Comments on: Is practicing technique for idiots? http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/ Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:58:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: Andy http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12399 Andy Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:02:26 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12399 I think you have a point in that technique shouldn't be disregarded completely (especially for beginners) but a lot of times beginners/intermediates get so caught up with technique that they forget what it's all about. A metronome is important in developing your sense of rhythm, but jamming with other musicians and bouncing ideas off another is another form of ear development that can't be forgotten. There *are* ways of connecting your technical exercises to musicality, like writing an etude. That's how our elder baroque and classical brothers did it, why can't we do it now? Chromatic exercises only go so far :cool: I have a lot of respect for Marty. He's one of those 80's born shredders who focused more on melodic development and style, rather than playing at blistering speeds (MAB I'm looking at you). Working on technique is important, but for some guitarists it's not the overall goal. I think you have a point in that technique shouldn’t be disregarded completely (especially for beginners) but a lot of times beginners/intermediates get so caught up with technique that they forget what it’s all about. A metronome is important in developing your sense of rhythm, but jamming with other musicians and bouncing ideas off another is another form of ear development that can’t be forgotten.

There *are* ways of connecting your technical exercises to musicality, like writing an etude. That’s how our elder baroque and classical brothers did it, why can’t we do it now? Chromatic exercises only go so far :cool:

I have a lot of respect for Marty. He’s one of those 80′s born shredders who focused more on melodic development and style, rather than playing at blistering speeds (MAB I’m looking at you).

Working on technique is important, but for some guitarists it’s not the overall goal.

]]> By: CapnZilog http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12385 CapnZilog Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:33:41 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12385 Ah, the GK250ML ... I don't care how tiny it was, it was manna from heaven back in the 80's! Kinda like the Rockman of guitar amps, which is what it sounded like. Nugent used the same one during his PRS days, and as far as I know Nugent's cojones have swollen so large that they've cut off part of the blood supply to his brain. May I suggest that another variant on ALD is playing a PRS. To everyone who retired their Ibanezes, Jacksons or their Warlocks... don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! Sometimes it seems like every middle-age guy with a 401(k) and a beard is pulling one out of the back of his BMW, just in time to treat us to another rendition of Black Magic Woman ... Ah, the GK250ML … I don’t care how tiny it was, it was manna from heaven back in the 80′s! Kinda like the Rockman of guitar amps, which is what it sounded like. Nugent used the same one during his PRS days, and as far as I know Nugent’s cojones have swollen so large that they’ve cut off part of the blood supply to his brain.

May I suggest that another variant on ALD is playing a PRS. To everyone who retired their Ibanezes, Jacksons or their Warlocks… don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! Sometimes it seems like every middle-age guy with a 401(k) and a beard is pulling one out of the back of his BMW, just in time to treat us to another rendition of Black Magic Woman …

]]> By: jomaheux http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12353 jomaheux Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:21:38 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12353 As`long as you dial the heavy tones and you don't change hairstyle,you're alright. :wink: As`long as you dial the heavy tones and you don’t change hairstyle,you’re alright. :wink:

]]> By: Lorinator http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12348 Lorinator Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:43:29 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12348 Sometimes I worry that my new-found appreciation of small, easy-to-DI, and easily portable gear suggests the onset of the dreaded ALD. But then I realize that -- had I the means -- I'd much prefer to have walls of Marshalls and/or Mesas and a real studio to crank them in than my humble Pod. That makes me feel a bit better... Sometimes I worry that my new-found appreciation of small, easy-to-DI, and easily portable gear suggests the onset of the dreaded ALD.

But then I realize that — had I the means — I’d much prefer to have walls of Marshalls and/or Mesas and a real studio to crank them in than my humble Pod. That makes me feel a bit better…

]]> By: Lorinator http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12347 Lorinator Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:39:14 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12347 Just want to thank you for posting the Lukather quote here, Dave. I've paraphrased it in a recent post, but didn't thank you in the body text because it would've interrupted the flow of what was a very long sentence. Just want to thank you for posting the Lukather quote here, Dave. I’ve paraphrased it in a recent post, but didn’t thank you in the body text because it would’ve interrupted the flow of what was a very long sentence.

]]> By: Lorinator http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12346 Lorinator Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:37:41 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12346 Interesting observations, CapnZ! In fact they relate to a post I've been working on, so I won't say too much at this point. One thing to remember is when players downplay the role of effort (i.e., practice) their presumed innate talent is brought to the forefront. And it gives them an immediate out for less-than-stellar performance -- "What do you expect? I never f'n practice..." Interesting observations, CapnZ! In fact they relate to a post I’ve been working on, so I won’t say too much at this point.

One thing to remember is when players downplay the role of effort (i.e., practice) their presumed innate talent is brought to the forefront. And it gives them an immediate out for less-than-stellar performance — “What do you expect? I never f’n practice…”

]]> By: Andy Gavin http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12335 Andy Gavin Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:47:38 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12335 I think Marty's statements reflect his change in musical direction. In his early music career and indeed his whole identity was based on playing technically demanding lead guitar (he was signed to Shrapnel ffs!) Nowadays he appears to want to distance himself from those oh-so-misguided widdle years that made his reputation. I believe this sounds like the onset of ALD (Alex Lifeson Disease) - a sad affliction whereby former raging metal monster guitarists get all serious and strive to reinvent themselves as "serious musicians". It's often accompanied by the cutting of hair and bizarre dress sense... You can read more about it <a href="http://www.dinosaurrockguitar.com/dinothinking.shtml#ALDisease" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I think Marty’s statements reflect his change in musical direction.

In his early music career and indeed his whole identity was based on playing technically demanding lead guitar (he was signed to Shrapnel ffs!)

Nowadays he appears to want to distance himself from those oh-so-misguided widdle years that made his reputation.

I believe this sounds like the onset of ALD (Alex Lifeson Disease) – a sad affliction whereby former raging metal monster guitarists get all serious and strive to reinvent themselves as “serious musicians”. It’s often accompanied by the cutting of hair and bizarre dress sense… You can read more about it here.

]]> By: jomaheux http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12333 jomaheux Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:55:04 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12333 A weird way? That's interesting! :geek: A weird way? That’s interesting! :geek:

]]> By: Lorinator http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12332 Lorinator Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:09:49 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12332 Steve Lukather is DA MAN. I could listen to the first half of his "Song for Jeff" a zillion times and not get sick of it. Talk about having complete control of your instrument...f'n mindboggling. And he's got to be right about practicing in sensible doses as well. One way to create massive barriers to your own progress is to get a raging case of tendinitis. Steve Lukather is DA MAN. I could listen to the first half of his “Song for Jeff” a zillion times and not get sick of it. Talk about having complete control of your instrument…f’n mindboggling.

And he’s got to be right about practicing in sensible doses as well. One way to create massive barriers to your own progress is to get a raging case of tendinitis.

]]> By: Lorinator http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/comment-page-1/#comment-12331 Lorinator Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:03:39 +0000 http://lorinator.feminoise.com/is-practicing-technique-for-idiots/#comment-12331 You're right Matthew: lots of people find practicing scales excruciatingly boring. But I actually enjoy it. But then again, I have a really weird way of doing it. You’re right Matthew: lots of people find practicing scales excruciatingly boring. But I actually enjoy it. But then again, I have a really weird way of doing it.

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