I have two guitars. My brother's old one and one I got for Christmas. I can play Cranberries, Tom Petty and Tesla licks and that's about it. And then random 2 second songs I make up. That's it. I don't know which strings are which, which notes they even are, much less chords. I just own two guitars and keep saying "I need to take lessons". And yet, I have played 2 "gigs". I pretended to play both times, basically. I must have friends that really "believe in me" when they ask me to play bass lines at the last minute for a wedding and an acoustic mormon concert.
1st Gig to Call My Own:
Wedding in Santa Barbara for some friends of my friend (who "believed in me")
I played the Canon in D bass line on the guitar. It was 8 notes over and over again. Or to me, it was just 8 different ways to put my fingers on a guitar fret with one hand and with the other, work real hard trying to pick the corresponding string. And on top of that, trying to LOOK NATURAL AND LIKE I KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GUITAR. I remember it well. For the most part, I did alright. Then I looked out into the audience and got scared, especially when I spotted a Lenny Kravitz look alike. He was looking at me with this look like, "Dude, where the h#!* did they pick this chick up? She's a total joke!" Yes, I know Lenny. You're probably some cool dude in a rock band and can see right through my facade.
2nd Gig to Call My Own:
Saturday night, three hours before the actual performance another friend asks me to play the bass line (about 5 notes in all) for her girl band at the local "Mormon Acoustic Cafe" gig. I called Manda before and asked her what to wear. She suggested corduroy pants. I went with the shimmery lycra pants, Doc Marten combats and a dragon t-shirt with an H&M black cardigan. I got on stage, turned in so as to hide my "talents" under a bushel and prayed it would be over soon. The sound check guy comes up to me and adjusts the microphones right to my guitar and to my mouth. "That won't be necessary... I don't want to really be heard." And he looked at me like I was an idiot and walked away. So I was stuck. The song started out alright and ended alright. But then again, I couldn't even hear myself the whole time with the wailing singer, drums, guitar, and a few tambourines behind me. Amanda, I got footage. No pics though.
I think I've learned my lesson. I have become somewhat more motivated to begin teaching myself. Slowly, but perhaps surely? Then one day I can quit pretending!
7 comments:
I can't wait to see the tape. And besides, Laura, who cares if you can't play? You're hot.
yes, yes you are. And way to go on playing in front of actual people. I have actually learned to play the guitar on several different occasions, and then i have no access to the instrument and I forget.Once I taught myself, once I took an actual class.
I used to be able to play Hotel California, Yellow Submarine, and some country song that we were assigned, and I really liked only because I could play it well.
Go for it!
Even before I read the comments of manda and Sarita, I was thinking the EXACT same thing.
Hasn't the music business taught you yet that it has NOTHING to do with what talent you have? As Roxette instructs us: Baby, you got the look.
So get some lessons, but not too many. There's really no need.
HA! Self-esteem boost for the year. You guys are the best! Thank you!!! Sarita, guess what? I was in Ross and was looking at their cheapo DVD's and found "Street Heat". Uh huh. Yes. That's right. Hip hop dance/work out lessons. I thought of your blog and all the inspiring words you said and commentors said and thought, yes, must get. I want to hip it to the hip hop and not stop.
be careful not to practice playing guitar in front of the computer. You could get injured that way. Your gigs sound awesome! It is all about pretending.
rache, you're the bomb. i'll be sure and take that advice too.
That is very funny. But you can't be too bad, or you wouldn't have gotten the second gig. I've always wanted to learn guitar for some reason. I don't know why since I have an intense fear of performing in front of others. I guess so I can just play songs for myself when nobody else is home.
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