RoadKing
The Central Scrutinizer
- Mar 28, 2008
- 454
- 0
- 16
I kinda like to look at technique and theory as learning a new language. The more proficient you are at the language, the more eloquent the poetry you can then create. At the end of the day, make no mistake, the "poetry" is what it's all about! 100 years from now, no one will remember jack-shit about Rusty Cooley's warp 9 arpeggios, but Pink Floyd and the Beatles will still be revered. (along with Opeth!) The great musicians, the artists with the great songs and records, will be the ones who endure through their art.
Don't get me wrong, I love shred as much as anyone, and used properly, it can add incredible dynamics to your music. But without a real composition behind it, all you're basically left with is cold, sterile, auditory math.
For me, true musical genius is found in the mastery of composition, contrast and the ability to convey an idea or an emotion through sound. You certainly don't have to know all the theory in the world to accomplish this, but it doesn't exactly hurt, either!
Looking back, I really do wish I would've gotten more heavily into theory earlier. It's much easier to learn when you're younger and pays serious dividends as your playing matures. I've always had a really good ear, though, much better than many of the more schooled guys I've played with over the years, so I was pretty lazy about formal studying early on. I practiced jamming, playing with and learning songs constantly, but a little more focus back then would've left a lot less catching up for me to do later! lol
Finding the right teacher is really important, too... 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take lessons from Frank Aresti from Fates Warning (right after he left the band) for about 8 months before he moved back to Connecticut, and it inspired me to learn and improved my playing more drastically and in a shorter period of time than anything before or since. I'm still looking for someone who can teach half as well as he does!
Most of all, have fun, play what you love and practice, practice, practice!
Don't get me wrong, I love shred as much as anyone, and used properly, it can add incredible dynamics to your music. But without a real composition behind it, all you're basically left with is cold, sterile, auditory math.
For me, true musical genius is found in the mastery of composition, contrast and the ability to convey an idea or an emotion through sound. You certainly don't have to know all the theory in the world to accomplish this, but it doesn't exactly hurt, either!
Looking back, I really do wish I would've gotten more heavily into theory earlier. It's much easier to learn when you're younger and pays serious dividends as your playing matures. I've always had a really good ear, though, much better than many of the more schooled guys I've played with over the years, so I was pretty lazy about formal studying early on. I practiced jamming, playing with and learning songs constantly, but a little more focus back then would've left a lot less catching up for me to do later! lol
Finding the right teacher is really important, too... 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take lessons from Frank Aresti from Fates Warning (right after he left the band) for about 8 months before he moved back to Connecticut, and it inspired me to learn and improved my playing more drastically and in a shorter period of time than anything before or since. I'm still looking for someone who can teach half as well as he does!
Most of all, have fun, play what you love and practice, practice, practice!
