Tommy Tedesco

The Man with the Golden Guitar 1988

Tommy Tedesco, LA 1988

You play so many stringed instruments—how did you learn how?

I do it very Hollywood style. I tune ’em all like a guitar. If they want a truly authentic player, they’ll hire that person. But generally, they run into problems, because they may not read, or aren’t familiar with studio playing. You’ve got to be able to do exactly what is called for.

What about picking—what’s your method?

I do what I call “economy picking.” When you enter from one string to the next string, you always enter on a down stroke. It’s worked for me. I can also do alternative picking, but this way I can play runs twice as fast.

How did you meet Frank Zappa?

It was funny, because I had heard about Zappa for many years. I’d seen pictures of him and thought he was the scariest person I’d ever seen in my life. When I got a call for Lumpy Gravy, I decided to do something different. I went in pajama bottoms and weird clothes—this was before it was hip to wear pajama bottoms. I walked in and Frank came over and introduced himself and said, “I like your costume.” I told him I liked his, too.