Welcome to a new Monday post with 3 random thoughts on all things guitar, music, and life, including thoughts on Strange Band Dynamics, a podcast milestone, and ups and downs.  

#1 – Ups and downs

The journey of learning guitar is very much like life in some ways.

There will be the inevitable ups and downs and times when it seems the universe is testing us.

This past week or so has had multiple ups and downs for me.

Nothing overly major but a few things in my life that could easily have got me down.

On the flipside, there has been some great stuff and a lot to be grateful for.

I’ve booked a little holiday for me, Archie, and my family in a few weeks, I finally got the rest of the new strumming course filmed, and there have been plenty of new students enrolling in my courses.

I am grateful for all those things.

It’s like the guitar – there will be days where everything “clicks” and you feel you’ve “cracked the code” so to speak.

…And other days when your fingers trip up over themselves.

It’s frustrating, but it’s natural and the key thing is…

To keep positive and keep smiling when things don’t go so well.

…And get back to it the next day because each day is a new day to make progress!

#2 – Strange band dynamics

I was reading a cool interview with Led Zeppelin singer, Robert Plant, the other day.

Robert was talking about the dynamics of the band.

…And how Jimmy Page went to check out his singing before he joined Led Zeppelin.

Jimmy was stunned by Robert’s vocals, but he assumed there was something wrong with him.

Purely because he was bamboozled as to why Robert wasn’t a star yet.

…But they sat down and got on like a house on fire.

Robert and his friend and drummer, John Bonham, joined the band.

…And then the final piece of the puzzle was the great John Paul Jones joining on bass and keyboards.

Robert made me laugh when he talked about how working with John Paul Jones was tough.

Not because they didn’t get on – but because of the occasional communication breakdown (see what I did there).

Plant said:

“It was always difficult to collaborate with Jonesy because he never listened to the lyrics. I used to talk about a song, and he would say: ‘Now, which song would that be?’

I’d go: ‘You know, the one on Presence.’ And he’d say: ‘I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with the titles, what key was it in?’

I’d sigh and say: ‘I haven’t a clue, Jonesy.’”

It’s funny really, especially that last bit.

Some musicians communicate on totally different levels.

Sometimes you’ll mention some theory and the person won’t have a clue.

Anyway, it’s a cool little story about the dynamics of one of my all-time favourite bands.

#3 – Celebrating a milestone

The other day I realised it has been over a year since the Acoustic Asylum podcast was born.

If you don’t know, this is my podcast where there is an eternal battle between us guitarists and The Gatekeeper.

The Gatekeeper is the malevolent creature who was once human and who roams the halls of the Acoustic Asylum.

His aim is to lock up all the frustrated guitarists of the world and let them rot inside the asylum along with their dreams of playing guitar.

Well, it’s a little bit tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun.

I love doing these podcasts and try to make them as fun and practical as possible.

…And as it’s the one-year anniversary, I’ve got something fun for you.

(Technically, the actual anniversary was recently, but we are on episode 52 which marks a year’s worth of weekly episodes)

If you like the podcast, please do leave it a review because…

…This week I’m picking three people at random who leave the podcast a review and I’ll post my 13 Ways to Escape the Acoustic Asylum paperback book as a prize.

The book is full of fun stuff, including key lessons and songs for you to learn (and the paperback is not available anywhere else).

Once you’ve left the review, you need to email me and let me know – that way I can put you in the draw.

You can check out the latest episodes below…

Listen to the Acoustic Asylum on Apple Podcasts

Or you can listen on other devices HERE.

Have a great week, keep enjoying your playing, and thanks for reading!

Dan Thorpe

Guitar Domination

P.S. This post was originally taken from Dan Thorpe’s private email list. To get blog posts like this sent to you which are full of great tips to make fingerpicking, strumming, and learning guitar more enjoyable (especially if you are over 40) join Dan’s list. It’s 100% free, HERE.

The post 3 Random Thoughts This Monday (Ups and Downs, Strange Band Dynamics, and a Milestone) appeared first on Guitar Domination.