by P. Brisdaine

Created on: November 17, 2008   Last Updated: January 04, 2009

New musicians, read this article for an inside look at three decades of my musical ventures. You will learn very important tips.

I am a musician of 35 years. I remember my first song that I learned on guitar like it was yesterday. I remember playing it and playing it and playing it time and time again. The song was, "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple. I learned by ear. None of my family were musicians. So, I began plucking the bass root notes on the low "E" string. I played that over and over for hours. You might ask what the importance is of playing one song over and over again. Specifically, for beginning musicians it equates to efficiency and confidence. Nothing more. The song they are playing may get old to some. But to that beginning guitarist, it's all relative to that rock star image they have of themselves in their near future. They have to first become self-confident.

I was fortunate. My older brother, of five years, eventually hung out with friends who would jam together. He soon felt left out and already loved music and had saved and purchased every cool rock album being released. He decided to sit in with them on the drums one day when someone didn't show up on time. His ability to keep a beat was immediately evident. He learned his drum swagger and stride early and quickly. He became a confident drummer. Being ever-competitive with himself, he went on to watch and apply himself at not only drums but also bass guitar, and eventually onto rhythm guitar. To this day he is proficient at several instruments. He's quite a natural in a variety of arts and I envy him for his guitar collection. But I still say I'm better looking. (wink)

With him being confident in these instruments during his learning phases, he began hosting jams. A few of his friends who had instruments would come to our house in our basement. Ultimately, it became a project. It became an entity of its own. They were, finally, "A band." Eventually, his rock band would showcase full stack amplifiers, double kick bass drums, a lighting system that required a tow trailer generator, a sound system with over 48 channels and three total sound boards. Not to mention tens of thousands of dollars in instruments. Yes, my brother is none other than,....

Let's stop there. We're getting off track. Fact is, there are a number of first songs that can be learned with ease for new guitarists and I might suggest. My obvious choice was "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple. It was a song I would hear often in

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