-
Back to the basics…
I joined TAC for the second time about a month ago. I had to back off for a bit because of a recent Carpal Tunnel surgery. I was playing right after the surgery and had some issues with some pretty severe pain. It has now abated so my small win is being able to play the guitar again. My journey may be a little bit different than some. I am not that good by any means but love to play and sing. Also, I love to bless others in music. My guitarsenal is proof of that. I currently have 4 guitars. My most expensive is a GS Mini Koa plus, then I have a Yamaha LL16m, then an Art and Lutherie, and finally a Sigma DM3M.
The reason for the selection is that I am a firm believer that while desiring more expensive instruments isn’t a bad thing, that there are many less expensive guitars that play and sound great.
The second part of my selection, why it is so varied, is that I believe that I am to pass on my love of the guitar to others. I can’t tell you how many guitars I have given away to people who are interested in playing the guitar, but don’t have the means to purchase one. That will continue.
Currently I live in a small town in North Dakota, the closest music store is Bismark which is some 70 plus miles away. I am not only trying to have a selection of used guitars for people here I am currently collecting the tools necessary to do set ups on guitars so those needing setups don’t have to travel the 70 plus miles, and then be without their guitar for a couple of weeks. I have purchased several books on guitar repair, including “The Guitar Player Repair Guide” by Dan Erlewine.
All of this because I want to serve the people in my community and share the guitar that I love so dearly. I want to pass on what I have been blessed with.
I’ll close with tis. I heard this said and I will share it with those here in the TAC Family.
“Start where you are, use what you’ve got, and do what you can.” Guitar playing isn’t a competition. It isn’t a race. It’s an expression of your soul, whether you write your own music or play songs that have touched your heart. So play on and have fun!
-
7 Replies
-
Russel—
I have found a new friend……. and it is you.
Your last paragraph is simple, amazing, and well said.
I also have four guitars at present, and even the “best”- (newest?) one is not an expensive guitar– by any means. And I’m not sure it matters much at my point in “the journey”.
For me- better playing will justify better equipment; but I don’t know the difference because I have never owned or even had the chance to play a really fine- (or higher priced/rated/quality) instrument. Someday.
We have family in the Robinson/Tuttle/Steele area and also over in Williston, and roamed around the area for a few days early last Summer— and loved it…
Anyway– your final paragraph is fantastic.
Thank you for sharing your story……
(and, yes, carpal tunnel is a bear!)
theoldcoach
-
The Old Coach… Thank you for your kind words!
-
Welcome back to TAC, and I’m glad you made it through Carpal Tunnel surgery and recovery. You say some great things Russell, and most of all is that you can only start and be where you are in your journey, and it is a great reminder that we’re not in a race or in competition with anyone else. We can put in as much or as little as we want, and it is all good.
I absolutely love that you’re in a position that you can help others out in their music endeavors. I have quite a few guitars, and I’ve been wanting to thin them out. None are considered high end, and I’m sure I could part with some for little or no money at all. In fact, there is a young lady who is 12 years old back in my old romping grounds in Chicagoland that I know cannot afford to have a guitar purchased for her. You’ve motivated me to send her one of my smaller guitars. I already mentor her and supply her with sketch pads and pencils, so it won’t take any more effort to work with her on guitar too. I introduced her to the acoustic when I was out there a month or so ago, and she was already wanting to play electric, and now she knows she can play both.
-
Loraine–
In my response to Russel’s post– my first sentence was, “I have a new friend, and it is you”.
So, now, my first (almost, anyway)- sentence to YOUR post here is, “I have an old friend, and it is you”.
This is a wonderful post you have made here!
yer old pal-
mark
-
For the old coach, I want to tell you that I never run out of room for new friends. If you ever get back to North Dakota, you are welcome to visit us. We live in the small town of Hazen off of highway 200. About 15 miles south of lake Sakakawea.
While we are not set up with a spare bedroom, if you have a camper we have room to park it and will even have an electric hookup in the near future. (Our second bedroom is set up for my office/guitar room.)
Next year we are attempting to either purchase a cargo trailer to convert to a camper, or a teardrop trailer so we can travel more. but for now we are homebodies. The only travelling I’d like to plan for is to Tony’s neck of the woods in Bozeman. I would love to go to pick up my forever guitar from Music Villa, a Yamaha FGX5 from them. Some day!
Bless you and your guitar journey may our paths meet one day to encourage one another face to face!
-
-
Hi Loraine. I am so glad that what I am doing has inspired you to do likewise. I did want to say that it was never my intention to try to get people to give away guitars. I am not doing anything special, it’s just where my guitar journey is headed.
I can tell that you have a heart for helping others, and I find that inspiring in and of itself. It also gives me an indication of your heart for music. For myself, as much as I enjoy playing the guitar, I enjoy it even more if what I play and sing touches other people.
I feel that you may see it in the same light. It’s a gift, not only for ourselves, but to those around us. I am by no means a great guitar player, or singer for that matter, but I can’t tell you how many people have come up and thanked me for playing, in parks, coffee shops, or even at the music jams we have in our town. This is a gift you have to share as well. Anyone who picks up the guitar and plays for others. It is truly the people’s instrument.
I want to thank you for the encouragement you have given me, and for your heart to reach out to others with your talent and desire to bless them. What a great way to change the lives of those who we can reach, and maybe make their day a little brighter!
Bless you in your guitar journey!
-
😊
-
-
Log in to reply.