[MasterClass] Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Preview

Would you welcome please Santana?

[MUSIC – SANTANA]

CARLOS SANTANA (VOICEOVER): It’s not only about the guitar. It’s what you’re feeling and thinking when you hit that chord. What are you putting inside the note that gives you an immediate connection to people’s hearts? That’s the purpose of music, period.

[GUITAR MUSIC PLAYING]

– I’m Carlos Santana. This is my MasterClass.

[GUITAR MUSIC PLAYING]

I remember, 20 years ago, my mentor, Mr. Herbie Hancock– we were talking about this and that, and, somehow, he said, you know, I want to ask you a question. Because you have a certain way of explaining things that is– like, for example, when people ask me, you know, what kind of piano did you use, and what kind of voicing and chords? And he says, but they forgot to ask me, what was I feeling and thinking when I hit that chord and you’re really good at expressing that.

I said, yeah. You have to share with people what goes inside the note, you know? What are you putting inside the note that makes it explosive? [IMITATES EXPLOSION]

[MUSIC – SANTANA]

There’s three kinds of purpose in music. One is to tame the beast. And then there’s entertainment. And then there’s music to uplift this planet into a whole other dimension of existence.

Like Coltrane and Mahalia Jackson, their notes have an out-of-this-world realm that makes humans not rationalize stupid excuses. I can tell you, the musicians in the song, they are more than just a song. It’s a gateway to “unfollowment” or illumination. And illumination shouldn’t scare you.

Illumination is a word for total wonderment, like being in Disneyland and you’re seven years old and everything’s paid for. All the rides are free, you know? Music will transport you into a place beyond fear, beyond guilt, shame, beyond good and bad, right or wrong, black, white, or gray.

Wonderment is what you’re supposed to play as a real musician. You choose, because it’s the planet of free will. You choose what kind of role you want to play in music.

[MUSIC – SANTANA, “SOUL SACRIFICE”]

This is “Soul Sacrifice.” The bass is–

[PLAYING BASSLINE]

The guitar is–

[PLAYING GUITAR]

The main thing is–

[PLAYING GUITAR]

Drums!

[PLAYING GUITAR]

Drums.

[PLAYING GUITAR]

So once you get in it, it’s almost like a gathering tribal music that– I didn’t know just how powerful it was until we actually played it in Woodstock. And everybody became like this. [IMITATES WHOOSHING] One. If it was 550,000, it became one.

And that person in front of us was going, yes, finally! You know, something that we can– there’s something about primal music, especially like “Soul Sacrifice” or “Jingo,” that makes people remember that they– we all belong to the same– not tribe or nation or patriotic. It ain’t about that. We all belong to the same galactic oneness, you know?

And that’s the kind of music that I like to play– music that that helps people…

Find the heart of your sound

With 10 Grammys and almost 50 years on stage, Carlos Santana teaches you how to play guitar in his spiritual style. Learn how he weaves emotion, artistic expression, and musical genres from across the world to create a sound that transcends classifications and connects with audiences. Join Carlos in his studio as he breaks down his process note by note—so you can discover the soul of your sound.

LESSON PLAN

01. Introduction

Meet your new instructor: Grammy Award-winning guitarist Carlos Santana. In your first lesson, Carlos points to music’s higher purpose, and asks you to decide what role you want to play in making it real.

02. Practice as Musical Offering

Learn Carlos’s strategies for acquainting yourself with your instrument, and growing more proficient and confident as an artist.

03. Going Inside the Note

The key to accessing a listener’s heart through your music is to “go inside the note.” Carlos teaches you how to put everything you have into everything you play.

04. Finding Your Sound

What do you sound like? Learn how to combine your influences and dig inside yourself to uncover your unique voice on the guitar.

05. A Global Music Rolodex

Carlos challenges you to think beyond the Western notion of classical music and explore some of his favorite musical influences from around the world.

06. Learning From the Blues

If you can play the blues, you can play anything. Carlos shares his perspective on the blues masters, and provides you with techniques to infuse passion into your playing.

07. Opening Your Ears to Rhythm

Rhythm is the canvas for melody. Carlos teaches you what he learned from watching conga players and incorporating other rhythmic traditions into his music.

08. Melody Is Supreme

Learn Carlos’s strategies for writing a melody that moves listeners to their core.

09. The Music Beyond the Page

Music is everywhere. Carlos teaches you to draw musical inspiration from people, voices, and anything else you experience in the world around you.

10. Leading and Playing in a Band

Carlos teaches you his approach to building a passionate band, playing with vocalists, and participating in generous, fulfilling artistic collaborations.

11. Playing Live: Connecting With the Listener

Learn Carlos’s approach to reeling in an audience, connecting with them on an individual level, and carrying them through an emotionally compelling performance.

12. Guitars, Amps and Sustain

Take a tour through Carlos’s guitars and amps, and learn how he gets his famous sustain onstage.

13. Continuing Your Transformation

To wrap up his MasterClass, Carlos encourages you to make the transition from part-time musician to full-time artist.

14. Bonus: Techniques

Carlos gives additional tips—like how to use the pick for maximum effect, and how to keep time with the feet—and reminds you to incorporate it into your practice.

15. Bonus: Wisdom to Live By

Throughout his life and career, Carlos has accrued a trove of wisdom. He shares his unique outlook on why music matters, and the importance of helping others.

16. Bonus: Music as Language

Carlos explores the universal language of music, and how it connects us through time and space.

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