Playing the guitar, the difference between being good and being a genius....

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The discussion highlights the exceptional talent of various guitarists across genres, emphasizing the impact of their performances on the speaker's own musical journey. Notable guitarists mentioned include Chet Atkins, George Harrison, and Andres Segovia, among others, showcasing a range of styles from classical to rock. The performances of Mark Knopfler with Dire Straits and Stevie Ray Vaughan are particularly celebrated for their musicality and emotional depth. The conversation also touches on the nuances of achieving great tone on the guitar, distinguishing between natural skill and reliance on electronic enhancements. Additionally, the importance of backing guitar work in rock music is noted, with Eddie Van Halen being recognized for his contributions. The thread reflects a deep appreciation for both famous and lesser-known guitarists, emphasizing the diverse influences and techniques that shape the art of guitar playing.
  • #51
symbolipoint said:
Be just reminded, this part of the forum is for "Art, music, history, and linguistics".

To the demonstration of playing a guitar with the left hand for both note selection/control AND striking or in other ways percussing the strings, check this other "Estudio Mano Izquierda":


Yeah, my apologies. It got a little too personal. I was just overwhelmed with emotion.
 
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  • #52
symbolipoint said:
Be just reminded, this part of the forum is for "Art, music, history, and linguistics".

To the demonstration of playing a guitar with the left hand for both note selection/control AND striking or in other ways percussing the strings, check this other "Estudio Mano Izquierda":


I'm just sorry I don't understand what he says! But I can see (and hear) he knows what he's doing!
 
  • #53
@sbrothy, I understand what you mean. Maybe I should go back and recheck just at what place on the timeline the musical play begins and report this in the posting.

Thanks @sbrothy. Done!
Next I should edit to remove the doubling of the hyperlink. Physicsforums is automatically turning the URL tagged address into something else. I just want to avoid showing the whole YouTube thumbnail.
 
  • #54
symbolipoint said:
@sbrothy, I understand what you mean. Maybe I should go back and recheck just at what place on the timeline the musical play begins and report this in the posting.

Thanks @sbrothy. Done!
Next I should edit to remove the doubling of the hyperlink. Physicsforums is automatically turning the URL tagged address into something else. I just want to avoid showing the whole YouTube thumbnail.
It's difficult to find examples of learning that technique. I get lot's of unrelated hits.

EDIT: In the meantime I'll be painting my nails. :smile:
 
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  • #55
Basically the keyword is "legato" but that's not the whole story. In the Mateuz Kowalski video from above there's obviously more going on. He's using his nails to push and pull the strings as well. It's way beyond me at my current level but as I said previously: I'm flabbergasted.
 
  • #56
Try another viewing of the Cacho Tirao video but change the playback speed to maybe "0.5". Some notes are playing using hammer ons and hammer offs, but many other string strikings are using the x finger (pinky).
 
  • #57
symbolipoint said:
Try another viewing of the Cacho Tirao video but change the playback speed to maybe "0.5". Some notes are playing using hammer ons and hammer offs, but many other string strikings are using the x finger (pinky).
Thanks. I'll give it a try when my nails dry (This is new to me, I've been biting my nails most of my life.). :smile:
 
  • #58
I heard about some kind of nail gel which harden using the same light dentists use to harden the stuff they use for artificial teeth. That might be a lot easier....
 
  • #59
pinball1970 said:
t is a beautiful, a nice start but what attracted me was the interplay between Anderson and Howe in the early verses, its quite minimal but the parts just fit perfectly.

My favorite tune from Goring for the One is Parallels.

Great guitar, vocals, electric organ and bass guitar.




I saw them live in 1978 and they performed several tunes from that album.
 
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  • #60
I don't know why I'm crossing into Roma folk music but as with flamenco it's entirely it's own:



EDIT: His own composition I might add.
 
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  • #61

Al Di Meola Demonstrates His Insane Skills​




Elegant Gypsy Suite - Live



Elegant Gypsy Suite - Studio version



Al Di Meola - Orlando, FL, Jan 18th, 2025​

 
  • #62
Astronuc said:

Al Di Meola Demonstrates His Insane Skills​




Elegant Gypsy Suite - Live



Elegant Gypsy Suite - Studio version



Al Di Meola - Orlando, FL, Jan 18th, 2025​



Al de Meola is one of my absolute heros. Especially as he uses a plectre, like me! I'm trying to use my nails, but the regime you have go to through with glue, glass fiber bedding and glass-fiber powder is cumbersome to say the least. Particularly because you have to apply it with the left hand if you're right handed and vice versa...

