Getting "those other people" to listen to noodly music.

[Darin]

Face it fellow players, we are surrounded by people that have never heard guitar prog instrumental music. Or, they've heard enough to think its all Mamsteenish sweepy blazing often non-melodic flurries of notes. What they haven't heard is the sweet sounds of EJ or Timmons, Satches Aways with you etc.

What have been your experiences initiating the 'shred virgins' into our world?

My wife like EJ and Timmons, and some Petrucci's new solo cd.

[sick-boy]

I think you have to understand that this sort of music really, in the end, only appeals to other guitar players. Sure, lots of other people may listen to it, but I honestly hated it myself until I really got into guitar. I think if you play guitar, it gives you a new perspective on this music.
I'm not saying non-musicians won't listen to it, but if helps if you actually play an instrument.
And honestly, this type of music still gets old for me after awhile.

[jl2556]

My biggest experiance was back in 2000. My dad's old
high school band from the 60s got together for a weekend.
Well, dad has me go along Sat. night. That's when the
guys were gonna play a little.We were at the lead
singer's house and he says to some one,"hey listen to
this cd Rod (my father) sent me" It was Surfing w/the alien...
Well, dad says to me (in front of everyone) "hey you know that
song, go up there and paly to it(surfing w/the alien)"
Well, I did a few more (satch boogie, YJMs Far beyond the sun)
THEY WENT NUTS!!!!
I had never played in front of that many folks before (25-30).
I got through it but you should have heard all the comments
on how cool that type of music was. They were like kids in a
candy store.Well, that event went on every summer for 4 yrs.
The 3rd year,I actually got to play summer song & satch boogie
and house full of bullets playing my JS10th in front of about 4000
people at a charity event we played at...now THAT was cool!!!!
I had 3 people ask me for a pick after I got done....that was really cool!!!!
The greatest thing happend to me at that event.
When I got done a lady came up to me and said "that was a Joe Satriani song, wasn't it?"
I said yes it was. She said "I sat there in my seat and closed my eyes and you sounded just like him.."
I swear I almost cried right there. What a compliment!!!I took such pride those 4 yrs.
in "taking it to the masses" It was so neat to introduce people to this type of thing.
Now this was in Sioux Falls, SD ,so the people were REALLY REALLY
green to this type of music.

[CosmicDebris]

Slip em' a mickey. They will be much more receptive then.

[kirk]

After nearly 15 years of solo free music, I'm actually surprised at how many "youngsters" are getting familiar with shredders. Our lead guitarist is 10 years younger than me and he shreds like you wouldn't believe - citing his influences as Satch, Vai, Petrucci and he loves any eighties hair band shredders.

It will never be mainstream but it is good to know that today's generation of new guitarists is familiar with this "old" artform.

[Davey]

Paul Gilbert. Everyone I ever play his stuff for absolutely loves the guy because it's actual 'songs' (for the most part) that just so happen to have arse-kicking guitar in as opposed to 'guitar-pieces' if you get what I'm saying

[nikster]

yep as i sit here browsing this site i can hear my neighbour blasting out Bon Jovi! Hmmm....what shall i play back twice as loud?

i also hav the misfortune to work with someone, who doesn't play guitar, saying '...i appreciate all types of rock and guitar music...' Then i replied with some rumour about the upcoming G3 tour at the time and his reply was 'oh i'm not bothered about all that crap'

yeah he REALLY appreciates all kinds of rock and guitar music.

luckily there are two other guys in the area, whose kids go to my kids school, who like the 'widdly-diddly' stuff!!

[nikster]

Originally Posted by kirk

It will never be mainstream but it is good to know that today's generation of new guitarists is familiar with this "old" artform.

Decent music sells itself. thats why in the UK, Vai, Satch, Malmsteen, Petrucci etc etc will never be heard on Radio 1 between 7.30 am and 8.00pm (thank god)

[michblanch]

Originally Posted by jl2556

My biggest experiance was back in 2000. My dad's old
high school band from the 60s got together for a weekend.
Well, dad has me go along Sat. night. That's when the
guys were gonna play a little.We were at the lead
singer's house and he says to some one,"hey listen to
this cd Rod (my father) sent me" It was Surfing w/the alien...
Well, dad says to me (in front of everyone) "hey you know that
song, go up there and paly to it(surfing w/the alien)"
Well, I did a few more (satch boogie, YJMs Far beyond the sun)
THEY WENT NUTS!!!!
I had never played in front of that many folks before (25-30).
I got through it but you should have heard all the comments
on how cool that type of music was. They were like kids in a
candy store.Well, that event went on every summer for 4 yrs.
The 3rd year,I actually got to play summer song & satch boogie
and house full of bullets playing my JS10th in front of about 4000
people at a charity event we played at...now THAT was cool!!!!
I had 3 people ask me for a pick after I got done....that was really cool!!!!
The greatest thing happend to me at that event.
When I got done a lady came up to me and said "that was a Joe Satriani song, wasn't it?"
I said yes it was. She said "I sat there in my seat and closed my eyes and you sounded just like him.."
I swear I almost cried right there. What a compliment!!!I took such pride those 4 yrs.
in "taking it to the masses" It was so neat to introduce people to this type of thing.
Now this was in Sioux Falls, SD ,so the people were REALLY REALLY
green to this type of music.

Thats a great story.

[kirk]

Originally Posted by nikster

thats why in the UK, Vai, Satch, Malmsteen, Petrucci etc etc will never be heard on Radio 1 between 7.30 am and 8.00pm (thank god)

I don't get it. You don't want shred on the radio?

[Davey]

I don't. If it's there in my face all the time I won't want to listen to it anymore. I can't bare to listen to the Foo Fighters ever since the media started bumming them.

[Nordhauser]

Agreed; I would hate for good music to turn into the pile of **** that is Nickelback.

[bammbamm]

The Masses are asses, and for some unholy reason, if it doesn't have lyrics, people can't be bothered.

[quiksilverdew]

Joe Satriani is actually on the radio quite a bit in Los Angeles...KLOS (95.5) had a full morning feature for him one, maybe last year or the year before...it was cool, he played Satch Boogie and a few other songs along with some from Super Colossal. He's played on the radio on that station, which I'd say is probably the most popular rock station in California, almost regularly.

EDIT:

The proof, if it's too preposterous to anyone...

http://www.955klos.com/photoWallPhot...hotoID=1419004

[Nordhauser]

Don't jump to conclusions now.