Okay everybody, something thats been on my mind for awhile now. Does anybody else ever ask themselves "why do I do it?", "why do I play guitar?" Does it ever seem to burden anybody out there? Every once in a while, I'll find myself looking at a guitar, perhaps one needing a string change, cleaning, etc, and I think..."geez I wish I just played golf like normal people"! haha Any input is greatly appreciated! lol
Why?
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- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 25, 2008 8:41 p.m. Skinny Jim:
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Jul 25, 2008 8:47 p.m. Curt:
You're kidding right? Every time I hear myself I cringe a little, sometimes a lot. If this is as good as it gets.....
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Jul 25, 2008 8:50 p.m. wenzel:
I have fun with it for the sake of fun...
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Jul 25, 2008 8:50 p.m. The Norm:
it is almost magical to make music on a wood and wire gadget. not everyone can do that...
that's 'why' enough for me...
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Jul 25, 2008 9:04 p.m. BrianBlaut:
I never question why but I often wonder if I'm EVER going to get better. Don't get me wrong, I do get a tiny bit better every year, but its a snails race.
I'm worse at golf though.
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Jul 25, 2008 9:16 p.m. Boyko:
I do it for the fun of it, I love playing and making music. I always want to get better, and spurts of musical creation come and go. Sure sometimes I do tire of it, but that only lasts for a day, and often if i don't play for a day I start to feel a need to play.
I also play for stress release. I can't count the number of times I come home after a hard day and sit in my room with the little G5222 amp cranked for 15 or 20 minutes. After that I'm fresh and ready to deal with stuff.
And of course I would love to play professionally. I just have to sit down and fully arrange some stuff, and get a recording system and a Myspace page before I can think of that really. A band and a good music scene would help too...
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Jul 25, 2008 9:24 p.m. Bear:
Because I enjoy it so much. God gave me a gift that he doesn't give to everyone and I thank Him every time I pick it up and strum a chord. The Bible says to "make a joyful noise." Well noise describes my playing better than music does so a joyful noise it is.
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Jul 25, 2008 9:49 p.m. crowbone:
Why?
Shall I count the reasons?
Because you're never lonely with a tune in your head.
Because they're lighter than a piano.
Because I can take a guitar to bed with me and not wake up with a pig.
Because I was forbidden to be a musician.
Because all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.
Because my heroes played guitar.
Because I can make noise like no one else.
Because, even if you think I suck, I'm Loving what I do.
Because it lifts my spirit, and if I'm lucky, those who hear me too.
Guitar is a great means, for me, to get what's in my head, out to ears, and if you've ever got a positive response for something you've written, then you know that it's an addiction into the craft.
And Hey Skinny Jim, Sorry I didn't make the Comet show. Hope it went well. My wife and son got in a car wreck and both got banged up pretty bad.
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Jul 25, 2008 10:35 p.m. mainsoda:
I know what you mean Jim, Don't get me wrong i love playing the guitar, it's all i ever wanted to do, but lets face it playing guitar is hard. The competition is harsh with people like Brian Setzer and Brad Paisely around. Plus I am always pushing the limits of my playing in my band crumpler and there are times when i really screw up live because of this. Occasionally i will wonder why i do this to myself. Then i see my guitar sitting in it's stand calling me to pick it up again ...and I always do.
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Jul 25, 2008 10:43 p.m. cyclopssam:
WHY? because it's fun to learn/play new cords&Make"New" sounds unknown by man,even better when people pay you to do so. hours of self entertainment + It makes the cat happy- cats DON'T like drum play,even bongos-
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Jul 25, 2008 10:45 p.m. yettoblaster:
While there have been a couple of times after a certain type of commercial gig when I didn't want to see my guitar again for a couple of days:
I've played so long now that just moving my fingers in guitar patterns releases endorphins in my brain.
That's why I still play, and enjoy most things about it better'n ever!
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Jul 26, 2008 12:05 a.m. GoDogGo:
Why play guitar? Cheaper than Viagra and twice as effective.
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Jul 26, 2008 12:29 a.m. bwallace1:
I've never asked "why". it's something that I had always wanted to do. in times of trouble, it was a friend I could turn to. in sad times, you can make it cry for you. it's something you can share with others that play, also. there are alot better. there are alot worst. but I enjoy playing. if you have to ask yourself "why", it's not a part of you. and probably never will be.
brent
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Jul 26, 2008 8:18 a.m. Skinny Jim:
Hey guys thanks for the input! (Crowbone....how are they doing? Is everybody okay?!?!)
You're all correct, and have definetely opened up some thoughts for me. I guess as far as advancing talent-wise, does anybody else seem to get a little better, then feel like they reach a plateau of sorts, kinda stagnant in progress, even when practicing a lot? Somtimes I'll practice daily, and for months even, I'll be on this little plateau, no new ideas, maybe its just summertime blues?
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Jul 26, 2008 8:43 a.m. CnW:
+1 Brent, well said!
I had an industrial accident almost 12 years ago and had my left hand beat up pretty good. Had my little finger completely amputated and the last joint on my ring finger smashed. By the time I got that finger out of the splint it was so stiff I could hardly bend it. The whole hand felt totally creepy. Trying to play the guitar was just an excercise in frustration. I had always used my little finger, so it was integrated into 'the hand inside my head.'
