On Lead Guitar, Koa!

 

On Lead Guitar, Koa!
On Lead Guitar, Koa!

For the past week or so, I have been practicing with my guitar. I don’t really know how to play at all, so I consider myself a beginner! I never really thought about it too much before, but many of my family members have played music. For instance, my grandmother used to play piano, and when I was a kid, my dad bought an organ and my brother and I took organ lessons. Later, I played bass guitar and was in a band for a little while. It was so much fun! And now, my oldest son plays piano and flute, and my youngest son plays guitar. I think when you just start out learning, there isn’t very much creativity because you are practicing a lot, but later on there will be more chances to become creative. And, I think that will be a lot of fun for the kids!

The photo above is of Koa playing “Banana Pancakes” on my old guitar, which I had bought in 1998 in Yokohama for real cheap. It’s a “Mavis” which is probably like a Squier-level beginner brand. The blue sticker is of one of my favorite bands at the time, Advantage Lucy. Koa usually plays acoustic guitar but likes to also play on my electric. I kind of want a more powerful amp so that he can rock out!

Another motivation for me to play guitar is because I am watching/reading the anime/manga “K-On!” which is so funny and cool! Essentially, it’s a story of an after-school (High School) music club and band. Of all the band members, I like the bassist Mio the best. I think because I love the bass, plus she’s a lefty! Koa and I were watching K-On last night and I told Koa that he should join a band because it would be a lot of fun. He said he doesn’t know anyone who plays music, though. But I think it would be cool for him to play in a band, so I will encourage him to do so when he finds some friends to play with!

ひこうき雲

I’ve been listening to the song ひこうき雲 by Yumi Arai (Matsutoya; Yuming) ever since I saw The Wind Rises. The original is from 1973. It’s such a good song, but so sad, especially if you have seen the movie. There are so many excellent versions of the song, including ones by My Little Lover, a duet with Yuming and Aiko, BEBE, Megumi Mori, and Aya Matsuura. Below is an acoustic versions by Megumi Mori, and the lyrics (romaji and translation) are below that if you want to follow along. I found the lyrics at this tumblr.

Hikoukigumo

shiroi sakamichi ga sora made tsuzuiteita
yurayura kagerou ga ano ko wo tsutsumu
daremo kizukazu tada hitori
ano ko wa nobotte iku
nanimo osorenai soshite maiagaru

sora ni akogarete sora wo kakete yuku
ano ko no inochi wa hikoukigumo

takai ano mado de ano ko wa shinu mae mo
sora wo mite ita no ima wa wakaranai
hoka no hito ni wa wakaranai
amari ni mo wakasugita to
tada omou dake keredo shiawase

sora ni akogarete sora wo kakete yuku
ano ko no inochi wa hikoukigumo

sora ni akogarete sora wo kakete yuku
ano ko no inochi wa hikoukigumo

Vapour Trails

The white slope continued on to the sky
Wavering, ephemerality envelops her
Unnoticed by anyone, all alone,
She is ascending
She fears nothing, and soars up high

She admires the sky, is dashing through the sky
Vapour trails are her life

At that high window, even before her death,
She looked to the sky, and now they don’t understand
Other people don’t understand
They only think that
She was too young, but she is happy

She admires the sky, is dashing through the sky
Vapour trails are her life

She admires the sky, is dashing through the sky
Vapour trails are her life