Do you consider yourself a guitar player or a musician?

Kerry Brown

Kerry Brown

Ambassador of the Great Northern Bar Jams
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I’ve always thought of my self as a guitar player but lately I’ve realized there is more to it than that. I guess I’m starting to realize it’s about the music, not me. Lately I’ve been playing acoustic, electric, twelve string, mandolin, keyboards, bass, or even just tapping a rhythm part on my guitar body and singing a bit of background harmony. I just do whatever the music seems to need. I guess I’m turning into a musician rather than a guitar player. It is a bit of a revelation and it is way more fun than always striving for that great solo. I found that frustrating while just going with the song is very relaxing. What about you?
 
I don’t mean to intimate that guitar players aren’t musicians. I don’t think that at all. When I thought of myself as a guitar player I didn’t really pay attention to the music other than the guitar part. Now I pay more attention to the music as a whole. I still love playing my guitars, especially just jamming away on my own. I don’t think I’ll ever lose that. When I’m playing with others I find I’m paying more attention to the song as whole rather than just my part of the song. It used to really bother me playing songs that didn’t have guitars front and centre. I felt fake standing their not playing or playing really soft in the background. Now if that’s what the song calls for that’s what I do.
 
Been pondering on this one since I first saw it last night. Not real sure how I consider myself. On one hand, I’d say musician. Played trombone in Jr. High and HS. Sang bass in church choir for many years. Participated once in a mass choir performing Handels Messiah. (Side note: Handel did not write a bass line. It was not easy) I can read music. And I play guitar.

However. Never did learn much of music theory. When people start talking major, minor, 7th, etc..... my eyes tend to glaze over.

So when it comes to guitar..... I’d agree with Adrian on the hobby/escape from the bad day thing. Guess in that respect I’d be a guitar player.
 
songwriter & bassist. Cool post..the light went on this CD...its about songs..the vocals being out front to hear the story...toss a few hooks in some tasty solo's but make the Song the sum parts of all..not 1 standout part,,that being said..i enjoy writing..drums..bass..guitar & now getting into light keys..so want to go live next time, with keys & not 2nd guitarist

Also..no real method to me...i feel it..capture life & translate into a song...so glad i didn't take lessons or learn someone else's patterns..only played 3 covers in my life & do not play to the norm..play from the heart first...without music & being able to express...don't know if i would even be alive after life's brutalness at times......srry ..rant..but passion man
 
BFT Gibson said:
songwriter & bassist. Cool post..the light went on this CD...its about songs..the vocals being out front to hear the story...toss a few hooks in some tasty solo's but make the Song the sum parts of all..not 1 standout part,,that being said..i enjoy writing..drums..bass..guitar & now getting into light keys..so want to go live next time, with keys & not 2nd guitarist

Also..no real method to me...i feel it..capture life & translate into a song...so glad i didn't take lessons or learn someone else's patterns..only played 3 covers in my life & do not play to the norm..play from the heart first...without music & being able to express...don't know if i would even be alive after life's brutalness at times......srry ..rant..but passion man
Click to expand...

Good that you are realizing these things about your music. Your post caused me to ponder this a while...

I'm a great co-writer and I enjoy the supporting roles in a band rather than being the frontman. I front only when a singer didn't show. I can do it well - which says a lot about singer reliability over the years.

I have much respect for those who write and perform their own material.

Covers were my way of supporting myself for years. I enjoy them immensely. When our band recently published the song list of each member for future setlist ideas, I was surprised that I had 152 songs on it that I know by heart, including lyrics.

I'm mostly about marketing us, perfecting our tone and earning money doing something I enjoy.

But, playing live is tough coming from a studio background. I dont look cool playing. I think that's always in my head, but I've loosened up a lot of late....
 
I'm musically ignorant. I can't read music, I don't write.
Put a piece of music in front of me that I haven't heard, and I look like a deer in the headlights.

I can play most things that I know alright, even sound good at it, IF, and this is a big IF, I've heard & know the tune.
My playing is limited by my ignorance.

Guitar, mandolin, ukulele, dulcimer, etc...
I can jam with a group of accomplished musicians and not trainwreck.
I've repaired hundreds of guitars & built many instruments.
I know instruments inside & out. How they work, how they intonate, why things have to be just so.

But I couldn't explain what I'm doing musically, while playing. :(
That's where I feel I fail as a "musician".

So I reckon that makes this swamp boy just another fish in a sea of guitar players.

