Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the true virtuosos who expanded the horizons of the electric guitar. Today, we explore the intricate and genre-defying world of Steve Howe, the legendary lead guitarist of the quintessential progressive rock band, Yes. A true “polystylistic” player, Howe is a musician’s musician, a master composer and arranger whose playing transcends easy categorization, seamlessly weaving together the vocabulary of classical, jazz, country, and rock into a sound that is entirely his own.
A Symphony of Styles
Steve Howe’s musical style stands in brilliant contrast to many of his British rock contemporaries. While most emerged from a blues-based tradition, Howe’s influences were far more varied and eclectic. His playing is a rich, sophisticated tapestry that demonstrates a deep love and understanding of nearly every form of guitar music. He brought the discipline and intricate fingerpicking of classical guitar, the sophisticated harmonic language of jazz, the lightning-fast “chicken pickin'” of country legends like Chet Atkins, and the melodic soul of folk music into a high-volume rock context.
As a member of Yes, he was far more than just a soloist; he was a primary composer and arranger. The band’s epic, multi-part compositions were the perfect canvas for his talents. His guitar parts were meticulously orchestrated components of the larger piece, whether it was a delicate acoustic introduction, a driving rock riff, a fluid jazz-inflected run, or a soaring, melodic lead. He demonstrated that the guitar could be as versatile and texturally rich as any instrument in a symphony orchestra.
The Connoisseur’s Arsenal: Technique and Tone
The foundation of Steve Howe’s technique is his incredible versatility. He is able to switch between musical languages at a moment’s notice, often within the same song. One minute he might be executing a blistering rock lead with a pick, the next, a delicate classical passage with his bare fingers, and then a lightning-fast country-style hybrid picking run. He is a master of dynamics and texture, often using a volume pedal to create smooth, string-like swells, adding to the orchestral quality of his playing.
His choice of primary electric guitar is as unconventional and iconic as his playing style: the Gibson ES-175. A full-depth hollow-body archtop, the ES-175 is traditionally a jazz guitar, but Howe masterfully coaxed an entire spectrum of sounds from it. He could dial in a warm, clean, classic jazz tone, but also push it into a searing, overdriven rock lead that retained a unique, semi-acoustic character. This choice perfectly encapsulates his genre-bending approach.
Howe is also a renowned collector and user of a vast array of stringed instruments. His sound is a testament to finding the perfect tool for the job, whether it’s a Gibson ES-345 for stereo sounds, a Fender Telecaster for country-style twang, a Martin acoustic for folk passages, or more exotic instruments like pedal steel guitars, mandolins, and lutes to add unique colours to the sonic palette of Yes. To amplify these instruments, he has long favoured powerful and clean amplifiers, most notably Fender models like the Twin Reverb. This high-headroom, clean platform allows the true, natural voice of each of his many guitars to ring out with clarity and precision.
Essential Howe: The Cornerstones of Progressive Rock
Steve Howe’s work with Yes in the 1970s created some of the most enduring and ambitious music in rock history. To fully appreciate his incredible range and compositional genius, these three tracks are absolutely essential listening.
“Roundabout”
“Clap”
“Starship Trooper”
Steve Howe is a true virtuoso and one of the most important architects of progressive rock. He completely redefined the scope of the electric guitar, proving that it was limited only by the player’s imagination. His fearless blending of genres and his supreme technical command have inspired countless musicians to look beyond the blues box and explore the vast, limitless potential of the instrument, cementing his legacy as one of the most respected and uniquely brilliant guitarists of all time.
Cover Photo Credit “Steve Howe 7045” by jomelia is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
