I've always wanted to play an instrument and a few years ago, my friend Ronny and I took some guitar lessons, but I couldn't get into it. My main struggle was that the guitar was too big for me to hold comfortably, and the neck was too wide, so my fingers couldn't get to the chords. I was told to get a junior guitar but I thought that would look silly, so I quit instead. Really mature. About as mature as blaming my parents for my instrumental shortcomings.
So I put this on the Forty By Forty list, hoping against all hope and predictability that something would happen that would inspire or force me to tackle this, because I imagined that the result would be gratifying and somehow complete my life. I know, that's a lot to ask from guitar lessons, but when you love music as much as I do, being able to play an instrument could very well have that impact.
Mr. James Webber, smiling on the outside, but plotting my guitar demise on the inside
The "inspiration" I was looking for came when my friend (and now fellow musician) James jokingly told me to cross it off the list, because with only three months left before my birthday, he thought there might be easier tasks to complete. As friends and blog followers know, the easiest way to get me to do something, is to tell me it might not be the best idea. So that's when I decided I would actually take it on. I asked him what song would demonstrate to him that I could play the guitar and he laughed and said, "any song you learn will demonstrate that you can play that song." More fuel for me to succeed.
Singer, song-writer, guitarist Sully Clare
I checked in with Cyndi because both her sweet husband Temple and her sweet daughter Sully plays guitar, so I thought that would be a good place to start as far as finding a good teacher. I was referred to Michelle Payne who is not just a great guitar teacher but a fellow Yogi. Her blog 38 Ways to Change the World Through Music is a must read.
Our first lesson took place at the Guitar Center and when I met Michelle, I knew right away we'd be friends. And it felt like she would actually be able to teach me how to play the guitar. She's soulful, fun and a huge Beatles fan. More into John than "my" Paul but that's alright. More of Paul's cheeks for me.
I thought it would be hard and that I would get frustrated and feel incompetent. I didn't. Because Michelle teaches in a way that allowed me to play songs right away. At our first lesson, I played the blues. Then she asked me to think about some songs I wanted to learn and I listened through the whole Beatles catalogue before settling on "Love Me Do." The first time I played it all the way through I cried.
I know, these blogs are getting more and more sentimental, but I love music so much. And then, after 40 years of appreciating music just by listening and singing along, someone like Michelle comes along and gives me the ability to express that love in a new way...through my hands...I don't know how else to explain it. It's so magical.
I must have played "Love Me Do" hundreds of times now. And I've moved up from the easy chords to the trickier, fancier, more advanced chords. I still tear up every time.
The other thing I'm trying to work out with this new passion, is where my boobs go. My right one specifically. This is the unspoken part of learning to play the guitar I've discovered. No one talks about it, but the question remains; do you squish it up against guitar, or "lay it" on top? I've tried both and I'm not resolved one way or the other as of yet, so stay tuned.
Perhaps I should wait to check this one off until I'm an expert guitar player with a substantive repertoir. Perhaps I should wait until I can play "Freebird," because it's what hoards of drunk people yell out at concerts regardless of the act. Or at the very least until Michelle and I perform our Beatles medley at my birthday celebration, where people can applaud my newfound talent.
Playing (and squishing)
But the task wasn't to master the guitar, or to be a full fledged rock star, but to learn to play the guitar and that, I am. I am learning. I am struggling, I am strumming, I am sliding, I am picking, and I am getting irritated that I have to keep my nails super short and that my fingertips are getting callused. I am also having the time of my life, and not just because after the guitar lessons, Michelle and I play Beatles Rockband, where I get to be the star and she struggles. But because music has the ability to make everything beautiful and meaningful.
Things I'm not losing in the fire
So, in conclusion, I'm not a rock star as of yet. I get frustrated with my guitar from time to time. But that's more about me than my guitar. Because I get frustrated about anything and everything I can't do perfectly right away. The cool thing is that there's now one more thing I'd grab in case my house is set on fire, aside from my new iPad. And that is my beautiful Taylor GS Mini. That's right, I got the smaller one. And it doesn't look silly at all. Neither does my Beatles guitar strap or my Beatles guitar picks. Did I perhaps overdo it? Me think not.
Michelle channeling John Lennon for Beatles Rockband
Thank you James for providing the push I desperately needed to take this on, and for being supportive the minute I decided to actually do it. Thank you Michelle for giving me immeasurable joy and boundless happiness. Because that's how I feel when we sing and play together and even when I practice alone. And yes, learning to play the guitar has completed my life. No big deal.
great man :D
Posted by: bedroom furniture | 07/28/2013 at 10:50 AM