MUSIC THERAPY WITH A PINCH OF BUTTERSCOTCH

Music therapy isn’t something I made up to fill the space, though it’s something I’d do.

Instead, it’s an academic field and a self-help thing.

The part about self-help needs an assist though.

‘Don’t be afraid to ask for help’ is a common reminder from experts.

Ask for help? Yes, ask for help. But first . . . :

Music therapy is the clinical use of music to accomplish individualized goals such as reducing stress, improving mood and self-expression. It is an evidence-based therapy well-established in the health community. Music therapy experiences may include listening, singing, playing instruments, or composing music.

Or going to a Musical Instrument Museum?

My mood improved after I set a date for music therapy, but that’s not what I called it.

“Let’s play some guitar,” morphed into much more than music.

The musician I called had more in mind, namely helping me get over my reluctance to apply pressure to a stomp-box.

This particular character is a sound man, a technique guy, and a champion of new music in the room.

New music was defined as anything other than twelve bar blues in the key of E. Or A. Or any I-IV-V progression.

They know how to jam, find a groove, and stay in it.

This time it sunk in. It sunk in so well we planned on another session.

The Band Is Here

If you’ve ever been in a band, then you’ve been group therapy.

Music provides a focus when life gets a little complicated.

Playing a guitar alone is a break, a contemplative moment, a therapy of calm.

Joining others is way to find the calm in the storm. It works because the important thing is not the big problems, but keeping up.

Timing.

Play alone and timing is a moot point. It’s hard to get out of time with your own foot.

But use a loop machine, or record, and timing is a big deal. You might be bad at keeping time and don’t know it. Ask me how I know.

The next session included the rhythm section, which in this case was a dialed in bass player and a force of nature drummer.

Something happens during a music talk, of setting up the jam, going over the progression, and playing through a few times.

Two guitars and the bass link up. The drummer listens patiently. After finding the groove, the whole thing explodes when the drummer kicks in. It’s live music at its liveliest, loudest, and we were loving it.

Then the neighbors texted about it. Where was the sound coming from? Don’t stop.

They were loving it, too. Stay tuned for the Fan Club newsletter. And puffy shirts.

Five Star Guitars Music Therapy

There’s one thing music people have in common. From the beginner to the pro, once they fix on what they want to play they don’t stop until they find it.

I wanted an American made butterscotch Fender Telecaster. The journey ended at Five Star Guitars.

First, I searched for “Best electric guitars in 2020.” The Fender Pro Telecaster made the list. Barely. Which was a good thing. The cheating truth is I knew I wanted a tele, just not which one. Finding it on a ‘Best Deal’ list helped clarify the picture, and I put myself in it. 

Then I searched “Pro tele near me,” and after the guitar stores and demos and gripping and looking, Five Star Guitars came up. Not just their ad, but also a note saying the guitar I wanted was stocked on a specific date. The store was new to me, so was the note.

Why butterscotch?

One guitar shows up across the spectrum of players from Bruce, to Prince, to Keith Richards.

This is Keith with an acoustic:

One guitar seen through the ages, one of the originals, the tele continues its rampage across every stage, in every garage, and every music room.

Played solo, the tele rings like a bell. Add a nailed in bass, another guitar player who drops lines like flowing water, and the sound changes.

But nothing makes a bigger difference than a drummer who leads the way forward, who controls levels, tempo, and when jams finish.

That’s a master’s touch, a drum master. They bring the musical universe together and organize it to perfection.

And that’s what I call music therapy. You can too.

Or maybe you call it something else? Leave a comment if you have the timing.