Aloha from Hawaii

[sapdoog]

Hey everyone,

I'm not one to really be part of any "online communities" other than personal benefit questions, so this is quite a new experience for me. I figured it'd be rude of me to not make an introduction. So here it goes...

My guitar journey began about 2 years ago. I used to mess around on my dad's old electric when I was younger, but nothing serious. Just random parts of songs I liked from tabs i'd find. I even took guitar class in school for one year, but it was more for the "cruise" aspect of an easy grade rather than actually learning to PLAY the guitar. That was about 8 or 9 years ago. I didn't touch the guitar or have any interest in learning it anywhere in those 8 to 9 years til 6 years later. At about 19 years old, not working, skateboarding everyday, and going to reggae shows every week. One day, my friend sends me a clip of a song that him and some other friends messed around with while jamming together. I thought it sounded pretty cool for them not really knowing what they were doing. It kind of peaked my interest in wanting to play music. It wasn't until the day I actually went over to my friends house and seen them jam in person, that I KNEW playing music is what I wanted to be doing. I've seen bands live in person many times before this, but never the actual raw experience of what it's like to CREATE music. It seemed magical to me. After that, I was hooked.

I didn't intend to learn guitar in the first place. I actually traded a keyboard I never used with a friend for his bass guitar. I kind of developed my finger positionings and independence on that. It wasn't so much which instrument I decided to pursue more than the actual creation of music that I loved and wanted to do. So I messed around on that bass for a while, then went out to the local music shop and bought my first acoustic steel string guitar. Out of all the guitars, that one just called to me. It was cheap, and the high e string buzzed on the fret when you plucked it, but I knew it was mine. Then I bought a keyboard, another acoustic, and drumset. I kind of went all out and couldn't contain my seemingly infinite excitement to learn this beautiful art. That was perhaps my downfall. I tried to do too much at one time. I had no direction, structure, or discpline in actually approaching this whole musical learning process. I didn't want to learn to read notes, or take lessons. I wanted to do it the way my friends did, which was naturally, by noodling on the instruments for what sounds good. I wanted to develop my own style instead of conforming to another's or even only being able to just read notes, and not create any actual music of my own. This lasted for about a good two years. I kind of went back and forth between instruments, messing around on each, hoping for some miracle breakthrough where i'd finally just get it and feel content and comfortable with everything. I had no practice routine. Just things i'd youtube, learn, and that was it.

I stopped playing here and there between the past year or so. I'd get the motivation, then stop. Get the motivation, then stop. It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago where I picked up the guitar randomly and just decided to LEARN to play it. I can't even remember how or why it happened. It just did. I found myself looking on the internet and that is when I came across the Learn and Master Guitar program. It was like private lessons in a box. So I got that and for the past couple of weeks have been learning from that. Then again, randomly, I somehow stumbled upon the book "Zen Guitar". A little while later... Guitar Principles by Jamie Andreas. It's crazy how everything just sort of all begins to fall into place once you set your intentions properly. In the beginning, I was so concerned with learning to create music, and wanting to jam with my friends and start a band, that I forgot that you need to learn the instrument and how to play it before any of that can happen. I deluded myself into thinking that I was some natural virtuoso who could just pick up the guitar and instantly begin riffing out chords and full songs with no knowledge of how to do it whatsoever. Now that i've experienced all that, and have accepted the fact that hard work and a disciplined practice approach is what creates talent, I feel as if i'm ready to fully embark on this musical journey that i've wanted for so long. It's exactly what i've seen many people post on here about, "When the student is ready, the teacher will arrive.". I've seen and read Jamie's article before about the Light Finger excercise and thought "Oh, that's a good idea. I should do that." but never did. I was too concerned with wanting to just hurry up and jam songs and create music to ever find the patience to apply and practice it. It's only when you are fully committed and desirous of wanting to become better, that you will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Even if that means doing boring, tedious, slow, repetitive movements. I don't mean for it to sound like i'm degrading or downtalking The Principles, but that's the truth. Many people will probably not understand or get what it means because they will be like how I was, wanting to just hurry up and learn that new song or lick, etc. I haven't even begun the course yet, and know that is what's to come. But i'm ready and even LOOKING FOWARD to it. Not only the results that will come from it, but to actually do the excercises and discipline myself in the way that i've lacked for so long. I'm going to start over from square one when the course comes in and practice "Beginner's Mind" each and every time I pick up the guitar. I will learn how to play it the right way. This time, hopefully sticking to it consistently and forever.

In conclusion... i'm really happy and excited to be here with everyone. To finally be a part of something greater than myself. Before, when i'd play, i'd just lock myself in my room and sort of "force" myself to learn everything. I isolated people in the pursuit of my own selfishness to satisfy my own egotistic desires. I desire to play music for the exact reason why it should be played. For harmony. To create sounds that sound good together coming from the depths of our own soul infused with emotional expression. But most importantly, to unite with others through it. That is the real reason why I wanted to play music in the first place. Music to me is the prime definition of what "unity" means. Not just through sounds, but humanity as well. When people help each other out, and are on the same page as one another, they are creating music whether or not they realize it. That is true music of the soul. What we play with our instrument, is just an outward expression of that. It's as if here, I feel that music of the soul emnating throughout all of us. We are not playing a single sound, but looking for help, and willing to help those who need help. I love the vibes, and how whether we're beginners, intermediate, advanced, or professionals, we still see each other as one and the same. I'm even looking forward to posting review videos once the course comes in to make sure everything is being doing properly. Something i'd probably be too ashamed of to do elsewhere. Hopefully in time, i'll be able to help others with their problems and/or questions as well. It's also a good reason to hold ourselves accountable for practicing and progressing with our instrument. It's going to be interesting to see how much I improve, showing others how much i've improved, and seeing others improve. It's a neverending cycle of goodwill. Once again, i'm really happy to be here and even happier to have stumbled upon this website and the teachings of Jamie Andreas. This is my guitar journey story, and it is only just beginning.

-Chayne

\mn/

[Jamie]

I don't mean for it to sound like i'm degrading or downtalking The Principles, but that's the truth. Many people will probably not understand or get what it means because they will be like how I was, wanting to just hurry up and learn that new song or lick, etc.

That is very true. I have heard it a million times. I have even been told my work is too intense for most people. Well, that is not my concern, my concern is to communicate the truth, and that is what I do for those who have "ears to here". I don't teach "down" to people, I ask them to do the work to raise themselves up, higher than they thought possible.

So, I hope your enthusiasm will sustain Chayne, and translate into the necessary focus of effort and attention. I look forward to it!