|
Jun 21
2008
|
My Musical OdysseyPosted by aenvoc in Untagged |
 |
I came to music later in life than most people. As a child I didn't pay much attention to popular music. The music that everyone around me listened to just didn't move me. Finally, I just settled on what was accessible on the radio. It was okay, I just didn't have much interest in it. There were a few things that caught my attention like stuff from War, Sly and The Family Stone, a few blues tunes, a few rock tunes, a few R&B tunes. A few things that caught my ear but not enough to prompt me to buy a record. That changed one day when I discovered a music style called jazz. Actually, what I heard at the time really wasn't jazz, but it had the feeling of jazz and it was like I had just awakened to a new world. Everybody I knew actively ignored jazz - going out of their way to avoid it. It was difficult to be in a position where nobody could hear what I heard. I may as well have come from another planet, musically speaking. However, I heard something in the music that reached out to me. The more I heard, the more I wanted to hear and understand about it. Eventually, I had to try to play it myself. Years later, at the age of 21, I decided to try some piano lessons, but because I didn't have a piano, it was hard to practice so I didn't make much progress. My musical aspirations were put on hold for several more years. In 1991, I took up the clarinet. It was relatively inexpensive and very portable and I like the sound of wind instruments. I worked with that and made some progress for a time until a guy moved into the boarding house where I lived. He worked at night and slept during the day. I was in a position where it was very difficult to practice at any time of the day! My progress stalled then and I got no further for years after that. Time passed and I eventually was married with two children. My son decided that he wanted to take guitar lessons, so we got him a guitar to play and practice on. Soon after that he lost interest completely in the guitar, so I tried out some of the exercises in his lesson book just to get a feel for what he was experiencing. I found that I enjoyed playing the instrument and spent more and more time with it. I decided to buy my own lesson book because I wanted one that came with a companion DVD. Later still, I splurged and bought a hollow-body electric guitar and a combo amp for myself. While shopping for my guitar, I came across the Sam Ash Music Institute. After I finally bought my guitar, I decided to give the free trial membership a try. I am so glad that I did. I now have the opportunity to have instruction at any when it is convenient for me. I am also very glad that I gave the guitar a chance. I have been able to practice regularly and have experienced real progress. For me, it is better than working with an instructor in person. You see, my wife was convinced that I would lose interest if I did not participate in 'traditional' guitar lessons in person, with an instructor. That would have been fine by me if I could have attended all the sessions. Due to various commitments, I was only able to attend four of the eight sessions, so I received little benefit for a significant expense. With SAMI, I can see myself progressing. Finally, I can see that I will someday soon be able to not just listen to the music that I love, but to express it as well.
Comments (4)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Jeremy Laursen, June 22, 2008
That is great! Sounds like music has always been there. We are glad that you have come aboard. I hear you with the radio. I try and avoid radio usually. Although I do have a nice Jazz channel around my parts. Other than that, cds are nice, and silence can sometimes be golden. Have fun!
written by yavuz ziddioglu, June 28, 2008
Hey aenvoc, good luck with ur musical journey! I found that after starting guitar, I began to take a liking to genres i actually used to hate, like jazz, classical music, classic rock, blues and death metal!
hope u turn up that distorsion some day
hope u turn up that distorsion some day
written by Robert Allen, July 15, 2008
You know, I'm not really against any kind of music, including classics of all types. I actually grew up with the blues because that's what my parents listened to and even though I didn't really listen to it, the blues has had a major influence on me. A lot of folk and ethnic music is attractive to me also. Someday, I'd like to play klezmer, but I don't know if it would sound right on guitar!! 
The only thing I might have trouble with is death metal - it is literally indecipherable to me. Maybe someday I'll embrace that style too. Thanks, yozmosis!
The only thing I might have trouble with is death metal - it is literally indecipherable to me. Maybe someday I'll embrace that style too. Thanks, yozmosis! written by Robert Allen, July 15, 2008
yozmosis, I forgot to add-- I will turn up the distortion someday, but not just yet, I need a bigger amp!!! 
Write comment
