Wow Tomco! You even came here too plus the likes and subscribe at YouTube, thanks! That's a real compliment as you really know public performance on a pro level playing around LA and a lot of areas! Your rendition of "California Dreamin'" I mean you have your own style, your own fingerprint! I could tell you played pro level and you've got better things to do than listen to wannabe me ha! You might be thinking of someone else about Nick Cave. I've never heard of him. I'll have to look him up and see his technique of playing too. I played at home all of my life until I moved to The Cities and started going to open mics not to play but to listen. After a couple years of that I got brave and started to play and was shocked people were liking my music! I have poor numbers on YouTube after 1.5 years and it's my test to see if I catch on or not, part of my Bucket List. I got so down and out I didn't touch my guitar for 10 weeks! I just started playing again yesterday and today and was shocked as it's almost as though I hadn't missed but a week or so, not 10 weeks! Maybe it's some dexterity from playing guitar, banjo, piano, autoharp and tin whistle where you're using your fingers rapidly... must have something to do with it, hearing the notes and moving your fingers in a way that brings out the notes you're relating to in my mind and expressing out in hopefully a connected way, something like that. My guitar instructor when I was 11 yrs old didn't like strumming so I learned finger picking patterns from the start. It is depressing because I used to sound better years ago and my voice was clearer but again always played at home, didn't believe in myself.
Hi Mike I actually first saw you here via this thread which led me to your youtube channel.
I saw Chili's post and he's right you do sound a lot more like Nick Drake than Nick Cave. Both cool performers in their own right.
I started playing keys at 16 and it was by ear and it was rock. I'd just play in front of friends, then parties where there was a piano. It was fun to throw it out there even though it was rough n raw. The rest is misery
You mentioned taking 10 weeks off.....Yes playing an instrument is like riding a bike kind of sort of.
As I mentioned you have a musical spirit that can't be learned or taught. You have it or you don't.
For us that are connected playing produces endorphins that are akin to "getting high". I am an addict in this respect and have no shame. In of itself it is awesome...having a few people sitting around digging what you are doing takes it to another level, a few hundred even better, thousands oh hell yeah!
Take the ego out of it and just the magical energy that occurs when the stars are aligned Money baby!
So I just signed up for chatgtp and I asked it to write a story about how being musically gifted is not something to be pompous about but rather how important it is for those of us that have the gift to use, develop and share it with others...Craziness here's the story it wrote...
Once upon a time in a small, picturesque town, there lived a young boy named Oliver who possessed an extraordinary gift. From a very tender age, he exhibited an unparalleled talent for music. His fingers danced effortlessly on the piano keys, his voice could move the hearts of anyone who heard it, and his compositions were nothing short of magical. People from neighboring towns came to witness his performances, and soon, Oliver became the talk of the region.
As the years went by, Oliver's musical prowess only grew stronger. He could have easily let his talent inflate his ego and become a source of pride. However, he was raised by wise and humble parents who taught him a valuable lesson about his gift: "Talent is a privilege, not an entitlement."
Oliver took these words to heart. Instead of basking in the adoration and attention he received, he dedicated himself to honing his skills. He knew that being musically gifted was not about boasting or being pompous but rather about using it to bring joy and inspiration to others.
One summer, a traveling circus visited Oliver's town. Among the performers was a young girl named Lily. She had a passion for the violin but had never received any formal training. Lily's dream was to become a musician, and she had heard about Oliver's talent.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the town square, Oliver approached Lily and offered to teach her the violin. He saw the spark in her eyes and recognized the same love for music that had driven him since childhood.
For months, Oliver patiently guided Lily, sharing his knowledge and nurturing her talent. He helped her discover her unique musical voice, just as he had found his own. The town watched in awe as the young girl transformed from a novice to a skilled violinist under Oliver's tutelage.
When the next summer came around, the traveling circus returned to town. This time, Lily was not just a spectator; she was a featured performer. Her mesmerizing violin melodies enchanted the audience, filling their hearts with joy and leaving them in awe of her talent.
Oliver stood in the crowd, beaming with pride, not for himself, but for the young girl he had helped nurture into a remarkable musician. He had understood that the true essence of being musically gifted was not in the notes one could play or the applause one could receive, but in the ability to inspire, uplift, and share the beauty of music with others.
From that day forward, Oliver continued to use his gift not as a source of pride, but as a means to bring harmony and happiness into the lives of those around him. He knew that sharing his talent and helping others discover their own was the most precious melody he could ever create. And so, in his humble town, the importance of humility and the power of sharing one's gifts became a timeless lesson for all to learn.
It was almost 7 PM ..Oh Shit I'm in trouble 