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| Random quote: "Believe me when I say that some of the most amazing music in history was made on equipment that's not as good as what you own right now." - Jol Dantzig |
 What inspires or inspired you, if anything?
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Mr. Ovation |
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Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7222 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Just thought this would make an interesting topic. People play music, and do other things for a variety of reasons. Many musicians have been "inspired" by someones playing. Others "feel" something about music. For me, I am one of those who was not, have not, and am not inspired by any musician or music. I like music, and I like playing instruments, but I have only ever done it, cause I can. I started in the local Drum and Fife Corp cause it was an opportunity. The drum looked more interesting and easier to play than the fife, so I went with drum. We had a piano, and I tried it.. wasn't very good at it, so I tried guitar. That seemed easier, it was fun... and it was fun to make music with other people. So that's why I play guitar when I do, and also why I rarely pick up a guitar as I really don't like playing by myself. I noticed many guitar players have a list of some sort, of guitar players that "inspired" them, while others like myself have a list of guitar players they admire. I like several players, but I wouldn't spend a moment trying to play like them unless it's integral to a song I'm learning or playing. I usually like their approach, or something about the way they play, but at the same time I have never set out to sound like any other guitar player. Sometimes (often actually) I wish I did. But I usually can't find more than a tune or two by any artist that I listen to, let alone learn a whole catalog. This probably is why I don't understand "tribute" bands. Cheap Trick doing the whole Sgt Pepper album. Cool in concept, but I only like a couple of the songs, and would just rather listen to Cheap Trick do their own stuff. Even that recent clip someone posted of a group of pro's doing a Beatles tune. Of course it sounds great... look who the players are, and look at the material. I couldn't imagine it being anything less than stellar... but at the same time... I didn't really "get" it. So enough about me. I'm inspired to play usually by a song I hear that I want to play. If I can, I do... If I can't I don't. I also am inspired if I can play in a group. If there isn't a group, then I just don't play much if at all. What inspires you to play? What's your story? | ||
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| CanterburyStrings |
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Joined: March 2008 Posts: 2683 Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | My mom played piano to me before I was born. At night, instead of gathering around the TV set, we would gather around the piano and sing. Music has always been big in my life and I always wanted to be able to play. Didn't do too well with the piano, but when my Dad got me a guitar, everything changed. There are lots of guitarists I admire, but I really don't listen to other people's music much anymore. (No time!) Inspiration? A new guitar! | ||
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| rigger173 |
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Joined: June 2008 Posts: 66 | What inspired me at a young age,14 or so,was the chance to get laid because I played guitar. Mispent youth. Still works though. | ||
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| flag72 |
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Joined: February 2009 Posts: 262 Location: VENISE-EN-QUEBEC CANADA | for me it's country music love the music and love lerick's Dan | ||
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| Mr. Ovation |
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Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7222 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I guess I am looking for some deeper answers. Flag72 as example. So for you, if you hear a Country Music song, no matter who, what, where, you have to run and grab your guitar and.... play the song you hear... play another song... write a song... just play.. What specifically does any country song do to inspire you? Alison... so... you only play new guitars? You hear a new guitar and have to play it? I'm not "calling anyone out" I just think I wasn't clear in what I was asking to discuss. For some this is going to be tough. They play guitar because they play guitar. They can't imagine not playing a guitar. Their inspiration is the sound of them playing guitar. They need nothing else. That's cool... I'm really envious of those people. That's a lot like those people who hear a tune and tap their feet, or start singing along.. they can't help it, they don't even know they are doing it. I was on a cruise around San Francisco with a gal friend once. There was a party going on inside the main cabin, and we were on the bow just checking out the sights. The fog, the people, the lights... she broke out into song. She was singing Sinatra tunes. Great voice. I was embarrassed for a nano-second until I realized how good she was. She couldn't help herself. Even if I could sing like that, no amount of scenery, or alcohol, or anything else would "inspire" me to do something like that. If someone asked me, I'd probably think about it, think of a song and do it... no problem... but to be "inspired" to do it... that's a whole 'nother level. So.. now with a little more explanation, and a couple examples... what inspires you to play guitar? For me. I have had some more time to think, and it's absolutely the opportunity to make music with other people. I think it's why I enjoy running a sound board as much as I enjoy playing in a band. I'm part of the process. I'm contributing a small piece to a larger part. I now realize why playing by myself gives little if any satisfaction. Oh sure... moments here and there... I do pick up a guitar.. but just the thought of playing with other people... I'd take up the banjo, harp, tuba, whatever... | ||
