delb0y
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Post by delb0y on Dec 17, 2017 18:30:58 GMT
... some days when learning a piece I try and get every note right, every slide, every grace note. And it takes forever and a bit more. But more and more I think it's the grace notes and slides and chokes that really give a piece it's flavour.
... some days I learn a rough approximation, which is generally easier to do, albeit still time consuming, and it gives me something to play and I try and make it my own. But I worry I'm never going to really move to the next level.
That's all. Derek
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Post by robmc on Dec 17, 2017 21:29:31 GMT
Derek, in my case things are a bit simpler.... I usually do not have the ability to consider the first option, I tell myself that the second option allows me to express my own unique talent, I also believe that levels are not relevant, there is an interesting documentary on Taoism that has helped me come to terms with accepting harmony in place of improvement
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Dec 17, 2017 21:58:33 GMT
I think it is very hard to tell whether a piece or song will suit your own style until you strip it right back , put it in a key that fits your own capability, record a basic track and listen critically. If it doesn't sound terrible ( remembering what drew you in initially ) it is maybe worth progressing it ...adding instrumentation,harmonies and decoration from your own "bank"...record it again and wait awhile until the euphoria of finding something new wears off. If after all that it still sounds half good its maybe worth considering adding it to a set...maybe I'm talking about covers here...about originals I know nothing.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Dec 17, 2017 23:40:01 GMT
Mostly the second approach for me Derek! Probably why I tend to play the "same" choon differently most times. Keith
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Post by lavaman on Dec 18, 2017 1:04:43 GMT
But more and more I think it's the grace notes and slides and chokes that really give a piece it's flavour.
... some days I learn a rough approximation, which is generally easier to do, albeit still time consuming, and it gives me something to play and I try and make it my own. But I worry I'm never going to really move to the next level.
That's all. Derek Del, I think the two approaches are complimentary. Studying the grace notes, slides etc from the original artist help you understand why their style moves you. Trying to make the song your own is what we all strive to do and is a mixture of our own idiosyncrasies melded with elements of the style of the original artist. You do advance to the next level but progress is surreptitious.
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delb0y
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Post by delb0y on Dec 18, 2017 20:55:43 GMT
I was thinking of the Richard Smith DVD when I wrote this, but it applies often to many songs. I'm already stuck on the first bar of the first simple tune, which Richard uses as a precursor to the main stuff... I've moved on from trying to do what he does to doing a vague approximation of what he does and I've been filling my first 12 bars with all sorts of rubbish whilst I gradually add in random bits and slowly edge in closer. But I don't imagine I'll ever get anywhere close. His style is just too fluid and so full of the grace notes and slides and bends and chokes that its... well, impossible for me to do. I'm just worried that in taking the easy route I will somehow miss both the magic and the benefit. Anyway, in a year or two I might have something to share.
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Dec 18, 2017 23:31:18 GMT
I don't even know what a grace note is - but I'm sure it's amazing.
Every song I do is my interpretation of someone else's work. So it's unfair of me to copy it exactly - I mean, I'd only play it better than them...
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Dec 20, 2017 19:56:39 GMT
Depends on what pants I'm wearing...
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Post by vikingblues on Dec 20, 2017 22:40:27 GMT
To me the journey should be more fun than arriving at the destination.
Which is a great excuse to go for method 2.
I don't set myself targets and goals other than to explore something. Not to master it, or get to a certain level, but to enjoy the process.
I know a lot of teachers / people say that you have to study / copy the works of the masters because you only find your own voice by learning how others have a voice. But having tried that sort of thing over the years I feel all I could do was be a pale imitation of players that could do it so much better because it was their style and that suited them. So I go along with the teachings of an old blues guy, Michael 'Hawkeye' Herman, who encourages pupils to explore concepts on their own and not to copy others. In this way he sees the pupil finding their own voice and their own style and way of playing. My enjoyment in playing music has increased a lot as a result. Though it may not have resulted in other people enjoying my playing more!
Mark
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Post by andyhowell on Dec 21, 2017 22:01:49 GMT
My thoughts? Just don't worry. Are you enjoying yourself? Then that's enough!
I worry about everything. My guitar plaguing is crap. My songwriting is really dreadful. My singing could be much, much better and then ....
.... I pull myself out of despair by thinking ....
... fuck it, I enjoy it, if the world isn't ready for me, well that's the world's problem!
(Well, I think tat tonight but tomorrow I might be suicidal)
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