Added: 5 years ago
From: vickigenfan
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  • It's not about the gender, it's about the playing. If someone had cued up this performance, stuck headphones on me, not let me see the screen, and hit play, I would have been just as blown away as I was when I heard it KNOWING who was playing. I cannot tell from the playing whether it's a man or woman holding the guitar, nor should it even be a question. The skill and passion is phenomenal. PERIOD.

  • Talented yes... it would drive me nuts to have to listen to a cd of this stuff though. Check out a guy named billy mclaughlin. He has the raw talent like this too but shapes it into something worth listening too. Nothing to do with the fact that shes a woman. In fact that is awesome. Just not someone Id listen to.

  • AMAZING !

  • how could someone dislike this?!?!

  • I dig I dig !!

  • Phenomenal!

  • Wow, just came across your work. More people have to know you. You are amazing and make beautiful music. Keep making this world a better place with what you do!!! Thank you for sharing your gift.

  • Extraordinary. Now I have a guitar triumvirate to follow in the acoustic dominion: Emmanuel, Genfan, and McKee! . Oh, maybe a ruling star chamber if you add Al di Meola, Paco de Lucia, and John McLaughlin...

    Thanks for the inspiration Vicki!! ...from a mere, humble guitar hack who used to be a pretty good keyboardist back in the early years...

  • Awesome work, Vicki!

  • Very inspiring (I'm a guitarist).

    Rock on.

  • "Can we all just get along?"

  • Guitar World was smart putting you in their "10 Female Guitarists You Should Know" piece. Your playing is truly fucking awesome. In less than 3 minutes, I'm a fan. Rock on.

  • 0_0

  • that is simply aweome what she does wit hthe guitar! She should be next to john butler.

  • Awesome!!

    

  • Great stuff Vicki! 

  • wow and amazing ,,,thankyou ,,,,yes i saw you on trufire and yes im going to get it,,you are a guitar goddess and you have my respect ,,yes i really dig your soul and aura about you ,, peace and light and look forward ....fun

  • spectacular control and amazing sound! well done, you rock sister!! from a blown-away med student in australia

  • I love this. This makes my day every time i listen to it. I haven't listen to it since last year rediscovered it this morning

  • Nice. Although I would call you a clone of Andy McKee......

  • @qommoq Are you listening to what I'm listening to? Because the music is nothing like McKee's... McKee isn't the only person to use the tapping and percussive stuff on guitar, and he definitely wasn't the first. Just because he's the only person you know of who uses advanced acoustic technique doesn't mean you should accuse any one else of copying him. Using the same technique as someone doesn't mean you're a "clone" of them, listen to the music instead of watching for the technique used.

  • @BrighamHB You must be stupid or deaf. What she is playing here sounds almost identical to McKee.

    Stop talking crap and get your ears tested.

    Music is not a field where you can decide "oh Im going to be a musician" and just do whatever someone else has already done. Credit is due to the originators.

    This is not original.

  • @qommoq I'm sorry, I don't appreciate being called stupid or deaf... Andy's one of my favourite artists, I follow a ton of musicians in this style. I'll admit the technical style is very similar but the music itself isn't really. I mean, it sounds similar in the sense that it's a solo acoustic guitar, beyond that I really don't hear it. I'm not sure why you're so angry over it, I'm not insulting either guitarist. But if you can show me a McKee song that sounds like this I'd be glad to hear it.

  • i keep coming back to this tune and it exhilarates me!

    

  • GORGEOUS!

  • THIS IS FANTASTIC!!!! i cant stop shaking my head...

  • Great Song Vicki, The fifth fret left hand mute towards the end of the song reminds me of MIchael Hedges on Ragamufin, are you a fan?

  • Dear Vicki - AWESOME!!! I am definitely now an official fan (thanks to Acoustic Guitar magazine). I am completely blown away by your technique and musicality. Let the trolls and wannabes dis you, but let them roll off like water off a duck's back. I have played guitar for over forty years now, and I think I can recognize a great guitar player when I see/hear one - you are DEFINITELY one! I will spread the word about you, and buy your music - so when are ya comin' to Memphis...?!

  • my dear god! this goes in favourites!

  • Just wanted to say, you're a Goddess in my book. I'm 15 and have been playing for five of those years and your the greatest inspiration I've ever seen, thank you miss Genfan, keep spreading the groovey man. Peace & Love.

