In my house, the word, “or,” doesn’t come up very often…
“Do you want cake ‘or‘ a brownie…”
“Are you having the french fries ‘or‘ the baked potato…”
This sort of thing just doesn’t really happen in these parts (my wife’s Italian and a great cook 🙂
Needless to say, that gusto has moved into other areas of life…
“Do you play with a pick ‘or‘ your fingers?”
“Do you play blues ‘or‘ other styles?”
“Do you play a Strat ‘or‘ a Les Paul?”
These are phrases that mystify me…
We are all guitar players, we play guitar, that’s what we do. Sure, we love the blues, but that doesn’t mean we don’t grab a country lick once in a while, or throw in some jazz or a rock chord.
And while I love playing with a pick, the sweet sounds of fingerstyle guitar are beautiful and life would be dull without those too.
So don’t limit yourself with this crazy ‘or’ word that just doesn’t make sense anyway… it’s all good.
80 replies to "What is this “or” you speak of…"
More and less sound better as more or less, nuff said
Hey Griff, Great few words.
I tend to use a Pick on everything Acoustic & Electric but have learned a way to tuck the pick under my hand to use fingers when comping.. Guitars just love em all and use different ones for specific songs as I get a better sound.
Thanks for sharing this with us Griff.
Michael-Sydney-Australia Feb 2019
Thank You Griff
When we were kids and said “I play guitar” the first question was always “lead or rhythm?”.
I HAVE MY 1982 STRAT WITH ERIC CLAPTONS SIGNATUER ON THE BACK, MY 1965 GIBSON CUSTOM, AND I HAVE AFEW VERY NICE IBANEZ, PLUS MY OWN,”DRAGONFIRE” ONLY GUITARS YOU WILL FIND WITH A 1/2″ CEDAR TOP.
BEEN PLAYING SINCE THE 60’S AND OWNED MY STRAT AND GIBSON EVER SINCE. I DID USE SOME GUITARS FOR DIFFERANT SONGS. I SUSE MY START WHEN PLAYINF BLUSE, OR MY GIBSON FOR HARD ROCK, OR METAL.
I TRY NAOT TOLAY MY STRA, BECAUSE OF THE SIGNATUER ON THE BACK. SI I USE MY CUSTOM IBANEZ. HAS ABODY LIKE A GIBSONS SG.
MANY GUITARS FOR DIIFERANT TYPES OF MUSIC AND SONGS.
I played ‘rhythm’ as a kid and as long as they were open chords – preferably A,D, and E; gawd I hated songs with an F!
I love music in general but play gospel and would hate to think what it would all sound like if every song was the same same tempo same cords notes and style i play with a pick and my fingers i love music no exception so there is no room for OR. Your a great teacher Griff keep it up Sir you help so many
Most of the folks here are totally going to understand where you’re coming from,”or” not. 😊
I totally agree with what you say, its good to have a bit of everything in your playing. thanks Griff.
Griff’s point really hits home for me. I’ve been finger picking folk blues on my acoustic for 40 years, and that’s always been my first love. So I wonder why I am paying a teacher who emphasizes scales, music theory, and (ugh!) using a pick. I am even learning some popular classical tunes, but the truth is, whether we are breaking down a Bach fugue or a Dickie Betts solo, it’s all just great music, fun to play, challenging to learn, and, I believe, making me a better guitarist. It’s the old dilemma whether to be a specialist or generalist. I get around this one by being a generalist who also happens to have a specialty, and I would bet many guitar players do the same.
Absolutely Wayne and Alexander, I totally agree!
I agree too. After time with a band 50 years ago ( we all did- After all, we were privileged to watch the Yardbirds play in our local South London pub every Friday night and how could we resist to try and emulate this new cool music) but after being similarly blown away by seeing Segovia play classical guitar I just had to try that. I threw away plectrum, part exed my strat for a concert classic and spent the next 20 years learning Spanish classics.
Sadly work took over and I had not picked up a guitar for nearly 30 years until a couple of years ago and realised I remembered almost nothing!!
