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I believe every home should have a guitar, or something to entice the musicians. Music is medicine, but in this metaphor I'm definitely not your pharmacist.
The only song I ever truly learned was my favourite Christmas song: Happy Christmas (War is Over). Years later now, I can't even recall the first chord, but I will always and forever sing that song as loud as I can until, well, war is finally finally over. The world needs more John Lennon.
Despite multiple attempts to gain competency, let's be honest: all my guitar ever did under my mismanagement was hide my stomach. And yes indeed, that's another reason to love a guitar. Perhaps it was because I never practiced?
None of this matters though. Why? Dear friends, a guitar is a passport to cool people. Despite my ineptitude, my conviction for music (and all arts), plus my commitment to providing exposure and encouragement means both my kids became musicians! Insert high-five here. Do you know what it feels like when your son can guitar-pick Tears in Heaven or when your daughter can strum her mandolin and move a crowd with her singing voice or when your oldest granddaughter is taking fiddle lessons?! It's pure heaven.
Here's my point: you don't have to know how to play the guitar (or the piano or the harmonica or drums or some other musically vibrant thing) to alchemy music into the world. Support musicians and artists and soak in their sounds. And if you insist on mastering it yourself, do what another imposter guitar player once told me: pretend you know what you're doing and just play the chords you love.
Sounds like a good way to live one's life, doesn't it?
I once learned a song: Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley. At that point in my life, I decided that I didn't have time to pursue it. Later in life, I tried to fiddle, but alas! bodily concerns prevented me from keeping it up after a few years.
ReplyDeleteNo matter. Just keep singing and enjoying and being connected to the arts. It's a lifeline.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with this post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, fellow arts supporter. Insert fist bump here.
DeleteThe only 'instrument' I know how to play is a radio :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty good that too, actually. ;)
Delete...keep the music playing.
ReplyDeleteAlways.
DeleteMy home has a guitar. Do I know how to play even a single chord? Nope. But it looks cool, so...
ReplyDeleteMine functions as decor as well.
DeleteI always hoped my collection of instruments would "entice the musicians" one day -- I have my mom's accordion, my great-uncle's guitar, a Yamaha electric piano, a harmonica, and a hand drum. In my dreams, one day we'll have house guests who can play these things (as opposed to playing WITH them, as I do, and poorly). -Kate
ReplyDeleteToo bad you (and I) don't live in Nova Scotia. It seems to me it happens there every weekend.
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