Allyson brings glitter and glam back to rock music one guitar strum at a time and shows the world that men aren't the only ones shredding those babies. Check out her salacious site, Bring Back Glam.
It's just about my one year anniversary of "playing" the bass. I use the quote marks because my playing ability is definitely questionable. When I started my lessons, I figured that in a year's time I'd be as good as any old player willing to brave a crowd of people in a bar.
Boy, was I wrong.
I started my bass experience like most of you: a cheap learner's rig with bass, amp and bag -- all for "one low price." I lived with this crappy setup for about six months, just to ensure the lessons would stick. Then I moved up to a professional bass and amp - and I must admit, the sound is still as luscious today as it was the first time I plucked a string in the guitar shop.
Now, buying a good rig doesn't equal great playing, but it does help in other ways. I had a little more self-confidence in those first lessons after I had my glorious new bass and this has helped over the long term. The issue now - as it is for everyone - is practice.
Just how do any of us find time to practice? I've practiced very little in the past six weeks and this is terrible for a beginning player. All of us need that daily 30 or 60 minutes of fret board work when we are just starting out. The guitar is an amazingly complex instrument to learn - silly me, I thought I'd be fluent by this time!
I guess it's true that guitar is either a life passion or life frustration. You either love it - or you love to hate it. Even more true is the old phrase, "those who can...teach." It's pretty clear to me now that I'll never be a teacher of guitar - no matter how much I love the instrument!
And love I do.
I've been a lover of 80s Metal ever since I saw my first Poison video way back in 1987. I was a whopping eight years old and that did it - I was hooked. My mom helped foster the passion for music, buying me records and cassettes. I had a little purple tape player that I used to carry with me everywhere. Looking back, I'm sure the sound quality was horrid but back then it was gold. I used to sit in front of my tiny bedroom television and watch the guitarists in amazement. I wanted to be one! It was sad there were not (are not!) more prominent female guitarists. I think if I had taken up bass all those years ago, I'd be pretty darn good now. Instead, a clarinet was forced in my hands - along with eight miserable years of painfully boring music lessons. I'm sure parents always want what is best for kids, but I'm not sure why the majority of adults shove "traditional" instruments at their children. After all, there's no shame in playing guitar. Sure, it can come with a dangerous lifestyle. Then again, that's all stereotype, isn't it?
It's high time more women get with the program, pick up a bass or a six string and take some lessons. I started at age 28 - but music is a lifelong thing. Here's hoping for many years of playing ahead.
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