Hi, whatever do , do it because you love it.
If you're going to play guitar, be the best you can be.
But remember always put your heart and your love into it.
Many people may know my name these days.
Many people may know me as a world class level guitarist.
But if I can say one thing that could help people.
It's only play and sing the music that means something to you.
Years ago I started writing music because, there just isn't much great gospel guitar songs out there.
Sure you may say theirs tons of great songs.........but lets face the truth and be truthful here.
Most songs are writen these days for paino and not with the guitar in mind.And the paino chording is very limited.
Any time I'd play an old time gospel song I had to jazz it up a lot, otherwise lets face it....It's boring to play.
And the Lord said to sing unto Him a new song.......It's easy to see why......he knows we need new fresh idea's and we hunger for new food,even in music.
The main reason I got noticed for playing guitar,is because I took gospel guitar to a different level.
I took my music away from the paino and keyboard players.And starting writing so the guitar is the main instrument, not the piano.Infact I used to have a keyboard player in my band, but now just My guitar,Drums or conga's and Bass are enough.
And I try to always make my guitar playing sound like 2 guitars at once,I use a lot of music theory,rock, blues,jazz in my music. But there's nothing I love more than soloing on guitar and singing by myself.
And the reason why, is because I love the sound of the guitar more than any insturment ever.
The guitar and my voice are one. Yes I have a band, but if I picked which I do forever,it would be my guitar and voice, because that's what God gave me.It's what I love and it's the feel in my heart.
That's what I mean about doing something you love.
You know there's nothing I can't play in music, I studied Jazz,Rock,Blues,classical guitar for years. After College, I took my music to levels college's can't teach.
Many people listen to my music and try to steal my guitar licks,and chordings.BUt when they do they find it's much harder than they thought.
The reason why is all my lead guitar work I invented, and I never copy other peoples guitar playing or styles.
I try to be the best guitarist that the Lord made me.
Why you may ask?......Because I wanted more,I wanted my own sound that nobody else had.
I wanted to be myself in the Lord and not a copy of every one else today.
Another thought..... If you want your music to grow, I think as a gospel singer and guitarist, you must one day break away from the praise and worship teams. My main reason I did was because, most praise team members only care about playing on Sunday Morning.But they just do not practice enough through out the week.
I mean you can't go over to those peoples homes every night and force them to practice.
And I sometimes can't help but wonder why they are on a praise team?......Maybe they just like being up infront of a crowd and being noticed.Because with people like that all they talk about is their instrument,and I do not here much about Jesus.
Maybe you think I am commig down hard on praise team people but I am not....( I challenge and praise Team to become better, maybe to even practice together at least 3 times a week)......then watch what happens in your church.
You see I have lead music in church, and taught many kids,who come from both poor and rich backgrounds.And I have taught adults. And those people where used in our praise teams.
I found that it's far easier in the long run to train people to play for day one and get them into a habbit of constant practice, than it is to get a person who's a seasoned musician and thinks he knows it all, and so he doesn't practice.
I'd rather have the guy with less talent who gives 100% than the guy with all the talent who gives 30%.
Because in the long run the guy trying his best, will never fail you.......sure they may mess up for a while,but their loyalty runs deep and strong.
I feel sometimes breaking away, and building a fresh new band, or a fresh new music minstry is what needs to be done in life.
And if your just learning guitar.........then be true to yourself.....and don't follow others, just follow Jesus.
Thanks Jordan Rivers
http://jordanriversguitarforum.blogspot.com/
