Hi everyone! I’ve been learning from Justin for over a year now, and I’m currently in the middle of the Practical Music Theory Course (which is BRILLIANT btw). I’m a busy working mom…43…getting seriously back into guitar after years of just noodling around for 30 years. I think this is officially my mid-life crisis?! 
I thought these forums would be a great way to connect with others and update my progress. Gear pics and playing videos will likely come.
I’ve been struggling to figure out what to “do” with my guitar playing. It’s been a lifelong dream to play in a band (I did VERY briefly in high school).
I’m super excited that I’ve decided to join my local music school’s rock band program. Over the summer I’ll be assessed and joined with similarly-skilled musicians. September the practices will start. And eventually we’ll perform!
I know it’s not very “rock-n-roll.” But it’s a good first step for me, who’s mainly played in her bedroom her whole life.
Anyhoo thanks for reading! Cheers!
10 Likes
Linda,
Good for you. Great idea joining the adult rock band program. I had been noodling aimlessly for years and did a similar thing about 7 years ago (School of Rock in Massachusetts) It was great experience and really ignites your passion of playing.
Welcome, Linda. Sounds like fun plans to me! 
1 Like
Hi Linda, great start to your learning log!
I’m also a fellow early 40s rocker chick mom 
Good for you for taking the next step in following your dream and doing the rock band program! I’m betting it will be a good way to meet others with similar goals. I would love to hear more about how you like it once you get started.
1 Like
Hey, I’m in a similar position, also early 40s, I started because my son started playing guitar through school (much better than music lessons available when I was at school!). The in person rock school thing sounds great, I would love to find something similar to join to meet/play with some others in a similar position.
1 Like
Hi Linda,
Welcome to the group. Joining the school and playing in the band. Playing with other musicians is the best fun you can have with a guitar
1 Like
Thanks for the replies everyone! I’ll be booking an assessment with the band director in order to find a good band matchup.
@Peavey23 Yes there’s also a School of Rock in my town (Mississauga) which I looked at. It was VERY expensive, but I still may give it a try at some point.
What I’ll be contending with is my own “guitar shyness.” All my life I’ve played for myself, or for family members. As soon as others are around I tend to clam up. When I go to my music store to try out guitars, it’s like I suddenly have NO idea how to play. I’m not someone who’s comfortable showing off COOL LICKS in front of others to impress them.
We were visiting some family friends for dinner the other night. The last thing one of them said as we were leaving was “Next time bring your guitar over and play something!!” Which is was awesome yet terrifying to hear.
So anyways. I need to get over myself if I’m going to do this. Anyone else experience the same thing?
4 Likes
So, I need a few songs that I can reliably play for my band assessment. Nothing to complicated or flashy, because I’ll likely be very nervous. I also want to select songs that reflect my musical tastes, and showcase who I believe I am as a musician.
Here’s my list of possibilities so far:
Electric guitar:
R.E.M. - Strange Currencies
R.E.M. - Be Mine
R.E.M. - What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?
Green Day - Basketcase
U2 - In the Name of Love
Acoustic guitar:
Neil Young - Needle and the Damage Done
Neil Young - Heart of Gold
Neil Young - Hey Hey, My My
Radiohead - High and Dry
U2 - One
So I’ll likely narrow this list down so I can focus on practice. I know these songs VERY well and have been playing them for years. But playing them well and all the way through will be new.
If anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them!
1 Like
Go with the familiar and focus on quality of performance. Especially if you think you’ll be nervous. Also, pick songs that will be familiar to your audience. I would suggest Basketcase and Heart of Gold as most likely to be known by most musicians.
1 Like
I was just inspired by watching browan377’s video of him playing U2’s One. I may add that to my acoustic list. It’s something that I can actually play AND sing. I find Bono’s voice is in a similar register to mine, so I actually sound half decent.
1 Like
Yeah, I watched it too. I was noodling around with it a couple months ago and then just forgot about it. I’m nowhere near being able to use hammer on with it, but I ought to at least get it memorized with a reasonable strumming pattern.
1 Like
