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This
is an article that I've been looking forward to
writing for some time now, because I want to spend
just a few moments discussing the real reason
that we actually perform music to begin with,
whether it's simply for our own pleasure, for
that special someone, for our family or friends,
or for a large (or small) public audience. If
you've already guessed that the word "emotion"
has something to do with that reason, then you're
already one step ahead of me.
Self-expression. Feeling. Soul. These are just
three ways of describing the one most integral
part of a musical experience, and without these
elements of emotion there's really nothing of
lasting significance in a performance. As I've
said many times in the past, it's so easy to get
caught up in the mental or physical side of what
we do, but they're utterly meaningless without
the most important ingredient of all.
No matter what our level of ability and background,
we all have special times when we're really "on"
it, when what we're feeling is perfectly communicated
through our instrument. In my absolutely best
moments as a player or composer, it's like an
"out of body" experience, as if I'm an observer
watching something miraculous taking place right
before my eyes and ears.
And from the listener's perspective? Let's face
it. We want to be part of and share in those special
emotional moments that an artist gives us, to
be uplifted and taken away, to also feel the same
out of body experience that the performer is going
through. That's why it's so easy to recall those
magical, timeless, unforgettable performances,
even from many, many years ago. Know what I'm
talking about? I'm sure that you do, because when
all is said and done, what we remember most about
a player and his or her performance is the emotion
that was communicated.
So, enough about value and importance. How about
you? How do you know whether you're passing the
"soul test" or not? Is there an actual way of
measuring feeling from a practical standpoint?
Yes, I believe there is. For me, it has to do
with the degree of emotional intensity during
a performance, and that's something that does
relate to concentration of energy, and translating
that focus into our technique while playing. The
goal here is to make our instrument a spontaneous
expression of what we feel, and this quest ties
in once again to the significance of blues, and
the resulting soulfulness that can positively
affect all other styles of music.
What's the most critical, powerful technical element
in blues vocals or guitar? That's an easy one,
and the reason why I bring up vocals is to give
you a clue.
Ever hear a vocalist with little or no vibrato?
Not a pretty sound, because the key to making
your instrument "sing" can be summed up in that
one word. Now, even though it is potentially possible
to exercise too much vibrato at times, I'd much
rather err on that side of the soul coin, because
the effort alone succeeds in establishing and
strengthening the connection between what you're
feeling inside and what's coming out. And make
no mistake about it. That connection is the ultimate
one in ensuring a powerful, emotional performance.
So, as far as the soul test is concerned, without
vibrato you fail.
You can gather from what I'm saying that striving
to improve your vibrato through the blues will
relate to the bigger picture when you play, even
(in my case) when playing traditional classical
guitar or an instrumental pop tune. Bottomline?
Aim for a high degree of emotion in your music
and you'll pass the "soul test" every time!
About
the author
Mark Stefani is a jazz guitarist and eduactor
in Portland Oregon. He has written many books
in the guitar educational field. In 1987 his
career was spotlighted in Guitar Player Magazine
where he was described as possessing a 'versatile
style on both electric and acoustic guitars'
in addition to having a 'master's touch'.
For more info and to contact Mark go to www.visionmusic.com |
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