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Location: Fort Worth, TX | I posted this over on AGF too. I'm interested to see what observations others offer.
This thought struck me while reading another thread by a 60-something year old beginning guitarist. I started as a 9 year old whose world was rocked one night in a darkened living room in the silver glow of a black and white tv watching a group called the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. I actually think it was my parents who were affected more because the following Christmas I got a Gibson Melody Maker electric guitar and small amp. My stage debut took place in 7th grade playing an incredibly monotonous and repetitive riff from Twist and Shout with a bassist and a kid on a snare drum and one cymbal. A teacher tripped over my amp cord midway thru the song and we had to start all over again but got thunderous applause and became instant rock stars in school. unfortunately this still predated "drugs, sex and rock and roll" and we were still a bit too young anyway.
Fast forward 50 years to now. I have been through rock in high school and long afterwards, country when I moved south to Louisville, KY for a few years and got heavily into bluegrass and Martins then. Been through countless guitars and long periods without playing at all to the extent that I never even became anywhere near as good as I should be by now. Currently I am down to one guitar, a luthier built cedar top/HOG dread that I'm successfully realizing a long held goal of learning fingerstyle on. I've never played in a bar or nightclub and only at a few outdoor concerts back when communities all over the country tried to emulate Woodstock. The longest running gig I ever had was filling the role of bassist in a large contemporary praise orchestra for 15 years. I've NEVER made a dime playing guitar. So why did I continue with it for half a century now?
All my younger adult years I was constantly told I looked like Paul McCartney... which may have been why I put guitar aside for 15 years to play bass. I had an identity as a guitarist even though I never reached the upper tier of players. I take my guitar on camping trips now that I'm retired just as I did when my kids were growing up. Playing guitar has kept me sane when my world was falling apart and my health was impaired as a result of 18 major surgeries over a 20 year period. It seemed like after every surgery I'd have to sell a few guitars (which was sometimes all I had) to catch up house payments and buy groceries. I always got another one though because playing is a part of me I can't give up. My brain is hard wired to playing guitar and it's as necessary to me as breathing. Learning a new style of playing is occupying my endless days with nothing else to do now and I shudder to think of what I'd be without it. The only hard part to accept is feeling like a beginner again after all these years, but it's okay with me. I have only one goal left as soon as I can afford it. I've always wanted a nice USA made Ovation Elite after having had a Glen Campbell and 40th anniv Balladeer reissue. It's actually become a bucket list item now after some recent developments with my health. I guess the only reason I can offer as to why I've stayed with this is because it's been a good ride filled with lots of personal satisfaction. But d-a-m-n, WHY couldn't I have become famous and rich at it!!!
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Nice read... as for the "But d-a-m-n, WHY couldn't I have become famous and rich at it!!! " has really nothing to do with playing and ability. In the most simplest forms, it's because you didn't know how to become famous and rich for it, or chose not to. What I'm about to type was a much harder sell several years ago because the tech wasn't there yet although the method was. Only a very very small percent of musicians "make it" by being discovered. The vast majority make a decision to make it big. Many of the later only don't make it big for one reason or another, but for those that do, it was/is a choice.
Don't want to believe me... that's fine. Look into the backgrounds of your idles. See how they started and what choices they made. Now look into the lives of other great musicians you know that just play for themselves or in local bands and will continue to do so for the rest of their lives. Note the main "real" differences. Inevitably, it's the choice to make it a career.
This is a VERY emotional topic for me because it wasn't until later in life, after I started my recording studio really and dealing with people who make their careers with music, did I figure out that I wasn't ever presented or recognized the choice. I had horrible parents when it came to encouraging me to do anything other than what they thought I should do. I didn't know anything else and it took half a lifetime to figure out that frankly they had no business being parents. That too is a tough sell to most people as I wasn't abused or anything, had plenty of money and things and such... but never anything I actually wanted or was interested in.
