The City of Shred
This post was inspired by this
One of my all time favorite movie , is The City of God
I could watch this show all over and over again , and never get bored . Each time i watch i learn something new .
Basically , the story is about 2 kids who grew up in the same neighborhood (The City of God). Both of them led different lives.
One became a gang leader , dealing with drugs , killing people . He had everything , money , power , fame but he was lonely .
The other kid became a photographer , capturing pictures . He was passionate about what he was doing . And yeap , he was just an average joe , not rich , not really good with women , just another normal guy you see on the street
.
Let me tell you a story ,
About two Musicians , a guitarist and a bassist
both of them led different lives .
The bassist treats music as a BUSINESS . THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY was everything to him.
He was famous , knew every single walking musician , talent agents and big clients , endorsed by several brands , had signature guitars , hired by celebrities , always selling his “product” (his band or his playing) , getting chicks , making money .
” Being a musician is not about how well you play , but how much you make ” was his all time favorite line .
The problem was , his playing was just AVERAGE . There was nothing special in his playing. Just good enough to be a professional musician .
Because he knew so many people , he formed an “all star” band . He was the band leader and the manager . His bandmates were awesome , but he was not . He brags about how Good his band is , but not himself . People worship his band , but not him.
He was into ALOT of music business politics . People talked behind his back . They hated him . But they need him .
The guitarist , didn’t cared about MONEY . What he wanted , was to be THE BEST GUITARIST ALIVE .
He gets jealous when he sees another guitarist that is better than him.
“How can i be the best?” “How can i master this technique?” was all he could think of .
He plays guitar with passion. You can tell by hearing the first note he plays . The feel . The touch . Its THERE .
Technique , Theory , Vibrato , Phrasing , Hearing , Song composition etc , every skill a guitarist should have , he has it . A master in shredding , A true virtuoso. He was almost THE perfect guitarist .
“Its all about doing what you like , and not wasting your life away by chasing other things “ was his favorite line .
The problem was , there was NOTHING going on in his life . It was all ABOUT GUITAR , GUITAR AND GUITAR . No money , No Chicks , Not getting laid , Very little friends , not famous, probably a youtube 2 months hype guitar hero , not interested in ANYTHING , only GUITAR GUITAR GUITAR .
He also felt unhappy with his life . Sure , he can play super well , but he says to himself every night
“why am i not there yet? ”
“I do not think i can play well , because no one knows me”
“Why aren’t people noticing me”
“How can i improve myself? i feel that i suck in guitar. “
Soon , the bassist found the guitarist . Both of them formed a band .They hired a professional drummer .
The first year , was the Golden year . The band was mind blowing .
The bassist helped the band , getting BIG SHOWS with BIG paycheck , while the guitarist was shredding and impressing his audience . It was the best combination . EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT .
One fine day , a producer came to them , and said ” i want to produce an album of your band , i wanna hear something that is original , something that speaks not only to yourselves but to everyone , something new to the market , and something that i can sell ”
The bassist started composing his own songs . He went towards the pop , rnb , funk , hip hop direction . Something that has a modern feel to it . What he was focusing on , was how to produce a music SELLS .
The guitarist on the other hand , started writing things that has a little classical influence , putting in some technical stuff and some cool time signature riffs , some 80′s rock Influence , some Ritchie Blackmore .What he was focusing on , was to produce a song that speaks to him , and a song that expresses himself .
Both of them couldn’t agree on how the song should sound .
Bassist said “GROW UP DUDE , in life , you don’t get EVERYTHING your way , BE A MATURE MAN and ACCEPT THIS , Music is for selling , who’s gonna put food on the table if you’re not making money ? ”
Guitarist said ” What happened to REAL Music ? I am not going to play that repetitive bullshit , is not who i am , why should i pretend to be someone that i am not ! “
They had a big fight .
Bassist started saying shit like ” I brought you up all these years , i made you a somebody, and this is how you repay me ? “
Guitarist replied ” This band has gone so far today , because of me , you NEED me pal . If i quit , you’re a nobody “
and soon , they disband . Both went on their separate ways .
The story above , is real . Is the 2 extreme sides of a musician .
Are you Music for Passion , or Music for money ?
Many started with passion , but ended up playing only for money .
Both sides will NEVER come to an agreement . Which side are you on ?
It is difficult to strike a balance , between Passion and Money .
All Passion , will get us no where in the industry . In the end , we will get tired and give up . GIVE UP . WHATS THE POINT OF PRACTICING SO HARD WHEN THERE IS NO RETURN ? NO GIGS ? NO CHICKS ? NO ONE NOTICING ?
All money , will get us somewhere in the industry , but you will have NO PASSION for what you’re doing anymore . Something that you liked a long time ago , becomes a daily routine job , becomes stressful and tiring, the only reason for playing music is MONEY MONEY MONEY . THIS IS MY RATE , IF YOU’RE NOT PAYING ME , WHY SHOULD I PLAY ?
I knew a guitarist , that played guitar for the passion when he was young . But he got tired and got seduce to play for Money . Now , he feels empty . He wants to play for passion again .
beautiful don’t you think , how God create such paths for musicians ? 
.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:57 am
nice random pictures with the story.i have a dream of being able to shred awesomely(still can’t), but have no dreams of making it in the music industry or whatsoever. so i guess i have no idea why i practice so much at times or my path.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:03 am
hahaa the guitarist was ur sifu is it?
