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The incredible John Myung

#61
Im still dying laughing over the "his technique sucks big time"...that was a riot! I wish my technique could be so "sucky". I really love "Forsaken" off of Systematic Chaos...one of the few things theyve released in years that I have enjoyed...just a straightforward hard rock song that has a great hook...and LaBrie sounds great on it.
 
#62
Thundar said:
Im still dying laughing over the "his technique sucks big time"...that was a riot! I wish my technique could be so "sucky". I really love "Forsaken" off of Systematic Chaos...one of the few things theyve released in years that I have enjoyed...just a straightforward hard rock song that has a great hook...and LaBrie sounds great on it.
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Well, having watched him live for over 2 hours, and can safely say that if I played the way he did, I would have serious wrist strain and muscle cramps. His playing looked like it was a real effort for him. No seriously it did. What's with the little pinky sticky pointing out to the sky?

I've spent 20 years trying to get away from what he was doing technically, ensuring that I don't get strain or muscle injury. But, at the end of the day, if it works for him, who cares right? Oh wait! we'll be the ones correcting and offering advice to all those newbies on TB who have copied him and in the process have sprained a wrist, or are complaining about severe arm or shoulder pains. Hero worship has its drawbacks!
 
#63
derrenleepoole said:
Well, having watched him live for over 2 hours, and can safely say that if I played the way he did, I would have serious wrist strain and muscle cramps. His playing looked like it was a real effort for him. No seriously it did. What's with the little pinky sticky pointing out to the sky?

I've spent 20 years trying to get away from what he was doing technically, ensuring that I don't get strain or muscle injury. But, at the end of the day, if it works for him, who cares right? Oh wait! we'll be the ones correcting and offering advice to all those newbies on TB who have copied him and in the process have sprained a wrist, or are complaining about severe arm or shoulder pains. Hero worship has its drawbacks!
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That pinky thing is really odd, and it seems to be a trademark of Dream Theater. Not only does Myung do it, but John and Jordan Rudess, a classically trained pianist, both do it as well. It bugs the hell out of me, but it makes me glad that I never got into that habit. Seems like you could play faster if you used your pinky, you know.
 
#64
Audiophage said:
That pinky thing is really odd, and it seems to be a trademark of Dream Theater. Not only does Myung do it, but John and Jordan Rudess, a classically trained pianist, both do it as well. It bugs the hell out of me, but it makes me glad that I never got into that habit. Seems like you could play faster if you used your pinky, you know.
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Are you saying they're not playing fast enough? :smug:
 
#66
derrenleepoole said:
His playing looked like it was a real effort for him. No seriously it did. What's with the little pinky sticky pointing out to the sky?
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Interesting. I've seen Dream Theater live and I was just watching the Live at Bukokan DVD and he very rarely sticks his pinky out. I am watching the Instrumedly multiangle, just on Myung, and after 8 minutes he has had his pinky out for a total of less than 20 seconds (and not far enough to have any affect his wrist).

BillyRay said:
I usually don't like music where the listener talks more about the stamina and speed then about the melody, song structure and tightness. That might just be me though.

This is also the main difference between Rush and DT, wich to some are the same thing. Rush songs are littered with hooks: they were very familiar with the pop, blues-rock song structure and it showed. They just worked within it to expand it. With DT, it seems as if they have never heard a song in their whole life and are cobbling licks/tricks together.
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Come on now, don't piss on the music. Sure, it's not of the style that you enjoy, sure, but to say that to be a good band they should go with the old, familiar "pop, blues-rock sojng structure" is just rediculous. If people only work within predefined structures to be accepted as good music, then there is no going forward, or any other direction for that matter.

We know what Mike Portnoy listens to and enjoys, as he posts his favourite cds of the past 12 months at the end of each year (that's how I discovered Beardfish, great band BTW), so you can't say they haven't heard a song before.

All IMO of course.
 
#69
Come on now, don't piss on the music. Sure, it's not of the style that you enjoy, sure, but to say that to be a good band they should go with the old, familiar "pop, blues-rock sojng structure" is just rediculous. If people only work within predefined structures to be accepted as good music, then there is no going forward, or any other direction for that matter.

