Tips For The Young Musician Vol. 9

Keith S | September 7, 2011 | 0 Comments

Story by Stephan Hume

Moms do not make good music recommendations. At least that is what you think if you are a teenager. I speak from experience, though. My mom listened to Kenny G and Michael Bolton. Forgive me for saying this, mom, but that stuff doesn’t exactly rock. Especially if you are 15 years old and the only band that exists to you is Metallica.

But one day my mommy handed me a Stevie Ray Vaughan album. Granted, it collected dust for a few days. But when I finally threw it in the player, my life literally changed forever. Looking back, I now realize more about me changed than just hearing his blistering guitar work and his soulful voice.

This month’s tips are more of an agreement you can make with yourself. It revolves around giving music recommendations a listen; give it a chance to impress you.

It wakes you up

I could not believe how blind I was before Stevie. I realized that I not only made assumptions about what was good music based on my limited exploration, but I was also assuming that nobody else could lead me to something new. Once I realized that more than one amazing group existed, it really felt like an awakening. Who knew that several awesome guitarists exist?

It makes you play better

Seriously. Once you accept a new style into your catalog of musical inspiration, you get better. You have agreed to expose yourself to a larger palate of colors with which to use. I remember hearing Stevie and finally unveiling more about the blues and the roots of the sound of rock music I already loved. As a teenager this was a really important thing to realize. In other words, it’s like you always play Halo on Xbox, but suddenly you discover the PS3 and your gaming experience is never the same again.

It ties things together

I have yet to read an interview of a famous musician where they were asked about inspiration and they replied, “I never heard music before I started playing and making records.” That would be rather impressive, yet also impossible. Inspiration and influence is inevitable. Wouldn’t you like to fill your life with as many different flavors of sound as possible as opposed to limiting yourself for no reason?

It helps you relate to more people

The more music you listen to, the more you can connect to others. Think about that time someone said, “ Have you ever heard of [insert obscure band name here]?” If you knew that band, it is likely that your eyes lit up and you and that person felt a special connection. It is a natural thing to feel connected to others based on taste of music, art, or whatever.

So go forth and expose yourself to the world. Write down a band as soon as someone recommends and make it a point to actually listen. Chances are, you will surprise yourself. Bands that I have fallen in love with by doing this include: The Shins, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, The Ting Tings, and many more. I recommend you listen to them and by trade, feel free to email me with your suggestions. I will listen to whatever you throw my way!