August 14th, 2009 at 8:21 am
i vote this the best post in gapnap.com
i believe this post speaks to every musician out there.the double perspective .
to Vincent.
i do not think the pictures are random.
Picture 1 (empty guitar) the beginning of the story . a guitar in process with so much more ahead
Picture 2 (a pedal case Filled with pedals without the guitar and the amp) to describe the bassist
Picture 3 (a beautiful restaurant but nobody is eating) to describe the guitarist
Picture 4 a city with everything to describe the success
Picture 5 neck and bridge pickup with different sounds , both separated , can never be together
correct me if i am wrong
August 14th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Ah gappie you’ve become an artist. Or is this an accumulated “random thoughts” post that you haven’t put up in a while, hehe.
I’ve blogged about something similar b4, the struggle between passion and the need to make a living, and the best example I could come up with was this old African-American busker playing his saxaphone on an NYC sidewalk. I used to walk by him on my way to the subway every morning. He calls himself Sam and he told me he used to perform gigs off Broadway but they threw him out after he fell sick and couldn’t show up for weeks. He oozes passion and his solos are just superb. Now there’s a survivor who hasn’t lost his ideals and still makes a living albeit a modest one.
August 14th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
walao gapnap is secretly an art fag!? since when did you become a budding photographer?!?! and uh.. damien, i think i know where is the saxophonist now.. he’s turned white and now works at gapnap’s place. YES his name is still Sam.
anyway, in relation to the post… i’d like to play for money. the market will always be there, just that whether it’s big or small?
August 14th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
gapnap…i almost shred (er..i meant shed) a tear reading your beautiful story. By far one of the most meaningful and SYMBOLIC posts in gapnap.com
Looks like you’re on your way to becoming a WRITER.
August 15th, 2009 at 2:03 am
basket u dissing bassists…. hahhahha
August 15th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
so gap, u’re playing for money, or passion?
August 16th, 2009 at 2:43 am
That was one deep post.
August 16th, 2009 at 10:01 am
fuhh.. damn touchy. gap playing for money, now goin back for passion?
August 16th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
@Vincent . that means you are playing it for the passion . keep it up bro ! you will always have more self satisfaction than people who play for money !
@lead . Well , what makes you think so ?
its almost him ..
@Damien . Yeah , this post is completely random
Well , i don’t get it , if that dude used to play for Broadway , he shouldn’t have any problem playing for a pub or being a pro , any idea ? btw , What survivor ?
@Slowhands . My photography sucks . but i guess it is how you use them , rather than knowing the angles and the lightnings and the picture doesn’t mean anything. What do you mean by big or small ?
@Teko . Thanks bro .LOL . Well , i can’t be a writer , my english is too sucky for that . yamcha mou 2nite
@Josh. EH nolah , alot of professional bassist are making alot more money than a professional guitarist . Most pro bassist can do backup vocals and harmonizing too that makes them even more valuable !….but i still think a guitarist will get more chicks that a bassist , even though in this story , it is the other way round
@enter . Currently , i admit it is more towards the money side . But that doesn’t mean i have completely lost my passion.I would like to be a balance musician someday, even though i know it is impossible .
@Fauxhawk . Thank you for your comment . I am glad i made you think
@Deadeye . Eh ! haram . Don’t say me like that . I got passion one ok!!!! Deadeye i think you the most mysterious one lah , you work like music is for money but you play like music is for passion
haram gile
August 16th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
@agenthangman .Thank you for your comment . Not bad . i didn’t expect anyone to figure it out that fast ..Just wanna add on a little bit .
Picture 1. Don’t you think an empty guitar headstock’s life will be super interesting ?
You can be a squier or SX
you can be a FENDER and command value
You can be Greco , Tokai , one of the legendary lawsuit guitar
or , you might fall into the hands of the pirates and become a fake Fender Replica ..
Picture 2 (a pedal case Filled with pedals without the guitar and the amp)
Yeah , its like a person that have all the money to buy all the pedals and the gear . But the player is missing , the player can’t play .
Picture 3 . A restaurant owner , passionate about his business , makes the best food and design his restaurant super well , but where are the people ? no money , no people , no attention .
Picture 4 .You got that one right on .
Picture 5 .Neck and bridge pickup with different sounds , both separated , can never be together
adding on : There is no such thing as , which position is better , neck or bridge .No right and no wrong . It is a preference . It is a choice made by a musician . It is not wrong to play for money and it is not wrong to play for Passion . Both have its own pros and cons
The interesting is , there is a “middle position” combination of neck and bridge pickup.
Problem is , whenever you pick up a guitar and play the middle position , you will like it for the first 2 minutes ( Short term success) , after that 2 minutes , you will get bored of it and you will start picking sides (neck or bridge) , the middle position will never work out for you
August 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
wow wonder how long damientan spent to think about what to comment here everyday =P
August 16th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
it was kinda obvious
August 17th, 2009 at 12:22 am
City of god…and how you started the story with…”let me tell you a story” very good movie.
The story of the guitarists is like a black and white picture, two distinct tones, and we’re left in the grey trying to find the near perfect balance between playing for money or passion for pleasure. The previous always sound yum yum…
August 17th, 2009 at 1:05 am
very nice blog entry.
August 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
but the guitarist above is gapnap not ? haha he’s the best
August 17th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
gapnap dude u are fu*king right for the shit ass middle pickup never sound good made just to sangkut the pick
August 25th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
awesome post clem…
January 21st, 2011 at 1:58 pm
thank you…a load man!
my eyes wide open!
i wanna be a grown up musician..