Playing the Guitar in 2020

I have been playing a lot of guitar this year. It's a lot of fun to play the guitar! I have been playing since I was 15, however, this year, I feel it has been my main instrument to go to. I have made a new group of friends at my new church where there are multiple (very good) guitar players who like to break out in song at a moment's notice, so whenever I go to these functions, I have made it a habit to always take a guitar with me in case people start to jam. It has been very enjoyable being around people like me who like to rock!

I also have enjoyed using the guitar as an escape from the stresses of COVID and as an excuse to get away from gaudy political discussions. One of the reasons I don't worry too much about anything involving the news is because I'm off strumming and picking away on the couch. It's a very relaxing outlet, and it is a better alternative than watching TV before going to bed.

I learned a lot of what I know from my former music pastor and friends from Liberty who were guitar majors. Jam sessions were abundant back in the day. I played guitar for all my music theory praxis assignments, where we played the chords we were learning about.

Here are some of my favorite songs I have learned and enjoy playing:

"Dust In the Wind" by Kansas

Acoustic intro of "Love Song" by Tesla

"Melody of You" by Sixpence None the Richer

"Everlong" by Foo Fighters, one of my favorite bands

"Imagine" (Chris Klafford version!)

"Drive" by Incubus

....and many, many more......

I have recently gotten into Will Ackerman's instrumental songs, played in various open tunings. I am currently trying to work on his song "Impending Death of the Virgin Spirit," tuned in CG#CGG#D#, or according to Ackerman, "LSD tuning." This song is usually played with the capo on the 2nd or 3rd fret. It's a very soothing piece. I hope to learn to play in more open tunings, as I love the different tone colors you can experiment with, and they are often very easy on your hands. I also enjoy playing in open D, DADGAD, Drop D, and Drop C tuning.

What are your favorite guitar songs? Have you been playing during this difficult year? What have you been doing this year to relax?