Is John Mayer a better guitar player than Dave Matthews?

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 8:42 am

thanks fatjack...Ticohans has covered it too in REC>?CRIT>...do a search if you are interested...he is awesome...as well as all the rest respectively for as long as we have all been playing...I have been playing for close to a decade now...I can't read sheet music, and I learned everthing I know from my Dad, other people, and myself by ear....I know a bit of theory, but only from what I have come to the conclusion of...drawing parallels in what I see and hear over the years...after school this year (2 more weeks...highschool stinks lol...well, it take alot of guitar time away

) I plan on teachning myself to read sheet music...as a Christian (I am writing this coming in off of a 1 and a Half hour long worhip service I was blesed to lead) I plan on going to Southeastern in Lakeland, FL for college =)...there I will study music at the School Of Christain Arts...learn theory, and applications in composition as well as building Worship leading attributes...so knowing some theory might just be handy :lol:

fatjack · Unread post by **fatjack** » Wed Jun 04, 2003 10:15 am

i haven't been playing as long as you have but my knowledge of theory far surpasses what is expected of my playing experience. if i can give you one tip it would be this: start with scale and chord theory. once you know these relatively simple concepts you'll will most likely become a much better guitarist. my knowledge of theory has allowed me to play much better than almost anyone i know (except for my brother who is my teacher).

as for reading music, good luck. if your like most guitarists (who never learned as a beginner), learning to sight read can be the biggest challenge you'll face. just start slow. don't be afraid to start off with mary had a little lamb, there's no shame in beginning!

btw: if you have any more of those recordings, send in my way

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 2:37 am

fatjack wrote:btw: if you have any more of those recordings, send in my way

Try hitting the WWW button

Fire has some very nice originals and covers up right HERE

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 5:50 am

I already understand what notes are what, and how to construct like any chord...and from what I understand, sheet music is real easy...the problem I will face Is going from what I like now, to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... :lol:

...yeah, my site has a few originals and a few covers...I have alot more, but my site looked to cluttered :wink:

GSR · Unread post by **GSR** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 8:22 am

forgive me for going back to the original discussion of this thread :lol:

i'm not a guitar player, and i've seen mayer play very little, but from what i've seen of both mayer and dave, it just seems like no body could replicate dave's stage prescence or playing. all i've seen mayer play is 'my body is a wonderland'...and all i see, as a bass player, is him whacking a string with his thumb to the beat. (see my signature :wink:

)

i'm probly just being naive here but mayer just annoys me, and i just can't compare him to dave from what i've seen, sorry mayer fans, i specially hate that weirdo flappy frog mouth of his.

:lol:

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 10:29 am

waffle_house_jam wrote:who gives a flying damn about theory anyways?
nah, seriously though, i know a great deal of people who think so. my guitar teacher actually studied it in college for a long time and he says all it boils down to is what sounds good...i have to agree.
not bashing theory, btw, i'm gonna be studying it next year. all i'm saying is that theory doesn't make the musician.

The reason I said that he knew theory was because Fatjack claimed that he didn't know any, and therefore was a bad musician. I didn't make the jump that knowing theory = good musician.

currytime · Unread post by **currytime** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 4:39 am

I have listened to John Mayer and Dave Matthews and i am familiar with probably 95 % of their songs. My conclusion after listening to both of them is that John Mayer is a superior overall musician.

Mayer's body of work (although smaller) is much more musically varied DM, who's songs have become quite predictable. You cannot judge mayer solely on the singles YBIAW and NST (both of which he has been playing for four years). I suggest listening to covered in rain, somethings missing, why did you mess forver, and lifelines to get an appreciation of Mayer's musical ability.

The speculation that mayer cant write good lyrics is pure bs. Meaning in DM's lyrics is often lost in a mess of confusing and unmemorable metaphors (wtf is what would you say about), although they sound good. Mayer's lyrics are catchy and clever, they may be "pop" but they are meaningful. for example

Intro

(1) I came back to get my things
thank you for getting the door
but I don't feel right walking in no more...

(1) It's quiet, I'm cold
I did my crying at home
and I'm numb now
I'm numb now

(2) Before I'm on my way
I've one more thing to ask
(3) Was it worth the price you paid
for my never coming back?

(4a) Why did you mess with forever?
Such a long time
to be unkind
Why did you mess with forever?

