March 31, 2008

The Power Of Music

I’m a fingerstyle guitar enthusiast! So much so that I volunteer to write the Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar weekly newsletter. I’ll post my articles here for your musical pleasure. Be sure to check us out online at http://www.torontofingerstyleguitar.com.

I’ve got a confession to make: I missed last week’s Pickin’ Party. I know, I know… after all my rambling on about inspiration, I go and miss the night. But it’s not my fault. Honest! It’s Chet’s fault.

You see, last Tuesday I had to take a trip on the TTC. My favourite travelling companion is my iPod. Yup, I’m the gal who bops silently to my own beat on the bus. Just as I got off the bus, “I’m Your Greatest Fan” hit the rotation and I skipped all the way home. It was then that I realized that we were just weeks away from the TFGA Chet Atkins tribute so I scrolled through to the Chet Atkins directory and got lost in the music.

Before I knew it, it was 9:00 PM. Now the Picking Party still would have been going strong at that point but I opted to stay home and practice the Chet piece I’ve been working on. So I missed the Pickin’ fun.

Have you ever had that happen to you? Have you ever gotten so involved in a fantastic album or practice session and totally lost track of time? It happens to me - regularly!

You may not know this about me, but I live for music. There’s usually some kind of music on in my home at all times, whether it’s one of the CDs from my collection, my trusty iPod (which makes the trek to the gym and the grocery store with me to keep me company), streaming online audio (check out A-Net Radio at http://www.anetstation.com/ for 24-hour Fingerstyle Guitar), or live guitar being played, music fills my life.

I live for music because I believe music has the power to transform. Beyond the sheer physical power of sound, music has the power to move us. When we listen to or play music ourselves, we often respond emotionally. I’m sure any music lover has been brought to tears by a passage of music or been lifted out of the blues by a “happy song”.

We turn to music for many of the celebrations and rituals in our lives. Births, deaths, weddings, holidays - all feature music. Whom among us doesn’t know the words to Happy Birthday in at least one other language than English? Or can sing a gazillion Christmas Carols by heart? Maybe we’ve even played a gospel on the guitar. And I’m sure that many TFGA pro members have played Pachelbel’s Canon in D at a Wedding or two.

Anyone with a love for music knows that music has the power to affect us emotionally and spiritually. Music can also affect us on an intellecutal level as music also has the power to stimulate your mind, boost imagination and creativity, and help with concentration.

But last week, music conspired to make me forget a standing date with the TFGA. The good news is I spent it with Chet. The even better news is that I’m now counting sleeps until the 4th Annual Tribute to Chet Atkins night because I’m sure it will a night that will transform and uplift everyone involved.

See you there!