Whenever I record something I always listen back and think does this mistake bother me? If it does I'll redo it but sometimes there's a mistake that actually really cool and you can never ever do it again because it's basically just lick that it's there.
Yeah I'd agree about the songwriter part, I'm just so confused as to how he was able to even write songs (I know they're not technically complicated) without almost any knowledge of what he was really doing on the guitar. It's fascinating to me I guess, because I wouldn't have the confidence to do that not knowing more than most other people with guitars.
I think some people are touched with a musical finger or something but most people simply know a lot more about what they're doing than they are willing to admit because apparently it's cool.to be a kick ass guitarist/songwriter without understanding what you're doing.
I guess at what point does it become disheartening for people with high musicianship skills to see that people who may not have the chops are finding mega-success? Or maybe it's less of a disheartening fact and more of an inspiring one for those who may not be guitar heroes? Idk I guess I admire Cobain's/Dylan's ability to just write catchy stuff (even if it's laughably simple to players) and not care that their plateaued in their playing ability. Perhaps they just downplay their abilities as well...
Haha yeah the first rule of "cool" is not to try and be "cool" that would make sense. Cobain comes off as slightly arrogant and flippant when he talks about it, though. Almost maybe contemptuous but maybe it's insecurity.
Perhaps they do downplay it. It's often something that's more simple to play that sounds more pleasing, but if you ask me making somethinf simple that sounds good is harder than something complicated. Songs don't require difficult techniques. Think of Green Day, or just majority of bands. A guitar is just a small part of the song. Kurt Cobain for example finished his guitar chords with his vocals. (Rick Beato did a video on this)
Yes I can surely imagine! Which is why i was curious if that was a real thing. Did you find yourself dumbing down your riffage/music in general because of it? Do we still see it now maybe?
Yes Green Day is another that comes to mind when I consider simple guitar songs that made bands huge. I just always wonder how much these guys really know about what they're playing or if they just get lucky with a good ear/idea and just go for it.
They know it, even if they didn't in the beginning they must have learnt. I don't think it really matters how someone learns it. Knowing music theory is more about understanding how music works and how certain sounds or rhythms work together rather than remembering how everything is named.
Never mistake art for commerce. They are not always mutually exclusive - but mostly are. Great musicianship often has nothing to do with success or notoriety. Take Satriani, Holdsworth, Malmsteen, etc. NONE of them are even remotely successful compared to your average pop band - or for that matter guitarists that hit the mainstream - Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer, etc.
Oh yeah I completely understand what you're saying with regard to "platform". The guy/gal who shreds like no ones' business but never leaves the apartment won't ever have his shredding heard by the public, unlike the dude/dudette who knows a few power chords but goes all-in for it and plays/performs with others. I'm sure they end up learning a ton of new stuff along the way, too. I guess maybe the root of my question stems from wondering if the music biz has had a lot of infiltration by "posers", so-to-say, that maybe just rode that "platform" wave..?? I always just assumed everyone who ever had the confidence to record something must just know more than I do about music and guitar. I'm curious from your point-of-view as a studio musician, did you ever find yourself in the room having to record with someone (a frontman, songwriter) who YOU KNEW didn't know much about what they were doing/playing/talking about musically??
All I know is being technically good at playing your instrument is a completely different thing compared to writing a good song. If you're a good player but can't write a good song you will not get as well known as a Kurt Cobain or The Beatles for that matter. If you can't play that well but are really creative and can write a good song with what you are able to do(Bob Dylan or Kurt Cobain come to mind) you will get well known and famous. Then there are people Like Syn who can do both.
Syn is definitely the perfect storm of a great platform meets great songwriting ability meets great musicianship. I feel like the Haner Sr/Jr. guitar legacy grows evermore legendary with the creation and maintenance of this community. They're REALLY giving back in a major way. I have no delusions of grandeur of "making it" I barely possess the confidence to play anything in front of others let alone with other musicians hahaha but I was so curious as to how really great musicians felt. Great insights and I definitely agree/understand that there is a fine line between the two sides. I feel like you pegged Clapton exactly right. I always found it fascinating how that generation figured it all out without the help of more modern research/lesson assistance...
