Anomaly?

I'd been looking over at my guitar quite frequently over the last few days (in between art projects and "Mad Men" marathons), and today I finally picked it up again, and put it to hard use. Miraculously, from just before 1 pm 'til a little after five I ran through all of my exercises and most of my assigned and chosen songs from last year's lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps it's the dawn of a new era, but only time will tell.

See This Towel?

:::FLING!:::

I think it's pretty clear that I don't have the desire or the discipline to be a full-time musician. While I was taking lessons I practiced every day for at least an hour, for close to six months. Once my lessons ended (because I couldn't afford to continue, not due to any lack of interest), my practice time quickly went south. I'm pretty sure I only practiced six times in the last six months. If that isn't a clear sign, I don't know what is.

The positive: I own a guitar, and can play a few tunes. If I ever get the itch, I can scratch it instantly. I put on a successful music festival that entertained over sixty people (including nearly 20 kids) and pleased & impressed eight local musicians. And I discovered that while music is a humongous part of my life, it's more from a fan and promotional level than as a performer, and that my true love is (and skills lie in the) visual arts.

I'm not abandoning my guitar, nor will I stop writing this blog. I am just officially acknowledging the failure of this performance project as a potential new career path. If anyone was paying attention, I appreciate the time you spent reading my babbling. Maybe someday I'll have something of substance to report.

Jake out.

Okay Then...

I got two new chairs for my living room today, and they are extremely guitar-friendly! I put in 40 minutes of practice today on one of the aforementioned chairs, and I didn't miss a beat, even though I hadn't done squat in two months. Actions, not words! I'll leave a comment every day I practice, and try to post once a week...

A New Beginning

I broke out the guitar today. I only messed around with it for a few minutes, but the amazingness that occurred at the Wyman's Pond Music Fest I produced has inspired me to be ready to goof around at the beginning of next year's event! I am going to try to practice regularly, beginning this week...

pictured (l to r): Kenneth Budka, me, Vanessa Kafka, Brian Sargent, Carl Puglisi

Zero

The only time I have touched my guitar since I moved on May 30th, was that day: when I packed it into my car at the old place, and then unloaded it here at my new place.

:::hangs head in shame:::

On a kick-ass note: my Wyman's Pond Music Fest has five acts, and is only 5 weeks away! Apparently I am destined to have more success as a festival producer than as a performing musician...

Weekly Update

I practiced Sunday and Monday this past week. Not bad...

Also, I did a ton of work on the Music Fest today. Vanessa Kafka had seen a post I'd made about it and sent me a note, and because she has an open date she asked if she could perform! In addition to making my jaw drop, this toppled several dominoes: E-mails back & forth with her (she is going to play as a duo with her guitarist); I sent invites to Dan Blakeslee and Elizabeth Lorrey; I confirmed Christopher Anthony Cote (under his Almanac Mountain moniker); and it reallllly makes me want to have a song or three ready to go by then (July 31st). Another update next week...

Spring Fever

Over the last few days I'd been thinking about how lax I've been lately with my guitar, and today I finally turned off the TV, and picked it up for a good two hours of practice. It was like I'd never put it down, and I think the time away may have actually done me some good. My chord transitions are smoother, and I even picked up "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" with just a few practice runs. The closer my music festival gets, the more I want to play for a little bit, even if it's just a couple of songs I make up. And finally, I am going to endeavor to practice every day this week, to get a productive rhythm going again. What a good feeling it is, to have not lost any progress...

April: Just - No...

Once. Nuff said...

National Geographic

I was down at the lake yesterday doing spring cleaning, and reading the May 2010 issue of National Geographic when I was inspired by one of this month's offerings. There is an article ("The Forgotten Road" by Mark Jenkins) on the Tea Horse Road, a mountainous trade route that served between China and Tibet for many hundreds of years, and the tale of it's origins plus a chant that helped the traders and porters make the journey struck me as a fantastic idea for a song.

