Filed under: life
For the past few months I’ve had this hunger for music: Writing and playing music with other musician. I sometimes lead our house church in a few tunes when we meet, but sometimes I just can’t bring myself to do it for two reasons: One, because I can’t stand the lyrics and over-emotionalizing of too many modern day “worship” songs, and Two, I freak myself out with – of all things – anxiety. As much as I’ve played to and with very small and very large groups of people, anxiety shouldn’t be a factor. And it’s not nerves – it really is just the anxiety of putting everything together solo, leading solo, playing solo, etc.
I am at my happiest as a musician when I’m playing behind someone. The guys I look up to as musicians are all rhythm or background guys in bands, not the solosists. To this day James Hatfield’s guitar playing is what my ears are tuned to when I listen to anything from Metallica. When Kirk is soloing, I zone him out and try to figure out what James is doing behind the solo.
When I listen to the national anthem or hum along with it, it’s the bass line or harmonies that I sync with. In the car I hardly ever sing along with the melody of a song – always one of the harmonies. If a song has a second part harmony, I figure out the third part… which I must say, there are a few songs by System Of A Down, alone, that sound great with another harmony added in.
Lately the bands that I really enjoy have great rhythm personnel: Dragonforce’s guitarists have brought back the art of harmonizing solos and rhythems, and there is no bigger crunchy rhythems than those from The Showdown right now.
Anyway, playing music with a band is something I am deeply craving right now. There are limitations I have to overcome, though. I’m probably very rusty in a band setting, and I no longer have an electric guitar amp, nor a single effect, (btw – I can’t believe I just typed that sentence, and that it is 100% true) very sad. Time would be a challenge, too. But if something is important enough, a person makes time available.
I realize that there are few people that may read this blog from time to time whom might read this and think I’m talking to them or passively asking for an invite for something, but please (please!) do not think that. This is just me jotting down my thoughts.
