The weekend before last I finally acquired a Fender Telecaster and a Line6 GuitarPort to begin exploring a far too neglected hobby of mine once again. Teddy told me remembering it all and getting back into things would be easier than I thought, and as usual when guitars are involved he’s right. So, there’s just a little bump I need to sort out and I’ll be on my way:

My tutelage was on a song-by-song basis, and covered very little practical knowledge on what the fretboard’s all about and how I could improvise or work my way around on my own. So, while I knew how to play a good selection of songs competently, I needed Teddy or tablature to learn new ones. More often than not, Teddy, as even reading tab things went over my head. So, I’ve started studying scales, chords, and theory and with any luck I’ll be able to solo and actually play lead confidently in the future.

Once I’ve moved on a little from human click-track to guitarist, the question that swirls around in my head (especially when I read about effects pedals and the other wild Line6 stuff out there) is what to actually do. Learning a library of songs sounds good, but that’s just a super-advanced version of Guitar Hero which will probably grow stale after a while. The other thought is write, but it remains to be seen what would come out of my head. I’ve been warned my first many songs will be subconscious plagiarism, but I think I’d like to explore my ideas. Even if no one but family and friends hear it, I think I could get a lot of mileage out of creating my own riffs and ideas.

Either way, I don’t expect the process to be fast, easy or anything other than mentally rewarding. The guys have often pointed out an obvious regret when the band stopped playing, and now that I’m jamming alone again, I see what they meant.

Akismet is starting to let a lot of shit through, so until further notice I’ve reinstated Comment Moderation.

I’m still around and still thinking about the bLog. With all the leftover money from the guitar purchase I’ll be getting a digicam at long last so I can brighten it up a bit.

Otherwise, between learning scales and levelling on The Burning Crusade I haven’t put enough time aside for ranting over here. There’s plenty of cynicism coming, though; I assure you.

Especially when I seem to be constantly surrounded by petty drama-queens.

It’s fun. A great time for anyone who’s ever air-guitared.

This was my first weekend as a Monday to Friday working stiff. Feels funny. Tingly, even.