Open Letter To Gmc, and status report from Spiderusalem
Spiderusalem
May 10 2008, 06:22 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 569
Joined: 15-August 07
From: San Francisco, California
Dear GMC

It’s been nearly 9 months since I joined this wonderful site for the first time, and its been 4 months since my dramatic decline of activity here (which some of you may have noticed). I’ve been trying to come back ever since but my journey has taken me well out of the realm of online lessons and into the real world.

9 months ago also marks the moment I decided to devote my life to the professional, intellectual, and spiritual pursuit of music. Its been rough, and they have been some of the most difficult, most embarrassing, and ultimately most rewarding 9 months of my life. I’ve hit dead end after dead end in my learning process, I’ve struggled to learn musical notation, I’ve spent many late nights at home or at coffee shops tirelessly mapping out fretboard patterns that I would only throw away the next morning, I’ve had my guitar stolen, I’ve straight up hated playing guitar sometimes. But I kept at it. A year ago I didn’t know what an octave was, or what “diatonic” meant. Today I’m sight reading bebop, improvising flamenco, and modulating in my head. I sought a life which meant perpetual rigorous practice and study, but rewarded me with love (in many senses of the word), and though my journey has taken me away from this place, its clear to me that I would not have made it where I am today if I didn’t have GMC to guide me through the darkness in my first crucial months of learning.

Without GMC to help me, I wouldn’t have ventured into the realm of classical guitar and jazz.

Hell, I wouldn’t have even been able to understand jazz.

I wouldn’t have been able to play late night blues with the unappreciated virtuoso guitarists that live hard lives on the mean streets of San Francisco.

I wouldn’t have been able to play in shelters for the sick folks, homeless folks, and battered women and children.

I wouldn’t have been able to play actual gigs, and work with other musicians.

I wouldn’t have been able to contribute to a new and developing style of guitar (hip hop classical).

I wouldn’t have been able to take on guitar students of my own.

I wouldn’t have been able to stand out of the crowd, and win over the woman I love.

I wouldn’t have been able to feel closer to a higher spiritual power through the pursuit of music.

But most importantly, I wouldn’t have been able to feel like the man, or the musician I always wanted to be without that crucial first push by the GMC community 9 months ago. For that I thank you, all of my friends and teachers who help foster the next generation of guitarists (myself included). Hopefully one day, I can come back and be an active member again (but that would mean I’m not out working. Blah) I'm sorry if you felt this letter was poorly constructed. I usually spend a lot of time on my posts but not on this one, because right now I'm leaving to go play/study. I just wanted those of you who care to know how I was.

Yours Truly, Spiderusalem


P.S. How are all of you?

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Equipment: Classical/Jazz hybrid guitar. blunt/black humor.

Success is the best revenge.
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Replies (1 - 19)
Vinod Saranga
May 10 2008, 06:31 AM
Acoustic Instructor
Posts: 1.279
Joined: 15-September 07
From: Colombo,Sri Lanka
Hi Spiderusalem,
Your story is very interesting smile.gif

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ActiveX
May 10 2008, 06:49 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 241
Joined: 7-October 07
From: Vancouver, Canada
It's good to hear from you again man, it sounds like you've been (and are still on) quite a musical journey.
Sincerely, all the best bro smile.gif

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Juan M. Valero
May 10 2008, 06:58 AM
Instructor
Posts: 4.270
Joined: 6-August 07
From: Girona - Spain
GMC are changing our life !!! that's the true, and it's fantastic !!!!! biggrin.gif I love this site guys, it's a dream became in a reality smile.gif

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PlayAllDay
May 10 2008, 08:21 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 323
Joined: 30-September 07
Oh Spidey - I'm so happy for you and you totally rock for taking such a courageous journey.
Thankyou for playing to sick folks, homeless folks, and battered women and children.
Thankyou for sharing your new kind of music with the streets of San Francisco and the world.
Have fun with your loves - both of them!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


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Lead me not into temptation - I can find the way myself...
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AudunESP
May 10 2008, 08:50 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 153
Joined: 13-June 07
Spidey, what a great story.I Think you nearly forced a tear out of me happy.gif
Its really great how you managed to have THAT progress in such a few months, you must really be a musical prodigy!
And...the woman you loved, did you really win her? wub.gif

