Discovering Sound: Bentley Anderson’s Unique Guitar Journey
in the solitude of his college dorm, Bentley Anderson became captivated by the life cycle of a single note, leading him to uncover his passion and distinctive voice through the guitar.
“For years, I struggled to master the guitar, and I was just average,” Anderson reflects. “Despite my efforts,shredding was never within my grasp.”
Transforming that sound and resonance from his dorm into something remarkable, Anderson crafted a collection of intense soundscapes titled Valence. Utilizing unconventional materials like saw blades, chisels, and metal rods alongside a Fender jazzmaster, he creates an auditory experience that challenges listeners, offering a form of catharsis only to those willing to engage. To label Bentley Anderson’s music as mere “noise” would be a gross oversimplification.
“If you’ve only ever listened to mainstream artists, you might be taken aback by this,” Anderson admits. ”It’s not just chaotic sound; there’s a narrative woven into it.”
“You can produce a myriad of sounds, but not all of them resonate positively. It requires a deep exploration to uncover compelling tones,” he explains. “The saw blade has an ideal weight and size. I hover it over the pickups and strike it with my fingers.”
“I stumbled upon it on the street,” he chuckles.”New York is full of treasures. I refer to them as my ‘tools.’ It’s akin to a prepared instrument approach.”
Deconstructing the Guitar Experience
Anderson perceives guitar playing as a chance to deconstruct conventional methods. His internship at Sonic Youth’s studio in 2005 introduced him to the band’s innovative use of alternate tunings, which became instrumental in shaping his unique sound.
“The tuning I used on Valence is F#,F#,D,G,A,C# from low to high,” he shares. “Using altered tunings entirely transformed my understanding of the fretboard. I began to rely solely on my ear, which was incredibly freeing.”
The Future of Guitar music
So, has the era of traditional guitar music reached its end?
“I believe there will always be someone crafting amazing songs in standard tuning,” he asserts.”That will never fade away,and audiences will continue to appreciate it. I’m not disinterested in that either; my interest lies in exploring sounds, resonance, and the unconventional. It’s essential to discover your own strengths.”
