For years I endured the “band geek” jokes. I spent time in band camp, did marching band drills in the boiling sun and freezing cold, played “The Stars and Stripes Forever” on the piccalo until I thought my head would explode. Yes, I was a band geek. I played the flute, which is useless later in life among the guitar players and cool people.
Last night, I had my revenge. My husband bought me a harmonica a few months ago, hoping it would inspire me into a spirit of “if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em” when it comes to his late night jam sessions with the boys. I’ve only picked it up a few times and was stuck with an inability to “improvise”, having played flute for so long and always having sheet music to read from. I could play a tune with no problem, but I couldn’t really “wing it”.
Well, a few songs into last nights jam session, I picked it up again. Lo and behold, some spirit entered me and I started JAMMING! We’re talking low down, dirty blues jammin’. I was dead on, and even got some “You go girl!” and “WOW!” comments. No one believed that I was just learning, and they let me play all night. It was an awesome night of fun and I’m actually looking forward to playing again. Apparently all those geeky flute playing years have transformed themselves into a hip chick that can wail on the harp. How cool is that?
My husband is putting together an acoustic show, and even asked if I would play with him sometimes.
So be nice to band geeks! A decade or two later, they may turn out to be a lot of fun to jam with!
If nothing else, you can always bop people who mock you for playing the tuba WITH the tuba . . .
As the only instrument I play is my head (I sing and play music on my head, literally) . . . improvisation is pretty easy. It isn’t necessarily music, though. However, I can most always harmonize at will. Fun stuff . . . fun stuff.
It’s so cool when you nail a song live in front of hundreds of people (and nail an improvised solo). Following that you get an standing ovation. That has got to be the BEST feeling I’ve ever had. I’m NEVER going to give up the guitar, that feeling is absolutly amazing!
Daniel,
How the heck are ya, pal? When do you get back to the thriving metropolis of Binghamton? (or are you back?)
By the way, it’s Chi-Chi’s, and I’ll never give it up! BWAHAAA!
(But I may bring my harmonica along!)
Right on, Zette! That’s just cool. I got myself a harmonica a while back but haven’t done much with it. I have it in the car so I can play while I wait at stoplights, but right now it’s so hot I have to have the windows open all the time (old car, no a/c). And I refuse to play the harmonica with the car windows open. Guess I’ll just have to wait to practice until it gets cooler.
But enough about me. That’s just great that you were jamming along with them! Nothing like playing well and surprising people.
Music is music. Learn to read music on one instrument and it becomes that much easier to pick up another one.
I took 15 years of classical piano starting at age 5. I picked up the guitar when I was in high school, and the piano lessons made learning the guitar soooooooo much easier. Now that I’m jamming with the cool kids, they occasionally ask me, “Where did you pick up all that theory, man?”
You gotta learn “Mr. Frog is Full of Hops” before you can play Van Halen, IMHO.
yep, it’s been a long time since my internet connection was reliable enough to grant me access to this MB without trying my patience … I’ve posted here and there but not enough that I’ll be celebrating any post count parties in the immediate future
Just got back this weekend; spent my time trying to get into classes relevent to my new major (not easy; there seem to be a lot of English majors here ), and moving into my new (on-campus) apartment.
And now that that’s done, I get to once again enjoy my speedy college internet connection.
any time I need to put off doing actaul homework, you’ll see me on the boards!
Nailing the tune right on, that’s cool. I mean, the standing ovation part just rocks. But me? I’ve never been able to play an instrument, I don’t have the coordination for it. However, when you get a song just right, and not to mention blow the audience away with acting, it just feels right. It doesn’t even matter if they clap or not. If you perform right, it’s all good one way or another. Oh, by the way, I was just talking about musical theater… (I spent the last 2 months at Summer Theater School)
~Dan
), and moving into my new (on-campus) apartment.