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Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't recall this ever being covered here.
But what do you want to do with your music, or your abilities to play? How far do you want to go? Why do you do this?
Do you want to get to where you can figure out tunes by listening to them? Write tunes? Site read? Play leads like Clapton without thinking about it? Play slide like Sonny? Licks like Tony Rice? Or just be a good solid rhythm player? (frankly that's harder than the leads) Be able to play guitar, bass, fiddle, mando or, dare we say it banj.. no I can't go there. Or something else altogether?
I learned how to play a little in the 60's. I progressed a little bit through the years. Through always being around the top guys in music I gained a great knowledge of how to play. The only thing that was lacking was the ability to do it. Since selling the Gas Station I've really focused on translating knowledge to skill and it is hard work. Knowing just what to do doesn't mean that your fingers will do it, especially when you need to run on semi-autopilot.
My goal is to be able to hear a tune and figure out how to play it quickly. Sit in with somebody new and play an unfamiliar song and play the right notes, not necessarily the best but just right. Write a tune that will make you laugh or punch you in the gut, good enough to be a hit record, but that part's not necessary.
I don't care about being the best because half the world will ALWAYS be better than you. I just want to be in front of the other half. I'm half way to that and it's taken about 5 years of pretty applied focus.
OK, somebody else? |
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Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | My only musical "goal" is to Improve alittle bit every time I pick up the Guitar. Weather it's learning a new Chord I've never used or discovering a scale pattern I've never used before. Of course now that I'm thinking about it, being able to Improvise is something I would love to be able to do consistantly. But overall,Tiny steps forward NEVER backwards and I'm happy. :) |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | My goal is to be able to hear a tune and figure out how to play it quickly. Sit in with somebody new and play an unfamiliar song and play the right notes, not necessarily the best but just right. Write a tune that will make you laugh or punch you in the gut, good enough to be a hit record, but that part's not necessary.
I think you nailed it pretty damn close for me. Enjoyment for myself and hopefully enjoyment for those around me who listen. |
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Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Being realistic, older and with MADD (Musical Attention Deficit Disorder, I get easily distracted by a 'new' chord/song/discovery and lose focus on my original intent) , my main 'goal' is to play well enough to encourage my G-babies to take up and appreciate music, especially the guitar.
My selfish goal is to keep learning and expanding my capabilities. As said earlier, it can be ploddingly slow, but rewarding.
I guess my last goal is to be able to play "Classical Gas" to perfection. But each time I'm determined to sit down and learn it, MADD kicks in at some point and *poof*... < now what's the topic again? >  |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Started playing in the very early 60's, including a few years in a surf band playing school dances and private parties, then branched out a little in the 70's playing solo accompaniment for weddings and the like, but didn't really focus on improving until the last five years. Two years ago, I joined a semi-professional band that gigs every week, and this is what really pushes me to improve. I don't have time to genuinely compose, although I can lay down rhythm tracks and noodle on a looping machine such that it sounds like original stuff, but that doesn't count. I continue to push for improvement in memorizing chord theory so that complex and infrequently used chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths, doubles) come more naturally. I'd also like to improve playing lead lines down in the lower strings as well. I can always use more improvement in reading music, but I am now resigned to the fact that I will never be able to determine a specific chord from a vertical string of notes. Hats off to those of you who can. Lessons somewhere along the line would have helped. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | I want to write a song that people will be singing 300 years from now. Like Jingle Bells.
Oh. AND get the girls, man. That still hasn't changed. (though now it's a catch-and-release program) |
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Posts: 3408
Location: GA USA | Originally posted by BT717:
My only musical "goal" is to Improve alittle bit every time I pick up the Guitar. That's me too. I have to say that before we started having local jams, I didn't pick up the guitar and play every day. Now I do. |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I have been playing for so long that I don't have much trouble hearing a song and figuring it out. I am trying to coach that ability in my students. I want them all to learn NOT to need me. I'd like to get better at playing classical, but frankly, it's too much work. I enjoy the pieces I play, but if I come up against something that isn't fun, I give it up. I guess what I'd most like to do is have a song I wrote become a mega-hit. But I don't want to be the one performing it. I'd like someone like Carly Simon to do one of my songs. Let her go on tour and deal with all the hassles. I'll sit home and collect the royalties. |
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Location: NJ | wow cwk
this is something I struggle with every day.
I want to be the best player I can be. I strive to learn more chords, scales, modes, arpeggios etc to keep my playing fluid and interesting.
I too would like to be able to sit in with anyone have them shout the chords or structure to me and just play on from there.
I spent a good deal of time in the 80's with an original band and I just figured I would forget about learning covers. Now I learn new covers every week.
