Members Lee33 Posted September 3, 2004 Members Posted September 3, 2004 All those experts that continue to slag me off. Let's actually HEAR what you can do. I post clips of my playing. I may be crap but I'm not ashamed to post what I *CAN* do. Come on guys. Now's your chance to show everyone what you can do. Let's have a jam. Someone post a backing track and we'll all play a solo to it. Jazz, rock, blues, country, fusion - take your pick, I play them all. It's your big chance to make Lee look a complete novice. OK - who's in? Lee
Members Singingax Posted September 3, 2004 Members Posted September 3, 2004 Originally posted by Lee33 All those experts that continue to slag me off. The only 'experts' that would feel a need to slag others are those that lack self-esteem and need to put down someone else in a vain attempt to raise it. Originally posted by Lee33 It's your big chance to make Lee look a complete novice. We ALL start out as novices, there's no getting around that. The true test of one's character is how they treat those who aren't as accomplished as themselves. Music shouldn't be reduced to a competition, but as this forum shows only so well, many here are only so happy to turn it into one.(the low self-esteem crowd, no doubt)
Members Jerry NT Posted September 3, 2004 Members Posted September 3, 2004 I know not how to post or record a clip. And it would show nothing since I am not big into theory. However, I picked up a book at the local Hastings on theory. Admittedly, it's not very deep into theory, but it explains certain things.For instance, guys like you and me have been into "theory" for years. There are things we do instinctively, because we've played with others and listened to music we like, that follow these patterns described by theory.I know that learning theory will not necessarily make me a better player. Yet, it couldn't hurt. I will probably never go as deep into theory as Augie Doggie, but a little will help. (You don't have to go to college to learn everything, as you and I can both attest, there is a wealth of knowledge outside of school.)Theory has no sound. It doesn't sound good or bad. It is just a try at explaining why certain notes go together and certain notes do not.It tells of the why. We know the what. Reading music (which by the way is not theory, it's just a convenient way of musicians talking to other musicians) tell you certain things you can't get from TAB. TAB tells you certain things you can't get from music.For instance, TAB will tell you where on the fretboard that the artist hits a certain note. As there are many notes that can be repeated several places on the fretboard, this can be useful. E sounds different in tone when hit on the first string open and when hit on the third string at the 9th fret. Yet on the treble cleff, those are the same note.On the other hand, what if you had a piece of music written for a sax or clarinet? How could you adapt it to guitar if you don't know standard music nomenclature. And if you want to be original and not just find out how the guitar hero of the week plays and imitate him, once you can read music, you know how to play the same song wherever on the fretboard. An open C sounds different than C as a barre chord on the 8th fret. And "Wildwood Flower" plays differently at the 8th fret than in an open C.Also, if you want to change keys to one that's more easily played on a guitar, knowing music and theory makes the task much easier. (For instance, much music is written in E flat. That is not fun to play on a guitar. Yet which note coresponds to a B flat in the key of E flat when you change to the key of G? You have to know how to read music and a little theory to find that without trial and error.) Of course, it is better to actually learn to play in E flat.When I got into the guitar, standard TAB was not readily available. The first book I ever got written in TAB was "Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles." To figure out any music at that time, I had to read at least a little. Of course with guitar, you only need the treble cleff. Today, more music is still available in standard notation. You limit your self if you can only play TAB.What type of player am I? I can play Chet Atkins style, I can play some jazz, I've played in a swing band in college and I play a mean blues (fingerstyle or with a pick, or even hybrid). I started in country and folk.That said, I want to take it to the next level. I want to improve in my sight reading skills. I want to improve in improvisation. I would like to make my song writing skills better. Where can I learn to do that? By learning a little about the why, theory.Peace.PS: When I learn how to do it, I'll post a clip. I want to know about a piece I play and whether it would be considered jazz or not anyway.
Members Lee33 Posted September 4, 2004 Author Members Posted September 4, 2004 Jerry. I agree with all you've said. I'm not anti-theory at all. I am anti 'paint -by-numbers' where theory is used to replace talent. Anyone that can play Chet Atkins is no guitar slouch. I find that style of music extemely difficult to play. This argument came up when I suggested that buying the John McLaughlin DVDs was more buying hope than buying anything that would really help make someone a guitar player. I'm all for theory - but not at the expense of talent and musicianship. Lee
Members Lee33 Posted September 4, 2004 Author Members Posted September 4, 2004 Jerry. I agree with all you've said. I'm not anti-theory at all. I am anti 'paint -by-numbers' where theory is used to replace talent. Anyone that can play Chet Atkins is no guitar slouch. I find that style of music extemely difficult to play. This argument came up when I suggested that buying the John McLaughlin DVDs was more buying hope than buying anything that would really help make someone a guitar player. I'm all for theory - but not at the expense of talent and musicianship. Lee
Members Jerry NT Posted September 4, 2004 Members Posted September 4, 2004 I did say Chet style. Just to set the record straight, not as good as Chet. Just when I think I'm doing good, I listen to his recording of "Cascade".
Members Mr.Hanky Posted September 4, 2004 Members Posted September 4, 2004 Our webpage is in my signature, there is a jukebox there that plays 3 tunes. They are a little on the aggressive side of what we do but it is a fair representation. MH
Members edeltorus Posted September 5, 2004 Members Posted September 5, 2004 MH,Great stuff! I like that a lot..I'm not ashamed to post my stuff either. It's goth/wave stuff (bad sound quality warning - it's just a {censored}ty control take from the rehearsal). :www.farb-rausch.de/~torus/Another%20Day%20(rehearsal%20take).mp3
Members tlester Posted September 7, 2004 Members Posted September 7, 2004 Mr. H... good stuff. Are you finger picking? -Tom
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