If you take a quick tour of the guitar instruction universe, it’s easy to come away with the impression that music is all about the notes.
“I’m using the dorian mode here…”
“What scale is he soloing with?”
“The harmonic minor scale goes nicely over this progression…”
“This is just a blues in G, right?”
But I’m here to tell you: notes are overrated.
That’s right, notes are overrated. It’s hardly surprising that a group that’s so focused on soloing (and so reliant on tablature) has overlooked every other vital component of music.
As a result, most guitarists are the musical equivalent of Shaquille O’Neil. (And no, I’m not talking about his rap “career”).
The Shaq Dilemma
Being a giant is great for layups, for dunking, and for rebounding. But it’s not enough when your performance is also being measured at the free-throw line, beyond the arc, at passing, and at ball handling.
8 Things AT LEAST As Important As Notes
1. Listening
Because how else will you know what’s appropriate to play? And how will you know if what you’re doing is working?
This also means you ought to be recording yourself often. Combing your hair is harder without a mirror.
2. Rests & Space
Playing a lot of notes is one option.
Not the only option.
Rarely even the best option.
Make a little space for your audience to come to you.
Give it a rest is the new put a bird on it.
3. Groove & Rhythm
You’re going to play rhythm guitar waaaaaay more than you’re going to solo. Practice accordingly.
Actually, while we’re on the subject, you do know that grooving, rhythmic things are good for solos too, right?
4. Time & Feel
Where you put your notes in relation to the beat is often more important than which notes you play.
5. Dynamics
Contrast is what makes things interesting.
6. Articulation
And that includes the contrast in how you deliver the notes.
7. Tone
So much of your sound comes from your hands. Pay attention to how they affect it.
You should also be trying to get everything you can from everything you’ve got.
In other words, know your gear well enough to get the best sound from it.
Notice that I didn’t say, “go spend yet more money on yet more gear.”
8. Phrasing
Phrasing is the artful combination of notes, rests, groove, feel, dynamics, articulation, & tone. If you’ve worked on all the rest, this ought to slide right into place.
What To Do Now
Now that you know that it’s a mistake to give all of your attention to notes, you can start correcting course.
Pick one of the above and spend a little time improving it each day, every day, for a set number of days.
Then start on the next one.
