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"I'm A Pop Sensation"
Jul. 31st, 2018 08:25 pmToday is the first anniversary of me picking up a guitar for the first time in about 15 years. I got a guitar from my grandparents for my 18th birthday, having wanted to play for a long time before then, but aside from a few sessions learning from tabulature while sat on my bed, I didn't get very far. Indeed, exams and then university interfered with my free time and the ambition died, even if the dream did not. However, after watching the movie 'Sing' and being inspired by Ash late July last year, on the final day of the month I installed Rocksmith on my PC, picked up a guitar and started learning. My passion has been reignited.
Aided by my good friend and star bassist Stray, who has been on hand to offer wise advice as well as jamming opportunities, I have managed to stick at it for a year. Am I as good as I wanted to be? Not really, as I still struggle to find time to practice, but at least I am doing around two to three hours a week, which is something. I have certainly gotten better and the dynamic nature of Rocksmith is really helping in this regard, particularly with the fingering and chord progression. The target was always to perform a song live on stage at this year's EF and I think I can just about do this (whether there will be a guitar there to borrow is another matter). The fact I can play standing up is a huge positive for me as this was one of the things I feared would be most difficult, while I am also happy I've found a way to play the standard G chord despite my crooked little finger.
Having the target of playing at a con has really motivated me and being in a band and performing live is the ultimate aim. How long it takes to get there though is up in the air. I am trying to squeeze guitar into my day whenever I can - thirty minutes here, forty minutes there - in the hope of improving further but I accept I have to do it around other commitments. Indeed, I am quite relaxed about this - I can only do what I can do. Doing it immediately after the gym as part of a routine as definitely helped though, even if the last two months have been so unbearably hot in the front room that it has made it quite a challenge to practice. I am confident that I will continue to get better as time progresses though and I am glad I picked this up again, despite being 34 when I did. I guess it goes to show that you're never too old to try something new or to realise a childhood dream.
Aided by my good friend and star bassist Stray, who has been on hand to offer wise advice as well as jamming opportunities, I have managed to stick at it for a year. Am I as good as I wanted to be? Not really, as I still struggle to find time to practice, but at least I am doing around two to three hours a week, which is something. I have certainly gotten better and the dynamic nature of Rocksmith is really helping in this regard, particularly with the fingering and chord progression. The target was always to perform a song live on stage at this year's EF and I think I can just about do this (whether there will be a guitar there to borrow is another matter). The fact I can play standing up is a huge positive for me as this was one of the things I feared would be most difficult, while I am also happy I've found a way to play the standard G chord despite my crooked little finger.
Having the target of playing at a con has really motivated me and being in a band and performing live is the ultimate aim. How long it takes to get there though is up in the air. I am trying to squeeze guitar into my day whenever I can - thirty minutes here, forty minutes there - in the hope of improving further but I accept I have to do it around other commitments. Indeed, I am quite relaxed about this - I can only do what I can do. Doing it immediately after the gym as part of a routine as definitely helped though, even if the last two months have been so unbearably hot in the front room that it has made it quite a challenge to practice. I am confident that I will continue to get better as time progresses though and I am glad I picked this up again, despite being 34 when I did. I guess it goes to show that you're never too old to try something new or to realise a childhood dream.
