IvanP wrote:
Hmmm, did my recent videos start some of this? Is trying to learn the subtleties of another guitarist's style incompatible with having your own style? Does the below video mean that Jeff Beck doesn't have his own sound and style?
Ivan P. That video is the reason I play Hodad music, R&B drenched with west coast culture music.
Regarding the issue of lefty players getting more dynamics, since you mentioned DD, I can speak from experience. I make that statement because I've been running with the King off and on since he gave me my 1st lesson in 1959 at his house in Costa Mesa, down to the Mansion in NB, and now the desert drive to his Ranch often. I am always challenging the King.
Speaking from my experience based upon learning from Dick, then trying to take what I learned from him and make an effort to mimic Albert King, tone is something formed in your personality. Sure, the amp and guitar plays essential parts, but the way you feel music plays a very important part.
You, I, Messina, etc., will never sound like Dick, no matter how hard you, me, he or anyone else tries. (Merely an opinion, based not on any empirical studies)
For instance, at SG101 you got close to JM, but you are not Jim, don't ahve his personality, so you won't be exact. That does not translated into you not being as gifted.
Back in 1964, Jim was a very talented musician, much oer proficient than most of us at the time, but Jimbo was spending hours copying Dick's style. Similar yes, but still a long way off.
You are an accomplished guitar player, so, focus on your own personality and make that come through your playing, not someone else. Musicians then will be copying you.
To respond to a post by Chris above, I am gonna take you on a trip down memory lane, to around 1960 when my brother and I were dining out one day at a hamburger spot near our house.
Someone dropped a dime in the jukebox and I hear the artist singing some lame hillbilly tune, then the guitarist starts picking tremolo style, my first experience. I said to my brother, probably in obscenities, that ..... can play.
We then hop on our bikes,(the kind you peddle, not kick start) and haul down to the local record store. After sneaking in some Red Foxx records into the booth, I get a copy of the hillbilly song, Mule Skinner Blues.
I later learn the guitarist is Jim Sundquist of the Fendermen and sometime thereafter I sent him a letter to get the low down on his playing style. Mind you, this is at least a year before DD is double picking. Sundquist became my influence, merged with the high energy of the Wailers, specifically Dick Dangel.
The long n' short of this tale, play who you are, not who you want to be.
Since the subject is about Dick's tone, those darn tribute bands make me sick; Clapton, Hendrix, Beck, etc., and a myriad of others.
Last week I was at a musician conference where at least 75% of the attendees were dressed like someone else, Hendrix, Clapton, Beck, Beatles, etc. Those, like me that was dressed like me got zero attention. (Maybe that was the reason)
Maybe tribute bands were already a sore spot before I arrived at the conference because before I stated focusing on different venues to perform at, the promoters were only looking for tribute bands. It did not matter that I had recorded in the early sixties, or my band was made up now of professional players, not high school kids back then; what mattered was whether I was a tribute band.
Going to a specific venue where new acts take the place of the old acts, i.e., a Beatles event, Elvis show, English Invasion, even a SG101 conference, one would expect to see and hear a tribute band. Having to compete for such a spot is understandable. Learn the artists music.
But damn, it seems like today, the venues available to perform are getting scarcer unless you dress up to look like someone else.
In response to Chris, since I play a half dozen of Dick's tunes, maybe I will cut my hair, make a pony tale, paint my Strat gold, get rid of all my other tunes and concentrate on Dick's tunes.
That may get me a gig at SG101 at some future date.
Just some comments from an old fart.
Last edited: Feb 01, 2017 17:52:56
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