Ultimately my goal would be to be able to play whatever I wanted to with minimum effort and to be the best player that I can be.
I don't care about the guitar slinger competition. I know that there will always be people that are better than me.
I played "let it be" with my nephew at his high school senior farewell. I played a solo in it and I have to admit I thought I did not hit one bad note in the solo, I was totally happy with all the phrasing and how it started peaked and resolved. I don't think I was ever that happy with a solo I ever played. It really made me feel go to nail one for the kid at his HS thing. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | My goal is to have a fifty song repertoire that I can play well enough not to embarrass myself (too bad) in public.
I was influenced by the Boston street musicians that I knew in the 70's. Long before internet Tab sites these people could hear a song, pick out the basic melody, figure-out the rhythm with some barre chords, and finally have the whole song down in an afternoon. And be playing a good rendition on the street that evening.
Not necessarily lofty goals... I just wanna be able to play well enough to make myself happy and not have people throw vegetables at me. |
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Posts: 5575
Location: big island | i'd like to eventually compose a song or two that will reward me enough financially to help take care of my aging parents and in-laws. then pay off our debt and allow my wife to choose the first home she would ever own. and keep my kids in private school. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Mine have changed recently. There were a bunch of songs that I wanted to learn when I started and that's still the case. I've learned several, a couple to perfection.
I used to think in terms of performing and I still day dream about it, but with age has come reality, if not some wisdom. Plus, age has brought me enough confidence to realize that all I need is to be good enough for me and I don't really care whether anyone else thinks I'm any good. The reality is that most of the songs I want to play aren't arranged for multiple guitar parts, so I don't need anyone else. That's just fine. Playing the rhythm part or playing chords to a fingerstyle song just won't do it for me.
It's hard for me to set definite goals. My dad was a Dale Carnegie business guy who'd always ask what my goal was for the day, week, year or life. My response was generally to get through the day, week, etc. without thinking of a goal.
Anyway, the long term goal is to play some decent electric guitar. Specifically, a couple of Clapton songs and Hotel California, but generally, it would be nice to join in the jam like we had at Miles'.
Short term is to add a few Croce, Denver and McLean songs, particularly Castles in the Air. That's one I have had trouble with for years. I can't even get a good start. I figure I'll get distracted with a few other songs that catch my ear, but that's OK. Iffy and I have the same disease, but I managed to carve out a year where I learned Classical Gas. I miss a few notes, but I'll pick those up someday. |
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Location: East Tennessee | This is a great thread.
I play mostly finger style. I tend to pluck the note of the chord that i feel should be next in the progression. I'm not a disciplined player and I play,(read mess around), more than I practice.
I want to work on some of those great riffs using chords like Jerry Reed and Chet used to do.
I also want to pick up more chords than I know now and be able to play them in different positions. |
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Posts: 3408
Location: GA USA | Originally posted by alpep:
I just figured I would forget about learning covers. Now I learn new covers every week. What does Matt Smith say about practicing your repertoire? "Learn the standards in whatever style you're playing. I cannot stress this enough." |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | What a brilliant topic!!!
"What do you want to do with your music, or your abilities to play? How far do you want to go? Why do you do this?"
This is the one million dollar question for me and as I begin to respond I don't have the slightest tingling of an answer for it.
I started playing when I was 6, that was 1964. I played on and off for years, even wrote several tunes, but didn't start playing "seriously" until the late 80's and early 90's when I was in bands. I never enjoyed playing the guitar by myself and still don't. If there is no band and no gig, no audience, I have no motivation to pick up the instrument. I actually didn't realize that until just now in typing this. I guess it's the reason I don't play much anymore or at least part of it.
The other part is going from playing a few hours a day for 10 years to not really picking up a guitar other than to noodle or tune it for the next 10 years, doesn't make for a very pleasant experience when one finally decides "todays the day" and I pick up a guitar and plug it in.
So I guess my goal, is more like a wish.. I guess I'd like to play, be able to play, the 30 or so songs I have written again and finish them.
I have no idea how to accomplish this goal, but I guess it's nice to at least have one... and I didn't when I started typing this 3 hours ago.
Very cool topic... |
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Location: south east Michigan | Good topic Bill..
I had to think about this one for a while.
Like OMA said above, I'd like to have 40 or so songs ready for public consumption with a certain percentage of tunes dropping out and new ones taking their place in the rotation.
As far as musicianship, I just would like to add enough bling to an arrangement to avoid sounding, as Cliff puts it, "strummy-strummy singy-singy".
I think I enjoy the singing part of it as much a the guitar part.
