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Topic: Just One Thing |
b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 10:10 am |
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There is only one thing that determines the quality of the music you produce: your brain.
It really has nothing to do with what brand of guitar you play, how many strings or pedals you have, what amp and effects you use, or anything else. The music is coming from your brain.
Your brain was made by the finest maker in the universe. It can produce the best music from the cheapest instruments imaginable. Train your brain properly and other musicians will want to play with you. The more musical knowledge and skill you pump into your brain, the more successful you will be as a musician.
Don't worry about the other stuff. It will come. Feed your brain.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 11:05 am
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| Yes! Jerry Byrd said, "if you are a good player it doesn't matter what kind of guitar you have, and if you are not a good player then it doesn't matter what kind of guitar you have." |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 11:16 am
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I couldn't agree more, b0b. And one of the best parts, we never run out of things to learn and grow with, and the more we learn, the better we play.
Plus it's FUN! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 11:34 am
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I highly, highly recommend everyone read the book "The Art of Piano Playing" by George Kochevitsky. You will get a very concise scientific treatise on the role of the central nervous system and the entire body in the process of learning and playing music. It is very eye-opening. I'd like to think that steel guitar couldn't be that far removed from the piano in that respect.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 1:58 pm
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| Rick Collins wrote: |
| Yes! Jerry Byrd said, "if you are a good player it doesn't matter what kind of guitar you have, and if you are not a good player then it doesn't matter what kind of guitar you have." |
So why did Jerry hate Fender guitars? |
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Richard Damron
From:
Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 1:59 pm
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b0b -
There have been several topics of roughly the same genre as Mike Neer cites. If one attempts to make a judgement as to their acceptance by the number of views and posts received then they have been hopelessly ineffective. In addition, you will recall a somewhat hotly debated thread or two as to the efficacy of learning rudimentary theory and harmony. Once again, a lost cause.
On the surface, at least, it would appear that the vision of most players is myopic, at best. That is, picking and bar technique coupled with tablature sits at the end of their noses and they somehow cannot venture beyond that.
A well-worn copy of "Orange Blossom Special" played at breakneck speed does not make one an accomplished musician although I get the definite impression that some on the Forum view such things as sole prerequisites to steel guitar fame.
I applaud your effort - and agree most wholeheartedly - but must be cynical in saying that you have 11,000 players who you're leading to the water while only a small handful will actually take a meaningful drink.
Nice try, anyway.
Respectfully,
Richard |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 7:35 pm
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| Earnest Bovine wrote: |
| So why did Jerry hate Fender guitars? |
Is that what he said? Do you remember his exact quote? |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 8:41 pm
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| Rick Collins wrote: |
| Earnest Bovine wrote: |
| So why did Jerry hate Fender guitars? |
Is that what he said? Do you remember his exact quote? |
No, but I remember reading somewhere that Fender built a custom guitar, unsolicited, for Jerry, and begged him to play it in public, which Jerry eventually did for a while, but not before telling Fender that he hated the thin Fender sound. I'm sure someone here knows better what actually happened. |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 9:49 pm
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| Earnest Bovine wrote: |
| Rick Collins wrote: |
| Earnest Bovine wrote: |
| So why did Jerry hate Fender guitars? |
Is that what he said? Do you remember his exact quote? |
No, but I remember reading somewhere that Fender built a custom guitar, unsolicited, for Jerry, and begged him to play it in public, which Jerry eventually did for a while, but not before telling Fender that he hated the thin Fender sound. I'm sure someone here knows better what actually happened. |
That's the guitar that HowardR owns. He used it on one recording, Satin Strings of Steel.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Chris Gabriel
From:
Oregon, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2012 9:58 pm Brain Food
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Here's a link to wrap your brain around,
Synesthesia
read:Sound → color synesthesia
more brain food:
Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner
and/or
Forward Motion by Hal Galper
Chris |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 6 Feb 2012 12:59 am
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i found this in fo's archives on the JB Fender model
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2012 7:33 am
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The context in which I quoted Jerry Byrd was from his very basic VHS tape for steel guitar students.
