How did the old masters practice

[Me2]

I'm just wondering what famous rock guitarists of old practiced in there spare time? [Hendrix, Clapton, Page ect.]. They tend to not to tell in their interviews. I also wonder about how people acquired so much skill before 100's of technical exercises and scales and were easily available too the common man.[or woman]

[Poparad]

They listened to records and learned note for note what was going on, and practiced until they could play along with the recordings. They also jammed out a lot with other musicians to try out these ideas they were learning from the recordings.

[Me2]

I thought so. Still it must have been a very bumpy road getting the ears up to speed.

[phantom]

I still consider it as the best method.. at least to get started with.

Listen - repeat - listen - repeat.

Getting the details, the very fine differences, is invaluable and only possible by very close listening.
Noone said being good and unique is easy.

There is no short cut.
Hear, practice, suffer.

:D

[Shredmaniac]

And then rejoice. Learning music should be fun before anything else ^^

[Bizarro]

There have always been chops monsters. Rock guitar was relatively late to getting any real technique. Jazz guys have blazed for years and years. Heck, Chet Atkins was sweeping arpeggios in the 50's (yeah, it's on video too) and blazing away like mad. :)

I think it comes from a passion and dedication to the instrument, and a tireless pursuit towards acquiring virtuoso ability.

[newamerikangosp]

alot of their music is based off of a "bastard" child of spanish guitar. There were actually amazing players back in the day, especially in the blues and classical guitar areas. But someone has to go fast for someone to go faster. So while jimi hendrix was amazingly fast for his time, evh blew the world away in 79. But while there was only a handful of players that could do the "ground" breaking thing in the early 80s there are a 5H17 load of players now, especially with the internet being fairly available to everyone. There are kids in poland that are probably going to start a new type of music, but instead of america not knowing about it till 20-30 years from now (the group inspiring this group, which inspired this group, ect) the internet allows the time frame to jump drastically. and the polish kids thing is purely insinuational, just for example purposes, no such "band" exists that I am aware of.

[VidKid]

Clapton was heavily influenced by Texan, Freddie King during the John Mayall days.

(Have You Ever Loved a Woman, Hide Away, The Stumble, Stormy Monday, San-Ho-Zay etc)

http://www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?storyCode=4299

VK

[joeyd929]

I'm just wondering what famous rock guitarists of old practiced in there spare time? [Hendrix, Clapton, Page ect.]. They tend to not to tell in their interviews. I also wonder about how people acquired so much skill before 100's of technical exercises and scales and were easily available too the common man.[or woman]

Another thing to remember about Hendrix, Page, Clapton, and all the greats. These people PLAY...ALL...THE...TIME...... I have read stories where Hendrix would play into the wee hours of the morning after a gig.

I live in Connecticut and this dude named Jimi Bell lives up the in the next town from me. He came in second to Zak Wylde back in 86 for the Ozzie gig. Although Jimi did not get the gig, one thing is for sure, he plays day and night, night and day.. www.jimibell.com (http://www.jimibell.com)

This is not a plug, but rather a point, check out his site. Anyway, I work a day job and take care of a wife on disability and two dogs so my practice is limited and I have to make it count.

I believe that a person can train their hands and mind to do anything with an instrument if the drive is there, even if you don't have the time.

[Bizarro]

but remember, rock & blues guitar is different from just about any other genre. the jazz guys were blazing like Eddie or Yngwie in the 60's. you just don't know about it yet...

and as zakk wylde says, speed is about repetition.

[joeyd929]

but remember, rock & blues guitar is different from just about any other genre. the jazz guys were blazing like Eddie or Yngwie in the 60's. you just don't know about it yet...

and as zakk wylde says, speed is about repetition.

Guys like Herb Ellis and Tal Farlow were slamming oug lightning fast bebop runs even in the early 1950's. My wife's cousin is a professional banjo and guitarist. He can flat pick on the accounsic guitar as fast as those jazz cats.

Some people play fast with just three fingers but I like to use all 4 fingers. 3rd and 4th fingers take more work but it's worth the effort. I believe that each finger of the fretting hand should be equally able to utilize the fretboard.

Not saying I am there yet but it is a goal..

[strider]

what does it mean to flat pick?

[joeyd929]

what does it mean to flat pick?

Flat pick or "Flat picking" is a term used for Bluegrass guitar players when they solo. Not sure where you are located, or if you know about bluegrass music. Anyway, they play Steel string accoustics with heavy strings and high action and can blaze like jazz players. Truly amazing actually.

It is just the term for simply using a typical guitar pick and they literally pick every note but they do have the occasional pull and hammer but they execute the licks so well you can't tell.

Among the bluegrass communite if someone is very good at this they would call him an great flatpicker.