I think Guthrie himself felt like this video was bashing him, based on his IG story. Over in the UK, a Nasvhille guy is a thing. Like that's a place we know music gets recorded and played. Nashville guy is not a term we use to bash anything. The video is more about my experiences in the music industry (which never got as far as Nashville) and how being a TH-cam guitarist (as much as I might not like the term) has provided me loads more opportunities than I got from the real music world...
I think Guthrie is a great guitarist, but I think he likely didn’t watch the video. You actually promoted his classes on True fire (“great teacher”), were complimentary and center the video on your experience. The awkward thing was that his IG compliant ended with a stab a “doing research before making statements”. Well handled in pinning a clarification, but I don’t think it’d be needed for anybody who watched the video. Cheers
Guthrie is sort of a sensitive type. He struggles with any negative comments on his videos. It’s been an issue with him, insofar as much as he recently admitted that he needed to ignore negative comments, and sort of made a pledge to his viewers that he wasn’t going to talk about any negative comments on his videos from here on out. I think Guthrie is a decent guy. He’s certainly an elite top tier player. But he’s touchy, and maybe even has a slight temper. But then again, aren’t we/don’t we all?
@@thesonnyboy 100% He either can’t have watched the video or he totally got the wrong end of the stick. There’s nothing critical in this video towards GT
Artists have egos. How else would you dare get up on a stage with a few thousand watts behind you and play your music to an audience. It is scary, nerve wracking, hard, fun, exhausting, unappreciated, appreciated, criticized, etc. etc.. You have to be sensitive to do it. Or be a robot on stage.@@zenlandzipline
GT is a phenomenal guitarist but tends to be sensitive and opinionated. He seems to have a bit of a holier-than-thou attitude and that rubs me the wrong way.
My relationship with YT is that I post performances of songs, lessons and a few gear reviews. I have been doing it sporadically since 2008. I notice that the gear reviews seem to be popular and some of the lessons as well. I also notice that my performance videos aren’t seen by as many, but those who see them are pretty devoted fans that buy my recordings and transcriptions. Mainly I use YT to bring awareness to my work. I appreciate it as a venue, income source and a vehicle to funnel those who enjoy what I do to my website so they can support my efforts. At this point I can’t (don’t want to )be a “full time” TH-camr because I am fortunate to have a busy schedule of live performances, as many private students as I can handle and creating works for TrueFire and GuitarVivo. I suppose as things in the “music industry” unfold, it’s wise to go where the audience is and if I can do that without quite so much traveling, I suppose YT is a viable option to be at least part of the whole picture. I would be uncomfortable being seen as “just a YT guy” but I’m happy to be able to reach the fans and followers that find me there. Cheers John, I enjoy what you’re playing and your channel.
About the music industry, Herbie Hancock said remarkable words. Asked the question: Why is jazz not part of the pop scene anymore? Hancock said: “Because it's not the music that matters anymore. People don't care about the music itself anymore, but about who makes the music." "The public is more interested in celebrities and how a certain artist is more famous than music. It changed the way the audience relates to music. He no longer has a transcendental connection to music and its quality. Just wants the glamour. Jazz doesn't want to be part of it. Do you know why? It's not about humility, or arrogance, a posture ′′we don't want to be famous, we're underground". None of that. Jazz is about the human soul, not about the appearance. Jazz has values, teaches to live the moment, work together, and especially to respect the next. When musicians gather to play together, you have to respect and understand what the other does. Jazz in particular is an international language that represents freedom, because of its roots in slavery. Jazz makes people feel good about themselves.”
@@MarcoRaaphorst Johnny Smith had a Quote once that was Sort of this: Question for him was Why are you not recording much these days 1960's, he had tons of Records in the 50's. His simple answer was: Who is Listening or Buying? So he answered a Question more or less with another Question. He is easy to look up with the internet. Fabulous JAZZ guitarist, I have one 50's Vinyl That is Just Phenomenal, especially the Recording Quality. I have a couple CD's and other vinyl, but that one particular one was just astonishingly good. I also have a bunch of Howard Roberts and the reason I had bought his Vinyl, he was a Guitar Player Columnist for YEARS, 70's and 80's. Wes Montgomery again have Tons of His material. But who is Listening??? Lenny Breau was another Guitar player magazine columnist for years, Does the Harmonics thing before Eric Johnson was doing it, but in a FULL JAZZ context band.
As a guitarist that performs every night, on the ship, I would have to say I absolutely admire guitarists that have a TH-cam channel. I think it’s an amazing medium and one of the best ways to share your talents. It’s always nice to hear your performance at the beginning as well.
What I couldn’t (didnt) discover for 20 years, i attained within 2 year by watching teachers on TH-cam. It has brought an enormous improvement in my playing. Appreciate all you do for us John. 💯💪
Probably true for all art across all eras. Being a copycat is easier than being a standout. The standouts just get remembered more as time passes. No shame in being a copycat though. Originally doesn't come easy to most of us. TH-cam players sound all the same because they're part of the same community.
Original artist making guitar driven music are out here, I am 1 of them. We aren’t posting constantly thus we don’t pop up on your feed unless your following us. Here are some of my friends Zane Carney, Tyler Bryant, Christone kingfish Ingram, Angela Petrilli, Band of Gringos.
Found this encouraging! Thanks for posting it. 10 years into posting to YT and I still feel insecure at times - mainly that I’m not doing it like all my TH-camr heroes - almost all of whom are better at guitar & get more views than me. But this video helps me feel more confident. Thanks again!
Man it’s maybe been a couple years since I used to tune into your channel/livestreams everyday (life gets crazy and there’s not much time for watching videos these days unfortunately) but it’s so cool to see how much more recognition you’re getting now. Just realized the 100k subscriber milestone, congrats! Don’t listen to the haters who are jealous of the cool stuff you’ve been able to accomplish online in the comfort of your own home, not to mention all of the cool “real-world” things you’ve been able to do outside of your home. Like you said, it’s all about what makes your engine run and want to keep going and if that’s creating content to help others in their guitar endeavors, then I think that’s incredibly commendable. You don’t have to be the famous superstar guitarist because for me and many others, you’re the guy who helped me improve my knowledge of the fretboard, know what good tone is, and got me sucked down the rabbit-hole of amp-modeling, haha!
I don't mind being a "TH-cam" guitarist at all. I did plenty of live gigs in my earlier years, which certainly had its charms, but now that I no longer have to travel back and forth to clubs, no longer have to set up and take down gear and no longer have to wait until I can soundcheck or wait until I can finally start the show, I have much more time for what is ultimately most important to me: composing songs and playing the guitar. John, I completely agree with you, but you really are a star, keep up the good work with your jams and continue to inspire us all!
I've played live 20 years ago. Since then technology has advanced in a way you don't even need a band. Now is more comfortable to play and record in my bedroom. And the YT algorithm helps the people who don't care about the guitar to never come across my videos. 😂 On the other hand I get to play and record for myself and once in a while a get a comment. 😊 I sometimes miss the company of fellow musicians, but not the gigs and rehearsals. Great respect for guys who play live and earn a living.
I'm a big Guthrie Trapp fan I've taken one of his courses and watch his youtube channel. I think something that might be relevant to this topic is that Nashville is a sort of Shangri La for guitar players. There's a rich culture and history of song writing and session work and live venues with great players - and all that music, unlike modern popular music, is centered around guitar. I'm glad for all the guitarists finding a place for their stuff on youtube, and I hope for an evolution in popular music back to guitar driven music.
John, please remember, you bring a lot of joy to us all. You share your expression, experience and talent with us, in a way we could not otherwise experience in real world gigs. You are a teacher, a minstrel, and a humble, creative spirit. Please continue to create and live this dream that platforms such as TH-cam can provide. We are all grateful for your sharing it all with us.
John I love your channel and what you do. I think what you do is important because you stick to pretty much the same gear and you show how to get the most out of it. It’s rare that a guitar channel pushes the same pieces of gear to its maximum. Your music and playing is great too and I’d love to see more on Spotify!
I love hearing him play as well. He's great and has good informed opinions. I'm a couple years younger but we are from the same era. @@markcarleton6647
Yeah same sentiment. I consider you a gigging musician that does this kind of vlog style side business to show how you get your sounds and what gear you prefer. Of course it’s cool that you have some partnerships with some brands and can demo some cool new gear every now and again. But I end up watching more tutorial style vids from here than anything else.
Exactly, John is a highly talented gigging musician who makes TH-cam videos. The fact that videos give benifit and are successful is a bonus for him and us.
Music industry sucks, I've done it, for decades. Now I have fun just putting whatever idea, inspiration, or insight, on my channel for others to do with as they may. I can now do original compositions, as well as anything else music-related and people seem to like it so..win win. Guitar has ascended beyond just being part of a band, and has now become a multi-faceted tool of inspiration, and that's what I choose to explore and promote.
Eric Haugen is my favourite. I'm on his Patreon. He's such good value and a very chill & bright dude. He speaks my musical language. Eric is all about getting back to the music, and I have to say I love the playing in your uploads!
I really dig his channel too. He has both a wide range of technical ability, as well as always mentioning the Hendrix hammer-ons and other techniques, even within more technically challenging stuff. He’s a good teacher.
@@mattgilbert7347 That can be a lot about where one lives. In Asheville,NC I realized that the people who handle booking for gigs and hiring studio musicians, aren’t often looking for the best for the job. They all hire people they are friends with, that they believe gets them an in with another person and purposefully ignore folks from out of town. It’s not everyone, and it’s not always malicious, or even someone who knows that they’re making a decision based on a friendship, over for an artist who paid a studio to record them. They just don’t realize they aren’t recommending the best people. There aren’t many studios in town, and it ends up making different artists, sound like they’ve just been copping one another’s sound. There’s a new studio now, that have been doing things a bit differently, so hopefully things have changed since I was last living there.
Dude, your playing is so beautiful and amazing, I would buy music you have created, especially an EP or full album. Don't sell yourself short, you have immense talent and the music industry is what we want to make it now.
Hey John, this and your other video today have made me really interested in a behind the scenes video of your workflow of recording your intros. Would that be something you could do? They sound so well produced and it amazes me that you can do that on a daily basis!
Beautifully put mate. Totally agree. We’ve probably all had someone accuse us of not being real guitarists, but even if we weren’t, who cares? As Eddie put it: “if it sounds good, it is good” 🎸🤘😎
You tube has been a great learning tool and source of entertainment for me as a guitar player . I found out about so many great players on you tube that have inspired me to play more . Not everyone one is playing in a band or gigging nor have aspirations to . There is something on you tube for all level musicians. I have lived in Tennessee all my life . I’m proud of Nashville and the music scene. Its a guitar Mecca these days and I love it but there seems to be a level of arrogance about Nashville at times and may its founded because the level of musician there is off the charts but those musicians need fans so Guthrie and John both you guys keep up the great work you both inspire and educate people in different ways . We need all the inspiration and education we can get in these dark days . I will keep following both you guys on you tube and thanks to both you for what you do .
