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Post by vikingblues on Mar 8, 2015 13:42:46 GMT
Good thinking Julie! Mark
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Post by creamburmese on Mar 8, 2015 14:13:10 GMT
So I have to share this ... Yesterday I went to our local classical guitar society's "open stage" where anyone and everyone can have 10 minutes to play. I'm too chicken to do it, but I enjoy hearing what everyone else is working on, and often pick up ideas for things I might be able to learn. Afterwards during the general eating /mingling one of the club regulars (he's about 93 and regularly gets lost in his performances) offered to let me try his guitar , which is made by a local luthier and hence somewhat special. I was just noodling around on it, and surprisingly a bunch of people came over to listen and one person who had actually played in the open stage said she was looking for a new duet partner as she just moved here and would I be interested? gosh! From being somewhat frustrated and discouraged I now feel reinvigorated ... Life is surprising
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Mar 8, 2015 19:52:05 GMT
I'm glad the phase didn't last too long, creamburmese. Hope it works out with the duet playing - it sounds like just the thing.
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 8, 2015 21:49:30 GMT
So I have to share this ... ....... one person who had actually played in the open stage said she was looking for a new duet partner as she just moved here and would I be interested? gosh! From being somewhat frustrated and discouraged I now feel reinvigorated ... Life is surprising Always expect the unexpected! That's great news Julie - hope it'll be a fun time for you both. Keith
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Post by alig on Mar 9, 2015 7:50:27 GMT
Excellent!
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Post by vikingblues on Mar 9, 2015 8:29:40 GMT
That's the fastest escape from the guitar doldrums I've seen for a while! Good news! Mark
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Post by Akquarius on Mar 9, 2015 16:37:31 GMT
That's exctly what a takes to get you out of these things: a different perspective.
Good news!
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Post by creamburmese on Mar 9, 2015 16:45:14 GMT
Well I've a feeling that a number of things have helped - writing about it here on the forum really helped clarify why I wasn't enjoying it any more - plus the arrival of some serious snowstorms here on the East coast resulted in cancellation of orchestra practice, guitar lessons and work work, allowed me to kick back and enjoy playing what I want to I even got out the steel strings and spent several happy hours playing everything I know ( Note: I don't know that much stuff - it only took several hours because I had to play things multiple times ) I think things had got out of kilter - too much work, not enough playing. My sole guitar contacts for the last few months have been people in the classical world - not that I don't appreciate talent and commitment to perfection - however a little goes a long way. Fortunately the sun came out today (first time in a while), the snow is melting, orchestra practice is on break for the next month, and I'm on the lookout for a good tune to learn, which will hopefully stop my guitar teacher torturing me with sight reading exercises. So to misquote Mark _ "I've had a wonderful day, and fortunately it was recent!" Julie
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Post by chris501 on Mar 10, 2015 22:42:16 GMT
I too have been in the doldrums for a while. I gave up my band a couple of years ago, and the acoustic duo that I did with the singer of the band (I'd been doing this for about 20 years), and for a couple of months after leaving didn't really pick up a guitar at all.........which is pretty amazing seeing as I have quite a few, and I work in a guitar shop. I was just completely bored of it all. I still am to some extent, but am tentatively forming a new duo with one of the guys I used to work with who is far and away better than me, he just knows ridiculous chords which make things sound so good. I can't play any of these chords, nor can I sing........I don't actually know what I'm supposed to be doing, but we've got a list of songs, he's set his PA up in his conservatory in anticipation of me turning up next week to run through them all, and then he'll probably just book a gig. I'm on the verge of being slightly excited! Stick with it Julie, you won't forget any of the stuff (well, you will, but it'll come back) and just get on with life. I've often found that things I'm struggling with seem easier if you put the guitar down for an hour, a day, a week, whatever. You pick it up again and some things seem clearer, you've got out of the habit of playing or struggling with the same old thing, and you seen or heard something new and different which makes you want to run home and find out what those chords are. Anyway, anyone know of an easy way to play Wichita Lineman?
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Post by creamburmese on Mar 12, 2015 14:55:19 GMT
Fantastic Chris! I'm wishing you all the best in your new venture - I can imagine how satisfying it's going to be learning new chords and music and learning to play with a new partner. Sounds like fun! I personally am very prone to boredom - so easily happens when you've done the same thing for a while. My reinvigoration continues - I've started to work on a new song " un dia de noviembre" which is music written for the movie of that name (has anyone seen it?) - written by Leo Brouwer who also wrote the music for "like water for chocolate" - fabulous movie. It is not only a perfectly beautiful tune but the first page is relatively easy so I've almost got that already. The second page is a different story, but there has to be some challenge...
This whole episode has really helped me crystallize what drives me to play the guitar - I get huge satisfaction (endorphins maybe?) when I learn to play beautiful tunes - even if it takes for ever, so long as there is forward progress, playing is its own reward. When I wasn't doing that (learning orchestra parts and practicing the "exercise" part of a piece that doesn't sound so good to me) I lost motivation. The question I have now, is, what can I do with it apart from play for myself?
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Post by ocarolan on Mar 12, 2015 23:16:55 GMT
..... The question I have now, is, what can I do with it apart from play for myself? Some thoughts - ...try working out your own arrangements of beautiful tunes you like. ...try composing your own melodies and then arranging them. ...you might be able to find someone who plays eg a flute or fiddle with whom you can explore playing together. I have always learned a lot more from playing with non-guitarists, esp in genres with which they are more comfortable than I. ...if all the above work out, then they could go together and things could get really interesting. Even if none of the above appeal to you right now, keeping an open mind regarding them for the future might enable you to spot an opportunity that would otherwise pass you by. Have fun! Keith
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Post by creamburmese on Mar 13, 2015 15:31:17 GMT
Great thoughts Keith - I actually heard a flute /guitar duo play last weekend, and it was very good! Of course - they were real musicians though .... and I really like the thought of arranging tunes - the kind of arrangements I like have a flow to them, maybe as I learn more I'll be able to figure out what makes them work for me. I spent a lot of time looking for a guitar arrangement of any of the music in "like water for chocolate" and couldn't find anything so it would be cool to be able to do it myself.
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