Making Music - Or Pickin' and a-Grinnin'

I really wish I would have started learning to play an instrument sooner in life. At 23, I feel I will spend most of the rest of my life just trying to master this stringed monster.But I am having a blast! I can already play at least a couple of songs straight through with few noticeable errors and am getting better at my changes from A to D and D to A (D to E is not so easy, nor is E to B! ).I'm talking about guitar.But I want folk to share their joys of making music. And perhaps some of you have some suggestions or fun stories to tell.I am interested in an answer to one particular question, though; I'm considering taking lessons. Do you feel professional lessons are of much value?Anyway, what do ya like to play? What are ya good at? When did you learn? And especially: Got anything on YouTube? Jon

I can do the grinnin as long as someone else does the pickin.

Absolutely take lessons although there are lessons on you tube, I believe you'll be further ahead if you see someone weekly and augment those lessons with those on the net.The problem is that in trying to learn on your own unless you have a a very good ear for music you'll be able to learn a song or two but you won't really learn to play the guitar.I had a lotta fun playing in bands as a kid but it was only when I was much older that I started taking lessons, (learning scales and seemingly boring stuff like that). and found out how little I actually knew. I started out playing R&R when it was in its infancy and for the last 30 plus years, as a volunteer hobby I've been playing for seniors that in the majority of cases have some form of dementia.Before you start lessons though ask around to find out who the best teachers are. Their abilities both as musicians and teachers will vary widely.

To be honest, I'm looking at the keyboard.I have some music theory behind me and I have an electronic keyboard. But events a decade ago took a lot out of me. A helluva lot.But if I can get a boogie-woogie bass line going ... Edited by dwise1, : No reason given.

Well; then perhaps I should sign up for lessons! And that's all the stuff I don't really care to learn! Really cool. My father (who used to play bass in a band), my brother, my girlfriend, and myself just recently put on a little (awful) performance for a group full of folk in a senior home. My father has been putting on yearly fundraisers with music and as I practice I may decide to play a song or two there (I've read that performing publicly is great practice!).So what sort of stuff do you play when you play for the seniors?

The trouble is that if you don't learn that stuff you're limited on the fun stuff you can do. When I started over 30 years ago, (I was living in Montreal then), I played a lot of stuff from the 20's such as "5 foot 2". As time marched on I just kept moving things up through the 30's and then into the war years. Doing this on my own is limiting, particularly with the "Big Band" music but a lot of it works ok.I have books with lyrics that put together and had printed that I hand out. I'm up to close to 500 songs in the books so I can generally find something for everyone. What is un-nerving now is that I'm getting asked for songs that I grew up with. Now though I mostly find that the war time music such as Vera Lynn are favourites. (Vera Lynn was big in the British Commonwealth countries but not so much in the US.) Also, early Sinatra and Crosby songs are popular with themI play for a number of alzheimer patients and it is amazing what the songs of their youth do to invigorate what is left of their memories.At any rate music is a great hobby, and now that the kids are grown and long gone and I'm retired from paid employment I get considerable pleasure from it. It was a great investment in preparing for retirement.

I play guitar and can say I had only a few formal lessons. Im too lazy to practice and not disciplined. I have more fun playing live with a rhythm section and slamming out old country tunes and biker rock.I will say the thing that helped me the most is learning the
C-A-G-E-D system. once you know that you can play almost anything in any position on the fret board. Edited by 1.61803, : No reason given.

Hi Jon,Have fun first. Yes.I started with trumpet in high school, took lessons and that got me involved in state competitions, where I had to deal with stage fright and sudden memory loss (you better not need the music at that point ... ).In later years I returned to it, playing in volunteer orchestras for old folks and community bands that raise funds for causes. Then I got involved in a sub group that were all interested in big band (before the resurge in popularity), and we had a blast.I've since taken up banjo, which I hack at, and really could use lessons ...My brother (xongsmith) took lessons on guitar and banjo in high school and is now a song writer and performer.Enjoy.

Been playing the guitar for 50 years. At times it came in handy for free eats & drinks, made a little money playing in garage bands and it got my kids interested in playing.ABE} The piture of me behind the 50 cal was taken on a day I later played the guitar for a section party only the VC were party poopers, they threw rockets at the base and the party went from music to rifles.Edited by bluescat48, : added lines

I took piano lessons as a child and I'm very happy that I did. I can read music n'everything. Heh, its funny when I talk to some acquaintances and there all: 'yeah man, we're starting a band... then later on... wait, you can read music!?'And I'm all: wtf, you guys are starting a band and you can't even read music!? I have a piano that I like to rock out with heavy metal and hard rock songs on from the likes of NIN, System of a Down, Tool, Pantera and Metallica. There's something about banging out heavy guitar riffs on the piano that does it for me. Oh, I also like creepy Halloween—type songs like, I just leaned the theme from Tales from the Crypt
http://youtu.be/HcKUdxpTRoA
Actually learned it from watching that video there.I also now a lot of the classic piano type stuff that most pianists learn. I learned that popular Adele song by request from my girlfriend. Its whatever really.I’ve never come across an instrument that I couldn't play somewhat. Although, the ones you got to blow air through are harder for me. And the drums get tough when I got to move my legs a lot while I'm moving my arms.I don't want to risk losing anonymity by linking to my youtube channel. Maybe I’ll make a dummy account and take some videos of some heavy metal on the piano for you guys, if you want to see it? I mostly just play for myself. If I have guests, I’ll play some songs for them if they want. Its more than just fun though, banging on the piano is a great stress reducer! Yes. But it’s only going to be worth what you’re willing to put into it. Practicing can become a chore. Too, you can teach yourself a lot of the very beginner stuff off the internet. Get the basics down on your own and then when you start reaching your potential with that, then go take lessons to increase your potential. And then practice your ass off.

Update Your Browser | FacebookThese are some local young men in Adams County who get my respect because they are bonding with each other making good music and singing it from the heart.Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

brother RAZD writes: You can find my dead-ended music career here: Nate SmithYou can find some videos at http://www.reverbnation.com/natesmith7.

it's not dead yet ...

Nice work on all fronts. Just the type of music I enjoy.I'm not much of a songwriter, but here is a Beatles/Supertramp cover (combined two songs) that I did in my home studio. All me.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TDTPUO-rsQJBEdited by ThinAirDesigns, : No reason given.Edited by ThinAirDesigns, : No reason given.