THIS WEEK’S MUSE
CHET ATKINS
“Once you become predictable, no one’s interested anymore.”
Chet Atkins, known as “Mr. Guitar,” was an American musician who helped create the Nashville sound, the country music style which expanded its appeal to adult pop music fans particularly in the United States in the 1950s and ‘60s, and inspired just about every guitarist that followed.
Born in 1924, Atkins lived in Luttrell, a small town a few miles to the north of Knoxville, then later with his father in Fortson, Georgia. His obsession with the guitar began early. It’s said when listening to people playing he would put his ear so close to the instrument it was difficult for them to play. When he was very young, he told his dad, “When I grow up, I want to be a musician.” His dad replied, “You can’t do both, Son.”
Due to a severe asthma condition, he was forced to sleep in a straight-back chair to breathe comfortably. On those occasions he would play his guitar until he fell asleep with it in his arms. It was a habit that lasted his whole life.
His styles were eclectic, and he was fluent in many styles of guitar playing alongside country – including jazz, classical, and flamenco. Many of his recordings—particularly those of the artists he worked with in Nashville like Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers—laid clear foundations for later rock and roll.
Atkins’ unique sound was characterized by his development of the ‘Travis picking’ – a fingerpicking technique that enabled a bass rhythm and top melody to be played simultaneously. Simply put, the thumb played the bass note patterns on the lower strings while the other fingers played syncopated rhythms and melodies on the higher strings.
“Everyone has their own sound, and if you’re heard enough, folks will come to recognize it. Style, however, is a different thing. Try to express your own ideas. It’s much more difficult to do, but the rewards are there if you’re good enough to pull it off.”
Another stylistic element of Atkins’ playing was his extensive use of double stops –playing two notes simultaneously. Add into the mix the work of the other hand and some occasional singing; it’s possible to see how Atkins set himself apart from his contemporaries.
After a career that produced over 50 studio albums and a mountain of collaborations and performances, he died in 2001, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, at age 77. He remains one of the most celebrated and influential guitarists of the 20th century.
“Approach your guitar intelligently, and if there are limits, don’t deny them. Work within your restrictions. Some things you can do better than others, some things you can’t do as well. So accentuate the positive.”
HAPPENING
Monday, August 15, from 6–8pm
Julia Child’s Birthday Dinner
With Chef Joe Cizynski
Escargots a la Bourguignonne!
$65 – Member, $75 – Non-Member