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No one here is disputing the fact that theory is important in playing music. Perhaps if one were to read  what I wrote this "controversy" could've been avoided. Here's exactly what I referring to; (posted 12-26-2007)

"Take two musicians that have the same level of music theory knowledge and the one that plays with emotion and feeling will always be the more enjoyable musician to see perform. Theory filled robots who play with no emotion give me the same absensce of excitement I would occur from observing a person push a button on a well programmed sequencer. It takes talent to know what to program but it's just  not moving to this musician.I am more moved when a performer's true love what they are doing is apparent in their performance."

See, I believe in theory. I started my musical career studying classical guitar and 24 years later I know the importance of strong knowledge of theory. I continue to expand my knowledge of music theory on a regular basis to this day. I have to do this because I teach guitar and some of my students are rapidly catching me, several have surpassed me and I have no problem with that. I did my job, maybe too good.(haha) I also know this; Many musicians in my area  which I reside can play circles around me, beat me in a game of rock-n-roll trivia, and score higher than me on a musical theory aptitude test. Many of these said musicians are sitting at home playing  their guitars in front of their computers or going to see other musicians gig and feeling bitter and cheated all the while. They'll say things like, "that guy sucks, that should be me up there" or "I'm way better than him, this place needs to hire me." Why is this one might think? Well I'll tell you. Some of might not agree but it's the cold, hard, truth. These angry, bitter musicians are playing for the wrong reasons. Music isn't  so much about showing another musician up or displaying a great technical ability on one's instrument than it is to play and perform to people and show people that you truly love what you're doing.(after your theory is learned) That's where the "playing from the heart "comes into play and it is not a "bunch of crap" as someone stated earlier, it's real people and it's why musicians get repeat business at clubs, resorts, insert venue here. Real human emotion and a strong passion for your music will take you places that you never though you could go. I'm not talking about physical places neccessarily, but it will help more so than those emotionless, bitter, mad at the world, at-home guitar playing virtuosos. Two musicians (of the same musical level )go into a club and one tells a club owner how good he is and how much theory he knows. The second musician tells the same owner how much he loves performing to a crowd and as much as he loves the buzz from a rowdy, enthusiastic, large tipping crowd, that pales in comparison to his genuine love for music as a whole. That's real and that's from the heart. Who do you think is gonna get the gig?....... So in summary, no one likes and is gonna hire an egotistical jerk with a large knowledge of music when a polite, humble, passionate musician with an equal knowledge of music is going for the same gig. Geeez, just be cool dudes/dudettes............
         There's a ying and a yang if you will. Sure one needs to put the horse before the cart (theory knowledge then playing from the heart) but a horse can only carry so much....................

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Roger,

Very well written and moving tribute. You are a good egg. Glad to know you and thanks for sharing.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Yeah, bad idea unless you really know what you're doing. Take it to nearest music store and have it set up by a pro. You'll be much happier in the long run and it shouldn't cost more than $35-$50. Maybe even less......

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

T,
Listened to a few of your sound clips. Sounds very good! Best of luck in your guitar player search and continued success with your band.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Yoko Ono?

Life is art, art is everywhere, all of the time. Sometimes one has to squint a little harder to see it....................

Take two musicians that have the same level of music theory knowledge and the one that plays with emotion and feeling will always be the more enjoyable musician to see perform. Theory filled robots who play with no emotion give me the same absensce of excitement I would occur from observing a person push a button on a well programmed sequencer. It takes talent to know what to program but it's just  not moving to this musician.I am more moved when a performer's true love what they are doing is apparent in their performance. BB King is living proof that one doesn't need hordes of music theory to get out what's inside effectively and moving to most all that hear him play. Mr. King has stated publicly that he doesn't know how to play chords and his solo's aren't from any particular scale, just what "sounds and feels right"............I play from the heart but I've also spent many, many hours educating myself in theory and applying said theorys to countless hours of repetitious practicing. The importance of each(playing from the heart and knowledge of theory) are, in my opinion, equal in importance, providing two people of the same level are being compared, then the heartfelt, soulful player wins everytime.(in my book at least) And one does't have to leap into air or do summesaults while playing but  true desire, love, and enthusiasm for something dear to someone cannot be masked.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

Thanks Topdown,
It was a difficult, trying time but adversity defines  people we become as adults. It also tests one's commitment and love for their inner most passion and aside from my family there is nothing on or in this universe more important to me than music.

rgross,
Don't give up, you can overcome your current situation. Again, I'll be glad to offer some assistance if you want it. Good luck.......