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| Jewel's Mom a/k/a Joisey Goil #1 |
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Joined: April 2006 Posts: 1017 Location: Budd Lake, NJ | There's always been music--one of my earliest memories is Dad crooning, "But he's got hiiigh hopes; he's got hiiigh hopes; he's got high in the sky, apple pie hopes..." over my little sister and me. Have sung since I could talk; we all sang together, growing up, Dad, Mom, Ellyn and me. Then clarinet at 9; a music major in college. But...playing guitar enables me to connect with and express something that's buried deep inside, a part of me struggling to be released that doesn't find freedom in any other way. The family genes have hard-wired the music into me, and the guitar is what facilitates letting it out..... Since we're really not supposed to get involved in politics or religion here, all I will say about the inspiration side of things is that the expression of worship through music has been a big factor in what I play and how I've grown in my playing... --Karen --Karen | ||
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| BT717 |
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Joined: October 2007 Posts: 2711 Location: Vernon CT | Inspired me? Honestly, no one. I was a competitve amature Jock and needed something to fill my days when the body started to give out and I had to stop being as physical as I had been for as long as I can remember(At age 35 I would cycle 60 miles in the Am get home, eat, shower and go play doubles volleyball ALL afternoon!). I will say that the idea of being able to join in and participate in a "sing along", whether when camping or during the holidays was a reason I picked up the guitar. I was told my WHOLE life to NOT sing as "You Can't"! So picking up the guitar at age 45 was my new outlet, a way to join in. I will NEVER be anything more then a cowboy chord strummer. I have never been a patient person as Sports came so naturally to me. EVERY "sport" I tried I picked up imediately. First time/day I Snow skied and actually touched a pair of ski's (Age 21) My Instructor thought I was in the wrong class and pointed me over to the intermediate ski class. So, when I say I'm happy if I learn 1 small thing everytime I play, I mean it. I've learned to sing alittle to accompany my "playing" BUT will never be as good as some of the members here. I am TRUELY impressed with some of the talent I've been exposed to on this site! | ||
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| ksdaddy |
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Joined: April 2003 Posts: 608 Location: Caribou, ME | My father played old country songs. I mean old stuff. He was friends with Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) and he knew every song by heart. He even recorded a couple albums on his own dime and sold them through ads in magazines such as Good Old Days. Needless to say I appreciated how much fun he had. He converted part of the attic into a man cave with microphone stands and a reel to reel. His '63 Gibson Southern Jumbo was at the ready, complete with white National thumb picks and a skinny white leather strap. I don't sing, but he influenced me in the sense that a person can play guitar for their own enjoyment; they don't need to be playing at the VFW every friday night to justify or validate themselves. My brother played a blue Fender Mustang through an old Heathkit amp with the reverb cranked up to 10. He dabbled a little in garage bands in the 60s but mostly it was Ventures stuff played too loud in his bedroom after school. He was just the electric version of my father I guess. So to a large degree I'm just copying what they did, monkey see monkey do. That's the big picture. On a more acute level, what makes me pick up a guitar is the unexplainable need to feel strings under my fingers. It's like a fix for me. Tactile feedback or something. Security blanket, whatever. To have something (anything) in my hands and to press down on strings and get a note out of them makes me feel good. Doesn't matter what I play or how bad I play, it's just ingrained in my daily regimen so deeply I would have withdrawls without it. I fool myself into thinking that if I own a certain guitar I will adopt a playing style or ability associated with it. If I dig out my Strat, I'm going into Hendrix mode, which lasts about 4 minutes. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars chasing that illusion, and I don't see anything changing. I know the truth; I'm going to play what I'm going to play regardless, but if I go on a BB King kick, I'll be shopping for a Lucille. | ||
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| FlySig |
