Courtesy of MasterClassCarlos Santana is the latest celebrity to share his expertise by hosting a tutorial on the MasterClass website.
In his class, called “Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar,” the 71-year-old rock legend discusses his spiritual approach to playing his instrument, how he helped create some of his band’s classic songs and much more.
Carlos tells ABC Radio that the main goal of his MasterClass feature is to explain to aspiring musicians “how to get inside the note…how to make notes be gravity-free and outside of time.”
Santana maintains that many musicians are too concerned about technical aspects of the guitar, and should focus more on channeling their emotions into the instrument.
“I demonstrate and present how important it is to not be trapped with how many pedals you use on the floor,” he explains. “Unplug from there and go straight to the amplifier and make your…whole physical body…create the sound with your fingers that gives people chills, make[s] people cry and laugh at the same time.”
Among the Santana songs that Carlos demonstrates and discusses in the tutorial are “Oye Como Va,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Smooth” and “Maria, Maria.”
Carlos also name checks other artists who he feels approached music in a similar way, include Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, John Lennon, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye.
“They’re not the flavor of the second. They stay here for ever,” Santana says. “[T]he reason that all of them are here still, and relevant, is because the music that they created…[is] able to penetrate people’s hearts.”
A single MasterClass costs $90, while a $180 annual payment will give you access to all available tutorials. Carlos’ class features 16 lessons and a workbook. Visit MasterClass.com/cs for more information.
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