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