BS: Got a major groove on!

Subject: Got a major groove on!
From: nosluap57
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 12:21 PM

I've been playing guitar since '72. Always have enjoyed sitting in my living room playing and singing along with my favorite albums/cassette tapes/CDs (a chronological progression indeed). Only recently have I ventured out seeking other musicians, as I always was unsure if I was "good enough".

So there I was last night, accompanying a friend playing Calliope House on his fiddle, counting out the measures, and making all the chord changes rather mechanically. Somewhere the second time through, instead of concentrating on my guitar, I focused on the fiddle and the melody. My guitar continued on as before, but there was an added dimension - I found myself really feeling the music, instead of simply producing it. I was no longer playing my guitar based on counting measures and making chord changes, but rather I was somehow playing on an instinctive level - I just "knew" when to do what. It really was an enthralling experience, especially when it continued through several other tunes.

I can only compare this to what is called a "runner's high", when the endorphins(?) kick in during a prolonged or intense run/jog.

Anybody else out there with a similiar experience?

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 12:30 PM

I had a real kinda Zenish, ragga thing going on a few days ago... Had my guitar, in DADGAD, capoed 5th, running thorugh my Boss ME-10 effects peddle, with a bunch of Digital Delay, Chorus, Reverb, Flange and stuff one it... Had that plugged into my sound board, and run into the "Line In" on my computer... had my stereo headphones on coming out of my computer and had it CRANKED!

It was a total self indulgent recording test, but when the fog lifted, the MP3 I'd recorded was almost 7 minutes long...

I'm pretty sure at one point, I lost all touch with time and space...

I think I kinda know now, the headspace Garnet Rogers might get into when he's playing "Night Drive"

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 01:22 PM

Yup, that's what it's about for me! All that other playing is great, but when I hit that point where it transcends reality (it seems), I know there's another force at work. Music can be magic! Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 02:15 PM

Yes - happens all the time - fun fun fun -

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: michaelr
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 08:16 PM

Athletes call it "being in the zone" - when you can do no wrong, the guitar seems to be playing itself, and you're somewhere outside of yourself, witnessing the moment. It's one of the best natural highs I know... it doesn't happen all the time, but I live for those moments.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: RichM
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 08:19 PM

The zone, yes... you get there by playing in the moment--being aware of {now}, of what the other musicians are doing, immersed in the rythmn...Great feeling isn't it?

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 08:50 PM

Nice feeling - you have to look at your fingers if you want to know what it is they are doing.

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 09:02 PM

Congrates, 57. You're now a full fledged memeber. Ain't it great to hear yourself without having to concentrate on playing, too? You have crossed the Rubicon. This is the way it will be more and more for you. Big step. Yep, congrates...

Subject: RE: BS: Got a major groove on!
From: Tweed
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 09:06 PM

I get there and it keeps me playing so I can get there again. Holy Rollers get it and call it receivin' the HolyGhost. "Primitive" folks get it an go off in the spirit world. Musicians get it and head for the "zone". There's gotta be a better name for it but I don't know what it would be. It's a neat place where you play no wrong notes and it is not possible to screw up. Almost narcotic-like but so much better than any of that.