I've been a full time touring guitarist for a little over 20 years now mostly in blues and jazz (I'm from New Orleans), I don't know Guthrie but he's played with a bunch of people I know, one of which I'm currently working for. Over the years I've been offered gigs with numerous rock bands 4 Nashville A list artists and more, all this is to say this is my job, its how I support my family and put my kid through college. What you do is important. I watch your channel because you're a great player and the things that sound good to your ear tend to sound good to mine. Being a "youtube guitarist" gets you no less respect from any of the touring or recording acts I know and trust me, it's a small world and lots of people are watching. You are doing something worthwhile and valuable and even if you never play a gig outside the UK it doesn't make you any less of a guitarist than anyone else, and you ARE making music, arguably music with a potential to reach more listeners than some of the records Guthrie has done and will do. Keep doing what you're doing!
I enjoyed this. I really needed to hear this message. I have been playing guitar for nearly 45 years and on youtube since before google owned it. I never really made the best use of it, but I am at a time in my life when I need to get my finger out and make it work. I have seen so many amazing guitarists and youtubers arrive while I stood still and always felt like, youtube doesnt need another guitarist ... me! Nonetheless, my youtube presence is for local viewers as I teach in the real world so even if there is no room for me on youtube in terms of talent and reaching a global audience and being the Mancuso ;) because I aint that talented, I am a teacher and a passionate guitarist, improviser and composer and this platform can still be useful, as a personal vlog, as a mode to communicate/share music with my students and I suppose anything else that comes with that is a bonus.
Hey John. I really enjoyed your video and you bring up a lot of great points. A significant portion of my income comes directly or indirectly from youtube (brand deals, amazon affiliate, ad revenue, donations, and a full roster of students with a wait list) and I have one of the few channels that focuses primarily on the 12-string. But I'll be the first to admit that my career as a singer/songwriter and my personal goals as a musician aren't reflected in my youtube content at all. I spent many years fronting a reasonably successful pop/rock band and I've always considered myself a songwriter who plays guitar and sings (or at least tries to). I've written over 400 songs and some of them are actually pretty good (most of them suck). I have over 220 videos posted on my channel and I've played exactly 2 originals. As a guitarist, I've spent the last five years devoting a lot of time developing my fingerstyle skills (in the Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Tommy E. tradition). I completed Tommy's courses and I've even performed a couple of gigs playing exclusively fingerstyle. I've posted exactly 0 videos of me playing fingerstyle. I am very grateful for the opportunities that TH-cam has given me. I never thought my career would be peaking at 53! Even though my channel isn't the best representation of me as a guitarist, it is a good representation of me as a person. I love the community I've built and I don't take anybody for granted. I answer every single email that comes in (over 100 a week sometimes) thoughtfully and never discount anybody. It's a privilege to be able help so many people accomplish some of their musical goals. I think the one thing many people don't understand is that it's a really hard job. It's demanding, emotionally draining, and it takes up a lot of my time. But at the end of the day, I'm like you. I'm a guy who mostly stays at home. I have a wife, two teen boys, two annoying (but very cute) dogs. I spend most of my time in my studio which is in my basement. Thankfully it's above ground so I can actually see the sun for half the day. I'm VERY grateful for that. A couple of my students remarked "I can't believe I'm taking lessons from you". It freaked me out at first. Now it's just a great inside joke between me and my wife who knows what a complete idiot I really am. Thanks so much for such a thought provoking video. Email me anytime at markaranalli@gmail.com if you'd like to chat. Take care and be well. Mark
I agree with Guthrie, most youtube players offer good content, but we barely or never see them in live situations (Corey Congilio, Chris Buck, John Nathan and a few others being an exception) but my main gripe has always been that there's almost none working in bands, creating new songs and coming up with cool riffs, but I guess it's part of the same media, which doesn't lend well to that, it's like following an Instagram model to learn about her Ph.D or something, it just isn't meant to be.
I'm a big fan of Guthrie and I see what he's trying to say, but I do feel like there is something else worth noting whenever this conversation comes up - Guy's like Guthrie, Tom Bukovac, Rhett Shull, Tim Pierce, whoever, all already have killer gear. By no means is nice expensive gear a prerequisite to making music, but when these guys are as good as they are and sound as good as they do, I think it is somewhat natural that fellow players will be curious of what gear they use, in addition to their technique. For a lot of us, we ARE excited to make music, but we are also curious about tone and the various pieces of gear that have carved out their own stories and legacies over times. Similarly, most of us can't afford to just buy an ODR-1 to see what "that sound" is like, so a demo of the 27th ORD-1 variant that's out there, played by a great player, is actually really helpful. That said, I do think it's totally a common pitfall, especially for guitar players, to get too caught up in the gear and forget about the true goal, like Guthrie said, and that's making music. I've definitely been guilty of it before, myself, but I also think these guys can sometimes forget how much knowledge they've amassed and how few people actually get to experience this type or quality of gear. Just like a certain guitar, amp or pedal might inspire a guy like Guthrie, the same is true for us non-youtube players too. None of us need it, but it inspires us to create. To me, it's all about that balance. Healthy curiosity about tone and gear is fine, just never stop creating. Cheers!
I really don’t mind the existence of TH-cam guitarists, but I understand what Guthrie meant. People used to want to be musicians, play in bands and record albums. Nowadays people want to make money being an influencer. Making music is creating art..making TH-cam videos..can be. Maybe. A painter needs to paint. Are you a painter if you only make some brushes? I don’t know. It’s a thought question. To get to the point, TH-camr guitarist are not musicians necessarily and I believe Guthrie is defending the art of creating music instead of collecting gear and stuff.
Love the straightforward talk, mate. 👍 I'm a beer man myself, but a bit of Old Rosie goes down a treat. I've just started my YT channel. It's great for me. I giged for many years, and I absolutely hate it. Travelling at night to dodgy clubs where people just ignore you, only to be paid pennies or, more likely, nothing. At least now I can relax in the comfort of my own shed and get ignored. I've got tea and biscuits at the ready and a comfy chair.
John I think you have a good understand of what makes it tick. You be you - I love your arrangements, playing and your smart and have a good sense a humor …. Enjoy your content and hope you stay on course
The problem is that it's so hard to make a living with music alone unless you get lucky, or enjoy poverty (not that there's anything wrong with making $30-40k a year). I played close to 30 shows last year, but I made most of my income from teaching and educating. A 3 hour country set would pay about $200 per person. I jump over to TH-cam and start teaching to a larger audience, I'm now making more money doing what I love. I hope someone sees my content and invites me to tour with them and it makes sense financially; however, I cannot control that. I live in a town that's oversaturated with hobbyist, so bars are expecting to pay pennies for live spotify. If there's another way than online, please show us. For us "TH-cam Guitarist" look at bands like Polyphia, Plini, Intervals, etc. They built a platform online then leveraged it to play live. I believe this is the modern way and really puts power in our hands. The old guard is fighting it tooth and nail, but the changing of the guard is happening. Thank god for the changes because it allows us to have stable income and really do what we love for a living.
True, this is also particularly true if you live in either a competitive area, or somewhere like Devon in the UK where there's not a TON of live music stuff happening? I'd love to believe that in a different area maybe opportunities would have been different, but all things being what they are I'm pretty happy these days with ending up on TH-cam doing what I love! Hope you're doing well chap!
I don't see the term "TH-cam" guitarist as a negative. That could just be a partial description of what you do. Gigging, teaching, recording, product demoing, etc. can be all part of it.. It's hard to make a living playing live music or writing it. I've been a professional musician since I was 14 (now 51). The cost of a Budweiser has gone up 300% over the years but a club owner's desire to still pay musicians the same as they did in 1995 is crazy. I also battle "musicians" that are working professionals by day hobbyists by night and they are willing to play for very little or sometimes free. We made music essentially "free" for people and when something is free you tell people it has no value. Now guitar player's have to teach lessons, sell products, gig, write, bartend, etc. just to eat. If I blame anyone it's the music industry that has forced musicians into this state. John you do a very good job balancing all aspects and I've never felt you had a hidden agenda. That is most important. Guthrie is an amazing player and has strong opinions that are valid. He also friggin' plays with Billy Gibbons and could pick up the phone and have a gig in Nashville anytime he wanted. If I read between the lines GT is expressing a desire for guitar players to get away form their TH-cam watching and get back to what really matters and that is performing in front of an audience and writing music. You may be able to play Cliff's of Dover sitting in your bedroom. But can you show up at gig where the PA system is garbage, the monitors don't work, the bar staff is tired and rude, the club/bar owner isn't even there, but there is a crowd looking for a good time. Can you be a true professional and own the room. I bet 95% of TH-cam guitar player's would not know how to handle that because they don't perform. That is where I feel GT is coming from maybe. Good luck to you and I look forward to future "TH-cam Guitar Player" videos.
I also like TH-cam for this reason. I can just work on and upload whatever videos I feel like. They might not be going viral or anything, but it's a fun project and more and more people are seeing it. Often times it's just based on the stuff I would be practicing anyway. After moving to a small town for a teaching job where the gigs are pretty dried up, it's fun to have something like this. And after getting an impression of what touring life is like for musicians, I'm not really sure it's something I would enjoy at all. So I teach, practice, make videos, do some gigs here and there when I can, and even released a song. I'm having fun and I don't really care how "legit" it is.
I like your playing, I'd be glad to hear more. Guthrie is about music, great player. I think he may want to hear more of your playing as well, it seems he gets inspired by many. The music industry sucks, has nothing to do with your creativity or mine. You know how it is, you have a bad or medeocre day, you plug in, you play, your day improves. My wife watches videos about sewing, you'd be amazed how many there are LOL. She loves it AND gets a lot of info out of them. I get alot out of your stuff as well as Guthrie, Beato, as well as many other subjects and people. Play on!Just subscibed :-)
Dude, you and Leon Todd are what I would consider the most genuine voices on guitar related content out there.. Weather or not that influences anyone is ultimately their own responsibility... Regardless, wherever you play, you're a phenomenal guitarist... and I'm pretty sure everybody totally appreciates your content man.
TH-cam is my platform for putting music out there, even though over half of my content is improv over backing tracks. I think it's a great thing because in past years, the only way for anyone to hear your music was on the radio and nobodies like myself would never be able to be heard. I'm still a nobody, but at least if someone wants to hear my music, they can. The over saturation is a down side, but as a whole I think accessibility is a major plus.
Love your channel I discovered you because of your intro solos and your original Mateo lick video and because of it I discovered and learned so much more. thank you! Keep on Truckin.
I love your guitar playing and tones !! And I love other players playing. I think that TH-cam changed somewhat with the pandemic, although I admit that I don't know that for sure, as I didn't open YT very often before the pandemic. Now there are many great players who are using their YT channel to expand their audience. And it works.
