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I was specific in what I quoted from the OP when I applied my reasoning.
I'm not arguing with *you*, Pat. I was simply pointing out that an instrument that only allowed certain notes would diminish the musical experience and growth.
I understand your point, which is different than what I was responding to. I thought you grouped my point into the 'technology' argument and I wanted to clarify the point I was making. Nothing to do with technology. More about learning.
However, I will still stand by the concept that in BiaB someone with the knowledge of music theory and scales will end up with a better product than someone just punching in chords. Just the other day Mac (I think) pointed out when someone was trying to notate a chord in an extended way, and really, simply putting in a different very basic chord would have worked (most likely) since it had the notes and fundamentals of the chord. This was due to his understanding of chords and scales in the theory department. That knowledge is important.
It's not a crutch if you know what you are doing; it's a tool. If you are fumbling away and not learning anything then yes it is a crutch in the long run since it is holding you back from developing.
Just my opinion..
It could still be a *fun* thing for sure. But a crutch none the less.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I did not intend to imply that one could not learn using this tool.
What I DID intend to imply is that the large majority would very likely learn the fretboard faster without the LEDs.
--Mac
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Thanks to Mac and Rharv for taking time to respond to my question. Your responses make sense to me. I understand that it can be bothersome to have people ask you to reiterate what you already said.. but I have found that I am better off making sure I understand what people said, even if I have to ask more than once, and in different words.
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FYI - the fretlight does not limit anyone to playing the guitar in any fashion. It's a copy of a Fat Strat, but has an interface built in to show lights on the fretboard. It's a guitar instruction DVD or tablature translated onto the fretboard. It is not an auto-chord type of casio keyboard toy.
Any instructional technique is limited or enhanced by the motivation of the student. Doesn't matter what methodology it is.
-Scott
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OK, I played one 2 days ago. Turns out, there are two guys with these at work. One is an extremely accomplished guitar player - if you go to NAMM, you will see/hear him shredding at the Westone booth with our Westone band, the Bedlam Baldies. He has his as his noodle guitar in his office. I played it. Finish quality was very nice. Quite a bit better than my MIM Strat. Frets were dressed very nicely and Greg said that it came setup very nicely. Saddles were significantly better quality than what you get with your bog-standard MIM strat - those stamped metal saddles. Also comes with a nicer pickguard than the standard MIM Fat Strat.
Greg thinks it's a great tool for learning scales and modes and fingering patterns for songs.
I think it's a pretty killer Fat Strat copy from a finish quality standpoint. The neck is particularly well done. Even the sunburst was very well done. One minor flaw in the wood that appeared to be filled before they applied the finish, but Greg and I had to look hard for it. He recalled there was one, but it took him a minute to search for it.
With it's additional capability and finish quality over a MIM Fat Strat - at $150 less, I would buy this in a heartbeat over a new MIM Fat Strat.
-Scott
Last edited by rockstar_not; 11/17/10 07:08 AM.
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Thanks, Scott, for the review. Not sure that I will purchase one but your review will definitely help in my decision if I do. I was concerned about quality of the guitar. This really helps.
"The desire for fame is the last infirmity cast off even by the wise."
Cornelius Tacitus
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regarding the discussion of how guitars "should" be used or learned:
I imagine a scenario in which Jimi Hendrix is taking guitar lessons from Les Paul.
Les Paul scolds Jimi and says "No no no... you're supposed to dampen the strings you aren't plucking to silence them.. the goal is to AVOID feedback and miscellaneous noise..."
all the while Jimi is thinking "that may be YOUR goal, but it isn't mine..."
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Quote:
regarding the discussion of how guitars "should" be used or learned:
I imagine a scenario in which Jimi Hendrix is taking guitar lessons from Les Paul.
Les Paul scolds Jimi and says "No no no... you're supposed to dampen the strings you aren't plucking to silence them.. the goal is to AVOID feedback and miscellaneous noise..."
all the while Jimi is thinking "that may be YOUR goal, but it isn't mine..."
Or, as actually happened, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was once asked about how and why he played the trumpet so high outside its "normal" range.
He replied that after he had become an adult and famous trumpeter, he was shown "the" book of the trumpet, "Arban's Method" and said that right there in the opening pages was a little chart that had two notes on it, one low and one high, labled, "The Range of the Trumpet".
Satch said, "Its a good thing I didn't have that book to tell me where to stop!"
Indeed, the teaching methods of this world may just be better designed to create cookie-cutter clones, leaving the true innovation to come from other sources.
I don't knock the school methods, though, as I grow older I have come to realize that such only makes the value of the truly creative innovator soar even higher. I think that for every *successful* innovator there are likely many more who tried and for whatever reasons, didn't get the recognition for it. For example, Jimi DID have those who came before him who were already using feedback ala Albert King and a few of his other tricks, including his flashy clothing, which he borrowed from his experience with Little Richard's act.
As with everything else in music performance, the timing -- and the choice of venue -- is everything...
--Mac
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True, Mac. No man is an island. We all learn (and borrow) from others.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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