  • I know there are some here who have a big hangup about any music lacking 'traditional' chord changes and other familiar little 'niceties' they're used to hearing when they listen to their 'ol favorites on the iPod. I listen to ragas a lot, and other 'world' music, as well as the stuff closer to home (Classical, Rock n Roll, Jazz, etc). I am also a very serious (insert Beethovenian frown here) musician/composer. And I personally think what you do here is very, very good. I personally dig it.

  • love this composition and your style. I'm pretty cheap about buying MP3s, but buying yours was a no-brainer and I really enjoy them

  • Amazing player :)

  • nuff said

  • Where did the sound go?

  • @wehaveasituation, shutup buddy your a tool, this is a lady with

    true talent dont start giving her shit you asshole

  • nice but is less guitar that anyone would expect

    is more whatever

  • A forty-something man-chick entering a "guitar contest" for pimply teenagers is weird enough. But to endure the tedious noodling in a an open key for more than twenty seconds is too much.

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  • @wehaveasituation You can "noodle" on a drum for an hour without any harmony or melody - what's wrong with that?

    LOL What else "forty-something" cannot do? It's good to be younger... :DDD

  • @janklosowski

    Like they say "Youth is wasted on the young".

  • @wehaveasituation

    its not noodling. ive had the honor to see vicki live this is not noodling. it took her years to write this and its amazing. i also dont understand y you have "guitar contest" in quotes. she won a contest of guitar playing this song. no need to attempt your failed sarcasm. this is why she is playing everywhere and making a name for herself and you are just sitting on your computer jerking off

  • Wonderful playing, total feeling and musicality. Thank you.

  • Wow, I'm not judging your music differently or anything because you are a woman, but I must say I have never seen a woman play as well as you. Unmistakably original, and I love me some baritone acoustic guitar! : )

  • I don't even want to play anymore!!! SICK!!!

  • I just got to see her in at a very small show in Susanville. There were barely 100 people there and it was only 10 bucks. Best show ive seen in a while

  • I love this so much. I can't believe I had to come to youtube to find out about Vicki, but i'm thankful I did. This obviously comes from deep in the heart. Thanks!

  • Right on !

  • Wow. This is like Michael Hedges with a hint of Tuck Andress in there at some places!

  • I'm sorry i missed the show in Santa Rosa CA. Saw an article on her in guitar player. Very cool. She even place the slide....must be an open tuning. You go girl.

  • great

  • Truefire sent me a educational video email.

    thought I'd see what she was about,

    looks easy, huh?

  • god, she's like Don Ross... except she's a chick. and better. and a little bit more attractive.

  • LOL

  • Ive never seen a woman play the guitar this well. I'm not being sexist its just a fact

  • WOW AMAZING

  • beautiful chaos, i love this style i hope to accomplish what is being played here some day.

  • NO! I missed the 50k views point! I was gonna get a picture!

  • very talented lady.

  • she is too good at her instrument.

  • She makes this look so easy!

    WOW! Awesome........

  • brings new meaning to the term "bitch slap"

  • She's alright for a girl.......just kidding, she's Smoking!! and it goes to show different types of tuning can make the guitar sound like a whole different instrument, nice work.

  • Wow! i love hearing the guitar playing all percussiony

  • nice accompaniement.

  • It's terribly easy to stand on the sidelines and criticise.

    It's a bit shallow to evaluate her work differently cos she's female.

    This is nicely done, and shows great talent. Rock on Vicki

    Regards

    Mick

    Mike Thomas' friend from ireland.

  • I guarantee that none of you critics can even tune a guitar,let alone play as well as this lady.

    I wish I was as good.

  • who gives a fuck? music aint a pissing contest. its about the MUSIC, not the style or how many other people can play it

  • As far as the negative critiques in her performance she does have some things that someone like say Eric Johnson or Jeff Beck might have gone the extra mile to smooth out. However, some of the best music around is full of happy little accidents and such. It all boils down to how good it makes you feel. But if someone says she is the greatest ever, smack em down hard. I do feel like I should add more positivity in my comment about her song cuz she is amazing. So GO VICKI!!! SLAY ONWARD!!

  • I like it, but it sounds a lot like Michael Hedges in Aerial Boundaries, but at a completely different level.

  • she is good but don't get me wrong she slap more like a bass player.

