Well, Les Paul sadly passed away today at the age of 94. He lived a long life, and influenced many people, and touched many people with the gift of music along the way.
Here are a couple videos I was enjoying today, remembering his legacy:
And my goodness was I ever surprised by the talent of his wife Mary at playing the guitar as well!
I played my LTD EC-400, which is basically ESP’s version of a ….well LTD’s version (made by ESP) of a Les Paul Standard. I played it allll night long. Which was great. I suddenly realized I’ve been working on the Stevie Ray Vaughn song “Lenny” for the last 10 years and still don’t have it. And by working on, I guess I mean maybe attempting to play it once a year…so I think that is the problem. I’m hoping that with the inspiration I had tonight, and the longing desire I’ve been having lately to get my ass back into gear as far as my guitar playing, I can really turn things around here in the next little while. I play usually at least an hour a day, but mostly that is playing rhythm parts to accompany myself, whether practicing my songs, writing, or recording. The thing I need the most work on is soloing, and actual technical and melodic ability on the guitar. I want to rip some FAT GUITAR SOLOS basically.
So my goal, on this the day of Les Paul’s passing, is to start spending an hour a day on improving my technique and ability. Whether it be theory, scales, mechanical drills, learning other masters songs, writing, WHATEVER… I must improve. I MUST!
Please check in and see how I am doing, and hold me to this damn it! If I can’t do this in Les Paul’s honor, for what he has done to inspire me, may I never come to have a Les Paul of my own. And THAT would be BRUTAL. So here we go….