I don't want to sound like 'anybody else'

[David Rock]

Finally, a deep heaving sigh. My own limitations are, no doubt, self inflicted. I'm finally o.k. with that. I learned as any other self taught person learns, through the [often unnecessary] pain and misery of the 'slow way'.

I can say I am not interested in learning classical repertoire. I can say I don't want to 'own' or copy cover songs. I will never be on a big stage. In fact, I now question whether anyone beyond my wife and dog will ever hear me again.

That moment of freedom was...freeing.

I can go on to write more of my silly little songs whenever the muse and I hook up with no intent for success (whatever that is). Is this shallow and egocentric...maybe? Or maybe not...maybe it is one step beyond my delusionality.

Life is good, in the hear and now!

Be well,
D

[DenverSteve]

It sounds pretty healthy to me. Just have fun.

[Gordon Currie]

For some of us, finding our own distinctive voice is more important than anything. It's one of the many reasons people are drawn to artistic pursuits.

[islandguitar]

Yes, I resemble this!
As so many on this forum would attest, finding your own way and growing is perhaps the fuel that keeps things fresh and ongoing....whatever your directions are for fun with all this.
"Sounding like me" is my task and goal...........but I take my ques from many folks across the landscape and try to make my own way. I think that listening to the music of others is kind of a gateway to your own style and substance. Without doing "covers" you open yourself up to be influenced in ways that help bring out the best of what you, and you alone can do.

[DukeX]

I'm too old to care anymore. I just do my own thing, and I keep getting better at it. Yes, it is liberating.

[RodB]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

It sounds pretty healthy to me. Just have fun.

+1 on that! Whether original compositions or playing some of the stunning music that is already out there, I would also say it is about both enjoyment and self expression.

Personally I have no interest to try to reproduce what others have done, but enjoy arranging stuff my way, but like Fred (Islandguitar) I am influenced by what others do, either just in style or sometimes starting from an arrangement I admire.

My wife, who knows my playing well, of course, can alway hear whether it’s me or someone else playing - I would be disappointed if it were not the case.

[Mandobart]

Originally Posted by David Rock

.....I can say I am not interested in learning classical repertoire. I can say I don't want to 'own' or copy cover songs. I will never be on a big stage. In fact, I now question whether anyone beyond my wife and dog will ever hear me again.

That moment of freedom was...freeing.

Not judging, I'm truly curious - are you saying there is no one out there besides yourself that wrote a song you liked well enough to want to play? I ask because it was hearing the music of the Grateful Dead, John Prine, Neil Young and others, and learning to play that music, that inspired and motivated me to keep practicing, learning and playing. My favorite social activity is playing music with other people. If I didn't know any standards or traditional songs I couldn't do that.

[TBman]

It's good to be yourself.

I'm not there yet. I've been playing on and off for 54 years and I'm just starting to sound like my guitar heros. Once I get the professional sound I want then I'll add my own personality to the mix.

I remember as a kid, learning the concrete finishing trade from my father; I would tell him "it's easier for me to do it this way" and he would say "first you learn to do it the right way. Then you can add to it, but not take away what you have learned."

[Denny B]

One of my favorite quotes that inspire me:

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

― Pablo Picasso

[islandguitar]

Originally Posted by Denny B

One of my favorite quotes that inspire me:

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

― Pablo Picasso

That, is a GREAT quote!!!

[David Rock]

Mandobart...Good, and fair question. I learned many songs of others along the way...Phil Keaggy has been one of my most influential inspirations. I could listen to him all day long! Chet Atkins and even more, Earl Klugh also. No doubt Eric Clapton (I saw him in San Antonio 1977? with Muddy Waters - Slowhand tour) and all of the classic rockers too were also inspirations.

Probably my favorite Classical composer is Fernando Sor. I still love to take his simple but super powerful melodies and improvise on them...But I don't 'sound' like a classical guitarist. Heaven forbid I would ever compare myself to the others like Keaggy, Atkins, Klugh, Kottke or (insert name).

I never learned to do it 'right'. I just do what I do. I do have my guitar heros and do find inspiration and motivation to continue...but I never 'study' them in hopes of capturing their sound. I 'don't play well' with others so learning 'standards' has no appeal.

My sound is my sound. I am finally good with that.

I will continue to learn other music. I have some Sor and Arioso by Muriel Anderson on the ol' music stand right now.

I guess that what I was trying to say is I am o.k. with my very low key, 'it is what it is' approach after having put pressure on myself for years to...get it right or do it some other more mainstream way.

I hope this is clearer??!!

Regards
D

[lovgren]

I'm with you. I picked up the guitar because I found it fascinating, not to emulate anyone. I appreciate good music but I've never felt the desire to be able to play any specific thing I heard.

For a while I thought it was a cop out to not attempt to emulate other artists' styles. But then I started to hear people appreciate my music and I realized there's no such thing as one style being inherently "better" than another.

If you're making technical mistakes, that's not good. But if you're executing what you're attempting to play, and you like it, that's enough! (in fact, that's everything)

Record yourself playing something you enjoy. If you like what you hear, it's all good.

[islandguitar]

Really good thread!
I think my epiphany years ago came with listening and appreciating James Taylor. (guitar only).
You hear 2 bars of his playing and you know it's him. To me, that's incredible that he developed a style that is so personal to him that lots of the guitar world studies what he's doing to try to play in a similar or exact fashion.
That's part of the backdrop for me to have comfort in finding my own way.....look what it did for JT! Of course nothing so dramatic would ever occur in my case, but the concept of owning your sound and making it all yours was part of this realization for me lots of years ago.

[Pitar]

Originally Posted by David Rock

Finally, a deep heaving sigh. My own limitations are, no doubt, self inflicted. I'm finally o.k. with that. I learned as any other self taught person learns, through the [often unnecessary] pain and misery of the 'slow way'.

I can say I am not interested in learning classical repertoire. I can say I don't want to 'own' or copy cover songs. I will never be on a big stage. In fact, I now question whether anyone beyond my wife and dog will ever hear me again.

That moment of freedom was...freeing.

I can go on to write more of my silly little songs whenever the muse and I hook up with no intent for success (whatever that is). Is this shallow and egocentric...maybe? Or maybe not...maybe it is one step beyond my delusionality.

Life is good, in the hear and now!

Be well,
D

Sounds like you ran the gauntlet put before you by your alter ego and survived by mere appreciation of playing music. Congratulations.

[Mr. Jelly]

Originally Posted by DukeX

I'm too old to care anymore. I just do my own thing, and I keep getting better at it. Yes, it is liberating.

This is where I'm at also. I have also noticed a large group and a big part of country rag blues guitar, the style I gravitate to, is all about playing what you please. I feel after fifty years of playing guitar in all kinds of bands and groups that I am enjoying making guitar music more then ever.