Plugging in...
Oct. 30th, 2011 12:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
autographedcatWhen I was sixteen years old, I bought my first guitar. It was a 1982 Rickenbacker solidbody electric, and I got it for a steal of a price. Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone to really teach me how to play it, and I was pretty useless at teaching myself. A couple of years later, in need of quick cash, I sold it to a friend right before I moved to Georgia.
I had always regretted this, and said one day I'm going to get another guitar and learn to play it. But I put it off, and I put it off, and I put it off some more. Sooner or later, I said, there will be time and money for it.
In 1998, a near-death experience reminded me that there won't always be time to get around to things, and I might want to think about not putting off those things I really want to do with my life. So once I was adequately recovered, I went out and bought a new guitar, a Fender DG10/12 12-string acoustic. And I signed up for a group class at the nearby MARS music store, and learned to play it well enough, and set about learning to play songs I liked and actually performing at filks and filkcons. 13 years later, I'm an adequate if unexceptional accompanist.
Still, there's a part of me that still has an itch for electric music. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always say "I wanted to be a rock star. In many ways, I still do." So yesterday, I went down to Guitar Centre to take advantage of a good coupon I had and picked up a cheap electric guitar and a small amp. It's an Epiphone Les Paul Studio, and it's very very pretty.
(While I was there, I also test drove a much more expensive acoustic: a Taylor 8-string baritone. It took an immense amount of willpower and a reminder of what I'd already committed funds to over the next few months not to change my plans, because dear lord I sounded good playing it. But I digress...)
I've been playing around with it for the last 12 hours. First impressions: I love the sound of it. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with it. Good grief, I don't know how to play it. :)
It's a whole new ride. Let's make some noise.
I had always regretted this, and said one day I'm going to get another guitar and learn to play it. But I put it off, and I put it off, and I put it off some more. Sooner or later, I said, there will be time and money for it.
In 1998, a near-death experience reminded me that there won't always be time to get around to things, and I might want to think about not putting off those things I really want to do with my life. So once I was adequately recovered, I went out and bought a new guitar, a Fender DG10/12 12-string acoustic. And I signed up for a group class at the nearby MARS music store, and learned to play it well enough, and set about learning to play songs I liked and actually performing at filks and filkcons. 13 years later, I'm an adequate if unexceptional accompanist.
Still, there's a part of me that still has an itch for electric music. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always say "I wanted to be a rock star. In many ways, I still do." So yesterday, I went down to Guitar Centre to take advantage of a good coupon I had and picked up a cheap electric guitar and a small amp. It's an Epiphone Les Paul Studio, and it's very very pretty.(While I was there, I also test drove a much more expensive acoustic: a Taylor 8-string baritone. It took an immense amount of willpower and a reminder of what I'd already committed funds to over the next few months not to change my plans, because dear lord I sounded good playing it. But I digress...)
I've been playing around with it for the last 12 hours. First impressions: I love the sound of it. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with it. Good grief, I don't know how to play it. :)
It's a whole new ride. Let's make some noise.
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Date: 2011-10-30 05:03 pm (UTC)Friday, I went into Toronto's biggest music store to buy a replacement for my portable music stand that self-destructed at OVFF and came out with...a music stand! I'm so proud of myself. :-)
Congratulations on getting your new guitar!
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Date: 2011-10-30 09:04 pm (UTC)I went in prepared to spend a certain amount. I wasn't prepared to spend 5 times that amount. :)
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Date: 2011-10-30 05:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-30 06:04 pm (UTC)This.
Go Rock Star!
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Date: 2011-10-30 10:59 pm (UTC)(Cat turns around, looking suspiciously for pens.)
That better be a felt tip!
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Date: 2011-10-30 07:21 pm (UTC)BTW, one of my many embryos of song ideas is "Wakeman Wannabe". Another is "Marcon Girls" (which calls for electric guitar).
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Date: 2011-10-30 08:40 pm (UTC)ETA: If I drive to OVFF again next year (which at this point I plan, because it worked out so well), I'll probably bring it along, so absolutely would love to jam. By this time next year I might have even figured out how to play the darn thing. *grin*)
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Date: 2011-10-30 09:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-30 09:07 pm (UTC)I look forward to hearing your song :)
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Date: 2011-10-31 09:25 am (UTC)I never did lose my heart to electrics, I'm an acoustic soul all the way.
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