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Does playing fast suck? (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star) 🎵

  • Writer: Vox Henderson
    Vox Henderson
  • Mar 23
  • 5 min read

20 Take-aways from The Silent Takeover Ted Gioia on AI's Threat To Music

Loosely accompanies Gab & Jam,

337. Does playing fast suck? (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star)



We are enthralled by folks who can dole out those lightning licks, but is playing faster playing BETTER? That is the topic we explore in this episode.


This topic was inspired by BassCamp YouTube video: https://youtu.be/2X4b6H0Mmwk?si=L6rtSUI1MLt4o0ri




Check out the episode for the full discussion.

 

This idea can be applied to bass, guitar, and any other instrument (or artistic talent, really).


Is playing fast just self-gratification and or showing off, so that people think you’re a good musician?

 

Does playing fast suck (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star)?



1. Song “fit” FIRST:

As you might know, Bruce favors WHATEVER helps serve the song. So, he says if playing fast is NOT serving a song, then it’s not worth it, since “more notes doesn’t necessarily make the song better.” For instance, just because you can do these fancy licks and solos, but does it enhance the song—for instance, does it help compliment or advance the melody? If not, go for the “less is more approach.” Or throw those extra licks in the song occasionally for flavor, but don’t pile on; in fact, when in doubt, leave space for the melody to shine.

 

2. Maybe… to innovate:

We are firm believers that, as artists, You need to push the limits to continue to innovate in music. (Why is Victor Wooten playing a bass like a drum and Stanley Clarke playing it like a guitar? Or to use another example, if Les Paul had never tried to put one track on another, we wouldn’t have modern recording.) What we are saying is the there HAS to be room for stepping outside the lines and doing something “uncalled for.” Some people don’t like that Victor Wooten plays so fast or that Larry Graham thumps and plucks, but in order to push musicianship into a new frontier, there needs to be room left for these tricks and tries. –Remember, bebop and rock and roll were considerable “uncalled for” and out of the box in their origin, so…. If THAT is what you’re looking to do, then playing fast might be perfectly reasonable. But that’s if going all out is going to be MORE than just be about showboating; if it is going to PUSH music into a new sphere, then it doesn’t suck.

 


Stay true to who you decided you wanted to be when you started this journey (even if it takes longer to reach your goals):  https://bit.ly/255longhaulblog

 



 

3. No “right” way:

Finally, because music is art meets technique (my paraphrase) and is subjective, so there is no “right” way to do things. So, if you want to play super-fast, there’s room for it, but if it’s all you can do, then it may not endear listeners to the overall songs that contains all the tricks.





Curious about branding for musicians? https://bit.ly/brandingassetblog

 


Here's our newest "Clouds" Obtanium Flow t-shirt design: https://bit.ly/obtflwtshirt623




 


 


Did you know that along with putting together our next album, we are working on our first book? Here’s the link, if you want to pre-order: https://bit.ly/diybookorder

Use the code SPRINGFLING at checkout for a 25% off discount. Limited time only!


 

Every music artist needs to grow an email list. Here’s why: https://bit.ly/254emaillistblog


 

Finally:

In the inspiration video, he gives his personal thoughts —about 10 of them— are at the end of his video and are worth checking out. We put his link here: https://youtu.be/2X4b6H0Mmwk?si=L6rtSUI1MLt4o0ri .

 

What do you think?

Is playing faster the “Be All and End All” for good musicianship? Or does an artist need to showcase their artistry in other new and surprising ways?


 

Vision Board Posts you might like:



The benefits of creating a vision board (for the D.I.Y. Rock Star) (blog post): https://bit.ly/rockstarvision



81+ types of social media posts: https://bit.ly/277socialmediapostsblog




Gab and Jam Episode 46 Steal My Stuff



 

If you like this post, you might like:

 



Join our independent artist community Facebook group: http://bit.ly/diyrockstarjoin









Here are some great reasons to use a pseudonym: https://bit.ly/128pseudonymblog




Self-Care for the D.I.Y. Rock Star: https://bit.ly/7self-care 



 



Want to know how to take better band photos? https://bit.ly/betterbandphotos


 


Which is better; releasing singles or an album? https://bit.ly/294waterfallblog



 





File Management for the D.I.Y. Rock Star: https://bit.ly/229filemgmtblog


 


So, will we do it again? HELL, YEAH! 🙌🏾 In fact, our NEXT livestream is scheduled for soon, where we will debut the next music video for Bourgeoisie Paper Jam’s album “Obtanium Flow” --unless you are a member of our Patreon community. (If you’re in our Patreon, you will see the video one week earlier. Join here.)


