The Concept and The Practical Joker

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There are 2 types of people

1) The concept guy

2) The practical guy

Do i need to explain this shit?  You can easily figure out what i’m saying right ?

The concept guys are those who talk alot of cock i.e LIKE gapnap . All words and very little action .

“The root of the problem is….”

“In the first place …”

“At the very beginning..you shouldn’t…”

“How does it happened ? Let us trace back wayyyy earlier when ..”

familiar ? know someone who talks like that ?

Those are the concept talkers , all philosophy …trying to be smart ..or trying to sound smart .

Concept guys are not quick problem solvers , they can trace what went wrong and tell you what should be done IN THE FIRST PLACE ..but when things screw up at the PRESENT , concept guys panic first .

Who are like that ? (stereotyping) : Old Uncles who talk alot of COCK , Politicians , CEOs , lawyers , marketers , salesman , advertisers  ..

The worse situation for anyone to be in , is when 2 CONCEPT boys start talking and arguing over some small shit  ..and it will never end because both of them will never agree to something ..the best part is after debating over that small little shit , it doesn’t change ANYTHING in the world . Just pure brain to brain entertainment .

I think people like that should just play chess . Its the same thing .

p.s : i am a concept guy , so this post will seem a little one sided . I have no idea wtf a practical guy thinks . Feel free to share with me.

The Practical guy , on the other hand ..(this is my perception , correct me if i am wrong)

They talk lesser , but they DO alot more .

“what can we do right now?”

“Ok , we have a problem , i do not wanna know who’s right and who’s wrong , what can we do now is …”

“Ok guys , to settle this shit , Step 1 …..Step 2 …”

Who are like that ? (stereotyping) :  Problem Solvers , Auditors , Accountants , Consultants , professionals .

So , Which type of person are you ?

The truth is , there are very few 100% concept 0% practical person and 0% concept 100% practical person. Usually , most people are 70% 30%  or 60% 40% ..the real question should be , whose side are you leaning on?

There is not right and wrong . Both has its pros and cons . Both has its own unique character .

…and both sides , makes a great team !

In business , you need both , the concept guy and the practical guy ..

The Concept guy needs to talk cock , social , PR and Close the Deal. (maybe bang that hot client)

The Practical guy needs to deliver the product ..and deal with the technicals and solve the goddamn problems !

Both of them need each other .

In a band , you need the concept guy to GET YOU SHOWS , sweet talk the event manager and kiss other band’s ass .

and you need to practical guy to MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF YOUR BAND , MAKE SURE THE JAMMING STUDIO TIME IS PROPERLY BOOKED AND NO ONE IS LATE .

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Guitar playing :

Who is your current guitar teacher ?

a Concept Teacher or a Practical Teacher?

A Concept teacher shows you the right direction , sets the right mentality and approach , tackles the root problem , teach you how to create ideas , how to learn and improve by yourself,  he is against teaching SONGS and COVERS.. it is risky , its either the student make it , or FAIL . The student must be VERY hardworking . One lesson could last you 3 months of practice time .

I remembered my teacher , Zack Kim . Was an all-concept teacher . All he needs to do was to lepak at my house for one hour , and oh shit ! i realized i need 2 months to master his ONE LESSON . This is where many people fail to understand , the concept teacher . He gives inspiration , the right mindset and concepts . I think it is not fair to judge a teacher based on his playing and the music he creates ONLY . For me , That is like judging some one solely based on his physical appearance .

This is where gapnap.com comes in . The lessons that i write , are all CONCEPTS . Many of the guitar lesson shit you are reading , was inspired by Zack Kim , if not taught by him . and i would like to share it with my fellow guitarist in Malaysia.

A Practical Teacher , (see any malmsteen’s video lesson for example) is a teacher that sits down , goes slow on metronome ,  hold your hand from step one all the way to step ten , introduce songs and study songs together with you , let you know why did the song writer pick this note and chord …one lesson will last a week . Very effective and very high success rate , but more spoon-fed and it takes a longer time to improve .

Think those auntie classical piano teachers . yeah !

Which teacher do you need ?

The concept teacher ?

The practical teacher ?

The answer : both

Too much concept , you know ALOT , but you lack of practice . You cannot deliver the technique and timing .

Like a punk rocker , trying to play along with an orchestra . pawned .

Too much practical , you can deliver but you lack creativity , ideas , experience in improvising etc ..

Like a classical player , entering a jazz band . pawned .

What i think is , today ..there are many PRACTICAL stuff on the internet ..

Check out most youtube video ..most of them are licks , speed , song-show offs etc..PRACTICAL STUFF.

Example : A video lesson that involves concept , is melodic control by Marty Friedman , and i will always repeat that because it was one of the videos that inspired me with lots of ideas .

First , realized which type of player are you , the concept or the practical player ? if you find that your practical is weak , get a practical teacher , if you find that your concept is weak ..hehe..read gapnap.com more often :p  i think concept teachers are harder to find .

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THE WORST SITUATION

Striving for a balance , 50% concept and 50% practical is great . But being  an ‘all-rounder”  may lead to

“Err..cincai lah , i anything also can one”

“both also i can lah…”

Do not ever fall for that .

Always pick a side based on the situation . Do not leave it 50 50 , or neutral , in Malaysian Language , Cincai .

Those are the FOLLOWERS , not the leaders . Always be a leader .

You will drag your decision and make your decision LAST . When you realized what you really want , it is already too late . Everybody is moving forward and you are left behind . People who likes to go with the flow , do not contribute , just do what is he told will end up with nothing . They will remain the same .

When you are leaning towards ONE SIDE . You make your decision faster .

Band story :

A band of 4 , all 4 members are 50% concept , 50% practical (all rounder) with that cincai attitude . Will end up getting screwed .

Bands with a little bit of attitude problem (fast decision making) will progress faster .

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