Wow! Beautiful phrasing and technique on that intro. I may be wrong but I would wager that based on the emotion and feeling in your playing, it can typically signal an above average singer. No? Don't know who you are as I came upon your channel by happenstance. Your experiences and spot-on content pulled me in and I couldn't have hit the subscribe button fast enough. Well done, mate! 👍
I think you’re certainly the most melodic player I’ve heard in a long time. Blues and jazz are great but you have a unique and memorable musical vocabulary. It’s a pleasure to hear you play.
You`re right. What you do matters, it influences people to pick up the guitar and educates people to become better and evolve their abilities. I thank you for having a good time with you! Keep on doing youtube!
I'd love to hear a new album, maybe you should do what Rabea does and just put out a collection of your favorite video intros you did through out the year on your gumroad, as the song says I'd have 5 on it.
@@johnnathancordy i use YT music so i just thought you only had 2 releases. regardless love your playing its what i tune in for, and lesson Mondays. keep up the great work my guy
Dude. Don’t question yourself so much. You got here by being you. I watch you more than most, bought some settings and joined your Patreon because I appreciate what you do. Don’t lose yourself in what’s makes others successful. We like you.
Mate you're a guitarists guitarist! To have you on this platform has been game changing for a lot of people! I've been playing professionally as a gigging musician for years and when you mentioned the travel it really hit home and that's why I'm trying to transition more into TH-cam and content creation because it does have it's ups and downs. Glad you outlined this for people who may be unsure on where to take their musical career next!
I hit the subscribe button on most everyone that has something i'm interested in learning could a one time thing or I could become a regular viewer. I joined your Patreon cause I liked the pentatonic stuff you have and the exercises. I aspire to being able to play as well as you one day. Thanks
It’s funny. I hadn’t really thought about it until now, but I probably listen to you a lot more than most of the famous iconic guitar players these days because you always have something fresh and relevant and I can enjoy your playing while also receiving some insights. So while I’m not spilling beer on your gear at some dodgy club, I’m cheering you on from the comfort of my home!
Influencer? Well, you did influence me a bit on my floorboard purchase. That's not bad really. You helped me make a decision. I would like to see you do more on how to get that GX-100 singing.
I imagine your audience consists of a wide variety of people (from professional musicians to bedroom players). I took up guitar late in life and so have a lot to learn. Your channel has been very helpful in that regard. I have an interest in jazz and have learned some chord melody pieces (Sandra Sherman has been great for this), but your lesson on playing the head to Donna Lee introduced me to playing single line Jazz. I was finally able to get this piece in reasonable shape and now I am looking into learning the heads to other songs. I don't know if I would have ever gotten on to this kind of playing without your video. Much thanks.
I really feel a lot better after watching your video I was just telling myself that TH-cam is a good place to keep your best videos and it's a good place to find community and people to hang out with that are interested in the same things as yourself but trying to turn it into a business can definitely be a hassle
Great video. Lots of insight into you and your motivations. I’m amazed how quickly you produce high quality content, and for me, the quality pdf scores you write are well worth the Patreon membership, plus your clean thoughtful HX Stomp presets pay for themselves. Thanks for sharing with us all.
It's trickier for the guitarists, because if it's going to be full pieces of music, most of the time it's going to be better in the context of an ensemble. Like Rhett Shull has just started doing. But that takes group coordination, time management, having a performance space, a camera person or multiple cameras, larger lighting rigs, biggers rooms, more mics and recording equipment and basically ... a lot more resources. But, I like the approach you are taking, ambient endeveours too, Mark Johnston, and also don't forget especially The Pedal Zone. It's not a coincidence that most of the people performing more complete pieces are working more in ambient genres. Similar to how the people working in ambient electronic music often have as many videos that are just a entire pieces of music performed, or even whole albums.
I think Guthrie is spot on. Playing guitar within songs that have meaning and substance in front of an audience in the flesh is where the craft is. The rest is just licks in a vacuum. Great to share knowledge of course and work on chops, techniques etc but with no context, ie songs, it’s all pretty limited. The exchange between performer and listener within a live setting is everything and has nothing to do with the ‘music business’ you referenced which is just name dropping dribble. Guthrie is at the top of the chain now, can play in any setting and got there by doing an apprenticeship of 4hrs a night, 4 nights a week for 4 years. That is craft and what is sorely lacking these days. Playing in an ensemble and really listening to others, appreciating dynamics, sitting in a pocket.. these are musical skills that can’t be taught without playing live and are required to become a well rounded musician. All the best.
I think it's a nice idea but try releasing original music and see what happens. Just today Guthrie on his story posted something to the effect of "20 likes on original song - 2000 likes on a picture of the amp that recorded it". In terms of "name-dropping dribble" , I'm not particularly sure what you're talking about. The mainstream music industry is about record labels, sync, performing rights societies, PR companies, managers and so on. In any case, you've sort of missed the point of the video, which is trying to reconceptualise what "TH-cam Guitarist" might even mean - and why it doesn't have to be a pejorative.
When you outlined your brushes with the ‘music industry’ you qualified them by associating them with various bands of supposed note. That is the dribble I’m referring to. It’s no secret that the shelf life of ‘signed’ bands or whatever metric you use to say a band is successfully in the ‘music industry’ today is tenuous at best. Coked out producers, money people, hangers-on.. just side notes.. they’re everywhere in society. I think Guthrie’s stance is based on the fact it doesn’t really matter whether you’re signed, releasing music commercially, teaching, sharing, whatever; you can’t really be a complete musician without doing the live work. That’s where the magic is, the joy and the celebration. Also the biggest learning curve and development opportunity. It is also what the ‘music industry’ is. He plays live regularly at small bars with other musicians to entertain people and hone his craft for teaching, sessions etc. Anybody playing guitar is a great thing and I respect your devotion and commitment to the craft. I just feel it’s worth exploring the notion of what a ‘TH-cam’ guitarist is and what it might be lacking. It is a strange and interesting time in the world evidenced by the fact that we can sometimes feel compelled to have conversations with strangers to reinforce our beliefs. I say dig deep, explore all the possibilities. Refine your skills, play along to records (remember that!), and then share your love with some like minded souls and take it out to entertain and create memories with people in the real world. Over and out. 😎
I agree with you completely. Just do your thing, be happy and ignore the negativity. I'm a Nashville guy, came here in '92 and did all that stuff that a guitarist wants to do. And next I'm creating a TH-cam channel, because I've got some other stuff I wanna do now that I can't do in the "standard Nashville music scene." Do your thing man, that's why I'm a subscriber. I like what you do.
I all see it as part of the guitar community worldwide. TH-cam, Instagram and there is still some active forums. We are so lucky to have the level of education and lessons on TH-cam. Even gear reviews are very useful as there is so much choice on what to buy from cheap to expensive. Then for some people like me, the hunt for the right purchase is more exiting than buying the first thing you see.
That was really well said John. You are an excellent guitarist and a lot better than many professionals out there. Your phrasing and improv is always off the charts. Keep doing what you’re doing.
John, you are a really really great player. I’ve been around a long time and the killer combo for a guitarist is when a trained player has a great feel in combo. You have that. A third and fourth element would be to couple with great rhythmical time keeping. You have that. The last element ( A nice to have / would be nice to see you branch into for you ) would be to create music. My suggestion to you would be to make music at home and write and record for either placement or library or both and to build publishing prs income for yourself. All the people that i know that have succeeded have had two main traits, 1 is that they are blinkered in their own pursuits and selfish with their own time. 2 is that they produce a lot of recorded music. I remember my mate telling me he got a pay out on a pice of music for a fruit machine of about £140k for 8 seconds of music they wanted to buy out. It took hime 15 mins to record it. I’m not saying you have to necessarily go that route i’m just suggesting ways a guitarist with your talents could find more revenue streams. It may be you are doing that already. I would say and I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t feel the same but it strikes me that people should be calling you for projects and such like as a result of seeing how good a player you are and if that is not happening , yet, it surprises me. You would make a great session player i feel. i guess if you lived in Nashville or such like place you would be working a S*it load. Anyways you come across as a really good player and a nice bloke parting knowledge for people on TH-cam and viewers are gaining a lot of value in that. Keep up the good work.
Of course I can' speak for everyone, but personally I REALLY enjoy listening / watching your original video opening tunes. If you were to ever produce an album of original work, I would definitely check it out.
Years ago in Guitar Player magazine, Joe Walsh was asked a question about new music on the scene, and I'm paraphrasing here 'a band like Duran Duran, if you have a $500,000 dollar budget and enough studio time anyone can make an album'. It struck me odd because I didn't understand then 30 some years ago, when I first started as a practicing musician, but do now. He was talking about the business as you were saying, about the hype, the jive, the posers, right? Hell John, you'd probably do just a bit better with a push up bra. Which I think he was headed there. You're doing great. You have a following. Actually have talent, doing your own thing. It'll happen, 'if you get in with the right bunch of fellow's'.
Your tone and playing is why I subscribed, I don’t think you play to much in your videos , you get the best sound from the gear you show, that teaches me where the best bang for the buck is. Nothings broke, so nothing needs fixing.
Very good observations John! I've been gigging for close to 50 years, first 10 as my only source of income. Got a day job to be "normal" and raise my family but continued gigging and writing and learning. You're true to your muse and that's all you can ask of anyone! I enjoy your perspective. Keep up the great contributions!
Love what you do John, you have been an invaluable inspiration and resource. Love your playing and attitude, that’s why I’m one of your petreons and happy to do so. Thank you.
Hi Hohn, I found you through your Princeton demo, then I realised you play direct quite a bit and so do I and never left… I love your playing, not because I play anything like you or want to but because you are authentic, your playing is what you want to play, it’s in a not too wide band, like almost all great players and is identifiable to you. Power to you and much respect.
There's a lass called Mimisounds who has been given free gear...by companies and even featured in an Anderson guitar shop video....buying a heavily discounted. PRS...she seems to have done ALL this by simply playing along to backingtracks...dressed in skimpy vests...not even playingin a band doing gigs...writing and singing actual songs...i assume shes well off....as it doesn't seem that she actually has a job...maybe we'll off parents who fund her hobby...and blokes...yeah it's blokes absolutely think she's the best player ever..lol....
most of the youtube guitar players all sound the same. They all play the same licks, same tones, same kinds of pedals. I think as great as youtube is it has killed originality along with peoples attention spans. Guitar players that I meet seem to be more interested in pedals and "tone" then actual music.
I think you nailed it on this one. Success isn't just about being a household name who can't go out to eat without being mobbed. People want a connection with someone they respect. That's why they are here. Maybe they come for the gear demo, but they stay for the "relationship." Also, I tagged you on that post. I'm glad to hear that you didn't take that as a negative.
Literally every famous guitarist (or bassist, or keyboardist, or Sax player etc etc....) will tell you stories of learning by LISTENING to players who inspired them. They woodshedded licks, parts, solos etc as part of their own development. I'm picking up electric guitar VERY late after spending most of my past gigging years on bass and some acoustic. I am tremendously inspired by your drop dead gorgeous playing and guess what, I'm teaching myself just by watching your hands and listening. And I intend to slow your videos down and learn some licks. So what was Guthrie saying again?