For anyone who wants to be successful, rich and possibly even famous in music today, it's all about choices. While I don't particularly like or even understand much about Justin Beaber... I have to respect and even applaud him and his entire family that decided at the start that he had something and wanted to share it with the world and be known worldwide. Luck "may" have factored in a little, talent is questionable, drive and choices got him to where he is today. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | I agree totally Miles. Where any of us are in our life is a sum total of choices we've made. I invite you to google Randy Handley. He is one of my best friends who chose to be famous and worked his butt off towards that end. Instead, as he himself describes it, he is "poor and obscure" (as opposed to rich and famous). Still, he makes a successful living as a Nashville songwriter. The only reason I can think of he never became famous is because luck was purely not on his side. He had every other qualification going for him. |
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Location: SoCal | Per this guy http://www.dannybarnes.com/blog it's entirely possible to make good money in music and not become big or famous.... |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | I came out of Twin Towers dormitory at Oklahoma State Tech in Okmulgee, Ok. in 1977 to find a young man playing a cheap classical guitar. He was playing "Blackbird" by the Beatles. I was hooked. By early 1978 I had a cheap beater borrowed from a friend. Another great friend taught me a few chords. One college transfer later, I was driving to class and something inside said,"Quit this crap and go play music." From 1980 on I took jobs where I could play at work. I played the Yamaha classical, I got for Christmas that year, sometimes 10 hours a day. This went on till I finally got a "road gig" with a band from Nashville. I met lots of famous people(I'm NOT a name dropper). But Vince Gill gave me the best advice. "If you think you're gonna get rich doin' this! Go home." A few months later I did. Playing the same stuff was like working in a factory. I came home and did the bars for another 10 years. Now it's as many acoustics as I can get and coffee houses or cafes. I get to play what I want, when I want, and to whom I want. I've played music for 45 years in just a few months. Ask anyone who knows me. "That guy lives for the music." I bought an Adamas, 5 minutes after I picked it up, 7 years ago. I've been playing Ovations ever since. I really am a fan. I'm in VERY good company here also.
Edited by AdamasW597 2012-11-16 8:32 PM
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Moody. That guy ht the nail on the head with his article on "How to play in someone else's band'. That's exactly it. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | WHY Do I Still Play Guitar?
It is a skill that you can continue to progress with.
Think of it as Continuing Education.
You can always learn a new song.
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Location: Jet City | DaveKell - 2012-11-16 4:03 PM Learning a new style of playing is occupying my endless days... Death Metal? |
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Location: Flahdaw | mileskb - 2012-11-16 8:50 PM
I had horrible parents when it came to encouraging me to do anything other than what they thought I should do. I didn't know anything else and it took half a lifetime to figure out that frankly they had no business being parents. That too is a tough sell to most people as I wasn't abused or anything, had plenty of money and things and such... but never anything I actually wanted or was interested in.
I almost said "ditto", but then thought it over. My parents never encouraged my guitar playing or singing, BUT on the other hand would have accepted it if I had chosen that path MYSELF. Maybe if I had asked for and dedicated MYSELF to guitar lessons and singing lessons, they would have determined that I was serious about it. But I would have rejected formal lessons quicker than Kirstie Alley rejects Weight Watchers. I can see why they didn't take my music serious, 'cos I didn't take it serious. Parents aren't mind readers, and sometimes are just doing the best THEY can to provide you with food, an education, and a safe place to live.
YOU could have done anything you wanted with your life if YOU were dedicated enough. I bet most famous people did exactly that....they did what THEY chose to do, not what their parents pushed them towards. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | darkbarguitar - 2012-11-17 6:48 AM
mileskb - 2012-11-16 8:50 PM
I had horrible parents when it came to encouraging me to do anything other than what they thought I should do. I didn't know anything else and it took half a lifetime to figure out that frankly they had no business being parents. That too is a tough sell to most people as I wasn't abused or anything, had plenty of money and things and such... but never anything I actually wanted or was interested in.
