| So what exactly is it that separates one player from | | | | is creativity essence. Absorb your musical |
| the next? Why is it that some guys rise to the top | | | | surroundings and exposure and then mesh them |
| of the heap who may have less musical "knowledge" | | | | together to develop something unique. |
| while others who have studied all their lives are | | | | Don't try to be Jimi Hendrix, or Carlos Santana, or |
| forgettable and looked over? What is it that you can | | | | Herb Ellis, or Kings of Leon, or who ever you're |
| do in your playing to separate yourself from | | | | listening to. Music is interpretation. I purposely do not |
| everyone else? Is it theory, technique, or what? | | | | learn to play other artists songs note for note. |
| Obviously if you only look at mainstream commercial | | | | Instead I interpret and make it my own. Think of it |
| music you will find a serious lack of great musicians | | | | like speaking. You have a unique speaking voice. Why |
| and artists. The reason why is that the music | | | | would you try to talk exactly how Eric Clapton |
| business model is one where the music is fed from | | | | speaks? His voice is his and yours is yours. Music is |
| the top down, instead of the music coming from the | | | | exactly the same way. Why would you want to play |
| artist up. The business model of the industry is | | | | exactly like Eric Clapton? Sure, listen and learn and |
| where music has become a widget that is being | | | | steal but then make it your own. Don't look to have |
| manufactured by large corporations who absolutely | | | | the same tone or feel. The world already has and |
| no musical know how and are looking at music as a | | | | Eric Clapton, the world needs new talent and new |
| commodity only. This can be discussed in itself in a | | | | ideas. That is where you come in. Find out who you |
| completely different article. I'm just mentioning it | | | | are musically. Change when you feel like changing, |
| because music is a life long path of getting better. It | | | | play the music you want to play without worrying |
| is not only about money, but should be a reflection | | | | about "making it" or is it accessible to enough people. |
| of culture and soul. So let me get you away from | | | | That is corporate crap if you ask me. |
| thinking that all I need is 3 chords to make money. | | | | So take the time to learn as much as you can from |
| I'm encouraging you to reach for a higher musical bar | | | | many different places even if you personal pallet |
| than what corporate musical greed dictates, and to | | | | doesn't like the music, see if there is something you |
| break free from the homogenous commercial music | | | | can gain from it to get better at your own personal |
| landscape. To do that you need to find your own | | | | musical journey. Just like tasting different foods at |
| voice. | | | | least once so at least you know why you do or |
| There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning from | | | | don't like it. Then take what you learn and create |
| other great players. Steal from them as much as you | | | | your own idea from it. Play it how you would play it |
| can. Learn from every genre of music there is. The | | | | without regard for what others may think. If you |
| more you know the more you can create by | | | | play for yourself first, then everyone else will |
| combining different ideas from different places. That | | | | respond accordingly. Plain as that. |