"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off"

Woody Guthrie's quote, "If you play more than 2 chords, you're showing off," offers an amusing, yet informative commentary on the nature of music and creativity. At its core, the declaration reflects Guthrie's viewpoint towards music-making and the role of simplicity in art.

Guthrie, a folk artist understood for his simple and impactful songwriting, often used his music to communicate powerful social and political messages. The quote can be seen as an endorsement of minimalism, recommending that music need not be complex to be efficient or meaningful. In this light, simplicity ends up being a virtue. By limiting the number of chords, musicians may focus more on lyrical content, storytelling, and emotional expression, which are essential to the folk music tradition Guthrie came from. Words and melodies take center stage, inviting the listener to engage more deeply with the narrative or feelings being communicated.

Furthermore, Guthrie's declaration can be translated as a playful review of musical pretentiousness. In numerous musical circles, there's a propensity to correspond technical capability or intricacy with supremacy. Guthrie's quip damages that presumption, reminding us that the essence of music does not necessarily live in detailed compositions. Rather, real musical expertise might lie in the ability to get in touch with listeners on a basic level. It's an egalitarian approach to music, where the barriers to entry are low, inviting everyone, regardless of technical ability, to get involved and develop.

This perspective is especially empowering in folk and protest music, where the goal is typically to rally people together, communicate shared struggles, and motivate action. The simplicity of 2 chords can end up being a unifying force, making songs available to be sung and played by anyone, fostering a sense of neighborhood and shared experience.

In essence, Guthrie's quote champs the idea that music is a universal language best spoken clearly, allowing its most human elements to shine through.