Buckethead: Greatest Guitarist Of Our/All Time?

AgeOfOddz · 02-04-2013, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

To those refuting,

I think theres a difference between soul and what buckethead plays. I feel like he can hit "Maggotbrain" emotion, but I wouldn't call that soul. Emotions are one thing; I feel like sadness is a passive emotion. But to play with what I would call passion requires an active willingness to want to feel while playing.

I don't think Buckethead can remove himself from his training. I feel like his playing is mathematical. There isn't anything wrong with that, but I wouldn't call it "soul."

Again, listen to Electric Sea. I cried several times listening to that album, it completely reinvented the image I previously had of Buckethead. Its not simply emotional or soulful when compared to his other work, it might be the most emotional album I have heard.

PhD Researcher · 02-04-2013, 09:44 AM

This thread to me is a wonderful expression of how important the subjectivity of musical perception is. What is "soul" - how do soul and emotion differ? This type of discussion keeps the blood flowin' through my system.

blastingas10 · 02-04-2013, 01:42 PM

It's definitely subjective. His. technical skill is undeniable. The emotion in some of his music is undeniable. But does he has "soul"? Very good question. I think the answer would have to be yes. I think the mask and the bucket kind of buffer the personal connection that people have with musicians and their music.

Rjinn · 02-04-2013, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

You're not going to get soul.

I definitely agree that he's really not about soul. But I don't think he's trying to be. What I enjoy is his trippy creativity and that's his appeal. If I were to suggest a soul based guitarist, Buckethead wouldn't be on the list, at all.

Plankton · 02-04-2013, 08:55 PM

Lots of good insight here. Who's to say what or where the level sits on the scale of soul/emotion, who can actually put a gradient level on that litmus test? To me, I can hear soul, and emotion in every single note from Brian. That's how he expresses himself, that's his soul and emotion. His technical abilities allow him to play notes that build on his cognitive skills, and for the most part his subconcious comes through at a level that may be lost on someone that has been conditioned for a more traditional approach. As in everything, it's all about perspective.

Rjinn · 02-04-2013, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

Lots of good insight here. Who's to say what or where the level sits on the scale of soul/emotion, who can actually put a gradient level on that litmus test? To me, I can hear soul, and emotion in every single note from Brian. That's how he expresses himself, that's his soul and emotion. His technical abilities allow him to play notes that build on his cognitive skills, and for the most part his subconcious comes through at a level that may be lost on someone that has been conditioned for a more traditional approach. As in everything, it's all about perspective.

Well yeah, that's a given. I don't exactly find him emotionless but I don't exactly find him soulful either. He's more complicated than that, and it's what gives him a mysterious feel.

blastingas10 · 02-05-2013, 12:22 AM

As I questioned earlier, to those of you think he isn't soulful, who is a soulful guitarist?

I think there is a certain soulful quality to guitarists who, in a way, don't know what they're doing (compared to someone like buckethead); like Hendrix, for example. I think it has something to do with the spontaneity of their playing. From my experience, sometimes the best or most beautiful sounds come from your guitar when you least expect it, when you're not even thinking.Too much thought and planning can destroy the magic of being in the moment and really feeling it. Which Is a place where soul is often found, in my opinion.

The Bullet · 02-05-2013, 12:41 PM

If you're going to split "soulful" and "emotional" into different categories where one is more about feeling the blood in your body and one is more about feeling the state of your heart (that's the best way I can describe it), then yes, Buckethead's playing is much more emotional than soulful, but in the end, they're just two pathways to the same place, good music. A rock 'n roll vibe isn't necesarrily inferior to a hip-hop vibe, and the same goes with "soulful" and "emotional." What's more important to me is that the vibe that comes out of someone's music is unique to them, and I think that Buckethead's sound is recognizable no matter what genre he's playing, composition-wise, tone-wise, and just in his way of playing. I'm not gonna bother to post more examples, because the thread is loaded with them.

His playing is somewhat mathematical, but not to the extent you guys are making it out to be. I hate whenever I hear really obvious buildups and breakdowns in a song. I enjoy a degree of looking into myself and being musical in order to understand where the music is going. I also hate solos that seem to have no real aim to them and sound homogenous and directionless throughout. He strikes a pretty good balance. I'm not going to say a perfect one, because a few of his tracks do sound too calculated to me, but still, most of the time I like what he does with his music.

Has anyone posted "King James" in here yet? Because I feel like it's a good example of that balance. His musical phrases all have clear aims, but the overall song is well constructed and has multiple high points.

