A short flight

[Angus]

The other night, I had a bit of a guitar playing experience, and I hoped to hear your thoughts - I wasn't quite sure if this was the right section to post this topic, so apologies if I've messed up.

I don't have a vast regard for my own abilities but my guitar ambitions are bluesy and improvisational, ideally playing 3 notes where lesser men play 10 - that's the ambition.


I've recently been trying to improvise a 3 minute solo together over some "Comfortably Numb" type backing on my Boss digital recorder. I was on my third attempt on Friday night, and suddenly it seemed like things came together. It was of a strange sensation where I was playing and for a moment it was almost like somebody else was playing - somebody, quite good.


It was me, but it was flowing - or felt like it was.


I don't know if you've ever had that dream where you discover you can fly, well, not actually fly, but if you relax enough, you can just about float over the ground - but if you think about it too much you sink back to terra firma - well, this was very like that. I was pretty excited afterwards, because it actually felt like a tangible development in my playing.


To be brutally honest, when I listened to it back the next morning, it was a bit of an anti-climax - it was good (by my standards) but Jimi, Eric Koss and Peter are not exactly going to be intimidated by my virtuoso, and neither I suspect would many of you reading this.


I suspect this sensation maybe a regular experience for you more accomplished musicians, but I am encouraged - it seems like this maybe what its actually about, in a way.


Does any of this make sense?

[b-squared]

Yep--I've experienced that "ecstasy" a few times.

I usually have very little memory of the event afterward, and it's a little depressing, because the feeling was wondrous.

It's not often that everything "clicks," and all the notes come together.

Congrats!

BB

[Angus]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Yep--I've experienced that "ecstasy" a few times.

I usually have very little memory of the event afterward, and it's a little depressing, because the feeling was wondrous.

It's not often that everything "clicks," and all the notes come together.

Congrats!

BB

Thanks - I wouldn't quite describe it as ecstacy, it was more like the start of something.... but a good start, and definitely encouraging. As I write this I'm wondering if there's a connection between this completely natural sensation and the reason so many musicians get into taking drugs - to sort of try to supress the normal day to day sensations of consciousness whn you're playing in an attempt to achieve this different "viewpoint" night after night.

A horrible thought given the fantastic players that drugs have speeded to the grave after usually relieving them of much of their talent.

[geochem1st]

Thats being in the 'zone'......

everybody from sports to the arts live for that experience of just being and not thinking as you perform

[Nicky]

Originally Posted by geochem1st

Thats being in the 'zone'......

That's exactly what it is..."The Zone". The feeling is intoxicating. It happens early on in an endeavor, then it seems like it will never happen again. It probably won't happen again unless you sharpen the skills that brought on the first occurrence of "The Zone". In essence, it takes alot of PRACTICE to get there and stay there. Congrats on reaching the first milestone, but remember, it may be the guitar gods just f#@!king with you.

[spacebubby]

Originally Posted by geochem1st

Thats being in the 'zone'......

everybody from sports to the arts live for that experience of just being and not thinking as you perform

Boleskinehouse gets into the zone every time he plays. Hard as hell to try and ask him something during that time.

[Angus]

Originally Posted by nsureit

In essence, it takes alot of PRACTICE to get there and stay there. Congrats on reaching the first milestone, but remember, it may be the guitar gods just f#@!king with you.

Yes, that sounds all too probable - assuming it wasn't just a bit of flu.