I'm not sure how this happened, but I have some theories... I have been playing guitar for 15 years (since the time I was twelve) and I have rarely sat down to learn how to play other people's songs that I liked. When i started taking lessons from Tom Doyle (the best rhythm guitarist I have ever met), he told me that he wasn't going to be one of those teachers who just had be come in, pay my $20, and teach me how to play other people's songs. I, in my infinite 12 year old knowledge, took that to mean that it was a waste of time learning other people's stuff when I should be writing my own. Wrong. What he was saying is that there are a lot of people out there who say they are teachers but that is all they do. I get it now, but unfortunately it has taken me a while to do so. He was a great teacher and I know he was put in my life for a reason. I probably would still be playing to this day but probably not to the extent. I used to play lead over Derek and the Dominoes' Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, or anything by Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan. I never took the time to figure out why I loved a certain style or song. Now I'm going to start.
So, this blog is going to be a bit different going forward. A Clean Slate sort of takes on a different meaning now but it still fits. I am going to start learning new songs that I either think are a great song, or would be a challenge to play. Now, I have learned other people's songs in my life, I am just starting fresh with some new, and old, ones. Not all of these songs are going to be really difficult or mind blowing, I just need to start somewhere. I also may have learned these songs a while ago, but I'm going to really dive into them and figure them out for real this time.
I'm shooting for at least one per week but who knows. I will try to post a link to the song or video so you can at least hear what I'm talking about. I really just want to get better every day as a guitarist instead of being satisfied where I'm at. I know some of you that play guitar and are reading this are rolling your eyes or thinking "No, kidding, That's what you're supposed to be doing!" Give me a break! I'm still young!
If you have any suggestions or thoughts on a song you think would be cool to learn, or have learned, just let me know. I am open to ideas and just want to keep learning all different styles and riffs. Yeah! I'm excited. here goes nothin...