I'm told there's some nail gel which can be hardened under a UV lamp. That may be the way forward. (Also the glass fiber powder costs ~US$ 2000,- per kilo!
 
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  • #63
See how Paco De Lucia plays guitar.

 
  • #64
Astronuc said:
See how Paco De Lucia plays guitar.


Well yeah. The OP was Paco. :)
 
  • #65
I realize this number is almost banal by now. It's like almost everyone can play at least some version of it. This guy does it pretty thoroughly though:



I like the first comment: "He played it like "Nothing else Matters". :smile:
 
  • #66
post #65
Example of how playing some of these "Heavy Metal" or whatever such type music arranged for either a solo piano or solo classical guitar, shows how great is the original piece of music. Do a Y.T. search and you can find other examples like this.
 
  • #67
Agreed. Sometimes they go too far though. I mean when an entire orchestra is playing a track by Dimmu Borgir I think it's been taken too far. :woot:
 
  • #68
sbrothy said:
Agreed. Sometimes they go too far though. I mean when an entire orchestra is playing a track by Dimmu Borgir I think it's been taken too far. :woot:
Sure! That's why I specified "solo". Just one single instrument. No orchestra; no combo-band; no backup band.
 
  • #69
From #1,611 in the Cover Songs thread
 
  • #70


My she plays beautifully.
 
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  • #71
I'm so behind with this thread it's embarrassing. You people are full of good suggestions!

Thanks all.
 
  • #72
Мар Дяндя is a traditional Russian Romani song. Sergei Orekhov arranged it for guitar in the last century (you can find original recordings but the recording quality is poor due to age of records). Here's a modern performance for six-string in the same style Sergei played it:



And here's a helpful tabulated and classically notated guide to it for learning, but it´s MIDId so the Romani sense of timing and accents is lost

 
  • #73
Pythagorean said:
Мар Дяндя is a traditional Russian Romani song. Sergei Orekhov arranged it for guitar in the last century (you can find original recordings but the recording quality is poor due to age of records). Here's a modern performance for six-string in the same style Sergei played it:



And here's a helpful tabulated and classically notated guide to it for learning, but it´s MIDId so the Romani sense of timing and accents is lost


I'll take a good look when I find the time. I have a ton of projects going on right now...

Thanks though. :smile:
 
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  • #74
Pythagorean said:
Мар Дяндя
Thanks for showing that video find. A bit of YouTube search shows a small number of other arrangements being played on a suitable guitar. Interesting Music! Music like that were not meant to be published and done for profit, and certainly were not done with the intent to write into standard musical notation.
 
  • #75
symbolipoint said:
Thanks for showing that video find. A bit of YouTube search shows a small number of other arrangements being played on a suitable guitar. Interesting Music! Music like that were not meant to be published and done for profit, and certainly were not done with the intent to write into standard musical notation.
Definitely, I don't think this song was composed by one person, I think it was passed down orally and by rote over generations before Romani music was notated and people added flairs and such along the way. Then Sergei Orekhov did his arrangement when recording mediums were available.
 
  • #76
I am surprised no one has taken notice of Tim Henson, lead guitarist of the progressive band Polyphia.



Polyphia "Ego Death"



Polyphia "G.O.A.T."

 
  • #77
Steve Howe, genius player and writer.

 
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  • #78
He would still be my favourite guitar player if it was just lead.

Like Steve Howe he is very versatile.

 
  • #79
pinball1970 said:
Steve Howe, genius player and writer.


More genius from Steve Howe

 
  • #80
pinball1970 said:
Steve Howe, genius player and writer.


@symbolipoint you down vote someone on music? Not impressed
 
  • #81
 
  • #82
pinball1970 said:
@symbolipoint you down vote someone on music? Not impressed

Well, maybe he genuinely didn't like it! But OK, yeah come on. :woot:

EDIT: or pressed the wrong link. Happened to me before.
 
  • #83
sbrothy said:
Well, maybe he genuinely didn't like it! But OK, yeah come on. :woot:

EDIT: or pressed the wrong link. Happened to me before.
I took a couple of opportunities to listen again to that first video and rethink what my reaction or reactions are. Artistic sensibilities are too complicated; saying exactly what mine is to that video I am unable to express but a reaction is yet present. Whatever that reaction is, I direct to the video but not to the post's author.

I keep my registered reaction to the post unchanged.
 
  • #84
As well you should. One's initial reaction is often the correct one.

Besides, noone dies from a single downvote.

EDIT: Also, keeping it non-personal is admirable.
 
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