When I attend a factory tour or an event like Amelia I think, "Oh... I wanna be that guy!"
Reality is that I most likely don't have the genetic make-up to work with. And I do beleive, to a large degree, that those musicians I admire are born with a gift that allows them to grasp the idea. And to be fair, part of it is also the lack of time spent and dedication on my part.
Recording is adding some good things to the mix. It's only going to help my musicianship if I stick with it.
Although I admire the hell out Steve Sutton, Matt Smith, & Templeman my musical goals will best be reached by taking a lesson from the book of Cliff, Dave, & Bobbo.
Someday I would like to learn my way around some 12 bar blues. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I started playing in the early/mid 60's with chords written on a piece of school notebook paper by a friend...drove my parents crazy w/2 songs until I progressed to memorizing chords which led me to play in a small group and later to play in the High School Jazz Band w/ my Gibby SG...I traded the SG towards a nice acoustic 12 string in 1970 which did me well in collage and allowed me to play in the coffee house scene which was popular...it was there that I was given the neckname "music" because of my ability to learn a vast array of songs (currently over 500 but I have lost count) as well as my album collection (now over 3000)...it was also then I discovered that girls loved guys that played guitar...so armed with a various Gibson Les Paul Customs I played Rock and Pop for years on the road...I added a Pacemaker 12 string and started writing songs in the mid 70s...My band recorded an album in 1976 which included two of my originals...it sold reasonably well and the band "Silk and Steel" opened for several regional and national acts...when we disbanded in 1978, I put together a duo for 5 years and then I did a single act for the 7 years before joining an established regional act in 1992 as lead vocalist and rhythm guitar...and I cut an album of my originals that same year...I have an ability to learn songs quickly which serves me well in the Contemporary Christian music that I still play; along the way I taught myself to fingerpick, play lead, and a little bass, mandolin, and fiddle...I have strived to concentrate on my original compositions for the past 15 years...I try to write songs that will appeal to people on a gut level basis and to tell a story in each song...I strive to write positive music and hopefully just bring a smile to someone's face. I learned that whatever gift I may have been given was for others benefit and not solely my own...I try to learn new things to keep me fresh and avoid getting stale and stiff...my style is my own flavored over the years by some awesome singer songwriters...just to still be playing after all these years is a gift! |
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Location: Tennessee | Real good one, Beal. This is what I call open-kimono time.
The simple answer is this: I want to be able to play and sing what I hear in my head. Fortunately, what I hear in my head is not too complex. Or so it seems until I try to play it.
The more detailed answer is that I do still want want be a musician. Where I can attract a following and go play what I hear in my head, and the audience connects with the music and becomes a part of it. Sell some CDs and t-shirts and make enough to keep the show on the road. I've got about 20 original songs that my biggest fans ( ;) ) think are pretty good and a bunch of new ones spinning around in my head and in various stages of development (translating what's in my head into playing it). My plan is to take the next four years to get it all together, close up the parts of life I am still engaged in, and then I'm hitting the road. Crazy dream? Sure, but why not? Life is full of crazy dreams ready to be lived. |
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Location: Delaware | What I would like to do with my music is build up my repertoire (only about 35 songs as of now) so that I could resume my solo gig at happy hours, parties, weeknight entertainment at local bars, etc., to supplement my pension when I retire. I strum melodys and sing to them, and it's great to bring a smile to peoples faces when they hear a song they like, one that brings back memories or makes them tap their foot or nod their head in rhythm, that is the biggest reward of all. So I guess what I want to do with my music is share it with others and give them something to enjoy ! |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | BTW: great topic Beal! |
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| Yeah, going to hit everyone in here and make us all think a little with this one Beal.
For me the line does change as I progress. I used to just want the speed and the flash of playing to an appreciative audience. That was 25 years ago. This time around I am having a blast learning songs that used to elude me in the past and picking up some good technique along the way. I am now enjoying my time trying to understand how to make a lead scale flow through a series of chords. Finding that my "Ear" is actually very good compared to what it was long ago.
Learning is truly... at least!... Half the Fun of it all!
As for the stage experience I still have a big desire to find about four more musicians who can try to do a project that covers bands like Genesis and Yes, Rush, Floyd, The Who and Zeppelin. There are several probelms with finding members for a project like this. And the liklihood of accomplishing this before I loose the determination is very slim. So the solo gig's let me cover some of this material quite nicely, so this has been my outlet for all my musical efforts to date and has been a very satisfying effort. I have reached the point where I can learn a song quite quickly including the difficult and not often used chord variations that make them sound right when covered so I do not have the drive to dig in and learn as I once did. Playing Music is the best fun you can have for free.
