Nick Andrew: guitar idol judge

News:
28-04-2008:
Nick Andrew is one of the judges for the competition and he recently outlined how he will be judging the final 10, in the forum.

Nick says:
To give you a very rough idea, the panel that chooses the top 10 is made up of lots of guitarists from different genres and who are each looking for slightly different things from the contestants depending on what tastes those individual judges have.

I will judge an entry on the music first and foremost, taking into account the phrasing and musicality of the performer. Technique is an issue to an extent, but I personally don't go for the performing monkey, throw in lots of fast 2 handed, eleven finger, noodling. I'm glad to say there isn't much of that around.
As far as experience, age, background etc, for me it doesn't make any difference really. If it's a good tune, well played, and most importantly the guitarist has character, which you can hear in his/her playing, then it will get my vote!
I'm one judge out of lots and there is already fierce debate behind the scenes as to who should go through.

The big problem is that as soon as I think I have a shortlist, another bunch of entries arrives which makes me go back to the drawing board. I try to listen to around 10 entries a day (time permitting). I thought I'd do the old, listen for a minute then move on, but most of the music is good so I end up listening to whole pieces maybe twice or more, the quality of some of the music is scary.
I take notes of the tunes/players I like. I give points for style, originality, technique, compositional skill, and the most important thing in my book, potential. This is only my way of doing it.

The public vote is just that. read some of the earlier posts about self promotion etc. Some players are doing it very well. If your good at the old marketing thing AND you've got a good tune then your going to win a lot more than just votes and a wee prize! At the very least at your next gig there will be a slightly bigger audience.
I know there is lots of people looking for negative things to say about the contest. I grew up as a guitarist in the last half of the 80's so I remember this attitude first time around. Remember music isn't a competition....er...unless you enter guitar idol!
The contest was conceived as there was nothing else around of a similar ilk for electric guitarists (and I imagine it was conceived in a pub). Alloutguitar.com and Guitar Idol was conceived purely and simply for the love of guitar. If you ever meet any part of the team then you'll realise just what a bunch of anoraks we all are!
If it gets you looking at a guitar site with lots of quality interviews and lessons etc or you get an email from a guitar company selling guitar things you might want then, if your a guitarists, it's not the end of the world. Is it? If you really want wee blue 'wooden willy' pils or a Thai bride then you'll have to go else where for that kind of spam.

I think the competition is becoming a monster for all the correct reasons. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to enter and share your music. Really, some of it is mind blowing.

Big thanks to Owen, Andy and James (and whoever I've overlooked) for organizing the whole thing. I think that all the entrants must owe you a wee beer!
Good luck to you all.
Cheers
Nick

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