I remember music class in 5th grade. We were handed recorders and taught to play them in class. But something changed in 6th grade. It seemed like you needed to already know how to play an instrument and I didn't see anyone walking around with recorders. There were band try-outs and the only things to be taught were percussion instruments. I'm not a drummer.
I remember walking past the chorus room listening to the band practice the theme song from Jurassic Park. Some days I would stand there and listen and pick out the instruments that were off key or didn't seem to fit. Later on I thought "What if the song went this way..." and I would hum the revised tune to myself.
In high school, I don't remember any classes being offered to those who were beginners. Once again, band seemed like they had open spots were for percussion and maybe tuba. And then I heard Nirvana on the radio. Guitar. That's what I wanted to do. I wanted to rock.
You can't rock a tuba. (Later in life I found out that you can). School lessons for guitar? Not a chance. I got a job, stopped spending money on CDs and started saving up to buy a guitar and amp. The couple of books on how to play weren't much help. One day I did find a book on how to play the songs by Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, Third Eye Blind and Metallica and that was an eye opener. I already knew how the song went so I just needed to learn how to finger the chords and play to the rhythm. After a bit of practice, something clicks and you can feel the music. People think it's some amazing feat to teach yourself how to play an instrument. A $20 book of chords and finger positions, a $30 book of songs that were easy to play from a band I loved and time to practice. It's that easy.
Feeling the music also comes with drawbacks like busted strings, sore fingers, broken straps and worn down picks. Things that kept me working at a fast food joint so I could pay for them.
Music helped me with life in general. By learning to play guitar, it didn't better my school work. Nor did it get worse. I didn't become a slacker who stayed at home and did drugs. Playing music was an outlet for creativity and stress relief.
I remember one night I had an argument with my late uncle about something that seems trivial now. The next afternoon, I came in the door and he asked where I had been. I told him I took the bus to work, paid a bill, bought some strings and took the bus home. When he asked why I didn't knock on his door for him to give me a ride to work, I told him I didn't want to fight before a long shift. He laughed and said. "And here I thought you ran away. Then I saw the guitar on your bed so I knew you were coming back."
Today, I wonder what I could've learned if they had guitar lessons at school. Then again, it would be focused on passing or failing. I enjoyed learning and studying. Best $50 bucks for books I ever spent.
*image from Foxnews.com
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