Interview: Frank Gambale – I Heart Guitar

Frank Gambale’s contribution to guitar is immeasurable. His pioneering development and use of sweep picking changed the way lead guitarists approached the instrument, and his instructional material – even the stuff that came out decades ago – is still studied by guitarists to this day. 

But Frank Gambale is about much more than technique. His melodic choices. His sense of storytelling and drama within a solo. The musical environments he explores. That is to say, Frank Gambale’s music is compelling whether you’re a guitarist or not, and whether you’re a musician or not. 

Frank is performing a residency at Melbourne’s iconic Bird’s Basement, as well as teaching a masterclass there on Sunday September 22.

All the info you need is here: https://birdsbasement.com

I caught up with Frank via email for a little chat about it.

Is there a specific plan for each of the shows, or is it more of a ‘let the magic happen on the night’ situation? 

I draw from my vast number of compositions from my albums. The melodies are all written and in the true jazz tradition there’s plenty of space for improvisation and the spirit of spontaneity with the high level musicians interacting.

You’re bringing Dave Weckl with you: what’s it like playing with that guy? He’s such a great player that I imagine he still surprises you?

I played with Dave for 36 years off and on with Chick Corea Elektric Band so yes we have a long history. Dave is a phenomenal drummer. I describe him like a being on a magic carpet ride. I’m really looking forward to playing with him again. This is first time since Chick passed on to the heavens so it’s a special event. Dave was on a few of my albums – Noteworker and Thinking Out Loud so I have chosen to play a few of the tunes from those albums.

We last spoke probably a decade ago and I was wondering how you feel your playing has changed in that time. Are there things you find yourself particularly drawn to today verses ten years ago? 

I feel more comfortable than ever in my own skin and I think it reflects in my playing. I’m on Earth to deliver guitar playing and music to the best of my abilities and without compromise of any kind. I really don’t think ever about what anyone else thinks, that’s a blessing…I’m serving the art, nothing else.

What guitars are you bringing with you?

I have four diverse instruments with me because I like to present all of my different styles of guitar playing in the show. I find that it doesn’t happen often in jazz presentations, most play the same instrument throughout the show which is fine.

For me I enjoy all the different tonal and harmonic possibilities of the various guitars. I have my signature Kiesel FG-1 electric guitar, I have my Ibanez George Benson GB-10 jazz guitar with flat wound strings for the authentic jazz tone, I have my signature Cort Luxe acoustic guitar and my custom made Kiesel double-neck guitar which allows me to incorporate my Gambale Tuning. I invented the Gambale Tuning back in 2003 and it allows me to voice close intervals like a piano keyboard on the guitar, chords that are simply impossible with standard tuning. It only took me 40 years to come up with it. Guitar players everywhere are starting to catch on to it.

I really love the yellow Kiesel you did which was more in the spirit of your old Ibanez models. How does the Kiesel differ, and how is it similar?

You mean my signature Kiesel FG-2. It’s basically a Strat but much more refined. It’s a great. I didn’t bring that guitar this time. I have a new pale yellow FG1 that is my favourite guitar right now, it’s flawless and light and for me to get into the “zone” when I play, I must have NO distraction from the instrument. This instrument allows me to truly play freely.

Do you own any guitars that would really surprise us to find out you have?

I enjoy playing bass on some of my recordings. Cort sent me a semi-hollow fretless bass that I used on the recent release of a song called “Pine Mountain”. It’s an incredible instrument. Other than that 98% of the guitars I own are my signature guitars past and present from Ibanez to Yamaha to currently Kiesel ( formerly Carvin ) and Cort. No surprises… 

What were your early bands like? My aunty Barbi knew you around town in Canberra and said you were real good even as a teenager.

I had a good head start at 7 years old starting out with two keen older brothers who were playing guitar also and turning me on to music that only older kids were listening to. My Canberra days seem like such a distant past that I just remember it with a misty fondness. I left when I was 22 and then I was in L.A. for 40 years…and now the last four on the Costa Brava in Spain…I do appreciate hearing Barbi’s thoughts…I’ve been truly blessed but I have also worked my arse off and been a true devotee unwaveringly to music, guitar and the art.