Original or Cover?
Nothing furthers musical understanding more than studying how skilled musicians have constructed a song. Then again, nothing furthers musical understanding more than going through the process of creation yourself. That said, practicing songs that you know and with which everyone can sing along provides the best inspiration for the critical task of continuing your efforts every day. Of course, practicing songs that you wrote and which express your talent and perspective provides the best inspiration for the critical task of . . . You get the point.
As an old friend once told me: “Forget the cover songs, dude, originals are where it’s at.” I forgave him his hackneyed cognomen and dangling preposition because his point was heartfelt and valid: creativity and innovation in music are paramount.
Tell that to the throng standing in line at the public restroom during a concert of your favorite musical icon, who just started a lavatory exodus with the words: “This next tune is off our new album . . . ” There is no denying that, most of the time, most people like to hear stuff they know rather than test the acoustic waters with a new offering. So, as a music lover, would you rather hear the old classics or the new tracks?
More on point, check out the latest poll (top-right), which asks the burning question:
As a musician, do you find yourself playing originals or covers?
guitarBlog wants to know!
Sphere: Related Contentguitarblog @ July 6, 2007
There is a lot to be said for both genres. To be able to put forth one’s own work brings a remarkable pride. Even the best do covers, Lukather, Clapton…Ugly Kid Joe. I think the key is to do the cover in a way that makes it unique to the style that you play. Myself, I’m in a church band, so I do covers week in and week out. To break up the monotony, we goof with the style. There is one song that we do to the tune of “Jump” by VanHalen. No there is an outreach
I like ‘em all! Covers, originals, improvisations, new material, anything. I like to be surprised as much as I like to listen to tunes I know. As far as my own playing, I tend to do mostly covers.
IG
I think that it is all connected. I’m a songwriter who performs somewhat frequently, and I still perform covers about 80% of the time. In certain situations, playing mostly original music is appropriate. Open mics and songwriters’ circles, are great places to find a receptive audience for original music. However, I think that it is foolish for a musician to stubbornly perform all original music in a venue where it is not appropriate. The crowd becomes bored, and the performer becomes frustrated. It is a lose, lose situation.
I like to look at it from a folk or jazz mentality. There is a huge canon of folk music, that almost all great folk musicians draw from. It’s considered part of the tradition to continue to reinterpret that material. And what about jazz? Who is going to look down on the likes of Les Paul, Bill Frisell, Mike Stern, Pat Metheny and countless others for playing standards? In my opinion, learning and stamping your own personality on covers is one of the keys to developing your own distinct voice.
Thanks for the great comments! I am definitely a cover man, though I wrote a few songs way back. These days, there is barely enough time to learn what others have taken the time to write, let alone compose myself.
I prefer original covers. I know that sounds silly but seriously, Miles didn’t play anything the same way twice. The test of a good composition is in how morph-able it is.
We’re using centuries old classic Western melodies with standard hooks and ornamentations of many genres. Listen to Jeff Beck’s version of the Beatles tune “She’s a Woman” from Blow by Blow. Cover or original? Well… both.
Use your imagination, but give credit where it’s due.
It’s funny, I’ve been playing the guitar for over 20 years, but I’d be hard put to pull any classic guitar licks out of my pocket.
My playing is very much built around my own song writing, though I do know my way around a lot of obscure R&B and Soul covers circa the ’50s & ’60s.
Actually, I’ve always been a bit jealous of guitar players who have a large reportoire of covers under their belt, though apparently not enough to do anything about it.
Ultimately, when I sit down to play, I find that I get bored picking apart the work of others… but I do have a lot of respect for those who can do it, and do it well.
Originals or Covers? It’s all good!