  • I was there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I agree with you in a sense jcc2x. It is a very cool technique. But I always felt music should have melody, not just accompaniment. She's very talented and it sounds awsome but where's the song. Song without melody leaves me cold.

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  • this chick can ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I have a sneaky feeling that most critics are guys jealous that a women can do something they can't even dream of...i have no intention of being chauvinistic, just stating an opinion. I just reckon that a lot of men watching this feel as though they are being raped of their masculinity because Vicki rocks better than them, wait, way way way better than them!!!

    This tune is awesome by the way, who cares if its nothing new by way of technique, its construction is unique...and immense!!

  • Everyone online posts hypercritical comments with a know-it-all attitude like you, like me! Plus, men are dicks about everything except beer. Actually, I'd rather be in Utah than have to drink Miller High Life.

  • Couldn't agree more!

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  • I play and teach for a living, have for a very long time.

    This gal is GOOD. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Is she as good as X or Y? Who cares?

    Is she new? Who cares? SRV sure wasn't new, and I dig his work.

    Great groove, very musical, and some damn fine playing, period.

  • wow

  • I just saw Vicki last night (1/19/08) in Long Beach. Staggering performance. Virtuosic and yet still musical and entertaining. She's great.

  • I'm excited that a member from our Jeff Beck Appreciation Society turned us on to this link of Vicki Genfan...She is indeed special,as is Kaki King...and Erik Mongrain...Just to let you know,I've seen Tommy Emmanuel many times here in Newport News and he's most definitely an incredible picker...Everyone brings something to the musical table...Now we can all groove on Vicki's unique style...

  • I've jut been reading the text comments on this while listening to it and...

    I'm astonished at just how opinionated some of you are. You're like children, grow up.

    I've never seen this lady before and this is an astonishing showpiece of her tallents.

    So what if she didn't invent every technique from scratch, no one creates in a vucuum. NOT ONE of you who have commented could get even close to this level of musicianship. You're not qualified to speculate.

    So don't!

  • I almost wish they would discontinue the ability to leave comments. Instead of there being an ability for people to express praise or share a common love for music, these comments bring out the virtual hecklers. It's sad, really.

    What is not sad, though, is that YouTube makes it possible to learn of great musicians like Vicki Genfan!!

  • Naw, this is just goodness. Don't bring up skill or ability. She's making something purely good, and that's that.

  • have no need to impress. just sharing my music. either you dig it - or you don't. happy new year!!

  • I dig. I have to say this though, you're definetly the best at what you do. Do you ever come through Nacogdoches, TX?

  • @mcrog006xx - Upload a Video of yourself Masturbating your midget sized poxridden dick. Stroke it in standard tuning for us all penishead. Impress us gayarse !

  • all you idiots posting negative comments probably should get over the fact that she is a woman and then take another listen :)

    ...i cannot even begin to comprehend what she is doing. i love it, though.

  • The tools that criticize her need to put their own videos of them playing better and more originally up before they dis someone who's actually creating something.

  • Vicki is very good.

    Now go watch Tommy Emmanuel.

  • Very nice. Although monte montogomery also play acoustic but he's a monster compared to her or mckee

  • freaking awesome

  • Yeha she gives a mini conzert in my hometown ^^ luckyyyyy

  • I'll buy that CD.

  • I dig it. Has a very blues/folk feel, and I could see how this would win a guitar playing competition.

  • Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Don Ross, Stephen Bennett, Andy McKee & Michael Manring (on bass) have done this thing much better & much earlier. So Vicki Genfan needs to be evaluated/appreciated for her musical content (a little flash & undercooked if u ask me) & not for sheer novelty. She's IMO a little distance away from the class of these guys. If we put her on a pedestal right now, she'll have no incentive to go to the next level.

  • Vicki you rock!!

    xoxo

    -Jules

  • Andy McKee surpasses her at this style. Although in addition to her guitar playing she possesses a fine singing voice.

  • I watched an Andy McKee video. The styles are similar but I think clearly unique. Personally, I prefer Ms. Genfan.

  • True everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'm still impressed by her ability, and my oppinion is she could probably play just about anything she wanted to, but chooses to play in a way that intrigues and interests her. Sorry if i was a little to harsh excathead, rock on and cheers...

  • Vicki, you are fantastic PERIOD! I have been playing for 35 years and I can honestly say you blew my mind. Phenomenal technique,tone and grace. Everyone's a critic, myself included except I give you 5 stars! By the way I'm a man, I think we have a lot of guys commenting negatively because their balls shrank up into their bodies after seeing you play! Guys check out April Lawton the first woman to more than hold her own in the boys club. Congrats on winning GP's contest Vicki!

