I can't adequately express how delighted I am to read the comments of the
young
guitarists (I'm assuming they're young, compared to me at 62), coming to the
aid of
this aspiring youngster. I've always believed jazz musicians were some of
the most
giving and caring people. I've been playing guitar for forty years and I
learned from
horn players, keyboard players, bass players, and other fine guitarists.
These are a
few things I've learned in all those years.
1. Guitar is one of the easiest inastruments to play a little, and
one of the hardest
to play a lot.
2. Copying from other guitarists is a good learning tool, but
developing your own
unique style is important. Everyone recognizes Montgomery, Pass, Benson,
Stern, etc
when they hear them.
3. Try to sidestep your ego long enough to help make the musicians
around you
sound their best. This was a trademark of older guitarists like Jim Hall and
Kenny
Burrell. Listen to the unselfish way Russell Malone plays behind Diana Krall.
4. Guitar is an extremely versatile instrument. Don't be afraid to
experiment with
different strings, different pick sizes and weights, finger style, different
amps and
settings until you find your sound. I know fine guitarists who have been
playing for
twnty years or more and the're still searching for that sound. The way
different
enviornments affect sound makes the search that much more difficult
Flip
