Musical bones – 2nd Verse
Slow forward to present day, the kids found that guitar from 1st verse and got it out of the case. “Teach us how to play Dad !?” Dad’s forgotten most of it, but a strum sounds pretty good for a while, provided I can remember how to tune the thing. Twannggg – a busted string – better replace them all. “Dad can I get a guitar ?” I bought a cheap one at the auctions for $50, but I have 5 daughters. So it goes – last Xmas I buckled, new guitar for Emily, a ukelele each for young Sophie and youngest Monica, plus I picked up a Banjo at an auction because I just love the look and the sound. But that’s as far as my Musical Teaching career goes! I’ve looked at quite a few guitar courses on the internet. There’s one particular course which looks to be just right for a born-again beginner like myself and “The New Corrs” and will make a lot of savings with several daughters wanting to learn, and we can do it in the comfort of our own home, no travel etc.
I know that my musical bones are aching to stretch themselves. A few weeks ago I went to my cousin Matt’s place in Oratia Valley, Auckland to celebrate our wives’ birthdays. His wife Catherine, and my wife Kate, share April 7th, just a ‘few’ years apart, and just so I don’t forget, it is also Tax Filing day in New Zealand !! Anyway, Matt is a gifted musician who is guitarist and singer in 3 bands (as well as a PhD in Biochemistry) but his main band is called 
Leonard, and to celebrate and as a surprise (pleasant I hope) we sang a duet for my wife, a Beatles’ number, “I Saw Her Standing There” . Matt on his lead guitar, the guy on the bass, who looked for all the world like Elvis Costello, another mate also called Matt on the second lead, and the drummer who looked like the actor Colin Farrell. I felt like I was in a celebrity band 
). Anyway we belted out this song, and apparently it sounded all right – too loud to tell probably, but it felt good, and I really envied the ‘boys’, well they’re in their early 30s, so old boys, but a lot younger than yours truly. I really wanted to hold one of those guitars and make the music while I sang the song. What a creative rush it must be. When you get up and sing and strum, something liberating happens – it’s good for the soul !!
I’m not alone in this urge – there is a huge move to ukeleles and guitars as people rediscover the fun of making their own fun, instead of watching others entertain them. This weekend is New Zealand Music Month Guitar Record Challenge, and there will be somewhere around 2000 people with their guitars, singing a Kiwi classic by Jordan Luck, called “Why Does Love Do This To Me”. Check out this video, check out the Kiwi accents ), check out the Harmony. One player is a pro, one is a beginner, spot the difference, although this beginner is also a rising tennis star. Enjoy )
PS Next time I’ll be trying out this Guitar course – subscribe to my blog and see me make a very cheap music video ), and other stuff.
Excellent, JJ! What a splendid thing to do for your wife. My partner and I did something similar for a friend’s 40th some years ago. It is such a good feeling. Good luck with the music development!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
)
( Good to hear from you Mandy, music helps any journey
Hi John,
A real good story, I enjoyed reading it! I now have my guitar course for beginners complete, just checking it over, editing and sorting out graphics for the cover etc.
It’s taken me a lot longer than expected (mainly because of other commitments) but I’m almost there now. There is a lot of audio included with the course and I’m still trying to work out the best way to deliver it. Whether to put it all on a web site or zip it up in a folder for download.
Take care and keep on strumming.
John
) and to promoting you )
(Good work John, look forward to the free copy
Hi john,
Your entries never cease to amaze me. You are simply amazing
You inspire me get my rusty musical bones greased up again …
Many Thanks,
Svenja
P.S. Hope all is well with you in Kiwi-Land
)
( thanks Svenja, you are making my day. The sun is shining here, but the warmth of your
feedback is even better
Hi John,
Great post mate, what a great thing to do for your wife, maybe if my ex wife’s birthday was on tax day we might still be married as well, mmmmmm, lol, great post and site.
Cheers
Breezie
)
( Hi Craig, thanks for dropping in, singing is good for the soul, though not necessarily for the ears
John,
You are so inspiring. Great to visit a blog and hear a song and hear more about your adventures and your family. My piano has been getting dusty after years of non use. Now I’d like to dust it off and start practicing again. Wonder how much I’ll remember?
Thanks for the post.
Ann
(Thanks Ann,always a pleasure to hear from you. How’s that dusty piano yet? Cheers John)
Hi John,
Iwas sure if that was you with the guitar or Eric Clapton, you look real cool with that guitar, take it away jj!
TTFN….Ed.
(thanks for the visit and the positive stroke John.)
Hi John
) you might want to try after I get some audio on a post, you could be better ! ciao John)
you look cool in your picture – very rock n roll
I’ve been watching the Ukele Orchestra of GB on youtube – I am always envious of musically talented people, its not an area of my life that I have ever been any good at, apart from listening and appreciating of course.
This post nearly makes me want to try, I don’t try though because I feel sorry for other people’s ears
nice post
cheers
Steve
(Thanks Steve, your musical bone must be growing
Hi John, looking good my friend. Next stop America’s got talent?
Keep up the good work.
Regards, Barry
http://easethesqueezewithauctions.com/
(Thanks 4 visiting, fellow cyberspace traveller, yeehah !!)
Great idea to give ukeleles to your daughters John. I used to love watching the old George Formby films, he made playing the ukelele seem easy.
In fact, for a long time as a kid, I believed I COULD play the ukelele! I was exposed as a fraud when my music teacher gave me a ukelele to play in front of the whole class. I made a terrible racket and everyone laughed, apart from the teacher!
John
Hi John
Sounds like your enjoying self, good blurb on the Oratia visit -whens your next trip to Akld. I too would like to learn the guitar but starting with the Piano in between my fitness training and new accounting business is limited as it is.
cheers
your favourite samoan cousin in law
Talofa Mikey, appreciate your visit, glad you enjoyed the read and hope your fitness is keeping up with the business.
Cheers, your most favourite palagi cousin-in-law. If you subscribe to my blog, I might just write another post just for you
)