Post by rcuda on Feb 9, 2007 0:00:11 GMT -6
I just read the article on the opinions page about why you started playing in the first place and I just wanted to weigh in on the subject of the culture and the shops, etc.
I'm 22 years old, and unfortunately the musical climate that I was raised in was the post 80's grunge era, when technical aptitude and music theory were all but frowned upon. Yes, Pantera hit the scene in 1990, but keep in mind that I lived in the Pacific Northwest. And 1990 was the year that Nirvana emerged, along with Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, Mud Honey, to name a few. There's a reason why they call it the Seattle Sound. I didn't stand a chance. I hate to say it, but when Cobain died, it was the best thing that ever happened to Rock. As you may have figured out by now, I'm not a fan of grunge.
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Phoenix Az, there really is only a handful of guitar/music shops around. There is always guitar center, but as far as getting "inspired" to do anything more than drop a huge wad of cash, it's never happened there. Every time I walk in, I get harassed immediately by the pushy sales staff who want to sell me a $5000 Les Paul, when all I want is a $5 set of Super Slinkies.
There is never some amazing musician jamming out. Sure, there's always some moron horribly botching the opening riff to Crazy Train, but other than that it's usually just some shaggy headed stoner kids making that awful noise they call "Emo". Sounds to me like they just need to take a midol and get over it.
There are a couple of cool places, like Guitar and Keyboard City that carry lesser brands like Dean and Yamaha, but unfortunately due to the huge competition they face with Guitar Center and Sam Ash in town, it's not a very inviting atmosphere if you're not there to spend some cash. There are also a few tech shops like Guitar Electronics. While they are a great shop and their staff is VERY knowledgeable, there is a very definite elitist, "holier than thou" attitude, and it's not a great place to hang out and play. There's usually some snooty Jazz bassist with his 10 string tree trunk--er, bass guitar asking stupid questions about which piezo system is best. Or some old guy taking his Martin in to have the strings changed... I kid you not, this guy actually had someone else change his strings for him.
My guitar influences have emerged from my own desire to learn and improve, and from my own eclectic, albeit quirky preference in music. Most people nowadays would delete off their Ipod things like Boston, Judas Priest, Kiss, Hendrix and Van Halen simply because--as you stated--it was "no longer current". Current, not necessarily but valid certainly. People don't think for themselves for the most part. And thus if it's not new, it's not cool. That's why it's great to see and hear new bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Hinder, or Disturbed emerging. I don't think that there are going to be any Yngwei Malmsteens or Steve Vais emerging from this new post modern shred style but it is nice to hear the revival.
I'm 22 years old, and unfortunately the musical climate that I was raised in was the post 80's grunge era, when technical aptitude and music theory were all but frowned upon. Yes, Pantera hit the scene in 1990, but keep in mind that I lived in the Pacific Northwest. And 1990 was the year that Nirvana emerged, along with Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, Mud Honey, to name a few. There's a reason why they call it the Seattle Sound. I didn't stand a chance. I hate to say it, but when Cobain died, it was the best thing that ever happened to Rock. As you may have figured out by now, I'm not a fan of grunge.
I don't know about the rest of the world but here in Phoenix Az, there really is only a handful of guitar/music shops around. There is always guitar center, but as far as getting "inspired" to do anything more than drop a huge wad of cash, it's never happened there. Every time I walk in, I get harassed immediately by the pushy sales staff who want to sell me a $5000 Les Paul, when all I want is a $5 set of Super Slinkies.
There is never some amazing musician jamming out. Sure, there's always some moron horribly botching the opening riff to Crazy Train, but other than that it's usually just some shaggy headed stoner kids making that awful noise they call "Emo". Sounds to me like they just need to take a midol and get over it.
There are a couple of cool places, like Guitar and Keyboard City that carry lesser brands like Dean and Yamaha, but unfortunately due to the huge competition they face with Guitar Center and Sam Ash in town, it's not a very inviting atmosphere if you're not there to spend some cash. There are also a few tech shops like Guitar Electronics. While they are a great shop and their staff is VERY knowledgeable, there is a very definite elitist, "holier than thou" attitude, and it's not a great place to hang out and play. There's usually some snooty Jazz bassist with his 10 string tree trunk--er, bass guitar asking stupid questions about which piezo system is best. Or some old guy taking his Martin in to have the strings changed... I kid you not, this guy actually had someone else change his strings for him.
My guitar influences have emerged from my own desire to learn and improve, and from my own eclectic, albeit quirky preference in music. Most people nowadays would delete off their Ipod things like Boston, Judas Priest, Kiss, Hendrix and Van Halen simply because--as you stated--it was "no longer current". Current, not necessarily but valid certainly. People don't think for themselves for the most part. And thus if it's not new, it's not cool. That's why it's great to see and hear new bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Hinder, or Disturbed emerging. I don't think that there are going to be any Yngwei Malmsteens or Steve Vais emerging from this new post modern shred style but it is nice to hear the revival.