Being so invested in learning a craft as music for so long but not being a professional musician. I battle with being professional for the sake of playing and doing what I do. I think it's normal well it is for me to critic myself But I'm getting better with that as it only ever gets in the way. Still a needed part. So trying to find the balance between critique and reasonable expectations for progress has been my new take on it. I'm super greatful for all the "youtube" guitarists no matter what they do as it really is about the art, and seeing just how many great musicians there are out there I have to remember to listen with my ears and not as much for my eyes, but thats just me. Lol I don't learn that way or am slow to learn that way. lol That for another day. :)
@Mr. Cordy. Where could I listen more of you playing guitar without backtracks and band ? When you do short "demos" of tone or presets along with videos they sound original, refreshing and inspiring (to me). I would like to listen more of that. Because backtracks are all sort of "default" by its nature and playing in a band is completely different subject.
I like TH-cam as it makes me feel like I’m connected to the wider guitar community. Living in a rural, small town, it’s my primary source of music news, gear reviews, artist news and playing tips/techniques. I play in a band but that’s only twice a month. This helps fill the void between rehearsals and gigs and helps me develop into a better musician.
I was on board with it until "i dont see the difference between a lick lesson and an original song" but you got me back with "in terms of value". I think this is just another case of to vastly different relationships with the same craft in two different people that cause them not to understand each other. Guthrie Trapp has a sound. And he has committed that wholely to making his and other artists compositions & songs shine. Those original songs have value because people sing them. People who dont do what we do. People connect with those expiriences and dont have to play guitar to do it. That has value to everyone. And those of us who do it night after night understand that providing that catharsis two someone who is having a crap day is the point of music. Your value is to players who are trying to do what guthrie does. And it is not less valuable, even though its value has an indirect relationship to the point of music. I love the pieces that you play but i cant put you on when i drive out to Castroville tonight to do my Thursday gig. But i can put him on and rock out if i want. I think he sees the talent of people like you and wonders why it cant be enjoyed at a local pub every Wednesday, and why he cant hear whats going on your head musically when hes on the way to a gig. My wife cant listen to your music (afore mentioned bands excluded)on the way to work. But as someone who has never cared about anything but writing songs and playing them for people who has a daughter as well, i will find a way to make the money doing it live because i have songs and thats the point for me. i have also been the odd man out because im not down for the line of coke and related things, but i go out do the thing because making music in a public place destroys the boundries that inherently exist between different people. It has the power to create relationships that the bigoted say should not exist. Live music is the only thing I have ever seen that destroyed bigotry in inherently prejiduced people. And ive seen that multiple times and am the most proud that, twice, i have been the catalyst for those moments. There is a difference between teaching licks, and original songs, and that is it. And guys like you are part of that because you make the live players better by teaching them. I know the response would be: players similarly armed with knowledge will be able to cross the same boundries. you do that and your power to do that is limited to players only. Music exists for everyone, not just players, and Gutherie's power to make those moments that break down walls does not stop with musicians. I read guthrie's statement and see his point. I watch your video, a video from an amazing player and teacher, who works in the most profitable part of the M.I. industry right now (i understand TH-camrs dont make truckloads of cash): music education, and i hear a little bit of an ego bruise. He doesn't have a problem saying that because he's proud of what he does. I'm looking at someone who does something amazing for a living, and does it well, who clearly made the right decision for his family, which is something to be proud of. Yet, the sort of conclusions your coming to speak of a professional insecurity. It makes me wonder if you have the same pride for what you have done. I love your channel and the work you do. And it is clear by the quality of your content that you take pride in what you do. But are you proud of the path you have walked? And if so, why did this get to you?
Really appreciated this video, JNC - spoken with real conviction! On your closing point: is there a difference between a "song" and a "lick lesson"? Yes, yes there is. One is regarded as "art", the other isn't. But do both have value? Yes, of course!
I don’t think he meant “now go get rich making music!” He just meant get back to bands in clubs touring together and making music, being what things should be geared towards, because making music is supposed to be the goal. The TH-cam creators certainly learned one thing, when you get a following and heart or comment occasionally in the comment section and random people will pay for them to have a life they never thought they’d have.
Everything you said about the music industry is 100% true, and after a lifetime dipping in and out of it I’m definitely looking for another way forward.
TH-cam is an awesome place. When I was young I had a much smaller world for interaction. When I jammed with friends it was sometimes playing songs but a lot of times it was riffs and noodling and joking around. Same stuff, bigger garage.
I would honestly welcome some videos that are entirely improv playing. Absolutely love that part of your videos and feel like when I first started following your channel, you did do some “all improv” videos.
Guthrie has a good point. He’s also one of the very few guitarists who had one of the if not THE most challenging mileage building gigs in the Don Kelley band. After playing out professionally 200 gigs a year for 20 years i think ‘mileage’ is really one of the most important aspects of being a ‘musician’. Playing with other people, traveling, life on the road, listening to great musicians on stage with you, adapting to other personalities etc. things you just can’t get from shredding over backing tracks and doing multiple takes to get the right one and then posting the best one on social media. Its all the embarrassing moments and mistakes in front of crowds that really forge your soul as a musician. Now there’s nothing wrong with going where you have to go to make a living but i think he just wants to remind everyone of the missing aspect in a lot of these ‘youtube guitarists’. And also reiterate the importance of ‘mileage’. Just my 1 1/2 cents ☺️👊🏼
I like how you have articulated the point around "mileage' and I agree to a certain extent. At the same time, do we not have to consider the realities of life - some of us are fortunate to have access to bands, venues, opportunities to gig and tour regularly, others don't. Throw in the chaos caused by the pandemic and the fact that gigs/venues stopped overnight and the correction to live music has only just come back into balance. Add to that the reality of making ends meat, supporting your family etc and its not easy (and often not even a choice) to be able to make that lifestyle work for a large proportion of those who'd like to.
@@timcordenfor sure. All good points. I was only trying to expand on the nuance of Guthrie’s point or how i took the gist of his comment. And it was a generalization he was making. I have also had this perception with SOME ‘youtube guitarists’ no all or even a majority. I do believe however that even if it isn’t reality or possible for some people it is very much to their benefit to also have all the experiences i listed for them to be a well rounded PERSON as well as musician. Both worlds can be great and have many benefits but i do think there is something lacking in some cases if you don’t have the benefit of ‘mileage’. Cheers!
I watch your channel to listen to you play and learn. I joined your patreon to get the backing tracks and some pdfs for exercises etc and of course to support the channel. I’m not really into watching gear demos, but will watch if it’s kit I’m interested in buying. I like the Helix and HX Stomp tone creation videos too. Great stuff mate. Keep doing what you’re doing as long as you’re enjoying it.
I'm not a fan of Guthrie but he absolutely has a point. TH-cam guitarists mostly have little to do with actual music. It's either gear demos or lessons. And you have a point, as well, it is the way it is because the viewers mostly don't really care about other people's music, they care about getting something out of it for themselves. The whole ecosystem has little to do with creating or performing music.
I see You Tube as a learning platform. For everything. I need to learn something, someone on You Tube will show me how with musical instruments, pool filter maintenance, car detailing etc. That’s why I like it a lot more compared to social platforms that all seem to be all about “look at me” culture.
I think if there's some 'instruction', be it hints, tips or lessons, it's better if any playing before the talking is relevant to what follows. Sometimes it isn't, and you get used to who does what, so if you like the player, you'll watch irrespective. If you're dipping your toe, and don't know this, you may be disappointed that the playing before the talk, and what follows isn't the same thing. I used to edit a section of relevant playing to the front of the vid, and keep the 'just playing' stuff as separate from the hints/tips stuff. TBH most of the stuff I'm interested in, I get from the 'just playing' stuff. A lot of the time you can't teach it, people have to figure it out from watching and listening to the playing.
You tube has been great for me, given me the courage to put music out there and see what people think, i mainly do covers and some tutorials but i love doing it and if i help someone out then great
We are in vastly different musical territory in these times, all previous norms are changed, the big recording companies no longer dominate, there is no 'hit parade' because the radio and television no longer rule the airwaves and the boards of investors behind the old industry no longer determine what we shall see and hear. We know that this is now an entrepreneurial matter, with a massive explosion of options and so-called 'micro genres' : a songwriter now has the ability to write/record/produce/market and tour independently, for vastly less money! TH-cam is just one (a significant one albeit) medium for gaining an audience and developing an independent career. All bets are off, there is no guarantee of success,. It has always been very hard to win attention and gain an income from your music, that hasn't changed at all, we have a true "Open Market" and music no longer has the same rank it once occupied in our culture. It is now all down to how well you can adapt, and apply your creativity.
As far as awards... I get what Guthrie is saying. I've never really cared for large scale awards shows/events where a bunch of people are patting each other on the backs. But, I think if you reach people and they learn something new to expand their musical ability and knowledge, it is about the music. If you make a little coin while helping someone do that, so what. A man's gotta eat. I've been playing off and on for over 30 years, and I have learned more in the past several years using YT than I ever did in private study. At the very least, it has helped me appreciate what goes into good music. At best, you could say it has made me a better musician. I'd say that is about the music. I think you are doing it right. Keep it coming.
I think Guthrie himself felt like this video was bashing him, based on his IG story. Over in the UK, a Nasvhille guy is a thing.
Like that's a place we know music gets recorded and played. Nashville guy is not a term we use to bash anything.
The video is more about my experiences in the music industry (which never got as far as Nashville) and how being a TH-cam guitarist (as much as I might not like the term) has provided me loads more opportunities than I got from the real music world...
I think Guthrie is a great guitarist, but I think he likely didn’t watch the video. You actually promoted his classes on True fire (“great teacher”), were complimentary and center the video on your experience.
The awkward thing was that his IG compliant ended with a stab a “doing research before making statements”.
Well handled in pinning a clarification, but I don’t think it’d be needed for anybody who watched the video.
Cheers
Guthrie is sort of a sensitive type. He struggles with any negative comments on his videos. It’s been an issue with him, insofar as much as he recently admitted that he needed to ignore negative comments, and sort of made a pledge to his viewers that he wasn’t going to talk about any negative comments on his videos from here on out.
I think Guthrie is a decent guy. He’s certainly an elite top tier player. But he’s touchy, and maybe even has a slight temper.
But then again, aren’t we/don’t we all?
@@thesonnyboy 100% He either can’t have watched the video or he totally got the wrong end of the stick. There’s nothing critical in this video towards GT
Artists have egos. How else would you dare get up on a stage with a few thousand watts behind you and play your music to an audience. It is scary, nerve wracking, hard, fun, exhausting, unappreciated, appreciated, criticized, etc. etc.. You have to be sensitive to do it. Or be a robot on stage.@@zenlandzipline
GT is a phenomenal guitarist but tends to be sensitive and opinionated. He seems to have a bit of a holier-than-thou attitude and that rubs me the wrong way.
