With my long suffering PC now deceased, I find myself with a lot of time and no means to occupy it. Socialising? Not any more, my bank account is in danger of floating away, if anyone still remembers me that is. Music? Well why not. I now have some time to get a little much needed guitar practice.

As it turns out, I've had a chance to play a somewhat expensive guitar, one of those 'Explorer' style instruments (if that means anything to you) that is twenty five years old. I've heard it said wooden instruments mature and sound better as time goes by, which is one reason Stradivarius violins are so valuable, and it's true. The neck was a joy to handle (unlike the unwieldy effort on my own guitar) and the sound had a fine quality to it that you just don't hear very often.

Put it back, Caldrail, you can't afford it.

The thing is, materialism aside, instruments like that bewitch you. They seriously do. Music is a form of communication and with familiarity you do express yourself through these contrivances. It's like finding a better voice, a better vocal range, better lyrics, clever grammar. All of a sudden you can express yourself easier and more fluently - at least, that is, as far as your skill allows.

Pick up the old guitar, Caldrail, and practice some more.

Practice Makes Pain

When I handed my guitar to the music store for a little fettling recently, I did mention to them it would be nice to hear it played by someone else. I'm used to a certain sound through my own amplifier played with my own particular style (which is none too sophisticated, believe me!). The chap who whisked off a few rapid chords smoothly asked if I practice. Well... Not often.

"There you are then. If you practice you'll get better." Said the young whippersnapper who risked a stern response. But he was right, I don't practice enough, and that was always a bugbear in my drumming days. So I'll while away some hours today happily pretending I know how to handle this wooden beastie in my hands, and push the boundaries of my ability just a little bit further. Ye gods my fingertips hurt....