José Salgado

Which musician has influenced you the most?
Although the answer is always changing, in a general way I would say that it is Ryuichi Sakamoto. His musical world is extremely varied, curious, collaborative, explorative. He does not fit well into any box, neither genre nor artistic style. His variety of work is inspirational to me because I am also interested in a wide variety of music.

What can you teach me on your instrument better than any other teacher?
I like to teach the rudiments of the guitar so that the student can learn to love it in their own way. Through technique and songs, I help the student understand their personal interests, whether that is a particular type of repertoire, or a style of playing that is fascinating for them.

How did you learn to play your instrument?
I remember clearly making a wish (by blowing on a Dandelion) to learn to play guitar. Sure enough, my Mom got me lessons shortly after. I started lessons together with another friend, and only a few weeks in we had to separate because I was advancing much faster, as I was very involved and committed to the instrument. I stayed with the teacher for a while and eventually changed to a teacher more focused on improvisation. 

What is your process when you write a song or compose a piece?
It usually happens in one of two ways: I have a spurt of inspiration and I write a song or piece very fast, or I have a small germ that takes some time to be translated into a piece. On the guitar, pieces usually come about by playing other songs that I like, and slowly taking them in my own direction. For example, I could be playing a song in open D tuning, and start to make a variation that slowly becomes separate from the song, my own idea. From there, I begin to develop a complete piece. For me, a general dramaturgy, considering the meaning and effect of the different sections of a piece, is very important.

What equipment do you currently use?
Currently I play with a classical guitar I purchased recently. I use it for lessons and for anything in the singer/songwriter, bossa nova or jazz genre. I also use a Fender Deluxe Telecaster (along with a pedalboard running distortion, delay, and pitch-dropper) through either a '65 Deluxe Reverb or the UA Dream 65 (simulator pedal of this same amp). With the electric guitar I improvise more, and use it for my band work.

What personal quality has helped you most in your practice?
I would say it is my stubbornness. I tend to push through until I feel like I am satisfied with how I am playing. The irony is that I am always chasing to play and sound better, which keeps me playing.

What does your instrument have that others don't?
For me, the guitar is an extremely expressive instrument, comparable to the saxophone (which I consider the peak of expressivity). The way it falls into the players arms and hands, the way it reacts to very subtle changes in dynamics, pressure, vibrato, is very unique to the guitar. I like to think that a player can be very simple (say, playing four chords in a loop) and still be extremely expressive through their technique and feeling. Besides this, I consider that the electric guitar, through effects and processing, opens a world of possibilities of expression and sonic exploration that very few instruments have so readily accessible.

What do you pay particular attention to when teaching?
In an early stage I pay attention to posture and finger technique. This is to get the basics right. Later on, I focus on expression, phrasing, and control of the instrument's capabilities.

How do you structure your music lessons?
I begin with exercises, warm-up and development of finger techniques. After this, I enter the repertoire that we are working on. If the student has specific questions about theory (or another topic guitar-related) I allow for these tangents as I believe they are valuable. Of course, this is also discussed with the students at an early stage.

How do you approach teaching children?
With children it is important to have a good balance of structure and fun. I also do the warm-ups and exercises, but with the repertoire I am more flexible and adapt to what the child seems more committed to/interested in depending on the day.

What has been your most amazing experience as a musician so far?
My favorite musical experience has been playing and performing with a Gamelan ensemble in 2019. I truly believe this openend a big musical door for me. Before then, I was very much in the rock/alternative music, and for me music was pretty much only this. When I discovered Gamelan, it opened my mind not only in specific musical ways (for example minimalism) but also in what it means to be a student of music, teacher of music, and a professional in music.

What was the biggest stage you've ever played on?
So far, the biggest stage I've played on was Gliding Barnacles Festival (about 2000 people watching the concert, with the Manteau band). The biggest headline show was in Casa Capitão, Lisbon, where we filled a 350 person venue.

Which musician would you most like to play with?
Right now, I will say Brian Eno, because he strikes me as very open and free.

Which record would you take to a desert island?
I would take Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich, because it makes me fly away mentally. It works for many moods.

Which stage would you most like to play on, or which stage do you most enjoy playing on?
In Switzerland, I want to play at Montreux Jazz Festival. In Portugal, I will say the Gulbenkian Outside Auditorium.

Besides music, what else is important in your life?
I am a big surfer and skier. I like the outdoors and the power of nature to calm me. I also like to read a lot.