|
|
Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| Learn to play guitar, I mean. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Are ya kiddin'?!?! I wish I never stopped trying to learn to play during my 33+ year hiatus!
Had the Internet resources been available back when I was a teener or even later in life, I would have never put the git down.
I also regret not seeking nor taking the advantage to meet those of similar ilk! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Oh yes, but i would've liked to have started earlier and then kept at it instead of taking a 35 year break.
_____
gh1 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 355
Location: Wichita, KS | Absolutely! My only regret is not sticking with lessons as a teenager. I had such a wonderful teacher, Paul Sparacella. I gave up the lessons to take a job stocking groceries. At the time, earning money for gasoline and records seemed more important. To think what I could have learned from that man... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Well, I'm not a guy, but I AM old. And I don't even know who I'd be if I'd never learned to play guitar. It's been one of the greatest joys of my life. My guitar is my best friend. It's never lied to me, never betrayed me, always been there to comfort me when I'm down, to celebrate with me when life is going well, and to challenge me when I get too overconfident. Yeah, I'd do it again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I also wish I'd started earlier and stayed with it. Like Greg, I stopped for many years I really didn't have a good excuse. If I'd have practiced guitar instead of watching TV, I'd be killer. I might be bored now though, since there's a bunch of old songs I still need to learn, but not many new ones that interest me. Maybe I'd be writing my own. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| Same, Same; wish I did not get out of it back in the mid 80's and give up. And then not wake up and get back into this until around the time I joined this group. About 19 years for me.....what a waste.....
Music is something I find a passion for that is unlike anything else. Family is Family and that can't be compared, but music is such a satisfying pastime. Learning holds as much fascination as performing.
I think I would be fairly accomplished by now if I stayed with it. So yeah I'd do it again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Lol!
I echo iffy when he said: "I wish I never stopped trying to learn to play during my 33+ year hiatus!"
My hiatus (ie.: lost time) was 25 years.
Wish I hadn't chickened out, and had kept at it, and had become the spectacular guitar hero I oughta be...
But, I'm just me...
*sigh*
At least the kids still like me. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Well, I'm not a guy, but I AM old. And I don't even know who I'd be if I'd never learned to play guitar. It's been one of the greatest joys of my life. My guitar is my best friend. It's never lied to me, never betrayed me, always been there to comfort me when I'm down, to celebrate with me when life is going well, and to challenge me when I get too overconfident. Yeah, I'd do it again. Hmmmmmm...methinks therein lies a tale... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I'm still tryin... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | The question for me should be: Should I have started sooner? The answer is still, YES. Always wanted to but didn't start until I was 46. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I'm still tryin... +1 :D
I woulda done it SOONER! (started when I was 49) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by AlanM:
Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Well, I'm not a guy, but I AM old. And I don't even know who I'd be if I'd never learned to play guitar. It's been one of the greatest joys of my life. My guitar is my best friend. It's never lied to me, never betrayed me, always been there to comfort me when I'm down, to celebrate with me when life is going well, and to challenge me when I get too overconfident. Yeah, I'd do it again. Hmmmmmm...methinks therein lies a tale... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Originally posted by BT717:
The question for me should be: Should I have started sooner? The answer is still, YES. Always wanted to but didn't start until I was 46. 46?? There's hope for me yet! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Hell yes! I got hooked at 11. Still learning new stuff daily forty years later. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Oh yes!
I wish I knew then what I know now. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Started picking at 22; 56 in two weeks. No hiatus, but I only really play well enough not to embarass myself publicly.
Would I have started playing again? Absolutely. Would I do it the same way? Absolutely not. I would have taken real lessons, not scraps gleaned here and there. Don't get me wrong--I'm thankful for each scrap that came, because it helped further my development, but I'd be much more proficient and have more to show for the years I've put in.
--Karen |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Slipkid:
I wish I knew then what I know now. Not me!!! I might of wound up like Al... 
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Posted twice in error.
--K. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I'm glad I learned how but also wish I would have taken more lessons and learned to read music. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Began playing at 9, and it wasn't really reasonable to have started any earlier. With everything else going on in my life at that time, I remain grateful that I was able to start then. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | I was 11 when I started to teach myself and life got in the way. Used to embarress myself on a weekly basis at church type seetings, coffee houses and such. Got back into it off and on just to keep the fingers blistered, and about 3 years ago really got back into it and started taking lessons. Now at 53, I've got gas (among other ailments, but that's a whole nother board)I take lessons, and still don't understand theory.
