Rick's Personal Blog
2002-05-08 - 11:52 p.m.
Did I ever mention that I am an accomplished guitarist? I have nothing currently to brag about, but at one time I could play classical guitar very well. I've played in rock bands, in bars, parties etc. It wasn't until I joined the Navy, and I found myself out in the middle of the ocean with nothing to do for 12 hours a day that I took an interest in classical guitar.
It was an entirely new world to me. I discovered depths of music I didn't know existed. I was hooked. Before long I was playing Christmas Eve recitals, group and solo in front of large crowds. I was making a name for myself. I started teaching. I loved what I was doing.
Then the pressures of life began mounting. I needed to prioritize, and the guitar lost the battle. For the last 4 years I've maybe picked it up once every 2-3 months. I would walk past it daily, and I felt as if it was looking at me sadly, wondering why I had abandon it. Occassionally I would console my old friend, assuring it that I would be back, and we would again be the best of friends. Yet it still sits and collects dust.
Tonight, I broke it out, and played for 2 hours straight. It was like a family reunion. I was rather rusty at first, but it wasn't long before my fingers again found their grooves. It felt like being at home again.
I hear music differently than some. When I hear music, I don't simply hear a combination of sounds; I hear emotions. I hear a message. I hear joy. I hear sorrow.
It's as if it reaches into my soul, and pleads with me to join with it in it's song.
I love music. I always wanted to be a musician. But if you have a family, you really don't have much of a choice.
It was good to reunite with my old friend tonight. I hope I can motivate myself to make more time daily. I really do miss playing; a lot.
Later,
Rick
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