I almost said "ditto", but then thought it over. My parents never encouraged my guitar playing or singing, BUT on the other hand would have accepted it if I had chosen that path MYSELF. Maybe if I had asked for and dedicated MYSELF to guitar lessons and singing lessons, they would have determined that I was serious about it. But I would have rejected formal lessons quicker than Kirstie Alley rejects Weight Watchers. I can see why they didn't take my music serious, 'cos I didn't take it serious. Parents aren't mind readers, and sometimes are just doing the best THEY can to provide you with food, an education, and a safe place to live.
YOU could have done anything you wanted with your life if YOU were dedicated enough. I bet most famous people did exactly that....they did what THEY chose to do, not what their parents pushed them towards.
My parents were the opposite with respect to me and music. They promptly sat me down in front of any company we had to put on a concert on my Gibson Melody Maker of all the riffs I learned from "Donny The Hood" who lived up the road whom they tolerated in our house because he could always teach me another riff. He was obviously one of the many James Dean clones of that era but now that I think about it, he bore a striking resemblance to SRV... poor guy! The day I told my dad I couldn't progress any further with a single pickup guitar he brought Roger Miller's guitarist home one night who took my Melody Maker and began playing the most awesome music I had personally heard at that time. Still, even though the point was taken, a few weeks later my dad presented me with a new arch top f hole black Martin electric with two piclups. It didn't help my playing any but I sure was a lot more proud of it... although it was a bit large for me. When I got older and most of my friends were into heavy drugs, several of them who were musicians headed to California to "make it". In my mind, I began to equate success in music as requiring heavy drug use, something I was always fortunately afraid of. I didn't like the idea of flop house apartments with societal dregs in attendance all day as a way to advance a musical career. Of course, I was wrong. I could have lived any way I wanted to and still have become a great musician. I attribute my foray into bluegrass as being my actual downfall in becoming a more accomplished player. Sure, I got good at playing note for note what had been played for generations before me, but I lost a lot of creative momentum during that time. I'm content now to be heading into what golden years I might have left with a recent health development basically being back at square one with learning fingerstyle. I really only have one unfulfilled music goal left... to own a decent USA Elite. It's at the top of my emerging bucket list as I might not be long for this world!
Edited by DaveKell 2012-11-17 7:12 AM
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Dave. I've taught a couple of people to travis-pick. Tune your guitar to open "G" and do the alternating thumb thing. You will be more at ease because your left hand isn't distracting you. Try that for a while and see how it works out. That'll get you started anyway. Fingerstyle is what I learned from the beginning. I knew how to fingerpick before I knew chords. |
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Location: Massachusetts | All of this sure can bring back all sorts of memories about why I didn't do this or do that, but a lot of has to do with fate, luck, or just good or bad timing. I recently watched a Rolling Stones interview, and I think it was Mick Jagger, who said something like, "you have to become a musician first, then if you're lucky you get to become famous". |
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Location: Flahdaw | I didn't know Jagger even PLAYED an instrument? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I never thought much of Jagger's singing, either. He was one who proves that "it's better to be lucky than good." I think the main, if not the only, reason I "still" play guitar is the OFC. I started in college and played a little for a few years until work and family took up too much time. Frankly, those were the good excuses, but reality is that we didn't have a television for the first 10 years we were married and I didn't waste 2 hours a day, so I did useful things, including playing guitar or listening to music. Now, when I have a spare minute, I turn on the TV. When the kids were in college, our youngest came home for Christmas and showed me ebay. Shortly after, I found this club while trying to learn more about Ovations. In addition, I learned a lot more about music. The first OFC gathering I went to in 2006 was an inspiration. It wasn''t just good enough to show off guitars. I envied those who could join the mini-jam.
Owning a bunch of nice guitars is certainly an incentive to keep playing. I carry a great deal of guilt if I have nice things and don't use them. With an empty nest and retirement right around the corner ("maybe next year" again this year) one thing I don't have to worry about is finding something to do with my time. I'm finally figuring out how to play electric guitar and I know that I'll never be good, but I look forward to getting better. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | darkbarguitar - 2012-11-17 4:48 AM I bet most famous people did exactly that....they did what THEY chose to do, not what their parents pushed them towards.
