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BIG win- at least for me!
My neighbor- (a great guy)- has a music room in his garage. All the cool stuff- piano, several guitars, a drum set, LOTS of electronic stuff w/ lots of slide-switches- (like 10 of my old Soundcraftsman equalizer on steroids)- microphones on stands, books w/handwritten notes on the song-pages, etc, etc, etc. He plays several different instruments, and was in a few bands decades ago.
Well, he knew I have a couple of guitars, and has ALWAYS wanted me to come over, sit down, and play along with him on guitar while he plays piano or whatever.
But—- for years—- I just couldn’t do it. Too self-conscious/ scared/ worried I’d screw it all up/ be embarrassed- (all the usual stuff).
Even though I’m pretty long-winded in the TAC Forum, I am a pretty “quiet” guy overall.
Well, I was over in his garage BS-ing today, and— again today— (for maybe the 100th time over the years)- he mentioned me playing, but also that he had a question about something in his music room- and wanted my opinion. Uh-huh….
Well, he started playin’ the piano and asked me some question about music in music-talk- (as if I’d know the answer😆). Good one.
From the piano, he said if I wanted to siddown and play along- he’d holler out the chords over his shoulder as we went along. He said- “You don’t even need to go home & get your guitar- I have one “all set-up & ready for you to sound bad on””.
So I sheepishly and embarrassingly set down on one of the stools in there and amazingly the music stand had a book of old 60’s & 70’s songs all ready to go. (This was “tab” music– but from wwwaaaaayyyyyy before the internet- that’d been used in their bands for decades). Handwritten lyrics and the chords above. Cool stuff indeed. The book was 3 inches thick- and there were several…….
Anyway- while playin along, he said don’t worry ONE BIT about hittin’ a wrong note or chord- just keep playin’ along no matter what. He said, “A bad note only lasts about a quarter of a second- cover it over with a “right” one– forget about it and keep goin’ “.
You know what– to me– that one sentence made ALL the difference in the world.
So I threw caution to the wind and WENT FOR IT!! I had a few clunkers in there, and lost my way for a second or two a few times for sure- but my BIG WIN is that I DID IT!!! And I actually think I did pretty good!
We went on and played for about 45 minutes……
It was the VERY BEST guitar-day in my life. Wow– that was FUN!
I guess “the moral of the story” is that if—- I —– was hesitant and afraid of embarrassment and whatever, then I am absolutely sure there are MANY more “guitar-introverts” out there, uneasy about playing in front of ANYONE else.
Well- take it from me……… Go for it!!!! -(and remember that saying that “a bad note only lasts about a quarter of a second- cover it over with a “right” one– forget about it and keep goin'”).
Yes- jumpin’jeff— “play to practice”….
Bonus– I think I set a new “long-winded” record in the TAC Forum!
Mark
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10 Replies
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Such a cool experience Mark. You have way more gumption than I do. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall.
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That is such good advice! I need to get over this hurdle myself – you’ve inspired me!
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What an awesome neighbour, clearly he had it all planned – and how wonderful of him to recognise that you just needed that gentle encouragement with no way of backing out 😉 hahaha. Sounds like you had so much fun.
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Always better if you can play along with someone who’s better or played longer than you! They seem to pull you towards their level!!!!
Grab every opportunity you get to play along with more experienced players, that’s the way to improve!
They were once where you are and they always have something to show you that will make you progress!
Well done in overcoming your fears!!!
Keep up the great work!!!
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No kidding about BIG win, Mark! Very, very cool! And hurray to your neighbor for bamboozling you into playing. He is awesome too. 🙂
Congrats and keep on jamming.🎵
By the way, I have seen longer posts, so you haven’t broken any record.
😉
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What an awesome story @mkjohnsons 🎸 what an awesome experience😱 and you came out a better player and better person as a whole🤩 I bet when he asks you to do it again, you won’t hesitate😎
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@mkjohnsons said: “cover it over with a “right” one– forget about it and keep goin’ “.
This is music to my ears. Brother this is a huge win for anyone. The whole post made my creative fire light up. I just wish I lived in your neighborhood. You are on the enchanted part of the path here. Magic magic. It keep getting better and better.
Making “play” your practice means recess is always right around the corner and I am always looking happily forward.😉 Play on Mark.
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Thank you all for your thoughtful responses to my goofy-ass stories.
It was indeed an experience that I will never forget as long as live- it was so damn much FUN!
I felt like a kid again while walking back across the street home- and it’s been years since I had an excitement-kind-of-smile like that.
MOST importantly- it wasn’t how “good” I did- it was that I did it- period!
Kinda anxious/nervous today- but man I wanna do that again!
Thanks again, you-all, for all the responses and help–
Mark
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That sounds like an awesome experience Mark! Congratulations on overcoming the fear of playing in front of others. I have yet to overcome this problem. Someday I will!
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This is awesome on so many levels….especially don’t worry about the wrong notes only lasting a quarter of a second. There is always a right note one fret up or one fret down anyway.
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