My relationship with YT is that I post performances of songs, lessons and a few gear reviews. I have been doing it sporadically since 2008. I notice that the gear reviews seem to be popular and some of the lessons as well. I also notice that my performance videos aren’t seen by as many, but those who see them are pretty devoted fans that buy my recordings and transcriptions. Mainly I use YT to bring awareness to my work. I appreciate it as a venue, income source and a vehicle to funnel those who enjoy what I do to my website so they can support my efforts. At this point I can’t (don’t want to )be a “full time” TH-camr because I am fortunate to have a busy schedule of live performances, as many private students as I can handle and creating works for TrueFire and GuitarVivo. I suppose as things in the “music industry” unfold, it’s wise to go where the audience is and if I can do that without quite so much traveling, I suppose YT is a viable option to be at least part of the whole picture. I would be uncomfortable being seen as “just a YT guy” but I’m happy to be able to reach the fans and followers that find me there. Cheers John, I enjoy what you’re playing and your channel.
Tim Lerch posting here! One of my favourite guitarists and educators
About the music industry, Herbie Hancock said remarkable words. Asked the question: Why is jazz not part of the pop scene anymore?
Hancock said: “Because it's not the music that matters anymore. People don't care about the music itself anymore, but about who makes the music."
"The public is more interested in celebrities and how a certain artist is more famous than music. It changed the way the audience relates to music. He no longer has a transcendental connection to music and its quality. Just wants the glamour. Jazz doesn't want to be part of it. Do you know why? It's not about humility, or arrogance, a posture ′′we don't want to be famous, we're underground". None of that. Jazz is about the human soul, not about the appearance. Jazz has values, teaches to live the moment, work together, and especially to respect the next. When musicians gather to play together, you have to respect and understand what the other does. Jazz in particular is an international language that represents freedom, because of its roots in slavery. Jazz makes people feel good about themselves.”
What is the source of this quote?
@@MarcoRaaphorstThey said Herbie Hancock, who was a fantastic jazz/fusion player
@@MarcoRaaphorst Johnny Smith had a Quote once that was Sort of this: Question for him was Why are you not recording much these days 1960's, he had tons of Records in the 50's. His simple answer was: Who is Listening or Buying? So he answered a Question more or less with another Question. He is easy to look up with the internet. Fabulous JAZZ guitarist, I have one 50's Vinyl That is Just Phenomenal, especially the Recording Quality. I have a couple CD's and other vinyl, but that one particular one was just astonishingly good. I also have a bunch of Howard Roberts and the reason I had bought his Vinyl, he was a Guitar Player Columnist for YEARS, 70's and 80's. Wes Montgomery again have Tons of His material. But who is Listening??? Lenny Breau was another Guitar player magazine columnist for years, Does the Harmonics thing before Eric Johnson was doing it, but in a FULL JAZZ context band.
@@jasondorsey7110 Is. Is a fantastic jazz/fusion player.
I think this is a copy pasted quote made up by someone on reddit...
As a guitarist that performs every night, on the ship, I would have to say I absolutely admire guitarists that have a TH-cam channel. I think it’s an amazing medium and one of the best ways to share your talents. It’s always nice to hear your performance at the beginning as well.
What I couldn’t (didnt) discover for 20 years, i attained within 2 year by watching teachers on TH-cam. It has brought an enormous improvement in my playing. Appreciate all you do for us John. 💯💪
My problem is that TH-cam guitarists increasingly all sound the same, to me. Not sure if that's actual reality, or an algorithmic artifact.
deep questions. I like that phrase algorithmic artifact
Probably true for all art across all eras. Being a copycat is easier than being a standout. The standouts just get remembered more as time passes.
No shame in being a copycat though. Originally doesn't come easy to most of us. TH-cam players sound all the same because they're part of the same community.
@carloswhomusic😋
so true
Original artist making guitar driven music are out here, I am 1 of them. We aren’t posting constantly thus we don’t pop up on your feed unless your following us.
Here are some of my friends Zane Carney, Tyler Bryant, Christone kingfish Ingram, Angela Petrilli, Band of Gringos.
Found this encouraging! Thanks for posting it. 10 years into posting to YT and I still feel insecure at times - mainly that I’m not doing it like all my TH-camr heroes - almost all of whom are better at guitar & get more views than me. But this video helps me feel more confident. Thanks again!
Man it’s maybe been a couple years since I used to tune into your channel/livestreams everyday (life gets crazy and there’s not much time for watching videos these days unfortunately) but it’s so cool to see how much more recognition you’re getting now. Just realized the 100k subscriber milestone, congrats!
Don’t listen to the haters who are jealous of the cool stuff you’ve been able to accomplish online in the comfort of your own home, not to mention all of the cool “real-world” things you’ve been able to do outside of your home. Like you said, it’s all about what makes your engine run and want to keep going and if that’s creating content to help others in their guitar endeavors, then I think that’s incredibly commendable. You don’t have to be the famous superstar guitarist because for me and many others, you’re the guy who helped me improve my knowledge of the fretboard, know what good tone is, and got me sucked down the rabbit-hole of amp-modeling, haha!
Hey Jack! Hope you're well! Those livestreams were a lot ha!
I don't mind being a "TH-cam" guitarist at all. I did plenty of live gigs in my earlier years, which certainly had its charms, but now that I no longer have to travel back and forth to clubs, no longer have to set up and take down gear and no longer have to wait until I can soundcheck or wait until I can finally start the show, I have much more time for what is ultimately most important to me: composing songs and playing the guitar. John, I completely agree with you, but you really are a star, keep up the good work with your jams and continue to inspire us all!
It was rehearsals that killed it for me. Endless bloody rehearsals that never made me a better player in a band that never became a better band.
I get it bro, rehearsals can be a drag sometimes, especially if you're not with the right people.@@chrisoconnor1800
I've played live 20 years ago. Since then technology has advanced in a way you don't even need a band. Now is more comfortable to play and record in my bedroom. And the YT algorithm helps the people who don't care about the guitar to never come across my videos. 😂 On the other hand I get to play and record for myself and once in a while a get a comment. 😊 I sometimes miss the company of fellow musicians, but not the gigs and rehearsals. Great respect for guys who play live and earn a living.
I'm a big Guthrie Trapp fan I've taken one of his courses and watch his youtube channel. I think something that might be relevant to this topic is that Nashville is a sort of Shangri La for guitar players. There's a rich culture and history of song writing and session work and live venues with great players - and all that music, unlike modern popular music, is centered around guitar. I'm glad for all the guitarists finding a place for their stuff on youtube, and I hope for an evolution in popular music back to guitar driven music.
Would you recommend taking one of his courses?
John, please remember, you bring a lot of joy to us all. You share your expression, experience and talent with us, in a way we could not otherwise experience in real world gigs. You are a teacher, a minstrel, and a humble, creative spirit. Please continue to create and live this dream that platforms such as TH-cam can provide. We are all grateful for your sharing it all with us.
John I love your channel and what you do. I think what you do is important because you stick to pretty much the same gear and you show how to get the most out of it. It’s rare that a guitar channel pushes the same pieces of gear to its maximum. Your music and playing is great too and I’d love to see more on Spotify!
I don't consider you to just be a TH-cam guitarist, you actually play gigs.
You’re an accomplished musician / guitarist. I’ve 59 and have been playing since I was 8. I learn a lot from this channel and love hearing John play.
I love hearing him play as well. He's great and has good informed opinions. I'm a couple years younger but we are from the same era. @@markcarleton6647
Yeah same sentiment. I consider you a gigging musician that does this kind of vlog style side business to show how you get your sounds and what gear you prefer. Of course it’s cool that you have some partnerships with some brands and can demo some cool new gear every now and again. But I end up watching more tutorial style vids from here than anything else.
Ditto!
Exactly, John is a highly talented gigging musician who makes TH-cam videos. The fact that videos give benifit and are successful is a bonus for him and us.
Your music at the top of each video is something I look forward too.
Music industry sucks, I've done it, for decades. Now I have fun just putting whatever idea, inspiration, or insight, on my channel for others to do with as they may. I can now do original compositions, as well as anything else music-related and people seem to like it so..win win. Guitar has ascended beyond just being part of a band, and has now become a multi-faceted tool of inspiration, and that's what I choose to explore and promote.
Eric Haugen is my favourite. I'm on his Patreon. He's such good value and a very chill & bright dude. He speaks my musical language.
Eric is all about getting back to the music, and I have to say I love the playing in your uploads!
I'm surprised you don't do any session work. I'd hire you :)
I really dig his channel too.
He has both a wide range of technical ability, as well as always mentioning the Hendrix hammer-ons and other techniques, even within more technically challenging stuff.
He’s a good teacher.
@@CorbCorbin he certainly is a good teacher.
"Slow down and breathe" is a good mantra.
@@mattgilbert7347
That can be a lot about where one lives.
In Asheville,NC I realized that the people who handle booking for gigs and hiring studio musicians, aren’t often looking for the best for the job.
They all hire people they are friends with, that they believe gets them an in with another person and purposefully ignore folks from out of town.
It’s not everyone, and it’s not always malicious, or even someone who knows that they’re making a decision based on a friendship, over for an artist who paid a studio to record them.
They just don’t realize they aren’t recommending the best people.
There aren’t many studios in town, and it ends up making different artists, sound like they’ve just been copping one another’s sound.
There’s a new studio now, that have been doing things a bit differently, so hopefully things have changed since I was last living there.
I like Haugen too. The bonus is that if the guitar lesson isn't what you need at the time you can always admire the house plant's.
Dude, your playing is so beautiful and amazing, I would buy music you have created, especially an EP or full album. Don't sell yourself short, you have immense talent and the music industry is what we want to make it now.
So John, A few years ago you made a video and I believe you were playing Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy. How do I find that video?
Hey John, this and your other video today have made me really interested in a behind the scenes video of your workflow of recording your intros. Would that be something you could do? They sound so well produced and it amazes me that you can do that on a daily basis!
I have actually done that - if you search john cordy workflow or john cordy how i make my backing tracks, you should see a few videos!
Ah, great, found it. Actually very enlightening. Thanks. Definitely agree with Dan, what a flippin guitar player! :-)
Beautifully put mate.
Totally agree. We’ve probably all had someone accuse us of not being real guitarists, but even if we weren’t, who cares?
As Eddie put it: “if it sounds good, it is good” 🎸🤘😎
You tube has been a great learning tool and source of entertainment for me as a guitar player . I found out about so many great players on you tube that have inspired me to play more . Not everyone one is playing in a band or gigging nor have aspirations to . There is something on you tube for all level musicians. I have lived in Tennessee all my life . I’m proud of Nashville and the music scene. Its a guitar Mecca these days and I love it but there seems to be a level of arrogance about Nashville at times and may its founded because the level of musician there is off the charts but those musicians need fans so Guthrie and John both you guys keep up the great work you both inspire and educate people in different ways . We need all the inspiration and education we can get in these dark days . I will keep following both you guys on you tube and thanks to both you for what you do .
