Just some thoughts

Paul Stauskas · Post by **Paul Stauskas** » 5 Sep 2016 1:53 pm

Christopher Woitach wrote:I'm sorry you read it that way - by no means do I think everyone needs to know or care about the same things I do. As I said, I play and will continue to play with musicians who read, don't read, know theory, don't know theory - as long as they are musical it's fine with me. I do not in any way mean to disparage or disrespect any musicians for the way go about making their music, it's not up to me to decide how anyone makes their music.

What I do object to is the misconception that somehow knowing about music is harmful to ones playing, usually based on having played with an unmusical player who knew how to read. I think knowledge and musicality are 2 separate issues.

I hope that's clear. I don't believe my posts here were disparaging anyone, but if they were, it was my lack of clarity, not my intention

It is sad that professionals like Chris W. and Bob H. and others who graciously post here have to defend themselves for helping the rest of us think more like professionals. I have talked to a few of the younger pro players that visit the forum on occasion and they share the same sentiment. I hope you guys know that there are players on this forum myself included that appreciate your posts a great deal.

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 5 Sep 2016 2:55 pm

Amen Damir, I am just like you. It is great to be a fast and fancy picker but what counts is to be a dance band/stage picker backing any one that gets up and make the crowd think you have been playing this forever. I have knowed many a fine picker that sounded great just by themselves and a drum machine but put them behind a singer and on stage to play they were completely lost. I only got paid money when I did that.
I know that everyone has there own thoughts to all this but those are mine. J.R. Rose

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 5 Sep 2016 3:02 pm

What bugs me is when musicians, guitar players especially, refuse to learn enough about music to communicate at rehearsals. Showing me what you're playing on guitar doesn't help me if I don't know the chord and you can't give it a name. And I can't teach you a song if you don't know where the chords are on your instrument.

Some of this stuff isn't necessary for the old 3-chord tunes, and that's fine, but what's the real excuse for not knowing the names of the chords that you're playing, or what key you're in when you use a capo? It won't hurt your playing! It's just laziness.

Most music theory isn't really very complicated.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Sep 2016 6:54 am

That's true b0b, and I would never profess that you shouldn't learn anything about music. Of course, the rudiments can be important, and they're differing in requirements for different players. But what I'm noticing lately is that some players are putting most all of their learning effort on learning more scales, chords, adding pedals and changes, and not taking the time to refine their technique and "ear". They're on an endless search to add complexity without taking the time to refine and polish what they already know or do. When you or I play something Buddy or Lloyd played, it just doesn't sound the same, and I don't think the difference will be found in music theory.

Showing me what you're playing on guitar doesn't help me if I don't know the chord and you can't give it a name.

Well, I'm different, I guess. I think part of being a good musician is being able to play what you hear...without someone telling you what the chords or notes are.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Sep 2016 7:28 am

I put some minors in "Cold, Cold Heart" and I haven't been struck by lightning, yet.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 6 Sep 2016 7:40 am

What an example! Here's two songs in one. Of the second song I can probably play every lick in the "Rock guitar" vain. But the first song escapes me completely, because it's Jazz.
Satin Doll/ Monkey Man:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ettSuYNEQs

That's when I regret that I can't read music.

Edited:
I finally figured out the chords to Satin Doll by ear now. But it's still true for more complicated stuff.

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 6 Sep 2016 8:32 am

b0b wrote:

I share his anger.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 6 Sep 2016 9:10 am

I remember playing with a blues piano player that sat-in with the band telling me the key he was in "isn't on this piano"!!!

Sadly, he was right...no one else could find what key he was in either .

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 6 Sep 2016 1:01 pm

b0b wrote:Showing me what you're playing on guitar doesn't help me if I don't know the chord and you can't give it a name.

Donny Hinson wrote:Well, I'm different, I guess. I think part of being a good musician is being able to play what you hear...without someone telling you what the chords or notes are.

You and I are obviously playing with different guitarists. I know guitarists who will put their fingers somewhere because "it sounds cool" and write a new song around it. Or hear a 3-note partial on a record and expect me to find a part to go with it. Without a bass note, I'm lost.