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

rgross,
This is copy of a previous post. It answers your current question. Feel free to email me privately and I will help you further, if you so desire.

Leiven,
You and i have something in common. We both were involved in very serious accidents. Yours a car, mine a boat. May 30, 1987, Claytor Lake, Virginia, I was riding in the back of a fast, powerful water ski boat. The steering cable suddenly broke loose and threw me out of the boat and into the direct path of the spinning propellor. It hit my left hand and arm. It was horrific. I was studing classical guitar, 20 years old and knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I had 13 reconstructive surgeries at the University of Virginia Trauma Center and they were able to save all of my arm and hand minus my left thumb and inner palm. 7 long months went by while my graphs took and the inner parts of my arm mended and then finally I was able to pick up my lifes love(guitar) once again. It was very different though.....

I had to switch my playing from right handed to left handed. The doctors told me I should find a new instrument to play. I told them they were freakin' insane. Years and tears have passed and experiment after experiment I endeavoured into. I had to invent a pick formation that would stay on my badly injured and minimal functioning left hand. I glued a thumb pick, a finger pick, and a flat pick together and slide it over the pointer and middle fingers of my left hand. I do not have the ability to grip with my left hand so this pick system works nicely.

I am unable to play the complex finger picking classical songs I played in my teens and early 20's but my overall musicianship has grown far beyond what the doctors and peers had thought possible. I play guitar for a living, it's all I know, except being a father. The doctors have concluded this; The exercise I gave my arm and hand from playing guitar, drums, and piano, saved my arm and rapidly increased the healing process. My arm will never be "normal" but I have it at least. What is the old saying? "When life hands you lemons, call someone to come over with a bottle of tequilla."hahaha

As you well know, all persons' ability to heal and withstand pain are different. So for me personally I play a minimum of 4 hours every single day, more often than not a lot more than 4 hours. Sure I have arthritis and physical pain but I can tolerate it and deal with it. It's a small price to pay for the pure happiness and elation it brings to my family and our lives. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!! So live, play guitar, be happy, then rest the final rest with a soul full of music!!

Great topic Leiven, your hard work and research in this field is greatly appreciated.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L(Toney)

Here's some stuff I've been working on for the past year and a half. Very helpful and challenging. Take yout time with it. Play it very slow at first and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable and confident with the material.

http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.b … t=14718157

Cool, groovy, funky, hippie-dippy, jams. I like it, my kinda stuff!!!!
Thanks for the hook-up.

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L

ps-How's that new guitar responding to it's new home and family?

Person in front of me, will you pour me a big, strong drink?

Good tip dino48 with the fingernail. It's always good to change a string before it breaks, especially if you're playing for an audience. It's a very awkward feeling standing there when your a string goes" poooooiiiinnnggg" and your guitar goes way out of tune. However. I personally don't like to use string cleaners. I feel as though, from many personal experiences with many different types, these string cleaners shorten the life of strings, period. I simply use a lint free cloth and as dino48 does, wipe the strings down, both sides(above and below) after each set.
  And the requency one changes ones strings completely depends on the amount of time spent playing ones guitar. When the sound isn't satisfactory or tuning becomes more difficult, change the strings. I like to change one string at a time. It is not recommended to remove all of the strings at once. This creates a "tension shock" if you will and potentially can create problems with the neck.(warping) An instrument doesn't like drastic changes in tension, climate, temperature, humidity,etc. ........

Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L