By: Kevin Manieri
George’s Music

Discover (and Play) New Music!

Ever feel like your playing is stuck in a rut?  Or maybe your technique is OK, but it’s your music collection that is feeling stale.  Listening to and learning new music is a habit that will broaden your musical horizons and make you a better player – so do it frequently!  Today there are more sources than ever to find and learn new styles and artists – let’s look at a few ways to keep current, and a few tips to keep your playing up.

• Pandora, Rhapsody, iTunes Store – These services (and many others) will store your music collection and actually suggest other songs and artists for you.  Tell the interface your preferences with the click of a button, and you’re off and running – if you like Neil Young, they may suggest a Gordon Lightfoot album.
• YouTube – Yes, people still make (and watch) music videos, but they’re mostly here on the web, not on TV.  See what’s hot by searching by highest-rated or most-viewed music videos.  Of course, you can also find killer live performances and lessons here.
• Word of Mouth – Ask around!  What are your friends and band-mates listening to?
• Music Magazines – People still read these too!  Rolling Stone, Spin, AP, and even more musician-focused magazines like Bass Player and Modern Guitar can turn you onto outstanding artists.

OK, so my iPod is loaded up with new stuff that was recommended to me.  What next?  Listen, listen, listen. If you like it, sit down and learn it!  If you don’t, move on.  Here are some tips for turning the new music you like into new tricks that you can play.

• Get the Anthology – Maybe you love Aerosmith, but you only know a few hits.  Make sure you get all of their classic albums, and learn as many of those riffs as you can.  Sometimes a band’s best material goes unreleased, so remember to always dig deeper with your favorite artists.  And remember, as with this example, music doesn’t really have to be “new” to be new and exciting to you.
• Do a Character Study – Find a player you admire and learn to play like them.  This goes way beyond learning the songs – try to emulate their gear, their tone, and their techniques until their repertoire is part of your repertoire.  You’ll have your own style, but if you can turn on Jimmy Page or Mark Knopler at a moment’s notice, you’ll be that much better!
• Play Nicely With Others – Playing new music, especially with other people, can be one of the best learning experiences.  Be open to any song, because when your group finishes it, it may sound totally different than the original.  Remember that you can always learn something from another player, whether they’re a pro or a beginner.

That’s it for this edition – never stop learning!