Actually my research has uncovered quite the opposite. Most every really successful musician I have ever known or read anything about had the support or at least encouragement of their family behind them. Some struck out on their own to find fame and fortune and ended up with people who encouraged them.
Now that I think about it, I don't recall ever hearing or reading about anyone who was discouraged by the people close to them.
In answer to the original question of "WHY Do I still Play Guitar"...... I don't really know. I think I liked playing (I don't play much anymore) because I liked being in bands. Not necessarily the performance, but being part of the dynamic of a group of people, each doing their part, to create something. Playing guitar was/is a means to that end. I don't play guitar for myself, and don't get anything out of playing guitar by myself. The only time I ever seem motivated to practice is when there's a possibility of playing in a band. Kinda weird when I think about it, but seems to have been a pattern.
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Location: Utah | darkbarguitar - 2012-11-17 6:48 AM
I almost said "ditto", but then thought it over. My parents never encouraged my guitar playing or singing, BUT on the other hand would have accepted it if I had chosen that path MYSELF. Maybe if I had asked for and dedicated MYSELF to guitar lessons and singing lessons, they would have determined that I was serious about it.
This is an interesting conversation given that my parents were very controlling about my activities and studies, and I have 2 very musical kids who aspire to a music career.
In the late 60's and early 70's my conservative Victorian parents were not impressed with the morals or lifestyle of musicians. They provided music lessons but did everything they could to not encourage me playing pop music or being in bands. Thankfully they did not obstruct acoustic duos with young ladies!
Not that I believe I could have been successful as a musician, but I think their attitudes did a lot to discourage my playing as an adult.
My daughter Sara, 20, has the talent and the interest in music. She went through the whole application process at Berklee College of Music, but decided a conventional education as a math major is more practical. She still plays shows all the time for fun and spare $.
Son Rob, 16, is a fabulous violinist and composer. I wish I could believe the chances are excellent of making a good living as a musician. I wish I could encourage him to concentrate on following his passions of music and theater. While I don't tell him he cannot major in music, I do tell him he needs a separate marketable skill to pay the bills. Double or triple majors in college to cover the bases is fine. I cannot support the financial equation of majoring in music at a full price school even if it is Berklee.
Though I secretly hope that one of the kids will find a way to be financially successful in music (or theater). I shamelessly promote and encourage them whenever I can. Being an office drone is not something I hope for my kids to be.
Edited by FlySig 2012-11-17 4:13 PM
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | FlySig - 2012-11-17 2:09 PM
I wish I could believe the chances are excellent of making a good living as a musician.
The opportunities that are available today really up the possibilities. While nothing is 100% there are many articles on how musicians can diversify their skills to make a good living. Your son Rob is a leg up as a composer because writing credits pay the bills in the long run. There is so much media out there and everyone is striving for that unique piece of music in everything from films to commercials to jingles to tv to training, and the list goes on and on and on.
If they are not discouraged, I bet they'll do just fine.
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Why do I still play ... simple answer, it amuses me ... music is an ephemeral art that moves the creators and the listeners both mentally, spiritually and physcially.
I often wonder what would've happened if I chose to be a full time musician, but then I remember, I couldn't pay the rent doing it, so I did something else. Not too complicated. |
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Location: Massachusetts | When I first started in music it was on the trumpet in elementary school. Then came the drums. When I was thirteen I started plinking out some melodies to Elvis on a Harmony archtop, that I still have today.That's when I got hooked on the guitar. My father brought home an electric Supro and a Premier amp, but the deal was I had to take lessons. Through my high school years I played trumpet in the school concert band, snare drum in the marching band and a local drum corps and guitar in the school jazz band and a three piece rock band at school dances.
The drum and trumpet have been put away for awhile, but my guitars are played on a daily basis and I'm currently playing in a working band. It's an instrument your take with you anywhere, you can accompany yourself on it to amuse others or yourself, and just the other day I was accompanying my grandson on his saxaphone for a duet with him at his school. It doesn't get much better than that for me anyways.
