- matching content to interests. I took classical guitar, my guitar teacher realized I was really into blues (way into very capable rock guitar), so I learned classical for the theory and enjoyment of pieces e2e, and blues for a significantly growing interest as a “rock kid.” The more solid electric guitar I learned, the more I realized the classical background was making me good, and it played back and forth like that and I took music lessons until I went to college.
- I think bands are a big part of why kids stick with music. The happiest times in my life growing up were the 2 hr jams after school. Option to find bar bands is what keeps me playing as an adult as well. I don’t know if high school bands are still out there with all the tech now? Def curious.
It all paid off - I landed in tech somewhat bc DS&A and OOD == music scales and chord progressions, programming == creativity with known safe bounds like like in music. And I can find bands to play with until I’m old.
> The happiest times in my life growing up were the 2 hr jams after school. Option to find bar bands is what keeps me playing as an adult as well. I don’t know if high school bands are still out there with all the tech now? Def curious.
Small-group (3-5 players) playing, which I only got to do once I was sorta-OK, was the only part of school band I enjoyed. It was transcendently good. Better-than-sex good, even without an audience. And we weren't even that good at the instruments, really!
But our teachers didn't front-load that in the curriculum—I played for three or four years in junior high and high school before getting to do any of it at all—and anyone struggling in the middle or lower tiers of the class didn't get the opportunity. Some of them might have loved it and, you know, been motivated to try harder. If it'd been the main thing we did, instead of a rare activity, I'd probably have tried a lot harder, myself.
Ya it’s def interesting. Seems like folks hit on a basket of scales and chords == ready for a band at various points and somewhat randomly. Def credit my teacher with realizing I was trending one way and pushing me into the blues early.
Best thing I ever did for my musical avocation was to join a party band. Technically we sucked. But we gigged; we had fans who enjoyed our gigs; and while I had been in award-winning more classically-oriented formations, they didn't ever lead to international tours, nor did they never give the rush that an audience screaming for an encore does.
What's the difference between a squirrel and a french horn player in the back of a cab? The squirrel is probably going to a gig.
"Later in the evening as you lie awake in bed
With the echoes from the amplifiers ringin' in your head"
Yes can relate. Started with a powerchord punk band, ended with playing the Dead. First realizing a pentatonic scale can unlock the inner Jimmy Page in all of us is the step off point.
Now I can play crappy jazz in Christmas parties, whatever is regionally in fashion at bars where I live, and enjoy it all.
- matching content to interests. I took classical guitar, my guitar teacher realized I was really into blues (way into very capable rock guitar), so I learned classical for the theory and enjoyment of pieces e2e, and blues for a significantly growing interest as a “rock kid.” The more solid electric guitar I learned, the more I realized the classical background was making me good, and it played back and forth like that and I took music lessons until I went to college.
- I think bands are a big part of why kids stick with music. The happiest times in my life growing up were the 2 hr jams after school. Option to find bar bands is what keeps me playing as an adult as well. I don’t know if high school bands are still out there with all the tech now? Def curious.
It all paid off - I landed in tech somewhat bc DS&A and OOD == music scales and chord progressions, programming == creativity with known safe bounds like like in music. And I can find bands to play with until I’m old.