something to prove, but everything to improve

I was 14 Years old, I had been playing Guitar for about 6 months, and being the cocky 14 year old I was, I thought I was Jimi Hendrix reincarnated. This was false, but not at the time for me.

A few weeks into the summer I had heard about a improvisation competition for guitarists to be able to preform and have a good time at a local music store. I thought to myself “hey, there is nothing to improvisation, better sign up to become a rock star!” so I went onto the website to apply to the competition. At the time I couldn’t decide where I was a “expert” or a “Intermediate” (I was neither, I could barely be called a beginner.) but, I decided that I wanted a “easy win” in the competition, so I put intermediate. and because each class was designed to be judged different, intermediate I would surely rock the judges socks off with my off brand guitar and a Beatles riff that I had ripped off and slightly changed for my improvisation.

After countless hours of practice, the day was here. I was headed down to a local theatre called “Angelus Theatre” to go win some prizes. as me and my parents arrive to the theatre we are greeted by familiar faces that were either hosting or participating in the event, including my old guitar teacher. as I am tuning up my guitar, and making sure to get some last minute practice in, trying to not look like I was shaking in my boots ( I was) I notice a kid similar in age and even equipment and style. After he tuned up, I learned what Improvisation was. this was not a rip off of a Beatles song, this was art. and he was in the beginner group, not even the intermediate. After watching a 13 year old Musical modern Picaso, in front of a full house, I was up on stage, staring at a crowd stiff as a board.

After the host introduces me, and says a little reminder something along the lines of ” this is a scary thing for some people and most people don’ have the Cojones to even get up here.” this was directed at the crowd more as a “get ready, he’s a beginner and over his head.” and a thumbs up to me. and my backing track started and it was time to play.

It was nerve wracking, almost humiliating at the time, and the performance may not have had the most energy and stage presence, but I played exactly what I practiced, without one mistake, after the song ended, I heard a roar of applause from stangers I had never met before, It was so loud It actually hurt my ears when a few people whistled. Most people in the crowd were happy to see a young face passionate about music and willing to try something way out of his comfort zone.