You bet I'd do it again and this time I would just keep on taking my guitar(s) with me! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 747
| Originally posted by Losov:
Learn to play guitar, I mean. Yeah, why not.
I started at about 9 or 10 and never really stopped. Just something I've always done - pretty much every one I knew played something and jamming was a good time.
Not much innarested in the collector thing though; 2 or 3 good guitars is all I need.
The internet is a big change with so much more information being available; not just tabs but things like tunings - growing up in a South Ontario farm town you don't hear much about slack key..lol |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | If I had to do it again...
- I would NOT LISTEN TO WHAT ANYONE ELSE THOUGHT I SHOULD BE PLAYING (read Parents) and I would not have "settled" for guitars and equipment early on that was "sortof" want I wanted to sortof get what I was looking for.
- I would become a professional musician. Any time the thought of that came up it was again shunned as not a career, but just a hobby. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I don't know....when I think of all the hours I spent trying to learn to play a real guitar, when today, in about one hour I could be a "Guitar Hero" on a Wii, the effort hardly seems worth it.
Ahhh, but then the power goes out..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Hello, I'm Iffy. I have a terminal case of SAADD, Senior Adult Attention Deficit Disorder! As much as I LOVE music, when it comes down to teaching myself via YT, tabs et al, I truly get distracted by the next favorite I see/hear.
Additionally, I have ol' songs that float through my head and then I compromise the tune to match my PP playing.
But ya know what? It's all a hoot! And that's not even counting this wonderful 'O' family!
BTW, it's not where/when ya start. It's where ya wind up!
"Hi Iffy. You're strange!"  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I wish I had the attitude I got about learning how to play now, then. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Beal:
I wish I had the attitude I got about learning how to play now, then. I think that really says it all. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Agree with Bill. Typical conversation:
"So how long you been playing guitar"
35 years.
"You must be really good"
Yeah, really good at Book 1. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| It is amazing to be able to prove that an old dog can learn new tricks. I never learned to read, I know almost nothing about theory or what progressions are supposed to happen. I can't say that this has helped me in fact it must be a terrible weakness but my "play by ear" skills have come so far I can learn almost aything now and find the odd arraingments of what position they play a chord on the neck with or without the open stings etc. And my ability to play and sing has advanced temendously with the solo work.
This is not just age but time spent, This is the sad part of dropping out of music for so long. I now see where I would have been musically 15 year ago. Ohh well, it is what it is..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Northcountry:
I never learned to read, I know almost nothing about theory or what progressions are supposed to happen. I can't say that this has helped me in fact it must be a terrible weakness but my "play by ear" skills have come so far I can learn almost aything now and find the odd arraingments of what position they play a chord on the neck with or without the open stings etc. And my ability to play and sing has advanced temendously with the solo work.
You sound exactly like me, NC. I'm not as good as some, but I'm better than a lot of people I've heard that have taken years of lessons. Of course, their advantage is they know what an Ebmaj7-9 is, where I have to look up pictures in a book.
Well, let's hear some of your stuff. g8r and I are going to get together and record some stuff and post it to the site (right, g8r?), so let's hear some others. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | If you dare, a lot of my stuff is up on the band myspace or over at soundclick.com/zozobra. With luck there will be better stuff before long. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | There are old guys here? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | Originally posted by an4340:
There are old guys here? I think there are, but I can't remember… |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | althouugh I love the guitar I realize that I would have made more cash and be more valuable as a musician if I learned sax or keys
but I love playing guitar
so be it |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Yep. Love it... There is very little more relaxing -- hypnosis-inducing almost! -- than just sitting down with the guitar, hitting a note and seeing where it takes you.
It would be nice to play with others a lot more, but there can be pressures that make a lot of it seem like work. Not a problem if that's the goal -- in fact, it's nice to know that to produce a well-oiled collaboration with several other musicians IS a lot of mental and sometimes physical work -- but lots of times, I just want to relax.
It never fails me nowadays. I used to fail me, back when I wanted to play like John McLaughlin...but that was my own fault. Nowadays, it's always satisfying. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3604
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | This continues to be my 1st "serious" attempt. I gotta practice more often, instead of fixing crippled critters, though. Almost 10 years have elapsed already.
Yes, it is therapeutic, and yes, I should seek out more musical collaboration activities. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | Wow..at 58, I guess I'm in the old guy category. No question about learning the guitar all over. I first started at about age 9. The guitar has made me friends, comforted me in tough times, gotten me la.., uh..helped me relate to the opposite sex :p ...helped me woo my wife, and pretty much kept me sane (that one's debatable... :eek: ). I've been in bands with it, played for family and friends, written songs. I guess I'll always be learning.