(1) Don't you call me cruel
cruel is what you're making me do
I stick to my rules
I'm at odds with me now
Do I look my love in the eyes and say goodbye

(2) Before I'm on my way
I've one more thing to ask
(3) Was it worth the price you paid
for my never coming back

(4b) Why did you mess with forever?
What a long time
to be unkind
Why did you mess with forever?

(5) You ask to kiss me once goodbye
but you already did with somebody else's lips

(Intro)

(6) Tell the tiny chemicals
the ones you hold responsible
they lost me
you lost me
Now everything inside me tells me I sould run to you
and throw my arms around you
Hold your steaming crying cheeks against my own
and tell you nothing's wrong

(7) But wrong is what you were when you forgot
that we were going on
that we were going on
that we were going strong

(4c) Tell me why did you mess with forever?
What a long time
to be unkind
Tell me why did you mess with forever?

compared to...

and down the puppies' hair
Fleas and ticks jump everywhere
'Cause of original sin

Down the hill fell Jack and Jill
And you came tumbling after
'Cause of original sin

Rip away the tears
Drink a hope for happy years
And you may find
A lifetime's passed you by

What would you say
If you a monkey on a string
If you a doggie on a chain
What would you say

I was there when the bear
Ate his head, thought it was a candy
Everyone goes in the end

Knock knock on the door
Who's it for, nobody in here
Look in the mirror my friend

I don't understand at best
I cannot speak for all the rest
But you may find a lifetime's passed you by

Every dog has its day every day has its way
Of being forgotten - "Mom it's my birthday"

What would you say
(Don't drop the big one)
If you a monkey on a string
(Don't cut my life line)
If you a doggie on a chain
(Don't bite the mailman)
What would you say

In conclusion: dont underrate Mayer, DMB may have invented his own style, but mayer is more talented musician

DmbFanJason · Unread post by **DmbFanJason** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 5:13 am

you're a fuckin faggot and a loser Curry.....................DMB POR VIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 5:39 am

Don't accept that poor representaion of our community...he does that sometimes :roll:

don't even respond :roll:

welcome to the site, regarless your views :wink:

*goes off with pulling Jason by the ear to scold him in the corner* :lol:

fatjack · Unread post by **fatjack** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 5:47 am

see those lyrics make me like mayer even less, i love his guitar playing but his sappy lyrics make me gag. it just seems like he writes those words just to make the panties drop (which he is probably able to do quite successfully). yeah maybe dave's lyrics are a little weird sometimes. but at least he has a little variety

gravedigger · Unread post by **gravedigger** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 1:11 pm

currytime wrote:I have listened to John Mayer and Dave Matthews and i am familiar with probably 95 % of their songs. My conclusion after listening to both of them is that John Mayer is a superior overall musician.

Mayer's body of work (although smaller) is much more musically varied DM, who's songs have become quite predictable. You cannot judge mayer solely on the singles YBIAW and NST (both of which he has been playing for four years). I suggest listening to covered in rain, somethings missing, why did you mess forver, and lifelines to get an appreciation of Mayer's musical ability.

In conclusion: dont underrate Mayer, DMB may have invented his own style, but mayer is more talented musician

ok, you say you're familiar with both John and Daves songs and your conclusion is that John is a superior musician. I'm curious on how you came to that. I don't think that Mayer is a more talented musician although he's probably a more skilled guitarist. there's a difference and its important to understand that. I don't underrate John Mayer, just Dave is fuckin' head and shoulders above him at this point.

Wesdutchmaster · Unread post by **Wesdutchmaster** » Sun Jun 22, 2003 7:48 pm

ticohans said it very well. Mayer is a much better guitar player [purely based on playing skill] than Dave. Dave is quite limited in his playing ability, although he is very original in his style. Dave: Great songwriter [although his lyrics could be better] and amazing singer, good guitar player. Mayer: wrote a few great songs, and a bunch of semi decent ones, ok singer, amazing guitar player > great potential.

subotai · Unread post by **subotai** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 1:32 pm

what makes you say Mayer is a great guitar player?

firedancer86 · Unread post by **firedancer86** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 2:04 pm

subotai wrote:what makes you say Mayer is a great guitar player?

hes pretty dang good and has alot of knowledge...but I think he lacks songwriting maturity...

Trippin Hillbilly · Unread post by **Trippin Hillbilly** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 2:19 pm

AHH MAN! Why is this back?
LET IT DIE DAMMIT!

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Is John Mayer a better guitar player than Dave Matthews?

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