We’re talking about musical gear, of course. While I don’t claim to be a massive collector of vintage guitars and pedals, I have had a Gear page on this website for quite sometime. Only recently did I start thinking of adding links to songs that feature all the various pieces of gear listed there. It turned out to be a lot of fun hunting down specific examples of some of the pieces. I even had to refer to recording session notes on a few of them in order to figure out which pieces of gear were used. Why don’t you check some of them out? Click here: Gear page.
We human beings are funny. Or maybe it is just me. When I’m busy working, I often wish I had more time to play guitar and write music. But when work slows down, I seem to completely lose the desire to play.
2000 Gibson Gary Moore signature Les Paul
Maybe it has to do with priorities. Maybe it has something to do with mental stimulation. All I know is this: I’m looking for a job or at least a new consulting client – and my fretting fingers are rapidly losing their callouses.
I forced myself to pick up my Martin acoustic and strum it a bit yesterday after re-soaking the humidifier device in it. At least performing humidifier maintenance forces me to open the case and look at the guitar. That was the first time I touched any of my guitars since recording a song a month ago.
Creativity is not something that can be forced, but practice (exercise) is. It is requires discipline. That discipline seems to go right out the window when I am looking for work. I’m going to have to try harder to play a guitar at least once a week. Especially while I have plenty of time. So I will try to take a deep breath….relax…and play something! It might even help lower my blood pressure.
Not all of us are rock stars. Heck, I don’t even want to be a rock star (especially at my age). But I do need your encouragement. Knowing that somebody is out there enjoying the songs I created would be a big incentive for me to create more music. All I have to go by are play counters and comments left via social media (I don’t play live). But here’s a new way for you to offer support and encouragement – Join the Joseph R. Ellis “Encouragers Club” over on bandcamp. Here’s what you get:
3 of my most recent albums from my back catalog on bandcamp
Exclusive access to the Joseph R. Ellis fan community.
All the new music I make, streaming instantly on your mobile device via the free Bandcamp app, and also available as a high-quality download.
Exclusive access to “members-only” content (new song demos, previously unreleased tracks, etc.).
The satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting me in a sustainable way.
