Sitting with My Guitar
Mr. Butter Fingers’ multiple attempts at Music and Picking Your Poison
Credit to @biohacker (Instagram) for the image.
In an alternate universe, I might have been named Mr. Butter Fingers, because, try as I might, my digits generally have a mind of their own and leave me feeling quite clumsy.
I have no real understanding why, under such predicament, I finally settled on the Guitar as my chosen instrument but it is not for a lack of trying.
My first serious choice (age 8) was the flute but it just wasn’t for me. My teacher begged me not to quit but I was insolent. Nothing new here.
Then, I had some success with the diatonic harmonica, which requires no fingers at all. It was love at first sight. However, one day, with no explanation at all, I dropped it. The instrument refused to be played. I attempted the chromatic harmonica, as the Beatles used it in some songs, but no, it didn’t work out for me either.
After that I tried the piano, a ten finger disaster.
Followed by the trumpet, just three fingers needed here but something wasn’t right. It’s just too loud and sounds like your a screaming screaming elephant, which none of the family appreciated much, especially deep into the night or in front of the TV, times I love to play music.
The xylophone was an option. Two hands only. No little rascals to contend with but it didn’t gel either.
Then I tried the panpipes, it just required lips but felt rather one dimensional.
I tried the oud, didn’t like the sound, and many other instruments of different shapes and sizes. Many, many. Nothing really worked.
Nothing stuck until, perhaps I should say that the Guitar chose me. A cruel joke, 6 strings to my 8 malcoordinated fingers (plus thumbs). And you think why?
But then you hear someone like Julian in the video above. Listen to his interviews. Find his back catalogue and fall in love with music again.
I believe the music gives you vision. The caveat being that you have to produce it, as supposed to solely consuming it.
The music doesn’t care about your technical skills. You could sound like a cat serenading the night in a sound proofed room. Maybe you can just use your voice but instinct tells me that getting the rest of your body involved as well, through a device, channels the forces better.
It opens some type of chakra between the heart and crown. Perhaps, that’s why certain traditions discourage it. I don’t know. It gives you vision.
I think a further requirement is to play what your inner guru guides you towards. Not what your told to.
I found that I gravitate towards “Medicine Music”. The music is simple, not as good to listen to as to play to.
It’s expands the heart while playing.
It can be as easily played alone or in small group and doesn’t require any electrical augmentation. Just sit under a tree and let it flow.
Example:
Original by Puentes / Danit.
Though, I’ve also started to appreciate some classical guitar pieces by Ferdinando Carulli:
Again, there’s actually nothing like playing it. The listening experience ain’t that great to be honest. I have started with some of his easier pieces like Adante.
As much as certain music opens you up. I think other types close you. Call me a conspiracy theorist, you won’t be the first but I think a lot of “pop” (by which I mean music that’s popular) does just that.
Heavy beats. Too repetitive. Computer aided creations, degenerative lyrics. Synthesized. A reliance on strobe lighting. Epileptic.
A short look at anyone who creates this kind of music is enough. They always show you, what you will become. Type “Madonna 2023” into your search engine now, then click “images”, for a demonstration. Or if you’re brave read, “Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon” by David McGowan.
Ah! That’s what those antiquated traditions are trying to avoid…
Rather than vision, it’s a prescription for blindness. Madness…
In the end, you must pick your poison…
And that’s,