The only times I've been without it, were in the military, and one other time, for about 6 months when I injured my hand. Both times I felt like I was without my best friend.
So..yeah, I'd do it all over again..and again.
Gary |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | There are times I wish I hadn't. Over the last 45 years, music has cost me a small fortune and given me more disappointments than I can count. Have found musicians to be,for the most point unreliable, dishonest and egotistical. of course there are exceptions to the rule. After 45 of my 56 years and having had over 100 guitars, would I do it again? Yea, probably. I still love playing. Being on boards like this and seeing what goes on here, has given me hope. The people on this board have done some things that I find absolutely amazing. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | My brother was in a band with various permutations for about 8 years. He regularly called me with a problem about someone stealing equipment, stiffing him on payment, etc. The only good advice I gave him was to quit dealing with those people.
Lately, I've been looking for musicians to jam with. After reading the posts on Craigslist, I've decided I'm just fine playing with myself in the basement (have at it, Jeff). Those guys complain about everything, although just because they post on Craigslist under Musicians, I can't assume they are musicians. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 335
Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Agree with Bill. Typical conversation:
"So how long you been playing guitar"
35 years.
"You must be really good"
Yeah, really good at Book 1. So there really is someone else like me. I keep tellin' them, but they ain't listening. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3604
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I still have problems combining "fun", with "diligent". And, at 56, I doubt my dexterity will make large improvements. Just gotta choose carefully which notes to play, within my capabilities. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| Reason I asked is, well I guess I'm in the minority. I wouldn't do it again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 757
Location: Melbourne Australia | Originally posted by BT717:
The question for me should be: Should I have started sooner? The answer is still, YES. Always wanted to but didn't start until I was 46. Mark me down for starting at 52, I never knew how to start. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by Losov:
Reason I asked is, well I guess I'm in the minority. I wouldn't do it again. Losov, why is that? Like many others here I didn't play at all for about 20 years and have never made a cent (alright I made about $10 busking) from it, have spent a small fortune on it and love it.
For me, I just love the ability to work on a song and eventually be able to play something that resembles songs I've listened to over the years.
If you couldn't play guitar how would your life be better now OR if you'd spent the time on something else, what would that have been? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Yeah, I'd do it again in a minute, and I too wouldn't have given it up for 20 years before picking it up again. It would be sooooo much easier to train young fingers to do all those scales ;) At this stage of my life (53) I don't know what I'd do without the guitars... to accompany my attempts to vocalize, and keep me company when I need a bud and none are around, to bring life to the joys and sadnesses that come in life. The guitar has opened doors to develop some amazing and rich relationships with people that I never would have had without it. Yep, I'd do it again in a minute :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Perceptions can change when a group plays as an avocation rather than a vocation. There may very well be financial remuneration, but the primary motivation and reward for one's lifelong passion in a particular interest (ours just happens to be guitars) is intrinsic, not profit. Should there be any realization of profit, then all the better, but this is secondary. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 54
Location: Dayville, Connecticut | Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
today, in about one hour I could be a "Guitar Hero" on a Wii, the effort hardly seems worth it.
I love it...My "Drummer" (read...daughter!)is home from collge this week. Guess who'll be rock'n out on the plastic guitar all week! (and no blisters!!!)
Seriously...I don't regret putting it away for so many years...it's not like I wasted the time away...(Joined the Guards, started a family, built a house, took up Karate, found a decent job that I'm good at...got my daughter into college, rebuilt a Harley, did lots of fishing, etc...) Now I have the time and ambition to pick it up again...life's a cycle...
Rick C. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | I can't imagine not learning to play. There have been times when I didn't play, but there were never times when I didn't want to know how. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by TAFKAR:
For me, I just love the ability to work on a song and eventually be able to play something that resembles songs I've listened to over the years.
If you couldn't play guitar how would your life be better now OR if you'd spent the time on something else, what would that have been? Also
Originally posted by AlanM:
Yep. Love it... There is very little more relaxing -- hypnosis-inducing almost! -- than just sitting down with the guitar, hitting a note and seeing where it takes you. Good points. I guess there are more than one of us that don't have the "There is very little more relaxing -- hypnosis-inducing " gene. I don't think I never had it. I didn't take my first lessons by choice... unless you consider "it's piano or guitar" a choice. I tried piano, but after two years (yes I was 4 when I started) the piano teacher recommended guitar so that should tell ya something.