An additional note; The Adamas's have been a pleasure to work with and I have had so many comments not only from the audiences but from other musicians I would not ever change my choice of stage guitars for as long as I continue to play. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | My initial response was that I wanted to get the songs I had written recorded so my kids would have them after I'm gone. And I still want to do that.
But I was reminded by a twinge today that I had to cut back my playing about 7 or 8 years ago because of arthritis developing in my left thumb. It was getting to the point where I sometimes had real difficulty holding the guitar's neck at all, much less make decent chords. (We won't even talk about barre chords.)
So I cut back...a lot. And a year or so (and lots of naprosyn) later, the discomfort was pretty much gone. But it can come back anytime. So my overly melodramatic answer is that I simply want to keep playing. The rest is gravy.
Although finding time to record would still be nice. |
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Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | I'm never going to be famous (or if I do, it won't be for playing guitar) but I really enjoy mastering something difficult. I started playing in 1982 and bought my first guitar (legend 1117) three months later while on holiday in the States. After getting married twice and digging into kids and career, the guitar sort of sat in the case for years.
Late last year (after 6 months of too much study combined with too much work) I decided to get the guitar out and get back to the standard I had at the end of the '80s. Now I find I'm playing the best guitar of my life.
My musical goals are to learn some pieces that involve some challenging licks and sound good, instead of just having a repertoire of strum & sing songs. Almost every time I pick the guitar up I have a shot at bits from Crazy on You. In 6 months time it will be smooth and then I can work on speed. I practice nearly every day (this group really helps with that) and tend to be very focussed, playing difficult things so that I get sore fingertips very quickly. In comparison, if I just go through a whole lot of songs I can do easily, the fingers don't suffer at all. |
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Posts: 5575
Location: big island | i'm the most un-disciplined person i know. although i pick up the guitar and play nearly every day, i never focus on a particular song but just play spontaneously. if i happen to have recording gear set up at the moment, i just play and keep the best track, foibles and all, and then go back and try to clean it up later, if ever. i am not too interested in doing songs by other folks real well. i'd rather spontaneously compose my own, undisciplined music and hope for a hit! i've heard it said, "if you aim for nothing, you'll probably hit it". so with my attitude, i may never realize my goal of just stumbling upon the magic melody... |
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thanks, Richard. You reminded me that Crazy On You is one of my goals. There's a very good instruction video in 3 parts by some kid on YouTube that's very good, by the way. You need an Adamas slothead to play it properly, however.
Randy, that sounds like a good goal, "be more spontaneous." I'll write it down, post it on the mirror and put it on the calendar. Then I will have turned into my father. |
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Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | Money, women, glamour. It's why I got into aviation, but with how things are going there, hey let's try something else! ;)
My story is probably pretty typical here. Started young, played in various bands from middle school through college. Life got busy, and a little thing with a fiance and another guitarist soured me to the music scene. So for darn near 20 years I pretty much didn't play.
What motivates me these days are 1)Playing in a band with my kids, 2)Performing, 3)Composing, 4)Recording. The roots of my goals seem to be in those things, since that is what grabs my interest.
My general goals would be to improve my repertoire, improve my composition skills, and improve my soloing abilities.
The band is the youth band at church, which only performs each song a couple of times. I've learned a lot of songs over the past two years, but remember only a handful maybe. I'd like to have a solid set of songs.
Having better improvisational skills would be nice, but I need better organization in learning to solo. Lessons maybe?
Learning to purposefully write more interesting songs is also a goal. Songs seem to write themselves, which is all fine and good, but I want to be able to sit down with a random assignment and be able to write something interesting.
The ultimate goal would be to play shows in a "real" band. Not that Radical Grace isn't real - we do some really good stuff IMNSHO, but I would like to be able to play a commercial venue with a band or even solo.
Which is where the women, money, and glamour kick in!
P.S. As an aside, I really want to be supportive of my kids' music. All 3 are solid musicians and enjoy playing. Whatever level interests them, I want to be supportive, whether it is goofing off, performing, or even some kind of career in the music field. So significant goal for me is to be better at whatever is necessary to help them succeed at their goals. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I'm not so sure about that Lanaki. The tunes on the last cd were pretty good!
Glad everyone's enjoying this topic. I keep thinking about this stuff too. As far as the songwriting I'm alomst always thinking of what would be good in as tune or how to use a phrase or whatever. Life is always going by you and that's where your material is so be observant. |
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Posts: 5575
Location: big island | Originally posted by lanaki:
...so with my attitude, i may never realize my goal of just stumbling upon the magic melody... then again, my prescription might be just the ticket!
thanks, bill. with all the various music you have been exposed to in life, i appreciate the compliment. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I think so.
