My name is Jeff from San Diego California. I took a hiatus status for a couple months here, basically throwing in the towel because I was not at the level of progress I felt I should be and I was dealing with too many personal issues. I decided that quitting doing what made me happy was a mistake and instead I needed to do some self-analysis.
First, I looked at my “music portfolio” and saw that I did over 60 cover songs and shared many of them here. The problem is a good portion of them were mediocre at best. Only about 2-3 sounded decent and mostly I sounded either out of sync, or a mixture of a loud guitar and muffled voice. I needed to fix the basics like ensuring all the strings ring out for each chord and improving dynamics. There is no prize for playing a bunch of songs poorly.
I give total respect to Justin Guitar for giving me the start in paying music like it should be played. I have a long ways to go so I will be starting on grade 1 day 1 again to see what I missed in fundamentals. Lately I have also started a collaboration of playing music with my 11 year old daughter. We played “Stand By Me” together on stage about a year ago and this time we are learning Green Day’s “Time of Your Life” together. That is one of the songs I played decent in the past and memorized well.
I wanted to thank everyone for their support and words of wisdom. There were some very heart-felt wishes of success from the group back then. Because of that I felt the need to return and start paying it forward again whenever I can. I won’t be adding a whole lot of videos for a while until I have spent enough quality time mastering them. I may still upload to you tube, but not as often here.
I have done a handful of songs recently: Hotel California, Kryptonite, Get a Job from the Offspring, Someday I’ll be Saturday Night, etc. but none have been worth sharing yet. I do have one video to share of a basic 3 chord song that I think sounds fairly decent. @tRONd suggested I play some country once in a while because my voice seems to fit. So here goes one from this fool…
A very warm welcome back Jeff!
Glad to see you here mate.
I think you know you’ll always be a guitar player - it’s in you👍
Kudos for taking stock, and undergoing some honest reflection of where you’re at. It can be unpleasant, and takes some courage,but in the end, its where all the real answers are.
Welcome back! Glad you had time to process. I am jealous you get to play with your daughter. How fun! My daughter (13yo) has zero interest. Sigh. Like me at her age I suppose. Unfortunately, when she turns 55 and picks up guitar, I will be long gone (or 100 yo if I am lucky enough). Maybe I can leave her my guitars to guilt her into playing.
A mini band with the kid should be good inspiration, if you can agree on music styles…
Hi Jeff!!!
A heartfelt welcome back!!! So glad that you haven’t given up on what is quite obviously one of your passions in life! Music can be very frustrating - it’s hard to get to where you want to be in the timeframe you envision. My wife and I are old movie fans and in Hitchcock’s Rear Window there’s a frustrated composer who can’t leave his piano alone, even though he seems to want to quit. I’m like that! I would stop playing guitar for months or years, only to pick it up again & give it another shot! Don’t ever give up on your dreams!!!
How cool to play with your daughter… my daughter is attempting to learn guitar and uke but lives a busy life 500 miles away. No upcoming jam sessions for us anytime soon…
Have fun, amigo! Your contributions here in the Community are appreciated more than you realize!
It’s great that you are back and picked up your guitar again!
A little break sometimes is a good idea - and now you have a fresh start with the perfect jam buddy. It must be a lot of fun to play and progress together with your daughter. This surely will keep both of you motivated.
And you’ve picked some very nice songs. “Hotel California” is at the top of my dream list, but much too advanced for me
Wishing both of you the very best for your continued musical journey
Great bit of self-analysis and going back to the beginning sounds like a good idea. Get those basics sorted and you’ll get even more enjoyment from your guitar. Nice that you now have a jam buddy.
Hi Jeff, welcome back! Glad you didn’t give up and give it another go. Enjoy the jamming with your daughter, it’s a very precious way to spend time together! All the best for our restart!
This alone is enough reason to persevere with guitar. I used to love playing while my youngest daughter sang when she was 7 or so, and now that she’s in her 30’s and coping with the demands of work, home, and my grandson, not to mention living a 3 hour drive away, the rare occasions when I can accompany her singing still bring me joy
Hi Jeff,
Welcome back and thanks for sharing your self-reflection its not always easy to realize one need to go back to enable you to go forward and what a better way than with your daughter.
Good luck with your future ventures.
A
To see you’re back at guitar and here in the community truely is one of the best things I’ve seen today. This makes me happy, also for you. Glad you picked the guitar up again, even more you’re having best possible Jam buddy with your daughter. Great stuff.
Hope you’re well and feel better. Wish you all the best and of course lots of fun on you re-entered guitar journey.
