What are your new musical pursuits for '09?

[jimk]

Are there any forumites about that just got a wild hair up they're behind and decided to do something totally different, musically speaking? Like learn to play a new instrument, or take up song writing for the first time, or start taking jazz lessons, etc? Tell us your story.

I decided to stat playing drums....as if I needed another instrument to play. But why the heck not? I might turn out to be a passable one man rock'n'roll band someday. Anyway, it's fun.

JimK

[jps]

I have been thinking of getting and learning to play the bouzouki, but I am waiting for RIC to make one.

[sloop_john_b]

World domination.

[jps]

World domination.

Been there, done that, not all that it's cracked up to be.

[kiramdear]

I want to start gigging this year. I did a lot of testing of styles and sounds and got my writing chops up to speed in 2008. As well I looked a lot at what everybody is doing and where the various types of musicians and groups are going. From all this study and a frank accounting of my own expectations and conscience I have chosen a new course. This new course is coincidentally near identical to the one I originally set out on some 39 years ago ... hmmmm ... that is, move a lot of air, let off a lot of steam, find a groove with like-minded players and circusgoers and, you know, get it going on wherever I can crank it up to 10. I want a lot more of that this year.

[jimk]

Sounds good, Kira.

I guess I should have added that I was inspired to learn to play drums because there was a blues session that died for lack of a drummer. And I thought I might be able to do that much. Hopefully, when I'm ready, we can revive those blues sessions.

JimK

[kiramdear]

Good luck with that, Jim.

[winston]

I have never been very good at playing a violin (think Jack Benny). If my wife and dogs can stand the racket, maybe this is the year?.........maybe.

[cjj]

OK, I'll bite, with a serious one.

Form a band.

Over the years, I've been in numerous bands, some fairly successful, some complete failures, some just for fun and the love of playing, the who cares if we ever get paid sort. Anyway, I've lived a lot of places and it's usually been fairly easy to hook up with people with similar interests - until now...

I guess that's what I get for deciding to move to a place that, while not quite the middle of nowhere, you KNOW it's pretty close by. So far all I've come up with is a local get together where a couple of bands "jam" playing stuff my 77 year old mom would think is ancient, with an audience that would call my mom a kid. Not that I have anything against old folks, I'm rapidly working my way towards being one, but I think if you played a Beatles tune at this venue, you'd get kicked off the stage for playing that nasty hard rock stuff!

Anyway, I've never actually started a band, always just joined one. I'd really like to put together a group that'll play some more modern tunes, no real plan on what, just fun stuff. In this area, it'll probably have to be in the lighter rock or even country realm to get any gigs.

So, that's my hope. If anyone's got any pointers on how to get something started in a barren desolate wasteland where nobody lives, let me know...

[kiramdear]

CJ that's a toughie. But even if you can find one or two fellows you will have a lot of fun if your ambitions are realistic. Patience and perserverence will serve you well. Try every form of local outreach, bulletin boards, shopping news ads, even letter-writing can make the difference. Good luck on getting things shakin'

[ajish4]

Hmmm, something must be in the air.

Well, here is my START towards my new pursuits....

PEAVEY GENERATION EXP CUSTOM ACM

From the Peavey Website....

"PEAVEY GENERATION EXP CUSTOM ACM
Leave the acoustic at home. The new Generation EXP guitars feature our exclusive ACM® Analog Acoustic Modeling circuitry that let's you play your instrument as an electric, an acoustic or blend them both together!
Features:
• Available in Sunburst, Wine Red, Purple, and Brown Sugar
• 25 1/2 inch scale • ACM® circuitry (Analog Acoustic Modeling)
• Humbucker-Humbucker
• High quality solid basswood body
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Steel plate bridge with Graph Tech™ saddles
• Dual expanding truss rod
• Binding on back and top
• Stereo Y cable included "

Cheap, yes...but it fits the bill.

I also plan on starting piano..I've had the damn thing in the house for like 12 years and did nothing but dust it.
We just had it tuned and it's ready to go, even thought it will need to be tuned again according to the tuner...being out of tune for so many years and all.....It was always put off to do the family thing. SO, now with both my kids at college age, I thought it would be a good time to start.

Wish me luck! I'm going to need it!

[kiramdear]

I have never been very good at playing a violin (think Jack Benny). If my wife and dogs can stand the racket, maybe this is the year?.........maybe.

[jimk]

This is good stuff, you guys. I wish you all the best of luck in the New Year.

JimK

[ozover50]

I have never been very good at playing a violin (think Jack Benny). If my wife and dogs can stand the racket, maybe this is the year?.........maybe.

You'll have all the neighbourhood cats peeing on your front doorstep, Brian!!

[jps]

I guess that's what I get for deciding to move to a place that, while not quite the middle of nowhere, you KNOW it's pretty close by.

Yeah, you live next door to the middle of nowhere.