Blues Music & Taylor Guitars (again)

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

Because Taylor is very strong in the Worship music scene, and The Blues is the Other Guy's music?

That hits the nail on the head.

[tomtetom]

Originally Posted by Hobo_King

Here's Honeyboy Edwards playing one, there's a documentary about him with clips of him playing it too. Blues can be played on any guitar, it's the player and playing that makes it authentic, not the guitar or recreating the "sound" of those old records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7UV0JKEfVQ

I saw Honeyboy Edwards live in the UK. He was playing a solidbody Peavey offset through a Marshall halfstack!

[tbeltrans]

I own three Taylors, all with V-bracing. I have every respect for Andy Powers with his innovations, besides which he is an excellent pro-level fingerstyle player and all around guitarist who knows what he wants in a guitar. Fortunately, I seem to agree with his decisions because I personally think Taylors are only getting better with his innovations.

My post was nothing more than a poke at all the V-class threads we have seen around here periodically.

This is one unfortunate aspect of forums - we really don't know each other, other than the occasional good fortune of actually meeting in person. A brief comment in passing, intended for humor is often not taken in that context as it easily could be in a face to face discussion because all the normal forms of communication (tone of voice, body language, facial expression, and the most important immediate feedback to make a point clear). Hopefully, this post will provide the latter, though there is nothing I can do about the tone of voice, facial expression, and body language aspects.

Tony

[Joe Beamish]

Originally Posted by RP

"Real" blues players of yore played anything that they could get their hands on...

This is so true.

[tomtetom]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

For a lot of folks, blues is a costume-- and a Taylor just don't fit it.

Not saying it's a good thing, it just is.

I agree. The semiotic thickness of a performed text relies in part on auxiliary performance codes.

Originally Posted by RP

"Real" blues players of yore played anything that they could get their hands on...

My point exactly. If Taylors had been around at the time, they'd have played them!

[Slothead56]

Originally Posted by tomtetom

The semiotic thickness of a performed text relies in part on auxiliary performance codes.

I’ve read this sentence 7 times and no idea what this means…..

[GoPappy]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I’ve read this sentence 7 times and no idea what this means…..

Thank you. I thought I was just stupid.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by lowrider

I have a friend who plays nothin but da blues. He's got a great voice and he plays really well. He plays a Taylor and it's a dread. I haven't seen him since Covid, but when I do see him, do you all want me to tell him that he doesn't know what he's doing?

No, but you might ask him what he likes about the Taylor and why he plays it, then pass it on to the rest of us.

[rllink]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I’ve read this sentence 7 times and no idea what this means…..

Come on, I was impressed.

[619TF]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I’ve read this sentence 7 times and no idea what this means…..

My best guess based upon the meaning of the individual words...."The proof is in the pudding" or "Your understanding of something may be based in part upon outside factors".

[tomtetom]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

I’ve read this sentence 7 times and no idea what this means…..

Sorry - I wasn't thinking.

"Layers of meaning [in a song] are increased or decreased depending on the perceived authenticity of the things that accompany its performance, such as gestures, the interpretation of the text, and the context."

In other words, if you're playing the blues, as others have pointed out, there is a definite *look* (as well as sound) that can help carry the performance for the audience.

For some, that doesn't include Taylor guitars. Which is a pity, because they sound great!

[Sugar Bear]

Well, I just this morning became aware of the existence of the Taylor K14CE Builder's Edition.

If I decide to get one, I'm going to deliberately play acoustic blues on it, even though there's no shortage of Gibsons in this house!

[sinistral]

Originally Posted by tomtetom

I agree. The semiotic thickness of a performed text relies in part on auxiliary performance codes.

<snip>

I believe the full line is: “The semiotic thickness of a performed text varies according to the redundancy of auxilary performance codes.”

Whatever that means.

[tomtetom]

Originally Posted by sinistral

I believe the full line is: “The semiotic thickness of a performed text varies according to the redundancy of auxilary performance codes.”

Whatever that means.

It was corrupted Dr Who in the 1980s, yes! The explanation, from performance theory, is above.

Worded the way you quote it, it’s a reference to in-jokes. Wilfully obscure in-jokes…!

[Mark Stone]

Originally Posted by blindboyjimi

. . . I don’t love stereotypes but Taylor is a pretty and balanced tone with good sustain. That’s the opposite of what makes a good blues guitar. . . . .

I agree with this. I looooove Taylor, and am using them (110e, 814ce) exclusively on stage, but the clarity of tone and the sustain is just not appropriate for the blues sound.