Limited edition “Obtanium Flow” designs:

· “Clouds” T-shirt design: https://bit.ly/obtflwtshirt623

· “Retro Flow” T-shirt design: https://bit.ly/flowretroshirtaug23


 

If you need to do social media, here are 10+ social media tips: https://bit.ly/socmediablog




Need Contest Ideas for D.I.Y. Rock Stars? https://bit.ly/contestideasblog



 

 

Here’s what we’re into now:

· We’re featured in Variety Magazine! https://bit.ly/featuresxsw2023

· The video for “Every Heartbeat” is doing well in Indonesia! https://bit.ly/everyheartbeatvid

· The Tony Webb "Funkalicious" video is going crazy in Honduras, y'all! https://bit.ly/twebbfunkaliciousvid

· One of our videos for our song, “Tell Me What You Want,” is going gangbusters in Vietnam! https://bit.ly/tellmewhatyouwantvid





If you like this, you might enjoy:

· Basic Recording Studio Setup: https://bit.ly/246basicstudiopost

· What to do when real life interrupts your artistic process? https://bit.ly/241reallifeblog

· 7 Strategies for rebounding from creative burnout: https://bit.ly/239digoutofburnoutblog

· How to give better interviews (for D.I.Y. Rock Star): https://bit.ly/236betterinterviewsblog

· How to give better live performances: https://bit.ly/219betterliveblog

· How to collaborate better (for D.I.Y. Rock Star): https://bit.ly/Ep163collaborateblog

· How to write quicker, but better (for D.I.Y. Rock Star): https://bit.ly/228writebetterblogpost

· Should you ever play for free? https://bit.ly/214playfreeblog

· 17 Tips for taking better band photos—ESPECIALLY if you taking them yourself: http://bit.ly/betterbandphotos



 

NOW:

New single, "Lovely Mystic (Obtanium Flow),” by Bourgeoisie Paper Jam http://bit.ly/BandCampPMG and

follow on Spotify at https://bit.ly/bpjspotfollow



 

More Ways to experience B L O O M I N G P R E J I P P I E :

· All things “Obtanium Flow”: https://bit.ly/bpjobtflwlinks

· Gab & Jam podcast: https://bit.ly/gabandjamhq

· Soundcloud (music): https://soundcloud.com/prejippie

· Join the Bourgeoisie Paper Jam Street Team! https://bit.ly/BPJstreetteam

· Prejippie Patreon: https://bit.ly/PMGPatreon

· Be the NEXT D.I.Y. Rock Star Handbook Pre-order: https://bit.ly/prejippiebklanding

· Funky Happy People (Who Listen to a Variety of Genres of Music) Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/funkyhappyjoin

· Be the Next D.I.Y. Rock Star Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/diyrockstarjoin


Please subscribe. Thanks. http://bit.ly/youtubesubprejippie

Until next Monday, here’s wishing love, peace, and chicken grease!



Did you know that along with putting together our next album, we are working on our first book? Here’s the link, if you want to pre-order: https://bit.ly/diybookorder

Use the code SPRINGFLING at checkout for a 25% off discount. Limited time only!




 
 
 

2 Kommentare

Amelia King
Amelia King
25. März

Your blog was incredibly insightful, and I really appreciated the detailed analysis. We're presently working on content about "zodiac signs and symbols" and would value your thoughts and feedback. It would be great if you could check out our website to know more about our work. Excited to read your upcoming articles!

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Amelia King
Amelia King
25. März

Such a fantastic read! Your perspective on the topic was truly enlightening. We're currently focused on "horoscope birthstones" and would be honored to hear your views. Do visit our website for a glimpse of our work. Looking forward to your future posts!

Gefällt mir
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