I wish I knew more about music & theory, but I'm sure everyone wishes they knew more.
 
Robert Herndon said:
Good that you are realizing these things about your music. Your post caused me to ponder this a while...

I'm a great co-writer and I enjoy the supporting roles in a band rather than being the frontman. I front only when a singer didn't show. I can do it well - which says a lot about singer reliability over the years.

I have much respect for those who write and perform their own material.

Covers were my way of supporting myself for years. I enjoy them immensely. When our band recently published the song list of each member for future setlist ideas, I was surprised that I had 152 songs on it that I know by heart, including lyrics.

I'm mostly about marketing us, perfecting our tone and earning money doing something I enjoy.

But, playing live is tough coming from a studio background. I dont look cool playing. I think that's always in my head, but I've loosened up a lot of late....
Click to expand...
Nice, its funny i admire guys like you that can nail Motorhead ect..when i heard your clip..i smiled & said,,man would love to share some stage time with this guy. I absolutely get the earning money part. I have tried to play others music but i interpret it differently & stay in key or scale but venture off a lil. Both are needed..seems to be such opposite approaches..My fav of all..is when you have a band that shares & brings out the best....time goes by..the unspoken ability to share music together..i live for it
 
I am a guitar owner-collector. I pull out a guitar and attempt to play it occasionally, but I'm not very good at playing what little I know. I have the utmost respect for those of you that really can play, but I'm just a wannabe. My true skills are working on cars, electronics and computers. I have done all of these professionally to support myself and family for over 40 years. I first picked up a guitar and made noise on it in my preteens and wish I would have stayed with it all these years. I picked up a guitar again in 2011 to show my granson what little I knew and have worked with 2 of my grandson now to give them a start in playing the guitar. But alas I too am just a beginner... after over 40 years :cry:
 
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BFT Gibson said:
songwriter & bassist. Cool post..the light went on this CD...its about songs..the vocals being out front to hear the story...toss a few hooks in some tasty solo's but make the Song the sum parts of all..not 1 standout part,,that being said..i enjoy writing..drums..bass..guitar & now getting into light keys..so want to go live next time, with keys & not 2nd guitarist

Also..no real method to me...i feel it..capture life & translate into a song...so glad i didn't take lessons or learn someone else's patterns..only played 3 covers in my life & do not play to the norm..play from the heart first...without music & being able to express...don't know if i would even be alive after life's brutalness at times......srry ..rant..but passion man
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My Ambassador of Harmony,
Well put BFT, I love your approach.
Passion for the song/ music.
I have no idea on how to improve your logic here.
For all of us please continue to share as you have.
To me
That’s a musician
Cheers Mitch
 
Robert Herndon said:
Good that you are realizing these things about your music. Your post caused me to ponder this a while...

I'm a great co-writer and I enjoy the supporting roles in a band rather than being the frontman. I front only when a singer didn't show. I can do it well - which says a lot about singer reliability over the years.

I have much respect for those who write and perform their own material.

Covers were my way of supporting myself for years. I enjoy them immensely. When our band recently published the song list of each member for future setlist ideas, I was surprised that I had 152 songs on it that I know by heart, including lyrics.

I'm mostly about marketing us, perfecting our tone and earning money doing something I enjoy.

But, playing live is tough coming from a studio background. I dont look cool playing. I think that's always in my head, but I've loosened up a lot of late....
Click to expand...
You need to continue relaxing.
And not worrying so much on looks.
Just play as you do, the rest just falls into place.
The hat and subtle head bobs are enough to put you at the forefront!
Cheers Mitch
 
BFT Gibson said:
Nice, its funny i admire guys like you that can nail Motorhead ect..when i heard your clip..i smiled & said,,man would love to share some stage time with this guy. I absolutely get the earning money part. I have tried to play others music but i interpret it differently & stay in key or scale but venture off a lil. Both are needed..seems to be such opposite approaches..My fav of all..is when you have a band that shares & brings out the best....time goes by..the unspoken ability to share music together..i live for it
Click to expand...
As do I brother
 
I know just enough to make a fool of myself, and I will foolishly continue, I have forgotten more cover songs than I can count,
I made a half hearted attempt to cover the rhythm of a UFO tune that I like, but don’t ask me to play it today, because I have not set with it for an hour to remember it ha ha,
I have about 28 or so of my own songs I have to remember.
That’s why I have a you tube channel, to record an idea, so I don’t forget it, or the melody,
So not really a musician, but a guitar hack comes to mind!
Cheers Mitch
 
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