  • wow, this is hella pretty. almost fantasy like. I love the harmonics(are they harmonics).

  • Besides, even if she was influenced by Hedges, i'd like to see you play half as well as either of them... TO Anyone who is knocking Vicki's playing (excathead & wehaveasituation), post your own video and let me check it out so we can all see how original and phenomenal a player you are.... When are you guys going to be playing for Satriani and Steve Vai and have them praise you?.. Oh that's right you're not..

  • Wow some of these comments are a riot. I've been playing for a long time and think you rock Vicki. Most of these bozos who talk trash can only wish to play as well as you do. If this isn't a style they like that's one thing, but the dexterity and focus it takes to play like this is a true acheivment in and of itself. YOu rock Vicki, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. SOunds like a couple of cry babies just wanted someone to tear down. Congrats on GPM award. Keep up the great playing!

  • you are amazing. I wish i could play like that. the passion, the joy, its intriguing. I wish you luck with everything you do. Rock on!!

  • Awesome. Congrats Vicki.

  • You got better?

  • Just a note: I never knew of or heard Hedges until long after I was playing this way. Came to it on my own. VG

  • Congratulations on the GP magazine win. I hadn't heard you play before and I wish you well.

  • Vicki, you are fantastic PERIOD! I have been playing for 35 years and I can honestly say you blew my mind. Phenomenal technique, tone and grace. Everyone's a critic, myself included except I give you 5 stars! By the way I'm a man, I think we have a lot of guys commenting negatively because their balls shrank up into their bodies after seeing you play! Guys check out April Lawton the first woman to more than hold her own in the boys club. Congrats on winning GP's contest Vicki!!

  • You don't have to explain yourself. You are amazing. These tight asses need to get off there wallet and buy your cd. They have no Idea how good you sing as well as play and what an amazing show you put on. Your show appeals to everyone from the guitar geek to the casual listener. WTF people Vicki is the Guitar superstar for 2008. You know what opinions are like?

  • Yes - Hedges, and I'd add Kaki King to the list. And I agree with you about the lack of harmonic movement and lack of melody. I'm impressed by the technique but that's all I hear, technique. No songs, none of the emotional content someone like John Fahey created with a lot less technique. I can't imagine listening to an entire CD of this kind of stuff;it's like a stunt pilot who never takes you anywhere.

  • dude, do you know what music is? it is expression. it is something that nobody else can tell you how or what to make it. thats the beauty of it. just like how people criticized Igor Stravinsky. they were all just jealous. no one should have the right to criticize peoples' expression like that. you think music is melody. music is expression kid.

  • Hey man, I'm just throwing my opinion out there like anyone else. I don't need anyone to agree with me, just my two cents. I admire this woman's technique but I'm certainly not jealous or wish I could play like that, I do my own thing, she does hers, but there's certainly room for opinion and discussion and criticism. It's the basis of a democratic society. I didn't call her names or call anyone else on here an a-hole, did I? I'm not a kid either, I'm an 50 year old punk rocker.cheers.

  • Genfens one of best players in this style with her own take on it which is more than I can say for many folks doing this stuff. Dissing her because she didn't invent the style is like dissing Bob Dylan because he wasn't the first singer songwriter.

    Actually Genfan is a far more versatile guitarist than most players in this style and plays hot electric R and B and blues guitar and sings like a horny angel.

    Lacking "emotional content." God, what a cheesy cliche. Gets my emotions pumping.

  • The piece doesnt elicit an emotional response from you--doesn't mean it lacks emotional content because it gets my heart racing. Do you judge music on how many chord changes it has? If so, you must find all Indian ragas lacking because they're entirely modal. The power here is the rhythmic content.

    The piece isn't about anything--you like it or not. You don't & that's fine but dissing it on arbitrary grounds like how many changes it does or doesn't have is beside the point.

  • Fair enough - I don't hear what you hear. Nothing wrong with one key, either. gimme a youtube of her playing r&b and singing, if you got one. At least you didn't accuse me of not liking her cuz she's female! My initial response might have been over the top, but I get worked up when someone (not you) tells me I have no right to criticize someone's playing. cheers

  • hmmm.... I wouldn't say that....