I guess to put it in one sentence, writing a good song would be one that you and others want to listen to, over and over again and not get tired of it. |
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Location: big island | one where the melody/lyrics get stuck in your head and make you enjoy life a bit more...
like, ummmmm..."jingle bells"... |
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Location: ms | I`ve been writing songs for years. Had a few recorded by other people, recorded a few myself. Made a little money off some got ripped really bad one time. Right now i just hope to play enough to play the power bill.I`ve written close to 300 songs and like lanaki i would love to make a bunch off a song but getting to a big enough artist to have a hit is a hard thing to do these days.Heck i`ve got songs that have on the shelf at Warner Chappel in Nashville 7 or 8 years. |
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Location: New South Wales, Australia | I often have this crazy daydream where a genie appears and gives me three wishes...
No.1 -- Good health and happiness for my family
No.2 -- Every time I think of a guitar, it magically appears
No.3 -- To be able to play anything I want just by thinking about it
It's nice to have dreams no matter how far out they may be. To be realistic though, I'd like to improve my playing in all areas. I can improvise with monotonous pentatonic stuff for hours at a time and it's OK for a little while but I'd like to get away from that (every solo sounds the same).
I want to be able to write memorable songs, musically and lyrically, and not half finish them as I so often do.
I'd also love to see my kids play guitar so we could all jam together. My daughter has flashes of interest (she's 11) while my 13 year old son says he wants to play the drums. So I'm constantly working on him...in a subtle way of course....don't want to push either of them into doing something they don't want to do.
Still playing with my garage band and would like to take that further.
And I still want to be playing when I'm 90.
Great topic Beal. I'm sure I could've taken more time to add my response but I just wrote what came into my head...............now...if I could just do that with my guitar... |
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Location: Scotland | My attempt at a career in music was basically a means to avoid gainful employment and little has changed over the years. And as far as that goes I've done OK. As long as I can continue to have people pay me to play, have a comfortable lifestyle, and avoid working for anyone other than myself, then I'm good. Sex and drugs would be the icing on the cake. |
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Location: North Carolina | Given that I have reached the point where I can play anything that interests me, I just want to be able to do that for as long as possible. |
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| No big goals in music anymore and I got too many other problems to deal with right now anyway.
Started playing guitar in the late 60s when I was in grade 5 or 6. Played in bands but nothing major; mostly it was just people jamming because we lived in the middle of no place and there was nothing else to do.
Some of my friends have a lot of natural ability and can learn really complex solos note for note w/out much effort. Another writes fairly well and made quite a bit of money from one or two songs but that guy is now driving a bus and the moneys all spent.
Usually I just pick up a guitar and play whatever comes out. I’ve never been big on learning other people’s material as it’s easier to make up my own stuff - same with words. I always used to parody country songs just for a laugh - like “the dog got drunk and died the day that momma went to jail” kinda things but now, even though I have fairly sophisticated preferences for music, I’m drawn to the honest simplicity and common denominators of life that one finds in music from people like Emmylou Harris or Fred Eaglesmith.
Racing has always been a big part of my life and most of my friends are involved in that as well so these days my songs are about busted motors and crooked engine builders which people get a laugh out of. |
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Location: NJ | bobbo nailed it for me
to play the music in my head would be the greatest thing I could achieve |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Yeah, I'm with you guys on that. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | This is a difficult topic for me - when it comes to playing, I've got the same attention disorder that others have. I have a hard time sticking to one thing. I think Ozwatto really nailed it with his list.
I get so much pleasure out of seeing Nicky learn something new and that drives me to be better well. He's constantly asking me to show him things, which forces me to learn them.
Like many of you, I started playing early on and then stopped at some point, only to pick it up again later in life. I figured now that I'm older and wiser, I would be more focused.... NOT! I jump all over the place - finger picking to rhythm to lead guitar - nylon string to steel string to electric guitar. Throw guitar building and restoring in there and it's a real mess.
So back to the question at hand... my number one goal would be to learn how to solo over anything - knowing the right scale to use in any situation and being able to apply it without it sounding forced or "canned".
After that - I need to work on learning and remembering songs... not just snippets here and there... but complete songs.
Beyond that - singing - but that's a whole other story.
Thanks Beal for making me think about this. |
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| Getting the music out of your head is another one. It's always going but I could never play it - I suppose some of it gets out from time to time though but no where near enough.
A couple of days ago I woke up in a half dream state with Bizet's Cantando L´amour running through my head and images of a full opera company performing same in a very small restaurant - Kiri Te Kanawa was singing soprano and the kitchen staff were involved as well..lol |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have a voice like a dehydrated frog with laryngitis...
