This is an article that I've been looking forward to writing for some time now, because I want to spend just a few moments discussing the real reason that we actually perform music to begin with, whether it's simply for our own pleasure, for that special someone, for our family or friends, or for a large (or small) public audience. If you've already guessed that the word "emotion" has something to do with that reason, then you're already one step ahead of me.

Self-expression. Feeling. Soul. These are just three ways of describing the one most integral part of a musical experience, and without these elements of emotion there's really nothing of lasting significance in a performance. As I've said many times in the past, it's so easy to get caught up in the mental or physical side of what we do, but they're utterly meaningless without the most important ingredient of all.

No matter what our level of ability and background, we all have special times when we're really "on" it, when what we're feeling is perfectly communicated through our instrument. In my absolutely best moments as a player or composer, it's like an "out of body" experience, as if I'm an observer watching something miraculous taking place right before my eyes and ears.

And from the listener's perspective? Let's face it. We want to be part of and share in those special emotional moments that an artist gives us, to be uplifted and taken away, to also feel the same out of body experience that the performer is going through. That's why it's so easy to recall those magical, timeless, unforgettable performances, even from many, many years ago. Know what I'm talking about? I'm sure that you do, because when all is said and done, what we remember most about a player and his or her performance is the emotion that was communicated.

So, enough about value and importance. How about you? How do you know whether you're passing the "soul test" or not? Is there an actual way of measuring feeling from a practical standpoint? Yes, I believe there is. For me, it has to do with the degree of emotional intensity during a performance, and that's something that does relate to concentration of energy, and translating that focus into our technique while playing. The goal here is to make our instrument a spontaneous expression of what we feel, and this quest ties in once again to the significance of blues, and the resulting soulfulness that can positively affect all other styles of music.

What's the most critical, powerful technical element in blues vocals or guitar? That's an easy one, and the reason why I bring up vocals is to give you a clue.

Ever hear a vocalist with little or no vibrato? Not a pretty sound, because the key to making your instrument "sing" can be summed up in that one word. Now, even though it is potentially possible to exercise too much vibrato at times, I'd much rather err on that side of the soul coin, because the effort alone succeeds in establishing and strengthening the connection between what you're feeling inside and what's coming out. And make no mistake about it. That connection is the ultimate one in ensuring a powerful, emotional performance. So, as far as the soul test is concerned, without vibrato you fail.

You can gather from what I'm saying that striving to improve your vibrato through the blues will relate to the bigger picture when you play, even (in my case) when playing traditional classical guitar or an instrumental pop tune. Bottomline? Aim for a high degree of emotion in your music and you'll pass the "soul test" every time!