  • I grew up around musicians. World class, jazz and rock musicians. I knew Hiram Bullock from when I was 10. Mark Egan... tons of bass players... horn players... I've never seen any of them be such haters...

    Vicki does her thing. And I appreciate it. I also know her to be able to play the sh%t out of whatever else you want her to play, if you a lucky enough to schedule her when she is not already booked.

    It's a joy to live/love music w/o the mentality that music is a competitive sport.

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  • @wehaveasituation

    Let's hear you play something, until we do shut the F&%$ up.

  • Эй, приятель, I talked with you after you performed at my college (five towns college) on Long Island a few years ago. You played this song in a demonstration, I was blown away and I continue to listen to your CDs regularly (outside the box and Vicki Genfan Live, I believe). Definitely an inspiration and a great musician.

    Удачи!

  • yeh i see where you're commin from fer sure, Leo Kottke is a legend in my book. This is truely phenominal! Great job :)

  • Very nice stuff!  Your music reminds me of Leo Kottke. Hope you don't mind the comparison.

  • Shes fucking crazy!

    Id like her to be my music teacher! Shes fucking  rad.

  • Amazing playing. Saw her at Frankfurt and it was just incredible: great feeling, soul and a fantastic music soul. Thank you VICKI - too bad it was just a half a hour gig :-(

  • its not that she's absolutely the best guitarist ever, its just she's found an amazing style and is great at it; and, for that i admire her! Keep playing!

  • Thanks Vicki for this.

    I am in love with your music.

    Tan

  • It's even more amazing seeing it live. It's impressive.

  • this isnt just guitar this is a fucking virtuoso

  • You were amazing at Tuscany yesterday, and I'm loving your CD. Thanks again for being so awesome. :D

  • Vicki, you kick ass. I absolutely love the percussion sounds you get out of the neck and all the harmonics. Keep it up!

  • my guitar teacher used to be in a band with her!

  • Secondhand Rose?

  • Woah! The sound of Preston Reed, awesome!

  • Astonishing skills!

  • is that the bes guitar player on the world?

  • i think it is!

  • Lots of harmonics. Yay Ms. Genfan!

  • bravissima!

  • Yeah... What he said!

  • Amazing. Is that a cedar / indian rosewood combination on that Gibson?

  • Hey Vicki!

    It was wonderful to see you yesterday and hear you play. please keep me informed and on your mailing list, What's goin on...Best

    Hendrik

    (Everett's freind)

  • Really Nice guitar work do You play the drums too?

  • Hey Vicki!

    You gave an AWESOME show in Ann Arbor a couple of months back :) I was moved and amazed. I have been telling everyone I know about you! So glad I found this clip so now my friends can see I wasn't making any of it up.

    I hope you can make it all the way across the border in Montreal one day!

    xoxo

    Gabrielle

  • wow! :D

  • Do you so happen to remember what gauge you use for your strings?

  • I use D'Addario EXP12 Medium gauge strings.

  • Vicki,

    Had a wonderful time at Swannanoa jamming with you and the gang, and even more fun torturing you about the Harry Potter book! Great love and many hugs!

    EVERYONE, Vicki has a fantastic double CD just out, "Up Close and Personal"... BUY IT!!! Has this tune and many others!!

    Phil

  • Jacob is my bffl and his aunt is the coolest person i know!

  • ik. hes oes to my karate school. idk his aunt, but she can really play guitar

  • wow, its rare to see a female guitarist of this calibre talent. Don Ross is still better though.

  • Don't listen to the neg comments you have a great talent.

  • tons better than kaki king.

  • Vicki is my aunt and she is basically just the coolest person i know. So if anyone was wondering Vicki isn't only a GREAT guitarist but is also like the coolest and the most nice person in the world. She is great.

  • Ok Thanks a lot, soulful music that you're playing!!

  • Anybody Knows the tuning???

  • The tuning is, from low to hi:

    Bb-Bb(one octave higher)-Eb-G-Ab-Bb

    Have fun!!

  • I've said it before, but these words are the best I have. Vicki brings tears to my eyes. She reminds me how cool humans are.

  • Then you can come to Perth Australia.

    Hell why don't you tour our whole country, one city at a time. (Don't worry, we only have about 10 cities)

  • delicious!, now please come to melbourne australia at your earliest conveinence.

  • Wow Shesw a great Player Now I have favorute female players Victoria Warne and this Vicki Wow