One Guitar to Rule them All
I wish I had one guitar that could do it all . . . ha.
I have been learning One on Guitar. I already know how to play various parts - but one thing I've done over the years. . . is learn a riff or a part of song . . . and not play it along with the recording. Often times I'm really close with the feeling and the timing - but after recording in the studio - my standards have gone up - not just 'cause I'm a music snob - but also because its how I got much better at vocals. Tim had me practice through things hundreds of times before coming in the studio - then he'd ride me about timing - more than feeling - it was always timing - anyhow - I got better all around.
So I've been working on that with guitar. I can play almost up to when the vocals come in. Another trick with Metallica is that 90% of say an intro will be easy - but there is always one part that is tough. I slow it down - learn it - memorize it - loop it - and then wake up and do it again - and then after a few days (if I can physically do it) I usually have it pretty well.
When I say physically - I mean speed, finger strength, pick accuracy - these things all take certain muscle development and muscle memory. After playing some loops certain tendons in my arms get sore. . .it takes a few days to heal up - and have that muscle and tendon be in shape. Some stuff I'm just not able to play yet. . . but after the year of my back outage - I really beefed up my chops and I'm getting pretty close to being *able* to play most stuff.
As far as one guitar to rule them all? They all sound and feel differently. When I play Chili Peppers or 311 - my Fender works well. When I play Metallica my Floyd Rose Squire with Humbuckers works better . . or the Green Guitar that Andy got me. The key (to me) is the material of the fretboard and the pickups. The Metallica/Van Halen stuff needs more clarity - sharper tone because its so fast. This comes from the rosewood fretboard. For RHCP, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, 311, Hendrix - a creamier more blended sound is best. . . which comes from the single coil pickups and the maple fretboard. I never believed the difference was so pronounced - but it sure is.
There are some solos in Metallica songs that use higher number frets that I do not have. Some even use the 23rd fret. . . I'd love to get a 24 fret ESP with Seymour Duncan's. One day. One.
I have been learning One on Guitar. I already know how to play various parts - but one thing I've done over the years. . . is learn a riff or a part of song . . . and not play it along with the recording. Often times I'm really close with the feeling and the timing - but after recording in the studio - my standards have gone up - not just 'cause I'm a music snob - but also because its how I got much better at vocals. Tim had me practice through things hundreds of times before coming in the studio - then he'd ride me about timing - more than feeling - it was always timing - anyhow - I got better all around.
So I've been working on that with guitar. I can play almost up to when the vocals come in. Another trick with Metallica is that 90% of say an intro will be easy - but there is always one part that is tough. I slow it down - learn it - memorize it - loop it - and then wake up and do it again - and then after a few days (if I can physically do it) I usually have it pretty well.
When I say physically - I mean speed, finger strength, pick accuracy - these things all take certain muscle development and muscle memory. After playing some loops certain tendons in my arms get sore. . .it takes a few days to heal up - and have that muscle and tendon be in shape. Some stuff I'm just not able to play yet. . . but after the year of my back outage - I really beefed up my chops and I'm getting pretty close to being *able* to play most stuff.
As far as one guitar to rule them all? They all sound and feel differently. When I play Chili Peppers or 311 - my Fender works well. When I play Metallica my Floyd Rose Squire with Humbuckers works better . . or the Green Guitar that Andy got me. The key (to me) is the material of the fretboard and the pickups. The Metallica/Van Halen stuff needs more clarity - sharper tone because its so fast. This comes from the rosewood fretboard. For RHCP, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, 311, Hendrix - a creamier more blended sound is best. . . which comes from the single coil pickups and the maple fretboard. I never believed the difference was so pronounced - but it sure is.
There are some solos in Metallica songs that use higher number frets that I do not have. Some even use the 23rd fret. . . I'd love to get a 24 fret ESP with Seymour Duncan's. One day. One.