The D String
It seems that I have been taking guitar lessons forever. Not only taking lessons forever, but feeling as if I have been getting nowhere. So far I can play the blues version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and still struggle through "Skip to My Lou." Not that I don't have a great teacher (and getting a good deal), but I feel that I am just not a string instrument kinda person. My whole life I have been involved in a band of some kind. When I was in third grade I started playing the flute. I played so long and got so good that in 10th grade I picked up the bass clarinet for a challenge. I even toured Europe with the band. To say the least, I was awesome! It is the one thing in my life I feel justified to brag about.
So, when I got the long awaited acoustic guitar for Christmas three years ago, I was ecstatic. I thought I would learn it like a snap and be leading a worship group by summer. After all, I knew how to read sheet music and the whole nine yards. Boy was I wrong! First, I hired a Flying W Wrangler for lessons. Come to find out, the dude couldn't even read music! So, I kinda dropped the ball until I started working at Compassion and met a guy who could play rather well. We started lessons and even though it was challenging, I was at least hopeful.
In the beginning I felt confident, and it wasn't too hard. Yes - I was catching on rather fast! The patterns on each string I had learned were open, first fret, and third fret. Three strings over, then it was open and second fret, which I could deal with. Next came the D string which is open, second and third fret. YIKES! I felt like I had hit a brick wall! I can't seem to get the notes learned and have my hands in the right place. Plus, it is getting more evident that I am needing to be double jointed in my wrists because I am having to contort myself into strange positions that cramp my fingers instantly. In addition, The tips of my fingers are getting callous.
When I first started, I wanted to learn Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here". Simple, right? Well, the melodic part is easy to learn. The second high pitch solo is difficult and learning the strumming pattern for the chords is impossible. Not to mention I think there are three guitars involved and I don't know how to get that effect on my lonely instrument. I also was looking forward to learning "Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi, but I am thinking that is at least a decade away.
I envy those who play the guitar with ease. It would be a perfect Mastercard commercial:
Guitar, case, picks, neck strap, music stand, tuner, and beginner books: $700...
Guitar lessons $20 an hour for two years: $2,000.00...
Manicures for callous fingers and constant nail trims: $500.00...
Being able to play the intro to Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"? Priceless.
For some reason, it doesn't really work, does it? Well, I will keep strummin' on.
So, when I got the long awaited acoustic guitar for Christmas three years ago, I was ecstatic. I thought I would learn it like a snap and be leading a worship group by summer. After all, I knew how to read sheet music and the whole nine yards. Boy was I wrong! First, I hired a Flying W Wrangler for lessons. Come to find out, the dude couldn't even read music! So, I kinda dropped the ball until I started working at Compassion and met a guy who could play rather well. We started lessons and even though it was challenging, I was at least hopeful.
In the beginning I felt confident, and it wasn't too hard. Yes - I was catching on rather fast! The patterns on each string I had learned were open, first fret, and third fret. Three strings over, then it was open and second fret, which I could deal with. Next came the D string which is open, second and third fret. YIKES! I felt like I had hit a brick wall! I can't seem to get the notes learned and have my hands in the right place. Plus, it is getting more evident that I am needing to be double jointed in my wrists because I am having to contort myself into strange positions that cramp my fingers instantly. In addition, The tips of my fingers are getting callous.
When I first started, I wanted to learn Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here". Simple, right? Well, the melodic part is easy to learn. The second high pitch solo is difficult and learning the strumming pattern for the chords is impossible. Not to mention I think there are three guitars involved and I don't know how to get that effect on my lonely instrument. I also was looking forward to learning "Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi, but I am thinking that is at least a decade away.
I envy those who play the guitar with ease. It would be a perfect Mastercard commercial:
Guitar, case, picks, neck strap, music stand, tuner, and beginner books: $700...
Guitar lessons $20 an hour for two years: $2,000.00...
Manicures for callous fingers and constant nail trims: $500.00...
Being able to play the intro to Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"? Priceless.
For some reason, it doesn't really work, does it? Well, I will keep strummin' on.
posted by Nic at 7:37 AM
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