Lessons Learned
Dec 30, 2009 Blogroll, Charlotte Music, Guitar, Guitar Gear, Music Industry, Threshold Church, Worship, Worship Leader
Dec. 30, 2009
OK, well it has been an interesting year for me musically and professionally. I continued to learn (hopefully) and maybe even passed on a bit of knowledge as well.
Lessons learned for 2009:
1. It is really about the music. Do you just play a song, or do you live the song? That can be a difficult thing when you are playing covers, but always try and find time to write. I saw a student write her first tune at age 12. It was a heartfelt song about her friend moving away. It brought people to tears, and it is a really good song.
2. Tone is very subjective. It isn’t all about the gear the hands and your practice time have more to do with your sound then the latest OD pedal. A couple of different guys I have worked with this year have made HUGE improvements in their abilities due to re-examining their practice routines and practicing with intent.
3. I realized that the amp is one of the most important parts of the tone/expression equation. I found mine this year. I have a few for different sounds, but I found my voice this year.
4. Fast learn rule number 1. (I have always wanted to say that)
So, to the 5 people or so who read this thing (Thanks Mom) Happy New Year, and I hope that you can make some music this year that moves YOU. Music is really about communicating something that is difficult to put into words. I was fortunate enough to get to that headspace a couple of times this year, which is difficult (for me) when playing music is your job. And make sure to share it with your friends!
Dan
Guitar tone 104
Dec 16, 2009 Blogroll, Charlotte Music, Guitar, Guitar Gear, Music Industry, Threshold Church, Uncategorized, Worship, Worship Leader
Last night, I got together with a friend and guitar student. We hung out for awhile and got to playing… His main question was how to get from the “theoretical” side of music (scales, chords, etc) to the “creative” side. Great question.
We thought of a couple of analogies that I thought were helpful enough to share.
One of these was to think of your scales and technique and theory like tools. Like wrenches and sockets or hammers and nails. When you go to fix something or make something, you just know what tool will work. This comes from experience and being familiar with the tools you have available to you. The goal is to create. If a tool doesn’t work, you put it down and pick up another one.
Do you tell a child they are wrong for painting shapes and colors with their fingers when there are perfectly good brushes available? No. At least I hope not. Same thing with playing guitar. Who cares if you are thinking “Dorian minor” or “Pentatonic” did the phrase speak to you or convey the emotion you were trying to communicate?? Did is “feel” right?
This was a big thing for my friend. He knew both sides. The “feel” side and the “technical” side. But how to bridge the gap? Last night, we made some great progress, and by the end of our session, he was playing things by instinct and feel and CREATING the music he wanted to hear…. Pretty cool.
Anyways, cheerio! Hope you all have a Merry Christmas. and happy picking!
Dan
My Stolen Gibson Guitar L6s
Oct 20, 2009 Blogroll, Charlotte Music, Guitar, Guitar Gear, Music Industry, Threshold Church, Uncategorized, Worship, Worship Leader, sound design
OK everyone. My main electric guitar, and 1974 or ‘75 Gibson L6s was stolen on Friday night 10/16/09 at 1:50am (saturday morning) in downtown Charlotte from the back hallway of a club. Please, if you have any info regarding this guitar, contact me immediately.
There are several distinguishing things about this guitar. It is a string through body, Wine red in color, Has severe pick scratching above the neck pickup, the back of the neck is satin, and actually has a spot behind the 12 fret with no finish. The pickups are Gibson Burstbuckers, refret, bone nut. etc. This is an awesome players guitar and I have had it for a long time!! I really would like this guitar back in one piece. It was stolen in its original hardcase. I do have the serial number and have done all of the necessary police paperwork. Thanks!
pics:
Guitar tone 102
Aug 31, 2009 Blogroll, Charlotte Music, Guitar, Guitar Gear, Music Industry
OK, it has been a bit since I posted anything, but I have been doing a bunch of traveling. Costa Rica in June, then Portugal in August, as well as many out of town dates in between.
Guitar tone 102:
So, hopefully you have been practicing and getting used to the different sounds you can get out of the guitar. Now let’s talk about some gear.
First, the guitar:
This is it, this is your baby. The instrument with which you will create music. Buy the best one you can afford. Use generalizations to help you select your guitar based on the sound it is known for. Almost every guitar has been and can be used in multiple genres, but there are some basics.
Tele style guitar: 2 single coil pickups, bolt-on neck. Super popular for the twang in country music, but also used in indie rock and worship genres for its bite. I have even heard Jazz players use one.
Strat style: 3 pickups, 5 way selector. Widely popular for blues, but works well for just about anything in the right hands.
Les Paul style: Big, meaty tone. two humbuckers, usually a 3way switch. The wood has a lot to do with the tone. These usually have a mahogany body and a maple top.
Hollow bodies: These vary widely in tone. usually played by jazz guys.
Pick what you can afford. Buy used if you can. You will get more guitar for your money. Then take it to a repair shop and have it set-up with new strings. They will also be able to give any other advice on repair, or if you should return it! Find a good repair shop, you will develop a relationship with this person, as they will ALWAYS know more about guitars than you do. If they don’t, find another shop. I have been using the same guy for 14 years, and he is a very trusted friend. Click here for the shop I use.
Happy hunting! Next up: The wide world of AMPS!