Thoughts on Music Making as it Relates to the Expression of the Soul
What makes you want to play the guitar?
For me I think it is more about living in and creating a certain world of sound and making a space for which I can express my deepest emotions and ideas. Ideas that are difficult to express in words alone. I really want to make music because for me that is where so much of the hidden beauty and depth of life comes from. I think you can catch a glimpse into some of the infinite realms and mirrors of the soul through music.
Something I think is lost at times when we think of learning to make music is the deeper spiritual and emotional aspects of guitar playing. I know on the one hand my role as a teacher is to help others learn technique and theory and discover some of the joy in that mode of creative expression. On the other hand, I think it is important for each of us to pay attention to our feelings as we are playing, because those are real guideposts for our true desires. If I feel really great playing something, I know I've just opened a window into some greater part of my joyful self. If something feels unnecessarily frustrating or it feels like I'm struggling with something that isn't really technically advanced, it probably means I've taken a turn down a road I'd really rather not be on, probably due to a belief such as "I need to be able to learn or play this to be the best guitar player I can be."
So you may be thinking, "if I can master as much technique and theory as possible that will by nature make me a "better" guitar player". Well let's examine that by taking a closer look at two great guitarists, Steve Vai and Dimebag Darrell. I personally love both and don't really think one is really better than the other. That, I believe, is a matter of opinion. I think that Vai's technical knowledge and dedication to his instrument is very admirable and interesting. I also think that Dime's playing reveals some of his fun loving personality, something that really gets my blood going when I listen to Pantera. I don't think Vai could have achieved what he has without an intimate knowledge of theory and scales. Likewise, I doubt that learning the ins and outs of 9/8 time signatures and the format of a classical fugue would have enhanced Dime's music one bit, as it was already great the way it was. So ultimately I think it's up to you to express yourself in whatever way works for you, and I think it can be a bit detrimental to get too hung up on playing things a certain way if it doesn't feel right to you.
My own personal journey as a musician has taken many twists and turns. Through times of rampant experimentation involving little or no musical "theory" or focused technique as I now see it, to struggling through the vast labyrinth of technical material available to the aspiring guitarist, to my current state of attempting to allow myself the freedom to explore the utmost pleasure and genuine expression possible through making music.
I believe that this journey is one that is intensely personal for everyone. I think that learning scales, modes, songs, notation, etc. can all be extremely rewarding and valuable for a musician, provided that is where your true interests and passions lie.
There have been times when I thought perhaps it was best to persevere through site readings that didn't quite feel right to me or brought little joy. I don't regret these times for they have given me an insight into who I am and what I want to accomplish as a musician.
As I see it, music can be a gift to share yourself with the world in a way that can be extraordinarily powerful, mesmerizing, shocking, or touching. It can be a tool for connecting with others in a relaxed and lighthearted way as well. As a teacher it is my job to help you learn the things you want to learn, assisting you in your journey as an unfolding spirit in physical motion.
So my advice (and it is just that, certainly not something I would say is any hard and fast rule) would be to explore theory and technique if it interests you, but above all try to keep in mind why you want to make music, pay attention to your feelings as you play, and have fun! If you're not tapping into some form of self expression, joy, or something else desirable, ultimately there may be little left for you at the end of the day.
For me I think it is more about living in and creating a certain world of sound and making a space for which I can express my deepest emotions and ideas. Ideas that are difficult to express in words alone. I really want to make music because for me that is where so much of the hidden beauty and depth of life comes from. I think you can catch a glimpse into some of the infinite realms and mirrors of the soul through music.
Something I think is lost at times when we think of learning to make music is the deeper spiritual and emotional aspects of guitar playing. I know on the one hand my role as a teacher is to help others learn technique and theory and discover some of the joy in that mode of creative expression. On the other hand, I think it is important for each of us to pay attention to our feelings as we are playing, because those are real guideposts for our true desires. If I feel really great playing something, I know I've just opened a window into some greater part of my joyful self. If something feels unnecessarily frustrating or it feels like I'm struggling with something that isn't really technically advanced, it probably means I've taken a turn down a road I'd really rather not be on, probably due to a belief such as "I need to be able to learn or play this to be the best guitar player I can be."
So you may be thinking, "if I can master as much technique and theory as possible that will by nature make me a "better" guitar player". Well let's examine that by taking a closer look at two great guitarists, Steve Vai and Dimebag Darrell. I personally love both and don't really think one is really better than the other. That, I believe, is a matter of opinion. I think that Vai's technical knowledge and dedication to his instrument is very admirable and interesting. I also think that Dime's playing reveals some of his fun loving personality, something that really gets my blood going when I listen to Pantera. I don't think Vai could have achieved what he has without an intimate knowledge of theory and scales. Likewise, I doubt that learning the ins and outs of 9/8 time signatures and the format of a classical fugue would have enhanced Dime's music one bit, as it was already great the way it was. So ultimately I think it's up to you to express yourself in whatever way works for you, and I think it can be a bit detrimental to get too hung up on playing things a certain way if it doesn't feel right to you.
My own personal journey as a musician has taken many twists and turns. Through times of rampant experimentation involving little or no musical "theory" or focused technique as I now see it, to struggling through the vast labyrinth of technical material available to the aspiring guitarist, to my current state of attempting to allow myself the freedom to explore the utmost pleasure and genuine expression possible through making music.
I believe that this journey is one that is intensely personal for everyone. I think that learning scales, modes, songs, notation, etc. can all be extremely rewarding and valuable for a musician, provided that is where your true interests and passions lie.
There have been times when I thought perhaps it was best to persevere through site readings that didn't quite feel right to me or brought little joy. I don't regret these times for they have given me an insight into who I am and what I want to accomplish as a musician.
As I see it, music can be a gift to share yourself with the world in a way that can be extraordinarily powerful, mesmerizing, shocking, or touching. It can be a tool for connecting with others in a relaxed and lighthearted way as well. As a teacher it is my job to help you learn the things you want to learn, assisting you in your journey as an unfolding spirit in physical motion.
So my advice (and it is just that, certainly not something I would say is any hard and fast rule) would be to explore theory and technique if it interests you, but above all try to keep in mind why you want to make music, pay attention to your feelings as you play, and have fun! If you're not tapping into some form of self expression, joy, or something else desirable, ultimately there may be little left for you at the end of the day.
