#46
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I think most players go through this.
Learning to write songs is a good experience. And some people are actually capable of writing good stuff. The trouble is, most people, including most guitar players, don't want to hear new stuff. They want to hear what they already know. So if a player wants to play music that other people care about, most of the time it's going to be covers. However, if a songwriter is really good, sometimes a player can appeal to people in a much bigger way with original music. But the percentages for any kind of success with original music are very low. If a person is going to try to make a living out of making music, which would involve making and selling recordings, then original music is almost required. In my experience it costs too much money to pay mechanical rights to other writers when putting together an album. I have done my share of writing original music and putting together albums in the past. And I was moderately successful. But in the end making a living that way is a tough road and because I had a much better way to make a living available to me (being an engineer), that's where I eventually put my efforts. Writing good songs is hard work, and when there is such a limited audience for it, for me, it's no longer worth the effort. But I want to keep my hand in music, so I do covers these days, mostly. Still, I understand there are plenty of players who want to express themselves by writing original music, just as I did once. People should do what makes them feel good when making music. - Glenn
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#47
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Well, the first guitar forum I participated used to launch friendly contests a few times a year.
I did write kind of a Blues as I was learning pentatonic scales. I also wrote lyrics for a few songs others members would put music on and perform these. I also wrote my own basic fingerstyle arrangements of songs found in fakebooks. As I play for me and relatives, I also feel free to adapt songs to my own tastes. I find music to be rewarding as long as you can do what you want out of it. Sometimes, a lightning hits you with a strong basis for a song or an entire song: Some famous songs have been written on a napkin on a table corner in a few minutes ! Sometimes, you have to dig in the huge drawer of old unfinished ideas to try to make something happens. I was blessed that an experienced songwriter wrote a pocket book on the subject (in French): It gives you ways to stuff an idea, add meat to the bone. For example, place, manner, time, colors, perfumes, feelings may all add something special to the lyrics of a song. That is where music becomes really fun to me.
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Needed some nylons, a wide range of acoustics and some weirdos to be happy... Last edited by mawmow; 03-01-2021 at 10:28 AM. |
#48
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I do both. I've written about two dozen songs that I'm not embarrassed to play in a set. Then I have a repertoire of about 550 (it's always growing) of my arrangements of other people's songs.
I try to always have an original in the pipeline as well as some new covers to learn as well. Unfortunately, it takes me a lot longer to write 'em than learn 'em. I've also on a couple of occasions written extra verses to songs by other artists. I have a recurring nightmare where Tom Waits walks into a bar where I'm playing one of my extra verses to New Coat of Paint. His version only has one verse/chorus and piano solos, so I added a couple more verses in his style (I'm sure he'd hate it).
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Mike 2018 Furch D31TSR 2008 Martin OMCRE 1992 Takamine EAN20C 1996 Fender Telecaster w/ Barden Nashville set 1986 Charvel Model 5 2005 Art & Lutherie Ami 1980ish Hohner copy of a 'burst |
#49
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My time with a guitar is fairly limited compared to most here; likewise my skillset. That aside, I learned to play guitar so I could play some of the songs I love most. There are still a ton of those out there - and they are, to a large degree, excellent songs. Since I haven't exhibited ANY song writing skills to date, I'm going to stick with learning how to play the good stuff. Things could change, but I happy with proceeding this way for now
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Breedlove Masterclass Dread - Sitka/Koa Breedlove Masterclass Concert - Sitka/BRW Seagull Artist Deluxe CE Seagull Artist Element Furch G22CR-C Several other exceptional guitars, but these make me smile and keep me inspired! |
#50
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in bands. A lot of the time he sounds just like Eric Clapton and John Mayall... -Mike |
#51
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I always wanted to write my own material from the time I started playing guitar and I continue writing my own material to this day. I do covers as well and probably play about 40% original material at live gigs. I respect musicians a little more who create their own art, but I do admire those who can accurately reproduce a cover that is very close to the record, or who do interesting interpretations of a cover song. It’s all good!
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#52
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I mostly play fingerstyle instrumentals. I get a lot of satisfaction out of both learning other's songs and writing my own. But they are completely different processes. Almost every song I have written was inspired in some small way by something I had already learned. I think you learn a lot by learning other people's material.
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Collings OM-1 Traditional Santa Cruz OM Santa Cruz 00 Martin OM-28V |
#53
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I have never understood learning Fire and Rain or Blackbird note for note. I learned the intro for Fire and Rain to see how JT used his A fingering. After that, I never played it again. How many have seen a bar band where the guitar player idolized Eric Clapton, and 50 years later is spewing the same Clapton licks, very well mind you, but what's the point? Great players do cover tunes and make them their own. For better or worse, I sound like me.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#54
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#55
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#56
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ago my wife and I learned to play and sing Shower The People, it was fun! -Mike "its fun..." |
#57
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I exclusively only play my own music, with exception to The Star Spangled Banner. It drives my instructor nuts, lol.
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-Daniel |
#58
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https://markstonemusic.com - American Primitive Guitar in West Texas Instruments by Kazuo Yairi, Alvarez, Gibson & Taylor Former AGF Moderator |