FRED HALE SR. · 02-05-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plankton

Lots of good insight here. Who's to say what or where the level sits on the scale of soul/emotion, who can actually put a gradient level on that litmus test? To me, I can hear soul, and emotion in every single note from Brian. That's how he expresses himself, that's his soul and emotion. His technical abilities allow him to play notes that build on his cognitive skills, and for the most part his subconcious comes through at a level that may be lost on someone that has been conditioned for a more traditional approach. As in everything, it's all about perspective.

Its the same knock that Vai, Satriani and Malmsteen get. When your technical prowess is such it leans towards mechanical. I'm not really big on gymnastic guitar players in general, but I can appreciate the technical prowess while not enjoying it at times. I loved Vai's Flexable album and Satrianis SWTA. I haven't delved enough into Buckethead but he seems cut from the same mold, and while its not my thing, he certainly earns my respect for being a very gifted guitarist.

blastingas10 · 02-05-2013, 01:16 PM

I think BH is a little less focused on mathematical and technical play than guys like vai and satch. He's not afraid to go simple. I think he's more creative and has a more unique sound.

02-04-2013, 09:44 AM	#112 (permalink)
PhD Researcher Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Western New York Posts: 82	This thread to me is a wonderful expression of how important the subjectivity of musical perception is. What is "soul" - how do soul and emotion differ? This type of discussion keeps the blood flowin' through my system. __________________ Music is Love /

02-04-2013, 08:55 PM	#115 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,766	Lots of good insight here. Who's to say what or where the level sits on the scale of soul/emotion, who can actually put a gradient level on that litmus test? To me, I can hear soul, and emotion in every single note from Brian. That's how he expresses himself, that's his soul and emotion. His technical abilities allow him to play notes that build on his cognitive skills, and for the most part his subconcious comes through at a level that may be lost on someone that has been conditioned for a more traditional approach. As in everything, it's all about perspective. __________________ See location...

02-05-2013, 12:22 AM	#117 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	As I questioned earlier, to those of you think he isn't soulful, who is a soulful guitarist? I think there is a certain soulful quality to guitarists who, in a way, don't know what they're doing (compared to someone like buckethead); like Hendrix, for example. I think it has something to do with the spontaneity of their playing. From my experience, sometimes the best or most beautiful sounds come from your guitar when you least expect it, when you're not even thinking.Too much thought and planning can destroy the magic of being in the moment and really feeling it. Which Is a place where soul is often found, in my opinion. Last edited by blastingas10; 02-05-2013 at 12:38 AM.

02-05-2013, 12:41 PM	#118 (permalink)
The Bullet Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 454	If you're going to split "soulful" and "emotional" into different categories where one is more about feeling the blood in your body and one is more about feeling the state of your heart (that's the best way I can describe it), then yes, Buckethead's playing is much more emotional than soulful, but in the end, they're just two pathways to the same place, good music. A rock 'n roll vibe isn't necesarrily inferior to a hip-hop vibe, and the same goes with "soulful" and "emotional." What's more important to me is that the vibe that comes out of someone's music is unique to them, and I think that Buckethead's sound is recognizable no matter what genre he's playing, composition-wise, tone-wise, and just in his way of playing. I'm not gonna bother to post more examples, because the thread is loaded with them. His playing is somewhat mathematical, but not to the extent you guys are making it out to be. I hate whenever I hear really obvious buildups and breakdowns in a song. I enjoy a degree of looking into myself and being musical in order to understand where the music is going. I also hate solos that seem to have no real aim to them and sound homogenous and directionless throughout. He strikes a pretty good balance. I'm not going to say a perfect one, because a few of his tracks do sound too calculated to me, but still, most of the time I like what he does with his music. Has anyone posted "King James" in here yet? Because I feel like it's a good example of that balance. His musical phrases all have clear aims, but the overall song is well constructed and has multiple high points. __________________ http://soundcloud.com/zachary-steuer

02-04-2013, 01:42 PM	#113 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	It's definitely subjective. His. technical skill is undeniable. The emotion in some of his music is undeniable. But does he has "soul"? Very good question. I think the answer would have to be yes. I think the mask and the bucket kind of buffer the personal connection that people have with musicians and their music.

02-05-2013, 01:16 PM	#120 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	I think BH is a little less focused on mathematical and technical play than guys like vai and satch. He's not afraid to go simple. I think he's more creative and has a more unique sound.