Gruupi Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 After 10 years of hearing " I am playing for the song and guitar solo is no longer valid", is the guitar anything more than a prop in modern music? Not that every song had to have a solo but I haven't heard much inovation in quite a while. The music industry and the media in general seem more focused on image than in music. This is a follow up to my post in the guitar god thread. Young players have been spoon fed the idea that technical ability is contrary to what it takes to have a hit song these days. I understand the appeal of punk music but I have been hearing that variation for 25 years. I am not saying we need to go back to the 70's and 80's music by any means but what is the next genre of music and will it include the guitar? In the 20's through the 50's te horns were the dominant instrument (argueably). Ater that, in popular music at least, horns were more of a novelty. I remember when Gerry Rafferty's Baker St. came out, everyone was like wow cool a saxaphone solo. Is the guitar in popular music going to be relegated to this role? Since young players are not being forced to raise the level of skill like in the past, will any new and inventive styles even have a chance? My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretzel logic Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Guitar will never die. The music industry has always been a joke. It feeds the masses what it thinks folks want. "Rap kills". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 You haven't been to guitar stores where I live. Some tremendous talent is lurking around here. Some play jazz, others play metal or country, and a lot of them are surprisingly technically accomplished. At least to me, they aren't just using the guitar as a prop. That's not to say I dislike pop. There are good artists even from that genre. Just don't believe the hype. The media's screwing with your mind. You need to get your ass out to the local joints and youth shows. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Seek and you shall find The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 this too shall pass... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Is the guitar dead? No, only the d,g,b and high e strings are. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 rusty cooley in his lesson in the march guitar player mag says: "i teach dozens of guitar students each week they all have one thing in common they want to learn to BURN" happy playn dr have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 I think guitar is going through a slow period right now...but if you have a look at some of the members of this forum, they are younger adults who are looking to absorb and learn as much info as possible. A lot of my students were just as gung ho! The guitar may not be reflected in the gerneral pop music right now, but there are a lot of up and coming players who will bring the guitar back into the light! At least I hope that's true... Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 If you're not hearing any solos, you're listening to the wrong stuff. There are lots of new bands that play solos. They're just not in the "Nu-metal" camp. BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruupi Posted February 13, 2004 Author Share Posted February 13, 2004 I guess what I am asking is if there are innovators out there, will they be heard. There are only a handfull of them in any given generation. When is the last time you heard of a true guitar hero. Maybe Eddie Van Halen. Satriani, Via, and Eric Johnson all recieved legendary status amongst guitar players but the mainstream probably heard little from them. Before that in the 60's and 70's, the true era of the guitar hero where they were as popular as the singers you had Clapton, Beck, and Page, and of course Jimi Hendrix. Most people of my generation, I am 43, were inspired by these folks and that is a main reason why I tried so hard to learn the guitar. Not just for the idea that I could be famous but true inspiration on an artistic level. Will the kids today be inspired by Justin Timberlake and all the American Idol syndrom so much that they won't even think of the guitar as anything more than a prop or a songwriting tool?. Will all popular music be played to a TV audience with backing tapes and huge productions with some pretty boy playing air guitar?. I do still try and go to the clubs and see music but There are slim pickens here in Dallas right now. Maybe someone in this area knows of some hot players I can check out. I don't think rap will last forever but what is going to take its place. That's what makes me ask the question what is the next new genre and what instrument will be taking the soloes. Even pop vocal music needs an instrumental break of some kind in my mind at least. My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Guitar Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Originally posted by Gruupi: I guess what I am asking is if there are innovators out there, will they be heard. There are only a handfull of them in any given generation. When is the last time you heard of a true guitar hero. Maybe Eddie Van Halen. Satriani, Via, and Eric Johnson all recieved legendary status amongst guitar players but the mainstream probably heard little from them. Before that in the 60's and 70's, the true era of the guitar hero where they were as popular as the singers you had Clapton, Beck, and Page, and of course Jimi Hendrix. Most people of my generation, I am 43, were inspired by these folks and that is a main reason why I tried so hard to learn the guitar. Not just for the idea that I could be famous but true inspiration on an artistic level. Will the kids today be inspired by Justin Timberlake and all the American Idol syndrom so much that they won't even think of the guitar as anything more than a prop or a songwriting tool?. Will all popular music be played to a TV audience with backing tapes and huge productions with some pretty boy playing air guitar?. I do still try and go to the clubs and see music but There are slim pickens here in Dallas right now. Maybe someone in this area knows of some hot players I can check out. I don't