I've been a full time touring guitarist for a little over 20 years now mostly in blues and jazz (I'm from New Orleans), I don't know Guthrie but he's played with a bunch of people I know, one of which I'm currently working for. Over the years I've been offered gigs with numerous rock bands 4 Nashville A list artists and more, all this is to say this is my job, its how I support my family and put my kid through college.
What you do is important. I watch your channel because you're a great player and the things that sound good to your ear tend to sound good to mine. Being a "youtube guitarist" gets you no less respect from any of the touring or recording acts I know and trust me, it's a small world and lots of people are watching. You are doing something worthwhile and valuable and even if you never play a gig outside the UK it doesn't make you any less of a guitarist than anyone else, and you ARE making music, arguably music with a potential to reach more listeners than some of the records Guthrie has done and will do.
Keep doing what you're doing!
I enjoyed this. I really needed to hear this message. I have been playing guitar for nearly 45 years and on youtube since before google owned it. I never really made the best use of it, but I am at a time in my life when I need to get my finger out and make it work. I have seen so many amazing guitarists and youtubers arrive while I stood still and always felt like, youtube doesnt need another guitarist ... me! Nonetheless, my youtube presence is for local viewers as I teach in the real world so even if there is no room for me on youtube in terms of talent and reaching a global audience and being the Mancuso ;) because I aint that talented, I am a teacher and a passionate guitarist, improviser and composer and this platform can still be useful, as a personal vlog, as a mode to communicate/share music with my students and I suppose anything else that comes with that is a bonus.
Hey John. I really enjoyed your video and you bring up a lot of great points. A significant portion of my income comes directly or indirectly from youtube (brand deals, amazon affiliate, ad revenue, donations, and a full roster of students with a wait list) and I have one of the few channels that focuses primarily on the 12-string. But I'll be the first to admit that my career as a singer/songwriter and my personal goals as a musician aren't reflected in my youtube content at all. I spent many years fronting a reasonably successful pop/rock band and I've always considered myself a songwriter who plays guitar and sings (or at least tries to). I've written over 400 songs and some of them are actually pretty good (most of them suck). I have over 220 videos posted on my channel and I've played exactly 2 originals. As a guitarist, I've spent the last five years devoting a lot of time developing my fingerstyle skills (in the Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Tommy E. tradition). I completed Tommy's courses and I've even performed a couple of gigs playing exclusively fingerstyle. I've posted exactly 0 videos of me playing fingerstyle. I am very grateful for the opportunities that TH-cam has given me. I never thought my career would be peaking at 53! Even though my channel isn't the best representation of me as a guitarist, it is a good representation of me as a person. I love the community I've built and I don't take anybody for granted. I answer every single email that comes in (over 100 a week sometimes) thoughtfully and never discount anybody. It's a privilege to be able help so many people accomplish some of their musical goals. I think the one thing many people don't understand is that it's a really hard job. It's demanding, emotionally draining, and it takes up a lot of my time. But at the end of the day, I'm like you. I'm a guy who mostly stays at home. I have a wife, two teen boys, two annoying (but very cute) dogs. I spend most of my time in my studio which is in my basement. Thankfully it's above ground so I can actually see the sun for half the day. I'm VERY grateful for that. A couple of my students remarked "I can't believe I'm taking lessons from you". It freaked me out at first. Now it's just a great inside joke between me and my wife who knows what a complete idiot I really am. Thanks so much for such a thought provoking video. Email me anytime at markaranalli@gmail.com if you'd like to chat. Take care and be well. Mark
I agree with Guthrie, most youtube players offer good content, but we barely or never see them in live situations (Corey Congilio, Chris Buck, John Nathan and a few others being an exception) but my main gripe has always been that there's almost none working in bands, creating new songs and coming up with cool riffs, but I guess it's part of the same media, which doesn't lend well to that, it's like following an Instagram model to learn about her Ph.D or something, it just isn't meant to be.
I'm a big fan of Guthrie and I see what he's trying to say, but I do feel like there is something else worth noting whenever this conversation comes up - Guy's like Guthrie, Tom Bukovac, Rhett Shull, Tim Pierce, whoever, all already have killer gear. By no means is nice expensive gear a prerequisite to making music, but when these guys are as good as they are and sound as good as they do, I think it is somewhat natural that fellow players will be curious of what gear they use, in addition to their technique. For a lot of us, we ARE excited to make music, but we are also curious about tone and the various pieces of gear that have carved out their own stories and legacies over times. Similarly, most of us can't afford to just buy an ODR-1 to see what "that sound" is like, so a demo of the 27th ORD-1 variant that's out there, played by a great player, is actually really helpful. That said, I do think it's totally a common pitfall, especially for guitar players, to get too caught up in the gear and forget about the true goal, like Guthrie said, and that's making music. I've definitely been guilty of it before, myself, but I also think these guys can sometimes forget how much knowledge they've amassed and how few people actually get to experience this type or quality of gear. Just like a certain guitar, amp or pedal might inspire a guy like Guthrie, the same is true for us non-youtube players too. None of us need it, but it inspires us to create. To me, it's all about that balance. Healthy curiosity about tone and gear is fine, just never stop creating. Cheers!
I really don’t mind the existence of TH-cam guitarists, but I understand what Guthrie meant. People used to want to be musicians, play in bands and record albums. Nowadays people want to make money being an influencer.
Making music is creating art..making TH-cam videos..can be. Maybe.
A painter needs to paint. Are you a painter if you only make some brushes? I don’t know. It’s a thought question.
To get to the point, TH-camr guitarist are not musicians necessarily and I believe Guthrie is defending the art of creating music instead of collecting gear and stuff.
Your analogy makes no sense. A fletcher isn’t a marksman they’re two different professions. A painter needs to paint, a musician needs to make music….
I appreciate that you show or explain what works for you. I get turned off by other players that insist what others should do.
Love the straightforward talk, mate. 👍 I'm a beer man myself, but a bit of Old Rosie goes down a treat.
I've just started my YT channel. It's great for me. I giged for many years, and I absolutely hate it. Travelling at night to dodgy clubs where people just ignore you, only to be paid pennies or, more likely, nothing. At least now I can relax in the comfort of my own shed and get ignored. I've got tea and biscuits at the ready and a comfy chair.
John I think you have a good understand of what makes it tick. You be you - I love your arrangements, playing and your smart and have a good sense a humor …. Enjoy your content and hope you stay on course
The problem is that it's so hard to make a living with music alone unless you get lucky, or enjoy poverty (not that there's anything wrong with making $30-40k a year). I played close to 30 shows last year, but I made most of my income from teaching and educating. A 3 hour country set would pay about $200 per person. I jump over to TH-cam and start teaching to a larger audience, I'm now making more money doing what I love. I hope someone sees my content and invites me to tour with them and it makes sense financially; however, I cannot control that. I live in a town that's oversaturated with hobbyist, so bars are expecting to pay pennies for live spotify. If there's another way than online, please show us. For us "TH-cam Guitarist" look at bands like Polyphia, Plini, Intervals, etc. They built a platform online then leveraged it to play live. I believe this is the modern way and really puts power in our hands. The old guard is fighting it tooth and nail, but the changing of the guard is happening. Thank god for the changes because it allows us to have stable income and really do what we love for a living.
True, this is also particularly true if you live in either a competitive area, or somewhere like Devon in the UK where there's not a TON of live music stuff happening? I'd love to believe that in a different area maybe opportunities would have been different, but all things being what they are I'm pretty happy these days with ending up on TH-cam doing what I love!
Hope you're doing well chap!
I appreciate your thoughts, nicely explained!
I don't see the term "TH-cam" guitarist as a negative. That could just be a partial description of what you do. Gigging, teaching, recording, product demoing, etc. can be all part of it.. It's hard to make a living playing live music or writing it. I've been a professional musician since I was 14 (now 51). The cost of a Budweiser has gone up 300% over the years but a club owner's desire to still pay musicians the same as they did in 1995 is crazy. I also battle "musicians" that are working professionals by day hobbyists by night and they are willing to play for very little or sometimes free. We made music essentially "free" for people and when something is free you tell people it has no value. Now guitar player's have to teach lessons, sell products, gig, write, bartend, etc. just to eat. If I blame anyone it's the music industry that has forced musicians into this state.
John you do a very good job balancing all aspects and I've never felt you had a hidden agenda. That is most important. Guthrie is an amazing player and has strong opinions that are valid. He also friggin' plays with Billy Gibbons and could pick up the phone and have a gig in Nashville anytime he wanted. If I read between the lines GT is expressing a desire for guitar players to get away form their TH-cam watching and get back to what really matters and that is performing in front of an audience and writing music. You may be able to play Cliff's of Dover sitting in your bedroom. But can you show up at gig where the PA system is garbage, the monitors don't work, the bar staff is tired and rude, the club/bar owner isn't even there, but there is a crowd looking for a good time. Can you be a true professional and own the room. I bet 95% of TH-cam guitar player's would not know how to handle that because they don't perform. That is where I feel GT is coming from maybe.
Good luck to you and I look forward to future "TH-cam Guitar Player" videos.
I also like TH-cam for this reason. I can just work on and upload whatever videos I feel like. They might not be going viral or anything, but it's a fun project and more and more people are seeing it. Often times it's just based on the stuff I would be practicing anyway. After moving to a small town for a teaching job where the gigs are pretty dried up, it's fun to have something like this. And after getting an impression of what touring life is like for musicians, I'm not really sure it's something I would enjoy at all. So I teach, practice, make videos, do some gigs here and there when I can, and even released a song. I'm having fun and I don't really care how "legit" it is.
I like your playing, I'd be glad to hear more. Guthrie is about music, great player. I think he may want to hear more of your playing as well, it seems he gets inspired by many. The music industry sucks, has nothing to do with your creativity or mine. You know how it is, you have a bad or medeocre day, you plug in, you play, your day improves. My wife watches videos about sewing, you'd be amazed how many there are LOL. She loves it AND gets a lot of info out of them. I get alot out of your stuff as well as Guthrie, Beato, as well as many other subjects and people. Play on!Just subscibed :-)
Dude, you and Leon Todd are what I would consider the most genuine voices on guitar related content out there.. Weather or not that influences anyone is ultimately their own responsibility... Regardless, wherever you play, you're a phenomenal guitarist... and I'm pretty sure everybody totally appreciates your content man.
TH-cam is my platform for putting music out there, even though over half of my content is improv over backing tracks. I think it's a great thing because in past years, the only way for anyone to hear your music was on the radio and nobodies like myself would never be able to be heard. I'm still a nobody, but at least if someone wants to hear my music, they can. The over saturation is a down side, but as a whole I think accessibility is a major plus.
Love your channel I discovered you because of your intro solos and your original Mateo lick video and because of it I discovered and learned so much more. thank you! Keep on Truckin.
