Anyone who says playing guitar is easy is trying to sell something or has been playing for years. 🤣 It is an instrument no one ever masters. Some master one style of music or playing, but few can do it all well. That is the beauty of it. You never run out of things to learn. I have been playing for 51 years and never get tired of it.
Very interesting, Mark. I've been learning to play the alto sax, and people here keep asking me to record a demo. Every time I try, I fluff it, even if I've played the tune a dozen times perfectly. I actually wrote about that here, in a jokey way: https://terryfreedman.substack.com/i/142061895/the-johnny-sax-column
Maybe I'll just record something and post it warts and all too. I've only listened to your Black Orpheus so far, and although I'm pretty musical I didn't detect ANY warts. Cheers
Thanks, Terry. Red light (recording) syndrome. It is common. When you know you are recording, nerves kick in, and it leads to mistakes. It also happens to my guitar students all the time. They say, "I played this perfectly at home." I tell them, "You never play as well as you do when no one is listening." 🤣 Such is making music.
I enjoyed your "cool cat" jive. Especially the "The shape in a drape." 🤣
Cheers Mark. That's exactly what the sax tutor said. I messed up, and said I had played perfectly at home, and his response was "always". Shape in a drape: 🤣
I enjoyed all of them. It makes me feel as if I was sitting somewhere enjoying a refreshment with good company.
Aw. Thank you, Pennie. 🤓
My pleasure
I second that on your version of 'Valentine.' This is now my favorite version of one of my favorite songs. Simple and beautiful!
Thanks again, amigo. 🤓
Your rendition of 'Day in the Life...' is exquisitely tender.
I'm in awe. I've played the melody - one note at a time, but what you did here is amazing.
Thank you, John. I really appreciate it. Only guitar players know how hard it is.
Bob Richter would be proud of all you've done and become on the guitar, just as I am. Love you
Thanks, Mom. Love you. 🤓
Love you too son
I'll pass on your article to my son, he will love it.
Thank you, Colin. 🤓
Thanks for sharing these, Mark.
I tried my hand at playing the guitar for many years. The running joke in my house is that I'm pretty good for someone who cannot play chords.
I respect anyone who can put together a respectable rendition of a song on the guitar. I'm told it's easy to play and difficult to play well.
Anyone who says playing guitar is easy is trying to sell something or has been playing for years. 🤣 It is an instrument no one ever masters. Some master one style of music or playing, but few can do it all well. That is the beauty of it. You never run out of things to learn. I have been playing for 51 years and never get tired of it.
Thanks, John.
Beautiful work, Mark. I really enjoyed all of the different arrangements!
Thank you, Justin. 🤓
Enjoyed them all Mark. I imagine it’s a lot of work to arrange these on your own but they all sound beautiful.
Thank you, Jim. It is more the memorizing them that is work. 🤣
I liked it, but I'm partially tone deaf (not badly, more like someone for whom magenta/maroon/burnt orange are all "red"), so there's that.
Listening doesn’t require any musical ability. I am glad you enjoyed them.
Very cool! I had no idea that's what they were called.
It is guitar player lingo. 🤓
Thanks, T.
Very interesting, Mark. I've been learning to play the alto sax, and people here keep asking me to record a demo. Every time I try, I fluff it, even if I've played the tune a dozen times perfectly. I actually wrote about that here, in a jokey way: https://terryfreedman.substack.com/i/142061895/the-johnny-sax-column
Maybe I'll just record something and post it warts and all too. I've only listened to your Black Orpheus so far, and although I'm pretty musical I didn't detect ANY warts. Cheers
Thanks, Terry. Red light (recording) syndrome. It is common. When you know you are recording, nerves kick in, and it leads to mistakes. It also happens to my guitar students all the time. They say, "I played this perfectly at home." I tell them, "You never play as well as you do when no one is listening." 🤣 Such is making music.
I enjoyed your "cool cat" jive. Especially the "The shape in a drape." 🤣
Cheers Mark. That's exactly what the sax tutor said. I messed up, and said I had played perfectly at home, and his response was "always". Shape in a drape: 🤣