https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/pro-picker-case-study-guitar-with-kenny-smith-guitar-advanced
I call Kenny Smith the King of Smooth…he’s also the King of Tone, and King of Mechanics. He has many geetar kingdoms, and he’s gonna give us a tour in this Pro Picker Case Study! Kenny is a 2-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, and influential guitarist with the Lonesome River Band, and now half of the wonderful duo with his beautiful wife, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band!
King of smooth: good call. He seems so effortless! One figures he had to push his boundaries to get where he is in playing, but he always seems so effortless and smooth.
My favorite thing is how Kenny’s personality seems to come out in his playing. Chill, joyful, without a sense of worry. To the point where on the rare occasion you ever hear a bum note, it’s like you can hear his guitar playing go “meh, anyway…”
Ben, this is your best pro picker video ever and you’ve done some great ones!!
I had the privilege to ask Kenny about his “economy of motion” picking style at Cabin Camp last October. He gave a great explanation as he did in this video and I’ve been trying to apply the method for the last 6 months. It’s a fine point but can really add to your playing.
What a great lesson! I have to admit, when I sat with Kenny at Cabin Camp the arpeggio lesson went over my head because I didn’t have the theory foundation. Now that I’ve had those lessons, the arpeggio theory makes perfect sense. It was great to be able to dive deep in this lesson.
Thanks for the video Ben!
You should see if Andy Leftwich would be willing to teach mandolin or fiddle for a pro picker case study. And thank you so much for posting this video with the king of smooth. He is good friends with Jim Britton
Andy Leftwich is good friends with Jim Britton
Yep, I know Andy pretty well. He actually produced a gospel album I recorded about a decade ago! Great guy, top notch player.