Off Topic – Channeling My Inner Clapton

Articles, Personal

I had to think about whether or not to put a post like this on what is my business site. That being said, it occurred to me that I rarely show my personal side and, despite the fact that I am intensely private and barely social, there is a softer side to me. This might make me appear to be at least … human.

So, I called my staff together and solicited their opinions on whether or not I should do this. Since I have no staff, the vote passed unanimously 1 – 0. I’m doing this because I can. There is so much to this topic that, I have to warn you … this will be article number one in a multi-part series. How many parts … I’m not even sure.

In an earlier post, I compared selling to learning to play the guitar. I pointed out that there were a lot of similarities and, there are. However, I must say that playing an electric guitar has proved to be much more complex and difficult than learning to sell ever was. At least, for me. However, if I am going to be the next Eric Clapton, a guy has to do what a guy has to do.

When you learn to play the guitar, electric or otherwise, you must master notes (reading music and/or tabs) as well as chords. Things like power chords and barre chords. Tabs, by the way, are designed for those of us who can’t (don’t want to learn to) read music.

There are multiple ways to play either chords or notes and you have to finger each correctly while plucking the correct string(s). I would compare this to patting your head, rubbing your belly, and jumping up and down on alternate legs. Now add a different Latin beat to each. Then there are also strumming and picking patterns.

Much of this is tied to music theory and, homie don’t like … theories. This includes keys and scales. There are innumerable resources available to assist you in learning. Truth be known, there are too many. My resource library currently includes all of these with the exception of an actual instructor …

Free resources:

  • Articles on the web
  • YouTube and other free videos
  • Some video lessons
  • Free apps

Paid resources:

  • Instructors – Both in person and online
  • Paid video lessons – DVD and online
  • Paid apps
  • Books and reference guides such as chord charts
  • Paid membership-only websites

I got started with one such paid video course but, playing “Mary had a little lamb” quickly got old … after the first lesson. So, and the jury is still out on this, I quickly moved online to try to learn how to play some classic rock. I am making progress.

Of course, you will need some gear. I had purchased a Fender MIM Stratocaster guitar and Frontman 25R amp some 15 years ago so I started out with those. They had been gathering dust for 15 years but, they still worked. You will need (I needed and I wanted) …

  • Picks (all kinds and all thicknesses)
  • Music stand
  • Electronic guitar tuner
  • Capos
  • Guitar straps
  • Guitar stands

Notice that many of these items are plural. In my infinite wisdom, I also decided that I needed multiple guitars and this created a need for other goodies. Let’s just say that this is very similar to the hack golfer who thinks that he or she will break par if only they had this new driver or putter.

So, over the past year, in addition to my original guitar and amp, I have acquired …

  • A Ibanez classical-electric guitar (nylon string)
  • A Fender acoustic-electric guitar (steel string)
  • A Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar
  • A Gibson Les Paul electric guitar
  • A Peavey amp
  • A Marshall amp
  • Multiple pedals – Wah, Boost, Distortion, Overdrive, Chorus, and Reverb
  • Pedals need a board and a power supply

With the exception of the Gibson guitar (which was basically unused at a used price), I didn’t spend a whole lot on any of these items individually but, altogether .. about $3,500.00. I’m a sick puppy. I should offload at least one guitar and one amp. I’m yet to completely decide on which of each.

The electric part of the Ibanez is worthless but, it might be good for plucking around the campfire. The Epiphone is Gibson’s low-end, offshore made, version of the Les Paul. It’s fine but, I now have the real deal so, why keep it?

The Peavey amp is a modeling amp with so many lights, knobs, modes, and presets … it will drive you nuts. Of course, it will allow me to pretend to be Ravi Shankar and to play the sitar and that has value … not. Not that I don’t like Ravi. I do! Find George Harrison’s “Concert for Bangladesh”. It’s a must listen!

I’m going to stop here. Future articles will cover learning to play as well as learning to manipulate all of the electronic equipment. Of the two, the latter has proven to be infinitely more challenging and … infinitely more frustrating. Stay tuned (guitar joke).

Craig M. Jamieson

Craig M. Jamieson

Managing Member at Adaptive Business Services
Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. Adaptive Business Services provides solutions related to the sales professional. We are a Nimble CRM Solution Partner. Craig also conducts training and workshops primarily in social selling and communication skills. Craig is also the author of "The Small Business' Guide to Social CRM", now available on Amazon!
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