OT: Guitar / Guitarist Appreciation Thread

Knight Shift said:

Yes, his style seems unstructured, somewhat like Holdsworth. I don't have the "chops" to explain it well, despite having several family members who are musicians, but to me, there has to be a groove or a flow, and for me being a fan of heavier rock and blues, the guitar being in sync with the rhythm section.

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Agree 100%, for me anyway!

RUGuitarMan1 said:

My journey on the instrument is very similar. I’m completely self taught. Initially I bought a fairly cheap acoustic guitar and a few music books on chords, scales, theory and songs. I committed to learning on the acoustic for 2 years before buying any electric stuff. I’m glad I did, was able to strengthen my hands and fingers. I’ve gone through stages of trying to learn some theory, chords and then scales. I think the thing that has helped me most is learning songs. Trying to get the rhythm down and then the melody. I usually work on parts of songs and will practice on usually 2 songs at the same time and go over both for weeks. Having fun and gravitating toward the sounds that inspire you is important to keep interested in my opinion.

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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.

NewJerseyGuy said:

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.

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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.

phs73rc77gsm83 said:

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.

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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.

RUGuitarMan1 said:

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.

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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.)

RUGuitarMan1 said:

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.

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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.

Knight Shift said:

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.

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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.

RUGuitarMan1 said:

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.

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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."

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

Interesting comments from the Reid brothers of the Jesus and Mary Chain, asserting that Eddie Van Halen ruined guitar playing .

Knight Shift said:

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...

stereogum.com

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That's a typical hipster doofus stance.

Knight Shift said:

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...

stereogum.com

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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.

LotusAggressor_rivals said:

That's a typical hipster doofus stance.

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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.

Knight Shift said:

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.

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Always liked them:

RUGuitarMan1 said:

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.

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Loved Clapton's 80's cover of "After Midnight". Put Delaney & Bonnie:s (with Clapton) version to shame.