Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the true originals who created a sound entirely their own. Today, we focus on a giant of soul and R&B—a profoundly influential singer, producer, visionary songwriter, and one of the most unique and instantly recognizable guitarists of all time: the legendary Curtis Mayfield. As the creative force of The Impressions and a groundbreaking solo artist, Mayfield was a gentle prophet whose music gave voice to the Civil Rights Movement, all while his guitar created a shimmering, lyrical sound that was as distinctive as his iconic falsetto.
The Chicago Soul Sound
Curtis Mayfield’s musical journey began as the creative engine of the pioneering Chicago soul group, The Impressions. It was here he first established himself as a songwriter of incredible depth and sophistication, penning timeless hits that masterfully blended sweet, romantic harmonies with powerful and poignant messages of hope, pride, and social consciousness. Songs like “Keep on Pushing” and the immortal “People Get Ready” became unofficial anthems of the Civil Rights Movement, offering solace and inspiration to a generation.
In the 1970s, his solo career reached a new zenith with his groundbreaking soundtrack for the film Super Fly. The album was a masterpiece of cinematic funk, where Mayfield’s socially aware lyrics provided a sharp, insightful commentary that stood in stark contrast to the film’s glorification of street life. Sonically, the album was defined by his masterful use of the wah-wah pedal, creating a rhythmic, percussive, and incredibly funky sound that would influence countless artists and become a cornerstone of the 1970s soundscape.
Anatomy of a Unique Voice: Technique and Tone
The secret to Curtis Mayfield’s one-of-a-kind guitar sound lies in one of the most unorthodox and personal techniques in music history: his unique open guitar tuning. Inspired by the black keys on a piano, he tuned his guitar to an open F# chord (F#-A#-C#-F#-A#-F#). This self-taught tuning is the absolute key to his sound and the reason why his playing is so difficult to replicate.
This unique tuning informed his “butterfly” playing style. His guitar work wasn’t about blues licks or power chords; it was a delicate, shimmering, and intricate style built on beautiful, chiming chord voicings, lyrical double-stops, and graceful hammer-on embellishments. His guitar parts would flutter in and around his vocal melodies, acting as a beautiful, ethereal counterpoint. He played the guitar more like a harp or a piano, creating a sound that was completely his own.
To articulate this unique style, Mayfield almost exclusively used Fender guitars, favouring the Stratocaster and Telecaster. The clear, bright, and articulate sound of their single-coil pickups was the perfect vehicle for his clean, chiming, and intricate playing. His classic tone was achieved by plugging these guitars into a clean Fender tube amplifier, like a Twin Reverb, to get a pure, high-headroom sound. In the ’70s, a wah-wah pedal became an essential part of his rig, which he used not just as a soloing effect, but as a rhythmic instrument, creating the iconic “wacka-wacka” patterns that defined funk guitar.
Essential Mayfield: The Voice of a Generation
Curtis Mayfield’s discography is a treasure trove of brilliant songwriting and innovative guitar work. To understand his incredible impact on music and culture, these three tracks are absolutely essential.
“People Get Ready”
“Pusherman”
“Move On Up”
Curtis Mayfield was a true musical giant and a profound voice for social change. He was an artist whose gentle spirit and powerful message were perfectly matched by a completely original and innovative approach to the guitar. His influence is immeasurable, inspiring artists from Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley to Prince and beyond, and his songs of hope, struggle, and perseverance remain as vital and moving today as they were a half-century ago.
Cover Photo Credit “File:Curtis Mayfield.png” by AVRO is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
