retrosurfer1959 Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Last tuesday I went to a grade school talent to watch my niece sing a solo. While I was there i saw a fifth grader get up and do a guitar solo as part of the talent show the kids was amazing good skills and a really loose fluid feel to the music. I was bothered hough because the guitar sounded pretty bad especially the A which was way out of tune and ruining the piece as I watched the kid I realized he had a tuner that wouldn't hold the string in tension so he would adjust the string and try to note while holding the tuning knob. After the show i went up to get my niece who sang beautifully and got second place. While waiting I was just looking at that sad excuse of wood this kids guitar was. It was a Agile brand Les Paul look alike it was in terrible condition with at least three frets missing and the bad tuner as well as a neck that was so flat it buzzed for most of the length of the fretboard. I got to talking to the teacher who said the kid lived and breathed his guitar and that the Agile had been his only guitar for three years. His parents were saving for a new guitar and had taken it to a local shop for repair for buzzing and the guy had pulled three frets . In speaking to her it was agreed that the next week I would go down to there class and talk a little about guitar playing and even building and repairing guitars. Well today was the day. so I went to the classroom and got signed in and we started talking about building and repairing guitars. While we were talking I replaced the tuners, Adjusted the neck and replaced the three missing frets and set the neck showing them what I was doing. the guitar came back pretty close to standard setup it has some intonation issue but there minor and he can get through a song now. As we continued talking. I got a few of my guitars out and we played a few songs and did some scales with a very interested group watching. As we started to wrap up I brought out three more guitars one in a case and to in gig bags. so at the end of the class I gave the young guitar slinger a brand new gibson LP Studio satin finished black. And I gave the class itself as a music class two of the Gibson dual pickup melody Makers from a few years back. The kid player was shocked and had tears runny down his face he told me that his little brother would get the agile now especially since it was working now. I also ended up leaving a Amp a Fender Mustang II 20 watt guitar amp that i bought for 90 bucks figuring id never leave the class with it. What fun It was exciting to interact with young excited musicians instead of older bitter ones. the class is going to do a concert for me and the wife for helping which should be cool. Next tuesday I'm taking a Keyboard and a Drumset as well as a small recording system for song practices. It's been a long time since I've done anything like thise it felt good.
Duende Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Last tuesday I went to a grade school talent to watch my niece sing a solo. While I was there i saw a fifth grader get up and do a guitar solo as part of the talent show the kids was amazing good skills and a really loose fluid feel to the music. I was bothered hough because the guitar sounded pretty bad especially the A which was way out of tune and ruining the piece as I watched the kid I realized he had a tuner that wouldn't hold the string in tension so he would adjust the string and try to note while holding the tuning knob. After the show i went up to get my niece who sang beautifully and got second place. While waiting I was just looking at that sad excuse of wood this kids guitar was. It was a Agile brand Les Paul look alike it was in terrible condition with at least three frets missing and the bad tuner as well as a neck that was so flat it buzzed for most of the length of the fretboard. I got to talking to the teacher who said the kid lived and breathed his guitar and that the Agile had been his only guitar for three years. His parents were saving for a new guitar and had taken it to a local shop for repair for buzzing and the guy had pulled three frets . In speaking to her it was agreed that the next week I would go down to there class and talk a little about guitar playing and even building and repairing guitars. Well today was the day. so I went to the classroom and got signed in and we started talking about building and repairing guitars. While we were talking I replaced the tuners, Adjusted the neck and replaced the three missing frets and set the neck showing them what I was doing. the guitar came back pretty close to standard setup it has some intonation issue but there minor and he can get through a song now. As we continued talking. I got a few of my guitars out and we played a few songs and did some scales with a very interested group watching. As we started to wrap up I brought out three more guitars one in a case and to in gig bags. so at the end of the class I gave the young guitar slinger a brand new gibson LP Studio satin finished black. And I gave the class itself as a music class two of the Gibson dual pickup melody Makers from a few years back. The kid player was shocked and had tears runny down his face he told me that his little brother would get the agile now especially since it was working now. I also ended up leaving a Amp a Fender Mustang II 20 watt guitar amp that i bought for 90 bucks figuring id never leave the class with it. What fun It was exciting to interact with young excited musicians instead of older bitter ones. the class is going to do a concert for me and the wife for helping which should be cool. Next tuesday I'm taking a Keyboard and a Drumset as well as a small recording system for song practices. It's been a long time since I've done anything like thise it felt good. As well as doing something very heartfelt and kind, it was also so useful and productive! Kids love and appreciate decent instruments and a guiding adult who has knowledge and heart, I am sure will always be remembered. You did a lovey deed x What a great story and cheers to you amigo Matt
Steven Tari Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 It's sad that a lot of schools are ditching their music classes because of loseing money. I wish I had met someone like you being younger. But I was on Base during the War so They were gone.Your a good man and the story brought a tear to my eye. A very nice Christmas story. Sharing is a lost word in this new world. Brother, you got a point from me for this.
damian Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 That is wonderful.................. [thumbup] [thumbup] [thumbup] ................
krock Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Great story. Its good to know there are people still out there who wish to preserve guitar playing and dont care about the cost.You deserve way more than the +1 that I can give you
G McBride Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 What a great gesture you made. That young musician will always remember that leg up you gave him. He will also remember what you did for him and pass it on down the line throughout his life. I love to pass music along to our youth every opportunity I get. All of my grandchildren have musical instruments from Harmonicas, guitars, drums, electronic music makers that I have given them since they were two years old. You cant start too early. Tis the season and you sound like St. Nick.
daveinspain Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Great story, brought a tear to my eye.... You're one of the good guys...
saturn Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Great story. In addition to some kids having access to better musical instruments, the example of generosity and selfless giving should have a lasting positive affect on the kids. Did you go buy the LP Studio just for this kid or was it one that you already had? I remember going into my son's elementary school music class a few years ago and giving a little guitar demonstration. The kids were all enthusiastic and interested and it did feel great to briefly inspire them. But that pales in comparison to what you've done.
LarryUK Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 You're a good man. You have a soul to be proud of. Have a gold star*
Guest farnsbarns Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Wow. A truly good deed. Well done. I shall track down and plus as many of your posts as I am allowed to plus. (edit:I think I counted 8)
Shnate McDuanus Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Great job man. Can't beat an act of generosity towards someone who needs it.
57classic Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Fantastic! Stories like that help remind everyone that there are still wonderful and thoughtful acts being done by wonderful and thoughtful people. Thanks for the relief from the bombardment of negativity. +1 from me.
TommyK Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 You are da man! retrosurfer1959. If there's not a new guitar under your Christmas tree, there is no Santa Claus. There WILL be a special place in heaven for you Retro! There is no emoticon which expresses my respect and admiration for you, but this is as close as it gets. [thumbup]
RobinTheHood Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Wow. What an awesome and selfless thing to do. I seriously started to tear up at the end of that story. Actually, I'm still tyring not to tear up. I dont know what else to say. Just...wow! The world needs more people like you. I hope you told that kid not to go back to that repair guy. What a hack.
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