Happy Anniversary to a dear friend. We’ve had one heck of a ride together. I got my first guitar on January 27, 1985. Yep, I remember the date.
She was a Black Electric Lotus Les Paul Copy with a Peavey amp and I had no idea what to do with her at first. So I just kind of stared and held it. I was excited to introduce her to my friends. Your first electric guitar has got to be one of the most incredible things ever. Part mustang, part rattlesnake, part rocketship, all art with potential to pacify or instigate.
We fumbled, wrestled, fought, and in the end she taught me a thing or two. She’s still teaching me things.
Playing the guitar is one of the great joys in my life. It’s all art but you can choose to work in oils, clay, music or words (even profanity – like the dad from A Christmas Story!). It’s music really but the act of playing an instrument is a peculiar craft.
Thanks to my family for finally saying “OK. Let’s go get it so you’ll shut up. I expect to hear a song or two out of that thing.”
Everyone should play at least a little. A beginner can play one note and it’s mesmerizing to them. One little wire vibrating. Send that through a wah wah pedal and a speaker and welcome to heaven.
