There is hardly anything I would rather do than play rhythm guitar for Los Changos del Mar. The question is whether I physically can…
What I have is a chance to audition. But for the last two decades, I haven’t played that kind of music. In other words, the muscle memory is gone –it’s coming back as I practice, but slowly. Very slowly. And you know what? Real rock and roll, the good stuff, is hard to play: what sounds effortless as you listen is the result of many, many hours of building up strength in the hand and forearm, increasing your endurance, stretching those fingers, and concentrated attention. Listening, in other words. The dynamics that suddenly allow the music to swell and take off on its own, that point where the music becomes MORE than the sum of its parts, is the result of being able to play with the utmost awareness and abandon, simultaneously. You learn everything perfectly and then just jump. I know this, and that makes me a good candidate. The question is, what about the rest of my life?
I’m sittin here in front of a magnificent 24″ 3.06 GHz iMac. I’ve never had a computer this capable or inviting. I’ve started converting all my websites to WordPress/Thesis (and I can build one for you). I’m on Twitter and Facebook. My traffic is picking up, and shortly I’ll be running ads. I finally have a way to bring all my past work in front of people, all over again. I’m a writer now and even get paid, occasionally. I can make people cry with my words. (Right now, my guitar playing won’t make you cry, except perhaps for the wrong reasons!) I’m also a musician, but not a professional, like my friends are. These guys can bang out scales and progressions blindfolded. Their hands don’t ache after 10 minutes of barre chords. They have the chops. I can develop the chops, get myself back to where I used to be, but probably only at the expense of a helluva lot. The job requires dedication and commitment. All art does.
My gentleman rock & roll friends have shown me the utmost respect in presenting me with this opportunity, and it would be a stone gas to play with the band. At this juncture, however, I’m wavering: the band deserves the best, and I’m certainly not the best. I have the right spirit, but the chops are still on order. I’m also on the cusp of getting my combined digital and literary efforts of the past 10 years in order on a level sufficient to command notice and leave a legacy. AND I’M RUNNING OUT OF TIME! (As are we all…)
“Someday” never comes. Hearing loss, arthritis, and unknown boojum in the body do, or can. Selling myself short is also something I’ve always excelled at, and this post may be an example of same. I honestly don’t know, and no one else can say. Maybe it’s not a question of either/or. Maybe I need a longer view, despite the hints of oncoming decrepitude. Rock and roll will never die: if Keith can do it, why can’t I? Of course, that’s all he does. And his hand goes up to any fret you name, blindfolded, faster than you can follow with your eyes.
We shall see what we shall see, and hopefully whatever it is will feel just right.
UPDATE: I just finished a sweaty 90 minutes straight through on just five songs, over and over. They are, for anyone who’s interested:
Tailspin
Penetration
Itchy Chicken
Wipeout
Surfin’ the Net
And I’m still in the game. Attitude IS everything, as one commenter observed. Besides, I have a temporary (?) solution: SCREAMING! Yes, screaming. Before every fast, painful, difficult passage, I scream out loud. Jesus, it sorta works. I should scream more often. YOW!!!
Oh, and no, this isn’t for making a living. This is for much better reasons.
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Audition. Let them decide if you have the chops they want- how many other chances will you get to put it out there?
If it were to come to fruition, the time would appear, enabling you to do all that you do. And have a f-ing blast……
Haven’t pulled the plug or anything yet. Damn hand HURTS.
John
I’m having my share of difficulty staying up with the guitar lately. It’s coming from tendonitis, arthritis. Fortunately, if I get into a somewhat consistent pattern of practicing the inflamation seems to level off and then decline. However, if I make the mistake of knocking off for a few days, it can return quickly. I guess its the big man’s way of saying; if you want to shake that thing, do it now. . . .
Ed
As an ex-professional drummer I know how you feel John….EVERYTHING hurts after a short while of playing…but as my wife says – I NEVER seem happier than when sitting at the Tubs! And if your musician friends have any sense – they will realize that ATTITUDE is everything – especially in a group – knowing how badly you want to play with them…(probably a better way to write that ?) should be important…and as the old saying goes…”Believe in yourself like I/we believe in YOU!” Go get ‘em! And “Break a Leg”
Steve (wishing I had the opportunity you have!) : )
Many thanks to my musician friends! Ed, Steve, I hear you both. Boy, do I. See the updated post!
after 40 everything hurts a little, bones, muscles, but when the spirit feels good, great things follow. I almost gave up illustration, in part because of arthritis in my knuckles and repeat use injury in my right hand. I found a way around it and at 51 have never been more creative or more productive. I agree with Steve hot springs, hot tubs, are the balm, the bliss. When I was still beating the crap out of my hands, soaking them in ice helped.
Play on…..
Like I said, screaming helps.
And I think by “tubs” he means drums, yes?
OK – apparently even though I am surrounded by musicians I am not one myself, so I missed that one, how uncool
in rereading that phrase it seems glaringly obvious, my hedonistic brain went to the hot springs by the river in Taos… hot water still works on old bodies.
However you work it out it sounds like a wonderful opportunity…have FUN
Go for it Jon!! My husband and I are playing in a band again after many years of our lives filled with other work. It’s a blast….but, we do hurt in places we didn’t use to’. Life is to short not to go gig again.
Better keep the hair then
Well, that’s as good a reason as any!