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Post subject: Prescription for emotional tragedies
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:33 pm
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To make a long story short, my parents died long ago when I was a kid and my third wife, whom I loved very much, died after seven years of marriage. I was sinking deeper into depression when a friend on AZCentral said I had a creative block caused by the emotions. Therapists just said it would eventually pass. I explored my friend's advice and I discovered that if you have emotional trauma, it can help in the real world to play your favorite musical instrument that you have always wanted to try. So at the age of 50-years-old, I began practicing the electric guitar and it is a Fender Squier Standard Strat. Exact words and made in China. It's got a bar on it, perfect shape and found at a pawnshop for $150. When I saw it, the guitar spoke to me. I swear it did! I own two strats now, a bass, a processor, equalizer, and I want more. Oh man, if I could tell you what it felt like. Stevie Nicks once said there is magic all around us and it might be true because those strings pulled that pain, anguish and heartache out and my friends were astounded by my playing. I've never played a guitar before and all that pain just helps me to hold those notes longer and I'm learning the chords and the more I play, the more I want of that prescription. I don't think I can overdose on a Strat, but I should be careful. I watch music videos to see how Jimmy Page played or Neil Young and many other people as I can afford it. I'm a disabled veteran, not from gulf wars, and a widower. Man, guitars are like a magnet for pain and it absorbs the stuff and the agony drips on the floor like thick, black ooze and sustained notes fry it! There is nothing like the magic of an electric guitar for me. For others it might be another musical instrument, but for me it's an electric stratocaster. I've got two used ones and I'm hooked. I'm living again thanks to Fender.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:39 pm
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It's a bittersweet story. It is also at the heart of the blues guitarist in all of us. Keep playin till it sets your soul free....and it will.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:51 pm
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Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello Justcallmelater,

Firstly welcome to the forum.

I'm sure many of us can relate in
one way or another. Music is a
great healer and even more so
when you can create your own.

Cheers.


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Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:15 pm
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Location: Magnolia, Texas (just north of Houston)
Welcome to the Forum. Keep playing. I know the feeling you describe, gone through some troubling times myself and my guitar seemed to be the only thing that helped through those tough times as well.

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2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:07 am
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Welcome to the forum mate.
Just keep blasting the blues away.


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:09 am
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Location: Southeast Missouri.
Nothing like a good hobby to wear away the blues. And the guitar is a wonderful pastime to explore and experiment with. Now if I could only get one of the girls at my youth group to try that. :lol: :?


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:19 am
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First of all, welcome to the forums. Second, my deepest condolences on the loss of your wife.
I lost my second wife last year, quite suddenly and unexpectedly so I rather understand the emotional roller coaster and bouts of depression - hang in there.
I started playing about six months ago, sort of by accident, fulfilling a promise I had made to myself over 35 years ago. I am still absolutely no good - and probably never will be - but I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of the therapeutic value of the power of holding the instrument and channeling some of those feelings away...

You have come to a great place here on the forums. All friends here....

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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:32 am
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Beautifully put.

Love,
Todd

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Post subject: Re: Prescription for emotional tragedies
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:57 pm
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[quote="justcallmelater"]

What you describe is only understood by those herein around you. My wife will never understand the therapeutic effect of a well bent note.

The world, and everthing in it, is no further away than the window you are looking into.

Hang out with us.

"There IS magic all around you" :wink:

P.S. Don't mind Todd. We understand him :roll:

Doc

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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:36 pm
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Hey Bud, I feel the same way. A few years ago I hit the emotional bottom. I was drinking too much, to sum it up, alcohol got the best of me. I had bought an old Yamaha FG 331 when I was in college. It was in my Mom's garage heating, cooling and collecting dust in its case. Amazingly after all that time of being abused it withstood it --- a testament to Yamaha and the durability of their laminate guitars. The sound was still good. Well, I picked up guitar at that time and it has been the elixir to my pain in much the same way you experienced. I now own a Fender American Standard Strat. It is my second love after my beautiful wife. It just feels so right in my hands, just perfect. I love my quiet time (sort of) noodling away as I learn, and the thrill of getting better is like honey to me. I wish you all the best and hope you continue to progress with this wonderful hobby. Lou.


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:56 pm
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Yeah music has a psychological power... Many times when I d get home or be pissed of for something Id just grab any of my guitars and start making songs or solos and in a matter of 5 minutes my whole mood would change........ and Id become a happy guy again
:D


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 3:39 pm
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Hi justcallmelater and welcome to the forums. Sometimes, pain and suffering can get into you without the help of words. So as our way of thinking needs words to work, there is no way to take the pain out. Therefore, by using alternate ways such as music, (painting, jogging,carving, what you feel might work for you), you can reconnect with your feelings of pain and suffering and help them find their way to a peacefull resolution. Learning to play the blues has helped me put my emotional life back on its tracks in the recent years. I sincerely wish you that you find your way of healing yourself, whatever the form it will take. For me, playing guitar did the trick. Good luck. :wink:

Claude.


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:50 pm
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Hey man, great story. It started off sad, but something really good came of it.
I think the power of friends is to thank here. Have you learned Friends by Led Zeppelin? :P
Music's a powerful ally to have, bottom line.


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:06 pm
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Welcome justcallmelater. Music really does help the soul. I think it was great pain and heartache that led to the creation of the blues.


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Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:21 pm
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welcome justcallmelater, yeah go on with it. music is a healer and you are in work. music and work are good thinks to turn away bad thougths.

i wish you the best :D


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