Henry Charles on SoundBetter

I'm a very passionate Funk & Soul Guitarist / Composer / Recording Artist with 20 years experience in recording / performing in a wide variety of projects, and have won two international song contests for my solo work. I'm really passionate about Funk, Disco, Neo Soul, Jazz, Blues, and Lofi music and would love to help with your next project! 🎸

Hi there!

Thanks for checking out my profile. I'm am a passionate musician, mainly guitar focused but can also help with other aspects of a project (MIDI, sampling, mixing). I've always been creative and music is my favorite outlet for this. Whether it's coming up with guitar riffs, rhythms, melodies & lead solos or constructing music pieces with MIDI and other technologies, I just love composing and my goal with every project is for it to uplift the audience and make them really feel the vibe of the song.

New rhythms, riffs and melodies seem to pop up in my brain faster than I can record it all... usually while I'm doing the dishes or other chores. I rush those chores but when I manage to get a guitar in my hands I am glued to it, and won't stop until I'm satisfied that I've nailed the project. I'm truly grateful for this gift and excited to share it. Please get in touch if you are needing some extra guitar parts, whether it's melodies, rhythms, jazz comping or even a ripping guitar solo; I'd love to hear about your project!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

1 Reviews

Endorse Henry Charles

by Elliot James Mulhern Mastering
Verified (Client)
first time working with Henry but hoping it won't be the last!!! everything went amazing and this was exciting to get to collaborate in this way! I appreciate Henry's trust in me during the creative process and mega hope to work together again soon!! I love every song on their new upcoming album and hope to be able to do more of them with Henry!!

Interview with Henry Charles

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Tricky question... perhaps that the faster guitar parts are the hardest... that might be true for playing live, but when recording I often find it's the slower parts that require more takes, because you can play each of those notes a dozen different ways to get a dozen different tones... a single bend or harmonic can end up being the main emotive hook so there's a lot at stake. Once you speed things up, it might sound flashier but it takes a bit of that pressure off each note.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Pretty much both of the above
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: If you've heard any guitar / song styles that you love, that would be great to know! It's always good to know what inspires a song, this helps a musician align and embellish that vibe / emotion.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A solar battery system, My Strat, Amp, Interface and a Laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started learning guitar at 13, started in my first band at 18 and have been gigging ever since in coverbands, jazz bands, and funk bands (including recording a lot of original material). I'm now 37 and have come to realise that while I always love playing guitar, it's composing that really fills my cup. I just love making new music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'm all about the Funk... but I have a more intimate side too and love a good Soul Ballad.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: In history? James Brown... but since I'm 20 years too late for that I'd love to work with artists who keep pushing boundaries in soul and funk, such as Lizzo, Meghan Trainer, Bruno Mars
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen, lots. Before I publish tracks I listen back to them a lot and think... do I like this because it's mine, or do I like this because it's great? If the answer isn't the latter, then what does it need to make it great. I don't want to let songs into the public if I don't think they would hold up against popular songs in their category.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Funk, Soul, RnB, Lofi
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to a song, understanding it's feel, messages, vibe and working out how to elevate and deliver that.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Award winning guitar tone, and creative hooks.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I spend a lot of time thinking about and planning my parts (usually while doing various chores throughout the day) before actually picking up an instrument. I don't want muscle memory or habits to dictate a song so I make sure I have a clear vision of the song or part first, and then make sure that when I pick up the guitar (or other) that I nail the sound and feel that I planned on.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Fender Stratocaster and Washburn HB32DM running straight into a Marshall JVM Guitar amp. Sometimes I also use Wah, delay, reverb annd other pedals if needed, otherwise I try to keep the recorded tone as pure as possible. I run my amp through an audio interface into my computer DAW. I also use MIDI keys and pads for other instrumental parts.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Nile Rodgers, Dojo Cuts, Bruno Mars, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, James Brown, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Jamiroquai, Tom Misch, FKJ
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I provide guitar rhythms, melodies, solo's and compositions. I can also help with song arrangement and mix.