Archive for March 16th, 2010
It is not uncommon to see the world’s biggest rock stars on stage with five or six electric guitars, but it is important to remember that most of these musicians came from modest beginnings, strumming cheap electric guitars in the garage with their friends. In this day and age, many young musicians assume that the equipment is essential in becoming an adept musician. But in actuality, the instrument is the effect, not the cause.
There are dozens of stories of musicians rising from mediocrity with rudimentary instruments and little training. Jimi Hendrix, for example, grew up practicing his chords on a broom. And other famed musicians, such as Kurt Cobain, rose to stardom playing used and battered instruments.
Many adults and kids today have no hobbies, they either play video games all day or watch TV all the time. Have you ever thought about playing guitar for a hobby?
I started playing bass guitar as a teenager, I have been paid to play but now I play just for the enjoyment of it. My inspiration was the great sound that came out of the British invasion. I was not alone, many others got themselves an electric guitar and a guitar amplifier and learned how to play.
For me it was the bass playing of Paul McCartney of The Beatles that inspired me to play, for some it was that great guitar sound of Eric Clapton, or the sound of The Who, or another of the bands of the day that inspired them.
Today is no different, find a musician you really like and try to emulate them, let them be your inspiration to play that bass or electric guitar.