, as it is one of the only things I haven't seen him do. ....I am, if anything, a complete Fripp/KCrimson nut.  Fripp's development and work with NST and soundscapes, guitar craft, simply what he does and how he does it, are astounding.  It appears I've led some to the misconception that if he can't shred, I don't recognize this.  This is not the case.  I'll get around to rewording the first post in order to make this more clear....

Hmmm, how fast is it possible to play as many notes?

Edited by Slartibartfast - May 03 2008 at 16:26

I remember seeing an absolutely mindblowing solo on youtube several months ago where Fripp was playing some of the fastest, most complex guitar work I've ever seen and half the time he wasn't even bothering to look at the fretboard.  Unfortunately, it appears that it has been removed from YouTube.  

Apparently OP has never heard Fripp's guitar work  on Cirkus or LTIA 1.  Pure shredding those are,

Unsouled wrote: 3 seconds

Thanks, that completely clears things up.

rileydog22 wrote: And re: the original post, I think the reason Fripp doesn't "shred," per se, is because he's opposed to it.  Shredding tends to be sterile, emotionless playing in which guitarists add more notes because, well, they can.  Fripp is far more interested in expression than technique.

Why would you want to hear 20-note-per-second alternative picking lines, anyway? Go listen to Liquid Tension Experiment or Cacophony if that is what you want.

Unsouled wrote: jammun: rileydog22 is correct, there is no shredding in those pieces.  The guitar lines are quick, though.

Sigh.

No, I do not think that shredding = good guitar playing as the end all, be all.  Why does asking whether or not anyone has seen Bobby shred spark so much hostility?

I am not questioning his skill (musical or technical), or trying to downplay any of his accomplishments.  Let me quote myself:
"....I am, if anything, a complete Fripp/KCrimson nut.  Fripp's development and work with NST and soundscapes, guitar craft, simply what he does and how he does it, are astounding.  It appears I've led some to the misconception that if he can't shred, I don't recognize this."

I am simply wondering if he HAS, and I have very little doubt he is able to, given what he's done already.

How can I make this clearer?  Fripp has inspired me more than any other individual in music.  I am not judging him in any sort of way by asking if he can shred.  All I want to know is if anyone has seen him do it, and that question has already been answered in this thread.  At this point I feel like I have to defend myself because of misinterpretations (and my lack of clarity has obviously been a reason for them).  There is no criticism here, simply curiosity.

Edit: Edited the first post.


Edited by Unsouled - May 04 2008 at 15:58

Do i sound too serious? because i don't intend to. meh, i have more important things to worry about than this, i just felt like having a go because this guy called Fripp untalented.

"Talent" refers "natural abilities or qualities," and Fripp believes he has none of these when it comes to guitar playing.  However, "talented" has become synonymous with "skilled" and "accomplished," so my wording was a mistake.