I’m an evolutionist

I decided today that I need to evolve.  Here’s the story behind the decision.

On January 25th, I’ll be leading a worship band in playing at my church.  The topic of the day is not necessarily a “feel good” one, so we’ve decided to jump in with both feet.  The music will be heavier and darker and full-on rock.

I play an acoustic guitar, exclusively.  It’s a Taylor 510, and I completely love it.  Lately, however, I’ve had this hunger deep in my gut to really rock.  I mean REALLY rock.  Not just play acoustic in a band with other guys who are really rockin’.  I need to make some noise.  Some grungy, distorted noise.

I don’t know where this hunger is coming from, and I don’t know where it’s going (kind of like James Taylor in the bridge of Country Road), but what I DO know is that today I picked up my hand-me-down electric guitar.  I tuned it up and hit Google to find some chords for a couple of songs that have been stuck in my head recently.

First on the list was Weezer’s Dope Nose.  The tone at the beginning of that song is the one I most want to acheive immediately.  I found that it was much easier to play that I thought.  I’m not ready to put it down on wax, or anything, but it’s discernable and pretty good.

Second was The Pretender by the Foo Fighters.  Also surprisingly easier to play than I had feared.  I have a lot of work to do on this one to really capture the changes in feel, but the progression is simple and MAN… this song friggin’ rocks.

Anyway.  I plan/hope to keep evolving in to a more well-rounded player.  I’m also encouraged as a writer to find that several of the songs I really dig are, in fact, very simple.  There’s no need for overly complex progressions.  Appealing music is well within my grasp.  I love the idea of being able to express myself with that newly found bit of info.

Next up… more work on the power stance.