Is there anyone tired of all these virtuosity shows?

[jim777]

Here's a good one, the whole band is hopping

[Dee]

Originally Posted by jemplayer55

You know I wonder just who will take the elements of several genre's and combine them for the next "new" direction? Something requiring a high skill level on their respective instruments and yet remain mainstream enough to catch on.

I'll do it!

[Dee]

Originally Posted by jim777

Here's a good one, the whole band is hopping

Nice.

[jem7vwh]

I've also gotten tired of the speed and technique based guitar playing.

I grew up on Van Halen and wanted to play guitar. Then I got into Iron Maiden and bands like that- I wanted to play as heavy as they did. Then I found Passion and Warfare and decided I had play like that. 10 years later, I'm at a point where I can play practically anything that I would like to. I find though, that kind of technical ability doesn't make for very good songs.

I can't remember the last time I listened to, and enjoyed a Vai album.

I still feel that virtuosity and technically intense playing has a place within music, but that like any other piece of a larger palette, it can be overused.

Nowadays, I listen to more blues, jazz, and even (gasp) John Mayer than Steve Vai.

[jemplayer55]

OK...... the "rit" as a "fro" haired 20 something yr. old! Terrible quality vid. though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3ZIKW49ARU

[The Euphor]

What about this german guy? I first heard him today, and I think this is very, very, very good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l2oz_htG1M

[OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S]

Originally Posted by The Euphor

What about this german guy? I first heard him today, and I think this is very, very, very good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l2oz_htG1M

He is pretty good!!! nothing that hasn't been done before though, I hear a lot
of Eric Johnson, Gambale, Henderson and some Satriani in his playing...

[The Euphor]

You need to open up, and listen without comparing. You hear it's neither of those you named, so he's got his own style. Although I need to listen more to recognize him instantly.

[OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S]

Originally Posted by The Euphor

You need to open up, and listen without comparing. You hear it's neither of those you named, so he's got his own style. Although I need to listen more to recognize him instantly.

Not comparing him at all! what I meant to say is that he has clearly been influenced by some those guitarists which is perfectly normal and fine
since all of us are a sum of all our influences. I do agree that he has his own thing going though and YES he is really good.

[Carlo]

Yeah, I know you feel, as I'm starting to feel the same way. It's definitely all about fun and having a good time, but I'm losing that factor in a lot of these types of shows. One thing I noticed a lot, at least with the shows I attended personally, most of the people in the audience are dead, like no reaction...they just stand there dead silent or just innocently bopping their heads up and down. They're probably in awe of the performance, can't blame em sometimes, lol, but it doesn't really make for an exctin show. Majority of these instrumental guitarists are more concerned about technique performance and forget about the entertainment factor--connecting and speaking to the audience and getting them involved in the performance(with exception of a few like Vai and Timmons). Usually, I don't mind watching passively as the "wow" factor used to be enough for me to sustain my enjoyment, but even now that "wow" factor isn't as strong for me anymore (after seeing monsters on youtube like Guthrie Govan, it's hard to get impressed by anything else anymore, lol). That being said, you cannot drag me to Eric Johnson show if you made me, lol!

Lately, I had more fun attending a more simple mainstream act just because both me and my friends (they don't fancy guitar music) can easily get into it, jump around, sing along to lyrics and have a good time :-) I remember when I saw Prince a while back....it was like a giant party :-D


Well this is just me though. I still go to some of these shows, but I have become more selective with my extremely busy schedule...I don't watch every Satch or G3 show that comes to town anymore. And I love watching these types of shows in a much smaller setting where the sound is usually great! And I still desperately want to see guys like Richie Kotzen and Nuno Bettencourt someday.

[Eggy]

Well I'm not tired of it at all.

I am always interested in listening to or watching anybody who can play stuff I can't. I agree there is a HUGE amount of crap out there on Youtube etc but if there is anything amongst it that you can use to add to your own style then I think that's great.

A player isn't tasteless and without feeling because they play shred/rock. They'd make crappy jazz/fusion players too.

I don't realy listen to virtuoso players for their song writing skills ,I listen to them more as something to study. If I wanna listen to good songs there are a number of bands I could choose from.

Anyway each too their own but for me these Jazz guys have got no balls.

Ben

[jemplayer55]

Originally Posted by The Euphor

What about this german guy? I first heard him today, and I think this is very, very, very good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l2oz_htG1M

Thanks..... Very nice phrasing. Not over done, which is rare nowadays! Not the keenest on the H/K tone, but he works it well.

Appreciate you sharing your find!

[Dee]

In some ways I agree with you Ben, but jazz ain't really about having balls. Jazz is built entirely on mistakes. LOL. Seriously though, the best players, in my opinion, are the ones who manage to fuse great jazz with great rock, and great songs. It CAN be done.

Good fusion always makes everything OK.

Listen to Shawn Lane's track Not Again to restore your faith in guitar and prove that fast playing can be beautiful. [/message to all in general]

[Ayrton]

To me if it sounds good, it is good, regardless of how easy or hard it is to play. That is why I can enjoy Nirvana and Paul Gilbert in the same day.

[Dee]

Me too.