Contextually, I believe he meant for students not to be concerned too much about the guitar they were using as a student (my own interpretation). |
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Larry Miller
From:
Dothan AL,USA
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Posted 6 Feb 2012 8:33 am
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| Quote: |
| Your brain was made by the finest maker in the universe. It can produce the best music from the cheapest instruments imaginable |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 12:11 pm
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| Quote: |
I found this in fo's archives on the JB Fender model
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It has eight strings - one better. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 12:28 pm
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| Barry Blackwood wrote: |
| It has eight strings - one better. |
Not better. That's my point. The improvement has to be in your mind, not in your gear.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 2:19 pm
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| b0b wrote: |
| That's my point. The improvement has to be in your mind, not in your gear. |
I too, believe this is right.
Think about a vocalist __ a singer must live with the voice he/she has and attain knowledge to be their very best, with practice.
Also, only so much can be built into an instrument.
At a point, a player must rely on their ability.
Sometimes, too much, is added to an instrument that will sometimes hinder some players' performance. |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 4:02 pm
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But, one might well say fortunately, an instrumentalist is not "stuck" with one "voice."
A distinction between two instruments of the same type with subtly different timbre is one thing--reasonable minds can differ about the validity of caring about that. But, seriously--number of strings, for example, is a different matter. Changing from 7 strings to 8 is changing the vocabulary available to the player. The fact that one can make great music on 7 strings doesn't mean there's no value to be found in that added string--it doesn't follow.
Once again I take the liberty of quoting what is, IMHO, one of the best posts ever on the Forum. It's from Dean Parks, in 2006:
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I think that each player has his own ideal sound, and he tweaks everything within reach to make that tone, on any instrument he's playing.
It may take a lot of "doing" to get that tone on some instruments, and that extra effort may cramp his technique considerably. He MAY find an instrument, and/or an amplification chain, which gets him there with less strain, or maybe even with some unexpected added inspiration (it could be sonic, or ergonomic). If so, he wants that instrument, because of the bottom line: he finds he can make his best music with it.
Otherwise you wouldn't have great players be so extremely concerned with their equipment.
I also think that inspiring equipment breeds inspired technique.
Equipment is not everything, but it's not nothing. |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 5:05 pm
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Brint, there is much truth in Dean Parks' post which you quoted.
I might add:
I have seen players tinker with equipment and add-on devices until they are loaded down __ and have added nothing to their delivery.
Does it not depend on "what you want to say" to your audience?
Personally, I play a Fender 1000, Emmons D-10 PP, Webb amp.
But, for the last five years, I have played a Fender Dual Pro. (eight) through a Peavy Nash. 112 without a volume pedal and I don't miss the pedals.
I believe my delivery is better than I have ever played.
Could it just be, that so many players would not sound so much alike if they had not chosen to use those pedals with the E-9th chromatic tuning?
...just seeking information. |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 5:34 pm
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| Quote: |
Barry Blackwood wrote:
It has eight strings - one better.
b0b wrote:
Not better. That's my point. |
b0b, I think you missed the sarcasm. Remember JB's seven-string Rickenbacher?
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 6:26 pm
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I suppose I did.  I thought you were seriously suggesting that an 8 string guitar was somehow automatically better than a 7 string guitar.
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 6:50 pm
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| b0b wrote: |
| I suppose I did. I thought you were seriously suggesting that an 8 string guitar was somehow automatically better than a 7 string guitar. |
They're both black, though. That's gotta figure in there somehow.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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AJ Azure
From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 7:31 pm
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It's not about the notes man. Music is the space between the notes, man. Now put down your instrument and make some music, man  |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 9:04 pm
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| The Cajun singer/sqeezebox player Jo-el Sonnier once told me: "Man I like da way you play - you leavin' out some beautiful notes!" |
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AJ Azure
From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Feb 2012 11:04 pm
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| Michael Johnstone wrote: |
| The Cajun singer/sqeezebox player Jo-el Sonnier once told me: "Man I like da way you play - you leavin' out some beautiful notes!" |
Nice 
"The there's get the heck outcha own way and play!" |
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