JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING NEW THAT COULD BE DONE WITH THE GUITAR…
IF YOU HAVEN’T HEARD THE SOUND OF THE TOUCH GUITAR PIONEERED BY MARKUS REUTER, THEN YOU HAVE FEELING THAT I HAD WHEN I SWITCHED FROM CASSETTES TO CDS. YES, YOU’RE SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, BUT WHEN THE NEW THING COMES AROUND, YOU THINK TO YOURSELF HOW WHAT YOU WERE PREVIOUSLY SATISFIED WITH SUDDENLY SOUNDS OBSOLETE.
NOT SINCE STANLEYJORDAN PERFECTED THE TAPPING STYLE OF GUITAR PLAYING HAS AN APPROACH TO THE GUITAR BEEN SUCH A GAUNTLET. REUTER, IN HIS WORK WITH STICK MEN, TU-NER, AND HIS OWN SOLO ALBUMS, HAS CREATED A TECTONIC SHIFT IN HOW THE GUITAR CAN NOT ONLY BE PLAYED, BUT HEARD.
WE HAD A CHANCE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MR. REUTER, WHO GAVE US SOME INSIGHT TO THE INSPIRATION TO, AND VISION OF HIS STYLE OF PLAYING…
YOU ARE ONE OF THE CREATORS OF THE TOUCH GUITAR. WHAT WAS YOUR ATTRACTION TO IT? WHAT CAN YOU ACCOMPLISH WITH IT THAT ‘REGULAR’ GUITARS CANNOT?
The attraction was that one is “fretting” notes with both hands, which seemed more integrated to me, even before I actually got to play like that. I was not really attracted to it because of the novelty factor. Quite the opposite, I’m still inspired by the aim to be able to play like regular guitarist. And keyboard players, and saxophonists for that matter. (laughs)
**********
“I’m still inspired by the aim to be able to play like regular guitarist. And keyboard players, and saxophonists for that matter”
***********
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO ‘MASTER’ THE PLAYING OF IT?
I have not mastered it. But I’m feeling ok with it now after 30 years of research, practice and performance.
WHAT DID THE WARR GUITAR AND CHAPMAN STICK PROVIDE THAT LED YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOUCH GUITARS?
They inspired me to research the technique. And then I realised that those instrument are not ideal for the “pure” touch technique, and that’s why I then designed the U8, the first “Touch Guitars” model
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING IN PLAYING IT AND TEACHING IT TO OTHERS?
It’s a wonderful instrument to play. It makes you become aware of your whole body, and is generally a very holistic way of experiencing vibration, movement, and music. Teaching it to others is a joy.
WAS THERE A ‘TEMPLATE’ THAT YOU HEARD THAT MADE IT YOU WANT TO CREATE THIS STYLE OF PLAYING? WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU?
No, there was no template, other than my general love for music. I was and I still am inspired by players and composers like Keith Jarrett, David Torn, Mike Oldfield, Steve Coleman, etc.
**********
“I’m still inspired by the aim to be able to play like regular guitarist. And keyboard players, and saxophonists for that matter”
***********
HAVE YOU EVER PICKED ROBERT FRIPP’S BRAIN TO COMPARE GUITAR IDEAS?
He was an important teacher for me and inspired my way of approaching the touch guitar. Robert showed me tools and principles about learning that are still resonating within me.
HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET PAT MASTELOTTO? WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL WITH YOUR FIRST FEW ALBUMS WITH THE BAND TU-NER?
The goal was to make great music, but coming from and integrating various compositional angles, that is intuitive composition, rule-based composition, and improvisation.
WHAT WAS THE GOAL WITH MASTELOTTO AND LEVIN WITH THE BAND STICK MEN?
My initial aim was to be a good enough sideman so that they can be the great musicians they are. Later in the process it was and still is about being a unit where each of us has an equal contribution.
**********
“The goal was to make great music, but coming from and integrating various compositional angles, that is intuitive composition, rule-based composition, and improvisation”
**********
AFTER TAKING IN A GIG AT THE BAKED POTATO, IT’S MIND BOGGLING TO SEE THAT ALL THREE OF YOU ARE SO IN SYNC. WHO ARE YOU LOCKING IN WITH WHEN YOU PLAY?
