Finally taking up that instrument
Newcastle-born, London-based Will Hodgkinson loves music - as a scribe his work has appeared in the likes of Mojo, Vogue, Wallpaper, The Idler, Daily Telegraph and The Guardian. But Guitar Man is far more than "just" a music book. It is the story of a man in his mid-30s dedicated, finally, to giving something new a try.
Hodgkinson, a family man prepared to absorb himself in his work and allow his long-suffering partner (referred to frequently as "NJ") to look after the kids and the house while he flits around gathering his research, having a good time, tells a tale that many people can relate to - that he chose the guitar could indeed be arbitrary, except for the fact that his passion for the instrument is palpable on every page.
So, Will Hodgkinson is a writer who loves music and loves the guitar - but he has no real facility for it, other than being able to discern a well-crafted lick when he hears one; other than being interested in a wide range of musical styles that showcase the guitar, from acoustic folk, blues and country through to amplified rock and metal. But, and the book charts this decision from inception, all of that changes when he decides to get a guitar, learn from the masters and makes a deal with himself (rather than with the devil?) that he will perform publicly within six months of his first fumbled attempts.
This "six-string odyssey", as the book is subtitled, sees the author seek advice from legendary British folkies (Bert Jansch, Davey Graham) and touring musicians (Cat Power) as well as living legends (The Byrds' Roger McGuinn, The Smiths' Johnny Marr). And of course he takes the journey to the mythical crossroads where the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson, made his own infamous deal so many years ago...
So far it's one-part autobiography, one-part travelogue - and there are some vague music-book shadings. But Guitar Man is a fascinating read - as page-turningly good as any novel; especially as Hodgkinson's deadline looms (will he really be able to play Davey Graham's spidery, beguiling melody Anji? Will his fingers dance along the frets or does he have the guitarist's equivalent of two left feet?
And there is humour at every stop - particularly in the way Will sends up his own stubborn approach. If you've ever tried to master an instrument - or any hobby? - particularly later in life, then this book will have you nodding your head along; you'll see yourself in the pages. But importantly, it's a very inspiring story with flashes of insight in to the lives of some of the guitar's most distinctive voices. Guitar Man suggests Hodgkinson to be the Bill Bryson of music books.
I read this book about four years ago - and I've kept up with Hodgkinson's work since.
But the reason I thought to mention this here is because I wondered if we have, among the readers of Blog on the Tracks, our own Guitar Men and Guitar Women?
That is to say, have you ever wished you learned an instrument early in life and decided it was too late? Or did you do something about it?
(And if you haven't checked it out - do have a read of Guitar Man; it's funny and very inspiring. Hodgkinson was 34 when he took up the guitar.)
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My main instrument is the drums <Simon, love your drum articles!!> But I can also play guitar and bass reasonably well. I can also play an assortment of percussion instruments like Djembe, Conga, Bongos, Cajon etc etc BUT one instrument I dearly wish I could play and wish I had have learnt at a young age is the Piano. A lot of people tell me it's a lot easier to compose and write songs if you know how to play the piano.
Playing in a band and playing gigs etc etc takes up a lot of my time so I doubt whether I'd be able to commit to lessons, even if my good friend is one of Wgtn's most reputable piano teachers. Hmmmm.
Oh, I dabble in the digeridoo too.
Yes, I put my hand up here. I've never had any patience to learn anything new, even though I know once I get started I'll really enjoy it. I took up singing at 24 and was insecure enough about that for the last ten years to suck at something else as well!
I'm going to hunt down a copy of the book - I hadn't heard of it - sounds excellent.
@ m.s.p - it's a great book, you'll love it. He went on to write "Song Man" where he looks at songwriters/songwriting and it's also a worthy book...and I see he's just done one looking at the lost folk songs of Britain, or some such. He's a fun/engaging/easy-to-read writer...
Sounds really cool, have been wanting to learn guitar for a while. will pick this up!
Am I right in thinking this guy had never learned to play music on any instrument before starting his odyssey? I can't imagine how that must've been; and imagine it must've been very challenging - good on ya, Will!
I've never stopped learning to play; be it my pre-school start on piano / keyboard, through guitar, bass and a bit of flute, accordian, trumpet and violin. Since I turned thirty I've added mandolin, ukelele and banjo to my abilities; and more recently I've turned my hand to trying to get my head and limbs around this drumming thing (as and when I can, as I don't own my own kit... yet).
I guess drums are my "guitar man" thing; they were an instrument when I was younger I just couldn't get my head around. But about three years ago (and I hope people understand what I mean here) I "heard" the drums properly for the first time. I began to understand how the sounds I heard were generated and how they worked, and since then I've loved exploring how to create them myself.
This book/author sounds great, especially if he's as enjoyable to read as Bill Bryson. And realistically, this is probably the closest I'll now get to learning a musical instrument.
I didn't learn one as a kid and as none of my siblings did either (I'm discounting the ubiquitous recorder here!) I assume that's down to none of us being that drawn to it, and parents not encouraging it (probably for financial reasons - instruments and lessons aren't exactly cheap).
I've had a few basic guitar lessons but quickly accepted I just wasn't prepared to put in the hours to get proficient - I guess I just didn't enjoy it enough to keep going. I'd still like to try the piano but suspect that would be the same - not to mention a way more expensive option. Being an adult now, I've developed other, stronger interests and of course I'm juggling a job and a life! If I had kids I would definitely give them the opportunity to learn a musical instrument so they can discover for themselves whether they're interested and talented. Maybe it would even inspire me to learn alongside them? But in the meantime I'm more than happy listening to music and appreciating the blood sweat and tears of the artists involved. Reading about it is the icing on the cake, since books are my biggest passion.
I've been picking up the keyboards at age 22 - does that count?
I'm learning the fiddle at 40. Takes time, though. As for the guitar, anyone who couldn't stand in front of an audience and play a recognisable song after six months should probably just take up the spoons or the triangle instead.
Well after 25 years of noodling around I finally had my first proper bass lesson last night - so maybe in a month or so I'll be able to play more than just my repertoire of new order and joy division bass lines...
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At age 39 I finally got enough "want to" to actually persist in learning to play the guitar. (I did have a brief stint with a synth in my teens - it was the '80's and that was the cool instrument - but keyboards are harder and my interest waned pretty quick). That was 3 years ago that I picked up the guitar and I have become reasonably competent, though I haven't learned any music theory. I just play my own thing on both acoustic and electric rather than learning to play other people's music. The first 6 months of learning were little more than building finger dexterity, getting some muscle memory, forming pads on my finger tips and learning chords.