A lesson in life

[BoyMambo]

Yesterday I had my first lesson with a new teacher. Lately, I have been feeling very unmusical, completely lost my sense of direction. I also had a lesson humility and felt like a complete wanker, he did not make me feel like a wanker, I made me feel like a wanker. I turn up with BRW PRS and he is an old guy about 70, and very well regarded, and incredibably pleasant, but with a real passion about music. He was playing absolutely great jazz, and he was using the absolute cheapest Les Paul Special through a pignose solid state amp. It was was the sweetest most melodic jazz I've heard in a long time.

The two things that he tried to impress upon me was that what I needed to understand was that the greatest gift available are melody and harmony. He then played a stonking version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, he then did this in different keys using different chord voicings.

One of the most telling thing he said to me, and it was a real revelation, was that most people including me, miss the point of most books, and to understand that no book ever tells you to play fast.

[Donk70]

Yesterday I had my first lesson with a new teacher. Lately, I have been feeling very unmusical, completely lost my sense of direction. I also had a lesson humility and felt like a complete wanker, he did not make me feel like a wanker, I made me feel like a wanker. I turn up with BRW PRS and he is an old guy about 70, and very well regarded, and incredibably pleasant, but with a real passion about music. He was playing absolutely great jazz, and he was using the absolute cheapest Les Paul Special through a pignose solid state amp. It was was the sweetest most melodic jazz I've heard in a long time.

The two things that he tried to impress upon me was that what I needed to understand was that the greatest gift available are melody and harmony. He then played a stonking version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, he then did this in different keys using different chord voicings.

One of the most telling thing he said to me, and it was a real revelation, was that most people including me, miss the point of most books, and to understand that no book ever tells you to play fast.
Thanks for sharing. That would make anyone humble.

[RandyO]

BoyMambo -
Great story......you've found a winner.
Give us a progress report after a few more lessons.

[irwcustom]

Sounds like you've found the 'Mr. Myagi' of the guitar teaching world! Great story! I hope that he turns out to be a great teacher and brings you on. as said before, we'd be interested in an update. Cheers.

[TRandy16]

Funny how some of the "old" guys...know some of the best stuff too,eh?


Congrats on your discovery....listen closely to this guy...he has a lot to offer you...I promise.

[Adam]

Next lesson: Paint the fence! Up, down, up, down! Not side side!

[irwcustom]

Next lesson: Paint the fence! Up, down, up, down! Not side side!:D !!! Wa' on wa' off!

[johnreardon]

...


One of the most telling thing he said to me, and it was a real revelation, was that most people including me, miss the point of most books, and to understand that no book ever tells you to play fast.
Great story Dave, Wish this guy would come over to the UK and tell these stupid young kids, that appear at some of our local jams, to slow down a little. The have 15 trillion pedals, full on distortion and then attempt to whip up and down the scale, hoping the distortion will hide their numerous fluffed notes. :eek: I keep telling them, and their dads who usually accompany them, to throw the flipping pedals away and go clean until they achieve what they want. They just look at me and think 'F***ing old tosspot'.


Good luck with your lessons.

[Serious_Poo]

It sounds like your new teacher "gets it" in a big way. Congrats on hooking up with him, and best of luck to you! BTW, the best two peices of musical advice I ever received are referenced below in my sig block, and they are pretty similiar to what he told you.