Brett Garsed

[Muso]

I personally didn't think it was amazing, yea its nice smooth tone and stuff but I really didn't rate the melodies sounded I dunno too random, to me melody is something strong any easy to remember think "ode to joy" by beethoven etc
This is jazz or fusion right, because I can't get into it at all.

Greg howe is about as close as I get to jazz, heres some really nice playing by him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px1TUrCx4Ak

Oh yea I don't get how u guys dig Shaun Lane, hes the most tasteless player Ive ever heard!

[n_mountain]

Hey Muso,
I understand what you mean.
You're missing the written out, singable melodies. :)

I was more talking about how he can in an improvisational context, let's say, shred on a very melodic level. (Even though I don't rate this as shred at all, just to describe the fact that he's playing quite difficult stuff).

I know there's other ways of improvising as well, you could just improvise (slow) melodies, for example. But for a guy who's playing quite a lot of fast complicated stuff it has a very nice flow (music wise, not talking about techique here), and doesn't get boring.
Hope this was understandable :D

And funny you mention Greg Howe. They're in a similar boat, but I can get into Garsed easier than Howe...but Iguess that's personaö preference...

[Muso]

I understand what youre saying completely I just think improvised music sounds terrible in comparison to a well composed piece of music. Theoretically theres no comparison.

I honestly think that jazz improv is incredibley self indulgent, I've seen lots of Holdsworth and lane videos and all they seem to do is wank up all over the shop with no regard for the other musicians in the group. Theres no melody to my ears but I guess they get lots of props because the scale or arp "fits" over the progression.

I'd love to know if people into this type of music actually like the music and how? I've tried and failed. I have a friend whos a pianist in a Bebop band and hes tried to convert me many times. Most people "guitarists" I've spoken too seem to like jazz because its elite and they really don't understand it at all. Weird huh?

[gingataff]

The whole point of jazz is improvisation, its roots come from taking a standard tune and then 'jazzing it up' to make something new, and of course there is self indulgence and a sense of competition between musicians that you rarely find in other music.

I love jazz and I also think that being able to improvise properly one of the greatest things a musician can do, but it's also a very strict discipline. To be honest most of the jazz I listen to isn't guitar based, mostly trumpet, sax and piano, but one of my favourite guitarists is John McLaughlin whose improvisations are stunning, to be able to create something beautiful literally at will is something I aspire to be somehow doubt I could achieve :)

Another kind of music that is mostly made up of improvisations is Indian classical music where the musician plays a raag (similar to a scale or mode) improvising and embellishing a melody. Maybe that's why they go together so well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB95clOd6v0

[broken cord]

The whole point of jazz is improvisation, its roots come from taking a standard tune and then 'jazzing it up' to make something new, and of course there is self indulgence and a sense of competition between musicians that you rarely find in other music.

I love jazz and I also think that being able to improvise properly one of the greatest things a musician can do, but it's also a very strict discipline. To be honest most of the jazz I listen to isn't guitar based, mostly trumpet, sax and piano, but one of my favourite guitarists is John McLaughlin whose improvisations are stunning, to be able to create something beautiful literally at will is something I aspire to be somehow doubt I could achieve :)

+1; I don't play it because it is beyond my scope of ability at this time. I appreciate good musicianship in all styles including styles I don't particularly care for.

[fps_dean]

I've heard the name, but this is the first time I've heard him... he is very good as you say!