omar rodriguez

pretty weird that metallica's lead guitarist said that omar is one of he's favourite players today and they have jammed together couple of times 

Steve Vai is said to love Omar's playing. But then again, its seems differences in opinion are just as common among professional musicians/theoreticians of music, as they are among 'regular' listeners. Even when it comes to supposedly objective criteria like 'technique', for instance.  

70sSoundquality wrote: The Ryan wrote: Everytime I ask a local guitarist what they think of the Mars Volta's guitarwork they tend to say it's nothing special or it's disappointing. I wonder what this means in terms of the Mars Volta growing more of a fanbase (perhaps of actual musicians, not kids who listen to MTV), and also I'd like to hear someone try to recreate what Omar does - Never heard anyone. Im just on a negative trail today. I will be as neat and clean about this as possible. The reason why Omar's guitar playing bothers me is because he doesn't have technique. As mainly a guitar player and a keyboard player, I know what it means to be able to solo well and to ALWAYS have licks up my sleeve, licks that ABSOLUTELY fit, and to be able to have these licks at any given time- no matter what set of notes a bassist throws to me. I do not feel safe with omar, I do not feel that he could keep up with disciplined musicians so I agree with the "nothing special" opinion.

See, this seems to be the problem - do you have to feel safe with a musician to consider his/her playing good? What I mean is, take John Petrucci - he's got his bag of combat-tested tricks and licks and you nearly always know where you stand with him. I love his playing, but this bag of his is quite limited, no doubt about it.  Now take Allan Holdsworth - many people don't get his music, it sounds unpredictable, but I'm pretty certain he has his own assortment of tricks, much wider than Petrucci's, and he can make use of those tricks in a much more creative way - hence the 'unpredictability'. I'm not implying that Omar is up there with Holdsworth, but I'm sure he's searching and trying to expand his arsenal. He isn't always finding, of course, but in the context of TMV's music, which seems to revolve around the concept of disintegration, even his mistakes and exaggerations sort of make sense, IMO.   

omar is his own person, musically...i adore his songwriting skills and if you are a fan of TMV/ATDI or his solo stuff at all you'll find yoiurself amazed too or it would seem due to common sense. I think some people might be uncomfortable with him due to him being a little out there musically and personally...but i love him and his experimental style. He is a genious in my opinion, albeit sometimes a flawed genius, but all geniuses have flaws.

*PS about the all-minor key written flavors...he's moves to major keys a lot in ATDI and he throws in major chords all around de-loused and the mute. But i will say, due to the very nature of the music, I couldn't really picture TMV playing songs in major keys. Imagine TMV playing Gentle Giant...just doesn't work. I think TMV calls for minor/pentatonic keys, so that is what is used. I personally enjoy the darker sound...

Rashikal wrote: “I grew an afro. Not only did it make me cool, but it did wonders for my career. Oh, and I can get chicks now, too.” Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Wow, he's so neat!

The Ryan wrote: Everytime I ask a local guitarist what they think of the Mars Volta's guitarwork they tend to say it's nothing special or it's disappointing. I wonder what this means in terms of the Mars Volta growing more of a fanbase (perhaps of actual musicians, not kids who listen to MTV), and also I'd like to hear someone try to recreate what Omar does - Never heard anyone.

Im just on a negative trail today. I will be as neat and clean about this as possible. The reason why Omar's guitar playing bothers me is because he doesn't have technique. As mainly a guitar player and a keyboard player, I know what it means to be able to solo well and to ALWAYS have licks up my sleeve, licks that ABSOLUTELY fit, and to be able to have these licks at any given time- no matter what set of notes a bassist throws to me. I do not feel safe with omar, I do not feel that he could keep up with disciplined musicians so I agree with the "nothing special" opinion.

Omar is a brilliant musician, and is definitely a fine guitarist. His stuff can be a bit bizarre, but I find it a good feat. in his case. He is a mad man with effects too.

same.

people get mad about the rest of the band playing second fiddle to omar and cedric. but omar writes all the songs, for every insstrument

omar is definately a original player!

They both pretty much rock