I love your guitar playing and tones !! And I love other players playing. I think that TH-cam changed somewhat with the pandemic, although I admit that I don't know that for sure, as I didn't open YT very often before the pandemic. Now there are many great players who are using their YT channel to expand their audience. And it works.
Wow! Beautiful phrasing and technique on that intro. I may be wrong but I would wager that based on the emotion and feeling in your playing, it can typically signal an above average singer. No? Don't know who you are as I came upon your channel by happenstance. Your experiences and spot-on content pulled me in and I couldn't have hit the subscribe button fast enough. Well done, mate! 👍
I think you’re certainly the most melodic player I’ve heard in a long time. Blues and jazz are great but you have a unique and memorable musical vocabulary. It’s a pleasure to hear you play.
You`re right. What you do matters, it influences people to pick up the guitar and educates people to become better and evolve their abilities. I thank you for having a good time with you! Keep on doing youtube!
I'd love to hear a new album, maybe you should do what Rabea does and just put out a collection of your favorite video intros you did through out the year on your gumroad, as the song says I'd have 5 on it.
I did release some stuff on Spotify in that kind of vein - but yeh I don't have much traction on that or energy to try pushing it!
@@johnnathancordy i use YT music so i just thought you only had 2 releases. regardless love your playing its what i tune in for, and lesson Mondays. keep up the great work my guy
@@johnnathancordy I really enjoy seven good days a year in Spotify. I'll have to get you to burn off a CD for me to put in the car! :)
Dude. Don’t question yourself so much. You got here by being you. I watch you more than most, bought some settings and joined your Patreon because I appreciate what you do. Don’t lose yourself in what’s makes others successful. We like you.
I totally agree with Robb!
Mate you're a guitarists guitarist! To have you on this platform has been game changing for a lot of people!
I've been playing professionally as a gigging musician for years and when you mentioned the travel it really hit home and that's why I'm trying to transition more into TH-cam and content creation because it does have it's ups and downs. Glad you outlined this for people who may be unsure on where to take their musical career next!
I hit the subscribe button on most everyone that has something i'm interested in learning could a one time thing or I could become a regular viewer. I joined your Patreon cause I liked the pentatonic stuff you have and the exercises. I aspire to being able to play as well as you one day. Thanks
It’s funny. I hadn’t really thought about it until now, but I probably listen to you a lot more than most of the famous iconic guitar players these days because you always have something fresh and relevant and I can enjoy your playing while also receiving some insights. So while I’m not spilling beer on your gear at some dodgy club, I’m cheering you on from the comfort of my home!
Absolutely incredible video! Perfect take on the whole subject matter.
Man, I so relate and agree with your perspective on all of this! You articulated it very well.
Influencer? Well, you did influence me a bit on my floorboard purchase. That's not bad really. You helped me make a decision.
I would like to see you do more on how to get that GX-100 singing.
I imagine your audience consists of a wide variety of people (from professional musicians to bedroom players). I took up guitar late in life and so have a lot to learn. Your channel has been very helpful in that regard. I have an interest in jazz and have learned some chord melody pieces (Sandra Sherman has been great for this), but your lesson on playing the head to Donna Lee introduced me to playing single line Jazz. I was finally able to get this piece in reasonable shape and now I am looking into learning the heads to other songs. I don't know if I would have ever gotten on to this kind of playing without your video. Much thanks.
I really feel a lot better after watching your video I was just telling myself that TH-cam is a good place to keep your best videos and it's a good place to find community and people to hang out with that are interested in the same things as yourself but trying to turn it into a business can definitely be a hassle
Great video. Lots of insight into you and your motivations. I’m amazed how quickly you produce high quality content, and for me, the quality pdf scores you write are well worth the Patreon membership, plus your clean thoughtful HX Stomp presets pay for themselves. Thanks for sharing with us all.
That tone at the beginning is sick!!! What pedal set up you using to get that? Surely that aint just 1 pedal?
It's trickier for the guitarists, because if it's going to be full pieces of music, most of the time it's going to be better in the context of an ensemble. Like Rhett Shull has just started doing. But that takes group coordination, time management, having a performance space, a camera person or multiple cameras, larger lighting rigs, biggers rooms, more mics and recording equipment and basically ... a lot more resources. But, I like the approach you are taking, ambient endeveours too, Mark Johnston, and also don't forget especially The Pedal Zone. It's not a coincidence that most of the people performing more complete pieces are working more in ambient genres. Similar to how the people working in ambient electronic music often have as many videos that are just a entire pieces of music performed, or even whole albums.
Thank you so much for these words of wisdom. I love the playing at the beginning of each video. Keep up the awesome sounds.
I think Guthrie is spot on. Playing guitar within songs that have meaning and substance in front of an audience in the flesh is where the craft is. The rest is just licks in a vacuum. Great to share knowledge of course and work on chops, techniques etc but with no context, ie songs, it’s all pretty limited. The exchange between performer and listener within a live setting is everything and has nothing to do with the ‘music business’ you referenced which is just name dropping dribble. Guthrie is at the top of the chain now, can play in any setting and got there by doing an apprenticeship of 4hrs a night, 4 nights a week for 4 years. That is craft and what is sorely lacking these days. Playing in an ensemble and really listening to others, appreciating dynamics, sitting in a pocket.. these are musical skills that can’t be taught without playing live and are required to become a well rounded musician. All the best.
I think it's a nice idea but try releasing original music and see what happens. Just today Guthrie on his story posted something to the effect of "20 likes on original song - 2000 likes on a picture of the amp that recorded it".
In terms of "name-dropping dribble" , I'm not particularly sure what you're talking about. The mainstream music industry is about record labels, sync, performing rights societies, PR companies, managers and so on.
In any case, you've sort of missed the point of the video, which is trying to reconceptualise what "TH-cam Guitarist" might even mean - and why it doesn't have to be a pejorative.
When you outlined your brushes with the ‘music industry’ you qualified them by associating them with various bands of supposed note. That is the dribble I’m referring to. It’s no secret that the shelf life of ‘signed’ bands or whatever metric you use to say a band is successfully in the ‘music industry’ today is tenuous at best. Coked out producers, money people, hangers-on.. just side notes.. they’re everywhere in society.
I think Guthrie’s stance is based on the fact it doesn’t really matter whether you’re signed, releasing music commercially, teaching, sharing, whatever; you can’t really be a complete musician without doing the live work. That’s where the magic is, the joy and the celebration. Also the biggest learning curve and development opportunity. It is also what the ‘music industry’ is. He plays live regularly at small bars with other musicians to entertain people and hone his craft for teaching, sessions etc.
Anybody playing guitar is a great thing and I respect your devotion and commitment to the craft. I just feel it’s worth exploring the notion of what a ‘TH-cam’ guitarist is and what it might be lacking.
It is a strange and interesting time in the world evidenced by the fact that we can sometimes feel compelled to have conversations with strangers to reinforce our beliefs. I say dig deep, explore all the possibilities. Refine your skills, play along to records (remember that!), and then share your love with some like minded souls and take it out to entertain and create memories with people in the real world. Over and out. 😎
I agree with you completely. Just do your thing, be happy and ignore the negativity. I'm a Nashville guy, came here in '92 and did all that stuff that a guitarist wants to do. And next I'm creating a TH-cam channel, because I've got some other stuff I wanna do now that I can't do in the "standard Nashville music scene." Do your thing man, that's why I'm a subscriber. I like what you do.
I all see it as part of the guitar community worldwide. TH-cam, Instagram and there is still some active forums.
We are so lucky to have the level of education and lessons on TH-cam. Even gear reviews are very useful as there is so much choice on what to buy from cheap to expensive.
Then for some people like me, the hunt for the right purchase is more exiting than buying the first thing you see.
That was really well said John. You are an excellent guitarist and a lot better than many professionals out there. Your phrasing and improv is always off the charts. Keep doing what you’re doing.
whats the song name at the beginning?
John, you are a really really great player. I’ve been around a long time and the killer combo for a guitarist is when a trained player has a great feel in combo. You have that. A third and fourth element would be to couple with great rhythmical time keeping. You have that. The last element ( A nice to have / would be nice to see you branch into for you ) would be to create music. My suggestion to you would be to make music at home and write and record for either placement or library or both and to build publishing prs income for yourself. All the people that i know that have succeeded have had two main traits, 1 is that they are blinkered in their own pursuits and selfish with their own time. 2 is that they produce a lot of recorded music. I remember my mate telling me he got a pay out on a pice of music for a fruit machine of about £140k for 8 seconds of music they wanted to buy out. It took hime 15 mins to record it. I’m not saying you have to necessarily go that route i’m just suggesting ways a guitarist with your talents could find more revenue streams. It may be you are doing that already. I would say and I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t feel the same but it strikes me that people should be calling you for projects and such like as a result of seeing how good a player you are and if that is not happening , yet, it surprises me. You would make a great session player i feel. i guess if you lived in Nashville or such like place you would be working a S*it load. Anyways you come across as a really good player and a nice bloke parting knowledge for people on TH-cam and viewers are gaining a lot of value in that. Keep up the good work.
Of course I can' speak for everyone, but personally I REALLY enjoy listening / watching your original video opening tunes. If you were to ever produce an album of original work, I would definitely check it out.
Years ago in Guitar Player magazine, Joe Walsh was asked a question about new music on the scene, and I'm paraphrasing here
'a band like Duran Duran, if you have a $500,000 dollar budget and enough studio time anyone can make an album'. It struck me odd because I didn't understand then 30 some years ago, when I first started as a practicing musician, but do now.
He was talking about the business as you were saying, about the hype, the jive, the posers, right?
Hell John, you'd probably do just a bit better with a push up bra.
Which I think he was headed there.
You're doing great. You have a following. Actually have talent, doing your own thing.
It'll happen, 'if you get in with the right bunch of fellow's'.
Your tone and playing is why I subscribed, I don’t think you play to much in your videos , you get the best sound from the gear you show, that teaches me where the best bang for the buck is. Nothings broke, so nothing needs fixing.
Very good observations John! I've been gigging for close to 50 years, first 10 as my only source of income. Got a day job to be "normal" and raise my family but continued gigging and writing and learning. You're true to your muse and that's all you can ask of anyone! I enjoy your perspective. Keep up the great contributions!
Love what you do John, you have been an invaluable inspiration and resource. Love your playing and attitude, that’s why I’m one of your petreons and happy to do so. Thank you.
Hi Hohn, I found you through your Princeton demo, then I realised you play direct quite a bit and so do I and never left… I love your playing, not because I play anything like you or want to but because you are authentic, your playing is what you want to play, it’s in a not too wide band, like almost all great players and is identifiable to you. Power to you and much respect.
There's a lass called Mimisounds who has been given free gear...by companies and even featured in an Anderson guitar shop video....buying a heavily discounted. PRS...she seems to have done ALL this by simply playing along to backingtracks...dressed in skimpy vests...not even playingin a band doing gigs...writing and singing actual songs...i assume shes well off....as it doesn't seem that she actually has a job...maybe we'll off parents who fund her hobby...and blokes...yeah it's blokes absolutely think she's the best player ever..lol....
most of the youtube guitar players all sound the same. They all play the same licks, same tones, same kinds of pedals. I think as great as youtube is it has killed originality along with peoples attention spans. Guitar players that I meet seem to be more interested in pedals and "tone" then actual music.