think rap will last forever but what is going to take its place. That's what makes me ask the question what is the next new genre and what instrument will be taking the soloes. Even pop vocal music needs an instrumental break of some kind in my mind at least.Try some Paul Bollenback, Russell Malone, Adam Rogers, Bireli LeGrene, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Some of the best guitar is being played now. There's just no room for that anymore in ©rock, pop, or ©rap. Have you recorded an MP3 today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Geezer Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Originally posted by Gruupi: I do still try and go to the clubs and see music but There are slim pickens here in Dallas right now. Maybe someone in this area knows of some hot players I can check out. Has been for a while (ex-Plano-ite here) I really think they have all moved down here (especially Austin) LynnG Lynn G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vericose Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Guitar solos got absolutely beat to death beyond the grave during the 80's. It got to be a joke. The instrument that speaks to the people the most is the voice box. A lot of bands who have guitarists who shred have singers who no one wants to hear. When you think about great guitar players "usually" there is a great vocalist to go along with them to produce a great song/band. It can be easier to have a great vocal melody over a simpler guitar progression. Another thing is that a lot of guitarists who have an itch for the hot licks play through an assortment of effects pedals, boosters, etc... (all which can suck the tone right out of a guitar) not too many people these days want to hear someone go crazy on a set of 9's with a tone so thin you could floss your teeth with it. Get rid of the pedals. Learn to rock the guitar naturally and set yourself free. This being said, I'm sick of the garage revival crap and would love to hear a new generation of fretboard demons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Don't listen to mainstream radio...get out to the local clubs to see some fresh live players...listen to public/independent radio. There is plenty of good music being made, less people are buying it but it's out there. http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicalhair Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Guitar is not dead. I was in a music store yesterday picking up a new SG (I guess I must edit my post in the how many thread) and the guy there said they had 500 students a week. This is in essentially the middle of nowhere in western NJ and these guys are expanding their number of rooms for teachers to meet the need. Guitar is the best instrument, it was worked it's way into virtually every style of music, is increadible portable. It can be tuned any way you want to meet the needs of the song, player or style. It can be used for melody and harmony. Guitar is not dead, it may not meet the needs of Lou Pearlman or Simon the jerk of American Idol, and it may hinder "dance moves" like Britney, but guitar is not dead. We just need to point out that listening to music made by good dancers/poor singers (Janet, Britney, Madonna, et al.) is about as logical as looking at swimsuit calendars of poets, or reading scientific papers from supermodels. Music by musicians, anything else is classic bait-and-switch. check out some comedy I've done: http://louhasspoken.tumblr.com/ My Unitarian Jihad Name: Brother Broadsword of Enlightened Compassion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzgtrguy Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated" Mark Twain Failure is the path of least persistence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Originally posted by Vericose: Guitar solos got absolutely beat to death beyond the grave during the 80's. It got to be a joke. The instrument that speaks to the people the most is the voice box. A lot of bands who have guitarists who shred have singers who no one wants to hear. When you think about great guitar players "usually" there is a great vocalist to go along with them to produce a great song/band. It can be easier to have a great vocal melody over a simpler guitar progression. Another thing is that a lot of guitarists who have an itch for the hot licks play through an assortment of effects pedals, boosters, etc... (all which can suck the tone right out of a guitar) not too many people these days want to hear someone go crazy on a set of 9's with a tone so thin you could floss your teeth with it. Get rid of the pedals. Learn to rock the guitar naturally and set yourself free. This being said, I'm sick of the garage revival crap and would love to hear a new generation of fretboard demons. The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comfortat Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Well I can only say Chris Duarte, Trey Anastasio, Mark May, Warren Haynes, Gary Hoey, Johnny Lang, Indigenous, Los Lonely Boys, Tony Vega, Butch Trucks, Eric Gales, ummmmm... the 80's sucked for guitar players, but the new millenium is ripe. If you don't wanna be nibbled, don't play with the bunny. God created Eve and me, not Steve and me. - Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Gug Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 I hate people telling me what's in and what's out. I'll listen to them, but for the most part, people telling you crap like this are probably idiots. Pffft... What they like has no influence on my taste. Like I say, I'll sometimes lend an ear to see if the have an idea or an angle I haven't considered, but for the most part, "The Top 100 Guitarist" or "Top 20 Rock Songs" or someone's opinion whether guitar is dead pretty much mean nothing to me. "Any man with a microphone can tell you what he likes the most." - Jack White (he may have ripped it off) If anyone wants to give me their guitars because the guitar "is dead", PM me, I'll give you my mailing address. Mikegug www.facebook.com/theresistancemusic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Originally posted by comfortat: Well I can only say Chris Duarte, Trey Anastasio, Mark May, Warren Haynes, Gary Hoey, Johnny