One Year Countdown

Time To Start Composing

This is proving to be a tough year and my fear is the axe is about to fall on much that I hold dear soon but I keep my hope up and I have my music which keeps my mind focused and my heart strong.  I've had support like I've never known in my life though so there is a nice side too.

I still have all three of my teachers who are dearer to me than ever and my guitar teacher became a dad for the first time.  It's been so amazing to see his personal life grow as he has seen my musical one grow but for now no lessons while he adjusts to the new routine.  I miss them but this year it really is about the drums.  That's where my focus is so here's the update on this journey.

I'm currently studying for my next drum exam, I'd love to say I'm full of confidence but I'm not however that is entirely expected and I as always made the conscious choice to push myself in order to obtain what matters most ... progress.  It never gets easier but it always rewards me.

We are now just 1 year away from the anniversary song/gift which seemed forever when I started this blog.  But the reality is I'm actually only a few months away from starting to write it and I am very far from the musician I need to be even though I've actually exceeded all my initial expectations by a long, long way (what was I thinking!!).  It just goes to show just how much goes into all this.  So I'm pushing myself extra hard because I have one chance to have a happy ending to this five year challenge and I'll do all I can to make that happen.  It really matters to me.

My bass lessons are so much fun, again they're uncomfortable but that will always be the case beacause of my many ridiculous issues but I do thoroughly enjoy them and I can feel the benefit big time.  This teacher (Andrew) is perfect for me and pushes me as well, he has me reading music not tab, working on my timing, really pushing my technique and studying different styles.  We're currently doing slap which makes me very happy!

Drum practice is so good and lessons are tough but I look forward to them so much each week.  I genuinely have the best teacher I could have hoped for, I don't make his life easy and he doesn't make mine but that's because I told him not to and I'm so passionate about drumming now.  I'm very happy with the progress I've made this year but I'm also frustrated that I'm still struggling with so many basics.  I see my son progress and it just cements how hard it is for me - fair - no - but that's life, I have gifts in other areas and I accept that and just try to work harder to compensate.  I'm still hopeful one day my determination will pay off and I'll stop working against myself all the time.  My hope is that my work ethic will be so ingrainded by then it will continue to carry me a long, long way.  As far as I'd like to go?  No, not a chance, I'm just not blessed with the talent for that but far enough to enjoy a huge chunk of what the music world has to offer.  More than enough to keep me busy and happy and give me the tools to explore music as I'd love to.

In other areas I'm studying sound design, orchestration, EDM and obviously continuing on with guitar studies.  I'm focusing on phrasing, Blues and rhythm guitar and we're looking at concepts which I then play with.  It seems that way of working suits me.  I still love guitar and I miss putting time into it but I have to balance out my goals as a whole and put my focus where it's most needed at each stage.

I've released more music into the world and of course as with this blog told no one it's there!  I really like it and I know the few who've found it do too (the stats tell me they do!).  I entered my first scoring competition which was a very big step for me.  It was a big one so no chance of winning but that was never the goal.  But the main thing is I'm still doing this, I'm still pushing myself more and more, I'm still loving every second of it and I'm still so grateful that my life took this strange and unexpected turn.  Most of all I'm grateful for the teachers who are helping me make my dreams come true and for my hubby who supports this crazy life of mine.  So until next time stay safe in these tough times and keep those dreams alive but most of all recognise and appreciate the wonderful things & people in your life even if sometimes it feels like the sky is falling.  It does help.