Miguel de Maria -> RE: Interesting article (Dec. 16 2003 20:47:55)
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Hmm, can't say I enjoyed the article that much, I just see a journal entry in one very self-conscious, insecure man's book! Some of his insecurities resonated with me, some just seemed to be general whines. It's hard for me to fathom that one could study guitar seriously for 17 years and not feel you are getting a hold on the instrument. That really jumped out at me--what does he mean by serious? Does he practice half an hour a day or four? Does he have a teacher or has he been trying to go it alone? It seems he thinks that a master guitarist should be able to play all styles. It simply doesn't work that way. There is the guitar, and then there is the style, two discrete things which must be learned. A good musician has the tools to learn both more quickly than the average person: analytical ability, knowledge of rhythm, harmony, how melody works, dynamics--in short, the framework or infrastructure of music. He must still devote time. There is knowing how to play and knowing what to play. Sometimes those topics are more linked than is commonly thought. I have struggled mightly with suspicions I wasn't talented, or physically gifted... now I consider those thoughts mere insecurity and not realistic at all. It seems to me that with the proper work, anyone can master the guitar. The author is so afraid of not having a style, another thing I don't get. It's like worrying about whether you are a good conversationalist or not. Just talk... pay attention to what works, what brings a smile to people's faces, see what works for other people, if you want to make a statement, then do so, if you just want to float there's nothing wrong with that. People with brilliant styles are brilliant people. If you have a zest for life, if you are a charitable loving person, if you are distinct, then so will be your style. But hand-wringing is probably not the best way to get one. It seems to me that if he found something he loved, instead of just messing around with every popular instrumentalist, he would figure out a style. Why was he so scared of being compared to a particular guitarist? If that's him, that's him. Maybe he should learn flamenco, he mentioned just about every form of music.
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