COLUMN
SIMO SAYS JD Simo
Hello and welcome to my first column! I am very rather than a conduit. As we delve into our doesn’t like what we do because we were only
honored to be asked to do this and excited heroes and learn the instrument, often we tend doing someone else’s thing. Again, this is some
to share some of my insight and esoteric to assume the identity of the ones we admire. deep stuff… stuff that has taken years and
observations with you. In general, my aim for Some of that is totally normal and fun. We buy years of examining myself to confront and try
this is for every column to be different. A living, the same gear, we mimic their sound, we might to understand.
breathing improvisation, if you will. I plan to even buy similar clothes. Over time, however it cover a multitude of topics - from quirky road can stunt our growth. The root of the problem The true greats all have the ability to be
stories to more instructional based content, is that our underlying need to be vulnerable completely open and vulnerable. It’s what
and all points in between. Wherever the muse through music is often met with fear. draws you in. It’s compelling. It’s what makes
them seem so confident and cool. They’re
takes me!
When we perform, whether original music or secure enough in themselves to let you, the
For this first foray into column writing I’d like to covers, we open ourselves up to be judged listener, see them at their most naked. Whether
tackle a fundamental topic when it comes to by others. The same can be said if we make it is Neil Young playing “Old Man”, Jimi Hendrix
music: vulnerability. If you are like me, just the albums or record music for others to enjoy. playing “Machine Gun”, or John Lennon playing
word makes me recoil a tad. I think universally No one is immune from reactions of insecurity, “Mother” …they’ve lifted the veil and let you in.
we are all drawn to the guitar (or any instrument given the very nature of others critiquing your It’s the universal cool. However, it is probably
really) subconsciously because it offers us work. Seriously folks, no one! No matter how the hardest thing to do. To actually delve deep
a unique identity. We are drawn to the visual successful or famous. We are all human and it inside, accept what you find there, and then let
of a confident, axe-wielding demi-god whom bothers everyone. Take some solace in that for others see it is a lot to take on. To me it makes
we think has anything and everything that we a minute. Given that the element of judgement the great ones all the more special!
want for ourselves. We all, of course, want to is omnipresent, it’s often easier for us to not to be liked, and we all seek approval or the need let go of our alter egos or “shield” and let our All I can say in closing is that music at its best is
to feel accepted or “cool”. The problem is, it is true music self show. When using music as a channeled, not thought. There is a trust involved
far too easy to use our instrument as a shield shield, deep down it is not as hurtful if someone where you can take what you’ve practiced and
trust it and yourself enough to let it “happen”.
I urge you to dig deep within yourself and try
to see what is really there. We all are different,
yet the same. Everything you have in you is in
some way relatable to everyone else. Next time
you play a gig, push yourself to go beyond what
is comfortable and try to not be so concerned
with being cool. Just be cool by being yourself.
For you are the only YOU there is. Know that
the “shield” is unnecessary. There is nothing
that can hurt you, and the guitar is there for you
to express THROUGH, not to hide behind. Your
guitar is your best friend who can express for
you whatever you want it to - from a whisper to
a scream. Let it do its job and open yourself up
to let out what is already there and waiting to be
tapped. You won’t regret it.
Much love and peace.
JD
30
May Jun 2017
CollectibleGuitar.com