I've always liked technically proficient guitarists - flashy bastards! I got in early with the likes of Satch, Vai et al, picking up their debut albums when released, and buying shedloads of vinyl from Varney's Shrapnel label in the late 80s/90s. Roll the years forward and Youtube became a great resource for watching great guitarists, more and more unbelievable bedroom players were showing up.
Anyway, I'm a follower of Jam Track Central on Facebook, and they are always throwing up their newest find - widdling away to their latest 'buy me' package. A couple of weeks ago I realised that they were turning up in my feed but I just couldn't even be bothered to click and watch them any more. I am finally burned out on instrumental widdle. It's taken 30 years but there is just too much of it now, too much saturation.
In terms of guitarists I actually seem more interested in the opposite end of the spectrum these days, noise makers rather than the technically elite.
Not quite sure why I'm even posting this to be honest. Just a bit of a realisation.
Comments
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
For example, this guy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4z4iekBzhg
You can tell he's a proficient guitarist, but he doesn't bother shredding all over the song in favour of supporting the music instead. Much respect...I wish I could get the others in my bands to stop asking me to do shred solos in every sodding song, because honestly...it gets boring, and most of the songs don't actually need it or want it.
Players like Nels Kline (from Wilco, Nels Kline trio and Big Walnuts Yonder) and Nick Reinhardt are much more my bag these days. And I always loved the things that the two guys from Fugazi could come up with. Unconventional stuff. But it depends on what kind of thing moves and motivates you.
Satch hasn't done anything to impress me since The Extremist, he's turning into a pentatonic parody.
Even with Eddie Van Halen the song came first and the flash was within the solo.
No drama having a solo spot in the show - but maybe not for 15 minutes like Ed did sometimes. Seriously play Eruption and Spanish Fly and then get back to the songs!
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
I told them I didn't want to just be around for stunt guitar parts. They didn't seem to get it.
I think the comments above are all of a theme - make sure there is something approaching a tune, keep the technique exercises to a reasonable amount, make it fit the composition and like a decent songwriter, find something special to convey.
I went to a clinic a couple of years ago with Tom Quayle and a couple of his mates. The tones were great, the technique amazing, however I struggled after a while to really get into it. It all became like musical mathematics exercises and I got bored and left.
17 billion fusion notes in an evening may be for some people, but I have to admit I enjoyed the Shadows gig I went to a few years earlier more.
Tunes = good. Vai - For the love of god is an amazing piece, with no end of technical brilliance. Widdly, widdly, weeeeee for an hour, not so much.
By the way, I have seen and enjoyed Tom on many videos, especially for Guitar interactive and his playing is stellar. So this is not a specific criticism of him.
I don't mind that stuff every now and then but same ting with me.
My playing has also massively shifted from being 99% electric to 99% acoustic these days! Much better as a complete act if you're not in a band.
My YouTube Channel
https://www.facebook.com/benswanwickguitar