Alumna Patty Larkin brings her La Guitara tour to her alma mater.

By Margot Edwards
Berklee.edu Correspondent
May 12, 2006

	Patty Larkin at the La Guitara clinic
	Photo by Phil Farnsworth
	For more news about Berklee women in music, check out Margot Edwards's feature coverage of ROCKRGRL.

The clinic accompanying the March 31 La Guitara concert at the Berklee Performance Center was designed to feature all three artists performing in the show—Larkin, classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, and contemporary folk guitarist and lap steel player Kaki King—but it became a solo workshop by Larkin at the last minute as Isbin and King were feeling under the weather and opted to rest up for that evening's performance. However, the audience was not lacking for information or great music, as Larkin shared much insight, wisdom, experience, and advice in the hour-and-a-half session.

The La Guitara project encompasses not only the touring concert, but also the La Guitara Gender Bending Strings compilation, featuring 14 female guitarists. Partial proceeds of the CD benefit the nonprofit organization Guitars in the Classroom. Larkin explained she initially had the idea for the CD eight or nine years ago as a way to celebrate the contributions of women guitarists to the history of modern guitar.

"Bette [Warner, coproducer of the CD] wanted to open it up across genres," said Larkin. "We wanted high quality but it became very subjective," adding that making the decisions on which artists to include proved very difficult. Ultimately, they chose a diverse group of artists from the United States and around the world, including Ellen McIlwaine, who has played with Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Taj Mahal, and Jack Bruce; Jennifer Batten, who has toured with Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck; Delta blues musician Rory Block; Badi Assad from Brazil; and Wu Man from China. Also included are archival pieces from the early to mid-20th century by pioneering guitarists Memphis Minnie and Elizabeth Cotton.

The discussion soon turned to issues facing women guitarists and female involvement in the music industry. According to Larkin, for an artist like Isbin, being female was not a concern because the classical world is more welcoming to female guitarists and provides a lot of opportunities. However, in rock music, attitudes towards women can still be a challenge to overcome. Larkin told of how Mimi Fox, who is featured on the CD and performed in the first La Guitara tour in the fall of 2005, would show up for jam sessions and the other musicians would say, "So, what are you going to sing for us honey?"

"The music industry is a reflection of our society. It's just going to take a little more time," said Larkin, referring to existing gender disparity in certain areas. She has observed some progress over the years, however. "When I went here in the 70s, I was the only female guitarist. Now there are many female guitar students and five faculty, and women studying sound design." Berklee currently has 59 women playing guitar as their principal instrument and 66 women in music technology majors, up significantly from years past.

Patty Larkin (left) and Kaki King (playing lap steel guitar) perform during the La Guitara concert. Photo by Phil Farnsworth

The concerts open and close with the three artists performing together in a collaborative ensemble piece, some of which is improvised and some worked out in advance, via the trading of mp3 files.

"We all have learned from each other. Just to be able to watch how people play and talk about their equipment is inspiring," said Larkin, who mainly tours as a solo artist. It's been a challenge as well, because all three musicians come from very different musical backgrounds. "Kaki studied as a drummer and started in the New York City subways. In this show, she's doing a lot of looping with the lap steel guitar, and getting techno beats. Sharon is interesting because she doesn't play by ear at all. She's really a world-class player."

	Sharon Isbin takes a bow at the La Guitara concert.
	Photo by Phil Farnsworth

"I felt so inspired by being here," said Larkin. "Yes, it was competitive, but it was an inspiration just to be here, living music and breathing music all the time. You'll look back on this as a good experience, to be given so much time to spend with your instrument."

Larkin performed several songs during the clinic, showcasing her versatility and sophistication, from the percussive and fast "Wolf at the Door" to the up-tempo instrumental "Tango," to the ballad "Coming Up for Air," which she played by request and later mentioned is among her personal favorites.

Answering questions from the audience throughout, she shared insight into her thought process and approach to songwriting. "I'm really guitar driven. The melody will come right off the instrument and then I start vocalizing above the guitar part . . . I get inspired by listening to other musicians too, so I'm always making a list of what to listen to next."

Offering advice to the songwriters in the audience, she said "The biggest challenge is to not have that critic on your shoulder that says, 'This is crap,' and just write it." Larkin also had useful tips on technique, like using different tunings to keep from falling into a repetitive pattern. Jane Miller, associate professor of guitar, and the clinic's facilitator, stressed the way that songs compel an artist to explore her guitar. "Technique comes from getting what you need to get out of the instrument."

Larkin mentioned the possibility of additional La Guitara CDs and tours. That's good news for people who, whether or not they care about a performer's gender, just want to hear excellent guitar playing.

Margot Edwards is a publicist in Berklee's office of public information.

Related Links

• Front Women (Coverage of Berklee at ROCKRGRL 05) December 22, 2005)
  
• Guitar and Pen (Patty Larkin clinic for high schoolers, August 16, 2002)
• Patty Larkin's Doctor of Music (August 28, 2002)