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FretBuzz: Instructional Forum Message |
If a new guitar player (Part I)
Cinda Private
(4763)
Instructional Forum
9/15/2009 8:27:57 AM · 40 Views
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If a new guitar player saw you playing and wanted to talk about playing guitar, what would be the first thing that you would tell them and why?
I would probably ask them if they wanted to play guitar or make music.
If they want to make music, I would suggest that they spend some time on a keyboard with a sequencer and a drum machine.
When I go back and listen to the recordings that I did when I played keys I will admit that the playing was sloppy - but it was VERY musical. Without training I was able to peck out what I wanted to create and it was VERY musical.
That type of musiciality has never transitioned to the guitar. I can write a song on the guitar, but compositionally much stronger.
If I could convince her/him to try to marry those. Not having the theory on the keys, but applying theory on the guitar is the perfect marriage of freedom with constraints.
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Re: If a new guitar player (Part I)
9/15/2009 9:59:19 AM
Danny Danzi
(1871) wrote:
Actually this is a tough question for me to answer. As wordy as I am and as much as I love to help people and try to inspire them, I wouldn't say much to a new guitar player UNLESS I was specifically asked questions.
It really depends where the conversation is going and what style the person is interested in playing. You wouldn't tell a rock dude what you would tell a jazz cat. But the last thing I want to do to a new player is preach to them for the sake of my long time experience. I think what makes this art is what you don't know and haven't experienced yet. I was a much better "weirdo" before I knew a little theory. The lack of theory stopped me from pre-analyzing and forced me to do things that just sounded right instead of seeing things visually. The mistakes you make using trial and error will always surpass any theory as far as your creativity and identity goes.
I think it's essential to know some basic theory but other than that, it's over-kill in my opinion because people get way more into the math than the heart at times. See this depends on the player and the style though. Most rock players are not super theory schooled and the ones that are, sound mechanical to me. Music is all about heart and soul....mathematics should remain in school or when you balance your check book.
I guess to simplify what I'm trying to say here is, new players sometimes get so wrapped up in the theory end, they have no clue what it is to have heart or feel. Too much heart and not enough theory makes you repetitive and boring. Too much theory and not enough heart makes you stale, robotic and tech for the sake of tech.
There needs to be a happy medium. Some of the stuff I have come up without knowing an ounce of theory became stuff that gave me an identity. Theory should help you on your way, not have you analyze something and pinpoint what and where you can play. It's used more as a crutch than a weapon for some. Unfortunately, I hear this all too often.
Instead of a guy listening to a backing and trying to sing or hum a melody over it, he rips it apart by saying "well I can play lydian over this and use this scale and that scale over that, and if I raise this to the 3rd I can.."
To me that is complete and utter horsesh!t. Try singing a melody....I bet you it won't end up in any sort of scale. And, if you compared what you would play post analysis vs what you would play if you sang something with your voice, guaranteed you'd not sing what you played because not many of us sing in verbatim scales or use arpeggio's or even super fast runs. Notes and theory without heart sound like someone that sat there rehearsing scales for years. The object is to have a happy medium and set up your songs in formula's or themes.
Have a beginning, a middle, a climax and an end. This allows you to theme orient your songs and your solo's. You also tell a story within the song as well as what you have written lyrically if you have decided to write words.
But, getting back to the question at hand...like I said, it depends where the conversation is going and what that player's goals are. I would not talk to a guy that wants to be a teacher or session player the way I would talk to a guy that wanted to be a songwriter. There is a huge difference in how those individuals should pursue this craft.
Danny Danzi |
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Re: If a new guitar player (Part I)
9/15/2009 10:35:55 AM
Ken Richardson
(5630) wrote:
I would ask about what music and artists they like, what types of music they want to play or like to play.
Everyone approaches life and music differently.
The kid who just wants to play guitar may find later that he or she wants to get serious about it. Or - It may be that they don't stick with it.
At least the intial interest in picking it up could lead to something good!
Its good to learn some theory, but most of us pick it up to play guitar at first. The physical playing and the mental theory can reinforce each other, but in a lot of cases the fun of playing is how it all starts. |
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Re: If a new guitar player (Part I)
9/15/2009 11:01:04 AM
Randy Hano
(5375) wrote:
I would say thank you and let the new player lead the questioning or ask do you play too. That inquiry is showing you that he/she appreciates your playing and would like to know more about 1) who do you listen to (influences); 2) What type of gear are you using; 3) Do you give lessons; and 4) Where are you playing next?
You have a new fan, let the new fan guide you where the conversation may need to go. |
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Re: If a new guitar player (Part I)
9/15/2009 10:58:15 PM
Chris Pinto
(22045) wrote:
I would have to agree with the other posts...
It's a little hard to answer the question, directly....
If I happen to get/meet a new student/player, I like to ask them what types of music they're into, get a feel for what they like, maybe hear a little bit of what they can or can't do, ask them what their goals are, how far they actually want to go with the instrument, and then I take it from there. Try and let the student "be your guide".
And I also agree with Danny, about too much theory. Now, even though I'm trying to learn a LITTLE BIT of theory, it's just to help me (personally) understand the instrument a little better. I'm certainly not gonna let theory guide my soloing ideas, I always believe in playing from the heart.
Chris |
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