Guitars, Technology and Hair Loss

Welcome to this edition of Fingerstyle Monthly.

I've been learning how to use some new technology mediums recently. I've been working on developing a home recording studio.

My plan is to be able to record my voice and guitar. I have two or three projects that I need audio tracks for.

I'm also beginning to work with new video editing equipment. Learning to use this equipment will allow me to post better quality instructional videos.

Having access to relatively inexpensive gear like what I'm using is a real plus. Gear like this allows independent musicians to create high quality recordings of their music. When you couple that with the wide spread distribution that the internet allows, anything's possible.

The big question in my mind is, will it make music blander or will it spice it up? For example, let's say that you're a musician in Estonia.

Will the music that you're creating be reflective of your environment or will it be too heavily influenced by YouTube and MTV?

If outside influences win out, is the world more enriched or does it just become more bland and boring? The answer to that question depends on the person hearing the music.

For me, the guitars adoption as a tool in a culture's indigenous music is a good thing. So is inexpensive recording gear and Net Neutrality (if you're not familiar with Net Neutrality, look here.

Here are a couple of examples of technology, a unique musical culture and the guitar.

Video 1

Video 2

As musicians, we have unique opportunities. The most obvious, of course, is that we create music. We get to enjoy the satisfaction that goes with that activity. We also get to turn people on to music that they might not have heard otherwise.

A personal example for me is Eric Clapton. First I heard Clapton, then I read an interview with him. He sang the praises of Freddie King and so I got a Freddie King record.

Then I read an interview with King. This led to T-Bone Walker, who led to Lonnie Johnson, who led to...

All of this was possible, of course, because of technology(records, 4 track tapes, etc...)

Hair loss? That's from occasionally pulling my hair out while trying to figure out my technological tools.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.