I figured it was time to call it quits, as the guitar had been a costly hobby. After years of playing, I still didn't have the kind of chops that impress, so what was I doing?
Turns out I couldn't leave it alone. I finally managed to rehab the ring finger well enough to do what it needs to do (it's still tight though). It took me the better part of a year to rehab the 'hand inside my head' however. The 3 fingers had to redistribute the work of 4 and "getting it" took some time. I am a chording minimalist now. Lots of triads, sometimes omitting the root. I do whatever I can to do whatever is needed.
I learned that, even though I'm never going to set the woods on fire, I have to play. Considering that I don't play for a living, it really surprised me that such a large part of my self-identity was rooted in the guitar. It is a part of me.
"Why?" I don't know.
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- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 26, 2008 10:04 a.m. crowbone:
SkinnyJim, Unfortunately, both Holli and Furie are still hurting. Holli more than Furie. He's young and resilient. Holli's got little range of motion in her shoulder due to a tear in the rotator cuff?
Regarding this thread: I still feel like a rank amateur, even though I've been around guitars for most of my life. Who cares?
I learned an important lesson from a fortune cookie once, and it truly applies to what we are discussing. It said:
" A thousand mile journey begins with the first step".
That's just what playing guitar is, a journey, of sorts, and who knows where it will take you? That's what I love about playing music. You never know where you'll end up, but you'll end up liking it.
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- Rated: 41 ↑
Jul 26, 2008 10:10 a.m. bwallace1:
thanks, CnW. I see that you, too, have gone through alot. I don't know what I would have done if one of my hands had gotten messed up. (probably learned to use a slide sooner) I lost a leg in '82, but I was always able to pick up my old Gretsch.
@ Skinny Jim - {does anybody else seem to get a little better, then feel like they reach a plateau of sorts, kinda stagnant in progress, even when practicing a lot?}
this is where playing with other people comes into play. you pick up a little slick move here, a different technique there. everyone plays the guitar a little different. and nowadays, you have the advantage of using the internet and cd's. I started playing in '66 and I'm still learning.
brent
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Jul 26, 2008 10:12 a.m. Proteus:
What would I do with all these guitars if I DIDN'T play them?
Geez. It's almost like a responsibility.
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Jul 26, 2008 6:00 p.m. Skinny Jim:
Thanks fellas, Brent +1, Prot +1 !! I guess you're right Proteus. Like an old hot rod owner who never took the car out to burn the tires ever now and then, we're destined to play them! Maybe thats why the GDP, in my opinion at least, has such a comraderie that is unmatched. Ive met some lifelong friends on here who enjoy playing guitars, and are the most humble people you could ask for! I've got $50 that says PaulReedSmithPages.com aint got shit on the GDP's friendships...
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Jul 26, 2008 6:10 p.m. Beatles6120:
It's either play guitar or play with myself.
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Jul 26, 2008 7:03 p.m. bonedaddy:
For me, it boils down to this. I play because I must play. Ever since the day I first picked up a guitar, I have to play. Dunno why, but it's just something inside. I guess it's different for everyone else. Sure, it's great to play the guitar and 'get the chicks' etc... but it' something more visceral for me. All standard disclaimers apply... your mileage may vary, not approved for use while driving, nights and weekends only, etc... etc...
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Jul 26, 2008 7:12 p.m. Timthom62:
Well, the danged thing ain't gonna play itself, now is it?
What I always wonder is, how can people not play? How dull that would seem...
About fifteen years ago, I had a nerve and tendon injury to my left hand that left me unable to play for over a year. I had no idea just how integral a part of my life it was until I couldn't do it. One of the longest years of my life, but I did learn that playing lefty is a lot harder than McCartney made it look.
Skinny Jim, I hit those plateaus all the time but there's always something that shakes things up. Whether it's jamming with a friend, seeing someone play live or even watching a Youtube video, something gets things restarted.
There are also times when I can barely stand to play, like after listening to the audio from the guys at CAAS recently. For about a week I had to approach my guitars by backing up to them because I couldn't bear to face them after being reminded just how bad I play, comparatively speaking. After the initial shock, though, it just makes me try harder to get better - and that's the fun part for me.
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Jul 26, 2008 10:23 p.m. Mark Synchro:
I remember seeing a flattop guitar at my uncle and aunt's house. It belonged to an older cousin although I don't think I ever saw him play on it. I must have been all of two or three years old at the time but I've wanted a guitar ever since.
I recall seeing a young man playing a guitar on a front porch with several admiring young ladies watching. This was probably when I was between five and seven years old but I could see that there was potential in these things.
Then I heard Chet and later on I saw the Beatles. I haven't had a moment since when my life wasn't affected by the guitar. It's been a big part of my life for the last 42 years and I hope it remains so for the rest of my days.
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Jul 27, 2008 7:09 a.m. cielski:
Just doing what the voices tell me.
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Jul 27, 2008 7:20 a.m. Bernw:
There's just something about guitars. I just can't stop looking at them - those at home and those in shop windows or hanging on shop walls! And when I can I just have to pick them up and caress them! They are a thing of beauty, a work of art. You can make tunes on them - and when you are young (in fact not so young even!) they aid you in succesfully chatting up women!
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