In this feature, we present the brilliant Iranian acoustic guitarist, Ardeshir Farah. Ardeshir has recorded no less than 21 albums as a co-composer and guitarist in the acoustic duo Strunz & Farah, alongside the equally fantastic Jorge Strunz, an acoustic master from Costa Rica. Strunz & Farah were nominated for a Grammy and blend together Latin, jazz-fusion and Middle Eastern sounds to create their influential style of magic.
In this video, Ardeshir demonstrates six of his favourite examples at both fast and slower tempos and we have provided full tab for you to learn from. Closely watching Ardeshir play will help to unlock his amazing musicality. The phrases in the six examples are tasteful and well-chosen and come from a mixture of scale ideas and patterns.
There is also some vibrant flamenco style rhythm included for good measure. All of the examples are played with the and Ardeshir prefers to pick as many of the notes as possible. This makes for a solid articulation and rhythmic delivery.
Ardeshir employs the fingers of his picking hand to provide extra facility for the fast rasqueado-style strumming flourishes shown in example five. The main influences at play here are Spanish flamenco guitar and also the sounds and harmony of the Middle East. Scales like the fifth mode of the harmonic minor, the Phrygian dominant (R-b2-3-4-5-b6-b7) summon that area’s evocative flavour.
While the picking hand fingers are most usually used when playing fast flamenco runs, Ardeshir favo.