by Deborah Rogers –
With the words of my wise 12-year-old in my head: “mum, don’t be nervous, we’re all beginners when we start, and your teacher will be nice,” I set off for the Peninsula Academy of Music Arts, with a borrowed guitar in hand. Of course he would know: he’s been a student at PAMA for the past four years. You might remember that for our October Arts issue last year I spent the day sculpting and painting at Cinnamon Hill Studio; this year’s challenge is more daunting for me. I haven’t ever really played an instrument. Though I do love music, I have a real fear of making a fool of myself!
I’ve been scheduled with Aaron Watson, one of PAMA’s longtime teachers. Nice doesn’t even begin to describe Aaron – a more encouraging, non-intimidating teacher would be hard to imagine. We get started right away with the basics of the instrument, how to hold it, what happens where and yes, why don’t I just try plucking and strumming some strings. Phew – the nervous energy quickly dissipates as I listen carefully to Aaron’s descriptions of how the guitar’s sound is created, and get a sense of his philosophy, which really seems to be based on an absolute passion for music, and belief that everyone can enjoy and benefit from it.
There wasn’t time for me to be self conscious either. Taking my lead from Aaron, I copied his finger movements, plucking up and down the scale. Before I knew it I was playing a basic chord, then another and then – big leap – playing them in a sequence that I could recognize as a tune! Not bad for a 30-minute lesson. Most importantly, by the time I left I really wanted to be able to play more.
Lucky for me then, that I got to go back the next night and try a group lesson in Aaron’s beginner guitar class. He had informed me that learning with a group is a great way to let go of the feeling of intimidation and just relax into it. I had my reservations again: what if everyone was better than me; what if I held them back? There was nothing to be afraid of though, as I joined a group of five other beginners on their second lesson of the block.
I quickly discovered that the benefit of the group is that everyone is concentrating so hard on their own fingers, there’s no time to look at anyone else! If anything it’s even less intimidating than a one-on-one lesson, as the learning really comes from playing along and there’s more time for that. There was a little theory on the practice room whiteboard, but mainly we played. CCCC, FFCC, CCGG, CCFF – so it wasn’t a symphony, but it was most definitely music. I felt wonderful, and wonderfully proud, being able to strum along, and hum along to a tune I recognized. How amazing it must feel to be able to play anything you want!
We often encourage our kids to try new things with the advice that it is easier to learn new skills with a young, flexible brain. But I don’t think it should put us off trying when we’re older. Why should the kids get all the fun and satisfaction?
For more information, visit www.peninsulaacademy.ca.
Photo by www.nuttycake.com.
