#19 My 3rd JGversary
And here we are, another year draws to a close.
Today three years ago is the day I took out the dusty old guitar and started Justin’s BC. Happy to reflect on how far I have progressed in learning to play. And at risk of repeating myself, find myself reflecting on having done things that I never imagined as being possible when I started up.
Yesterday, to commemorate three years spent learning and having fun, I posted up a couple of recordings. And the feedback was (as always) wonderfully encouraging and complimentary.
And I got to thinking that it is fair to say that we are wired for Community, to be social beings. And for me I feel a deep connection and sense of belonging here, so much care and support from everybody for everybody. When I made my first post just over 4500 post ago, I had no idea just how important the Community would prove to be, both in terms of enabling the learning and also in terms of life in general, in terms of the many friendships I have made here through our shared love of music.
Music wise, the last few months since the last update have passed by in similar fashion.
I have now played a total of 4 Open Mic sessions. Three of those are posted up in the live performance area, unfortunately to date haven’t been able to get the video of the forth performance from Lionel who records everything. For the record I performed the following songs at that event: Blowing In The Wind, Killing Me Softly and Before You Accuse Me.
I missed the final event of the year, being away for work, and am now thinking about the next Open Mic at the end of January. I have performed the last three sessions without using song sheets, either paper or on a tablet. I do feel an extra pressure and stress to remember the lyrics, so am considering using the music stand again. My thinking being that being less under pressure to remember lyrics may help reduce mistakes, be more relaxed.
The other highlight was completing another full production of my fifth original song, Free. You can listen to that in the latest Contest.
So performing, recording original songs, finger-picking … all things that were impossible to imagine when I started. I was particularly anxious about the basic finger-picking part of the BC and it turned out to be something I really do enjoy.
In the last few months, I’ve made more progress on the Finger-Style Module and am practicing a pattern that uses the high e string plus some bass walks between chords. So far have not identified and settled on a suitable song. maybe time to look at some of the easier Dylan finger-picked songs, though singing his lyrics is not always so easy.
As I said in the reply to comments on yesterday’s post in AVOYP, I am feeling motivated to work a little more on my strumming, more wrist to get better control and accuracy … a little more like how Loefgren plays. Then maybe try and get to grips with two of my favourite songs: Norwegian Wood and Needle and the Damage Done, which both need more pick accuracy than I can currently manage.
I also dream about maybe one day playing or busking, perhaps the local coffee shop just up the road … maybe they’d be open to somebody performing in their garden on a Sat or Sun. Then I’d need an acoustic amp with a channel for guitar and mic, perhaps some pedals to achieve similar sound live as what I can achieve now in my DAW when I record myself playing and singing. A man can dream 
Who knows.
I do know enough now not to limit myself as to what might be possible as I continue the adventure. An Open Mic was a fantasy, even as recently as the start of this year … now I am a regular.
So who knows.
Speaking of Open Mic, the music club that hosts the event also host shows where 4-5 acts, sometimes solo sometimes a full band, perform. Apart from maybe one day being invited to perform there, I am also interested in perhaps getting more involved with the sound engineering on the night. With my experience mixing productions on the DAW I think maybe I could get into live engineering. And it sounds like fun.
As I say, who knows where the path leads, what opportunities will present over time. All I do know is that I can’t imagine life without my guitar, recording and performing.
The learning, the progress, the achievements, the friendships … in this context, life doesn’t get any better.
Once again, I wish you all everything of the best. Keep at it, follow Justin’s lessons, be active in the Community and I am confident you too can achieve your musical dreams.
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Good thing you already copied it here!
