“Where’d You Go”
Arthur Brash | December 20, 2006 | 22:13Without a proper intro to this new chapter of my life, I give you a look at some of the music that opens up my heart and soul, as experienced by myself and other people that obviously share my passion.
When you’ve listened to a performer like Mike Oldfield for as long as I have, the first thing you want to learn to play on a guitar is one of his pieces. There are many to choose from – well over 20 unique albums – but none are easy to replicate. Even with the chords memorised, the absence of the high tempo, unique timing, and Mike’s method of “mouling” each note leave the piece little more than a distant shadow of the original. An Oldfield fan would recognise the piece, but someone hearing it for the first time would not get the sense of wonder that the original often evokes.
I am making efforts to look at other, more realistic musical goals. One thing I learned within hours of picking up my first, very own guitar, is that a piece of music, no matter how worn and imprinted on the mind can sound new and refreshing if you play an instrument along its side.
While I muddle my way through this new level of musical landscape, I often find inspirational pieces along the way. When I find a chord for a piece I want to try, I head over to YouTube, and look for others that have been down this pathway before me. It really helps me either get into the piece, or sit and admire someone else playing it, while I sit, watch, and shake my head thinking “this is one I’ll be watching for a while, before doing the piece justice myself”.
I leave you with a home vid of “Where’d You Go” (Fort Minor Original), played by 18 year old monkey1655. I heard this song on the radio a few times, and the emotional vocals had me hooked. The voice of the female singer and the lyrics themselves really make you feel the pain and sorrow of this piece. I wanted to learn this piece myself, but after seeing this video, I thought I’d leave it along until I have a bit more experience behind my belt.
Here’s the original. Keep this song close to your heart this Christmas.
Conratulations on the guitar. It will bring you joy forever.
Had I known I’ll be having this much fun, I’d have made the guitar a higher priority. I think I’ve got about 40 hours on it in the last week alone. Between reading theory, practicing, and experimenting, it was a “full time job” over the last week.
Now I just wish I had started sooner! I’ve seen a lot of progress in such a short time, I wonder what it’ll all look like a year from today! :D