Don't have any pictures to show, though mainly I've been known as a guitarist.. My first was a twelve-string acoustic (Fender) while I own an electric and semi-acoustic (both Gibsons). Recently I've picked up an electric bass (Epiphone), which I'm bound to learn..
Being a musician has followed me in a different role (as remembering when I was around seven or eight), friends and I played a little band in a their basement for the other neighborhood kids. At the time I had a knack for drums and "here & there" keyboard while one friend was vocals and guitar. Set aside the girls smiling at me from the front rows, some kid had to mention we sucked (stating "expect for the drumming"). In a rage, my friend had to hand me his guitar and bet I couldn't do any better - though as I surprisingly thrashed the intro of "Smoke On The Water" on his cheap electric, he kicked my butt straight out of the band..
Since then, got my acoustic around eleven or twelve.. following Gary Moore and Jeff Beck. Finally I bought my first electric when I was fourteen (as when I discovered Ritchie Blackmore formed Rainbow, plus taking a deep liking to UFO). At the time in the late teens, my best pal suggested to try out as a band (with the four of us - two electric guitarists, one acoustic guitarist, and a drummer). I was persistent on him being vocals since it was his ideal.. We played in the Jersey Network (where the amateurs can show off their stuff) although.. one particular song, my best pal sounded a bit too much of "Foreigner" while I stepped in as backing (hoping no one would notice) to help along. Afterwards, some "pro" said we had good style, but weak vocals.. as he stated I should take the lead and my best pal as backing.. Didn't know what to say at that point. Me vocals? Not in this lifetime.. I kind of liked our arrangement - me lead guitarist and backing vocal while my best pal back guitarist and lead vocal (can't play without one or the other buddy deal). I can remember our next gig (as I was forced lead vocal), my chest pounding and sweat dripping down my forehead.. I closed out all emotion and gave it my best, surprisingly people really liked us. Before we knew it, we soon played for almost a couple of years (here and there gigs) while I was really getting bored with singing other people's songs - I got into writing my own and they sure did go over rather well. We had seven songs of our own until we were forced to thrown in the towel due to collage and stress in personal life.
I put the guitar ever since, although finally picking it back up within the last few months.
I still practice and write lyrics, but never took the steps to take it further.. knowing me, I'm just not the type to stand in the center of the crowd.
ulaoulao said:
First thing I noticed.. the '80s thing with CDs plastered along the walls.. LOL
Zach said:
I used to play the Trumpet, was very damn good too, but I stopped due to some troubling headaches I used to get.
Now I've forgotten everything I learned
A bit back.. you mentioned a fondness playing around with the keyboard.. if I wasn't mistaken.
seymoregutz said:
here's a question....which is harder....reading music or playing it?
Probably playing it. Reading notes is pretty easy as you get the lingo (such as math or HTML coding), while working with your instrument to perfect it "as written" is much more complicated, plus takes a lot of time and practice. Most of the time when your playing in a band, those notes won't be infront of you..
Writing your own material.. on the other hand - the lyrics, the rhythms for the guitars and drums, etc. is three tasks at once. One distraction.. the whole song is ruined.
I know I had my days. A lot of paper thrown in the trash bin..