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Outclassed and outperformed, but still had fun.

This weekend I attended a party at a friend's house themed "bring your own musical instrument." I wasn't sure about bringing my CBG since the host is a talented guitar player, so I just ate a mess of beans for lunch. Then I decided to bring my CBG in case I got performance anxiety and needed a backup instrument.

So I arrived with the family and was surprised that no one else had brought anything. Not even a set of maracas or spoons. Nada. The host immediately reached his hand out for my guitar with a big smile on his face. He plucked out a couple notes and said "OK, I can play this!" He grabbed his slide and proceeded to make some pretty nice music while I attempted to hold back my other instrument.

Next he goes into the house and brings out three guitars, hands one off to another guest and they sit down to start playing together looking for me to follow along. Ha-ha. Joke's on them. I'm a newb and have only picked out a handful of riffs by ear. So they stop and he says, "OK you go and we'll follow you." So that was fun for about three and a half seconds before I was lost again.

In all, it was a great time and he requested that I build him a CBG. He had a great time and was truly appreciative that I brought it with me. I took the frustration of my performance and sat down for the next three days to practice. . .hard. I improved a couple skills considerably and I'm happy with the result. Now I need to go squeeze in another build among the three or four I plan for myself.

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Comment by Bad Finger (Eric) on May 9, 2011 at 2:20am: Thanks HOLLOWBELLY.

Comment by HOLLOWBELLY on May 6, 2011 at 9:04am: Liked the story man.Nice one.

Comment by Bad Finger (Eric) on May 3, 2011 at 2:32am: Thanks for the encouragement guys. I posted a video with the result of my practice sessions.

Comment by Slowpaw Steve T on May 3, 2011 at 1:56am: Learning an instrument is a journey along a path on which nobody will admit to reaching a destination, learning all the way, though if you look back many would be amazed at the distance they've covered. I read somewhere that all musicians think everybody is better than they are, many stick to songs and styles they know without going far from their comfort zone.

Brave and rewarding experience ED and i bet you learned loads from that session, though build on what you know, polish up a few party pieces and you will look forward to the next opportunity!

I was invited to a similar "event" several years ago, turned up with my trusty mexican Strat and Fender amp and only one other guy had a guitar...spent the whole afternoon "entertaining" a large assembly of people going through the few bits i knew and the other guitarist knew even less than i did, and kept asking me to show him simple chords - so keep those party pieces polished! (-;