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Joined: October 2005 Posts: 4044 Location: Utah | True inspiration is rare and fleeting for me. There are a lot of times that a general interest takes hold to play, learn, or write. Inspiration to play usually comes from hearing an interesting song or from attending a great show. Then I want to learn how to play that style. Writing inspiration always comes from attending a great show as an extension of trying to learn some of that style. I get a ton of song ideas and have a long list of titles or subjects written down in a song book and in a pocket logbook that I carry at work. A few of those ideas will get fleshed out into something more, but usually the music has to come before the lyrics can get expanded beyond basic ideas. That kind of inspiration usually happens on a Saturday evening. The wife and kids turn on the tv downstairs, I go upstairs into the music room and start messing around. Before long there's something happening and I start recording tracks, seeing where it goes. A whole other side of the desire to play is simply to make music with other people. There is a lot of enjoyment in it for me, vastly more than sitting in a room alone playing along with a CD. | ||
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| Michael R. Winters |
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Joined: September 2002 Posts: 806 Location: Seymour, Tennessee | My Dad and my Aunt inspiredme to want to learn to play the guitar, and he also influenced the way I sing, I learned to sing similar to how he sang. I am shy about it but I do sing for my Wife and she says I have a nice voice, I think she's biased :) My Dad played in bars on the side to put food on the table when I was a baby and I remember him playing and singing when I was younger. He and my Mom divorced when I was 4 so I only got to see him on holidays, summers, etc. Occassionaly, we'd all get together at my Aunt's house in Gainesville and there would be a big night of guitar playing and singing between them and Ginger's friends, man I wish we'd have thought to record some of that stuff on video. Towards the end of his life he didn't play or sing vey much but when he did it was really a treat. He ended up giving me his 68 DB a year before he was killed. My Aunt is a wonderful singer as well and she taught me a number of songs on the guitar. She has been recovering from an arm injury for several years now but she has bought an Ovation and has gotten back on track. She is soon to move to where we are in Tennessee so we'll be able to play and sing together a lot. She gave me a lot of stuff she and my Dad had written and I'm working on getting all that stuff arranged for recording. Specific players don't neccearily inspire me to want to play like them, rather I simply like their music and want to learn to play the song(s). I wish I had the talent they have but I don't try to play their "style". I love Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, John Denver, Jim Croce, Dan Fogelberg, etc. I try to learn their songs as best I can but it isn't something I can just hear and play, I have to work on it. There are here and there new songs from current artists I'll hear and want to learn but again it's the song I want to learn rather than somebody's specific style. My Son wanting to learn to play guitar and sing has really kicked me into high gear to learn more so I can help him to learn. He likes the same kind of music I do, because hell, he's been listening to the same music I listened to when my Dad played his stuff or the stuff he liked to hear. Brandon is a third generation Glen Campbell, Jerry Reed, John Denver, Jim Croce, Dan Fogelberg, etc. junky by virtue of me playing that stuff in the car all the time. | ||
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| 71Jasper |
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Joined: November 2009 | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation: I do find this interesting. For me, I am one of those who was not, have not, and am not inspired by any musician or music. I like music, and I like playing instruments, but I have only ever done it, cause I can. I started in the local Drum and Fife Corp cause it was an opportunity. The drum looked more interesting and easier to play than the fife, so I went with drum. I, too, started as a drummer in a fife and drum corps. I, too, am not particularly inspired by any particular piece of music or artist, although I do enjoy individual efforts by various artists. I see music as a puzzle that is interesting to solve. The mathematics of it, if you will, is what I find compelling. This does not mean I play without emotion - it does mean I do not feel the emotion I am presenting, and I suppose that's acting. I'm pretty good at it. | ||
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| CanterburyStrings |
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Joined: March 2008 Posts: 2683 Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Miles, what I meant is, every time I get a new guitar, I seem to write a new song. I don't know if it's the sound or the feel of a new guitar, or maybe it's just the overload of happiness with the new guit that gets me fired up. I only know that the best songs I ever wrote came about when I got a new guitar. It's almost as if the GUITAR wrote the song and I'm just the tool it used to be heard. Weird I know. Music is pretty mystical to me. Magical. I've told you all about the Guild that had me playing some really hot blues leads for a few days, even though I never played lead guitar before and I've never played lead since. The magic is in the guitars, not in me. I'm just a good receptor of the "music waves" that pass through space. | ||
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| MWoody |
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Joined: December 2003 Posts: 13987 Location: Upper Left USA | I have been inspired to pick up and play, join in, pray and worship, figure out that ear-worm, get a bunch of people moving, get a bunch of people to gather, make a statement, make a statement about a statement, sink into my surroundings, play out what I'm feeling, feel what I'm playing out, get closer to God, let my Freak Flag fly, amaze, entertain, add to the harmony and sometimes just not think at all. In each case it just came from paying attention to what was going on at the time. | ||
