paranoid

paranoid’s journey of learning music

Part 2

I come from a very musically inclined family.  But I was not taught much.  We couldn’t afford a piano, guitars or music lessons.

In 4th grade we played song flutes.  I learned a little about music.  When I was in the grade that we could join the band class, we had no money to even buy a used instrument.

I started working when I was 16.  A couple of years later, about 1984, I bought a Harmony bass guitar from a guy I worked with ( I thought 4 strings would be easier than 6).  I put a Peavey Basic 40 on layaway and picked up a couple of beginner bass books.  After high school graduation I purchased a Westone Dynasty bass with my graduation money that I should have used towards some sort of collage.  What an upgrade!

I never joined a band or got lessons, nor did I go to college.  I justified getting no lessons by “I can’t afford it”, “they might make me practice scales” or tell me “you are holding your bass wrong”.  Even at that I had fun learning to play some of my favorite songs.  But music was still a mystery.  After I got married I put my bass away.  All it did was annoy the hell out of everyone……………

2007……….”Guitar Hero, what a joke!  Go learn to play a real instrument!!!” is what I used to think.  Unfortunately that may be the closest some of us might get to playing in a band……….

Damn it……my sister-in-law got me hook on Guitar Hero!!!!  Then my kids got hooked.  We bought Guitar Hero II the day it came out for the Xbox 360.  Surprising to me, some songs on medium on up really reminded me of what it felt like to play my bass.

So………..out comes my 22 year old bass and amp.  I am back at it.  But I need help.  I could afford lessons, but my work schedule interferes.  What I didn’t have back in 1985 I have now………the INTERNET!!!!

I found a website that was completely amazing for learning bass guitar:  http://www.studybass.com/

I started going through that site.  I could not stop.  I would hit a plateau and could not take in any more.  Then I would go on and do that again and again.  My knowledge of music increased exponentially.  Finally I had to buy some books (see my favorite books).

I now know so much more about music, but I know I am just scratching the surface. 

I consider myself a hobbyist without a band and a beginner (by the way, this is a lonely position to be in).  I think my current level of understanding far surpasses my playing ability…….and I am just scratching the surface of music.  It is just beginning.

More to come.