Each guitarist has a unique set of standards and tastes which influences how he approaches music.  There are countless ways to play the instrument, write songs, and produce sounds.  It is the individuality of each person that makes his playing and art interesting.  Natural tendencies prompt us to look at what other people are doing for guidance and inspiration.  Sometimes one might admire the tones or techniques of another guitarist and attempt to integrate some of those qualities into his own methods.  Then there are also occasions when another musician could reinforce why a guitarist might not want to do things a certain way.  In either case, a guitarist needs to feel confident in his strategy for playing music in order to perform effectively.

Our society places a lot of emphasis on the importance what other people think.  From the infomercials on television that tell us we need to buy this piece of exercise equipment or that cosmetic product in order to be beautiful, to the advent of "political correctness";  the world is filled with entities that try to persuade us that we are not good enough "as is" and that we should think as they do.

While everyone experiences points of doubt and insecurity along the path of life,  proficient people have a wellspring of personal truth and intuition that steers them toward their goals with respect to their values and sensibilities.  Our tastes and preferences are always seeking to be fulfilled, and we adjust our actions accordingly.  We are continually striving to be satisfied on all levels of living.  A person will order an item on a restaurant's menu because it will please his agenda at that particular time, whether the choice is based upon taste or dietary restrictions.  Someone will adjust a thermostat because he is too hot or too cold.  All of these decisions are heavily-influenced by what the person's senses wish to experience. This relates to music as well, and the quest for gratification through playing the guitar is an ongoing and ever-changing endeavor.  For instance, we constantly adjust our amplifiers or use different guitars according to what we wish to hear and feel at the time.
 

I strongly believe that fulfilling self-expression depends upon unlocking the door to the self.  The self in self-expression is very important.  It doesn't necessarily mean that one needs to be selfish at the expense of giving to others, though there definitely are times when self-preservation is appropriate.  I am reminded of the line in Rick Nelson's "Garden Party" that says "you can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself."  To consistently have anything to offer of depth and substance, the guitarist must feel strongly about what he does. He must have enough ego and vision to pursue his direction, while being humble enough to stay open for learning and compromise.  It can be a delicate balancing act, especially in collaborations because the guitarist's vision isn't always supposed to be the dominant force in music.  If a musician can please himself with his playing, then it will be easier to convey pleasure to the audience.

There are situations where the role of the guitar is to support the dynamics of the greater whole, rather than to stand out.  Conversely some situations require the guitarist to take charge and push his axe to the forefront.  Regardless of the what the guitarist's purpose is in a particular project,  he can usually find more fulfillment in his craft if he has a strong grasp of what he's trying to accomplish with the instrument in a musical and tonal sense.  In collaborative cases where the guitarist may feel confused or without a strong feeling of direction, he should remain open-minded enough to listen to the visions of others before passing positive or negative judgments on them.  Occasionally, we might find our visions through "mistakes" and experimentation, though I wonder if there really are such things as mistakes.

The things I write about in this column come from my personal experiences. Some things can never be fully understood until one has experienced them.  While I may come across as an authoritative or knowledgeable figure on this and other guitar-related topics simply because I have created this forum and my words are in print, the fact is that pursuing my path with the guitar is an ongoing learning experience for me.  One of the hardest things to do is to actually have the guts to "go your own way" and do things that your heart might prod you to do.  This may mean following your heart only to find that you would do things differently at a later point in time.  However, I think that remaining true to your sensibilities is ultimately the best guide for learning and growth, even if it seems misleading or frightening at times.  How many times have you ever recorded something only to hear it years later and cringe?  You did what you knew how to do at that time.  If you cringe, it might indicate that you've progressed to a higher present level.  Look back at your past with love and embrace the whole process of becoming a better player.  Hopefully you will look back on the present in the future with the same feelings!

Pursuing your heart's desires at times when things are scary or in doubt can often result in great rewards.  Other times, it may seem that your vision has let you down, but as long as you can have enough compassion for yourself and respect the whole process of life and the noble struggles of exploring your own way, then I think you will find a fulfillment you never envisioned.  My heart is what directs me to play the guitar the way I do and write the things I write about.  My sensibilities influence what I'm striving for on a tonal and compositional level.  Whether we are conscious of it or not, these things are what direct everybody on an artistic level.

My mother recently exposed me to the artwork of Stanton Macdonald-Wright.  His work is based upon an approach he co-founded called Synchromism, which considers color as central to art as sound is to music.  The theory of Synchromism is presented in much the same manner that music theory is.  In music there are scales of notes and harmonies based upon the relationships of intervals.  In Synchromism there are scales of colors.  Paintings are created in the keys of certain colors. His theories are overtly musical in presentation, and perhaps that is why I was able to take his work closely to heart.  Around 1951, Macdonald-Wright went into a period of prolonged introspection due to the loss of his wife.  He went within to learn more about himself as an artist.  This experience prompted him to tell one of his students "Don't try to discover something, only discover yourself."

I believe that it was Dr. Wayne Dyer, a respected motivational speaker and author, who said something to the effect of "The man who does not go within, goes without."  I find this especially relevant to anyone involved in the arts.  The great guitarists find ways to go within and pour their souls out in their music with conviction.  It is upon this premise that I encourage guitarists to keep playing and to find their unique voices and ways of doing things.  It is not always a comfortable road to travel on, but it will ultimately lead to a deeper and more fulfilling experience of making music.

Go Your Own Way!  (apologies to Lindsey Buckingham & Fleetwood Mac)

Jason