Progress on changes
Even though it hasn't been reflected by posting here, changes I've been making in my life have been sticking. I'm still not exercising regularly (but still working on that), but I have added some morning quiet time most days. Not as much on the weekend, but that is much more difficult as there is more hubub around the house as well as irregular schedules.
One thing I have added that I didn't originally post as a desired change was learning to play guitar. I have a guitar I got for my birthday about 5 or 6 yrs. ago. I have a musical background, including studying music theory for 2 years, but never learned a stringed instrument. About 5 or 6 years ago I asked for (and received) a starter guitar for my birthday. One of those inexpensive starter kit things. A Gibson Epiphone acoustic, "gig bag" (soft sided carry bag), a tuner, a stand, and a "how-to" book. I practiced for several weeks almost daily. Learned some chords. Got to a point where I started trying to transition between chords in rhythm and failed repeatedly (as expected). I got very frustrated, put it in it's stand to take a break, and that break ended up lasting several years.
A few weeks ago I picked it up again. I went to a concert, a guy usually with a band that did a solo acoustic set. I got inspired again to pick up the guitar. Now don't get me wrong - I don't have some deluded idea that I can be a performer. No way. I just want to be able to sit around and play stuff people know and can sing along to. I mostly want to entertain myself, my wife. and any good friends that come over for an evening or something.
For some reason, this time I've stuck with it better than before. And I don't feel the pressure I felt before. I'm not sure why. Maybe before it was because my wife had just spent around $300 on all that gear and I felt pressured to deliver with it A.S.A.P. Maybe it was because other instruments had come to me so quickly in the past and this wasn't that I was pressuring myself to perform better. Maybe I was just too excited to show off to my friends or something. I don't know what it was, but this time I don't feel it. I found a song I want to learn, and have spent the past couple of weeks learning the 3 chords in that song and also toughening up the tips of my fingers so they can handle practicing more than about 15-20 mins. I haven't practiced every day, but I've practiced several times a week.
The best part is last night something finally started clicking. I can't do all the chord transitions smooth yet, but at least I'm not stopping to look up the fingerings every time. And when switching back to the main chord for the song, my fingers "just went" to the correct position without me thinking about what fingers to place on what strings. It was very satisfying and just the kind of thing I need to encourage me to keep going.
Hopefully the same kind of change can come to me with my writing. We'll see.
One thing I have added that I didn't originally post as a desired change was learning to play guitar. I have a guitar I got for my birthday about 5 or 6 yrs. ago. I have a musical background, including studying music theory for 2 years, but never learned a stringed instrument. About 5 or 6 years ago I asked for (and received) a starter guitar for my birthday. One of those inexpensive starter kit things. A Gibson Epiphone acoustic, "gig bag" (soft sided carry bag), a tuner, a stand, and a "how-to" book. I practiced for several weeks almost daily. Learned some chords. Got to a point where I started trying to transition between chords in rhythm and failed repeatedly (as expected). I got very frustrated, put it in it's stand to take a break, and that break ended up lasting several years.
A few weeks ago I picked it up again. I went to a concert, a guy usually with a band that did a solo acoustic set. I got inspired again to pick up the guitar. Now don't get me wrong - I don't have some deluded idea that I can be a performer. No way. I just want to be able to sit around and play stuff people know and can sing along to. I mostly want to entertain myself, my wife. and any good friends that come over for an evening or something.
For some reason, this time I've stuck with it better than before. And I don't feel the pressure I felt before. I'm not sure why. Maybe before it was because my wife had just spent around $300 on all that gear and I felt pressured to deliver with it A.S.A.P. Maybe it was because other instruments had come to me so quickly in the past and this wasn't that I was pressuring myself to perform better. Maybe I was just too excited to show off to my friends or something. I don't know what it was, but this time I don't feel it. I found a song I want to learn, and have spent the past couple of weeks learning the 3 chords in that song and also toughening up the tips of my fingers so they can handle practicing more than about 15-20 mins. I haven't practiced every day, but I've practiced several times a week.
The best part is last night something finally started clicking. I can't do all the chord transitions smooth yet, but at least I'm not stopping to look up the fingerings every time. And when switching back to the main chord for the song, my fingers "just went" to the correct position without me thinking about what fingers to place on what strings. It was very satisfying and just the kind of thing I need to encourage me to keep going.
Hopefully the same kind of change can come to me with my writing. We'll see.
posted by learningtowrite | 8:02 AM
2 Comments:
Color me envious; I've always wanted to play the guitar but haven't a smattering of talent for it.
I can't say that I have any talent for it. I'm just "banging my head against the wall" until something sinks in.
Yeah, I have other musical experience, but really - look at all the people in the world that can at least play basic chords and things on a guitar. That tells me that almost anyone can do it, and honestly that is what gives me the hope to persevere. So give it a shot. Go to a pawn shop and pick up a cheap acoustic guitar. Get a new set of strings, and give it a shot. You'll be glad you did.
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