I like thinking back to where I was a year ago. I couldn't fingerpick for crap, now I love to fingerpick. It's kinda cool. I get a thrill when I just play Mystery Train for somebody, and they think it's the coolest thing they've ever heard, even if they don't listen or like to rockabilly at all. I get enjoyment out of teaching a friend a cool little lick or chord progression. I also like the look of the music store owners when the 16 year old takes the 6120 off the rack instead of the neon-green Ibanez. No offense Ibanez players.
after playing for almost 46 years now, as Troy said, I enjoy playing the guitar even if sometimes it is just for myself. the guitar is my therapy when I need to relax and forget life's troubles.
I only play in public about once a year now . The last time I played was to a hall full of high school kids. You know, the whole jokey "let's see the teachers try it" type thing. The next day I was walking through the grounds and I passed a young lady who looked at me as we passed and said, "Hey Mr _ , you're a guitar MAN." That made me feel pretty cool, and stroked my ego for a day or so.
This thread (of guitar playing) is the great connector of my life - both musical and personal. It's not so much a thrill as an ongoing (re)energizing force that defines my connection to the world. A distinctly eclectic and esoteric electric current that ebbs darkly and flows brightly but is never completely turned off. A threshold, or Rubicon, never quite crossed but always beckoning. The Siren's song. I'm tied forever to the mast...
I love playing guitar, I've been playing it 22 years and have been in several bands, recorded several albums and am still going. But all this rubbish about people freezing solid or sweating everytime they open their case, hairs standing up on the back of their neck when they play a G chord, nearly falling over in amazement at how great they are...Give over and just play guitar!
Yes, I do. I consider it a precious gift from God. I love when I play a tune for somebody and I see them smile and tap their foot and it makes me very happy.
Do I wish I was more talented, of course I do; but even though I am a mediocre player at best, I still love it and it makes me feel good and happy.
Yes, I do. I consider it a precious gift from God. I love when I play a tune for somebody and I see them smile and tap their foot and it makes me very happy.
Do I wish I was more talented, of course I do; but even though I am a mediocre player at best, I still love it and it makes me feel good and happy.
I don't think I'd say I'm even mediocre yet, but I definitely agree that this is a great summation.
It's often a great return to sanity when I fall back into a depression again. I still think I'm batshit insane for not picking it up sooner, but glad that it meant I was able to start learning on quality gear. The look, the smell, and the sound. I love it when someone else gets something out of it.
And sometimes, even though it takes almost no talent, just belting out some chords to some of my favourite Tunstall songs or a bit of an ACDC riff at full volume stabs at something inside of me which makes me feel totally okay at being single, which I don't think I can say for anything else in life.
Every time I think I'll just stop playing I'm reminded by my hands/fingers of a portion of why I presently still mess with strings (there are other reasons as well)... a not insubstantial part of why I'm playing at this stage..... pushes back rheumatoid arthritis.
I'm fortunate enough to have a job that I love that's in the music business. I manage a music store (the first expansion of an indie store), I'm a sound tech, and I gig when I can get a band to stay together.
If someone had told me 10 years ago I'd be getting paid to work on guitars, listen to music, talk shop with some really cool people, work with and mix world class musicians, and play on stage I would have laughed. I'm very thankful for having the jobs I do. I don't make a ton of money, but I'm happy to go to work every day, and even go in on my days off just to be around my store. I was also able to hire a good friend the other day, giving him a chance to experience it.
They say if you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life. After years of struggle and sacrifice I'm finally able to say I'm doing exactly what I want, and supporting my family doing it. I love it, and I do get quite a thrill from it all very often.
Nothing beats jumping on a stage and entertaining people, and I'd do that every day if I could, but I'm just as happy to work on some guitars, and help out our local musicians and scene.
For anyone else in the area, check out our site at MonumentMusic.biz for details. We do have an online store as well for those not in WI. We still don't have all the product loaded, but we're always adding stuff.
I love playing, but I don't get thrills, when I take the guitar in my hands and play. Usually it is pure pain, but in the same time I can't put the guitar down. I'm not a good player and when I'm playing, I'm constantly thinking that "I suck".