This is a total problem for me since I play Neil Young, Jethro Tull, Cat Stevens, Elvis Costello, Pink Floyd, Moody Blues... (I oughta work on Joe Cocker)
Basically stuff that I hear the singing in my head while I play along.
Now, when I play in front of other people, they kinda expect you to Sing!
This is gonna be a problem... Maybe I oughta quit smoking, Huh? |
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| Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
I have a voice like a dehydrated frog with laryngitis...
My wife says I sound like a gut shot bear.
I played an Emmylou Harris song once and someone asked if Tom Waits wrote that..lol |
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Location: GA USA | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
what I hear in my head is not too complex. Maybe not, Bobbo, but for sheer enjoyability, your song is my favotite one on the CD. |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Thanks, Bill, for such a thought-provoking thread.
On one level, musically I'm already doing what I'm gifted to do: lead people in worship on Sunday morning, and I find it to be the most musically fulfilling thing I've ever done. That was a goal that took 15 years of preparation before I was truly equipped to do it.
I've dabbled in song writing over the years, but I have finally begun to really tap into the stream of creativity that ran quietly underneath it all, unacknowledged but waiting for the right time. I've just finished one that is the best thing I've ever written; I'm debating singing it at the O-Fest in October.
My goal is to attain to the fullest whatever my potential is in song-writing; I don't care if I ever earn any money, get famous, hit it big--but if I write one thing that encourages someone who's in a difficult place, I will be completely rewarded.
--Karen |
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Location: big island | right on, karen. you will. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | OK Karen, too late, you got to do that one in October. If not on stage then in a small group.
I'm bringing my book too so not to worry.
And any of the rest of you, bring your originals as well as all the covers. |
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Location: GA USA | Whooo-hooo! All together now... Beggin Jim, Beggin Jim, with a smile like cherubim...
Okay, with almost 2 months, I can try to write another classic. |
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Location: Omaha, NE | I'm coming out of a rut, you might say.
After all these years, I've pretty much got my thing figured out. I can play all the rock/folk/punk/church chords I'll ever need. I can play all the leads. I've got good, but not otherworldly, finger speed. I can improvise over blues changes effortlessly. Add that all up, and I'm a borderline competent bar band classic rock cover band player.
So, my new project is to learn how to play jazz. Really learn, with all the funky chords and changes and new lead styles. Farging tough, quite frankly. I've been soaking my head with Joe Pass for a few weeks. I'm making progress, but DAMN those guys are on another planet. |
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| I have to say Karen's post reminded me of a strange event... for me.... a few weeks ago. I played some music in our Church here in Northville. Wonderful younger woman who is the minister and is extremely intelligent and open minded about many things. She has become friends with my Wife and Kids and has heard me play. She asked me if I would help to cover a service for her as the usual musicians had things to deal with that Sunday. I was unsure what I could play as my music is not "Religious Friendly" for the most part. I thought perhaps Solsbury Hill not exactly a religious message but one of hope and new choices?? She ended up only needing me for greeting music, communion, and closing. I figured some nice picking and toned down instrumentals might work well. I am sure I am not the only guy in the world to have played a Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Dave Mathews tune in Church but I just might be...! This was not a goal but I have to say it felt good and was oddly rewarding and it sounded even better in the church. They want me back, looks like I've got another gig on the 7th. Betcha can't guess what Zep tune I came up with.
Omaha good luck on the Jazz, it is the next level for sure. My old partner is getting into this kind of head now as well. It must be fun to just start improvising and playing leads over any sort of chrod pattern and rythem. Enjoy the pursuit! That's half the fun.
Randy |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | My kids have proven to be a huge boost for me musically: not only are they inspirations for songs but nearly every evening we have Music Time where I pull one (or more) of my guitars out of the case and just play instrumentals: they dance and sing and laugh...and when the song ends they immediatly start clapping and screaming in appreciation...there is not a bigger feeling or a better reception in the world! |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Northcountry,
Ya reminded me of this ONE .
Thanx!
I sure do love this thread... |
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Location: Michigan | I would like to ONE time in my life be able to play in front of an audience and do a performance like this. Then I can I can lie down and die having known that I did it.
That will never happen but that is what I would really like to accomplish now that we are talking about Musical Goals. GWB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoxHGxQw9ws |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Or how about this . I can do the facial expressions, but the rest of it is beyond me. |
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| One thing about some of the music back then was that it occasionally displayed a classical influence which let kids like me know that there was more to it than just rock&roll. Bands like Yes and Procol Harum sent me off looking for Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi and all that stuff. |
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Location: GA USA | Originally posted by Omaha:
I'm making progress, but DAMN those guys are on another planet. Omaha, I'm not on the same planet as you, but progress is what I aim for most of all. I learn a new song that has chords and forms I haven't mastered and add it to my practice list. Once you can play that song it opens up tons of others.
