OT: Guitar / Guitarist Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Bleem Phuppert
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I agree with focusing on learning songs you like.
Self taught also.
I would say for me at most 20 % percent should be drills, theory etc.
80% minimum learning songs I like.
Otherwise for me I would lose interest. But then again I’m not looking to be a shredder. I guess if I were, I would focus more on those drills.
I also agree with acoustic as a first guitar , at least at the same time as electric. Acoustic makes me better.
Great post! I’ll even suggest that, at least for me, being a shredder is just a choice of musical preference, for which I have no desire. A “shredder“ is just a style
preference and not a proficiency level. It would be interesting to see a shredder play Cavatina, or other pieces that are very complex in a different way than shred/speed. Not that one couldn’t with some practice but each requires a different skillset.
I agree with this. I wouldn’t say shredders are “gimmicky” , it does take great dedication to play with that dexterity. However, there are many other types of playing styles that are difficult to master and it requires dedication to develop those skills. I have never quite understood why so many lay people, non musicians and some actual musicians are so enthralled with “speed” guitar players. There are guitarists that can reach me emotionally and even spiritually with how they hit just a few notes. To me it’s similar to the effect that a very good or great singer has on me. It probably has something to do with the music that one was exposed to at a certain critical time in their lives.
Yes, it’s not just speed or however many notes you can play as fast as you can, irrespective of whether the notes make musical sense (at least in terms of traditional music theory.)
You don't understand why because music, like other art appeals to different people in different ways. I have noted, I like music loud and fast. This may explain why I really enjoyed watching a flamenco guitar and dance show. Have had several people close to me question me why I like such loud, fast and aggressive music--for me, it's an energy boost.
Correct , I agree that art and music appeals to different people in different ways. I was specifically questioning why a particular style of playing seems to be as popular as it is. I’ve always had a bit of the contrarian in me regarding certain things and haven’t followed the direction of the prevailing winds so to speak. For the record, I also enjoy flamenco guitar style music. It gets back to that melody thing I mentioned earlier.
On this point, this article popped up in my X feed--I am NOT a fan of death metal, goth metal, and the genres that feature guttural (cookie monster) vocals. Funny thing, this highly acclaimed author (never heard of her) says she loves death metal. Her explanation, which does not resonate with me, makes sense. For me, my job is writing highly complicated and technical subject matter across a variety of scientific areas. It can be mentally exhausting and grueling on some days (not crying, just saying). It can also be downright boring. As I said above, fast, heavy music is an energy boost.
Here is what the author said:
"I think heavy metal is so honest. It's so raw, you know, it's all about raw emotions," she continues. "And I love the dialectics, the the contrasts, particularly in melodic death metal. You know, the clean vocals with the contrast [of vocals that are] a bit more guttural, the harshness, the intensity of it. It's it's not pretentious; it is what it is."
"It's a myth to believe that people who listen to this kind of music are aggressive." Why this respected author listens to death metal to calm herself while writing
Critically acclaimed novelist Elif Shafak gives a perfect breakdown of why metal is one of the most interesting and exciting genres around
For those of you into music analysis here is a great breakdown of “Wouldn’t it be Nice” by the Beach Boys. Pretty sophisticated song in my opinion.
If you‘re interested, listen to Rick Beato’s analysis of the flip side, “God Only Knows.” My favorite 45 of all time
If you‘re interested, listen to Rick Beato’s analysis of the flip side, “God Only Knows.” My favorite 45 of all time
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Interesting comments from the Reid brothers of the Jesus and Mary Chain, asserting that Eddie Van Halen ruined guitar playing .
stereogum.com
Jesus And Mary Chain Say Shoegaze Doesn't Actually Exist, Eddie Van Halen Ruined Rock Guitar
Scottish heroes the Jesus And Mary Chain are one of the greatest alt-rock bands of all time, and they helped establish a very particular type of rock guitar — a feedback-drenched wounded-romantic blare that has inspired a great many imitators and iterators. Jim and William Reid, the two brothers...
stereogum.com
That's a typical hipster doofus stance.Interesting comments from the Reid brothers of the Jesus and Mary Chain, asserting that Eddie Van Halen ruined guitar playing .