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Scales = some boring stuff thats totally unnescesary to create cool music, liek, if ur stupid.
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Hisham Al-Sanea
May 10 2008, 09:17 AM
Instructor
Posts: 4.085
Joined: 19-October 07
From: middle east / lebanon
nice story spiderusalem and interesting .i think now you put your legs on the right step.
thats very important .i am sure you will be a good musician & player in a short time smile.gif

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superize
May 10 2008, 09:42 AM
Ultimate Tone Guru
Posts: 4.348
Joined: 26-July 07
From: Glommersträsk. Sweden
Good luck Spider

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DeepRoots
May 10 2008, 09:48 AM
Get to da Chopper!
Posts: 2.700
Joined: 18-March 07
From: South Wales, UK
Great to hear from you again Spider- you have come a long way it seems! Congrats!

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Danilo Capezzuto
May 10 2008, 10:46 AM
Instructor
Posts: 1.829
Joined: 16-February 08
From: Italy
Glad to hear GMC have done so much for you!

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Iluha
May 10 2008, 10:49 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 1.737
Joined: 14-April 07
From: Karmiel, Israel
Ahh.. I missed you'r posts man, no matter how long they are I'm always glued to the end! I think you went through a great sounding journey.. and the good news is, you'r journey only begun smile.gif

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OrganisedConfusi...
May 10 2008, 10:50 AM
GMC:er
Posts: 5.635
Joined: 29-November 07
From: Nottingham, UK
Congratulations man and a really moving story. I hope you feel your life is going in the right direction and you are motivating others I think in going to any lengths to get to where you want to be in life. You can force your own destiny but it takes a lot of work.

I wish you the best and whenever you do post on here we'll still remember who you are smile.gif

Good luck in the future man

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

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Gear
Guitars:- Caparison Horus Snowcloud, Parker Nitefly M, Parker Nitefly SA, Gibson SG, Parker P10e, 40 Year Old Spanish Acoustic
Amps:- Framus Ruby Riot 2x12" stack
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Marcus Siepen
May 10 2008, 11:25 AM
Instructor (Blind Guardian)
Posts: 3.433
Joined: 5-March 08
From: Germany
All the best for your journey smile.gif

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Andrew Cockburn
May 10 2008, 12:21 PM
Moderation Policy Director
Posts: 10.459
Joined: 6-February 07
From: CT, USA
Spidey!

Well for sure, things have been quieter around here and you have been missed, but man, your story is inspiring - you were away from GMC for the ONLY good reason that there is to be away from GMC - to practice and play hard and become a better player!

It sounds like you have made some amazing progress (damn, sightreading bebop is hard!) I am truly happy that you are on this path - drop by occasionally and update us, please!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


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Nemanja Filipovi...
May 10 2008, 12:35 PM
Singing Instructor
Posts: 3.391
Joined: 23-January 08
Great for you man,even I start to practice guitar with GMC smile.gif

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Canis
May 10 2008, 12:41 PM
Learning Rock Star
Posts: 3.319
Joined: 22-October 07
From: Molde, Norway
Great story, Spider biggrin.gif Glad to see that GMC helped you in the right direction ^^
GMC really is a place of miracles and dreams biggrin.gif

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Joe Kataldo
May 10 2008, 01:00 PM
Instructor
Posts: 1.994
Joined: 2-January 08
From: Los Angeles
Good luck Spider

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skennington
May 10 2008, 03:04 PM
Learning Roadie - Never Give Up - Moderator
Posts: 7.461
Joined: 25-November 07
From: Charlotte,NC USA
Moving story man! I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors. I joined GMC a month or so befor you left and really enjoyed reading your posts. Hope to see back soon!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


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stratman33
May 10 2008, 03:56 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 1.096
Joined: 4-March 07
From: Michigan, USA
Spider your back!thats a great story, and i was one of the people who missed your hilarious polls.Welcome back man.

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Ivan Milenkovic
May 10 2008, 07:34 PM
Instructor
Posts: 25.396
Joined: 20-November 07
From: Belgrade, Serbia
Hey man, your story is great, and I'm glad you found your goals and love fro music. Keep rockin man, don't ever stop! smile.gif

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