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I began playing a Stella acoustic guitar at age 10. I quickly became a
fan of both AM and FM radio. (Mainly the Stones, The Beatles and The
Yardbirds). I played guitar in my school jazz bands from age 13 to 21.
From age 17 on, I was playing the local music scene cause as you all
know, you have to pay your dues. After having travelled throughout the
United States and Europe as a budding musicologist, I was awarded more
chances to teach and play music. I also became the guitar instructor at
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR in the continuing education
department. Presently, I am a private instructor who teaches music
theory and guitar lessons.
The most important difference between the musician and the mere player
is quite obviously the quality of one's ear. So the importance of
thorough aural training is essential to eventually "getting it". I also
teach advanced lessons in styles such as Blues, Blues/Rock, Fusion, Hard
Rock and Jazz as I find that by doing so, I can keep myself on a
learning curve. Never stop learning, no matter how good you get.
My tastes in music are eclectic to say the least. I have absorbed many
different musical styles and try to reflect them in my playing and
compositions. I like any musician who plays from the heart, regardless
of their musical style. Any musician who makes me pick up my guitar and
practice, I highly recommend. Since composers and horn players have
influenced my musical style as much as guitarists and vocalists, I have
blended those influences that I have gained from that input with my
feelings and emotions in an attempt to more clearly present my own
version of "good" music.
It is as simple as this. You can mostly benefit from knowing the
language of music so as to more easily communicate your musical ideas.
By speaking that language you have more control over both the ability to
play what you hear and the awareness to share your ideas with others.
You just need to learn the rules so you will know when you are bending
or breaking them. This makes you even more creative because you have a
better perception of which techniques are perceived by most listeners as
"normal". Therefore, you can be sure that your music is personal and not
just a bunch of cliches. Understanding music theory is the method of
improving your awareness of music composition, playing, musicians,
composers, styles, techniques, and genres. Basically, it makes you more
musically literate.
I like to share my ideas with anyone who is interested. After you
have read my Delta Musicians Page check out my Delta Boogie CD review site
Delta Pickins
and my personal site,
Leon's Homepage.
Anyone who is interested should contact me to make comments and or
recommendations or just talk guitar. I will try to respond as quickly
and as accurately as possible regarding anything you may query about
regarding music.
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Leon circa '82
Stardust,1984