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| Mr. Ovation |
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Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7222 Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Wowsers... Excellent stories.. interesting perspectives... keep'em coming. 71Jasper, which Corp did you play with? Mine is kindofa give away as I believe we were/are the only Drum and Fife Corp. For those watching, there is a difference between a Fife and Drum Corp, and a Drum and Fife Corp. | ||
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| 71Jasper |
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Joined: November 2009 | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation: It was a grade school band, we wore colonial outfits and played what was called "ancient" style. I stared playing bass drum, but it differed in that we played rudiments along with the snare drummers and I eventually became a snare drummer. It was my introduction to any kind of musical organization. As to the differences you mentioned, I never got into it enough to be aware of them.71Jasper, which Corp did you play with? Mine is kindofa give away as I believe we were/are the only Drum and Fife Corp. For those watching, there is a difference between a Fife and Drum Corp, and a Drum and Fife Corp. | ||
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| Joe Rotax |
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Joined: February 2008 Posts: 747 | I was given a harmonica when I was about 6 years old and I remember walking down the street making a lot of noise with it when suddenly a series of notes fell together properly and it went off in my head that that's how music works. I immediately ran home to tell my parents about this revelation but I don't think they gave a damn..lol When I was about ten I was given a classical guitar for Christmas. I might have went to lessons for a month or two but that was boring and I realized that it was easier to take what I could from other people and then make up my own music rather than slave over learning the details of someone else's. Forty five years later and that's still how I do it - if I learn a song I get the basics and then the finger picking or lead or whatever will be pretty much my own arrangement although not a huge departure from the original. I play and sing pretty much every day but as for what inspires me to do this - well I haven't got a clue and probably never will have but emotion is a big part of it. I have no interest in playing "for" other people but occasionally I get together with old friends and jam because that's what we did growing up when there wasn't much else to do in rural south ontario. Songs I'm playing a lot these days are by Guy Clark, Towns Van Zandt, Steve Earle and Fred Eaglesmith. Most of that all is lyric driven so I guess I like words as well as music. If anyone recalls the sun, line, cave analogy - well sometimes when playing music I get a fleeting glimpse past the shadows. | ||
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| ProfessorBB |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 5881 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Call me shallow, but as a former professional tap dancer, it was all about the music, never the lyrics. In fact, there were seldom any lyrics. When instrumental surf music hit big in the early 60's, it was right in the middle of my dancing career and and I just couldn't stop learning those wonderful, reverb rich surf licks. Nowadays, I am inspired by my bandmates, all of whom are very good musicians, much better than I am. If I didn't have a good ear, there's no way I'd be playing in this group. The musicianship they display in reading sheets inspires me to work hard, practice a lot, and do everything I can to keep up. | ||
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| Joe Rotax |
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Joined: February 2008 Posts: 747 | A strong instrumental easily carries as much as a strong lyric although rarely in mainstream pop songs. Some of the best music written has no words - ie Back, Mozart et al. | ||
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| 2ifbyC |
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| Joined: December 2006 Posts: 6268 Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | In my case, music, itself, is my inspiration. It can either match my mood or trigger a mood. Either way, it's not normally the performer, it's the music! Be it a haunting chord progression, a distinct bass walk-down, a magical key change, a dramatic movement or a catchy riff, I’m influenced. Having said that… I do reserve one escape clause, and that’s a ‘soulful’ voice, of any genre, that just reaches in and emotionally syncopates with the heart and state of mind! Then there are some lyrics that just can’t be overlooked. They’ll stay with ya forever! We all have our own, don't we? My first memories of music was the product of my Mom's 'prized' lil' blue RCA portable record player. She had very few precious albums, but each one is etched in my memory. Although my parents weren't musically inclined (but, Mama could dance!), they did all they could to provide incentives for me to learn. I played in an early ‘60’s garage band and subbed in an actual on-stage group. My highlight was playing for a set of young lady twins that had that special tight ‘family harmony’, mainly folk music (a la PP&M). Grand times… But then reality took over… No musical super-star here! Do I wish I could play or sing like so many I've heard? Absolutely, but the reality is that I haven't and won't. So with my senior ADHA, I just appreciate the little I can do and relish in the talents of others, including so many OFC members. I still get a personal ‘rush’ when I do conquer that next lil’ challenge that I proffer myself. Maybe that doesn't bring the thrills and memories of my younger years, but it's much more satisfying now! Regardless of the path I took (similar to BT’s, natural athlete), I love music and am inspired by it daily. Bobbo’s OFCSOTD just gives me more ‘flavors’ to sample and I rejoice in the OFC talents I’ve so enjoyed. As I’ve said before, envy may be green, but respect is true blue. Color me aqua! | ||