Seven steps up, you have to rest.
Eight steps down, you have to rest.
Eleven steps flat, you have to rest.
You are stupid, if you don't rest.

I brought my guitar with me, but I was so engrossed in the story (and with the physical labors of my self-appointed spring cleaning of the lakefront lot), that I didn't use it to help me shape the idea. That oversight aside, the words flowed in my mind, and with work and practice I think I might have something to perform at the WPMF in July. A solid goal!

In-Blog Play:

Ice Age - Pete Yorn

Hmmm...

It has become crystal clear that I most definitely do not have the inner fire, drive, or determination of a serious musician. I followed a couple of lackluster months with a dismal March. I practiced FOUR times. When I was taking lessons I practiced a minimum of 6 days every week!

I make no more vows or predictions. I will pick up the guitar when the urge or inspiration strikes me, and that will be that. If nothing else, I will update monthly, and I will post extensively about the Wyman's Pond Music Fest as it draws near. Hopefully there will be moments of brilliance, but no breath-holding, for your own safety! :Þ

In-Blog Play:

She - The Sundays

Outdoor Music

I was down at the lake this afternoon (future site of the Wyman's Pond Music Fest on July 31st) hoping to kayak for a bit, but the lake was frozen. Good thing I brought my guitar! I spent nearly an hour practicing at the edge of the water (in full sight of several random lakeside folks who had decided to make today an 'outdoors' day), and messing around with some new song parts. I didn't even feel like I was out in the open, which I'd imagined might be uncomfortable. I also spent some time standing on a rock, surrounded on all sides by frigid water, smashing big chunks of floating ice with an old fireplace tool (haha). Very cathartic. And finally, I listened to all of Miranda Lee Richards' "Early November" EP. With the blue sky and lungsful of fresh spring air, it was quite the enjoyable listening experience. She has a beautiful voice...

In-Blog Play:

Sunday Morning - Miranda Lee R...

...and Double Ugh

Well. February was even less productive than January!

I only picked up my guitar six times. Though on a positive note, one of those times was playing for my twin nieces, which was fun (and good "in public" practice). I also spent more time messing around with my own song ideas, even on days when I wasn't playing, so that is something. Overcast days (and financial worries) really sap the life out of a guy.

Go March!

In-Blog Play:

My Lucky Charm - The Postmarks

Ugh...

January sucked. I was so focused on looking for a job (and reading on cold winter days, plus writing a childrens' book) that I only practiced seven or eight times. It's amazing how low a priority practice becomes when one doesn't have an instructor to show progress to, or performance isn't an all-encompassing drive like it is for a few of my friends...

Back to the grind. By choice, of course! I want to perfect the songs I've learned, and pick up a few more, both fun & goofy for my nieces & nephews to enjoy, and recognizable for public performances. And I've been trying to write a song as well...

In-Blog Play:

Under The Milky Way - Sia

Less Formal

I am so used to sitting up in a sturdy chair and running through all of my lessons (and the songs that Erik gave me last semester) in a professional manner, that it never occurred to me to just play in my Big Leather Chair while I watched tv...

...which I did today. It's very cool to me that playing is becoming more natural, and less like a scheduled activity!

In-Blog Play:

Better Times - Beach House

Family Fun

I was at my sister's house on Tuesday night for dinner, and to make homemade postcards with my nieces & nephew to send to their cousins' house in California. I finally felt comfortable enough to play in front of someone other than my instructor, and it was amazing. The kids loved it, and I got a lot of encouragement from the adults (my sis, bro-in-law, and especially my brother, who was doing some painting for our li'l sis).

Plus, it felt fantastic.

It was so bizarre! I barely know ten songs, and none of them at a professional level, but I had SO much fun playing for them, and hearing feedback. My first 'public' performance was a success, and I am glad I was able to do it in front of such a favorably-disposed crowd. I am going to work my ASS off so I can put on a respectable show for my musically-inclined friends at the music festival I am producing this summer...