Stoney -> RE: What do you think of Ottmar Liebert? (Nov. 25 2009 7:11:36)
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and with a lot more reverence for the style. Quoting myself here and clarifying. Reverence meaning respect. I am not one to throw myself on the ground screaming "I'm not worthy" for any artist. Haven't been since I stopped listening to KISS in the 70's. (12 yrs. old then) My point is that there is a fast track method of learning which I find cheats the player out of really getting any style. If you want to play blues you need to pick up some B.B. King, Muddy Waters and other originators of the style. If you just copy all of Stevie Ray Vaughn's licks you will never have the authority nor your own style. Same goes for the Paco De Lucia clones - did they pay their dues by learning the traditional stuff as well? Obviously Ottmar took and even shorter and less respectful route, he just ignored 99% of the style completely. Any why would anyone want to play exactly what Artist X played? The saying goes that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. But they aren't really imitating the artist, they are imitating the artist's work (does that add something to the artist? I think not - just check out the numerous versions of the Toques Flamenco pieces on youtube - not really any compliment to Paco Pena IMHO - more like an embarrassment I'd say) If you really want to pay tribute to your favorite artist, do what they did, learn it the right way, learn and adapt and innovate yourself. That's what they did and IMHO is the only true path to artistic NIRVANA. That's respect and reverence. As far as I know, to play a variations on a standard falsetta that is commonly associated with another guitarist is looked down on in Spain. Seems fair to me. Everyone knows Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson. Now who are the Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson imitators? No one knows - No one cares. No one is under any obligation to follow this philosophy and if you are satisfied doing it the other way, so be it. There will always be someone to tell you you are great. This is the philosophy I have tried to live up to in the 30 yrs since I got my first guitar. Personally I am happy with my own artistic growth although I am not a phenomenal guitarist at least I have the satisfaction of having gotten where I am by hard work, not by standing on someone else's shoulders. In closing, I prefer determination to talent any day. Talent is often wasted. Stoney
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