For me right now it's fingerstyle. I've never done it. It's slow, but it's coming along. |
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| GWB, We need to talk, I think I can get you playing some of the music I know we both like very much.
I know your a big Yes and prog rock fan from it's heyday in the 70's like me. I used to play that ELP tune....there is so much more... Hit me up I am not the greatest musician but I know some of these songs.
Randy |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Randy - do you have any good arrangements of Yes songs for the guitar? Anything besides "Mood For A Day". I think I've pretty much nailed that one. |
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| Mood for a Day is a beautiful little piece for sure. I olny have managed to get the first minute or so of it completed. Gave up on "The Clap" So now I am working on some simplifications of South Side of the Sky, Long Distance Run Around and All Good People on a 12 that sounds pretty good. I know the acoustic parts to And You And I because I was doing this once years ago with a band. That's about the limit of my YES stuff. I have been doing short parts of Yes songs as a sort of medley for a while but it never flowed very well and I am getting a lot of interest and requests for whole songs. Most people have not one clue how hard it is to make a good sounding conversion to an acoustic guitar when the songs are complicated and filled with keys and bass and percussion.
The real trick is singing these in the end anyway. My voice still seems to be holding on but I have to be "right on" to do Anderson well. Some nights I just ain't "right on" I can't wait to spring this new stuff on an audience I have not played for since last year. They love THE WHO stuff and the YES is always popular. Still needs work though. I have about two months before they close for the year so I might make it.
Check out You tube. Type in Jon Anderson Solo or Acoustic. His solo gig's are the basis for my versions of his stuff. He is not a great guitarist so it is easy to add a little more to the pieces than he does. His voice can be tough to match though.
Randy |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | I've been working on Mood for a Day for about 25 years (give or take... with some time off in between) and just recently got all of the parts right. I downloaded the tab for The Clap and boy oh boy... that's going to be another 25 years. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | And BTW - here's another goal... B.B. King just released a new CD - how old is he? 82? I'd like to be still be able to play at some kind of a reasonable level when I'm that age. |
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Location: Utah | I'd like to be breathing at that age! |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Picking up the guitar is my primary stress release, I'll probably find another the day it becomes work and not pleasure.
I've got no aspirations of fame, don't want the commitment of playing in a band, don't care to be a songwriter, nothing floating around in my head trying to get out...just a good calming sensation when I close the door of the music room and sit down to pluck.
Playing at the couple gatherings I've attended without getting asked to leave has been enough for me... :D |
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| Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
...just a good calming sensation when I close the door of the music room and sit down to pluck.
My wife is classically trained and studied guitar for years - she can make sense out of those big stacks of black dots that you've probably seen on sheet music from time to time..lol
She hasn't played for years because of all the work it would take to get back to where she was and kinda resents me because nothing I do is so complex that I can't just pick up were I left off even if I haven't played for a while.
I tell her to just tune the damn thing up and play a G chord over and over and it'll make her feel better but she won't go for it..lol |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Joe Rotax:
I tell her to just tune the damn thing up and play a G chord over and over and it'll make her feel better but she won't go for it..lol Tell her that we all agree!
It's not like playing jazz trumpet, where she lost her lip and wind.
If you could just get her to sit down and play "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" you won't be able to get her Out of the Music Room! |
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| Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
If you could just get her to sit down and play "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" you won't be able to get her Out of the Music Room! Unless I start singing - that'll get her to vacate the premises..lol
But yeah, I hear what you're saying; have to give er another go.
Heaven's Door reminds me of a good verse from another song:
There's mirrors behind the minds of crazy faces.
Bullet holes and rifles in their cases.
Always one more notch.
And four more aces.
Billy, you're so far away from home. |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I've been thinking about this all weekend - a weekend spent with a couple of OzOFCers. (Thanks AJ and Richard)
My response to the original question? I have no idea.
I used to think I'd like to be in a duo/trio and play a gig once a month or less - so it doesn't become a 'job'.
But my memories of my last 2 open mic nights 2 years ago still leave me cold. I'm definitely not a solo artist. I need others to play with to get real enjoyment out of my playing. I hate playing alone.
What I want most from my music is (currently)
2) to be able to sing (properly)
3) be able to improvise
4) play lead riffs
5) play slide
Where do I want to 'go' with my music. See above - 'no idea'.
Notice I didn't start with 1) above?
