NAMM 2011: It was billed as a 'duel,' the pairing of Dream Theater's keyboard magician and guitar session ace Rob Math at the Agile Partners' booth. But the two musicians - Rudess utilizing a new Korg Kronos Workstation and demonstrating the seemingly limitless wonders of his own creation, the MorphWiz; and Math rocking out on guitar through the AmpKit and the AmpKit Link - found common ground quickly.
In reality, the 30-minute iPad session was more of a friendly jam than an app can-you-top-this? shootout. The crowd lapped it up, too, mesmerized by the otherworldly sounds Rudess coaxed from the MorphWiz and dazzled by Math's inventive guitar prowess.
MusicRadar gives you a front-row seat for what is already being talked about as one of NAMM 2011's most exciting and groundbreaking musical experiences.
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Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.
“I think we're about to have a big resurgence now in kids picking up guitars, and I think we've got the Gallagher brothers to thank for it”: Should we be hopeful about the future of guitar music?
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