Trey Gunn playing through an EHX MicroSynth(?) and Phil Jones Suitcase, followed by some thoughts on pursuing original voice. Thanks for sharing, TG.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii5zyu6B01g[/youtube]

That's a great speech! I tend to return to this video now and then for inspiration.

This video's really inspiring, and Trey is occasionally very funny as well.

Really great stuff. Reminiscent of some TED Talks. Trey would be great at TED.

I wonder how we all feel about his statement that only 6 people in the world play like "that".

I'm a bit surprised about it. I mean we all play like ourselves so we are all unique. But what he is doing is based on Emmett's methods and discoveries and creations. He's very good at what he does, but....... I feel like there are a lot of other people who are also very good at least "Hundreds" unless he is pigeonholing his playing into some sort of "crimsonesque" catagory. I mean I suppose if Fripp wanted to start a new Crimson without Gunn or Levin he would have a bit of a short list to choose from.

However, If he is talking about a high level of playing on a "free hands": method instrument then there a LOT more than 6 people. I agree with a lot of what he is saying but I don't think that abandoning tradition completely for "origional voice" is a good idea. We can lewarn a lot from others.

Brett

+1 brett. totally agree.

I never for a second got that he was talking about the Free Hands method! I still think he was talking abut "a personal and unique expression of creativity". His method for succeeding in that is "the toolbox method". I do agree though with Brett that Trey is not so alone in that department, we all constantly refine our own toolbox and when creating we make our choices out of the toolbox. The opposite to being creative with that method is to be genre specific, and I think he mentioned that in the video (and a vast genre knowledge can as well be used as a toolbox for creativity). As I see it it is of less importance if one happens to use the Free Hands method, a plastic trumpet or whatever else to create a unique personal expression.

An interesting aspect Trey never brought up is the risk of becoming trapped inside ones own toolbox

I'm sure that Trey refers to the specific 'piece' he was playing (4 based rhythm in the left and then a 7 based rhythm on the right) and not the playing method / instrument type. In this context, I 100% agree with him; there aren't many tappers capable of playing and improvising on poly-rhythms to the level of Trey Gunn (may be more than 6 but certainly less than 12) and applying that as central element of his compositions / music vocabulary (2 or 3 that I can think of).
I never heard Trey minimizing or dis-respecting the Stick or Emmet, he just moved on to an instrument that he felt is better suited for his playing style, sound and music.
Bret, think you are over sensitive on this


My 2 cents, Daniel.

PS: Excellent playing and some good concepts in the speech, great video

I was just unsure what he meant. I'm still unsure, I guess only Mr. Gunn himself could answer my questions.

I guess I always thought of him as being world class as a musician, but not the most innovative. Maybe I need to listen to more of his solo stuff. Most of what I've heard is derived from what Crimson was doing in 1981.

But, he is on another planet musically from where I'm at so maybe I just don't understand what he's doing that is unique regarding "original voice" Metheny original, Jaco original. Miles original, Emmett original (all in an innovative sense). What Gunn is doing is astounding and It's incredibly difficult, and yes he has made it his own............so I guess I just don't understand the semantics of what he was saying maybe he's not claiming innovation.


I don't feel I'm sensitive, just curious. But honestly most of these type of concepts are beyond me intellectually, so explainations may not help

Brett

This was great. I had never seen it before. Is it weird that I took notes?