The important thing is not to stop questioning.
-Albert Einstein
Check this out. In response to our Myspace marketing campaign, in which we send info about our site to guitar playing guys and gals, one 19 year old character replied with this:
sorry i dont wanna sound like an ass but i don’t need guitar lessons.
I don’t want to sound like an ass either, but I will send Steve Vai and all the amazing artists of his Favorded Nations label a memo telling them that their jobs are in danger.
I find it really sad when guitar players, or people in general, have this kind of attitude and ego. Once you think you are the best and that there is nothing new to learn or improve upon, the only place you can go is down. And if you are letting your ego get in the way, there is a really, really, really, good chance that you aren’t even at the top. People that keep an open mind generally are more successful in life, being more flexible and able to react appropriately to life’s circumstances.
Ever watch the show American Idol? Wow. Some people are just Awful yet they think the judges are crazy when they tell them that they have no chance. I wonder if this same type of thing would happen if there was a Guitar Idol show. What do you think? Have you had any experiences with the “false guitar hero?”
Albert Einstein was a pretty intelligent guy. Not many people know this but in 1922, the year after he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Physics, he was nominated again for his underground jazz-fusion guitar album, “The Speed of Light.”
He knew that no matter how much one learned or one achieved, there was always more. There is always a way to improve or grow. If you think you have mastered metal guitar and sweep picking, expand yourself and try some chicken pickin’ country licks, or maybe some jazz comping. There are no limits. Always keep an open mind and always be challenging yourself to become greater than what you are right now.
Or you could start a band with the young punk who “doesn’t need guitar lessons.”
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2 responses so far ↓
1 neo05 // Oct 30, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I think you guys should look in to the bands Boxcar Racer, Blink 182 & Angels and airwaves. Tom delonge is a great songwriter and a great guitarist.
2 PaulWillisProject // Oct 31, 2007 at 11:38 am
A great musician, athlete, surgeon, artist… never stops learning and always keeps an open mind to new ideas from all possible sources of inspiration. This includes those with less experience than you, and those attempting to accomplish completely different goals form your own. The work ethic and finesse of the best athletes teaches us all a lesson which we can learn from. You can never tell where that next inspiration will come from, in fact many years ago I was able to apply ideas from high school Calculus to my playing (how about that!). Just remember, before your ego gets out of control, there is always someone out there that can do what you do but better. Have a productive day!
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