Wednesday, October 20, 2010

At What Point Does a Guitar Player Know it All?

Mr. Desi Serna,

My name is Miguel Sanchez and I am a Junior student at Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I am currently in the process of writing a paper for my English class and my topic or main focus was to look at different views on Guitar playing and what or where is the point in a guitar players career in which all can be known. To rephrase it a bit better, how can someone truly know or distinguish the end of a guitar, all that is possible to be learned. I gratefully will thank you for your insight and thoughts on this matter.

Thanks,
Miguel S.


Thanks for the email Miguel. Wow, what a profound question. There doesn't appear to be an end to the guitar, or at least no one has reached it that I'm aware of. Styles and techniques continue to be improved upon. The creative process continues to yield new ideas. The amount of subtle differences between the skills and artistry of different guitarists is as varied as the differences in the physical features and personalities of people in general. Since the uniqueness of individuals hasn't reached a limit yet, I don't suspect the end of guitar playing is close to being reached either (if it can even be reached at all).

There are some spiritual implications to this topic that I find interesting. Consider that music is not something we make possible, but rather it's something that is already possible and we simply discover it. Mankind's knowledge and skills, along with sound and the ways in which sound can be manipulated are ultimately made possible by a creator. In fact, the Bible says, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:20)." There's a reason why music exists and works the way it does.



So how much is there to learn about guitar playing? Well, the creator of guitar playing says of himself, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9)." Considering the infinite source, I'd say the possibilities are endless! And as a believer in Christ, I'll have all of eternity to discover new things about guitar.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna

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6 comments:

Islaman726 said...

WOW! Very well stated, Desi. Thanks for that insight.

Anonymous said...

awesome explanation Desi and if we dont get to meet sooner I will see you in all of eternity and play with you then, thanks
-Joff

Alive said...

Great question and answer..If I may ask a similar question....

Do professional musicians, like yourself, actually do any thinking when playing against new progressions or songs, or does it just come naturally after a while so that you can just focus one the style and expression?

Thanks

Darcy Moorhead said...

amen,
What you have made a matter of prayer should cease to be a matter of care.~Don’t fret about the future
Or be consumed by cares;
Instead take all your worries
And turn them into prayers.

you rock,Desi

chris smiley said...

Good Answer Desi...Two thumbs up!

Mr. Desi Serna said...

Alive, music is like language. With language, once you develop an understanding of words, grammar, cliches, idioms, etc. you can freely express your thoughts without consciously analyzing or planning everything you say. Music works the same way. But in both cases some people are better than others.