Saturday, January 28, 2006

Well ...

   If you were thinking it might actually be Rocket Science, it's not. It's not Brain Surgery either ... but it might as well be.

     While searching through the Community Educator a few weeks ago for a new class to take that was not on a Tuesday or Thursday night, I ran across a 4 part course in song writing. Hmmm ... story telling through a whole new medium might be really cool, right?

     I may not have even given it a second thought, had the first 8 weeks of the course not been titled "Beginner Guitar." It was the word beginner that caught my attention, suggesting the possibility that I might be able to actually keep up with the rest of the class.

     After all ... even though I am not a guitar player, I do own a guitar. (Ummm as of Wednesday night when I attended my first class, I was not even a beginner guitar player)so ... there is no doubt that this is going to be quite a challenge.

                               

     The chart above is a diagram of the notes found on the lower part of the guitar neck. Our assignment for the week is to play the notes of every string within the first 4 frets over, and over, and over again ... in smooth succession. Eeek ...

     I don't know how everyone else is doing but my pinkie finger is not cooperating very well and is not sure that it wants to play along with this new game.

     I'm sure the exercises are important, even though they're not a whole lot of fun. I'm going to do my best to resist the temptation to move forward to something a little more exciting in this book that my instructor Robert Blake (AKA Dr. Bob, the Music Doctor) wrote. If I intend to try to keep up at all, I best get the basics down, right?

     BTW ...if any of you happen to have an old guitar hanging around the house and want to play along ... I challenge you to pick up the instrument, practice this exercise every day this week and let me know how it goes.

     This is going to be fun.

                                              

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just be like the Monkees and pretend. They still had a hit record!

Anonymous said...

Hi!  I got to your journal via a game of journal tag.  I'm on a quest to read new journals, it's one of those "Tag" games that goes around.  You are welcome to play along.  The rules are here: http://journals.aol.com/dklars/SecretGarden/entries/1806  Your journal link will be listed in my journal.

Don't give up on the guitar.  My sons and husband play very well and are all self taught, so I'm sure with you getting instruction you'll learn very quickly!

Enjoyed your journal

~~Kath~~

Anonymous said...

How great.   I play guitar and write songs...haven't done one in way too long.  I started one recently...now I feel inspired again.  thanks!
Nancy

Anonymous said...

love your signature... and I just noticed you live in Boca Ratan...my dauther almost went to college there....I have a dream to live in Florida some day...I've given up on California...it's not as neat.....currently I'm in beautiful but rainy Seattle...:)
Maria

Anonymous said...

There is a thing called a DigiFlex that can strengthen each finger separately - I was using it to get some strength back in my hands (carpal tunnel issues). The Vampire said he used one to help his fingers get stronger when he was playing guitar. You could maybe drop in a physical therapy place and ask to use one for a minute, or go to a medical supply store. But order it online if you want one - half the cost!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

you are so adventurous!  have fun!  

Anonymous said...

Looking at that chart - it might just as well be rocket science....My Daughter went to guitar lessons from the age of 10 and progressed well - never realised there was so much to learning - I do wish you luck with the lessons...and hope your "pinky" holds out...Ally

Anonymous said...

Lol @ Mort. Good luck with this Coy! :)

Anonymous said...

Picky, picky, picky! rich

Anonymous said...

Coy
I've played the guitar for almost forty years now and I can't tell you how much pleasure I've gotten from it.  I am glad you are taking the course and I wish you all the luck.  BTW, these boring exercises are very important in the beginning, please don't skip ahead.  I'll be following your progress with much interest.
Sam

Anonymous said...

it gets easier when your fingers get calloused
Marti

Anonymous said...

Hm.  I thought I wanted to learn how
to play guitar.  Now I'm not so sure.
LOL
Connie

Anonymous said...

lol....Looks like greek to me.  They make guitars now that are for women..making it easier to reach the chords.  I cant, play insturments, or sing...but I have been none to dance all  nite.  lol
Dwana