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Versatility
By admin | November 8, 2007
I have often said that one of the key things that defines an excellent guitarist is his or her ability to fit in to any playing situation, in any genre. Certainly that is something that I have striven for, and Lord knows I’ve got a long ways to go. Truly great guitar players, however, are ones with the ability to look at the guitar and see it in a completely different way. Guys who don’t just see the same old scales, the same old patterns, the same monotonous methods - they can see a potential that maybe NO one else can see at that current point in time.
While it is very premature to rank him among the “greats”, check out the video below - the kid has an interesting outlook on his acoustic. It is a cool mix of percussive playing, harmonic tones, and a really cool open tuning. I LOVE how melodic he is, while still being so creative and original. It would be really easy to over-complicate something like that when you are playing at that level of talent and ability, but instead he keeps it harmonically enjoyable. He obviously has a great sense of rhythm and some serious accuracy with his harmonics. Next time you pick up your guitar, try a slap harmonic with your finger like he is doing - it only takes one try to realize how hard it is!
Realistically, he (obviously) is using an open tuning. I am not sure, but I think I see a MIDI output coming out the back of the guitar, leading me to believe that some of those harmonics might have some “help” from a MIDI system, but the evidence is inconclusive. And regardless whether or not there is some MIDI involved, it is still a difficult style of playing and he has the attitude of a pioneer, which never hurts. This just goes to show how much can come of having just a solid sense of rhythm, which I can promise you was one of his first steps to adapting this style of playing. Remove all the hits and slaps (which he seems to not do too hard) and it wouldn’t be nearly as interesting.
Watching it makes you want to try it, doesn’t it? Plus, its actually a thoroughly enjoyable tune.
Josh
Topics: Videos, acoustic, guitar |
November 9th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Nice! Yeah, I don’t care if somebody “cheats” to get whatever sound they’re getting out of an instrument. The important thing is what they do with it. Some people play instruments, but others play music.
BTW, what is your opinion of Matthias Ecklund (sp?), aka Freak Guitar?
November 12th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Matthias is incredibly creative, and his sense of melody is far beyond a lot of other guitar players I’ve heard. His harmonic capabilities are stunning, as well.
I’m not much of a speed player myself, but it is really fun to watch. Of all the stuff I’ve seen by him, I am most impressed by his ability to maintain an exceptionally steady rhythm regardless of the blazing speed he is playing at!
November 12th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
He is quite amazing. My favorite acoustic tapper is Don Ross by far. He is not only the cleanest and most technical player of them all but his acoustic stuff is actually melodic and fun to listen to. There are few guys out there who can truly move tapping past the technical and into expressing a feeling, like Matthias. Not just a talent to appreciate but music to enjoy!
November 13th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
My favorite acoustic tapper has GOT to be Andy McKee. He is on the same label as Don Ross, and I actually heard of Andy first. The guy is so creative and so melodic, plus every now and then he plays on this amazing harp guitar. Andy and Don are actually on the same record label, and they tour together.
November 14th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Great to hear from you and glad to see you are staying on the front lines of progress. I have been terrified since you quit teaching, afraid I would once again fall victim to my own inabilities to be creative and flexible in growing my playing skills. I have been playing almost daily and keep adding more songs to my list but, after reading your blog post, a few of your comments reminded me that I am getting better with the same things but not growing much. As long as the song has most of the same chords, I can play it and I pick up a few new chords along the way.
But at the end of the day, the music sounds much the same, only the words change.
The good news is that I am still playing and haven’t regressed. The bad news is that I have not moved that much further along.
This past August, I purchased an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. I tried to get myself to by a Fender but after much trial and sampling, I was about to pay at the counter for the Fender and I just didn’t feel right about the feel. The salesperson led me to try the Epiphone and it immediately scratched the right itch. I added a small Line 6 15W amp and later some headphones (I was running the family out of the house).
After just a couple of times strumming the Les Paul, I picked up the acoustic and was surprised at how much better I was playing – weird!
Anyway, I have no idea what I am doing and really miss not having you to lead me along. I really need to get connected with another teacher, just haven’t made the effort (still grieving over my last loss I guess).
Keep up your postings as you never know when what you have to share will make all the difference to someone out there.