Saturday, September 27, 2008

Get out of the technical

I jammed tonight at an open mike, and when ever I get with a large group of ametuer musicians, it just reminds me that the reason WHY most bands and jammers don't get things going very well is this:

The focus needs to be on the song. Peroid.

Even if you're doing covers, do it your way with feeling. Forget the talk about other bands and what gear you're using and work on playing SONGS. Play them slow, fast, change the feel (i.e. Try playing stairway to heaven in a slow bluesy style or quick and trite style).

Most musicans have an ego, right. Well, that's okay, as long as the SONG is what gets the attention. Our society has IDOLIZED so many artists that often, as wanna-be pro musicians, we have to learn to let all that shit go. Let go of the "I hate country music" attitude, or the "I hate that band" crap. Forget about it. Study the song, it's structure, it's dynamics, when they sing high, when they mellow it out, and try these things into your own original music or make a cover tune more original.
If you wawnt to SHOWCASE your talent, SHOWCASE the S O N G!

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