Music for the Young at Heart
August 18, 2010
It's day one of my first blog and there are so many things I have to accomplish along with my other classes. I started thinking about my senior project at the end of my sophomore year back when all the rising seniors started to freak out about their projects, ha ha! Now I am in their shoes and I have to tell you I am a little nervous, but I bet all of us seniors are! Anyway, back to the point. I knew that deep down in my heart I wanted to do something with music because its one of my greatest passions. I did not learn how to play the guitar until I was thirteen. Before then the only guitar, if you could call it that, was a little toy plastic guitar with strings. Once I joined my school's guitar club I upgraded to a Walmart guitar that was about 70 dollars. After playing that guitar for a while and showing my parents how serious I was about learning and mastering the guitar, they finally gave me the best upgrade ever--an acoustic/ electric Fender guitar. (Remember the only guitar company I knew of was the illustrious Walmart brand.) Some of you are wondering why I actually decided to include this story in my post. Well, I am very laid back and this project without humorous stories would be boring, ha ha! Now that I laid the foundation let us get down to business.
My first idea was to organize and perform a concert for charity since my friend had failed his attempt at it. Then I realized why he failed. One, it takes a lot of money to rent a stadium, as well as provide food and drinks. Two, you are relying on other people to come to practice. If you don't play perfectly, you embarrass yourself. It was not hard letting that idea die, but then I asked myself how can I play my guitar in front of people without a band behind me? So, I went to where all problems are heard and solved; I consulted my parents. My Dad and Mom suggested I play at assisted living homes for the elderly. At first my reaction was ha ha ha ha! If you do not know me, I am a metal-punk if there is such a thing. I do not play anything that is not distorted. Then I saw the serious look on my Dad's face, and he explained to me that it would be good exposure for my singing and guitar playing. After that I gave it some serious thought. The elderly are not very judgmental, unless you come in with your pants hanging around your ankles and say yo in every sentence ha ha ha. Plus it could lead me into more than just playing power chords, fast solos, and screaming. I then realized just how lonely someone could be stuck in a wheel chair all day waiting for friends or family, if they even have any. In the end, I decided to stick with this idea and learn such classics as "Take It Easy" by The Eagles and "Leyla" by Eric Clapton. I also decided to put a little bit of John Mayer in there by learning "Waiting on the world." I even dug deep into the past and learned "Stay" by Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. I really want to play an acoustic version of "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath; unfortunately, that probably will not happen.
My first idea was to organize and perform a concert for charity since my friend had failed his attempt at it. Then I realized why he failed. One, it takes a lot of money to rent a stadium, as well as provide food and drinks. Two, you are relying on other people to come to practice. If you don't play perfectly, you embarrass yourself. It was not hard letting that idea die, but then I asked myself how can I play my guitar in front of people without a band behind me? So, I went to where all problems are heard and solved; I consulted my parents. My Dad and Mom suggested I play at assisted living homes for the elderly. At first my reaction was ha ha ha ha! If you do not know me, I am a metal-punk if there is such a thing. I do not play anything that is not distorted. Then I saw the serious look on my Dad's face, and he explained to me that it would be good exposure for my singing and guitar playing. After that I gave it some serious thought. The elderly are not very judgmental, unless you come in with your pants hanging around your ankles and say yo in every sentence ha ha ha. Plus it could lead me into more than just playing power chords, fast solos, and screaming. I then realized just how lonely someone could be stuck in a wheel chair all day waiting for friends or family, if they even have any. In the end, I decided to stick with this idea and learn such classics as "Take It Easy" by The Eagles and "Leyla" by Eric Clapton. I also decided to put a little bit of John Mayer in there by learning "Waiting on the world." I even dug deep into the past and learned "Stay" by Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs. I really want to play an acoustic version of "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath; unfortunately, that probably will not happen.
Blas! I appreciate the history! It is great-shows your passion. I do STRONGLY urge you to think of learning some OLD songs- 30-40's music!! Glen Miller band and that era is more the speed I think these folks will be most interested in hearing. They will probably ASK you for that music! Check it out and plan to learn music they will really be familiar with.
ReplyDeleteYou also need to TALK to the nursing home you are hoping to work with also. They must agree for your proposal to be approved.
Blasi, your warm, humorous nature will be appreciated by the elderly.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ms.Z, the elderly do not know the artists you are speaking of. Ask your great-grandparents and their friends about their favorite music. Your grandparents are too young. Folks in nursing homes were born in the 1920s. That means they grew up listening to music from the 30s and 40s. If guitar was not used then, you need a backup plan.