Finding My Groove

Learning guitar for me has been in stages. The stage I am in now is where I feel comfortable holding the instrument and trying to fine tune better ways to play it.  I am trying to be conscious of my hand positions so that I can make transitions better and not get tired. I am trying to fret my notes more accurately so that the dynamics of what I hear are intentional. I am conscious of my likes and dislikes.  

The first guitar I fell in love with was an American Stratocaster I traded for a handgun.  At the time it was the most expensive guitar I had.  I fantasized about sounding like Buddy Guy or Stevie Ray Vaughn.  Then I bought a hollow body Epiphone and tried to get my B.B. King on.  I learned quickly that I will never be those guys.  The journey continued and I bought and sold a bunch of guitars until I found Dean Zelinksky.  He has some good marketing. I've had three of his guitars and can vouch for their quality and beauty.  You have to wait a few weeks to get anything but when you do, you are happy.  As a hobbyist, this is a poor man’s nightmare.  There are thousands of guitars to choose from and each one having a little nuance here are there.  Like a gun owner, you can never been satisfied with just one.  Each guitar gets you a little closer to understanding who you are and what you can do.  At least for me that is what it is doing. Now I have four guitars too many, if I am allowed to acknowledge that. 

I have learned that I like double cut models of solid guitars.  I have learned that I what you listen to and aspire to play will come through whatever genre you are playing.  I have learned that I don't care for low actions.  I'm not sure if I like heavy gauge strings yet or not. I am learning to recognize music and tone.  I now have a love relationship with Swamp Rock, Texas Blues, and some older obscure musicians that everyone has been copying.  I found a Jazz guitar teacher online that is helping me understand some things. I like that he makes the complex simpler although because he knows a lot, dude has a doctorate in music, it is easy for him to go way above where I am.  Note to Self: you always want smarter friends. 

Last nights practice revealed that I am no longer shy to try new things. I am becoming comfortable.  In my warm up, I went from checking my tuning- to a shuffle-to a Aerosmith riff-to a Led Zeppelin riff and finally to a Freddie King sounding lick. It made my heart glad. I did it all on a used custom plain looking Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitar I like that is becoming a familiar tool. For my birthday this year, I am buying another PRS that I hope and pray becomes my Lucille, my Lucy, my No. 1.  

I’m making life changes. I know people worry when you stop taking baths or go off on strangers.  Those are indicators that something is amiss.  It feels like that, although not as dramatic. I am changing. I have learned that there is power in focus.  I know that I have tried to accomplish a lot of things consecutively unsuccessfully.  Time to just be one thing.  I don't feel like a motorcyclist much anymore, will probably sell my bike if given the chance.  I’ve had a motorcycle since I was 17.  I don't feel like a gun enthusiast / marksman either even though it has been my nom de guerre for most of my life.  I think I am done painting oil and watercolor pictures and writing poetry.