It also allows mr meet to me other musicians and tell war stories about our stupid years. Music is a universal language that allows us to communicate with other people from all walks of life and that is why I still play the guitar.
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Location: Utah | mileskb - 2012-11-17 6:37 PM
Your son Rob is a leg up as a composer because writing credits pay the bills in the long run. There is so much media out there and everyone is striving for that unique piece of music in everything from films to commercials to jingles to tv to training, and the list goes on and on and on.
There is no doubt the demand for music is higher than ever. The problem is turning it into $ for the creator. The old paradigm is dead in terms of a record label contract being the goal, and good riddance! It does pain me to see an adult friend who is a stellar concert/jazz violinist who is barely able to make a living, which she does by playing fiddle in the hottest country band in the region. Or another friend who is an acclaimed theater actor who hustles hard to make a middle class living.
They are making a living, and that is true. The lesson is that a person needs to have a good dose of talent, a lot of skill, work hard, and have a little good luck.
It's a tough line to walk as a parent. I know they have enjoyed a nice standard of living growing up, better than most kids have. And the future of the economy severely worries me. On the other hand I know they need to do something they enjoy, because money is only one part of the happiness equation. All 3 kids have been lavishly equipped with instruments, education, and encouragement. Quite a bit of it has been my overcompensation for how my parents were to me! |
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Location: Utah | I guess I never answered the original topic. The reason I keep playing guitar is because it pisses me off that I don't do it better! |
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Location: Minnesota | I think I keep playing to get better, but mostly its a de-stresser from everyday life. Just me, my guitar, and the dog laying like a rug in the room.
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Why do I still play guitar?; I'd look kinda silly at the coffee house wearing a guitar, singing, and NOT playing it.
Same reason I learned guitar in the first place I think. Nobody else was gonna play the songs I write unless I can play them first. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | javaman - 2012-11-18 8:10 AM
When I first started in music it was on the trumpet in elementary school. Then came the drums. When I was thirteen I started plinking out some melodies to Elvis on a Harmony archtop, that I still have today.That's when I got hooked on the guitar. My father brought home an electric Supro and a Premier amp, but the deal was I had to take lessons. Through my high school years I played trumpet in the school concert band, snare drum in the marching band and a local drum corps and guitar in the school jazz band and a three piece rock band at school dances.
The drum and trumpet have been put away for awhile, but my guitars are played on a daily basis and I'm currently playing in a working band. It's an instrument your take with you anywhere, you can accompany yourself on it to amuse others or yourself, and just the other day I was accompanying my grandson on his saxaphone for a duet with him at his school. It doesn't get much better than that for me anyways.
It also allows mr meet to me other musicians and tell war stories about our stupid years. Music is a universal language that allows us to communicate with other people from all walks of life and that is why I still play the guitar.
Well said!
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Location: New Bern, NC | I loved your original post. It was very moving. To answer your original question, you still play because music is a part of you and it always will be. As a music educator myself I often find myself in a position of needing to advocate for music since music is often side-lined in our education system. So, I can tell you that humans need music and you need your guitar. I've taken voice lessons and years of piano too (hated piano though), but found the guitar was for me. I'm a bit younger than you, but not by much. I was barely a toddler when the Beatles played on Ed Sullivan, but I learned to play the guitar primarily playing Beatles songs. I wore out a 2-volume Beatles songbook and now have the second edition. As for still being a beginner, I think any guitarist who thinks they are experts will always, always find somebody somewhere who can play something they can't play. We are all beginners at something on the guitar. I have always wanted to play lead guitar. As a lead guitarist I am a PRE-beginner. LOL. I can play classical guitar, I can finger pick, play lots of chords, know music theory, and can read music, but there are loads of things I would love to learn!! I'm right there with you - a beginner at lots of things on the guitar. I wanna be a cross between Steve Vai and Doc Watson. How's that for diversity?! I wish I had time to get together with other guitarists for regular jam sessions. I would learn so much! Well, we'd better get started learning. We are not too old to learn and enjoy it! Best of luck to you. |
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WHY Do I still Play Guitar?