A year ago at this time, I was writing my thoughts down about the horrors of September 11 and how important music is especially during times of duress.  On the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, I still cannot comprehend or legitimize the actions a certain group of fanatics engaged in against innocent people.  It makes me physically sick to my stomach to see some "people" continue to brag to this day and express support for the attacks and then expect some sort of blessing from their "god" as if he ordained their mission.  As we fall back into our patterns of normal daily living,  I admit that I don't dwell upon the acts every waking moment of my life, though a lot in society has been altered.  However, I have been reminded of the initial feelings I had of repulsion and incredulity by seeing media coverage of the events and tributes on this one year anniversary.  As I sat down this morning watching the ceremonies at Ground Zero and the White House, I decided to try and create some positive vibes on an otherwise rightfully somber day.  Since most of you reading here are probably guitarists, I'd like to send good thoughts your way and try to apply this writing to the wonderful privilege we have of making music.
 

There's a lot of strife in this world today...always has been, and probably always will be.  Somedays it's hard to be enthusiastic about life and the prospects for a happy future.  Everybody has their troubles and burdens no matter where they live or what they do.  I don't want this writing to dwell upon angry or negative things.  Rather, I want to find a way to make other players feel good about what they are doing regardless of age, race, beliefs, abilities or preferred styles of music.  I dedicate these feelings to anybody who might be a little dissatisfied with their playing today.

Our individual life experiences are what make us unique and they can be reliable guides to how we can proceed in any future endeavor.  I have my life experiences with guitar playing which I cherish and learn from constantly.  I've had some really great times as a result of the guitar and some other not so desirable things happen because of my involvement with it.  All of them have been valuable to me no matter how I felt about them at the time they were happening.

For many guitarists, there is an intimidation factor with learning the instrument.  Besides the technical hurdles that always seem to present themselves, there are mental challenges to tackle on the road to being a happy player.  Pressures abound, which can come from one's self or from the competitive nature that seems to prevail in the guitar world.

I believe that every guitarist should try to find some degree of contentment and acceptance with who they are at any given time.  That doesn't mean to stop becoming more educated or to lose the ambitions to improve in every way possible.  Nor does it mean to become egotistical and overly-confident. What it means is that now is the only time we really ever have.  Keep an eye on becoming a better player for the future, but enjoy the music you are making in the present.  If you aren't happy with something, then change it; but do so with a happy mind and heart while keeping in touch with the real reasons you play in the first place.

I've always felt that this portion of my Web site, where I can voice some opinions and openly contemplate the whole path of playing, is at the core of who I am musically.  I can have all of the best equipment in the world but if I don't have a greater awareness of why I play, then I really don't have much.  As I've said repeatedly, a balance between analysis and simply playing is very essential.

Taking all of this into consideration, here are some thoughts I'd like to offer in hopes that somebody out there can find some benefit from them.  As with everything I ever say, you are free to take it or disagree as you like.  I'm not an expert...just a player going down my road.
 

Competition:  Forget about it.  Music is not a competition.  This is not to be confused with trying to be the best band or player you can be.  The business world of music is competitive, and it certainly is a nice feeling to go out and stand out from the crowd.  I'm referring to the realm of finding long-lasting authentic satisfaction with the music and guitar playing itself.  There are always going to be players who are "better" than you are as well as those who are less proficient.  There's nothing wrong with trying to emulate the qualities we admire in others, but don't do so in an effort to upstage them or to simply become more secure in your own talents.  Do so primarily because it will give you the creative options to make new music. Likewise, if you think you know a lot more than someone else, try to use your knowledge in a positive manner to help fellow guitarists receive more enjoyment from their own playing.  We all have our unique expressions to offer through our music.  If you are working around guitarists who are better than yourself, don't let that change your mission of getting up onstage and playing what you came to play.  If you do it with conviction, you will touch someone with your playing, even if it's just yourself.  That is not always a bad thing.

Equipment:  Musical gear is important.  It does make a difference in how you perceive your playing experience.   Inspirational equipment will enhance your creativity, but it's just one part of the whole equation.  One doesn't have to play the most expensive or desirable instruments to make noteworthy music.  There are plenty of guitarists out there with the finest equipment money can buy, yet their music might not stir your soul.  Always be on the lookout for the gear that might make music more enjoyable for you, but balance the equipment with good musical sensibilities and by simply playing.  It's fun to get all wrapped up in the pursuit of tone through the hippest and most wanted equipment; but in the end your hands and soul are what matter ( I know that's a cliche but it's true!).

Do you remember Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live ? (Al Franken's eternal beacon of positivity... as in positively grating )   Well, at the risk of sounding like Stuart Smalley, I'll give you some positive affirmations:

- You are a special guitarist.  You have something to say with the guitar, whether you are an amateur or a professional (and doggone it, people like you).

- You have a right to play music no matter what others say, either to you or about you.

- Your sound is what you are capable of making at any given moment.  Embrace it.  If you don't like it, change it...but still embrace it.  If you can't play what you hear, then hear what you play.

-Everyone has musical aptitude.  It may be different than someone else's, but it is uniquely you and worth pursuing.  There are virtuoso players with astounding technical abilities.  There are also guitarists with rudimentary mechanical skills.  Either type is capable of making good music.
 

Trust Yourself:  If it sounds good to you, it probably is good.  There are definitely occasions when you have to make compromises in music to accomodate a particular situation or fellow musicians, but the key is to not sacrifice so much of yourself that it takes the enjoyment out of things or detracts from your integrity.  If you don't feel good about your level of performance, try to channel those emotions into improving by studying other players, books, videos, etc...any source of information.  Take lessons, practice more, listen to CDs, do whatever it takes to open up new ideas.  Never stop learning, but do stop feeling the burdens of insecurities (if this is an issue) even though it's often easier said than done.  The path to progress in guitar is a long one and contrary to what some infomercials and ads have implied, you cannot learn how to play overnight.  Certain things can only be fully learned over time and through personal experience.

Try to keep an open mind and be receptive to new ideas and ways of doing things.  However, have enough faith in who you are and your current level of progress to know that you are always where you need to be at any given time.  I'm nowhere near where I'd ultimately like to be as a player, but that doesn't stop me from feeling good about being around guitars and all of the opportunities they have continually afforded me.  There are days where I'm not inspired to play, but it's the good days that keep me doing it.

I hope this pep talk encouraged and cheered up anybody who was having a "bad guitar day."  I tried to take the negative energy from what was going on in the world and convert it into something good.  I love music and believe it's a worthwhile thing in life.  I get frustrated with it a lot, but those times pale in comparison to what I usually gain from it....a lot of joy.

Thanks for reading!
 

Jason