Ben Lansing began playing guitar at fourteen, influenced
by various rock and metal bands of the day. Taking lessons
in Memphis with a local blues guitarist, he learned early on
the importance of tone, rhythm, and groove. That first
teacher taught him how to improvise and play slide guitar,
which has become a dominant aspect of his playing and a specialized
aspect of his teaching.
Another aspect
of Ben's playing style is his use of hybrid picking (incorporating
both a pick and fingers simultaneously). This versatile
picking technique allows for sounds and note combinations not
possible with pick or fingers alone. With
the exception of bass, Ben utilizes this technique on all of
the instruments he plays, including electric, acoustic, and
slide guitar, dobro, octave mandolin, lap steel, and banjo.
Since moving
to Chicago in 1998, Ben has played in many bands, both live
and on studio recordings. These
bands range in style from rock, blues, country, funk, fusion,
traditional and free jazz, to many types of "world" music. His
ability to play traditional West African guitar styles has lead to performances
with international artists, and he has toured Europe with a band playing American
roots music.
Ben currently plays with a number of bands in the Chicago
area. He
strives to continue advancing both technically and creatively as a musician
and to continue to evolve his unique approach to stringed instruments.
"I believe
developing one's own musical voice" says Ben, "is
the most important and rewarding achievement in becoming a
true musician."
It
is this emphasis on finding one's own musical voice that Ben
brings to his students.
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