Jesus And Mary Chain Say Shoegaze Doesn't Actually Exist, Eddie Van Halen Ruined Rock Guitar
Scottish heroes the Jesus And Mary Chain are one of the greatest alt-rock bands of all time, and they helped establish a very particular type of rock guitar — a feedback-drenched wounded-romantic blare that has inspired a great many imitators and iterators. Jim and William Reid, the two brothers...
Interesting comments from the Reid brothers of the Jesus and Mary Chain, asserting that Eddie Van Halen ruined guitar playing .
Jesus And Mary Chain Say Shoegaze Doesn't Actually Exist, Eddie Van Halen Ruined Rock Guitar
Scottish heroes the Jesus And Mary Chain are one of the greatest alt-rock bands of all time, and they helped establish a very particular type of rock guitar — a feedback-drenched wounded-romantic blare that has inspired a great many imitators and iterators. Jim and William Reid, the two brothers...
I think this gets back to the point of the interest in many who play guitar, to want to play “fast”. I don’t single out Van Halen specifically. He was certainly a great player, a virtuoso. Personally speaking, his soloing did not resonate or interest me as much as many others. For me, the 1980s generally were not a great time for guitar based music . There are obviously exceptions with SRV, Mark Knopfler, Brian Setzer, Eric Clapton among my favorites. To be a really good rock guitarist, you must first be a very good rhythm player (something I struggle with). Being able to follow the drummer/bass player and be on time. Soloing by hitting notes that aren’t on the beat is not good playing and it isn’t going to sound good. I think beginning and intermediate guitar players that are obsessed with speed aren’t learning that. Also, “phrasing” seems to have become a lost art with many.
IDK if they are hipsters. JAMC chain has been around since 1983, and the brothers are 64 and 67 years old. They had issues with drugs early in their career, and they are into simple song structures. Not a bad live band.
Loved Clapton's 80's cover of "After Midnight". Put Delaney & Bonnie:s (with Clapton) version to shame.
Those are 4 of the best in the electric blues/blues rock world. BB King and Albert King were very large influences for Eric Clapton. Albert King was Stevie Ray Vaughan’s musical idol, his playing style replicated King’s in many ways. Both BB (Riley B King) and Albert (no relation) were originally from Mississippi and grew up in the Jim Crow south. BB was pretty outgoing and open to the young white musicians who were increasingly interested in blues music in the 1950s and 1960s. Albert was a different guy with that , initially he didn’t have much time for or openess toward young white guys trying to play blues. Beside that, Albert was a very imposing 6’5 or more and 250 lbs. In the mid 1970s, Albert was playing a short residence at Clifford Antone’s blues club in Austin, Texas. King was approached by Antone who asked him to allow a young guitarist named Stevie Vaughan to get up and jam with him (Vaughan had established himself as a local Austin blues phenom). King bristled at the idea, however he eventually agreed. SRV sat in and King was stunned at his level of proficiency and understanding of the nuances of playing blues music. He could play King licks and phrasing perfectly. A lasting and close friendship developed over time. SRV considered Albert his “Godfather”:
Think I posted this above. My greatest regret was "not being able to make it" to see SRV at the Stone Pony when he played, shortly before he passed.
Albert King was such a huge influence on SRV that when he played the solo on Let's Dance, multiple guitarists wondered why Albert King was playing on a David Bowie song.
Saw SRV at the Livingston Gym in '85 (or '86). Epic performance.
I figured they were laughing at bad bedroom guitar players like me.
My brother, who went to college in Texas (Trinity University) and stayed after he graduated was lucky enough to have seen SRV play in a bar in Austin in the late 70's.
