Marty Friedman (guitarist)

Marty Friedman (born December 8, 1962 in Washington, D.C.) has become recognized worldwide as a guitarist and composer of consummate skill and a style of playing that is instantly recognizable as uniquely his. Marty is a self-taught guitarist famous for his fusion of exotic Eastern musical scales with Western musical styles such as rock, pop, jazz and metal. Going beyond traditional scales, Marty often arpeggiates the chords he is playing over. His bends are distinctive, and his vibrato is considered among the best in the business.

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December 8 - 1962 - Washington, D.C. - Guitarist - Composer - Rock - Pop - Jazz - Metal - Vibrato

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He was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Megadeth for a period of eleven years (1989-2000). During this period, perhaps its most successful, Megadeth released a string of gold and platinum albums. At the same time, Megadeth's musical style became less Thrash, and more melodic, which many attribute primarily to Marty's creative influence.

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Guitar - Thrash metal - Megadeth - 1989 - 2000

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Prior to joining Megadeth, he formed and played lead guitar in several bands that attained loyal and faithful followings, including Deuce, Hawaii, Vixen (not the all-female band of the same name), and notably Cacophony. Marty collaborated with Jason Becker on two albums, "Go Off" and "Speed Metal Symphony" that are considered masterpieces and works of reference for pure virtuoso and creative guitar playing. His solo albums, including one in conjunction with Japanese maestro Kitaro, reveal the wide range of Marty's musical genius, from the achingly beautiful melodies of "Scenes" and "Introduction" to the hard driving rock of "Music for Speeding", to the variety of styles presented in "True Obsessions".

Related Topics:
Cacophony - Jason Becker - Virtuoso - Kitaro

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Currently living in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Marty travels the world giving eagerly anticipated clinics, performances and master classes in dozens of countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. He has become a major force in the Japanese music scene, playing lead guitar in the bands of the some of the country's most famous performers. He is also making his mark as a popular versatile and talented performer on several hit shows on Japanese television, and as a columnist for a major Japanese music magazine and a national daily newspaper.

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Shinjuku - Tokyo - Asia - Europe - North - South America - Japan - Columnist

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Marty speaks fluent Japanese. Now he appears on TXN's musical TV program "Hebimeta-san" (??????) with Japanese idol Yoko Kumada etc.

Related Topics:
Japanese - TXN - TV program - Japanese idol - Yoko Kumada

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