Danny Devito may not be a virtuoso guitar player, but guitarist can learn a valuable lesson from him nonetheless.
You may be asking yourself, “What the Hell does Danny Devito have to do with guitar?”
Seth Godin, marketing genius had a very interesting post comparing Danny with George Clooney:
Can you imagine the career advice Danny got? The well-meaning people who explained to him (as if he didn’t know) that he didn’t really look like George Clooney? That perhaps, maybe, he should consider a job as a personal trainer or short order cook…
George Clooney is a movie star. He looks like one. He makes tens of millions of dollars a year, hangs out at Cannes and has starlets falling at his feet.
Danny Devito is exactly five feet tall. He was perfectly cast as the Penguin.
The math, however, tells us something different.
(number of people resembling George Clooney)/(jobs for people resembling George Clooney) is a much bigger number than the ratio available to Danny. For the math challenged: Because everyone in Hollywood is trying to be George, there are a lot more opportunities for the few Dannys willing to show up.
Invest in Danny. The edges usually pay off.
Just like everyone in Hollywood is trying to be George Clooney, everyone in the guitar world seems to be trying to be Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, EVH, or the epitomical “shredder.”
Now there is no problem with pushing yourself to the technical limits on guitar, and the discipline it takes to reach these levels is something to be very proud of, but are you really helping yourself out in the long run in terms of having a music career?
What is one aspect of your playing that sets you apart from others?
Can you name 5 to 10 of them?
I am interested in hearing what you guys have to say about what it is that makes you a unique guitar player.
Being different in music is going to help you get more gig opportunities and be remembered by others. For other tips on how to become a successful guitarist, check out our free informational e-book on how to have a successful career as a studio guitarist.
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3 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Cary // Jun 13, 2008 at 4:30 am
Hey dude, I’m a recent subscriber to your newsletter. You offer intelligent, practical and helpful advice and info for us six-stringers out here! Good stuff–
I’ve been playing rock guitar for over 20 years, and next to family it’s my number-one love. I’ve only played semi-pro so far but I’m VERY interested in going at it full-time, so I’ve really been absorbing the 7 HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL STUDIO PROS and your marketing tips! I think I have a few aspects that set me apart from other guitarists–
1. While everyone else uses a strat or PRS, I swing a Gibson Flying V! I heavily modified it into a serious rock-pop-blues tone machine. My sound is sweet and cuts thru the mix just right without being too loud or obtrusive. How many serious players use one of these babies as their main axe?!
2. I’m well schooled in music theory. I can play in any key, know all my major and minor positions and inversions, and I know all the common chord progressions and variations of them. I’ve used these skills to compose several songs that feature diminished and augmented chords as well as major, minor and both types of 7th chords. I also know hundreds of songs! My bandmates just love me, as you can imagine-
3. I always try to serve the melody of the song. On several songs written and played with my band, the guitar solo is little more than a re-statement of the verse melody. I’m really trying to do more with less notes these days, playing percussively within the song’s rhythm and syncopation.
I look forward to more newsletters and other info from you!! Good stuff– I’ll send you a link of my group’s stuff when we get out of the studio in a couple months here-
thanks, and rock on! Matt Cary
2 Jeff // Jun 13, 2008 at 9:12 am
Sounds great Matt! Keep staying involved and let us know when you get your stuff recorded and we would love to feature you!
3 Matt Cary // Jul 22, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Right on Jeff– looking forward to it!
M
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