What has the guitar taught YOU?

[Tig***]

I thought it might be interesting for us to look inward a little and see what we've learned from playing guitar, be it in a bedroom or band.
It could be what we've learned about ourselves, about others, about life, or you-name-it...
Deep philosophy to humor and beyond.

[Tig***]

I've learned that I'm a much better student in my 40's than I ever was in my 20's. Maybe at this rate, I'll be worth a damn at playing by the time I'm 90!

I've learned that I love music more then ever, and have come to appreciate the musicians that make music sound so easy.

I've learned that I can achieve great tone without great expense.

[marnold***]

That I have virtually no natural talent.

That my stick-tuitiveness leaves quite a lot to be desired.

That there's no lack of talent that massive amounts of gain can't cover up.

[Heywood Jablomie]

Primarily, it's taught me the value of perseverence. I'm glad I stuck to it when I was 12, and my fingers hurt, progress was slow, practice was tedious. More recently, since I've been playing more, persevering to learn more songs and try to learn some leads. The rewards are worth it.

[mainestratman]

This is going to sound wicked "new age" (unless you happen to be Buddhist), but playing has really enforced mindfulness for me. There is a noticeable difference for me if I start thinking about what I'm playing, in contrast to just playing (which is more natural and typically sounds better)...

That simple philosophy is crossing into other aspects of my life as well, keeping me a little more centered.

[Tig***]

That simple philosophy is crossing into other aspects of my life as well, keeping me a little more centered.

I take it that you've read "Zen Guitar" by Philip Toshio Sudo?
If not, you may already be on the same road without it!

[mainestratman]

Tig.. nope, I sure haven't.. but I might have to check it out. :-)

[Robert****]

That having a passion is a good thing.

[Eric***]

That 'talent' is overrated. I've been called 'talented' by plenty of non guitar players, which makes me want to show them my playing when I was learning the acoustic. I have never been a natural at guitar.

Just keep showing up and you'll find yourself in some strange places. Guitar has way more to do with just not quitting than it does anything else, IMO.

[R_of_G]

More than anything, it's taught me how to listen.

[sunvalleylaw]

The first main lesson was how playing music made me let most everything else go and get into what I was doing.

Also, how much I love musical expression and melody, and how much I enjoy the impact of those blue notes, or an unexpected twist in a melody. I have also learned that I like music with some identifiable melody though.

[ZMAN]

Humility!

[Jimi75]

Patience

[Eric***]

This is going to sound wicked "new age" (unless you happen to be Buddhist), but playing has really enforced mindfulness for me. There is a noticeable difference for me if I start thinking about what I'm playing, in contrast to just playing (which is more natural and typically sounds better)...

Can you expand on this a little bit? Are you saying you want to think more when playing the guitar, even though it's unnatural and leads to worse results? I'm not trying to be condescending, and maybe I should know, but I can't quite connect the dots.

[otaypanky***]

Two things:
The power of practice
and the importance of the 'pucker factor'

Practice
When I try something new, a chord fingering, a lick, a song, whatever --- It often feels like I will never be able to get a handle on it. And often times a few months down the road it's part of my playing and I wonder how I ever got along without it.

The Pucker Factor
Friday night I went to see a friend sit in on keyboards with a Pa. band who opened the show for Shemekia Copeland. They had a good band with a guitarist/vocalist, bass, drummer, and my friend on keyboards, who happens to be a world class player. The guitarist was good, smooth, fast when he wanted to be, etc., etc.
But there was something missing --- the Pucker factor.
You know, when he squeezes out that one note and you just pucker up your face 'cause it hits you so deep? Zip, nada, no way, no where, just no excitement. There just wasn't any soul! Give me a player who's heart comes out through his/her strings, who sings like you just ran over his dog, somebody with real feelin' anyday.
That's what hooks you up with your audience. And that's what makes it all worthwhile for me when I play, it's from the heart and soul

Shemekia and her band on the other hand was the real sh*t. Plenty of pucker when they hit the stage. That girl made the hair on my arms stand up when she hit those crazy notes. And the musicians were all in the zone too. Years back I used to jam with the keyboardist and guitarist from her band. I was so happy to see such good players land such a great gig. They were awesome, a show not to be missed if they come through your area ~

[Katastrophe]

The more I learn, the less I know.

[mainestratman]

Eric.. I can certainly try..

I try to NOT think about my playing while I'm playing it... if I start focusing on root notes and scales and what might sound good... I start producing solos that while are technically correct, sound like ***... and programmed.

If I'm not focusing on notes and scales and all that, and (here's where it'll get a little weird for the non-zen types) just "be" with the music, my solos come out in a much more natural way and sound better.

So I'm going to try to stick with Solo Zen, thanks. :-)

[kiteman]

The more I learn, the less I know.

Amen.

[mainestratman]

who sings like you just ran over his dog

You just gave me a goal to shoot for.. that is exactly the muse I sought!