Rock and Roll Summit: Different but the Same

A couple of days ago I had the pleasure of watching a documentary by the name of It
Might get Loud. The movie itself captivated the mind, but that itself was only the surface of what
can be gained from this movie. The movie focused on three main guitarists with styles
completely contrasting with one another. It featured legendary guitarist Jimmy Page, tech savvy
guitarist of U2 The Edge, and punk rock visionary Jack White. They all shared characteristics
and qualities and with them they were able to shape rock music throughout its rich history. I took
note that the guitarists shared passion, teamwork, ingenuity, and collaboration. Each guitarist
passion was explained early in the film. Jimmy Page worked grueling hours to get from gig to
gig. Most of the time he slept on instruments in the back of a moving van. All of that for just a
chance to play at their next concert. The Edge took it upon himself to learn nearly everything
about how an electric guitar could be played. Using every piece of technology to make his music
better, engineering every sound from fades to echoes. Jack White can be described as a simple
man in complex times. He believes in stripping music of its complexity and infusing the basics
of sound to create a music deeply understood by few but enjoyed by many. Their unique
passions allowed them to grind their way to fame. Each of these individuals showed leadership
thru teamwork. Being in a band requires time, effort and many other commitments. Each of these
men understood this, they developed with these people over time. Sticking with the same group
for years at a time. While in these groups they kept the band together, and simultaneously
making music that anyone can listen and critique. The pressure they endured shows the strength
of their teamwork. Ingenuity lies in the core of any musician’s mind and heart. With the
imagination itself being so prevalent in the field itself to truly succeed people must be willing to
dream up new directions music can be taken. Jimmy Page showed his greatest ingenuity after he
started reading sheet music. Jimmy felt his role in music had become bland. The sheet music he
was reading was not his own and he set out and made a change. After his stent from writing he
made his most inspired works upon his return. Using a technique of note skipping and fades to
fill in the blanks left behind lead to his famous stairway to heaven guitar solo. The Edge’s
ingenuity came from his mastery of the engineering of the guitar. His board of controls could
switch back and forth and to and fro. In the film its stated that he never performs the same solo
twice. He does different and new combinations keeping the songs like new for all his fans.
Continuing their interest in U2’s music every day. Jack White’s ingenuity could be categorized
at the opposite of The Edge’s. He looks to simplify his music and sound. Taking out near every
piece of technology he can. His philosophy began when he heard an old blues tune with an
offbeat clap and an out of tune voice. From that day forward he brought the roots of blues into
his punk music, finding beauty in its simplicity. Even going so far to create an electric guitar in
the style of its acoustic ancestor. The final characteristic they all share is collaboration. The
documentary depended on collaboration of these three geniuses. When all three of them
convened at the summit it was the make or break point of the movie. In numerous career fields
people at the top do not get along famously. This was the opposite in this documentary. Each of
the professionals recognized their differences and respected each other’s talents. The summit
featured the musicians dabbling in each other expertise and instruments. They lounged there
listening to each other on how they were inspired for the greatest works. The final scene that
stands out is the scene where they jam out to each other’s music and learn how exactly they play
their respected solos and songs. Theses characteristics truly made for an inspirational
documentary.
In science mattering or just matter means to occupy space and exist. I find comfort in this
statement on days that I do not feel like I accomplished much. Though when I think of the phrase
to matter, I feel for someone to matter they offer something to anything or anyone no matter how
small. Mattering to me can be just as simple as being a human that is loved by there family and
friends or if in the sad case that they do not receive that love they still matter. If They are either
working in this world or even just thinking of ways to make it better they still matter. Some
people in this world break this cycle of giving back. These people seek to gain only for
themselves with no thought of regard to the consequences. This type of person if given the
choice would make the whole world sick and suffer if it meant they lived in comfort. These
people in my opinion do not matter to this world. They may be alive, but they are not mattering.
The documentary itself is a great way to show people mattering, not solely because of the
musicians it focused on. It took a whole team of people to work together and produce this film.
Each crew members matter because of it. The artist shown on screen matter in a very pure way.
They matter in what they love. Jimmy Page matters because his passion drove the rock world to
new sound loved and experienced by many. The edge matters because his passion not only had
the same effect as Jimmy, but he showed a world of fellow guitarist how to utilize technology
when performing. Jack White uses his music as a way for a portion of humanity to relate to
Jack’s experience and at the same time relieve frustrations they experience. The fact that each of
these men live lives that matter is very important to humanity. Their passion has driven music
and the very foundation of music. Without these men music today could be completely different.
Music of any kind offers outlets to people to feel recharged or relaxed. It may be used for simply
distracting a person. Without music though humanity would not be as far advanced as they are
today, meaning these men matter to uncountable amounts our lives.
I used to think to live a life that matters I had to accomplish amazing things before my
time ran out. Something big had to be associated with my name. I was either going to be very
rich or had made something so innovational that everyone needed it. When I would look at how
to get there, doubt would creep into my mind. I would get anxiety just thinking about how much
work I would have to do to get there and if I would ever do it. After hearing interviews and
speeches given by successful people and even members in my community, my thinking has
shifted. They always had goals they continue working toward and past goals they reached, but
they always say life does not given you exactly what you think you want. Yet it still works out in
the end. I still wish to shoot for the moon and be successful in life, but I take it less at a time. If I
kept thinking in the long term every second, I would have gone crazy. Instead I started looking at
my day to day life. I asked myself what I devoted time to on a given day. If I found something to
be too much unproductive time, I cut it out. I started adding in things that I enjoyed but still
taught me something every day. I made sure to keep my social life much of the same. Having
friends to support me keeps me driven and focused. They distract me when they should but also
give me a reason to keep learning. If I can help them with something that I have learned I know
it is not wasted knowledge. Then I looked at how I live my days. I try to live more in the present
than wishing to live in my future. This dramatic rethink works its way into how I try to matter.
Every day I seek to matter and live my live by providing anything I one day at a time. On some
days, it is just helping someone out. On others I considering talking to people enough. Finally,
some days are about me and my learning with the hope of applying it in the future to cause
change. The best way to matter in my thoughts is to strive to do all three each day of the week.
Eventually if I stick to this script, I should land wherever I set my goals to be. While mattering
the entire way.