American Primitive Guitar ... as applied to the 12-String Guitar

American Primitivism, also known as American Primitive Guitar, is the guitar music genre started by John Fahey in the late 1950's. The New Age people call it Folk; the Folk people call it New Age, but it is really neither. It's transitional. The style is derived from the country blues and string band music of the 20's and 30's, however much of the music is contemporary. Fahey referred to it as 'American Primitive' after the 'French Primitive' painters, meaning untutored." Peter Lang on American Primitive Guitar

Within this genre, you'll find many exponents of the 12-String Guitar, all of whom took the 12-String to dazzling heights ... Leo Kottke, Peter Lang, Robbie Basho and John Fahey (who also played 12-String on occasion) ...

"...Fahey suggested the idea of joining similar themes, and exploring both time and space. He also wanted me to try using dissonance and minor tunings. Maybe the biggest thing he put into me was the idea that a major part of music exists in the space between notes and chords." Peter Lang on Fahey's influence on his playing.

Be sure to look at purchasing the album: "Fahey, Kottke, Lang" originally issued on the Takoma label. This album is now around 40 years old, and yet, to this day, is timeless. The 12-String artistry on this album is beyond comprehension and proves that American Primitive Guitar befits the 12-String in a most natural way ... so much so, that you would think that the 12-String was invented by American Primitivism!