20
May
May
Playing the Guitar is Not Always a Happy Occasion
When you think of playing the guitar you probably have images of being on stage in front of an adoring crowd or jamming in the studio, a party or just round at someone’s place.
It’s always a happy place where everyone’s having a great party – right?
Well this Thursday I’m playing in the church for my girlfriend’s mother’s memorial service. It’s a very sad time for the family and has been since she died from cancer at the beginning of this year.
It is an honour for me to have been asked to do this even though it is also a sombre task. Music can be beautiful and moving when it’s used to express sadness and loss and I intend to put everything I have into this piece which has been specifically written by a family member who cannot attend and perform it himself.
This will be my second church performance, the first was a few years ago when I played the Cavatina (the Deer Hunter theme) at a wedding.
As if being slightly drunk wasn’t enough to contend with – I’d tuned the guitar and rehearsed with the organist before the service. Somehow when the church filled up with people it managed to de-tune my guitar. It was either the change in temperature when the church filled up with people – or the almighty was sending me a test…
Of course I didn’t realise this had happened until I played the first note for the actual performance so I had to bend the notes so that they were in tune with the organ..
I managed to do it but it’s not something I’d like to have to do again.
I can just hope that the same thing doesn’t happen this time as it is not an occasion that can be glossed over with good humour and ‘make for a good story’
Stumble it!
