[Harp-L] steamroller

[Tin Lizzie]

Hi, Doug!

You make a very good point.  And yet...

Copying solos note-for-note was always my least favorite thing to do, but the older I get, the more appreciation I have for repertoire; for the ideas and nuances that make one song different from another, and one player different from another (and from me!), beyond mere lyrics, key, tempo, groove, etc.  Your words are enticing, because copying solos is such hard work, but for me, few things are better for expanding my musical vocabulary and getting me out of my own rut than getting deep inside someone else’s music.

If a person is solely dependent on others’ creativity, then I think you’re absolutely right.  But I think there’s nothing wrong with poaching on others’ creativity if it informs and expands one’s own.

Best,
Tin Lizzie


On Feb 3, 2017, at 6:56 AM, Doug Schroer wrote:

> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2017 11:09:36 -0600
> From: Doug Schroer <dougharps at xxxxx>
> To: Harp-l for posting <harp-l at xxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] steamroller
> Message-ID:
> 	<CAHD1uN9CnCB3yfC6Y4MpO1SonVZcs1snyRQAjtLPbOua498KTg at xxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> If you have even modest playing skills, why look for someone else's
> version?
> 
> <snip>
> 
> Try it a few times, then record, redo, record, redo, etc.
> 
> IMHO practicing playing solos over a song's chord changes will make you a
> better player.  Always copying will slow your progress in improvisation.
> 
> Always looking at the creations of other players or using tabbed solos will
> make you musically dependent on other players' creativity.
> 
> 
> 
> Doug S.