Jason Becker, an American guitarist, was born on July 22, 1969. He is a neo-classical guitarist and a composer. Those of us who dont know what neo-classical metal is all about i would like to define it in a shorter and a broader way. This genre has its influences from western classical music characterized by people like Paganini, Vivaldi, Bach, mozart etc. Yngwie malmsteen (swedish guitar player) is considered to be the pioneer in neo-classical metal. People like vinnie moore, rhandy roads have also tread this path.
Becker had picked up guitar so nicely that at the age of 16 he had formed a band called "Cacophony" with Marty Friedman(another great guitar player). Becker had studied the works of italian violinist Paganini and hence was influenced by it. His compositions include intense use of scales, arpegios (characteristic of neo-classical metal). His display of high speed alternate picking and sweep picking is a characteristic of his playing. His characteristic classical shred style playing is a treat to watch.
After working with Cacophony he had left the band to pursue a solo career and came out with his first solo album-"The Perpetual Burn". At the age of 20 he joined hands with David lee roth but soon he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(Lou Gehrig's Disease) which hampered his activity and had weakened his hands, legs etc. To compensate he started taking help of techniques which could help him play guitar easily and finally completed one more album but dint join any tour cuz he couldnt stand. To keep up his love for music and inability to play guitar he continued using keyboard but that dint last too long.
This disease had crippled his body but it did not hamper his mind. He still uses computer aided techniques to compose music. Some of the albums to his name include "The Raspberry Jams", "The Blackberry jams", "Perspective" and ofcourse "The Perpetual Burn". Several great guitarists like Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Rusty Coolie etc have paid tribute to this great guitar player by featuring in the albums "Warmth in Wilderness I and II".
So much he had achieved at a very young age shows how great he is. Although, the disease has done a great harm to him but his love for music even after so much happening shows he truly is a "Great Musician" and no less than "God".
Official website: http://www.jasonbecker.com/
To know more about him: Wikipedia.com
Take a look at his video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYauTCAbvh8
Becker had picked up guitar so nicely that at the age of 16 he had formed a band called "Cacophony" with Marty Friedman(another great guitar player). Becker had studied the works of italian violinist Paganini and hence was influenced by it. His compositions include intense use of scales, arpegios (characteristic of neo-classical metal). His display of high speed alternate picking and sweep picking is a characteristic of his playing. His characteristic classical shred style playing is a treat to watch.
After working with Cacophony he had left the band to pursue a solo career and came out with his first solo album-"The Perpetual Burn". At the age of 20 he joined hands with David lee roth but soon he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(Lou Gehrig's Disease) which hampered his activity and had weakened his hands, legs etc. To compensate he started taking help of techniques which could help him play guitar easily and finally completed one more album but dint join any tour cuz he couldnt stand. To keep up his love for music and inability to play guitar he continued using keyboard but that dint last too long.
This disease had crippled his body but it did not hamper his mind. He still uses computer aided techniques to compose music. Some of the albums to his name include "The Raspberry Jams", "The Blackberry jams", "Perspective" and ofcourse "The Perpetual Burn". Several great guitarists like Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Rusty Coolie etc have paid tribute to this great guitar player by featuring in the albums "Warmth in Wilderness I and II".
So much he had achieved at a very young age shows how great he is. Although, the disease has done a great harm to him but his love for music even after so much happening shows he truly is a "Great Musician" and no less than "God".
Official website: http://www.jasonbecker.com/
To know more about him: Wikipedia.com
Take a look at his video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYauTCAbvh8
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