A Good Warrior is never violent.
A good fighter is never offensive.
A great leader defeats his opponent,
but not by challenging him.
A great commander is humble.
This is called the power of non-contention.
This is also called making use of the effort of others.
To follow this is to follow the pattern
of the subtle law of the universe.
-Lao Tzu, Sixty-Eight, Tao Teh Ching
Often times it seems as if guitar players are a more egotiscal bunch of musicians than others. Many strive to be faster, quicker, and more flashy than their fellow brothers. There is an attitude of “me against the world.”
I guess this could really be generalized to many musicians in general.
It isn’t about competing or being cocky about your skills. It’s about being humble and encouraging others to find their unique music in their souls.
Do you think Stevie Ray Vaughan would have seen the levels of success that he did with his music had he instead focused on becoming a better shredder than Joe Satriani?
Of course not. The only way to “defeat your opponent” and truly achieve personal victory is to not challenge them in the first place. Instead, it is more beneficial to find a way to work together and help each other out.
Have a great week!
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12 responses so far ↓
1 ron zabrocki // Mar 17, 2009 at 3:06 am
Great piece on defeating another guitarist!
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve come across a
“shredder” at a jam session. All the speed and
Technique in the world. Tapping, speed picking, whammy tricks etc. However, most of them knew
Very little about theory or playing “in the pocket”!
All I had to do was play a few well chosen notes,
Maybe a bluesy/jazz lick with feeling, nail it in the pocket, and our shredder friend would be silenced!
The next thing out of his mouth was usually” how’d you do that?”. Then hit him up with some of the flash he threw at you, but this time, in the pocket, in the right key, and with emotion.
Musician’s who know theory and have a sense of perfect timing who are well versed in many styles will be better speed players and be able ro apply flash musically! Then no one can touch you because you will have found more than technique on your journey, you will have found your own voice!
Peace
Shred on!
Ron z
2 ron zabrocki // Mar 18, 2009 at 2:24 am
By the way…..more often than not, the only true opponant that stands in your way and must be defeated is YOURSELF!
3 Jeff // Mar 18, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Great comments Ron! I’d also like to make an observation about this: If you would ask just a regular joe schmoe guy who does not play guitar, who is better or who they like better as a guitar player Stevie Ray Vaughan or Shredder XYZ, the majority of times they will say SRV. And that is because the emotion, the in the pocketness, and voice connects with them on a higher level than the super flashy shredder.
There is nothing wrong with going nuts on the guitar, and its definitely great to be able to do, but you are right, a well timed strategic lick can grab the listener more than a barrage of notes many times.
4 Gary Fletcher // Mar 27, 2009 at 5:54 am
Jeff, thanks for this insightful message and a great quote.
5 Cy Vereshack // Mar 30, 2010 at 9:36 am
I play fast. I have some chops. There will always be someone better and someone worse than me out there. To get in the moment…….To play with feeling. Whether it is one note or a thousand; Is Everything.
6 Brian Lowe // Mar 30, 2010 at 9:46 am
An article that will always be relevant. The only person you have to “beat” is yourself and your attitudes. I don’t even try to compete with Steve Lukather. I try to take what he does and make it mine. I can learn something from everyone….even if it is how not to do something. In the words of Mr. Zappa…Shut Up and play yer guitar!
7 Rich Briere // Mar 30, 2010 at 9:47 am
With all due respect for many of your GREAT articles, I clearly recall when the making of music wasn’t about warfare. It wasn’t about who was faster, had bigger hair or could arrive at a gig and BEGIN a performance at 1 am. We’ve fallen into the American Idol way of thinking……..and anyone with half a brain can see where that’s gotten us. Music is NOT a competition. As long as you think it is, you’ll remain in loser, local bands that change personel every twenty minutes. Why are the OLD GEEZERS still drawing the arena crowds and the young “blazers” still luggin’ enough PA and lighting into “Bills Biestro and Bait Shop and getting a whopping 11 people to come see them??? Because they see music as a Competition. Sad indeed. Shoot American Idol and GC’s Guitar Hero Contests and fix the problem in six months.
Bass-ically Yours,
Rich
8 Sean Clancy // Mar 30, 2010 at 9:56 am
I think that the biggest opponent for shredders is time – I agree with the first post that playing in the pocket (so no notes jut out of the flow of the song akwardly) is the arch nemesis of many guitarists. I developed my chops years ago – and have spent the last 15 years working on time! Make your fellow musicians feel good (as well as your fellow guitarists) about themselves and then you’ll get more work and the others will like you more as a person than even a muso!
9 jimmy mac // Mar 30, 2010 at 10:13 am
Oy – and the nonsense persists . Play in time , be creative within the context of the song and you will be part of something bigger than any guitar competition. Real Music . Avoid Red House and other useless blues jams and learn how to compose thoughtful melodic solos ala Jeff Beck or Larry Carlton ah… life is good ! Years ago i went to a jam in NJ and the rhythm guitarist who supported all the soloist was the best player on the stage . The guitarists who were rippin’ could not get near to this dude’s pocket . When he solo-ed he didn’t need their support , he played chord solos even over I IV V patterns and stole the show . He still makes a living as guitarist in NC and works 5 nights a week , oh did i mention Branford Marsalis came thru town and needed a guitarist – yep , he got the gig .
10 Robert Riley // Mar 30, 2010 at 10:15 am
Music isn’t a competition.
11 Bruce // Mar 30, 2010 at 10:23 am
There is alot of talk about defines a “virtuoso” guitarist. A very popular guitarist/teacher/mentor/coach, on the web seems to think as long as you can play Am arpeggios at 200bps, that constitutes virtuoso guitarist. I watched one of his “guitar fest” videos of his students all shredding these arps at break-neck speeds. It was so laughable. 7 students in one room just shredding away at the same time. It was almost sickning. Who are the “real” virtuosos of our time. Would it be Larry Carlton, who Grammys for his guitar playing? I would think so. How about Jeff Beck or Eric Clapton? These guitarists are the true virtuosos, not some kid who can play a Bm7b5 arpeggio at 180bps. I think by now we all know the teacher/coach/mentor on the web is. This guy has all the chops in the world, but plays with “0″ emotion.
12 Johnny Flagg // Mar 30, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I must agree with Ron Zabrocki, most times your true opponent is yourself.Confidence and being humble work hand in hand.
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