| "The real communicating artists seek unique | | | | many 'artists' cannot get passed this stage. |
| expression. They are not interested anymore | | | | They need to have peer approval, have to know |
| in sounding like their heroes, they are | | | | that other respected musicians around them |
| searching constantly, developing and refining | | | | recognize them and applaud their abilities. |
| their own unique voice."There are musicians | | | | Often all this takes place |
| who are more than comfortable remaining | | | | subconsciously.This 'peer approval' is a |
| anonymous. You know, happy to hide behind | | | | stage of development that is also important. |
| their guitars or keyboards and be sidemen to | | | | Every musician goes through it at some point. |
| the stars of today or tomorrow. Then there | | | | It is absolutely natural, but I firmly |
| are those that have grandiose aspirations of | | | | believe that to become a great artist, you |
| stardom, adoration and limelight. And then | | | | have to move beyond that stage and look |
| there are those who have a driving desire and | | | | inward. I always liken it those wedding band |
| need to say something original artistically, | | | | singers, who despite having an honorable and |
| to express themselves and to communicate that | | | | justifiable (and in some cases envious) |
| expression to an audience, be it a small | | | | career, they are all too often the |
| niche market or wider demographic.Those | | | | 'performing monkeys'. They are often fine |
| falling into the first category can make a | | | | vocalists but at the end of the day they are |
| living, albeit fairly modest as a general | | | | seeking approval and applause and not |
| rule. Those falling into the second category | | | | communicating or expressing anything |
| often live in a little bit of a dream world | | | | artistic. They certainly know how to |
| and, depending on their tenacity and 'smart' | | | | entertain but do they know how to intrigue? |
| skills, usually end up disappointed because | | | | It's a huge gap. Nothing remotely subtle |
| the focus is set on the destination rather | | | | about it as far as I am concerned.The real |
| than the journey. The third category usually | | | | communicating artists seek unique expression. |
| reap the rewards of the second category | | | | They are not interested anymore in sounding |
| gaining all the success and limelight, but as | | | | like their heroes. They have moved past that, |
| a result of focusing on their art rather than | | | | now searching constantly, developing and |
| the shallow and flighty end of the musician's | | | | refining their own unique voice. Look at any |
| world. These are usually the most fascinating | | | | of the true giants of yesterday and today. |
| people too, because they generally have a | | | | Yes you can hear their references, but they |
| little mystery about them and because they | | | | also have their own strong identity. At some |
| actually possess what most entertainers | | | | point during their development something |
| really want; sincere and dedicated talent!But | | | | bigger than them took over. The chances are |
| there are also those that are in the early | | | | they knew it at the time and took advantage |
| stages of artistic development who are still | | | | of it and made an extra effort to really hone |
| learning their craft, and open to influences. | | | | that uniqueness.Finding that unique inner |
| Possibly they will become great artists in | | | | voice might not be as easy for some. I think |
| the future, possibly not. It will be a | | | | it starts by recognizing your technical |
| question of choices and consequences, and | | | | weaknesses. It is often those weaknesses that |
| doors opened and opportunities taken | | | | ultimately end up becoming your artistic |
| advantage of - or not. Life certainly will | | | | strengths. Let's face it, if you were able to |
| take you places.But for those that do have | | | | play the guitar technically perfect, at all |
| aspirations of artistry and expression, then | | | | speeds, meticulously so every note that came |
| I firmly believe you must have qualities that | | | | out was totally clean and audible, would this |
| others do not have. As an artist I believe | | | | be ultimately interesting to an audience? Yes |
| one must stand out from the heard in order to | | | | it might be very clever and impressive, but |
| be heard. It is so easy to make a record | | | | for how long could you listen to an album |
| these days. One no longer needs to have the | | | | where every phrase felt like you were having |
| luxury of a recording contract in order to | | | | your teeth drilled!!?Wes Montgomery played |
| stand on a pedestal and say "I am an artist - | | | | with his thumb because he kept dropping his |
| buy my record!" With home studios costing one | | | | pick, ultimately enabling him to become the |
| 16th of the price they did ten years ago and | | | | greatest and most influential jazz guitarist |
| with software programs that do it all, you | | | | of all time. BB King has about three licks in |
| can churn out albums by the dozen if you put | | | | his entire blues repertoire. Does anyone NOT |
| your mind to it. And many do.However, just | | | | know BB King when they hear him? Thelonius |
| because you can, why would you? - is my | | | | Monk refused to conform to traditional piano |
| question. Just for fun? OK, valid I suppose. | | | | techniques and musical ideas. He simply HAD |
| But Isn't it better to spend that time and | | | | to play music the way he heard it in his |
| energy searching relentlessly for something | | | | head. He made such a bold musical statement |
| unique and different? God knows record | | | | during his time that he is emulated the world |
| companies are releasing enough crap by the | | | | over and revered by the greatest musicians |
| hour, even signed artists are now under the | | | | living today.Technical shortcomings can be |
| impression they have got something to offer. | | | | the very essence of your unique artistry. |
| Maybe they have, but for the most part I | | | | Now, should those shortcomings get in the way |
| don't think so (as public reaction and their | | | | of what you need to say musically then those |
| soundscans will attest!)Perhaps I am being | | | | weaknesses might need to be turned around so |
| extremely unfair, but I think too many | | | | they don't restrict what you hear in your |
| artists do not realize that they have a | | | | head.Remember, the true artist simply |
| responsibility to say something profoundly | | | | communicates from within. All other |
| unique, certainly if they expect any kind of | | | | extraneous thoughts, influences and |
| career longevity. We live in a world where | | | | distractions need to fall by the wayside. The |
| musicians spend their lives emulating their | | | | minute a lick or a phrase that your hero |
| heroes; singers spend their lives emulating | | | | played or sung (and made famous) ends up on |
| Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, | | | | your record - watch out! You might be in |
| Frank Sinatra and so on. Rock guitarists | | | | trouble. Absolutely steal from your heroes, |
| spend their lives emulating Jimi Hendrix, | | | | but just remember that real artistry is about |
| Jimmy Paige, Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen. | | | | what YOU have to say, not what your heroes |
| Jazz guitarists are proud emulators of Pat | | | | have already said before, and have possibly |
| Metheny, John Scofield and Wes Montgomery. | | | | said better.Push yourself to the max and |
| Saxophone players worship Charlie Parker, | | | | search for that truly unique quality within. |
| John Coltrane and Michael Brecker. And so | | | | After all, that next great talent we are all |
| on...Before I go on I have to say that | | | | so desperately waiting for might just be |
| emulating heroes is absolutely imperative in | | | | you!Chris Standring is a contemporary jazz |
| your formative years as musicians. You simply | | | | recording artist who performs throughout the |
| MUST listen to the greats, past and present. | | | | USA and Europe regularly. He has enjoyed much |
| One has to have a strong grounding and | | | | radio airplay with several albums, opening up |
| musical knowledge and one simply cannot get | | | | a busy touring schedule. His music appears on |
| there without listening. However, way too | | | | many compilation CDs also. |