We’re all locking in with the pulse, the underlying beat that holds everything together.
WHEN PLAYING WITH SOMEONE LIKE GUNN OR LEVIN, HOW DO YOU NOT GET IN EACH OTHER’S WAY AND CREATE A TRAFFIC JAM?
Our styles and musical approaches are sufficiently different so that there hardly every is such a moment where it feels like we could step onto each other’s toes.
YOU DID AN ALBUM WITH MOTZER AND GROHOWSKI EARLIER THIS YEAR, PLAYING TOUCH GUITARS AND LOOPS. WHEN YOU RECORD, IS IT DONE “LIVE” OR ARE LAYERS PILED UP AND BROUGHT IN? IS THIS MUSIC ABLE TO BE REPRODUCED IN CONCERT?
The “Bleed” album was entirely improvised, live in the recording studio. Part of it, and certain vibes can indeed be reproduced in a concert setting.
YOUR ALBUMS WITH STEPHAN THELEN INCLUDED A SUMMIT MEETING OF FRACTAL GUITARS. THE MUSIC IS SO COMPLEX AND INTRICATE, HOWMUCH REHEARSING IS DONE FOR MUSIC LIKE THIS, OR IS IT JUST “JUMP ON IN”?
There are two layers to this music: There is the composed and worked out rhythm section, plus free playing on top. So you get the best of both worlds.
YOUR BLEED ALBUM ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS INSPIRED BY METALLICA. DO YOU FEEL A CONNECTION MUSICALLY MORE WITH THE ‘JAZZ TRADITION’ OR WITH THE ‘HEAVY METAL’ SOUNDS OF MODERN MUSIC?
Not exactly sure where you hear Metallica, but maybe you’re referring to the use of distorted guitar sounds. Well, I think it’s part of the overall palette, and also in modern jazz we should take advantage of the power that different sound worlds bring to the table.
********
“There is the composed and worked out rhythm section, plus free playing on top. So you get the best of both worlds”
*********
HAS THERE BEEN AN ‘ELECTRONIC’ ALBUM, LIKE BRIAN ENO’S EARLY MATERIAL, THAT SET A TEMPLATE OR INSPIRED YOU?
Yes, there are a couple. Klaus Schulze’s X comes to mind first, but also Stockhausen’s Gesang der Jünglinge as well as Brian Eno’s Shutoff Assembly.
WHAT MUSICIAN, LIVING OR DEAD, WOULD YOU PAY $1000 TO SEE AND WHY?
I would like to get paid $1000 to play. (laughs)
WHAT PERSON, LIVING OR DEAD, WOULD YOU LOVE TO MEET FOR AN EVENING AND PICK HIS BRAIN?
Joscha Bach
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE SOME HAS GIVEN YOU?
Do not go study music to become a professional musician.
*********
“Do not go study music to become a professional musician”
*********
WHAT THREE BOOKS HAVE YOU READ THAT YOU WISH EVERYONE WOULD READ, AND WHY?
Hofstadter – Gödel, Escher, Bach
Carlos Castaneda – The Fire from Within
Haruki Murakami – Killing Commendatore
You have to read the books for the “why”.
DO YOU HAVE A RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY OR TEACHING THAT MOTIVATES YOU?
Live is my philosophy.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST JOY?
Composing music
WHAT FUTURE GOALS DO YOU HAVE?
I would like to provide a safe live to those close to me.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO SAY AT YOUR MEMORIAL SERVICE?
“Yes!”
*********
“Live is my philosophy”
*********
IT’S INTERESTING THAT ONE OF MARKUS REUTER’S LARGEST INSPIRATIONS IS J.S. BACH, AS, AKIN TO THE FELLOW GERMAN BAROQUE MASTER, HE HAS CREATED AN APPROACH TO MUSIC THAT PROMISES TO INFLUENCE EVERYONE WHO HEARS IT. HIS LEGACY IS ONLY BEGINNING.