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Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 28 2011, 06:10 PM

I've always been curious to know what sparks the interest of different folks when hearing a certain artist perform or listening to one of his/her compositions. Is it the showmanship, the musicality, the complexity, is it the whole ensemble or just a striking detail which creeps into our ears from the first moment we hear that certain artist?

For instance, when I first heard him, I was always struck by Yngwie Malmsteens outstanding vibrato, rather than his speed...strange huh?

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 28 2011, 07:49 PM

i always try to see the whole package and make a point of view. that includes everything, groove, intention, attitude, looks, technique, relation with the other musicians.

and even some things like, what guitar it's in use, what effects, what kind of mix, how the stage looks etc, i think then you can really start understanding someone on the surface.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Aug 28 2011, 10:07 PM

I personally think timing is the most striking aspect of a musician's language. how confident and comfortable a musician feels when playing his part is everything, it doesn't matter how fast or even what instrument he plays

Posted by: Michael AC Aug 28 2011, 11:56 PM

For me it is humility...great music played by a jerk ruins it for me. That is why I like GMC so much...it is a jerk free zone!!! LOL!

Musically it is when I see that they are lost in what they are doing...in their own world when playing.

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 29 2011, 01:19 AM

In the words of mr powers, YEAH BABY, YEAH.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 29 2011, 07:31 AM

+1 this is what my country is missing: a JERK free guitar community! We have something over here, but it is a place where one gets mud in their eyes each time a question is asked!

GMC rocks!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 29 2011, 07:48 AM

hahaha we are in the free zone! yeah,, I can't understand Jerk musicians... I never feel tired of thanking all the guys and girls that take the time to hear our music or come to a show.. I can't understand those musicians that prefer to take a distance from their listeners or fans...

Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Aug 31 2011, 10:39 PM

+1
You took the words from my mouth!

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 31 2011, 10:50 PM

I remember your story of making a good example of this thing + 1 Sinisa!

Posted by: The Uncreator Sep 1 2011, 01:18 AM

It used to be how what he/she played made me feel, or what it made me think of - and to a certain extent that is still the main aspect. Recently however, its been how they handle the "negative space" in music - the space between notes. It's hard to describe much further than that, but how someone handles the time between notes I think is much more important than the actual notes themselves - smooth transitions give you warm legato. Harsh, sudden changes give you tension and drama. A wide vibrato will give emotional depth or technical release. It goes on and on really. This does not necessarily apply to all music or musicians, but its an aspect that can be deceivingly simple and immensely effective.

Also, the absence of sound is more important than I used to think - and is another quality I appreciate. I love long, driving, complex structures with infinite layers - but theres always that point where everything stops or fades away, a transition, a beginning or an end where nothing is being played and everything that "is" is becoming everything that "was", and if its not done correctly, you can loose what have been building up.

Posted by: Ben Higgins Sep 1 2011, 11:06 AM

Very good point from The Uncreator.. I agree

For me it's mainly tone, restraint, good taste & awareness of the rest of the instruments and the context of the song

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Sep 1 2011, 11:50 AM

I think it's more about honesty that anything else. You can really feel if somebody is playing something because he likes too, and wants too.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Sep 1 2011, 04:03 PM

This man seems to perform each concert like it's his last...a real inspiration for me