I went to a local teacher who asked me what style did I want to pick up on. I said I just dunno! I went away and trawled the net. Found Griff and have enjoyed getting back to basics. The courses are great for me really enjoying playing 12 bar riffs again but here’s the thing. I now find I sometimes put the pick down and whole sections of my old classical numbers just come into my memory. I can’t tell you how satisfying it is just playing anything on the guitar again. Why on earth did I put it aside for so many years. Thank you Griff for giving me back such a big part of ny life.
Couldn’t agree more Griff, being a teen brought up listening to rock hero Jeff Beck AND Bert &John and Segovia and Manitas De Plata and Django; well, one couldn’t get more diverse styles, (And I now know why Jeff is still going!
Confucius say, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop”
“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps”
Great points, Griff.
To me it is a double-edged sword. I don’t want to limit myself to one sound, technique, instrument or style, but on the other hand I need to focus on some one thing at a time. ADHD notwithstanding, it’s like spinning plates on poles.. you can only keep so many going at one time.
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like bananas….or do they?
I have seen a butter fly but not a time fly- send a pic of one, OK?
This is a real longshot, but Jim Youtz of Lebanon?
Well, there are TWO “or” words: the inclusive or and the exclusive or in logic, and unfortunately logic applies when we describe the selection of distinct possibilities from a group thereof. (Sounds bad already doesn’t it?). When we use the word by itself in speech, it is normally implied (though not necessarily so) that we are talking about one OR the other, but not both (assuming there are two members in the group and there can be more!) and we state the one choice in response to a question. However, the right answer is YES if it is one or the other and not both and NO if it is neither OR both! The incisive or, on the other hand it’s YES if it’s either one and NO if it’s neither one. So you see, it depends. I always answer NO because I play both – it’s quite interesting if I’m holding on to one or the other at the time. I don’t play really well, so it’s a true answer and that’s what you and my other teachers are there for!
HUH?
Old School a.k.a. Woodstock
Ah, it sounds like perhaps you are/were a fellow programmer, no? I love your comment!
Breathe or eat?
Would you rather die now… or later? Just sayin’.
Do you play guitar a little or a lot or do you just sit on the sidelines?
I think it is a stupid TRUMP word!!
So Trump Supporters Are Going To Be Attacked Here On The Blues Unleashed Site Too??????
I agree – no politics and no religion! Just guitar playing.
Di you always display your ignorance in public or are you just playing with mommy’s computer again little girl?
To the Trump hater:
Are you stupid “Or” ignorant?
Whether you like President Trump OR not, I don[‘t think we should use this blog to “thump” Trump!
Old School a.k.a. Woodstock
Do you prefer blondes OR Brunettes?
both always both
So Trump Supporters are going to be attacked at Blues Unleashed Site Too?
I took my girl for a spin in my canoe. I took my guitar so i could sing her a song or two. I asked her would she prefer the blues or Rock, or perhaps folk or classical. Aawww! play a love or romantic song she said or just anything orrrright. Ok but then I dropped the paddle and couldn’t get it back so I used my guitar as an oar or a paddle and she was in awe as I got us back safe and sound to shore. Awesome just Awsome! or words to that effect was her reaction to my guitar or rowing skills.
Walk on every side of the road.
Happy New Year everyone….OR else!
I like “or” go a light anybuddy?
Would you use an oar made from ore or rather a wooden oar. Good article mate, people are responding.
I just wanna know is it hotter in the living room OR in the summer?
My answer to those questions is usually, “Yes”
Do you play a 6 string or a 12 string
I play both 6 and 12 string…
There are two logical meanings for “or”
Inclusive either or both
And
Exclusive just either
Paul
My favorite is “do you play acoustic or electric?” as if it’s a different instrument. I’ll admit that I play mostly acoustic nowadays, and the feel and the playing with the artificial sounds is different, with electric, but it’s a guitar, and I don’t see an “or” about it.
Folk, rock, jazz, blues, finger picking, slide, yeah all of that. “And” is way more fun than “or”.
Truer words were never spoke! A variation on that theme, which we’ve all heard, is simply “Variety is the spice in all things.”
Thanks for that reminder Griff….and Happy New Year!
Working for a Mining Company “We really dig OR” – or is that ORE ??, But we loves playin our guitars – rock, blues, ore jazz – no matter Cheers with BEERS.
What about when you mother said “do this or else?”
There’s no “or” in that…I did whatever she instructed. But you make a valid point.
