Guitarist Fareed Haque Makes A Case For Music

Jazz Guitar Today welcomes guitarist Fareed Haque to make a case for music…or anything else he would like to say.

JGT’s Bob Bakert: When I asked Fareed, who I admire not only as a player but a man of intellectual pursuits to wax poetic on any subject he felt relevant, he immediately said yes and started feeding me ideas I was thrilled with his enthusiasm… we are extremely grateful to Fareed for agreeing to be our newest columnist at JGT.

Music isn’t Sports.

But I think somewhere along the way most musicians, especially guitar players, get confused and start celebrating athletes, not artists. Don’t get me wrong – I love musicians with chops! Art Tatum, Chick, Herbie, Trane Elvin! Cobham! Tony!! Paco, Pat Martino!

But in every case, their chops were designed to serve a specific function in their music… Usually to demonstrate and share groove and rhythm. Their Chops are a way to AMPLIFY and EXPAND their swing. Swing at the service of Song and Melody. Think about an actor –  they’ve got to take words and bring them to life so that most folks can understand them. And that’s what a musician does – takes music and brings it to life so that PEOPLE can understand it.

GO BACK AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC THAT FIRST MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH JAZZ AND FALL IN LOVE WITH GUITAR.

Identify what it is you love about that music that brings those same VALUES into your own playing. But I see most people out there playing from fear – fear of not being liked fear of not being celebrated fear of not being successful. Even the wackiest Mingus, Monk or Ornette Swings, it has Blues and it sounds like music that pretty much anyone can understand – and that’s why it’s timeless. A great player will have them scratching your chin and acknowledging their skill.

A true musician will have regular folks feeling, dancing, and shaking. Don’t be afraid to play so simple it’s pretty, so heavy it’s honest, so deep it’s moving. And if you’re hung up on playing clean and perfect….then maybe truth, honesty, and emotion make you uncomfortable. That’s fine too – if you just want to paint pretty pictures – go for it. I’ll take the deep stuff every time.

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