17: David Miller Believes That Songs Get Better When The Musicians Play Less

David Miller has been my father my whole life.  For over 27 years we’ve  played music together, and also fought and argued about music.  The  thing we’ve fought about more than anything else, is also the musical  philosophy of “Less is More."  Or, as my dad like to say, “Do Less.”



I  talk to Dave about  trying to "Do Less," both in his own playing, as well  as attempting to teach other musicians the value and benefits of  keeping things simple, with the end goal of letting the song shine.   Dave talks about how difficult it is to play simply and that it actually  takes much more skill to play fewer notes and make sure they’re the  right ones.  He talks about how challenging it is to get other musicians  to “buy in” to the concept of Doing Less so that the song can be  “more”, and how rewarding it is when everything comes together or when a  stubborn musician (such as myself) finally gets it.  



Dave  brings some great examples on this episode that we talk about at length, and you are going to want to listen to these songs so that they are fresh on your mind as we talk about them!  Check out these songs!



Sly and the Family Stone, Dance to the Music

https://youtu.be/Jn2PNlhvy8E



John  Batiste, Watch from about 9 minutes until about 13 Minutes.  Actually,  just watch the first 15 minutes.  Or the whole thing, really!  It’s so good!  lol.

https://www.pbs.org/video/jon-batiste-hjvtz3/



Radiohead, Creep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk



Tom Petty, Free Falling - How NOT to Overplay

https://youtu.be/tStpjkSp8-4



The Clash, Should I Stay or Should I Go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMaE6toi4mk





We  also have a great demonstration of how to Keep it Simple, as we play  some music together, then Dave gives me some notes, and we try again.





Important links:



Dave Miller is the Worship Director at Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley:

https://ccdayton.org/

Visit the show’s Wordpress site:

https://N1podcastobsessedwithobsession.wordpress.com



Join the N+1 Podcast Facebook Group!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1800127593672581



Watch the N+1 Podcast interviews on Youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-7I5kuK7kL-dWE1n6HNCuQ



My Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/n_plus_1_podcast/