09 April,2014 09:50 AM IST | | The GUIDE Team
April 10 marks 58 years since the the iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar was patented. April is also celebrated as International Guitar Month by diehard fans. To get the riff, the guide invited four city musicians to pick their favourite guitarists
Monica Dogra
Being music partners, performing at a hundred and one gigs together, Randolph Correia is by far one guitarist I admire and respect. I have seen him perform with various bands, seen him grow and evolve as a musician and his variations are remarkable. Last year, he was working on five different albums simultaneously - that takes a whole load of energy and commitment and only someone who eats, sleeps and breathes music could do something like that. What allows Randolph to grow is his openness and flexibility with his music as well as other artistes.
He's not the kind of guitarist who will play a number and you could guess it's him. On the contrary, you'll love the music you hear and when you know its Randolph it will surprise you that a single musician can be so versatile and make amazing music with every track.
Sidd Coutto
My favourite guitar player is Randolph Correia of Pentagram/ Shaair + Func because as a songwriter/producer he thinks of the big picture but when he's performing, he just riffs on top and dances. He can play circles around some of the best guitar players in the country but he doesn't because it's not necessary. I love his riffs and his song ideas. Pentagram is one of the reasons I'm a rocker in the first place, and his genius is the foundation stone for Vishal's vocals. There is magic in playing simple rhythmic riffs, and Randolph nails it.
Vasuda Sharma
One of my favourite guitarists in India would be Dhruv Ghanekar. I have watched a lot of his live gigs and also had the pleasure to work with him on my album. He is just so flawless and versatile, and willing to experiment always. Jimmy Hendrix is one of the biggest legendary guitarists of all times. I love John Mayer too. Had a pleasure to attend one of his workshops during my studies in Berklee College of Music. It is very difficult to decide on one. Everyone has their unique style and approach and are amazing in their own way.
Vishal Dadlani
Diamond Darrell a.k.a. Dimebag Darrell, of Pantera, is my favourite guitar player, because in a metal context, he's probably the most melodic. His tight rhythmic riffing defined the Heavy Metal of the 1990s, and is still deeply influential across metal sub-genres. And, the solos he played were always contextual, yet, definitive. The man redefined Metal guitar, in my opinion.
