I have found that as I get older, I am seeking out more mellow kinds of music. In my youth I was really into 70's and 80's rock - I loved loud guitars and bombastic drums! But, those days are now long gone. The bands that I once loved are either no longer releasing new music or are well past their "best-before" dates. Sure, there are some new musicians that I love in this genre but I have kind of moved on. Lately I find myself listening more to jazz and classical music - sounds that sooth a weary soul.
I still love guitar music. I don't know why but I have always loved guitars - both the way they sound and the way they look. When I was a kid, I really wanted to learn to play the electric guitar but I was talked into studying organ instead. This was a big mistake. I played organ for a couple of years but I really didn't like it at all. Thirty-five years later, I found myself at a crossroad in my life. I became sick due to stress and anxiety and it was time for me to make some changes. I was advised to take up a musical instrument. At first I scoffed at this - learning music is hard! This will just create more stress! But, I gave it a try anyway.
Late last year, I bought myself a bass guitar and it was really fun to play. I also found that it took my mind off of my worries. I then bought a steel-string acoustic guitar but I didn't really like it at all (too "twangy" and hard on the fingers!). So, I thought that it would be a good idea to try an electric so I bought a black Stratocaster copy. While also hard on the fingers, the electric can make so many great sounds - it is so much fun. I also love the fact that you can get some great jazz sounding tones out of it.
I was still interested in the acoustic though and there was one option that I had not tried - a classical or "Spanish"-style guitar with nylon strings. I had been advised that the nylon strings are easier on the fingers and that the classical guitar gives off a warm, soothing tone. But, I associated this type of instrument with complex classic music - something that I thought was way beyond me. Regardless, I started researching the genre and came to realize that I absolutely love the sound of the classical guitar.
As I was doing my research, I came across a classical guitarist named Xuefei Yang. I had never heard of her but she is very accomplished and has some great performances posted on YouTube. I am really enjoying listening to her playing. Xuefei is originally from China but now resides in England. Recently, she has been posting COVID-19 related isolation videos of her playing in her garden. While I (and pretty much everyone else I know!) has been self-isolating for the past couple of months, it has been great to get these regular videos from Xuefei Yang. The soothing music and her beautiful garden really do help out during this period of great uncertainty and isolation. I am grateful for people like Ms. Yang who have so much talent to share with the world.
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