Some of you may remember many of my earlier posts, which I consider my search for the path I wanted to walk on when it came to both learning and playing the guitar.
This update may help other discover their own path and passion.
Years ago I wanted to play electric guitar. I saved up, bought a good Fender Strat and explored without any clear direction. I learned some basic scales, played a jam track from you tube, plugged my guitar into the amp and “played.”
In many ways I sounded fine. Who wouldn’t with a backing band?. The truth was I was simply driving down the highway with no sense of direction – which meant timing, rhythm or music.
Somehow I stumbled on Justin’s site. This is when he was selling instructional DVDs and paperback songbooks. I bought everything and plunged back in, this time getting a little better because of Justin’s great methods.
I memorized the major scale patterns, the pentatonic scales and my youtube jamming got so much better.
But have someone tell me to play a song, and I was lost.
First, I had never sung before.
I dragged out my old acoustic guitar and stared playing that, the Strat back in the case. I followed along with Justin’s songbook, but still was lost.
Then I came across a Justin statement that changed my musical life – learn only what you need to learn for you.
Crazy chords for jazz?
Not for me.
Obscure scales – melodic minor?
Not for me.
What did I want?
I decided I wanted to play and sing cover songs.
I sold the electric, saved up and bought a Gibson J-45
I ordered Justin’s strumming course and his metronome app.
Reality hit me in the face.
I had no sense of time, was relying on one strum, and had no idea how that worked within the confines of any song. I made myself use that metronome 30 minutes a day. It was awful. But then I slowly improved. I started tapping my foot, which I had never done.
In time – and I’m talking a long time here – I stopped thinking of patterns and just allowed my right hand to do what felt right – Justin preaching just keep that hand moving. I could play 16th not strums and switch up with 8th note strums, play partial strums.
I enjoyed learning, stumbling and trying again.
Because I had a goal.
It was then that I realized the timing and a sense of rhythm was the secret.
The youtube teachers are always refering to DU, DD U. Or something like that.
I made no sense, kind of like saying “love” means this, when the word changes on who you are talking to.
I had to stop thinking of DU and DU.
Where is the 1?
Where is the e and uh in context of the beat?
How to use different strums within four bars.
Timing and a sense of rhythm allowed me to be in the “musical moment,” what I felt in my heart for the song and trusting the right hand would do it.
Then came the concept of singing. I had to figure out melody, using Justin’s suggestions to play the melody. Great help. Then figure out what key worked best for my voice. Much trial and error. I realized the power of a capo.
I practiced daily, gaining more confidence in my voice – I didn’t hear neighbor dogs howling – and people able to look out the window and cars and still be able to sing and play at the same time.
A month ago I picked out three songs and went to an open mic.
All acoustic players.
All good.
I figured I had nothing to lose.
The place had a great sound man and he plugged my Gibson and had me test the microphone for my voice. I had never used either. Very strange.
But here is the thing.
I was not nervous. I had played and sung those three songs in my bedroom 1,000 times in my bedroom.
I did not “screw up.”
Was able to look the audience in the eye and not focus on the fretboard.
Was I great?
Who knows.
But the other guitarists were so supportive.
So here is my update.
I now have 20 cover songs – chords and lyrics – memorized.
I feel the lyrics, understand the chord progressions – all these are open chords in C, E and G. I use a capo. I use dynamics, partial chords, a hammer on when it feels right.
I don’t think.
I just play.
I plan to go back to the open mic next month.
I will never be in ever band.
I will never play blues, jazz or rock .
But hand me an acoustic guitar in a living room and I could play and sing 20 songs
It is still not easy.
I practice some of these songs every day. From time to time I forget the exact word in a lyric, but at 71, that’s to be expected. But I never stop playing and no one but me would know I made a mistake. When the song is over, I go back, play it again correctly.
Had I never found Justin’s site – all his books and DVDs and products – along with this supportive community I would doing this:
Mindlessly noodling on that Strat to a jam track.
So, thank you Justin and to all of you.
Tom