We know what Mike Portnoy listens to and enjoys, as he posts his favourite cds of the past 12 months at the end of each year (that's how I discovered Beardfish, great band BTW), so you can't say they haven't heard a song before.

All IMO of course.
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I'll listen to Genesis and like it. I'll listen to Rush and like it. I'll listen to King Crimson and kind of like it. Hardly any of those bands are bubble gum, disposable pop.

But DT. No way. If I have to endure another time listening to Erotomania, I'll probably burst down in tears. Their music remind me of all the flashy licks burnt-out 50 years old with long gray hair down to their butt play while they try out Ibanez guitars at the music store. And I hardly care about Portnoy's music choices. This man's ego could power a small town for weeks if scientists ever discover a way to tap into his brain.

The comment about all the songs sounding like the boss theme song from a video game is spot on.
 
#71
I have a number of DT recordings/DVDs. Bought a ticket to see them last year in TX but backed out at the last minute because I didn't want to listen to 3 hours of it...in addition to opening bands that I cared nothing about.

Agreed on the vocalist comments...agreed on the speedfest/wankfest comments. There's NO doubt that they are all top-notch musicians but I guess I'm not that much of a prog rock fan. I keep wishing they would mix it up a bit more. I really don't like their vocalist...at all.

Having said that, 2 excellent recordings are Petrucci's Suspended Animations (with Dave LaRue) and the truly excellent Evening with Jordan and Petrucci. I desperately wish that was on DVD. The irony of that night was that it almost didn't happen...and then they almost didn't record it. It's mind boggling when you find out that they didn't really practice the material together either...almost no rehearsal. How is that possible?

As to Myung, you should read about his warm-up and warm-down routines that are mentioned on some of their concert DVDs. I guess Myung plays for several hours before AND after the concert!:eek:
 
#72
derrenleepoole said:
Well, having watched him live for over 2 hours, and can safely say that if I played the way he did, I would have serious wrist strain and muscle cramps. His playing looked like it was a real effort for him. No seriously it did. What's with the little pinky sticky pointing out to the sky?

I've spent 20 years trying to get away from what he was doing technically, ensuring that I don't get strain or muscle injury. But, at the end of the day, if it works for him, who cares right? Oh wait! we'll be the ones correcting and offering advice to all those newbies on TB who have copied him and in the process have sprained a wrist, or are complaining about severe arm or shoulder pains. Hero worship has its drawbacks!
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I have to agree with you there. Myung does have several issues with his technique that I would not recommend a beginner copy. These are mostly to do with his right hand. His left hand is pretty good as far as I can see. There are quite a number of players with high profiles that have technical issues, though. I have spoken about this in other threads too.

As far as Myung himself, well if it works for him, I think it's his business what he does he is probably aware of what he is doing and compensates for it. He probably wouldn't recommend some of his technical approaches to beginners either.

You are on to something with what you are saying about "hero worship" too. It shouldn't be taken for granted that because someone can play well in terms of the sound they make, that the technique they use to get that sound is always great technique in terms of efficiency and safety. That goes for the fact that someone is famous too.

[edit] Actually, I take it back Myung has some issues with his left hand too that I would never recommend to a beginner to adopt. Especially that thumb hooked over the fretboard thing he does.
 
#73
AK Rev said:
There's NO doubt that they are all top-notch musicians but I guess I'm not that much of a prog rock fan. I keep wishing they would mix it up a bit more.
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I really don't get this kind of comment. Prog-rock is all about mixing it up (just that it usually happens within one song and not over the course of four). And Dream Theater are one of the musically most versatile bands out there. Going from soft, radio-styled ballads like Hollow Years to really heavy and structurally unusual stuff like The Glass Prison is something that very few bands can pull off. If they wanted to mix it up even more, they'd have to turn into something like Mr. Bungle.
 
#80
Pedulla? said:
Does ANYBODY like the singer? Really?
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Sure. When he stays within his range, and style, I think he sounds great. Songs like Surrounded, Voices/Silent Man, Trial Of Tears, Ann Lee, most of Scenes from a Memory, the second disc of 6 Degrees...I really enjoy his vocals. It's when he tries to go all Hetfield that he really, really loses it.

He can be hit or miss live, depends on what he tries to do.
 

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