This post is primarily geared (pun intended) to the gear-heads in the reading audience. That is, those musical techies who have entire rooms and closets full of accessory equipment, and who like to haul all of it to every live performance. You know who you are.
Guitar players are particularly prone to having lots of extra gear–guitar pedals, wires, special amps, and of course the obligatory seven guitars that must be brought along to every gig. (Yes, I’m exaggerating–mostly. But you get the point). And there are plenty of tech-toys for the rest of us, too: keyboard players, string players, even vocalists. (Can anyone say auto-tune?)
So is there anything wrong with having all that stuff? No. It’s not bad when you have gear. It’s only bad when gear has you.
Lemme ‘splain.
I went to a show once where a solo guitar player was working with a looper pedal, setting up little percussion patterns and riffs to accompany himself. The problem was, it took so much effort for him to set up his riffs correctly that by the time he actually got to the song, I was ready for the next song. The looper pedal became the star of the show, and it regulated everything that happened in the song.
A couple of nights later, I went to a venue where another solo guitarist was also working with a looper pedal–and he was an absolute genius with it. He ran it flawlessly, and it made him sound like a full band. He wasn’t accompanying the pedal–the pedal accompanied him, and served to showcase the talent he already possessed.
Guitarist number 2 had gear. Guitarist number 1? Gear had him. See the difference?
The point is, all those technological devices are best used for the purpose of underscoring and enhancing the music we make. They are not supposed to make the music for us; they are not supposed to be the star of the show. You might be able to get some really cool sounds out of your effects units, but don’t let the effects upstage you. Letting the technology run the show doesn’t demonstrate your talent; all it demonstrates is that you have gear.
Or more accurately, it demonstrates that gear has you.
To this day, some of the most memorable and entertaining performances I’ve ever witnessed were from one person and a guitar–no extras. Not saying that’s the way it should always be done–just saying that gear does not substitute for talent and skill.
Some young musicians treat technology as a sort of shortcut, like the fast-track to making great music without the need for a lot of skill. (Like those keyboards in the music store that play themselves.) I really want to caution against cutting corners like that. The problem with using gear as a crutch is that it cripples you. What happens if that effects pedal breaks? Do you really want a piece of equipment to be the deciding factor as to whether you go on that night?
So if you want to enhance your act with extra technology, go ahead; but make it your goal to be able to put on a great show without it. Make sure your gear enhances your performance; don’t let it be the star of the show.
Okay, soapbox speech is over for today.
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