1) lighten up on myself. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I simply want to write and play musical tunes. |
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Location: closely held secret | I just want to be able to reproduce what I hear in my head.
The music, that is. The voices, not so much... |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | You'll need an Armonica for that.
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(Glass Armonica) |
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Location: south east Michigan | fasinating
No.. strike that.. I'll call in interesting instead. |
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Location: closely held secret | I figured an Armonica was just a harmonica... in Britain. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
I figured an Armonica was just ... a hand under the armpit... worldwide! :D |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | the Armonica was the gizmo that made many of the sound effects for the those old timey SciFi/UFO/AlienInvasion flicks... ". . . OooooEeeeeOoooo. . . "
Klaatu barada nikto. |
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| Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
... a hand under the armpit... worldwide! :D Your post inspired me to try that for the first time in god knows how many years - probably about the only useful thing that I've done so far today..lol |
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Location: Slightly northwest of Trader Jim | I just want to play without anybody throwing stones! No seriously,as TJ will testify, I have a real problem playing in front of anybody,it took me over a year to play in front of my wife with out becoming all thumbs. And regretfully, when someone tries to help...I fold like a lawn chair. :rolleyes: |
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Location: Nashville TN. | Very interesting topic, thanks Beal!!
I started relativily late at age 27.
Messed around with rock at first.
Made my first stage appaearence When I was 2 weeks after begining to play. Barnums Cafe on Main St Middle town. Drunk off my A$$ played Sweet Home Alabama & Knocking on Heavens door with Mark Barrett of Sister Moonshine.
Had an act called Clever Thieves
and we almost got signed.
I could not play for a while after an illness and a car accident. out from 1995 to 2002.
Realized I was too old, to fat, to bald to be
a rock star. Bought a hat & spurs and relaunched myself as a country act.
Having been working hard since 2003.
I have come a long way.
Now I;m ready to move South and try to make somthing happen. I likily will form a band once there. Still amazmed I was on the bill with Skynard and one my major musical inspirations..
Bocephus! They must like me as I was got this
last night.
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc285/pezcleo/lkkrtix.jpg
For me I'm your basic open chord strummer.
Nothing real fancy, as my real desire is
is in songwriting and lyrics.
I am working hard on improving my voice.
I am also working on stage precence and
stage persona. My goal to be entertaining and a unique voice. Basically I hoping to be a one hit wonder on tour with a big act at least once.
I looks like I will be playing as next years
Marion country Music fest. I may also be getting a spot as filler act with Artie Kornfelds 40 yeard after Woodstock show. Its working name is Back to the Garden. It may also be in Marion SC.
Just keep working and with luck it will happen.
Just work it |
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Location: NJ | btw;
I believe that glass harmonica was one of Mr. Franklin's inventions . . . |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | T'was, indeed
(to be specific... he invented the "ROTATING" Glass Armonica... people had been rubbing wine glass rims for a good while before he put them on an rotisserie ) |
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Location: NJ | If you listen to the opening of PinkFloyd's "Shine On, You Crazy Diamond", those ethereal chords at the opening of the track were created with overdubs of multiple wineglasses being rubbed & creating the chords . . . |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
Klaatu barada nikto. KLAATU
Now there was a band. Remember all the rumors that they were really the Beatles who had reformed so that they could record in peace. |
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Location: Tennessee | RE: Musical goals. Here's another one down ... go here: http://ovationfanclub.ning.com/profile/PebbleMax
and play the song Wagon Wheel on his page. Me and the boys making some music together. |
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| If Pat Metheny called and asked me over to record an album and do a tour it would be nice. Ditto John McLaughlin.
But that is slightly more than a "goal" I suspect.
More time to play and some really good musicians to play with would be my goal, both of which I could probably do if I got my lazy ass in gear. Give me just 20% of bobbo's energy and focus and I might do something. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | One of the beauties of this topic is that it is thought-provoking. Like Schroeder, one of my goals has been to get people over to try to jam a bit. That hasn't worked well, since the local guitar players that I know prefer 80s hair band stuff. I've had the good fortune to have 4 of the OFC buddies stop for brief visits and have made it out to visit several others.
If I ever get to retirement, I'd like to travel around to as many of the OFC get togethers as I can. Those seem to be the best motivators for me to practice, just so I don't embarass myself too badly. |
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Location: south east Michigan | I'm very lucky to have hooked up with Brian. (Through the OFC BTW).
Same goals, same tastes in tunes, & willing to get together once a week.
It's gotta be going on 4 years now.
Mark... wish you were closer. I'd love to jam on your newly expanded deck. I call dibs on the OFC guitar. |
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Musical Goals