Fine Tuning

"My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am." - Joan Jett

       I picked up my first guitar about two or three years ago. Like I said in my other post, my brother influenced me to start. I'm not going to lie to you, it was torturous at first.

       The dynamics were far too complex for my tiny brain to grasp. My fingers were too stubby to complete a bar chord and I had yet to form calluses on my fingers therefore the nylon guitar strings left painful cuts on my fingertips.

       I remember staring at my brother and wondering how on earth someone could play with such ease. My strums were choppy, my wrist cramped every few seconds and I couldn't last five minutes without wanting to rip the guitar strings. Of course now, the thought of breaking my guitar strings sends frightening chills down my spine. I've had to change them far too many times and let me tell you, it sure is a hassle.

       It took me about 3 months to get the hang of the dynamics. Tony, my guitar teacher, came to my house every Tuesday afternoon and dedicated his time and patience to improve techniques. I would get frustrated at myself because, once again, my brother was approximately four months ahead of me in his guitar playing. I envied him for having such natural, raw talent. I overcame that soon after, so him and I became even bigger music freaks. 

       Knowing how to play has enriched my hearing senses. When I listen to music, I'm not only listening to the voice and mash up of random instruments in the background. I pay attention to the texture, which in music language means what is going on in the song as far as melody and harmony. I take notice of how many instruments and/or voices are playing different things; it has my mind racing a million miles per second but it gives me a strange sense of ease add comfort.

       My brother and I have transformed our living room into our personal music studio. It consists of electric drums, bongos, five guitars (one electric, one electric acoustic, two classical), a ukulele, a harmonica, and a piano. That room has now become our favorite, most comforting spot in the entire house. It's a place for our family and friends to connect and share this raw passion that radiates from us two as we play while the rich, melodic timber coming from the combination of strums fill our ears.

       I am going to add one more quote to this post. I chose this particular one because the truth that lies within these few sentences is enough to prove that two people can share the same passion even if it is told or received in a different way. 

       "Let me explain something about guitar playing. Everyone's got their own character, and that's the thing that's amazed me about guitar playing since the day I first picked it up. Everyone's approach to what can come out of six strings is different from another person, but it's all valid." - Jimmy Page

Way Back When?

"The times you lived through, the people you shared those times with -- nothing brings it all to life like and old mix tape. It does a better job at storing up memories than actual brain tissue can do. Every mix tape has a story. Put them together, and they can add up the story of a life." - Rob Sheffield

       Before I begin to blog about old music and new music, rock bands and boy bands, guitars and pianos, I thought I'd start with a history lesson. Well, not exactly a lesson, just some information on where my love for music originated from. 
       My entire family sprouted from musical roots. I don't know exactly how many generations ago but what I do know is that I'm certainly not the first one. I have an incredibly long list of musicians in my family and it probably dates back to when cavemen used narrow sticks to scrape against hollow tree trunks.
       I promise I will make this quick and partially interesting. My granduncle on my mothers side was named Diogo Fleury and he didn't take ONE music lesson his entire life. He became a composer in his early 30's and wrote a several books about music theory. Both of my grandfathers were the same way- they never had one music lesson but played the piano, guitar and practically any instrument they picked up,perfectly.
       My parents are music freaks as well, I'm almost positive that's why my brother and I became so passionate towards music. We've been listening to samba and rock and roll ever since we were in the womb.
       My brother, who is three years older than I am, is the leading cause of my atypical music taste. My father always says, "If it weren't for your brother, you would be lost in the music industry." 
       We see eye to eye. If we're together then we are either listening to some tunes or horrifically belting out lyrics from any and every song we know while trying to not burst each other's eardrums. He's influenced my taste in music and helped my pick up my first guitar.
       I started playing about three years ago once I picked up on how talented he was. I assumed if he could do it then why couldn't I? I'm not going into detail about what I play because I have far too much to say about it, I'll leave it for another day. 
       The reason I picked today's quote was because music has an undeniable power to bring a society together and that's exactly why it affected my family so much. The best memories I can recall from my early childhood has some sort of musical relation. For example, I remember sitting on my friend's porch when we were about 6 while listening to a mix tape that my uncle made me. I didn't have an Ipod and YouTube was not created at that time so that one cassette tape was all we had. It was on replay for several months until we could no longer listen to the repetitive lyrics and guitar riffs. 
      Music is a form of lifestyle for my family. It has brought us all closer together and shaped me into the person that I am today.

And So It Begins...

"Some people have lives; some people have music" -John Green

       A simple introduction is what most people wish for, is it not? I could have started off by saying what this blog is going to be about or what is to be expected, but the quote sums it all up. 
       If you haven't picked up on it already, I will be blogging about all things music. If you do not happen find an interest in this topic then there is great chance that you are being deprived from all that is good in life. 
       I eat, sleep, breath and speak music. My mind and body run on music. Music, music, MUSIC! 
       You know how some people need their shot of espresso or brandy to get their day going? I'm the same way but you'll never guess what my "morning coffee" is. 
       It's not an obsession, it's my passion.  
       Get this, I go to sleep listening to music. I shower, do homework, read and eat while listening to music. As I am typing this, my Spotify radio is shuffling through my favorite tunes.
       I'm trying to share this beauty with others that aren't as privileged as I feel. This blog will let people in on my thoughts.  Now, I'm not trying to change anyone's opinion on music genres or artists, I am simply jotting down my opinions and posting them online so other people can understand my love, my life, my PASSION. 
       That's a word I use more often then not when speaking of this topic. What does it mean though? For me, passion is an uncontrollable emotion. It has the ability blind your current state of mind while your emotions take over every cell in your body. Pretty fascinating, isn't it?
       Like I said, reading this blog will be the equivalent of looking into my brain and understanding my thought process. I wish to pour my heart out and express my love towards music and I hope it comes across to whoever reads this.