I've always played (mostly acoustic) guitar. I have a bunch of 'audiophile grade' guitars. Meaning, high quality, well made, great sounding (and expensive} lust-worthy guitars. I also played piano for a while. I also need to say, I am not very good.
But i consider playing and listening two, mostly unrelated, activities. Kind of like when I was a kid. I loved playing hockey, but watching pro hockey was not that interesting.
I've learned a lot about how someone constructed a song from playing. I can hear a bass line and riffs in guitar music. I was amazed how mathematical Gershwin's music is on piano. I like to sit where I can see a guitarist's hands when at a small concert to understand what he is playing. Learning a song is a lot about understanding what the musician was thinking. But I really see playing and listening as two distinct activities.
Ironically, for acoustic guitar at least, the player is not in the best position to listen. That's why some luthiers have played around with sound ports on the upper bout to give the player a better sound.
Good question, though. And learning an instrument is its own reward. Like becoming good at tennis, or skiing, it takes effort and repetition. You have to enjoy the journey. I've taken lessons from some very well known players and the best lesson I ever got is that music is not a competition. If you play, you win.
But i consider playing and listening two, mostly unrelated, activities. Kind of like when I was a kid. I loved playing hockey, but watching pro hockey was not that interesting.
I've learned a lot about how someone constructed a song from playing. I can hear a bass line and riffs in guitar music. I was amazed how mathematical Gershwin's music is on piano. I like to sit where I can see a guitarist's hands when at a small concert to understand what he is playing. Learning a song is a lot about understanding what the musician was thinking. But I really see playing and listening as two distinct activities.
Ironically, for acoustic guitar at least, the player is not in the best position to listen. That's why some luthiers have played around with sound ports on the upper bout to give the player a better sound.
Good question, though. And learning an instrument is its own reward. Like becoming good at tennis, or skiing, it takes effort and repetition. You have to enjoy the journey. I've taken lessons from some very well known players and the best lesson I ever got is that music is not a competition. If you play, you win.