Necessity? - Page 2

FatJeff · #31 10-14-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

He then proceeded to "feel" A minor pentatonic all over the intro.

That is freakin hilarious

czardas · #32 10-14-2011, 11:21 PM

I'm a big pro theory guy, but I don't believe theory is necessary to play any style of music. It is helpful for developing the skills that are necessary to play well, most importantly developing a good ear. If you can find the right notes and play them in a way that your audience understands you, then you may have achieved your goal. Theory is just a shortcut to achieving that goal, and worth while pursuing for several different reasons. The term 'necessity' stinks.

brwnhornet59 · #33 10-15-2011, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

...so I say, "I'm gonna start on a Bbm6, and go to..."

To which he says, "it's cool man...I play by feel."

He then proceeded to "feel" A minor pentatonic all over the intro.

Hey man, whats wrong with that Maj9 #11 feel? Quite inspirational coming from a half crocked bar legend. He just wanted to show you he could play out. Damn showoff!!

JakeAcci · #34 10-15-2011, 01:58 AM

It's funny to me that the promo video started a serious discussion of "theory vs. no theory."

I watched probably 5m of the video - it made some good points but was so frikkin long, I didn't even get to any musical stuff. Really poor pacing. And yes, his playing was very pedestrian and disappointing in that clip.

It's unfortunate, because he did make some really good points.

I agree with whoever posted that watching him play for a few minutes would have been much a better selling strategy than the long video.

Maybe it's just me...I rarely buy method books unless if they are extremely well established ones from name players, or books that were recommended to me by players I respect. I've always got enough on my list to practice, and when I want inspiration I spend my money on a face to face lesson with a great player.

brwnhornet59 · #35 10-15-2011, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeAcci

It's funny to me that the promo video started a serious discussion of "theory vs. no theory."

I watched probably 5m of the video - it made some good points but was so frikkin long, I didn't even get to any musical stuff. Really poor pacing. And yes, his playing was very pedestrian and disappointing in that clip.

You did not miss anything Jake. In the end it segued to a link for you to enter personal info and a credit card #.

JakeAcci · #36 10-15-2011, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwnhornet59

You did not miss anything Jake. In the end it segued to a link for you to enter personal info and a credit card #.

Bummer. I hate gimmicky guitar programs that claim to have the secret. There are so many great musicians out there who learned via a wide variety of methods. If there was a secret, it would be out by now.

brwnhornet59 · #37 10-15-2011, 03:26 AM

Agreed Sir!!

Flyin' Brian · #38 10-15-2011, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtizzle

It's true and not true. Wes did not know an ounce of theory and he's still recognized as one of the greatest guitarists.

A commonly stated fallacy. This is from Pat Metheny's liner notes on the Jazz Icons DVD.

These few minutes in discussion with pianist Jacobs lay to rest one of the mythologies surrounding Wes and the nature of his musicianship. How often in liner notes and articles have we been dutifully reminded of Wes' supposed inability to read music, the fact that he was "self-taught" and all of the other points of lore trotted out to somehow mystify the genius that is utterly self-evident in the legacy that is his music?
In a particularly illuminating exchange, we see Wes discussing the harmony with pianist Jacobs. In requesting one of his favorite variations on the tune's descending harmonies we hear a musician not only fluent in the traditional nomenclature of harmony, but one who is thoroughly enlightened, eloquent and direct. (Instead of Bb-7/Eb7/AbMaj7 direct to the following Ab-7/Db7/GbMaj7, Wes requests that an additional II-V anticipating the next change a half step higher be added to set up the next sequence, resulting in Bb-7/Eb7/AbMaj7/A-7/D7/ then onto Ab-7/Db7/GbMaj7 etc.)

And the video.

YouTube Video

pauln · #39 10-15-2011, 03:04 PM

Nice video, it is very clear that Wes plays by ear, knows the music by the way it sounds, and knows it very well.
When he does name chords and steps, he makes mistakes; he knows these things well, but they are secondary to his real conception of the music, which is how it sounds.
Most of his instructions and suggestions to the pianist are done in the language of music - he plays it on his guitar to communicate his idea. Those he does perfectly in every case. He also confirms it by listening to the pianist's chords.

JakeAcci · #40 10-15-2011, 03:40 PM

Heh...interesting, actually watching the video he doesn't say much. Which doesn't disprove a knowledge of harmony, but doesn't prove it either.

Billnc · #41 10-15-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monk

Too bad he didn't play by ear.

I'm using that.
"It's ok I play by feel."
"No please play by ear, thank you."

metalmike31216 · #42 10-15-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monk

Here's a link to this guy playing from his lead guitar webpage.
Repeating Patterns: The Secret To Killer Solos - Lead Guitar Secrets 2.0

*facepalm*

Sailor · #43 10-15-2011, 08:03 PM

"He then proceeded to "feel" A minor pentatonic all over the intro."

Haha...."outside" ??

I still think something is missing from this conversation - why wouldn't you want to know what you are doing, or what is actually happening in a piece of music?? Did someone say laziness earlier??

Also, most of the "rule" breakers in art, music, literature, etc...KNEW the rules first...then broke them. I don't believe in this idea that theory is for some people....others just play by ear.

It doesn't actually physically hurt to learn the notes on a staff or a basic harmonic progression. Again, I find this peculiar to guitarists.

Sailor