Ok, I am getting into guitar geek territory. But this is something I love about music and why after nearly 40 years of playing the guitar I am still discovering new feelings, moods, shades, flavors.
In my work playing guitar at the hospital and at nursing homes I often improvise using chord progressions and see where they will lead me. Part of it is that I am seeking ways to create an ambiance in a space for people I play for. Part of it is that I have to be aware of how they respond to the music coming from me and also to see where it takes me too. Once I was playing for a man in ICU and he woke up out of a deep sleep as I played for him. He said, "wow! I thought I was in another dimension!" and it felt like he picked up on where I was as I played-- way out there on a musical tangent somewhere beyond the mundane world.
Many of my melodies and songs come from these sessions. Today something came to me using Bbmaj7th chord. I love the key of Bb anyway and there are a couple of ways to play in Bb on guitar without having to get into awkward fingerings. (play G form capo the 3rd fret or A form capo fret I) But what happens when I allow myself to play the chords that take more effort to play is that it leads me into new territory. I learn something and grow from it.
Yesterday when my art therapist friend was showing me two paintings that were vastly different in color and style I said it didn't look like the same person did them. She said, "there are lots of sides to me to express." And that is what I am striving to do too.
So tomorrow morning.. I am going to explore that Bb thing.
What is your Bb thing?
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