But when I listen the mp3 files (especially old ones), where everything else is original, except my guitar playing. Then I get thrills... and I think: "Wow. Did I really do it? This sounds good.".
This is going to sound crazy..but guitar playing and my guitars have got me thru some of the worst times in my life. For me it's theraputic and a stress relief. I just played a gig on the 4th and it was extremely hot but...when people hear those old Surf songs and hoop and hollar and have a good time..it's even better. I love playing today as much as I did at 14..and I'm never going to be a great player but I'll never stop playing...ever!
Still consider myself a newb. Only been at it for four years. I have had the chance to jion in with some really great artists. That's a thrill for me. Thank god they are forgiving to beginners. I have been lucky enough to write a few songs. It's also a thrill when list ers dance or cry or get goosebumps from my songs. I consider myself lucky.
I did get a small thrill a few months back when a band I played in had their first and only CD sell for 80 bucks on eBay.
I've been playing since I was 11. So more than half my life. No I don't really think "hey it's cool I play guitar" much. I guess the guitar has turned more and more into a comfort thing. It got me through a lot of tough times. I don't gig as much as I used to but I play a lot for myself now. It's more like a security blanket at this point. Just feels good to come home from work and play one.
Still get thrills. Been playing for 44 years. My lack of guitar talent though back in high school put me on the road as a sound man for a rival band. It was a good move because I became quite good on the sound board. Even worked sound for Rev Horton Heat when he was 19 years old and with a band called Sweetbriar, and the later as house sound man at Club Dada in Dallas when he became the Rev. The last 15 years I have been a volunteer musician in our church band which has become a very good band. I live for Thursday night practice and Sunday morning where I can play my new Gretsch 5120. Have my guitar on the stand where I can keep an eye on it and think "wow, I have a Gretsch and actually don't suck at guitar anymore!"
Facebook
Twitter
I like thinking back to where I was a year ago. I couldn't fingerpick for crap, now I love to fingerpick. It's kinda cool. I get a thrill when I just play Mystery Train for somebody, and they think it's the coolest thing they've ever heard, even if they don't listen or like to rockabilly at all. I get enjoyment out of teaching a friend a cool little lick or chord progression. I also like the look of the music store owners when the 16 year old takes the 6120 off the rack instead of the neon-green Ibanez. No offense Ibanez players.
after playing for almost 46 years now, as Troy said, I enjoy playing the guitar even if sometimes it is just for myself. the guitar is my therapy when I need to relax and forget life's troubles.
At shows yes. Live music makes me tear up sometimes, it's such excessive immediate joy and community. Not so much from my own attempts at playing.
I only play in public about once a year now
. The last time I played was to a hall full of high school kids. You know, the whole jokey "let's see the teachers try it" type thing. The next day I was walking through the grounds and I passed a young lady who looked at me as we passed and said, "Hey Mr _ , you're a guitar MAN." That made me feel pretty cool, and stroked my ego for a day or so. 
This thread (of guitar playing) is the great connector of my life - both musical and personal. It's not so much a thrill as an ongoing (re)energizing force that defines my connection to the world. A distinctly eclectic and esoteric electric current that ebbs darkly and flows brightly but is never completely turned off. A threshold, or Rubicon, never quite crossed but always beckoning. The Siren's song. I'm tied forever to the mast...
I love playing guitar, I've been playing it 22 years and have been in several bands, recorded several albums and am still going. But all this rubbish about people freezing solid or sweating everytime they open their case, hairs standing up on the back of their neck when they play a G chord, nearly falling over in amazement at how great they are...Give over and just play guitar!
I don't think I'd say I'm even mediocre yet, but I definitely agree that this is a great summation.
It's often a great return to sanity when I fall back into a depression again. I still think I'm batshit insane for not picking it up sooner, but glad that it meant I was able to start learning on quality gear. The look, the smell, and the sound. I love it when someone else gets something out of it.
