When I was 13 or so, we had a piano in the house, though no one could play. Mom was a teacher and needed a music credit before graduation. I plunked on it, got a couple music lessons from a neighbor lady. But I was frustrated. I wanted to play Jerry Lee and Leon but couldn't begin to get two hands working together, so I concluded that I wasn't musical. I kept singing in choir class, could read music at a remedial level, and attended hundreds of concerts and bar bands, as I loved all music.
In college, a buddy showed me g, c, d, on an acoustic, I could pick the intro to Purple Haze from watching Hendrix movies so much. But I was still a watcher and not a participant. But i was a music devotee, with a massive diverse collection of music, and friends with my buddies in our small town's bar bands. Eventually a divorce left me with extra time on my hands, so i bought a cheap acoustic. With Mel Bay books and guitar magazines, I taught myself to play to a basic level. My bar band buddy, in my only real guitar lesson showed me the Chuck Berry rythmn in A and E, and I felt liberated.
The next few years a group of us, from band level to my level, would get together at least weekly and write a song a week to four track cassette. I played a few open mics as an acoustic strummer, or banging out the few neil Young tunes I could jam on electric. I never had a regular band, I worked my way through cassette, Roland VS, and now Presonus One daw. I write tunes and record covers, playing everything myself, except drums, thanks for drum machines.
Now, owning several guitars, basses, banjos and such, I wanted to get more serious about developing some skills. I could do fine at a campfire, playing solo to friends, but I was still mostly lost in a band situation. My recording were made by just working on parts relentlessly until I could get an acceptable take. I tried a different online course several years ago which helped me move around the fretboard some, but I still wasn't satisfied with where I was.
I've started BGU2 just recently after seeing some of Griffs emails. I liked his style and wanted to challenge myself to get better, especially as a soloist. I was nervous when I went through the first lessons quickly and easily. It changed soon enough and I was challenged to play up to speed at least somewhat cleanly. I still haven't got to soloing, but my work with a pick and muting are making strides and practice is fun again. I'm making up new songs and putting these rythmn ideas to work. My skills lay more in arranging, so it's nice to bring my chops up. It will take a good while to move through bgu, but i feel like more of a musician and I'm optimistic that I'm going to get better.
When this health situation gets cleared, I'll be actively looking to play more with my buddies live. I'm comfortable in a recording environment, I hope to feel that way with live musicians. My history leaves me comfortable only when I'm well rehearsed, I'd like to be better able to jam and improvise a bit. I think I'm on my way at 63 years old. It's great brain stimulation, and a great way to spend my retirement years.
Thanks to Griff and the BGU community, I hope to attend an event or two when I can.
