Mick Raubenheimer
TONY COX turned me on to the mysterious wealth of local jazz. True story. I was a young sprite all up into Miles Davis and Eric Dolphy, Blood Ulmer, Frank Zappa and Aphex Twin, and I had no idea about this southern tip.
Cox’s Looking For Zim was misplaced somewhere in the serious jazz section along with John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk. The songs were so dusty and fat as funk (Paul Hanmer’s solo on one track is still my very favourite pianistic glow ever) they blew across my mind before I could apprehend the innately African vibe. I was too blown away.
Subsequently I discovered Tony Cox to be one of the most influential acoustic guitarists in the southern hemisphere of our blessed continent. Perhaps only Steve Newman has inspired more people to pick up the guitar.
Tony Cox’ playing is technically daunting, but simultaneously warm. It confluxes you even as it draws you in.
This weekend on Saturday and Sunday Cox is giving a weekend crash course in fingerstyle guitar playing for both beginners and beyond. So, if you’re a plectrum player and have always wanted to unlock the secrets of just how to use your fingers then get the low-down from this master player.
Learning to use your right hand fingers (or left, if you’re left handed) allows you to play melody, bass, rhythm and percussion at the same time. This introduction to fingerstyle will give you a solid grounding to develop your playing further.
The man with the glowing silver mane sheds some light on why you and your mommy and grandpa should climb into the woods of fingerstyle.
“ Guitar in the Woods is a series of workshops I give throughout the year, taking in-depth looks at different aspects of acoustic guitar playing. The first series was about the blues and the upcoming workshops are aimed at beginners who want to get a handle on the art of fingerstyle playing.
“The venue I use, a wooden cabin at Soil for Life, has dense vegetation around it and many big trees and so the name came about. It’s the perfect environment for teaching and learning the guitar. Many friendships have been forged here.”
The idea is that one enters a gorgeous, foresty space of gentle intimacy, and then have a legend of guitar patiently teach you how to employ the generosity of fingers bestowed upon you. As opposed to sitting in some dank, pale office, using only your forefinger to navigate the mouse. Cox adds, “I started playing fingerstyle as a child and at that time I did not know of the existence of a plectrum. When I did see one in use I marvelled that the dude would choose to use a single point for picking when he had four at his disposal. Don’t get me wrong, there are great plectrum players out there, but as soloists they need a band or as most are doing today, a loop pedal. Fingerstyle gives you the ability to have a mini-orchestra at your fingertips, playing multiple lines all seemingly at the same time. It truly is an awesome way to play the guitar.”
Tony Cox has walked the long road from Zimbabwe to bring us his multifarious, many-fingered gifts. Here are his passing words: “I realised that there were many people out there who are super-keen to learn the guitar, but for financial reasons cannot commit to regular lessons.”
“So the workshops for a once-off fee will give a student a big injection of guitar learning without having to pay over a long term.”
“It’s great fun and many students make new friends and begin jamming together... it’s guitar, good food, amazing environment and great people... a no-brainer really, nonetheless, your brain should be present.”
The workshops are at Soil for Life at Brounger Road in Constantia. On Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 1pm. Go, friendly people – find the languages at your fingertips.
Cox has won SAMAS (South African Music Awards) for Best Instrumental Album three times. His music incorporates many different styles including classical, blues, rock and jazz, while keeping an African flavour.
His discography includes 101 Ways to use an acoustic guitar(1983) with Steve Newman, Cool friction(1996), China(2003), The Summer Comes My loves(2011), Matabele ants(2001), The Aquarian Quartet – Live(2002) and Padkos(2014).
l Book: www.tonycoxguitar lessons.co.za/workshops.html, e-mail guitarplayer@ netactive.co.za