I took my first guitar lesson when I was 6. I too get the inevitable "wow you must be great" especially after they see more guitars in my closet than in many music stores. At most, when I was playing, I was adequate. As I didn't have a choice to learn, I tried to have fun with it. I did a talent show when I was 11 and purposely played a rocked up version of This Land is Your Land with a Hank Williams guitar riff in it for the lead. I did it just to piss off my old music teacher who was one of the judges. I took 2nd place. When I was 16 I got my first paying gig at a summer resort party. That's when I realized I could, with minimal effort play in a band which was fun, and make a few bucks too.
I had an odd childhood in general, so playing in a band, had the reward of interaction and making music with others was/is fun.
I truly admire many folks here for their sheer ability to just enjoy the sound that's coming out of their guitar when they play it.
"If you couldn't play guitar how would your life be better now OR if you'd spent the time on something else, what would that have been?"
I don't think it would have been better or worse, and have no idea what else I would have spent time on.
The more I think about a "do over"... while once I was involved in music and playing guitar I would have just listened to my desires and become a professional musician... But in a real do-over, I may never have been forced to start playing in the first place and I doubt I would have ended up playing on my own. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I got the music in me.
Sometimes what comes out doesn't match up very well with what's in my head but I still enjoy it and have fun with it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
Perceptions can change when a group plays as an avocation rather than a vocation. There may very well be financial remuneration, but the primary motivation and reward for one's lifelong passion in a particular interest (ours just happens to be guitars) is intrinsic, not profit. Should there be any realization of profit, then all the better, but this is secondary. I would go so far as to say that profit kills the joy. It would be nice to make a few $ in tips, or to get a free meal. But if I were to pursue music to the point of making more money than I spend, it would become work. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Back when I first started playing, it was just something to do. It was fun to play in Church and it was fun to be in a band, playing dances in high school. I didn't really have the itch back then to discover if there was something more. If I knew then what I know now, I would definitely have taken it much more seriously and hopefully would not have stopped playing for so long.
I'm at the stage now where I want to learn SO much, but there is just no time to take it seriously. I just hope that when I do have the time - when the kids are older and more independent - that I still have the same potential to learn. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1553
Location: Indiana | Originally posted by FlySig:
It would be nice to make a few $ in tips, or to get a free meal. But if I were to pursue music to the point of making more money than I spend, it would become work. Years ago a buddy of mine got a 6 night a week bar job in North Dakota. $250 a week, room and board included... all he had to pay for was drinks.
At the end of the month, he owed them 400 bucks. :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | I started in college in say....1978? Keep at it for about 6-7 years and gradually tapered off as life caught up with other obligations. Picked it up now and then, just a little. I have gone back to it again all out. I am having a ball with it. Of course, I have the time now. The new "O" helped fire me up. I can honestly say that despite my lack of ability I am playing better than ever. I try to get my lessons in every week although sometimes I cannot make that happen. Do I regret starting, no...I cannot figure out why you would regret starting. Do I regret stopping for a while? Not really, I did not have a choice. I play for my enjoyment and I suppose if it ever stops being fun, I will taper off. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| Originally posted by TAFKAR:
If you couldn't play guitar how would your life be better now OR if you'd spent the time on something else, what would that have been? Don't know, but hopefully something more productive and useful than I have been able to achieve with a guitar.
I didn't get into it for the money, although I've made some. I didn't get into it for the girls, although I have attracted a few with it. I got into it because I was curious.
How does music work? How can I get this thing to sound good? How can I get my voice to sound good? This lead to another area of interest: The theater. Can I do musicals? Can I act? Can I do believable love scenes? (Think it's easy?) Can I direct? Can I get the actors to see my vision? Can I grab the audience?
I found I can do all that. I also found all that empty the day after I did it. No matter how heady an experience I had on any stage - and I've been on some serious stages - it never matched the feeling of accomplishment I got from working in my real profession. I've always, always been glad I didn't attempt to make music my profession, because it's never been my passion. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | The guitar has been such a permanent part of my life; I can't envision one without it...
However, since we only get on shot at this no matter how much we fantasize, I am so glad that over 45 years ago, I borrowed a friends old acoustic w/rusty black diamond strings and for the next several months, practiced my chords and never quit even when it hurt...what a long strange trip its been...wouldn't change it even if I could... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Being an old guy, I feel I should respond to this, but being an old guy, I can't remember the question.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OK, I've got to chime in here, even though I never quit. (Unless you count the year off for a hand injury, but then I started playing harp instead.)