Lang, Indigenous, Los Lonely Boys, Tony Vega, Butch Trucks, Eric Gales, ummmmm... the 80's sucked for guitar players, but the new millenium is ripe.Los Lonely Boy's I seen these guy's on ACL I like em a lot The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 We just need to point out that listening to music made by good dancers/poor singers (Janet, Britney, Madonna, et al.) is about as logical as looking at swimsuit calendars of poets, or reading scientific papers from supermodels. Music by musicians, anything else is classic bait-and-switch. Actually, Madonna is a great singer. It's her publicity stunts that I can do without. BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vericose Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Man, smiley icons are super fresh. http://www.bravotv.com/images/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy/photo_group_pic.jpg now go to sleep Craig....Go to sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Guitar Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Originally posted by bluestrat: Actually, Madonna is a great singer. It's her publicity stunts that I can do without.She can actually sing, but doesn't have much range. Certainly she doesn't have the natural talent of Basia for instance, who has great range and can really belt out a song. Faith Hill has it all too. Sade has a great voice. Not many real singers left out there. Have you recorded an MP3 today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TieDyedDevil Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 The role of the guitar has changed over the decades. In the 50s through the late 60s - maybe early 70s - the guitar was used in both harmonic and melodic roles to support the song. In the 70s and 80s the guitar solo pretty much replaced the song - this was an era of guitar virtuosity that (thankfully) burned itself out. Not to disrespect their accomplishments - they have some awesome chops. But, c'mon... can you actually hum that weedly, weedly stuff? The 90s seem to have ushered in the era of guitar as a percussion instrument. Insane amounts of gain all focussed in the midrange give notes a wide range of articulation covering the full spectrum of click, pop, boom and thud. Again, there's some interesting technical stuff being accomplished, but not a lot in the way of catchy hooks. If Gibson's CEO has his way, digital guitars of the future will connect to artificial intelligence systems that translate the neophyte's fumblings into what (s)he should have intended to play. At that point, music is in the hands of the computer nerds. I don't think any of us want to see that day come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Originally posted by TieDyedDevil: If Gibson's CEO has his way, digital guitars of the future will connect to artificial intelligence systems that translate the neophyte's fumblings into what (s)he should have intended to play. At that point, music is in the hands of the computer nerds. I don't think any of us want to see that day come. I think we're already there. A guy can go into the studio, record a few chords, and then piece a guitar track together using Pro Tools or other such programs. Not a great approach (for some). Look at what it did to Metallica!! They went from OK to shit in my book. St. Anger is their shittiest album to date and it was all the work of Pro Tools (or more correctly, the lack of work on Metallica's part) On the other hand, if used creatively, Pro Tools is a good thing. I'd look at the CD Beautiful Garbage as an example of the right way to use Pro Tools. I think that all the techie stuff guitar companies are coming out with will rear up and bite 'em in the ass! BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gato Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 Guitars (and guitarist) are like AIDS ... life will never be the same after them ... and can't be destroyed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 Not many real singers left out there.There are plenty. Alicia Keys, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Seal, Tori Amos. If Christina Aguilera ever learns the meaning of the word "subtle", she might end up being great too. The popularity of the guitar is cyclical. The early 80s weren't a great time for the guitar either (anyone remember when people said that the synthesizer would replace the guitar?). We've just gotten out of a slow decade and I think we can expect to hear some interesting stuff. Zakk Wylde is pretty popular right now and he's amazing. While Incubus aren't the greatest band around, Mike Enzinger (sp?) plays some pretty interesting stuff. Tom Morello basically reinvented the way the electric guitar sounds and is played. He's incredibly innovative. Charlie Hunter is great too. "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 the thing about Zakk is he can actually write a song. Most guitarplayers forget to consider the song, it ends up being a vehicle for the solo. hello, there has to be balance or we will be in the 80's again. problems appear when there is too much focus on one thing only. so you can see why Zakk is good. the man looks at the whole picture. and i was only joking earlier, no guitar isn't dead. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueZet Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 is the guitar dead? it probably is, I put it there three days ago and it hasn't moved a fraction of an inch... - due to recent cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been SWITCHED OFF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamixoye Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 Guitar is still a major component in 99.9% of popular music. Until that is not the case, I don't think you can argue it's dead. For example, consider the horn analogy. Horns are no longer a major part of music the way they were back in the big band days. You could say that their influence has dimished greatly. I don't think you can even come close to saying this about the guitar just yet. I believe that is the greatest reply I\'ve ever read! I\'m not even joking. -- justinruins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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