I once saw a forklift lift a crate of forks. And it was way to literal for me.
to OR too!
ROFL! Perfect!
Great debate Griff. The English language is a many faceted hybrid of so many languages and I personally do not get too hung up on the use of any words unless they were being used aggressively.
The younger generation use words for all manner of meanings that would not have occurred to a slightly senior generation.
I liked to read the comments of some of your other followers on the subject. Raised a chuckle or three.
Just keep up the great work Griff and not get distracted by others OR tell them to get a life he he.
Yes, this old guy hates to hear ‘awesome.’ The word has lost its true meaning.
Grif you have not grasped, as a proud scotsman and obviously a master of the english language, “or” is not about limitation, it’s all about preference and embraces the “all’.
It’s all good !
“…..this, that AND the other”
When in doubt play it out
Yes, but I got to know…Solid State OR Tubes?
Your comment limited the guitar to only using picks or fingers,,Remember when Jimmie Page used a string Bass bow on Dazed and confused.. Now that is innovation.
Nigel Tufnel used a whole Violin to play his guitar solo!
Griff you’re completely correct! There’s no reason to be a one trick pony or to not play or incorporate other styles of music in your playing.
Even with a name like mine, I touch on ALL styles. The song will tell you what it needs if you listen closely enough.
Thanks!
Blues Mitchell
Happy New Year!
Yes Griffbut, remember the great Love song, Alone again or.
Sorry couldn’t miss out on that one.
Just this weekend I read through a debate as to whether an amplified dulcimer was really a dulcimer “or” not. Bottom line is what you said, music is an art form that takes on many shapes and sounds and methods. Enjoy it in all of them. Thanks, Griff. Happy New Year!
This is a great commentary, I am a musician and guitar is one of my instruments. When I hear the symphony, I wish I played the bassoon and the cello and the french horn, all at the same time if I could, ha ha, and not just oboe. When I hear Andra Segovia, the brilliant master of classical guitar play, I’m entranced, When I hear my son play, particularly when he was young, I hope he finds the same joy of sound and vibrations of soul and thought that I found throughout the years. Would you like vanilla ice cream or Chocolate? I prefer vanilla over all, but do I dabble in the in the world of exotic flavors? You bet I do.
We, according to many perceptions, get only one shot at this life, and I want to play and experience it all and share it too. In any case, do what makes you happy, whether it be a certain pick or guitar type or style of playing.
I have a simple out look on life these days as I get on the train of senior citizen, We are all witnessing, sometimes seemingly volcanic, social change. Music as well as art are the voice and language of this evolution. Sit back and enjoy the view, because we are not here for a long time…or we can choose to be miserable.
I submit this with trepidation because I don’t want to seem political or preachy, my apologies in advance.
Thanks Griff for some inspiration on this rainy and dreary, bluesy morning in Fredericksburg Virginia,
Well said sir!
Hi neighbor, I’m a rural Virginian in south-central VA. Prince George County between Surry County and Hopewell!
Music is an art form. It is a form of expression and has no rules so ‘or’ doesn’t apply. If you like it and it sounds good okay it!
I meant to so ‘play it’ not ‘okay it’ .Blame that on my phone’s auto correct
Actually OK it works too.
Here’s another one, from New Orleans:
“You can’t win for losing”
Your right Griff. I was in a seminar with the great Ray Parker Jr. and that was his advice to all of us. Not limit ourselves to any one kind or style of music, to stay open to all styles because there is something to be gleaned from all music. Your ear is the most important thing you have when it comes to playing any form,so listen and learn.
You are so right.I have all types of guitars and with a pick an fingers. Blues is my favorite,rock jazz country and classical music I love to.Thanks
The answer is “Yes”.
Great thoughts Griff. However some people just need to know what others have OR would like.
Enjoy
Words are crazy. How about this phase. How many sheets can a sheet slitter slit if a sheet slitter could slit sheets ?
Griff…..you just used the ‘or’ word twice in your third from last paragraph.
Gotta make sure you all are on your toes 😉
Tattoo AND nipple ring.
OOOWWWWWW. I bet that hurts.
More great words of the master to the wise, this grasshopper shall listen up ! Thank-YOU,Griff.