There are stars whose light only reaches the earth long after they have fallen apart. There are people whose remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.
-The Talmud
We often lose sight at why we began pursuing music in the first place. In the music business, you can have everything going your way one moment and then have it all fall apart the next, without even being able to control the forces at play.
ie-MC Hammer
In the bad times, it can be hard to really be positive, but focusing on what led you to pick up the guitar in the first place or learn that Jimi Hendrix solo can help you to cleanse your mind of the negativity and realign your life purpose.
I will always remember when my Dad played Voodoo Child on his stereo system for me when I was a little boy. That intro pretty much sucked me in. What was that sound? How did Jimi make that effect. I had already begun learning guitar (thanks to being inspired by my Dad as well as his extensive album collection of all sorts of different music) but this song will always stand out to me as the one that really ignited my curiosity about what it is that makes the great guitar players great. How do they sound so unique and original compared to other really good guitar players?
Jimi was a true innovator and still is one of my guitar heroes. Thanks for everything you have done for guitar!
Lord knows I'm a Voodoo Child
What is one moment in your guitar and music career that has really left its mark on you? Something that you will always remember that has inspired your musical journey.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Joe Walker // May 26, 2009 at 10:58 am
I had a similar moment after I had been playing for a few months. I was 15, and my dad and I listened to SRV’s Texas Flood album together one evening. I brought that CD in to my guitar teacher every week after that.
2 Doctor Oakroot // May 26, 2009 at 7:16 pm
For me it was going to a concert by Elizabeth Cotten when I was 12 or so. She must have been 75 then. She was sitting all alone in the middle of a basketball court (at Duke U). The stadium was full, but you could hear a pin drop.
I had been playing ukulele for 9 years then (according to my Mom - I don’t remember starting that early) and guitar for a couple of years. That concert opened a whole new world.
3 Seadaymon // May 27, 2009 at 3:34 am
for me, it was hearing “Without Warning” by Dokken. I know, it’s hair metal, and lame, but hearing all of those layers pieced together one at a time helped me understand that a guitar could be more than just power chords.
Oh, around the same time, my neighbor gave me a copy of Van Halen I on vinyl.
nuff said.
4 Ron Zabrocki // May 27, 2009 at 8:12 am
So many! Hearing Clapton play crossroads for the 1st time….made me quit for a month. Hearing Jimi play Hear My Train A Coming (electric version) made me quit for 2 months! Seeing James Burton play with Elvis…most people wanted to be Elvis..I wanted to be his guitarist! And I don’t even want to mention the therapy I needed after hearing Van Halen Eruption and that whole 1st album!
Ron
5 jimmy mac // May 27, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Like my hero Ron Z there are so many to choose from- performances : Seeing Jeff Beck for the first time! Playing in public at 15 and working continuously on the guitar and violin. The first Classical Recital I gave as a very young dude and that feeling of ” holy shit ” what just happened ? Having Bucky Pizzarelli come up to me and say ” kid after that performance you should look like you had a great time not like you survived a car wreck …smile for your audience” Wise man Mr P and an awesome player. Shawn Lane , man , was he amazing or is it me ? Oh yeah , and that gig you couldn’t wait to play and then wished you never had..that makes you think!
-j
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