Grow a Personality - Stone Cold Magic Magazine

Ok . . . whether you’re a metal head (like me) or a fan of quiet and peaceful relaxing mouth harps (like not me), I want you to watch/listen to the two YouTube videos below. You may or may not appreciate the type, style, sound, etc., but please force yourself to listen to both of them, one at a time in order, as completely as you possibly can stand.

Watch/Listen To This One First :

Then . . . Watch/Listen To This One:

The first is a live recording of Metallica playing one of their masterpieces, Fade to Black. The second one is a brilliant pianist named Scott D. Davis playing the exact same song. I’m gonna guess that we have a four way split

Those who hate the first and love the second
Those who hate the second and love the first
Those who love (or like) them both
Those who hate (or dislike) them both

This issue of Roots and Branches is not about critiquing one of the greatest bands in the world or their tribute artist. It is however, about style. It’s about . . . well . . .

Root:

Let’s remember our roots. This month’s root is . . . Give it your own personality. Leaving out the fourth bullet point above, let’s assume that most people liked at least one version of the song. That being said, different styles appeal to different people. Different styles appeal to different performers; different styles appeal to different audiences.

Did I mention that there’s a cello version:

What if you combined two of them?

Maybe throw in the San Fransisco Orchestra?

Branch:

Let’s build our branches. Your mission for the next 30 days is the epitome of this columnn’s purpose . . . take a root and branch out. Make something your own. So do it. Grab a classic effect; I don’t care what it is, just make sure it’s something that’s not currently in your repertoire. Go find a classic effect/plot/prop/etc., and put your own personality into it. Make it your own. Figure out why it speaks to you; Make it your own. Grow a personality and inject it into your magic.

Now go study the classics and go discover your true magical self.