Do You try to replicate songs you learn exactly or put your own interpretation?

[Rosewood99]

I used to try to do them exactly like the originals, but lately I’ve just started doing them with my own spin.

[Steve DeRosa]

I go for the overall feel of the original but I've always put my own spin on things, especially in a solo guitar/vocal setting where I might have to cover two or three parts...

[Matthjs]

I used to try and replicate exactly. But I found it getting in the way of expanding my catalog. Years ago I played with a guy who was obsessed with figuring it out exactly as it was originally recorded. But since I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that most artists don’t even play there own music the same way or use the same arrangement as the original recording. Performers who cover someone else’s songs almost always put their own interpretation on it. What was I thinking?

[jricc]

I try to get close to the original, and add my own thing. A lot of songs I'll use a capo, for example, song is in A, I'll capo 2 play the G chord so I can play the riff within the chord that might've been impossible to do in the open A chord. As Steve said above, like covering 2 parts..

[rstaight]

I try to learn it as close to the original has I can get. When I have the feel of the piece I start changing things up.

[hubcapsc]

I learned Black Mountain Rag and Tennessee Stud watching Billy Strings.
I learned Whiskey Before Breakfast and Salt Creek watching Doc Watson.

Mine are way not like the originals ..

-Mike

[gmel555]

A great question for, in particular, younger players to ponder. In my youth I was intent on playing songs as close to the original as my ability allowed. Over the years I've somewhat drifted away from that. Partly I think as I saw my icons taking their own "liberties" when playing live, but also in wanting to put more of myself into my playing. WTS, in most cases I try to retain the "flavor" of the original.

[TBman]

If it isn't over my head I go for the original, but with my own embellishments at times. If its over my head, but I still want to go for I will dumb down parts of it.

[Wade Hampton]

I’ve never tried to exactly duplicate any recordings. For one thing, I’m one guy, not a band, and for another I play mountain dulcimer. So whatever I do is an approximation rather than a meticulous copy.

It’s okay - this way it’s easier to put my own stamp on things.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[zmf]

Originally Posted by hubcapsc

I learned Black Mountain Rag and Tennessee Stud watching Billy Strings.
I learned Whiskey Before Breakfast and Salt Creek watching Doc Watson.

Mine are way not like the originals ..

-Mike

Yeah. But if you like their versions, there are some parts, some licks, that make it sound good. And they're often new to me, so good practice. I'll steal those. The rest is up to the individual player.

[phcorrigan]

I play songs that fit my voice and my style. I am not skilled enough to ever duplicate the original, nor would I want to. My material is wide-ranging, including folk, country, Americana, pop, and even show tunes.

[Rogerblair]

As long as it’s recognizable, that’s close enough. I try to capture the spirit of a song as I interpret it.

Rb

[chrisserger]

I play to entertain myself and others. I’ve found it’s more satisfying for me and them to be able to play a lot of different tunes that they recognize vs. trying to put do a note for note replica. I’m not and details guy in life or music! Close enough is good enough for me.

[Skip Ellis]

I've never learned anyone else's arrangement and never will - they are 'them' and I am 'me'. I learn the melody and the changes and then do my own thing. I think you'll find that the 'monster' players never play anything the same way twice.

[The Bard Rocks]

I would like to be able to duplicate an original. But I wouldn't want to do it. To bring it off with conviction, I need to have my own stamp on it. Which may be similar.. or may be very different.