Learning New Tricks

What is it about learning something new that we enjoy?
Speak of undiscovered territory, expanding ones' horizons, et cetera. And while in the end that may be true it is not "it."

We enjoy it because in the end we defeat something within us that had held us back.

I have to learn the Ritchie Valens tune, 'La Bamba.' I mean all of it, including the "solo." At the last show, Jerry get on me that I need to know the song. He's right. No arguing here. During our last show during a break we began an impromptu version with Jerry playing the guitar and myself on his keyboards and "singing."
It was, interesting to say the least. Well appreciated by the audience as well.

But I need to learn the opening note for note and not, "approximately."
After visiting the new library of Alexandria, the Internet, I found on youtube a few examples and I was on my way. The first one sufficed.
Although the kid played it using many open strings rather than first, third and fifth fingers (he used two fingers throughout, as did Valens) I quickly found myself frustrated and wondering why in God's name had I chosen to play music...in front of people, no less? I burned through it. I played that opening ten times. Fifteen times, twenty.
I had it. I got it. I also knew that to continue would risk another frustration borne of being tired and taxing the system.
It was time to sleep on it. I played it one more time and went to bed.

I awoke and did my morning routine. As the computer booted up I remembered 'La Bamaba.'
I picked up the guitar and played it. Too slow.
Took my shower, woke up and played it again; this time pressing as fast as I could. I screwed it big time, but saw the progress and smiled.
What had been frustrating yesterday was conquered today.
As a young kid I remember thinking that driving a car was hard...how would I ever accomplish it? To put the nagging doubt to rest I told myself that by the time I got to college, I'd have figured it out.

That memory came back to me. Yesterday I could have quit playing, my fingers were not responding I couldn't play it at all. I knew to lay down and absorb it while asleep. To wait for it to come to me.
I still need to polish it...a lot. I am older and it shows, but I can still play it.. It just takes a bit more effort.

By beating a thing that had been beyond me twenty four hours earlier, I had mounted a hurdle, cleared an obstacle. It was the fight that made me better in several ways... not the least of which was the growth to my musical repertoire. Made learning a new trick, very much worthwhile. Many time musically, things just come to me...effortlessly. Many times it takes effort and application to achieve my goal.

I used to often wonder why I love being a perpetual student. I thought it was a lifestyle. I realize it is a way of personal challenge and growth that excites me and not necessarily the environment, which in itself isn't bad.