HELP: Need Advice About My Son the Guitarist

fideist · 09-30-2009, 09:45 PM

Hi everyone. My son was born with two birth defects and subsequently suffers from a learning disability. He is now in his mid-twenties, and because of his disabilities he has had difficulties getting and keeping jobs.

But for the last fifteen years the one thing he has loved more than anything else is playing the guitar. To these untrained ears of mine, he is really good. And he impresses all our friends too.

Alas, however, none of us are trained; We don't know how good is he. We are wondering if he is good enough that he might have a future as a Christian musician? We are wondering if he is good enough that this is something we should help and encourage him toward as a career?

I have uploaded three videos of him performing to YouTube -- two Keaggy covers and an original composition. Can you please review them and give me feedback here on this forum?

(These were my first attempts with the video camera, so please excuse I got the aspect ratio wrong and there was a smudge on the lens. Thanks.)

Thanks and God Bless.

YouTube - Ralph Walker Covers Phil Keaggy's "Legacy"

YouTube - Ralph Walker Covers Phil Keaggy's "Reunion"

YouTube - Ralph Walker plays "Afterthought" on Guitar (Instrumental)

Ak_Man4Jesus · 09-30-2009, 09:48 PM

Have him start playing at christian gettogethers and see how it goes from there

fideist · 09-30-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ak_Man4Jesus

Have him start playing at christian gettogethers and see how it goes from there

He does. He occasionally plays at church and other fellowship meetings and informal get-togethers.

But my wife and I are more interested in determining how much help and encouragement we should give him toward a musical career.

Is he just "good?" Or is he seriously "talented?" We were hoping you could tell us. We don't have a clue.

Ak_Man4Jesus · 09-30-2009, 09:57 PM

If it is somthing he wants to do, encouage him all you can.
look up on u-tube the guy that plays with his feet. I cant remeber his name.
It just shows that any one can do any thing, even some one with no arms

earlessdog · 09-30-2009, 10:34 PM

Your son is far better than just "good". Your son is, in my own opinion, extremely talented. Few people can play that well, in ratio to average mediocre players (like myself).
I would strongly support him till no end in pursuing a music as a career or a very focused and seriously taken hobby. I'm assuming he wishes to pursue music? I hope he is not waiting on the OK by yourself and your wife. Just remember, the music industry is a harsh thing and even some of the most talented musicians don't "make it", because popular music is basically a fashion statement, but I hope your son gets recognized.
If he truly composed "Afterthought" then he is an incredible writer, I thought it was better than Keaggy's.
I'm not a big listener of Keaggy and other musicians of that style of music, so I thought his composition sounded truly original.
As I said before, few musicians can play like that (in comparison) so there will be a lot more people who will take the time to listen to his music rather than the folk rock composer across the street, you know what I mean?

I would seriously look into starting a myspace music page. Get a couple quality recordings (of his own originals) and put them up there. Believe it or not, Myspace and YouTube are pretty good ways to get recognized these days. Playing at as many music festivals as possible would greatly help as well. Possibly acquiring a vocalist/band?

Anyway, I think your son is incredible and I really loved his song "Afterthought" and I hope he keeps writing.

fideist · 10-01-2009, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the replies so far.

However, I am new to this forum, obviously, and was there a better place to post this thread?

Thanks.

earlessdog · 10-01-2009, 12:38 PM

The guitar forum might have been a better choice, but don't worry, the site gets busier as the day goes on. A mod may likely move this thread to the guitar forum for you.
Give it a day and you might have more traffic in this thread.

DKelly · 10-01-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlessdog

The guitar forum might have been a better choice, but don't worry, the site gets busier as the day goes on. A mod may likely move this thread to the guitar forum for you.
Give it a day and you might have more traffic in this thread.

Taken care of.

jeepnstein · 10-01-2009, 02:17 PM

Well. He plays very well. I can't fault him at all. Here's the problem as I see it.

Does he want to work as a musician? Its an incredibly cruel and shallow trench, even in the "Christian music" business. Lots of travel, not much money some times, quite a bit of risk of failure. If he wants to give it a whirl I would think he'll do OK. I'm thinking he could make a few dollars just storming around town.

As long as you are willing to be supportive, to a point, in the face of a few inevitable failures then I can't see why not. It's a God given talent he has.

gtrdave · 10-01-2009, 03:13 PM

Yeah, he's pretty good. At least as a solo player and, if he's learned these songs by ear, he's a good listener, too.
My only critique would be that the tuning of the guitar sounds a little off, but some of that could be attributed to the video recording quality and/or the alternate tuning required for the Keaggy songs. That said, it's always good to check and recheck tuning in order to make any performance that much better.

There's a certain crudeness and yet passion to his playing. Some of the crudeness can probably be improved upon over time, but he should never lose the passion. He's got a good grasp on the dynamics of the music and that's a big plus for any musician.

Not to make light of anything that he's hindered by, but I'd be careful with calling him 'learning disabled'. While there may be some things that he struggles with (and you all would know best what those things are), it sure seems like he's got a natural gift for playing the guitar and for learning some not-so-easy-to-play songs. That said, his talent is a testimony to what someone who has faced some life challenges can really do and a testimony to God's goodness. To me, your son's abilities are a triumph over adversity. Listening to him playing "Reunion" while I type this just reinforces this to me.

As far as a career in music, that is a whole other conversation that I don't have time to get into right now. Best I can say is keep praying about it and about how God might best use his life to inspire others to overcome any situation and still bring an offering of worship.

Folk_guy · 10-01-2009, 04:33 PM

He is a talented guitarist, but the business is very competitive. There are a lot of talented guitarists out there. He should be encouraged to go as far as his talent will take him, but there is a lot of being in the right place at the right time, meeting the right people, etc. Getting with a Christian band, and networking with other Christian musicians would be his first steps to strive for.

fideist · 10-01-2009, 04:40 PM

So I am to understand then, based just on these videos, he has very good talent?

Thanks again for the responses. Please keep them coming.

mYdEePeStDrEaM · 10-01-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fideist

So I am to understand then, based just on these videos, he has very good talent?

Thanks again for the responses. Please keep them coming.

Yes! He's very talented! I love "Afterthougt"!

fideist · 10-02-2009, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone!

When I uploade new videos of Ralph to YouTube, which forum on CGR is the proper place to post the announcements?

Thanks in advance.

**thesteve** · 10-02-2009, 11:32 AM

If you're going to stick around, I would say that you could start a blog in the Journals section.