{Me in...let's say college and my Guild}I've been feeling musically inspired lately. This comes in waves for me. Lately I've been wishing I had a piano around, but apartment living and frequent changes of scenery have put a hold on my dreams of becoming Regina Spektor any time soon.
My father, an amazingly talented guitar player himself, taught both my brother and I to play the basics. When I was in high school he bought me a small bodied Guild acoustic. For a second I was all - umm, dad, just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I need a small guitar. Oh that smell? Just my bra burning, no need to call the fire department. But then good ol'dad told me that Chrissie Hynde played this exact model. Chrissie Hynde, that goddess of rock and shaggy hair, a foul mouthed feminist who I still idolize. I've been in love with my Guild ever since.
Sadly she has never made it out to my LA home, for a various number of reasons (she spent some time in the git hospital, but is feeling much better now, thanks for asking). Luckily...or something... Hillary has a duct-taped, Takamine which is super hard to play because the action's too high and oh yeah, it's not my Guild, but she makes a tune come out and really that's all I need for now.
I am mediocre at best. I took some lessons in college but was really just paying to ogle at my super cute guitar teacher who I had SUCH a crush on. Our lessons went something like -
Cute Teach - Hey, Sara! Did you practice this week?
Me - No, but I think it would really help me learn that Ani DiFranco song if you could just play your guitar at me for the next 30 minutes while I sigh and stare into your huge brown eyes.
So I really never progressed very far and now just play for myself. When I'm home alone I like to try and figure out Kate Nash songs and sing them in a British accent. But who doesn't? I have about 5 songs in my arsenal that I can sing and play and I feel pretty good about. Maybe even play them in front of someone who isn't on the fence about being friends with me. I haven't added a new song to the collection in a long time.
But so then today I was in the car and that Pearl Jam song came on - Elderly Woman, Blah, Blah This Title Is Too Long. I used to LOVE Pearl Jam. Sophomore year of high school, when I was all flannels and combat boots I used to listen to Pearl Jam and act angsty. Good times. Obviously I know all the words and it just passes through my brain that I wonder if I could play this song on the guitar.
So I get home and look up the chords and I can totally play it. So now I have 6 songs and my neighbors can suck it because I'll probably be playing this for the rest of the week.
4 comments:
Excellent. I love this.
you are my love. that being said and being true, if you ever play that song while i'm around you will get squished.
My dad bought me a guitar some years back. I deeply wanted to learn how to play. However, I didn't have the dedication or patience. I learned how to play one song, but not well enough to play it in front of people. I now like playing the piano and want to learn how to play better....I probably still don't have the patience or dedication needed. I can't wait till you are a famous guitarist. Then I'll have a famous relative.
I heard the new Pearl Jam record was good. You should buy it and tell me if I would like it. That way, if it sucks I won't have wasted any money and you can write about how it isn't any good and your friend Matt is a jerk for suggesting you buy the new Pearl Jam record.
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