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