An Invitation to Play

Jeff, a friend who has played electric bass in blues bands since he was in junior high, called and asked me to come over Thursday night to play guitar with him and Cesar, a drummer friend. I felt a good deal of trepidation, but I agreed. I have no idea what I’m getting into or how this will work. I’m assuming he knows songs. Will he sing? I’ll do what I can to keep up. I’m actually slightly more worried about playing rhythm than playing lead, but both could be a challenge in a live situation with music I don’t know. Jeff said we might play for an hour or two. That’s more than I’ve ever played in one day.

This inspired me to practice more yesterday and I did 90 minutes. I’d like to do that today, though in some ways it feels too late to prepare. I know what I know and will have to make do with that. As my teacher often says, “it’s not what you know, it’s what you can do with what you know.” He has also said something to the effect that it’s not the notes (the technical skill), it’s the feeling in the notes. That’s what I’ll have to remember: it’s about the feeling. I’ll also have to let go of my perfectionism and serve the music humbly as best I can.

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