On Guitars, and the Learning Process (Plus Recording Plans)

My Gibson and the music from class...

One of the plans I laid out for this year was to take a guitar class and brush up on the correct way to play guitar.  I am largely self-taught and, as such, I have never learned some of the very basic techniques of guitar technique, and I do a lot of things "wrong".

I put "wrong" in parentheses because, if you play an instrument in a manner that you enjoy, and that other people enjoy hearing, then you are not playing "wrong".  But, if you learn the standard, or "right" way to play it might well open up more avenues for expression.  Opening up those avenues was my immediate goal in taking the class.

I just finished the 8-week class at the end of last month and, while I already knew a good deal of the technique covered at the "Guitar 2-A" class level, I also learned a number of things.   Unfortunately, one of the things I learned is that, just like in the past, I still hate going to school.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I enjoyed myself during class, each week.   And, I enjoyed learning and being challenged by new knowledge.  I just hated the physical aspect of having to show up, every week, for an hour in order to do this learning.  So, I don't think I'll be taking any more of the group classes in the near future.

What I hope to do is take some private lessons, on a monthly basis (if I can find a teacher I can afford).  I would happily pay a bit more per hour than the classes cost so that I wouldn't be wasting part of the time sitting through instruction on something I already know.  Kinda like paying more for boneless meat at the store...

Next on the agenda is to put together a song list to record.  I have quite a few songs which I've written through the years which have either never been recorded, or else have been recorded badly.  And, I want to get them put down in a listenable form, on modern media.  I'm also working on a few new songs, as well, which I think will be worthy of this project.

I may have access to a recording studio, at Metro State, through my buddy Mark.  He is an alum, and knows some of the people in the music department well enough that he hopes to be able to get us some time either for free, or for cheap.

Fingers crossed.
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