is John Mayer really that good?

[ngjingming]

I'm not a fan of John Mayer...but i've been hearing a lot about him though.

Is he really that good or just another popular guy?

is that even a question? lol.

listen to continuum. some people like it (like me), but some wont. seriously, his new album is great and he should do more blues.

 

[ngjingming]

He has another CD, The Village Sessions... Don't think it's released in S'pore yet... Had a friend to send it over from the states.

Nice acoustic versions of tunes from Continuum! Slow Dancing In A Burning is awesome in that album!

hmm i want that CD really bad! wonder when it will come to HMV or sth

 

[Whitestrat]

I'm not a fan of John Mayer...but i've been hearing a lot about him though.

Is he really that good or just another popular guy?

Good or not, he seems to be getting young kids to pick up guitar more than those nu-metal bands... And he's one of those acts which seem to be able to sit there and last the distance instead of fading out after a few albums. AND he's commercial. So there's a very good package there.

Of course, you don't expect him to play like Andy Timmons, but if he gets more people to like blues and guitar playing, I say MORE POWER TO HIM!!!!

 

[ChanMin]

Hes damn good la... his songs..playing... sound...
not to mention his blardy BAND, steve jordan and pino...

wah .. dream team.

 

[ChanMin]

sorry double post...
i just get all flustered when i talk about john mayer...

 

[weckl-x]

Enjoying his latest stuff (Continuum and Try). Am looking forward to watching him continue to develop his music, and growing old listening to it.

 

[ngjingming]

he has made me go into blues.

 

[monk]

.

dont think he plays that fast or what what .. but has got the essential touch to make it good

 

[j_m_s]

Is speed all that matters? NO.

What matters is the phrasing of his solos and licks. Its how he uses his different techniques to play a great song or solo. Be it his fingerstyle techniques and what not, you've gotta admit he has chops and tone.

Come on, JM doesnt need to play fast to be good? He can play a nice slow lick and still be good...

 

[ngjingming]

listen to vultures and slow dancing.... omg so nice

 

[8fingermadness]

dont think he plays that fast or what what .. but has got the essential touch to make it good

Kinda irks me when people think that fast = godlike. FYI it's harder to take 3 notes and make it sound good than to play a flurry of notes...and many people who play a flurry of notes and think it's damn pro don't realise that they're not picking each note cleanly! haha but that's just my view...

 

[ngjingming]

does shredding make musical sense?

 

[keithC]

Kinda irks me when people think that fast = godlike. FYI it's harder to take 3 notes and make it sound good than to play a flurry of notes...and many people who play a flurry of notes and think it's damn pro don't realise that they're not picking each note cleanly! haha but that's just my view...

yep, what you play > how you play.

njm: everyone is shredding, picking is more or less shredding. john mayer shreds... yes.
1) Legato
2) Tapping
3) Alternate picking
4) Sweep picking
5) Economy picking
6) String skipping

i'm sure john mayer uses some of the above..

 

[phileo17]

nah...john mayer aint tht good...we're all jus enamoured by his nice curly hair hehe...seriously...hehe

 

[keithC]

ah, dont say i didnt warn you.... lol.

 

[8fingermadness]

does shredding make musical sense?

If you listen to guitarists like Joe Satriani, if you listen to Guthrie Govan, then YES it makes all the sense in the world, cos its not pure shredding, there are times when you have your nice melodies, there are times where you shred your ass off, and there are times you don't play anything. Check out Rhoad Island Shred by Guthrie Govan. Shredding? kinda. A flurry of blurred notes (with no sense of direction)? Nope!

 

[ahmadk]

of course he is.
he's a blues,jazz,folk,acoustic player.
c'mon.
sometimes,the feel is even harder than shredding etc.
listen to the john mayer trio.
or his previous albums and you know why.
eric johnson.
yes.

 

[j_m_s]

Yes, shredding is not ALL of what guitar playing is. Sigh i tink most people in my generation are all in the heavy metal and rock stuffs. Come on man, listen to teh BLUESSSSSSS.

 

[Ized]

Im more of a hendrix and srv fan when it comes to blues. or even buddy guy. more so these guys than john mayer when it comes to blues chops.

However i still gotta give credit to JM....he pretty much has his signature style and tone laid down. plus i think he can really sing well. I enjoyed his performance at Crossroads festival (i have the dvd) especially the song "Your Body is a Wonderland".

Technically I dun think hes really blues. His style of soloing and influences are blues, yes, but his songs are more toward a pop and contemporary direction. Not that its a bad thing....

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

All that, coupled with his successful marketing, has caused him to be more popular than many others who have skills that rival or surpass his.

Never doupt the effects of good marketing and the radio.