Please, less old-timey music, Brian

[Julie M]

I’m begging you, please, less old-timey music. I’m a long-time fan and I rI’m begging you. Can you sprinkle in some of the rock or country-rock like you did in the early years. Thank you.

[sunjamr]

Hi Julie – I’ve also been a member almost since the beginning of Active Melody, so I am aware of the historical trends in lesson material. Here’s my non-AI observation:

Take a look at some of the earlier AM lessons. They come in all different genres of music, from classic blues to jazz to rock, and “in the style of” lessons for many different artists. What I’ve noticed is that in the last few years, Brian tends to gravitate more and more towards American-style country music. A lot of people aren’t that fond of American country music, and some of us find it totally boring. But Brian lives in the country music capital of the world and is surrounded by it 24/7, so all those typical little country licks and tricks are reflected in his lessons. But I am not stressed, because there are nearly 700 lessons to choose from, and I can just avoid the ones that are too “country” for my taste.

Sunjamr Steve

[Richard G]

I’ve been a member here since 2011 and have certainly noticed over recent years that Brian doesn’t play and teach as much raw blues as he used to. These last few years Brian has concentrated on teaching harmonies, improvising techniques, CAGED and chord inversions etc., which I guess is the backbone of learning guitar.
However I do yearn for more blues based lessons.

Richard

[Bill]

Interesting observations. And it’s interesting to see how Brian might do a series of lessons, or be in a style for a bit as you can tell he’s listening to or being influenced by what he’s recently been exposed to. For instance there were just a couple of acoustic based lessons.

I think Brian’s niche has developed over time too. He’s teaching Americana Roots Music, generally speaking: Blues, Country, Bluegrass, even some Jazz, Ragtime, Jump Blues and Swing. These forms all largely have come to influence what we now understand as Rock or Country, though those monikers have had different meanings over last 75 years.

All that is to say, if you learn some of his “old timey” lessons, you’ll be digging deep into the roots of modern sounds and learn how all that music really works. On the other hand, there are lots of lessons on how to play “X Beatles Song” or “Learn this Brad Paisley Solo” all over YouTube.

[Michael Krailo]

I’m going to revive this thread only because I saw an awesome episode from Shane Theriot on his YouTube channel. The idea he presented was very simple and powerful at the same time. I’m tempted to do a video of the melody he used as an example, but the overall gist of his point was any simple melody can be transformed into a singers voice or in our case a guitar voice that has a soul and style to it dictated by our ability to enhance the base melody. So any melody can be expressed in any genre of music, but it’s up to you to create that enhancement. You can do it.

Don’t discount this, it’s a very powerful thing to start with simple structure and build from there. This would make a great monthly challenge IMO. The original poster that made this comment can and should take that old timey tune and turn it into a rock piece. What’s stopping ya?

Go slow and practice correct technique, and your abilities will dramatically improve.

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