Some of these posts sound so sad. Miles, I don't even know what to say. I wish there was some way I could help you find people to play with who would get you inspired. And Losov, I have to ask what your regular job is. When I was a kid, my Dad always drilled into me the notion that you have to leave the world a better place than it was when you came into it. I always looked at my music as a selfish thing. Not a BAD thing, but it didn't really help people, or make the world a better place. People would tell me that my music "brought joy" or that the songs I wrote made them think, but I know better. It wasn't until I started teaching that I felt I was making a real contribution. Not just teaching kids to play, but actually changing their lives. I have one student whose parents did meth when he was conceived. He is dislexic, adhd, and really messed up. His grandmother is raising him because his mom is in prison and his father is dead. When I teach him, I have learned to have him close his eyes and listen, and then he can play it right back to me. His doctor told his grandmother, "Whatever you're doing, keep it up. The change in him is almost miraculous." And there's another kid with LOADS of talent, who was always getting in trouble in school. None of the other kids liked him, and his Mom told me he had talked of suicide. Now he has an outlet, he has calmed down and hasn't been in a fight at school in months. Some of the kids in his grade have told me he has changed and is actually a nice kid after all. He has friends now, and they play guitar together. What could be better than that?
I realize most people never find out what their purpose in life is, and how lucky I am to have found it. I wish the same for all of you. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Beautiful ....thanks for sharing that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Ditto,
no paycheck could equal the return you get from those students who's lives you've changed. You are a hero, Canterbury |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Thought provoking question and posts. My music comes from my Mother's side and I hope to pass that on through our daughters. Mom was always singing and playing the piano. Dad can't carry a tune in a bucket and was all business. Mom played for fun and Dad made us practice until the allotted time was up.
The guitar was something I always did for fun. I picked it up in college after giving up band instruments. I was in the college choir, purely as an elective, never with the thought of making a career of it. I did envy those rock stars, though, even the ones playing in the sleazy beer joints.
I thought that raising a family got in the way of guitar playing, but I recall playing for our first child when she was really small. The truth is probably that we didn't have a TV then, so playing guitar was entertainment. If I had practiced guitar instead of watching TV, I don't think it would have been wasted time. I can't think of a single TV show that was worth an hour of my life, but I don't think I've ever wasted an hour with the guitar. Looking at them on ebay, yes, there's a bunch of hours wasted, but playing them, no.
Playing at our wedding or others or my folks anniversaries or Mom's 80th birthday has all been worth it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I've never stopped playing almost 40 years later (only sounds like I stopped for about 39 years). The guitar has given me so much in my life. Some of my best friends are people I met thru playing guitar (some of them are on this board). I've played for my kids, family. I seranaded my wife (and a number of other females before her). The guitar brought me back to church. There's not a single day that goes by that I don't have a guitar in my hands if for nothing else, just to sit a strum chords, quietly, for myself, just to feel the instrument vibrate against me (shut up Witko and Clifford)..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Please...I didn't tell you that to make myself look like a hero. As I said, I consider myself lucky to have found my life's work. The hero in this case is MUSIC. They are discovering more every day about the healing powers of music for both physical and emotional ailments.
As sick as we all are, imagine how much sicker we'd be without our guitars! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Canterbury, no need to apologize. We understood the intent of the message and it was a beautiful one. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Ditto. I can only think of one member who pretended to be offended when things got a bit sappy, but he hasn't been around much lately. Personally, I can use some heart warming. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Canterbury, no need to apologize. We understood the intent of the message and it was a beautiful one. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Thanks for sharing Allison...you are making a difference and enjoying doing it...not many can say that...
I also pick up a guitar every day...many times to watch my kids dance and jump around but often just to feel the thrill of being able to play a fine instrument and create something from my thoughts, feelings and moods...I did Music Therapy for several years for a substance abuse threatment center...Music has such a threaputic effect on the sick and troubled...being able to share what makes me feel good and watch it bring the same effect on others is a bonus of any personal enjoyment...Taking the guitar into worship and church environments allows still others to appreciate the beauty of the instruments and share in the music...there are so many opportunities other than just earning a living and playing gigs...I am glad to have been able to support myself for many years doing just that but am so happy to explore and share the joy for free... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Alison - great therapy! (and I say that as a therapist) Even better therapy because the kid doesn't think he's going to therapy. In fact, he's not, he's just doing something normal and realising that he can meet his needs without being obnoxious. Well done. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Please...I didn't tell you that to make myself look like a hero. Still makes you a hero in my book. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Man....a double post 5 minutes apart. How freaky is that!!! |
|
| |
For the Old Guys: Would You Do It Again?