I have to admit it: I’m not much of a Simon and Garfunkel fan. I respect them, but I just don’t enjoy their music to the level that warrants a spot in my playlist. Maybe its the lullaby-esque singing style that turns me off. Maybe I’m missing the power of their music because I didn’t grow up in the sixties. Who knows. Whatever it is, I somehow feel that I’m not their target audience – that they’re not speaking to me.

Although I’m not moved by Simon and Garfunkel, I can still evaluate their music. My evaluation? Well, they are great lyricists and Paul Simon can play some good guitar, that’s for sure.

Paul Simon is an excellent finger-picker. He is primarily a rhythm player, accompanying the vocal melodies by playing interesting arpeggios. That’s all he needs to be. Sometimes the star of the show isn’t the guy wearing giant belt buckles, sporting a mullet while ripping off blazingly fast solos.

Sometimes the guitar hero is the guy who, donning an unassuming baseball cap and a normal-sized belt buckle, plays only what the song needs and nothing more. That’s Paul Simon, and for that reason he deserves a respectful nod.

No, he’s not making it onto my playlist. But maybe – just maybe – he’ll make it onto yours.

For more information about me and the guitar lessons that I give in and around Baltimore, visit www.ewguitar.com.