The Battle: Playing Songs Note-For-Note vs. Playing Your Own Way
07/11/24 • 19 min
Ever wondered how to strike that perfect chord between playing a song note-for-note and weaving in the threads of your own musical identity? That's the question we unpack as I share my personal experiences and tips on balancing authenticity with innovation on the guitar. We traverse the landscape of music learning, discussing the golden days of ear-learning before the internet era, and how those practices shaped musicians into the artists they are today. Reflecting on the likes of Steve Vai, Tommy Emmanuel, and Michael Britt, we dissect the notion that perfection lies in replication, and instead, celebrate the quirks and individual flair that make guitar playing deeply personal.
Embark with me as we zoom in on the distinctive styles of legendary guitarists, using Megadeth's Kiko Loureiro's fresh take on Marty Friedman's solos as a case study in artful adaptation. With no guests but a treasure trove of insights, this episode is an ode to the guitarist's journey of self-discovery—find out how improvisation, theory, and fretboard knowledge converge to help you sculpt a sound that's unapologetically yours. Whether it's respecting the original or reshaping a classic like "Cliffs of Dover" to suit your style, this conversation is a reminder that the strings of the guitar are as much about the music they play as the story they tell. Tune in, tune up, and let's celebrate the unique musical voice that's waiting to be heard through your six strings.
Tune in now and learn more!
Links:
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Check out Steve's Guitar Membership and Courses: https://bit.ly/3rbZ3He
Links:
Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:
https://academy.guitarzoom.com/
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Ever wondered how to strike that perfect chord between playing a song note-for-note and weaving in the threads of your own musical identity? That's the question we unpack as I share my personal experiences and tips on balancing authenticity with innovation on the guitar. We traverse the landscape of music learning, discussing the golden days of ear-learning before the internet era, and how those practices shaped musicians into the artists they are today. Reflecting on the likes of Steve Vai, Tommy Emmanuel, and Michael Britt, we dissect the notion that perfection lies in replication, and instead, celebrate the quirks and individual flair that make guitar playing deeply personal.
Embark with me as we zoom in on the distinctive styles of legendary guitarists, using Megadeth's Kiko Loureiro's fresh take on Marty Friedman's solos as a case study in artful adaptation. With no guests but a treasure trove of insights, this episode is an ode to the guitarist's journey of self-discovery—find out how improvisation, theory, and fretboard knowledge converge to help you sculpt a sound that's unapologetically yours. Whether it's respecting the original or reshaping a classic like "Cliffs of Dover" to suit your style, this conversation is a reminder that the strings of the guitar are as much about the music they play as the story they tell. Tune in, tune up, and let's celebrate the unique musical voice that's waiting to be heard through your six strings.
Tune in now and learn more!
Links:
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Check out Steve's Guitar Membership and Courses: https://bit.ly/3rbZ3He
Links:
Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:
https://academy.guitarzoom.com/
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Previous Episode
Blending Cultures and Rhythms: The Musical Journey of Luca Vincenzetti
What happens when you mix Italian roots with Venezuelan rhythms and a passion for rock and blues? You get Luca Vincenzetti, the newest instructor at Guitar Zoom, whose musical journey is nothing short of fascinating. From his early days in Italy to discovering a friend's drum set in Venezuela, Luca's story is one of serendipitous encounters and relentless passion. He recounts how the sounds of ACDC, Van Halen, and Pink Floyd captured his heart at an American school in Venezuela, leading him to pick up the guitar and set the stage for an incredible career.
Luca's path wasn't always straightforward. Initially pursuing engineering, he made a bold switch to study music full-time in the vibrant mid-90s Caracas scene. He talks candidly about the grind of cover bands and the challenges of breaking into notable acts in Venezuela. Driven by a deep love for jazz, Luca began carving out his own opportunities, creating intimate performances in quieter venues and developing his leadership and creative skills along the way. His journey underscores the multifaceted nature of a music career and the substantial time commitment that goes beyond just playing notes.
Balancing a career in music requires a nuanced approach, and Luca shares valuable insights on maintaining financial stability through teaching while seeking gigs that feed his soul. We discuss the importance of diversifying income streams, from management and venue ownership to audio and video production. Luca also opens up about his personal interests outside of music, like soccer and motorcycle riding, and draws inspiration from legends such as Eric Clapton and Pat Metheny. This episode is packed with lessons on finding your unique path in music, the joy of transcribing diverse instruments, and embracing personal technique. Tune in for a rich, inspiring conversation that offers a fresh perspective on what it means to be a musician today.
Tune in now and learn more!
Links:
- Check out Luca and the GuitarZoom Academy: Home (guitarzoom.com)
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
- Check out Steve's Guitar Membership and Courses: https://bit.ly/3rbZ3He
Links:
Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:
https://academy.guitarzoom.com/
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Next Episode
Unfolding the Magic: A Deep Dive into Ciari Foldable Guitars with Steve Stine
Hey everyone, Steve Stine here, and thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Steve Stine Guitar Podcast. Today, I've got something really exciting lined up for you. I'm sharing an interview I recently did with the team at Ciari Guitars during my visit to their factory in Nashville. If you're not familiar with Ciari Guitars, they specialize in high-quality, foldable guitars—perfect for musicians who are always on the move.
In this episode, we delve into the history of Ciari Guitars, their innovative design, and the significant improvements they've made over the years. We'll also talk about how these guitars are a game-changer for traveling musicians and the impressive list of artists who are using them. So whether you're constantly on tour or just need a reliable, portable guitar, you'll want to stick around for this one. And don't forget to check out Ciariguitars.com for more info. Enjoy the episode!
Tune in now and learn more!
Links:
- Check out Ciari Guitars: Ciari Guitars Pro-Play Folding Guitar
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Check out Steve's Guitar Membership and Courses: https://bit.ly/3rbZ3He
Links:
Check out the GuitarZoom Academy:
https://academy.guitarzoom.com/
- Steve’s Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/stinemus...
- GuitarZoom Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/guitarz0...
- Songs Channel → https://www.youtube.com/user/GuitarSo... .
Steve Stine Guitar Podcast - The Battle: Playing Songs Note-For-Note vs. Playing Your Own Way
Transcript
Hey , steve here , thank you so much for joining me for this discussion . What we're going to be talking about today is learning songs note for note , versus learning them in a way that works better for you for a number of different reasons . Okay , so let's just start off talking about that .
SteveIf you grew up , like me , back in the day , w
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