Today was of course, one of those days. Meaning, I am at a loss due to the amount of responsibility that was thrown at me like a sandwich (inside joke, don’t ask). But I digress so, let me start over. I gave a lesson to a certain student – I will call her L. She’s 14 and an absolute beginner so I thought I would be showing her chords, shapes, strumming, simple fingerpicking, etc. Well damn. She crushed that in no time then opened her mouth to sing. What had I got myself in to? I was stunned by her tone and felt I could not mail this one in. Good Lord – what a natural! But a serious, self critic. I realized that I had a responsibility to not only teach notes and technique, but to instill belief. How am I to do that?

I drove away from that lesson wondering what the hell happened? It took me a few hours to figure out exactly what was simmering in me. And then it became clear; I feel I have a great opportunity to shape this person in to an amazing musician. I mean, she has amazing tone, pitch, and understanding without really, any practical musical knowledge except for her own idea of it. I don’t want to change that. This what we all come back to after learning all the techniques and theory anyway.

So not only am I teaching her, she is inadvertently teaching me as well. Teaching me to figure out the perfect way to teach her back. And to remember – that music is not only about notes, but more so about that ephemeral, unexplainable talent that some possess. These are the lucky ones. And I am very clear on the thought that all it takes is one good teacher, or one bad teacher to change their progress. Yes, that responsibility will not be taken lightly. Duly noted and humbled.

As I begin this journey teaching the fledgling rock stars of the world what I know, I feel inspired. Inspired in that I have to go way back to where I was at that moment when I first discovered guitar. I think I received an acoustic guitar on my 9th Christmas, accompanied by a chord book. This was possibly the most exciting gift I could imagine and maybe too large a proposition for me. I didn’t touch it more than once to actually try to figure out how to play it, but used it more as a prop when I would open the living room curtains (like a stage) and perform for anyone who would look as I mimicked to Santana, Miles Davis, and Beatles records.

When I was 13, I decided enough – time to get an electric and rock. I bought a cheap Matteo SG and knew I was ready. I took some lessons from jaded teachers that basically ate sandwich’s through my lessons as they showed me “Greensleeves” and exciting (not) stuff such as that. Very uninteresting. It was then that I met a country player who taught me Van Halen songs. A country player who plays Van Halen? That didn’t sound like a conflict of interest at all! Once I knew the intro to “Running with the Devil” and then the major parts of “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix, I knew my place in the world of guitar divine was set. This teacher who’s name eludes me, had a magnificent Fender Strat that sounded like butter.

After putting that thing in my hands, it seemed reasonable to purchase a real guitar – after all, I knew the better part of two songs, how could I be denied? I saw a 1976 Starburst Les Paul Custom (like the one the other Jimmy played) in a music store for $350, and had to have it. But I wasn’t sure if I deserved that magnificent Les Paul until I felt comfortable with my ability. Sort of a self worth thing, or possibly paying my dues. He told me to get it because I would then be inspired to earn my dues.

Long story short, choosing a teacher who not only shows you the technicalities of playing, but to believe in what I was doing as well – made all the difference. I will never forget him. But his name still eludes me.