As I read over "what makes a good guitarist" I can agree with "listening" and "feeling" are the better aspects at progressing from where you are to where you wish to end up. But, for me...and for anyone I pretty much ask...getting "in the moment" is where we all play best. (Lemme know if I'm off the mark with this comment!)
But this seems to be harder and harder to do, the older I get with more "crap" intruding on my inner self. It used to be the expected paranoia that went with playing in front of people...then on stage...but that's long gone.
Any tips on getting to "the zen" of the moment, anyone??? :?
Cat
"Feel what you play...play what you feel!"
Cat. I understand what you mean. since I am older than I ever have been before.....I find getting into the moment easier and easier.
when I was a beginner and intermediate player (measured in years...noty ability) I found that getting in the moment wasn't even on the horizon. it was getting my fingers to work was the big focus. I never felt like I was playing guitar, but rather trying to play it. I could 'get into it', 'play tight', 'play loose', I could listen and know when to come in or when to hold.
but never actually felt transported into another zone.
then about ten years ago it happened. I was jamming with a bunch of people and got the nod to play a lick. I stepped out and went at it. when I stopped I felt I had been a spectator. feeling but not quite watching myself play. it was more like I was the guitar. yet I was very much in the present. I could feel that wonderful air -pressure coming from my amp; my pant legs felt the wind move. I could hear all the players.
now, whenever I stand or sit down to play I leave the planet and coast with the guitar. I am in it. listening and thinking both at the same time. my mind is racing ahead, sussing out what I want to hear next, yet hearing in detail what I am playing at the moment.
it's wild. I love it. I don't have to do anything to get in the moment now. I hope this lasts. knowing my experience in life it'll all fall apart some day. I will only feel the struggle and not the bliss.
hope that day is far off.
I have no secrets. just play and play and play.
dogbite wrote I found that getting in the moment wasn't even on the horizon. it was getting my fingers to work was the big focus. I never felt like I was playing guitar, but rather trying to play it. I could 'get into it', 'play tight', 'play loose', I could listen and know when to come in or when to hold.
Man are you me? I could not have described the way I feel any better
I guess I haven't had that epiphany yet but I hope someday I will just like the dog!
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
Cat. I understand what you mean. since I am older than I ever have been before.....I find getting into the moment easier and easier. I have no secrets. just play and play and play.
It's seemingly all turned 'round for me, Dogbite...maybe I'm regressing. I'm more than impressed with listening to your stuff (I love your rendition of "Goin' Down"...with the Max Middleton intro!) Maybe my modicum of success translates as "pay and pay and pay" rather than "play and play and play"! :shock: Everyone's always at me for one thing or another...so maybe it's time to be less mercenary and get away from "the business of music"...to just "music"!
Geez...maybe that's what led Harrison to the Maharishi???
Still, my question remains: any suggestions??? :?
Cat
"Feel what you play...play what you feel!"
suggestions??
adopt a personality. I mean, when I am laying down a vocal track I am wearing headphones, standing behind the mike.
I usually am wearing my near vision glasses (haha,,real rock star look there). and holding the lyric sheet.
it sounds like lame land. but once the music starts I begin to channel a favorite singer. usually Mic Jagger. I move my feet, I move my arms, I gesticulate, scolding an imaginary audience with my wagging finger.
when I play guitar I channel Neil Young. my body triggers something and into the mpoment I go.
don't laugh until you try it, Cat.
IMHO music is like language. At first you learn the words and grammar and that''ll be tough enough. After that all you need to do is think less of the words and more about the message. The rest will follow on it's own.
Sorry, guys . . . I am so not there.
KR2
It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.
in a word...perform. don't just sit and play.
Here are Stages of guitar playing that I've gone through
1. Utter confusion
2. Confusion and pain
3. Hideous noisemaking
4. Futile noisemaking
5. Frustration and noisemaking
6. Failed attempts at respectable noisemaking
I haven't reached "sit and play" yet.
I'm sure there's many more stages before I reach the Nirvana of being in the zone.
KR2
It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.
ken,
it's a 12 step program you have a few more to go!
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
7. lose picks, trip on guitar chord.
8. tone deaf. can not tune without a tuner
9. police called to house for disturbing the peace.
10. Yanni calls, wants you in his band.
after all that the 'moment' appears on the horizon. :lol:
what happened to this all-important step: practicing the rock star look... in the bedroom mirror ... in underwear
-=tension & release=-
Well dog i didn't realize steps 7 - 10 I kind of skipped through some and went right to 9!
Still tone deaf though, well I wouldn't say completely tone deaf I can tell when things don't sound right I'm just not schooled enough to be able to readjust by ear and be 100% accurate, but had isn't that why they make tuner pedals?
"It's all about stickin it to the man!"
It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!
all kidding aside. I have been thinking about this all day.
I have concluded that any player at any level of ability can attain the moment.
who here has not experienced that thrill when you play that two or three chord song
you just made up and it sounded so cool it was astounding to you.
that, is being in the moment. sweet. :)
Usually the phrase goes "..lose oneself (or yourself) in the moment..." and that "losing oneself" is probably the biggest part of it and also the hardest thing for a lot of people. While playing it all of a sudden has nothing to do with you and everything to do with the music and the giving of the music from head, hands and heart to whoever's ears are receiving. You don't think about mistakes (they're going to happen), about what you're going to play next, about anything. Like being on autopilot except you're not even aware of being on autopilot because you're also caught up in actively and intently listening, and consequently experiencing it all, too.
Being in the moment is being part of something a lot bigger. Being comfortable enough with your own playing (and, if the situation calls for it, with the playing of those with whom you're playing) is where it starts. Then being willing to bargain in good faith that, whatever happens next, the music will carry you through. Even though you're putting everything of yourself out there, it's about not getting anything back. Although what you get back is the best part of playing.
I know this is rather zen and doesn't truly address the "what do I do to get there" part, but Dogbite's right. You just play. Without question, without hesitation, without expectations. Play for the music and it will come to you. In spades.
Hope you get it all back real soon, Cat.
Peace
