Members gardo Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 I work on developing my sound and trying to make it my signature. On one hand this lets me follow my own path but on the other hand my style becomes limited.But for example Les Paul had his sound and Chet Atkins had his. Both were great but they really only played one style.Is this a bad thing?I'm not a pro , I'm just in it for the fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 I would suggest playing as many different styles as you like and letting your sound develop as a result.Someone once said to me in a club that when he was outside waiting to get in, he could tell by listening that it was me playing guitar. When I listen to my playing I think of it as a combination of influences - a bit from Jeff Beck or something from Wes or that thing I got from Robben Ford - but others hear the combined result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted March 31, 2013 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 It is a good thing when someone can hear the guitar and know it's you.I guess the bottom line is that I'm driven more by the tone than by the song or the style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The EAKLE Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 You want to be able to have people recognize your sound when you play, but you don't want it to sound exactly like what you've already done.You want people to be able to hear your new stuff and say "Hey, i like the direction [musician] is going."That's the way i see it at least. You want to be original but still recognizable. Try new styles and try to put your own twist on them. Take your style and add twists you take from other styles. You want to take something and make it your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted March 31, 2013 Author Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 You're right that I get too locked into one sound and one style . I think this is how ruts are created, doing the same thing over and over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members robertkoa Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 Usually your mind will guide you toward a signature tone for each style you play. You will hear it in your mind and gradually, reality will sync up to your mind's sonic image. This happens on individual musical pieces and phrases and over time on one's entire Styles . I say STILES plural because most players have a different tone in their mindfor fingerpicking, a different tone in their mind for Hard Rock, a different tone in their mind for singing solos etc. These mental images influence their hands and gear choices etc over time and on any given day. You have to understand this, then relax and let eveything flow and have fun. But especially when learning, and also when composing or recording, having a mental sonic.picture of your Tone even when you become advanced. Your mind /imagination will guide you, imagine it , then play it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members robertkoa Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 Usually your mind will guide you toward a signature tone for each style you play. You will hear it in your mind and gradually, reality will sync up to your mind's sonic image. This happens on individual musical pieces and phrases and over time on one's entire Styles . I say STYLES plural because most players have a different tone in their mindfor fingerpicking, a different tone in their mind for Hard Rock, a different tone in their mind for singing solos etc. and play different styles like an Actor playing different Roles. Famous Guitarists all have Signature Tones and Styles and are fairly specialized for their Sound and Style: Segovia, John Williams, Hendrix , Eric Johnson, Santana, Gilmour, George Benson, Van Halen, Wes Montgomery, BB King etc etc. There is another type that don't get as much credit IMO. I call them Master Top 40 Guitarists- guys who are extremely good and can somehow accurately NAIL during a Gig the Styles Tones and Chops of 40 orMore Great Guitarists during their 3 set Gigs ! I've known a few of these Guys and seen about 5 more over many years and it amazes me how well some can do this . These mental images influence their hands and gear choices etc over time and on any given day. You have to understand this, then relax and let eveything flow and have fun. But especially when learning, and also when composing or recording, having a mental sonic.picture of your Tone even when you become advanced. Your mind /imagination will guide you, imagine it , then play it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PRS_JRW Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 Obviously, the con is that you usually don't have to buy any new stuff. Or is that a pro? As far as the biggest con, like you said, there's no need to tweak, lust for new equipment, etc. It allows one to play with confidence and feel good about what is being played. I like the fact that I've found the sound that was trapped in my head. It's a release, for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PrawnHeed Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 I don't want "my sound". I want several sounds depending on what I am playing. And, I agree, thinking about it in an abstract way doesn't help much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members photon9 Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 I find that no matter how hard I try I always end up sounding like myself. I have my own sound because I don't really have a choice. I'm totally fine with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Burgess Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 Just play. Your sound will find you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted March 31, 2013 Members Share Posted March 31, 2013 photon9 wrote: I find that no matter how hard I try I always end up sounding like myself. I have my own sound because I don't really have a choice. I'm totally fine with that. This. Even tho I dabble in several genres, Country, Surf, Oldies Rock, Blues, Bluegrass to name a few, and own a doz or more elec and acoustic guitars I still sound like myself for the most part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jpnyc Posted April 1, 2013 Members Share Posted April 1, 2013 Worry about writing songs, not finding a sound. Most people couldn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted April 1, 2013 Members Share Posted April 1, 2013 I agree with the 'do not overthink' ers. Learn to play and your sound will evolve as a function of musical growth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mschafft Posted April 1, 2013 Members Share Posted April 1, 2013 I sometimes hear riffs in my head when watching movies. The tone is there in my mind and I do my best to reach it. But I don't try too hard until the real recording session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Yer Blues Posted April 3, 2013 Members Share Posted April 3, 2013 I don't think "they only played one style" is a good description of Chet Atkins or Les Paul's sound at all. They could certainly fit in to a variety of styles and were two of the greatest guitarist who ever lived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dougy Posted April 7, 2013 Members Share Posted April 7, 2013 I use one 'sound' to play whatever the hell I feel like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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