Instrumental Intimacy

School's out (yeah, like finally), and so I've got some spare time (yes I actually do). I've been spending those spare minutes (hours more like it) having some intimate moments with my guitar.

Yes, I do call those moments intimate!

The definition of intimate (in my dictionary anyways) is when two bodies come together and are close to each other physically, mentally and emotionally (sometimes spiritually... but guitars won't go to heaven) in a surrounding which is quiet. Sounds a lot like physics right? That's because I haven't been having intimacy with my physics books and so now I'm grasping this chance to touch up on it. :D

Oh and by the way, my guitar is 30 years old. Yes. Around the same age as my piano, and double my age. It was passed from my mother's friend, to my mother, and now to me. Still has my mother's friend's nametag on it.

Since they're about the same age, maybe I should matchmake my piano and my guitar together. Perhaps I'll get baby keytars or something.

Then, I'll put my ten year old recorder into the scene and make it the third party.

My piano is having an affair! Then, I'll get baby church organs. Imagine that...

Anyway, yeah I've been playing my/mother's/mother's friend's guitar more often as of late. I've actually tried plucking instead of just mindless strumming. Never thought I'd ever find out how to read tabs, but realised I was right the first time I tried (at least it sounds right).

And I never knew that just mindless practice on the plucking sequence would allow you to be able to play a song without that much thinking. Well, I knew that basis stood for piano, just didn't realise how true it was for guitar as well. Finger muscle memory is a beautiful thing.

If there is muscle memory in the fingers, could it mean that there is muscle memory in other parts of your body?

Let's say your feet. (By the way it's the world cup now, in case you've been living under a rock... or you're a girl) Sometimes when you kick a ball, not thinking about how you're going to is sometimes better than concentrating on the kick. It's like letting your mind relax while your muscles do the work by remebering the right technique, the right strength and etc. And often, thinking with your brain too much about how you're going to take a kick may result in you scoffing your shot.

Alright, now let's look at other parts of your body. Let's say your arms. Basketballers know the height of the ball's bounce everytime they dribble. Perhaps it's because their arms are used to the ball bouncing to that height, or rather have 'memorised' the height of the ball. Thus, some can even dribble blindfolded. Muscle memory at work again!

Advice of the day: Muscles have brains!