MOVIE DIRECTORS

[Jim Price]

Metalrules, thanks for the comedy!

If all you get out of listening to B.B. King is that he can't play chords, you might want to check your pulse and see if you still have one. Or maybe you're a cyborg without a soul, I don't know.

Do you think that B.B. King gives a rat's ass about playing chords or learning his instrument beyond the blues scales? Do you think he seriously cares that some aspiring guitarist in the foothills of PA might be able to work the strings a little faster than him? I don't think so.

But if that guitar player can express himself through his instrument in a way that moves Mr. King's soul, I'm sure Mr. King would be glad to shake that player's hand. Angus Young and Tony Iommi probably would, too.

For B.B. King and probably the other two as well, playing the guitar hasn't been about nailing textbook rudiments or technically-perfect noodling and tapping. B.B.'s guitar-playing is an extension of his personality and soul. He speaks through his guitar. He doesn't recite textbook lessons through his guitar. His guitar-playing is an expression of his mood, and through that expression, his way of touching the listener. As his multitude of fans over the years will attest, it has little to do with his knowledge of theory and scales.

Music isn't a contest to see who can write the most perfect songs or who can execute the most technically brilliant solos (although the suits who run the music industry might think otherwise). Music is a form of expression, and each performer expresses it differently. Music is about expressing your own soul, and hopefully touching the souls of others in the process. And contrary to what you would have everyone here believe, there is no right or wrong way to do it. It is up to each individual performer or band to determine what works best for them.

You proclaim that the local musicians on this board can be better than the people who have "made it." Who cares? Will being a "better" guitarist than B.B. King mean that people will automatically dismiss B.B. and gravitate towards you? I doubt it. And why do you think that every musician who picks up an instrument necessarily HAS to aspire to be better? Again, it's up to each individual to determine what he or she is into music for. And likewise, it's up to each individual to decide what skill level will enable them to reach their goals and happiness in music.

I seriously do not think B.B. King sits around and agonizes about how he can be a better player than Buddy Guy or Eric Clapton. He performs for his own contentment, and the fact that others enjoy his music is an added bonus.

I would hope the musicians on this board play and write music for their own enjoyment, contentment and fulfillment first; and if others appreciate it, even better. I hope they do NOT assume that because some producer wannabee thinks that all music beneath his presumed level of textbook songwriting or performing accuracy is trash, that it is suddenly inferior. The musician, not the critic, makes the ultimate decision about how his/her music should be created.

[Chevelle7982]

"The Professor" speaks his mind and takes metal Rules back to the classroom. JP, YOU ROCK!! I was starting to wonder what was taking yourself and ron so long to get involved on this post. It's rather sad, in fact, that somebody soooo educated has to antagonize all of the great musicians who help to entertain and take away the distractions of every day life. Sometimes degrees do the talking but it is the experience and the talent that does all the big walking. I know, i broke into the radio business without a college degree and i am doing very well for myself. Put that in your crack pipe, light it, and take a real long drag Metal Rules.

[Banned]

Then what you are saying is B.B king is like anyone else? Like the local burger boy who plays guitar.

The problem I have with you people is the fact that you buy into that crap.

Do you yourself think you play with passion and from the heart? Then why not give yourself a little credit and say, YES I CAN PLAY JUST AS WELL IF NOT BETTER THAN B.B

I want you people to realize this, I have read articles about the musicians who have played with B.B in the past. They said this guy is hard to work with simply because he is uneducated at the guitar. There is articles written about conductors, other musicians, etc. that said HE CAN'T STAY IN TIME, HE DOESN'T KNOW when an 8 bar measure is up, etc. They said it is frustraiting to try and work songs with him.

The real deal is this, IN MODERN DAY, if B.B was starting out with his limited knowledge, HE WOULDNT HAVE GOTTEN SIGNED by any record company, nor would he get gigs because people dont have time to spoon feed. That is the real deal truth of the matter.

There are too many people out there who can do what B.B does AND MORE.

WHen B.B got started in the business 30 or 40 years ago, there were not as many musicians or wanna be musicians as there is now. In todays world he wouldn't be signed and definitely he would not be some studio musician.

What is alarming is that you are defending THE I DON'T CARE ATTITUDE. You keep saying YOU DON'T THINK B.B KING CARES ABOUT TECHNICAL BIBBLE BABBLE, ETC

Well guess what, THAT SHOWS PASSION FOR SOMETHING. I personally do not know why EDUCATION is a dirty word among musicians. Don't any of you get excited about music. Music is more than just reading some TAB out of the local mag. Get involved, look stuff up, research. I get excited just AT THE SIGHT OF MANUSCRIPT, and those notes all over it.

I WILL AGREE WITH YOU PEOPLE, I don't think Mr King does care about education and the bibble babble. AND...... THAT IS SAD.

[Jim Price]

(I know I said I had finished responding to Metalrules, but I just have to get one more thought off my chest...)

I think I'm beginning to figure you out, Metalrules.

You're frustrated, bitter and jealous because with all of your education and knowledge, you're relegated to sitting at home behind your computer matching wits with musicians and music fans on a regional music message board; while relative "no-talents" like B.B. King, Angus Young, Sheryl Crow, Britney Spears, and...well, pretty much anybody else signed in the industry instead of you...are raking in the big bucks, eating your lunch and stealing your fame and fortune with only a fraction of that knowledge!

So instead of continuing to knock on doors and accepting your fate of actually "paying dues" to get somewhere in this industry, you find it easier and more egotistically satisfying to sit behind your computer and post on this message board all day, in an attempt to feed your bruised ego by trying to convince the musicians on this board that they are somehow inferior to you and your "vast" songwriting knowledge and skills.

Sounds suspiciously similar to a situation that we encountered in the recent "Aja" adventure - frustrated idealistic newbie fresh out of Berklee and expecting the world to bow at "her" feet, and bands to hire "her" on the spot without an audition first. Coincidence? Maybe...maybe not.

Welcome to the real world, Metalrules.

[HurricaneBob]

I found a pic of Metalrules!

[RobTheDrummer]

I have a proposal: Anytime Metalrules writes more than 30 words, Ron cuts the post. This will keep him from annoying everyone as much and to the point(if that's possible).

[Banned]

Actually the Asian Contestant on American Idol is one clear example that EXPRESSION, JUST ART, JUST FEELING, I PLAY WITH PASSION, I PLAY FROM THE HEART are excuses for TOO MANY people. They throw phrases like those around to cover up inability, lack of knowledge , or flaws

Did the asian guy sing with passion and FROM THE HEART. Absolutely. However, he sang PASSIONATELY OUT OF TUNE.

The very picture you used to describe me is the very thing I am so called preaching about, and that is MUSIC REFORM

The industry has given William a recording contract. Not only is he not an educated musician, HE IS NOT EVEN A MUSICIAN.


I guess all you here back William whole hearted because he SINGS FROM THE HEART