What do you consider expert?

Shut the fuck up.

it does suck not knowing what you're talking about

People I consider to be experts are people like Alvarez and old_skul, and Alekhine, people who have a broad knowledge of theory but also play tastfully. I would give my left nut to know as much as they do. Myself, I just close my eyes and let my fingers do the walking. I don't use to much theory knowledge because I don't know any of it well enough to use it in real time.

Thanks for the kind words - it's awesome to be included in such talented company. I seriously don't regard myself as an "expert" at music. I just like to play :) And I'm not afraid to suck - even though my drumming skills sucked at the time, I played in a band with people whose skill levels on their respective instruments was miles ahead of mine. And it was helpful.

I guess it depends on what you call "expert". I have a *little* bit of theory behind me as a guitarist - I know my keys, and modes - but basics like reading and Alek's mystical "circle of fifths" escape me. I know a few basics about songwriting - I read "Songwriting for Dummies". And I know a little bit about recording, engineering, mixing and mastering. So by knowing a little bit about a lot of different subjects, does that make me an expert?

I don't think so. When I think of an expert, I think of someone who gets *paid* to do music, and does it for a living. Sure, I get paid once in a while, for a commercial, or for a live gig - but that's not my day job. I wish!

It's all relative, I suppose. For someone just starting in music, I might seem like an expert to them. But to me, from my viewpoint, someone trained like Alekhine is an expert. He does music for a day job. He's educated in theory. He can probably play at a level on his instrument *far* above my level on my instrument.

I went to a classical concert a while back and realized this: the guys up on that stage, all dressed up and playing for us - *those* are experts. True virtuosos. They didn't just get up there and play the concerto - they fucking ripped it to shreds. I was stunned at just how much feel they all managed to put into the music - and when it came time to rip out a run of 32nd notes, it was perfect. No hesitation, no mistakes.

So: when someone manages to capture you, musically: that's an expert.

it does suck not knowing what you're talking about

You could stop talking.

I've played saxophone for 11 years and have been to numerous sightreading competitions where I dominate. Suck my dick.

urmom