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| Joe Rotax |
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Joined: February 2008 Posts: 747 | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBjJahiZwVw | ||
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| hwebster |
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Joined: June 2005 Posts: 489 Location: California | I don't read music and I learned to play the guitar when I was 12. I was inspired by a song that I liked, since then pretty much do the same follow the chords, armony and melody so the skills got better and better. When you get better playing that seems to inspire me more. I play any song by ear but I do change the playing style from time to time depending how I feel. I am also inspired if I play with others. It is very important to me also the practice environment at home. Yes, you need a room for yourself, plenty of light with a good atmosphere that you feel more confortable with. I prefer wood floor than carpet in the room, I guess I feel confortable with the brilliant acoustic sound. I play for 45 minutes, about 10-15 songs that I usually like and 1-2 new songs that I want to learn. Playing with a group is fun and I learn the different ways others play and how they sound. Of course, a beer helps when playing with a group for fun. Hector | ||
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| xnoel |
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Joined: September 2003 Posts: 782 Location: Waurika OK | Miles, good question! I started to respond when you first posted this, now glad I didn't. You have inspired me think. First, I quess I just like music. My parents both liked music, and when I asked for a guitar at 13 they bought one for me. But I never would have used inspired and music in the same sentance. Never thought of it that way. I am 67, so grew up in the 50's and early 60's. Grew up in country music country, but main influence was early rock and roll. Then folk. I loved the guitar solos in songs. As someone said, instrumentals, espl. surf music was my favorites. Instrumentals still are. The guy I played with in college(1962) was also into surf music. Lyrics were never much to me. Never inspired by a player, it was the song. Feeling mostly uninspired for years, your question hit me "right between the eyes". When I figured why I was uninspired, it became possible for me to see what would inspire me today. Not in any particular order: Getting to play the music I like, not a lot of opportunity here, still country, country. Better preparation on my part. Finding someone who shares my musical tastes and doesn't mind working on a song, not just a jam session where you play a song when it is your turn. (I realize good players are bored with this). Maybe deciding to be a solo act. Realizing I don't need any more guitars, just a better me. And the good thing is, I can accomplish all of the above. Again, thanks for making me THINK! noel | ||
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| ScienceFriction |
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Joined: July 2010 Posts: 53 Location: USA | I think what inspires me most is my love of music and a beautifully crafted guitar. It doesn't take much, but picking up an instrument like an Ovation solid body electic guitar and finding pleasure in actually playing it (rather playing to achieve some other goal) really inspires me. If I had to nail it down I would say Robert Smith of The Cure was my first inspiration to pick up a guitar, he got an amazing sound out of his Ovation Breadwinner when he played in Siouxsie & The Banshees! From then on it's just been about guitars more than anything else. I love the sound of music, but I really just love the pleasure of playing a guitar. | ||
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| sligoman |
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Joined: October 2007 Posts: 283 Location: Portland, OR | "Inspired". Wow. I'm not sure I'm inspired by much. Maybe that's why I've never written anything. But I am inspired by playing and singing with other folks to put my own twist on songs. And I'm inspired in those times to appreciate the folks I make music with. It isn't the only way, but it's a great way to get to know people and to appreciate them, when you make music with them. And, finally, it inspires me to lead people in song at church and to hope that our music touches even just one person. Had it happen to me today, and it makes it all worth it. | ||
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| Mark in Boise |
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Joined: March 2005 Posts: 12755 Location: Boise, Idaho | Mom was a good singer and decent piano player, but mostly she inspired us by singing constantly, often stupid little nursery rhymes, but singing always came naturally. The OFC and the gatherings are really my biggest inspiration. The standard is just to not suck, but it's a worthwhile inspiration. A good voice or a catchy guitar intro gets stuck in my head and inspires me to learn a song. | ||
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