Okay so let me be perfectly clear

I'm a big believer in that everyone has some forms of hidden talent. The capability to do anything we set out minds to is there, just look for it. Some of us need a little more nurturing while for others, things just come out of no where. For me, it's finding an energy force to draw from that gives me the creativity whether musical, wood working, remodeling or my new found artistic abilities. I've never really painted anything on canvas before nor have I had any form of training. One day, I just decided to see how it might come out.

The last time I did any painting as an art-form was back in grade school. I am not an artist and the painting below was done merely as an experiment for kicks to see what might transpire. I've often wondered what I could do if anything using a paintbrush on canvas. I may pursue this a little more or not. This picture won't give you the effect of what I was striving for. That can be only seen and felt from viewing the actual piece of art or piece of crap. What ever you decide it might be.

Often times we are unable to discover hidden talents simply because we are too busy with out structured lives that society has created. Being on the run to get somewhere or to do something else has become our main focus in life. We don't have enough time to just relax and explore what's available deep inside. Let's face it most lack diversity in their lives.

Ah the old saying " multi talented but master of none ", is the biggest crock of shit I've seen. I've mastered keyboards years ago, recently the guitar and now I'm working towards the goal on flugelhorn. I've found hidden talents that I've begun to explore just in the last couple of years and I'm pushing 66. You might say to yourself, well he's a natural and a talented individual and things just come out easily. Fact is, I suffer from A.D.D. caused by the many concussions I had as a kid. I simply have it under control. Fact, I've always struggled and had to work twice as hard to get anything done. Concentrating on any task at hand has been extremely difficult. Practicing my music and trying to remember anything new, well sometimes it just ain't happenin'.

You too have hidden talents. Take some time out and find them. Find your energy source and discover your hidden self. Energy sources could be a special room or even an object that touches you. An energy source is something that makes you feel good and yet different from normal. It may just inspire you to try something totally different. No I'm not talking about weed or drugs! If it doesn't work out the first time don't worry about it. Have fun with it. My first wood working project was a joke but it developed as I went along. I learned from each one and everyone of the projects got better than the last.

Should I pursue this art thing more, I expect it too to develop more with each new painting.

me holding a painting I created

I call it "A Windy Day by the Shore"

Am I just wasting my time?

Is what people ask me often these days. Obviously they are asking me about their own endeavors. In the past 57 years as a musician and a multi instrumentalist for about 40 the thought of wasting my time has never come to mind.

Learning to play a new musical instrument is a huge challenge and I've always looked at it straight on with the intent of beating it. I love a good challenge whether it be a musical one or something in my life such as a project of some sort. I remember not too long ago, 2005, I decided to pick up the guitar. Up-to this point my main instrument were keys. I locked myself into a room for 9 months and practiced 6-8 hours daily. When I learned to play adequately enough, I came out.

How did I do it? I made myself goals; daily, weekly, monthly and a six week one (short, intermediate and long term) and followed it. Most young players getting ready for a practice session have no agenda. They just begin playing, hoping for a miracle. I on the other hand had a plan for each session and stuck to it. I didn't just play around practicing what I already knew. Although every day had a review time of my previous sessions. I spent anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour reviewing. Next, I spent another 30 minutes working on scales and another 30 on chords. Now after about an hour and a half to two hours, I was ready to learn to play to an accompaniment track and try to put what I had learned into practice. I used Band In A Box for my accompaniment tracks. Back then it was all midi unlike these days where audio tracks are used. I played my scales along to the accompaniment and then worked on improvisation. Before I knew it, six-eight hours have passed and I was pumped looking forward to my next session. My sessions didn't all go very smooth and there were times when I had to re-think and try a different approach.

The point is that I was never discouraged or frustrated because I wasn't moving forward. Every day was a new fun learning experience. So the next time you get frustrated because you are not moving forward like you want, maybe, you better look closer at your practice session to find the answer.