Jimmy Herring Discussion

[triadboy]

When I met Jimmy ('83) I had been playing for 18 years (not continuous though). Jimmy complemented me on my playing (he used to watch me when he was a kid).

HOWEVER! - I grew up listening to 60's music and I could cop Clapton, Santana, Allman, etc. - no problem. In other words, I was above average in the blues scale - the vertical fingering.

When I heard Jimmy, he was 20/21 or so - he was playing horizontal on the neck. He grew up copping Steve Morse!! He was already a polished player! He floored me.

Unfortunately, I seem to be stuck in a rut in the blues scale. I'm 50 and can only imagine what it would be like to hit ONE of Jimmy's licks.

When I saw Jimmy and The Dead in Phoenix - he sounded to me like the best player in the world. And I've been around. I also told everyone that in the Summer of 2004 - Jimmy had the best guitarist gig in the world. Not bad.

We all need to play joyful music within our abilities. But every once in a while, someone comes along who boggles your mind with their playing abilities. Jimmy is one of those guys - and he was playing like that as a teenager!! Jimmy playing with The Dead sounded like Jimmy playing in his basement in 1983! He's a freak! He's the kinda player that makes you want to give up guitar and take up knitting.

[jaystraw]

said very well!!
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South Panic

[oreo speedwagon]

Sometimes, I get pissed when I see people that good. Not because I'm mad at them, but because I'm mad at *me* for not pushing myself harder and getting to that level. It's the drive that keeps us pushing for more.

I get that drive and go on some sort of musical mission... Learning a new melodic idea, cleaning up my attack, picking up speed, improving tone, etc...

And then I mellow out and go with the adage of "use what you know". So, I mellow out and absorb and try to internalize all of the things I just obsessed about.

Then I do it all over again!


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Linky goodness to my band, The Elect!