Stuck in a Rut?

OK, today’s post comes especially with inspiration in mind. Do you ever find yourself stuck in a rut? I mean, do you ever find that- although your technical ability is improving- everything you play and/or improvise is starting to sound the same?

Well, you may have heard that the best way to get out of this situation is to start listening to more new music. Stuff you might not normally listen to. I’ve compiled this short list of people you may not have heard of before, but who I think are worthy of your attention. Not all of them are guitarists, and they’re not all from the same genre either…

1. Niccolò Paganini

   Yes, this guy is technically a Violin player, but his pieces have also been arranged quite often for electric and classical guitar. For example, here is a version of his 5th Caprice, on electric guitar, recorded by Jason Becker (who I recommend you also check out if you’re into neoclassical/shred guitar styles).

2. Jacques Loussier

   This stuff isn’t quite classical, and isn’t quite Jazz…but has the best (in my opinion) of both.

   Well, I’ll let you decide for yourself about The Jacques Loussier Trio (Piano, Double Bass and Drums). Here is him playing something you might recognise…

3. Steve Morse

   Very creative use of the guitar here. Kind of a prog/rock/metal thing. Here is one of my favourite tunes from the Steve Morse Band, called “Simple Simon”:

4. John Williams

   Tired of listening to the same old Rock/Metal guitar playing? Here’s a guy with something “different”. Classical guitar playing. Remember: classical guitar playing is guitar playing too, and there is absolutely no reason why you can’t use some of the sounds and techniques used here in your own playing!

   …and to illustrate that point, here he is playing some Paganini:

5. Guthrie Goven

   A bit more of a “musicians” guitar player, this guy. Very technical, but also very musical. He is the last on my list of “awesome people you should listen to but might not have particularly heard of before” (note to self: that’s clearly too long to be this post’s title…).

So that’s it from me. If you like anything you’ve heard today please don’t hesitate to google/youtube for more of the same (or you could even…y’know…buy an Album? Or is that old-fashioned now?).

Until then, I’ll see you next time.
Rob.

September 21, 2011 at 4:00 pm | Practicing and Practice Routine | No comments