Guitar Lessons Update

You may remember that Justin, Leaa & Jesse gave me guitar lessons as a birthday gift this past November. Well, here's an update on how I'm doing.

My teacher, Carl, started me out by teaching me the first position notes on a guitar. I have struggled. For a long time. A very long time. Carl, however, is a man of patience. Thank heavens. The first position notes are located on the first three frets. So, each day I pick out the notes as a warm up. First picking down and then reversing and making my way back up the strings. Most folks have their own way of remembering which string is which. Here is mine.

E > Every
A > Acid
D > Dealer
G > Gets
B > Busted
E > Eventually

What can I say. I grew up in a different time. It works for me. Carl I think is just happy I'm remembering something...

As Christmas time approached Carl decided I needed to know a Christmas song. I am proud to report that I can now play Silent Night. Picking it slowly, one note at a time. I have not studied chords yet. I'm a note guy for right now. Carl knows best. I'm cool with Carl. I tried playing Silent Night for Dad and Nana Joy. It was painful. They smiled and expressed genuine pride in my new found accomplishment. I beamed like a third grader. Parents, you got to love them. Finding good in most everything we do...

Carl loves The Beatles. Our kids love The Beatles. I love The Beatles. My next song was All My Lovin'. Any guesses on who wrote and performed it? Didn't think so. I'm still working on it. Every now and then I can get through the whole song without making a mistake. Not often. But I've done it. I did it this morning. However, I still have to steal peeks at the music to see what note comes next. Poor memory. I refuse to believe it's an age thing. OK, I refuse to admit it's an age thing. Whatever...

I'm also working on the Ray Charles song, What I'd Say. While still working in the first position notes, the song is trying to help me speed up. It's just me, the guitar, the pick and one slow, struggling to go faster finger. I'm getting there. I did say Carl was a man of patience didn't I? That is such a good thing. So good. I often feel sorry for Carl...

I just started working with a beginning music theory workbook. I think Carl is going to slowly try to teach me how to read a little music. I'm not ready to be tested on this just yet however. Maybe next week. It's a good book. One I think I can pick up in time. It has overtones of past learning achievements of mine. Way in the past. Like when I first learned to read. In my case. Dick, Jane and Spot. That is going back quite a ways. Some of you may not go back that far. You should be happy. Real happy. It means you're a young person happy. "Look Dick. See Spot? See Spot Run" said Jane. I think Carl is on to something here. I think he's really tapped in to my true talent and ability...

So that's pretty much where I'm at. Aly is very encouraging and compliments me often. She is so good at recognizing and massaging the fragile male ego. That is until she picks up the guitar and starts playing the song I just spent an hour torturing. She can't fool me though. I know she loves me. And has more music talent in one little finger than I do counting every finger and toe on my body...

Life is good you all. Thanks for the gift kids. I'm still loving it. And I plan to keep playing. Who knows. One of these days we all may record a song together...

peace
fm