Fun Stuff > BAND
Shredi Knights unite!
Bastardous Bassist:
I got my start in music playing classical (clarinet). Just playing fast is absolutely meaningless to me, by which I mean it doesn't impress me in the least, because I've heard, and been expected to play, some rediculous stuff. In classical music, technique is not something that's cool to have, it's absolutely required. Virtuosity is not measured in bpm, it's measured in control and interpretation, at those speeds. So, that's where I'm coming from when I start on my take on playing guitar really fast.
I think a solo (of any sort) should be just like all music, which is the same way any performing art (e.g. dance and theatre as well) should be. They should all be like sex, pretty much. I'm going to try to keep my simile pretty vague, but if you are offended by any sort of description of intercourse, then skip to my next line break (if you want to read any part of my post). Also, bear in mind that I'm no expert on either performing arts or sex, but here goes. You have to start off slowly. In fact, barely even start out at all. The first bit is pretty much getting in the mood, i.e. forplay. Then, when you actually get going, you don't just start going all out. You have to slowly build up. There are small points of interest along the way, as well as some release of tension, i.e. changing position (you can't just keep doing the same thing! It's boring). Anyways, it all leads up to one big, well, climax. This has to be the point of the most tension. It's the point up to which everything has been leading. It's the point all the tension is released, and everything is good. Of course, it's not the end. There's a bit of release after the climax (think afterglow). Bartok followed the golden mean with the climaxes for his pieces, but I tend to think that for solos, they should end a little sooner than they would were the performer using the golden mean as their guideline (especially if it's a long solo).
Now, my problem with shredding is that there is frequently no build. No tension is built, and it's just pretty stagnant. Now, the same problem is present in 99% of all solos out there. Shredders just draw more attention to their solos, which would be lacking musicality either way. To counteract that fact, though, a much larger percentage of shredders (compared to casual musicians) have a relatively good sense of musicality. Then, of course, you have the people who are specifically told to be as over-the-top as possible (apparently that's what the record company wanted out of Nitro - louder, faster, better!). Anyways, that's my opinion of the whole debate. It basically boils down to one quote. As the great Duke once said, "If it sounds good, it is good." So, fast or slow, it had better be musical, damnit, or I'm probably going to hate it.
By the way, nobody's mentioned Paul Gilbert yet, as far as I can see.
Storm Rider:
Alex Skolnick and Marty Friedman are also notable absences.
Kai:
So basically, in your analogy to sex, you're advising people.... to play post rock, but post rock that actually does something? WOAH
Bastardous Bassist:
--- Quote from: Kai ---So basically, in your analogy to sex, you're advising people.... to play post rock, but post rock that actually does something? WOAH
--- End quote ---
lol. I'm advising people to play any sort of music, as long as it actually does something. Though, is it really post rock if it does something?
Kai:
No. Which is why I added the WOAH at the end. I should have probably thrown in a "PARADOX ZOMG" and "GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACIAICIESYIS" for good measure.
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