Today was a turning point. Have you ever gone back and started learning the stuff you’ve been faking or avoiding for years?
It’s confession time here at Possum Holler. I vaguely understand how music works but I never learned the theory. I probably wasn’t the only dyslectic child who had a pretty good ear and a fearless imagination. By the time I started recording, pro musicians could figure out what I was doing. Playing well with others has been a challenge for me. “What key is this in? or What chord is that?” doesn’t get an answer other than “I don’t really know”
What sparked this change? My hands don’t really play guitar anymore. I had a dear friend offer to play guitar while I sang one of my tunes at Kerrville this year.
Problem: How could I teach him a guitar part seeing as how I use wild tunings and don’t know the chord names or numbers?
Solution: I got a tuner that shows the letter of the guitar note. Then I printed a picture of a piano keyboard. And found a blank sheet of guitar tab forms (they show the strings and where you put your fingers)
Progress? It’s slow but I can now say my tuning is A D A D F# A …And I’m figuring out what the chords I make up are called. Old dogs new tricks!!!
If you’ve ducked learning something… give it a try. I am.
I love this! Your spunk and determination are inspiring!
It’s great to fall into the category of “old fool”—where you are expected to try new things with glee.
OMG…would have loved to have gone to Kerr and heard you sing. You are such an amazingly talented woman. How cool to stretch out of our box and comfort zone. I’m trying to do that a wee bit myself…learning the viola and singing harmony with it while the viola plays the lead. Challenging but exciting! BIG LOVE
OMG back to you, Donna, singing harmony with the viola!! Giant kudos to you. I probably told you that one of the most haunting combinations I’ve heard was Mike Seeger (RIP) playing violin and harmonica interspersed with singing “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down”. Haunting. I’ve been trying to play guitar and banjo, but since it doesn’t work for me… I’m loving a new way to speak in music. Can’t wait to hear you and Viola.
Crow, I was always amazed by the cool chord progressions you came up with in your weird tuning. I, on the other hand, studied piano as a child, and music theory at college, so I knew all that stuff – but I’ve known other amazing musicians who didn’t know much music theory (including Drew, who plays the pedal steel, for gosh sakes, an instrument that even confounded Kelly Mulhollan when Drew loaned him one years ago).
I have recently learned that Art Kershaw, the wacky guitarist/singer/songwriter who plays with me and Drew in our bluegrass band Crooked Creek, did some shows with you years ago. I had met him at Kerrville in the 80s, I think. He has lived in nearby Flippin, Arkansas (home of the Flippin laundromat, the Flippin Church of Christ, etc., which amuses people from other places) for many years, with Pam Phillips who formerly lived in the Dallas area and often attended Uncle Calvins. Anyway, Art is a true genius and an utterly over-the-top crazy guitarist – but I wonder if he’s the one you referred to.
love, Emily
Emily,
I’d lost touch with Art Kershaw. Yes, he could play
anything
I came up with and make it SHINE. What a great addition to Crooked Creek! When he played with me at Winfield we watched people actually come running! Whew.
And I should have included you with those magical musicians since you’ve never asked me what key I’m in. And played bass on my record done in Eureka Springs at Winterwood Studios, Hearsay. You and I have swapped songs for decades, but are yet to jam.
I’m the type who’d throw up her hands and say, Fuck it, just follow me! I applaud your determination!
Jan, I like that about you, your writing, and your performances. Knowing I didn’t “really” know what I was doing, I avoided one of the true gifts of music—jamming with friends. It’s a crime to feel shame for what we don’t know. These late years for me are an experiment in fearlessness.
It’s nice to reach the point where being fearless actually feels safe. I’ve learned a lot since I quit worrying about (a) what I didn’t know and (b) probably more significantly, what others didn’t know I didn’t know but assumed that I did! I’m pretty much past being embarrassed.
Can’t wait to see you at KFF.
Oh oh me too! I feel so lucky to still be on the planet… surrounded by like souls.
Wonderful reflexions and determination to explore what you yearn for but maybe fear a little! I need that!
Oh, thank you, Mills. Fear? I’ve been terrified… and doubted my abilities. That’s what I get for listening to the naysayers. My father who taught theory and composition at University said the kindest thing to me about my music. He said that I break all of the rules he taught throughout his life… but I made it work. Adding that the rules were just made up after someone made the music work! It feels like learning through play. LOL