Music Man

For pretty much all of my waking life that I can remember I’ve loved music. There is no passion that runs hotter through my veins. But that passion hasn’t ever translated to learning to read, write, and play music.

After 38 years of life the time has come for me to do so. I’ve debated between the piano and guitar since they’re both instruments that you can solo on well and also write music with which is a main goal of mine.

I tried to play guitar when I was about 11 but I completely underestimated the reality of the hard work of practice that learning music requires. I believe I have the staying power and a life full of want, desire and pent up music creativity to drive me forward now that I didn’t possess back then.

I was going to go with Piano because of a recommendation from my friend and long time musician Dan who played harmonica (his first love), guitar and then Sax (his current love). Dan said you couldn’t go wrong with either but that the Piano might give me a better sense of playing, reading, hearing, and visualizing music (my own interpretation of what Dan said). I looked at electric pianos and keyboards but ultimately for what I want they’re all a bit too pricey for me.

Then I had a good idea. I dug my old cheapie Hondo Fender Stratocaster ripoff from 1980 out of my closet all got all set to take it to Guitar Center for some TLC. Unfortunately it’s been rusting in its case since it’s days in Fremantle and the heat from various garage storings has left the area around the pickups warped. It looks shot. It’s also left handed – like me – and I really want to try and play right handed. Huh? Lots of reasons. Bigger selection of guitars, more low priced offerings, and I think an interesting right/brain left/brain challenge (if music itself wasn’t already)!

There’s another practical purpose. I’ve owed Shannon a guitar since her 26th birthday when we lived in Alameda. I almost bought her one and then did something else. It’s a long running joke that I still owe her that guitar. In any event I reasoned that if I went right handed she could play it as well. The final reason for a righty-guitar are my kids. I really want my kids to love music. And so far they do but I want them to play as well. All my kids are right handed. Max, 16 has already started (I got him an Epiphone Dot two years ago). He hasn’t played much but he’s still toying a bit with it which is better than nothing.

Selecting my guitar. Price and quality of sound were my two criteria. I also wanted all acoustic because I want to do something that completely contrast my online life. I did what any online geek would do. I researched the hell out of really good inexpensive acoustic guitars. Every review I read mentioned the Canadian made Seagull S6 – usually as their top pick.

I called up Guitar Center and spoke to David yesterday. I asked him for his pick for the best three inexpensive and great sounding acoustic guitars. He talked about some Parkhill guitars (think I have the name wrong) that sounded really great and also Yamaha and Seagull. He closed by saying what a lot of people say about the Seagull S6 online. To paraphrase: I bought the Seagull S6 as my beginning guitar and I still love its sound, even compared with guitars I now own (insert blank name of really expensive two or three thousand dollar guitar here). I listened to a lot of acoustic guitars and my ears confirmed the Seagull is amazing, and for a list price of $369 US. With a stand, bag, picks, strings, tuner, and guitar strap we settled on $430 out the door. I think that’s pretty amazing considering how little you can get these days for four-hundred bucks.

I’ve started reading a guitar and music book and have strummed my first notes. Played Twinkle, Twinkle little star to John and Julia last night for bed. They loved it! They’ve also been unable to separate themselves from playing it. Fantastic! I think I’ll go down and buy them both a small kids guitar today so we can make some music together.

Dreams can come true. Wish me luck! I’ve got to learn to play so I can put some notes to the song lyrics I wrote a while back (yeah my first song – Area code).