So much good comes from learning something new. For example, upon viewing a documentary of Jeff Beck, I once again realized the importance of learning new things. Mr. Beck is a seeker of new sounds, textures, and colors. As a result, his music evolves, expands, and yet consolidates into an unmistakably unique voice, which is the common thread in all his music.

Only in the last few years have I become a Jeff Beck fan. As a lover of the guitar and virtuosos like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Derek Trucks, I realize Jeff Beck’s genius will endure. Because he is always learning, he can operate with complete freedom from then rules and corners most others obey to remain relevant.

I used to think Eric Clapton was the best. Then I heard SRV. That changed the way I looked at playing. Eric Johnson certainly had all the technical and genre chops to claim virtuosic supremacy. Yngwe Malmsteen, certainly a virtuoso in his own right, was the fastest I ever heard. However, in each of these other greats, I noticed some degree of signature, high-speed riffs. High-speed riffs are okay. However, riffs speak to a rehashing of older ideas in order to obey an underlying discipline.

Blues is the thread that rules the voices of Clapton, SRV, BB King, etc. Jazz rules Metheny, DiMeola, etc. In other words, a voice can dominate a discipline, or a discipline can dominate a voice. Freedom means a relative lack of discipline, which is what only Jeff Beck displays. Moreover, his desire to constantly learn and evolve free of genre-driven rules is the celebration of his voice… his common thread… his freedom.

To be fair, I believe Jimi Hendrix would have evolved in much the same way as Jeff had he lived as long. These two stand out to me because they are sonic geniuses. Even Carlos Santana admitted Jimi was unique in his genius. Hence, the best in any area of life learn the rules, get bored with the rules, and change the rules with their singular voice. RIP, Jimi.

Jeff Beck stands alone. Therefore…

Open your stance, and play golf.

John Wright – Founder The Open Stance Academy

https://www.openstanceacademy.com/golf/couples-therapy/https://www.openstanceacademy.com/golf/dechambeau-ancer/https://www.openstanceacademy.com/golf/open-stance-wide-swing/