Not exactly about guitars. Many people were skeptical to see if Annika Niles could fill Neil's shoes, which are huge shoes to fill. No, she is not playing like Neil did. Nobody an do that. And talk about "being in the pocket"--this is phenomenal for a band that has not played together for nearly 11 years, and Alex Lifeson having issues with arthritis:
And what a set- they pull out La Villa Strangiato--might as well do 100 burpees at the first show!
And what a set- they pull out La Villa Strangiato--might as well do 100 burpees at the first show!
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She was phenomenal. The crowd exploded when she nailed the Tom Sawyer fill. They weren't fooling around. They opened with Xanadu, and played La Villa, YYZ, and Freewill. Those are 4 of their more demanding compositions, particularly from a drumming standpoint.
Ulmer was more known in the avant garde Jazz world, he was a huge influence on Vernon Reid. He was a legend in that realm. Much like Allan Holdsworth was a legend in his. RIP.
Saw the setlist and watched clips. Annika Niles may have been the only woman in the arena, as there were certainly no female "fans" in the audience.
This gets back to the importance of being a very good rhythm player to be a good guitar player. I’m copying a few covers of Jimi Hendrix off the “Axis: Bold As Love” album (highly recommend that album for those who are not overly familiar with Hendrix. Many beautiful tunes). This gentleman does a great job of replicating Hendrix unique playing style. Jimi became a great rhythm player by playing with a number of outstanding R&B acts in the early to mid ‘60’s. I think the word genius is way overused in music, very few of them around. In the electric guitar/ rock/ R&B world Hendrix is
about the closest;
about the closest;
Can any of the players comment on both Howlin' Wolf and in particular, Hubert Sumlin?
Howlin Wolf began as a delta blues (acoustic) player who later transitioned to Chicago blues (electric.) Wolf‘s early playing was heavily influenced by Charlie Patton in the Delta. Sumlin was an electric guitar blues man who played with Wolf. Check out the movie Cadillac Records if you haven’t seen it before. It’s based on Chess Records and many bluesmen including Wolf.
I love the tone of the guitars in the Howlin' Wolf songs.
I'm no blue's aficianado but I do know Ulmer. Stumbled upon him somewhere along the line. Been a while since I've listened. Pretty sure I have him in my old Ipod.
Attached is a very good article on Hubert Sumlin. Sumlin was a mainstay of the Chicago electric blues scene. He played with Howlin Wolf for a long time and others. He was respected and a very well liked musician by both blues and rock musicians. A very nice guy , who incidentally lived the last part of his life in northern NJ (the Wayne area). His playing on “Smokestack Lightening” and “Killing Floor” are personal favorites. Had close relationships with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan among many others. There is a good clip of him late in life playing Killing Floor with singer David Johansen of NY Dolls fame:
faroutmagazine.co.uk
Hubert Sumlin: The overlooked architect of blues rock
He was Howlin' Wolf's lead guitarist and was worshipped by Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but it never made him a household name.
That name did him no favors.Attached is a very good article on Hubert Sumlin. Sumlin was a mainstay of the Chicago electric blues scene. He played with Howlin Wolf for a long time and others. He was respected and a very well liked musician by both blues and rock musicians. A very nice guy , who incidentally lived the last part of his life in northern NJ (the Wayne area). His playing on “Smokestack Lightening” and “Killing Floor” are personal favorites. Had close relationships with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan among many others. There is a good clip of him late in life playing Killing Floor with singer David Johansen of NY Dolls fame:
Hubert Sumlin: The overlooked architect of blues rock
He was Howlin' Wolf's lead guitarist and was worshipped by Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but it never made him a household name.
Sounds like they are just jamming here, messing around and having some fun improvising. For his part, Hendrix became musically bored quickly and rarely played his scripted songs the same way live. His solos were usually different each time. It’s difficult to know which direction musically he would have went if he lived a longer life. There was talk of him moving toward jazz and playing with Miles Davis and Jon McLaughlin. He was a very restless and creative spirit. I couldn’t see him touring later in life as some classic rock act playing many of the same songs 80% of the time. His early death was tragic but maybe he wasn’t destined to be here that long.