( Donning fogey cap ) what I know now includes:
You don't need ALL THAT distortion
All that shredding in the guitar shop, those listening think you are a berk and they ain't listening
Tremolo systems of any kind whatsoever ain't for me at all
You don't have to slavishly learn something to an ocd degree, inject some of you into the music
A band is only as strong as it's weakest member, learn to think as a team as it's all not about you
Look up what humility means
That's some of my philosophical thinking, with experience what have you learnt ?
Comments
I like having a main guitar that’s a ‘constant’. I never really bought into the boutique pedal thing - but most sounds you need can be obtained from Boss & MXR pedals.
With a few exceptions to the rule of course.
That less is more. Better to play a two-note phrase well than to play a more challenging lick badly.
That a Tele and a no-frills amp can still have me grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Learning about EQ is key, and having an EQ pedal on your board is the best investment you can make.
Less is more - it's at least as much about the notes you're not playing as well as the notes you are
Don't start with a crescendo of sound because you have no where to go - learning to build your sound is crucial
Whatever style you like to play, listen to lots of different styles of music...it's amazing what new things you'll discover, what familiar ground you'll find, and you'll also discover that what you think is new...isn't.
Feel is way more important than technical skills - BB King can do more with three notes than most players can do with 12!
I've learned that slide-guitar and experimenting with different tunings is good fun
And finally...some of the best musicians and guitarists in the world are...and I'm being deadly serious here...country players!
It's strange how (generally) the best players used to be the blues-rock musicians, then rock, whilst country players were often strumming 'cowboy' chords. Now plenty of country players are very accomplished indeed.
That certainly isn't to say that there aren't great players in other genres, but it is noticeable how much country has evolved.
The guitar that feels right, plays right and sounds right is a far better option than the one that only looks right