What are some tips and tricks for beginners to gain confidence in their playing? For me I used to throw it to the wind and play at the public park, venues that allowed and let people know I was a beginner, etc. It was scary an nerve wracking but it helped build confidence and even when mistakes were made I kept going.

An amazingly and wondrous thing it is when a note and a sound inspires your to have a thought that becomes a word. Then it seem as though poetry ekes out. As you’re writing and a musical melody comes together you play and write it down. Sometimes it comes quickly, but other times slowly. But then, there it is, a composition. I thought that my writing and composing was okay but yet strange many times, until I heard a member of Chicago give his testimonial on the song 25 or 6 to 4. Robert Lamm explained how he got the first parts of his song. He was sitting And looking out his window at the skyline of the city lights, and as he was doing this he noticed the clock on the wall and that he was having trouble seeing it clearly, but that it was around 25 or 26 till 4 when he was looking at the lights of the city. Thus he thought he would just write it down so he could remember the time when he was thinking about what he was seeing. Not thinking that it’s really part of a song. Amazing how that happened. Here’s the first lines of the song. Waiting for the break of day Searching for something to say Flashing lights against the sky Giving up, I close my eye Sitting cross-legged on the floor 25 or 6 to 4 Never diminished the thoughts you’re having song writers. A personal testimony!??!? I was playing chords to a full song I wrote but no words. From the beginning to the end. My wife walked in the room and said, “play that again,” so I did, then she said to me, “ I have words to this song!” Thus the song name FREEDOM CAME TO EARTH. Thanks for hearing me out! I hope this encourages someone!! Kristopher Swenson 🎸🎶🎶🎸✝️🎶🎶🎸

i have discovered that i have a symbiotic relationship with my gear. My gear affects the way I play, and the way I play affects the way my gear responds ... have a great week everyone.

kicking off day 2 of the festival. 4th year in a row. looking forward to this.. ..