I think you nailed it on this one. Success isn't just about being a household name who can't go out to eat without being mobbed. People want a connection with someone they respect. That's why they are here. Maybe they come for the gear demo, but they stay for the "relationship."
Also, I tagged you on that post. I'm glad to hear that you didn't take that as a negative.
Literally every famous guitarist (or bassist, or keyboardist, or Sax player etc etc....) will tell you stories of learning by LISTENING to players who inspired them. They woodshedded licks, parts, solos etc as part of their own development.
I'm picking up electric guitar VERY late after spending most of my past gigging years on bass and some acoustic. I am tremendously inspired by your drop dead gorgeous playing and guess what, I'm teaching myself just by watching your hands and listening. And I intend to slow your videos down and learn some licks.
So what was Guthrie saying again?
Being so invested in learning a craft as music for so long but not being a professional musician. I battle with being professional for the sake of playing and doing what I do. I think it's normal well it is for me to critic myself But I'm getting better with that as it only ever gets in the way. Still a needed part. So trying to find the balance between critique and reasonable expectations for progress has been my new take on it. I'm super greatful for all the "youtube" guitarists no matter what they do as it really is about the art, and seeing just how many great musicians there are out there I have to remember to listen with my ears and not as much for my eyes, but thats just me. Lol I don't learn that way or am slow to learn that way. lol That for another day. :)
Cordy, I guess this is a good time to ask. Is there a chance we could get a playlist of all the guitar reviews you've done? Thanks man
@Mr. Cordy. Where could I listen more of you playing guitar without backtracks and band ? When you do short "demos" of tone or presets along with videos they sound original, refreshing and inspiring (to me). I would like to listen more of that. Because backtracks are all sort of "default" by its nature and playing in a band is completely different subject.
I like TH-cam as it makes me feel like I’m connected to the wider guitar community. Living in a rural, small town, it’s my primary source of music news, gear reviews, artist news and playing tips/techniques. I play in a band but that’s only twice a month. This helps fill the void between rehearsals and gigs and helps me develop into a better musician.
What’s going on with pete thorns threads page?!
I don't know
I was on board with it until "i dont see the difference between a lick lesson and an original song" but you got me back with "in terms of value". I think this is just another case of to vastly different relationships with the same craft in two different people that cause them not to understand each other. Guthrie Trapp has a sound. And he has committed that wholely to making his and other artists compositions & songs shine. Those original songs have value because people sing them. People who dont do what we do. People connect with those expiriences and dont have to play guitar to do it. That has value to everyone. And those of us who do it night after night understand that providing that catharsis two someone who is having a crap day is the point of music. Your value is to players who are trying to do what guthrie does. And it is not less valuable, even though its value has an indirect relationship to the point of music. I love the pieces that you play but i cant put you on when i drive out to Castroville tonight to do my Thursday gig. But i can put him on and rock out if i want. I think he sees the talent of people like you and wonders why it cant be enjoyed at a local pub every Wednesday, and why he cant hear whats going on your head musically when hes on the way to a gig. My wife cant listen to your music (afore mentioned bands excluded)on the way to work. But as someone who has never cared about anything but writing songs and playing them for people who has a daughter as well, i will find a way to make the money doing it live because i have songs and thats the point for me. i have also been the odd man out because im not down for the line of coke and related things, but i go out do the thing because making music in a public place destroys the boundries that inherently exist between different people. It has the power to create relationships that the bigoted say should not exist. Live music is the only thing I have ever seen that destroyed bigotry in inherently prejiduced people. And ive seen that multiple times and am the most proud that, twice, i have been the catalyst for those moments. There is a difference between teaching licks, and original songs, and that is it. And guys like you are part of that because you make the live players better by teaching them. I know the response would be: players similarly armed with knowledge will be able to cross the same boundries. you do that and your power to do that is limited to players only. Music exists for everyone, not just players, and Gutherie's power to make those moments that break down walls does not stop with musicians. I read guthrie's statement and see his point. I watch your video, a video from an amazing player and teacher, who works in the most profitable part of the M.I. industry right now (i understand TH-camrs dont make truckloads of cash): music education, and i hear a little bit of an ego bruise. He doesn't have a problem saying that because he's proud of what he does. I'm looking at someone who does something amazing for a living, and does it well, who clearly made the right decision for his family, which is something to be proud of. Yet, the sort of conclusions your coming to speak of a professional insecurity. It makes me wonder if you have the same pride for what you have done. I love your channel and the work you do. And it is clear by the quality of your content that you take pride in what you do. But are you proud of the path you have walked? And if so, why did this get to you?
This is a brilliant and insightful video.
Really appreciated this video, JNC - spoken with real conviction! On your closing point: is there a difference between a "song" and a "lick lesson"? Yes, yes there is. One is regarded as "art", the other isn't. But do both have value? Yes, of course!
I'm kind of new to your channel. and really enjoying it. Thanks!
I don’t think he meant “now go get rich making music!” He just meant get back to bands in clubs touring together and making music, being what things should be geared towards, because making music is supposed to be the goal.
The TH-cam creators certainly learned one thing, when you get a following and heart or comment occasionally in the comment section and random people will pay for them to have a life they never thought they’d have.
Amazing song in the beginning!
Everything you said about the music industry is 100% true, and after a lifetime dipping in and out of it I’m definitely looking for another way forward.
TH-cam is an awesome place. When I was young I had a much smaller world for interaction. When I jammed with friends it was sometimes playing songs but a lot of times it was riffs and noodling and joking around. Same stuff, bigger garage.
I heard this. I think I'm going to make some changes going forward. Thanks.
You added another subscriber today… I’m glad to be on board.. 😁👍🏻
I would honestly welcome some videos that are entirely improv playing. Absolutely love that part of your videos and feel like when I first started following your channel, you did do some “all improv” videos.
Guthrie has a good point. He’s also one of the very few guitarists who had one of the if not THE most challenging mileage building gigs in the Don Kelley band. After playing out professionally 200 gigs a year for 20 years i think ‘mileage’ is really one of the most important aspects of being a ‘musician’. Playing with other people, traveling, life on the road, listening to great musicians on stage with you, adapting to other personalities etc. things you just can’t get from shredding over backing tracks and doing multiple takes to get the right one and then posting the best one on social media. Its all the embarrassing moments and mistakes in front of crowds that really forge your soul as a musician. Now there’s nothing wrong with going where you have to go to make a living but i think he just wants to remind everyone of the missing aspect in a lot of these ‘youtube guitarists’. And also reiterate the importance of ‘mileage’. Just my 1 1/2 cents ☺️👊🏼
I like how you have articulated the point around "mileage' and I agree to a certain extent. At the same time, do we not have to consider the realities of life - some of us are fortunate to have access to bands, venues, opportunities to gig and tour regularly, others don't. Throw in the chaos caused by the pandemic and the fact that gigs/venues stopped overnight and the correction to live music has only just come back into balance. Add to that the reality of making ends meat, supporting your family etc and its not easy (and often not even a choice) to be able to make that lifestyle work for a large proportion of those who'd like to.
@@timcordenfor sure. All good points. I was only trying to expand on the nuance of Guthrie’s point or how i took the gist of his comment. And it was a generalization he was making. I have also had this perception with SOME ‘youtube guitarists’ no all or even a majority. I do believe however that even if it isn’t reality or possible for some people it is very much to their benefit to also have all the experiences i listed for them to be a well rounded PERSON as well as musician. Both worlds can be great and have many benefits but i do think there is something lacking in some cases if you don’t have the benefit of ‘mileage’. Cheers!
Who is guthrie trapp??
I watch your channel to listen to you play and learn. I joined your patreon to get the backing tracks and some pdfs for exercises etc and of course to support the channel. I’m not really into watching gear demos, but will watch if it’s kit I’m interested in buying. I like the Helix and HX Stomp tone creation videos too. Great stuff mate. Keep doing what you’re doing as long as you’re enjoying it.
I'm not a fan of Guthrie but he absolutely has a point. TH-cam guitarists mostly have little to do with actual music. It's either gear demos or lessons. And you have a point, as well, it is the way it is because the viewers mostly don't really care about other people's music, they care about getting something out of it for themselves. The whole ecosystem has little to do with creating or performing music.
Thank you very much for this video.
I don’t come to TH-cam for “lessons” … but it’s great for inspiration. You’re pretty great at that. Keep going.
I see You Tube as a learning platform. For everything. I need to learn something, someone on You Tube will show me how with musical instruments, pool filter maintenance, car detailing etc. That’s why I like it a lot more compared to social platforms that all seem to be all about “look at me” culture.
I think if there's some 'instruction', be it hints, tips or lessons, it's better if any playing before the talking is relevant to what follows. Sometimes it isn't, and you get used to who does what, so if you like the player, you'll watch irrespective. If you're dipping your toe, and don't know this, you may be disappointed that the playing before the talk, and what follows isn't the same thing. I used to edit a section of relevant playing to the front of the vid, and keep the 'just playing' stuff as separate from the hints/tips stuff. TBH most of the stuff I'm interested in, I get from the 'just playing' stuff. A lot of the time you can't teach it, people have to figure it out from watching and listening to the playing.
was that you in the pink dress and the hair curlers?
You tube has been great for me, given me the courage to put music out there and see what people think, i mainly do covers and some tutorials but i love doing it and if i help someone out then great
I think it's a great thing
We are in vastly different musical territory in these times, all previous norms are changed, the big recording companies no longer dominate, there is no 'hit parade' because the radio and television no longer rule the airwaves and the boards of investors behind the old industry no longer determine what we shall see and hear. We know that this is now an entrepreneurial matter, with a massive explosion of options and so-called 'micro genres' : a songwriter now has the ability to write/record/produce/market and tour independently, for vastly less money! TH-cam is just one (a significant one albeit) medium for gaining an audience and developing an independent career. All bets are off, there is no guarantee of success,. It has always been very hard to win attention and gain an income from your music, that hasn't changed at all, we have a true "Open Market" and music no longer has the same rank it once occupied in our culture. It is now all down to how well you can adapt, and apply your creativity.
This has earned a coveted spot in my Guitar knowledge playlist. A great perspective!
As far as awards... I get what Guthrie is saying. I've never really cared for large scale awards shows/events where a bunch of people are patting each other on the backs. But, I think if you reach people and they learn something new to expand their musical ability and knowledge, it is about the music. If you make a little coin while helping someone do that, so what. A man's gotta eat. I've been playing off and on for over 30 years, and I have learned more in the past several years using YT than I ever did in private study. At the very least, it has helped me appreciate what goes into good music. At best, you could say it has made me a better musician. I'd say that is about the music. I think you are doing it right. Keep it coming.