And sometimes, even though it takes almost no talent, just belting out some chords to some of my favourite Tunstall songs or a bit of an ACDC riff at full volume stabs at something inside of me which makes me feel totally okay at being single, which I don't think I can say for anything else in life.
I'm thrilled just to wake up in the morning.
I get goosebumps when I hear some songs. A few can bring tears.
The best is watching grandkids bounce and dance when I play for them.
"do you still get thrills"
Some times.
I suspect this borders on, "kicks."
Every time I think I'll just stop playing I'm reminded by my hands/fingers of a portion of why I presently still mess with strings (there are other reasons as well)... a not insubstantial part of why I'm playing at this stage..... pushes back rheumatoid arthritis.
When the arthritis hurts too much to fret, at least I can still bang away at the piano.
I agree with Bear, too.
For me, it's a case of "live to play, play to live!".
Amen.
I'm fortunate enough to have a job that I love that's in the music business. I manage a music store (the first expansion of an indie store), I'm a sound tech, and I gig when I can get a band to stay together.
If someone had told me 10 years ago I'd be getting paid to work on guitars, listen to music, talk shop with some really cool people, work with and mix world class musicians, and play on stage I would have laughed. I'm very thankful for having the jobs I do. I don't make a ton of money, but I'm happy to go to work every day, and even go in on my days off just to be around my store. I was also able to hire a good friend the other day, giving him a chance to experience it.
They say if you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life. After years of struggle and sacrifice I'm finally able to say I'm doing exactly what I want, and supporting my family doing it. I love it, and I do get quite a thrill from it all very often.
Nothing beats jumping on a stage and entertaining people, and I'd do that every day if I could, but I'm just as happy to work on some guitars, and help out our local musicians and scene.
I gotta get up to your store Mr. Ripley. Where is it exactly and what are the hours?
I PM'd you Jeff.
For anyone else in the area, check out our site at MonumentMusic.biz for details. We do have an online store as well for those not in WI. We still don't have all the product loaded, but we're always adding stuff.
I love playing, but I don't get thrills, when I take the guitar in my hands and play. Usually it is pure pain, but in the same time I can't put the guitar down. I'm not a good player and when I'm playing, I'm constantly thinking that "I suck".
But when I listen the mp3 files (especially old ones), where everything else is original, except my guitar playing. Then I get thrills... and I think: "Wow. Did I really do it? This sounds good.".
only during sex
In situations like that, yes, when someone points out to you that you can do something not everyone can do.
This is going to sound crazy..but guitar playing and my guitars have got me thru some of the worst times in my life. For me it's theraputic and a stress relief. I just played a gig on the 4th and it was extremely hot but...when people hear those old Surf songs and hoop and hollar and have a good time..it's even better. I love playing today as much as I did at 14..and I'm never going to be a great player but I'll never stop playing...ever!
UD (Uncle Don)
Still consider myself a newb. Only been at it for four years. I have had the chance to jion in with some really great artists. That's a thrill for me. Thank god they are forgiving to beginners. I have been lucky enough to write a few songs. It's also a thrill when list ers dance or cry or get goosebumps from my songs. I consider myself lucky.
I did get a small thrill a few months back when a band I played in had their first and only CD sell for 80 bucks on eBay.
I've been playing since I was 11. So more than half my life. No I don't really think "hey it's cool I play guitar" much. I guess the guitar has turned more and more into a comfort thing. It got me through a lot of tough times. I don't gig as much as I used to but I play a lot for myself now. It's more like a security blanket at this point. Just feels good to come home from work and play one.
Still get thrills. Been playing for 44 years. My lack of guitar talent though back in high school put me on the road as a sound man for a rival band. It was a good move because I became quite good on the sound board. Even worked sound for Rev Horton Heat when he was 19 years old and with a band called Sweetbriar, and the later as house sound man at Club Dada in Dallas when he became the Rev. The last 15 years I have been a volunteer musician in our church band which has become a very good band. I live for Thursday night practice and Sunday morning where I can play my new Gretsch 5120. Have my guitar on the stand where I can keep an eye on it and think "wow, I have a Gretsch and actually don't suck at guitar anymore!"