tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post5541033339953858603..comments2024-03-10T20:46:19.274-04:00Comments on In the Middle: ResolveCord J. Whitakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06224143153295429986noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-84665285956215913052011-01-03T13:27:46.672-05:002011-01-03T13:27:46.672-05:00Steve: though the resolution predated the NYT piec...Steve: though the resolution predated the NYT piece, that Sacks essay was the spur to my post, indeed.<br /><br />Martin: The Young Scamels??!<br /><br />Anonymous, Jax and Anonymous: THANK YOU. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Really.<br /><br />Joan, agreed!<br /><br />Eileen, whereas you would spend your million on BABEL and (let's face it) Hermes ties and scarves, Alex would use it to make his room over in the style of "Assassin's Creed" or "Halo Reach."Jeffrey Cohenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17346504393740520542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-89476418639055954572011-01-03T09:07:44.643-05:002011-01-03T09:07:44.643-05:00I agree with many of the other responders here: ta...I agree with many of the other responders here: take the lessons, Jeffrey. I myself took lessons several years ago after a friend of mine started bringing his guitar to parties, and would strum the rudimentary chords to a few songs we all knew the words to. Although my friend couldn't play a dazzling lead guitar lick, or do fancy finger picking, he could still strum the rhythm, and he got us all singing something like Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up in Blue" by the end of the evening. It was magical, and it was then that I vowed to learn the guitar if for no other goal than to be able to strum a few chords at a party and get everyone to sing along to a song we all knew. To paraphrase the wisdom of Bono: all you need is three chords and the truth. (Because seriously there are books out there with titles like "How to Play 1000 Songs with Three Chords," etc.).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-27526893048781711532011-01-02T20:41:46.213-05:002011-01-02T20:41:46.213-05:00Last year we heard Manuel Gonzalez play at the Pal...Last year we heard Manuel Gonzalez play at the Palau de la Musica Catalana. What an experience!Joannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-78164210735172023222011-01-02T18:28:43.469-05:002011-01-02T18:28:43.469-05:00It's odd to say this, but I'm with Alex on...It's odd to say this, but I'm with Alex on the million dollars. So much good and personal well-being, even, can be accomplished with money. If I had a million dollars I could create a BABEL institute and create new jobs. Money is not such a bad thing to wish for. That's all I'm sayin'.Eileen Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756965845120441308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-74026197683010887772011-01-02T18:17:28.114-05:002011-01-02T18:17:28.114-05:00Do take the lessons. The world will be just a lit...Do take the lessons. The world will be just a little better, the more of us who can make music, even if just for our friends.<br /><br />If bodhran is a thing you definitely want to learn, get in touch with me--I may be able to help you find a teacher.Jaxhttp://www.batfishlighting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-68020930991812595112011-01-02T16:59:17.504-05:002011-01-02T16:59:17.504-05:00I'm a musician, and I always encourage anyone ...I'm a musician, and I always encourage anyone who wants to start playing an instrument to go ahead and sign up for lessons at whatever age they happen to be.<br /><br />I often encounter the "I'm too old to master this" theory, which depresses me. Do adults who decide that they would like to learn to play tennis give up before they even start because they'll never play at Wimbledon?<br /><br />Take the music lessons. They might enrich your life in ways you can't even foresee. And you can always quit two months in if you don't like it. Trying is better than not trying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-84501138535625767232011-01-02T16:22:51.316-05:002011-01-02T16:22:51.316-05:00Here's a free (and topical) song to get you st...Here's a free (and topical) song to get you started . . . <br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Full-Fathom-Father-Album-Version/dp/B0041J2RKCM.K. Foyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09753310457769493322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-2583185798423787402011-01-02T15:46:36.862-05:002011-01-02T15:46:36.862-05:00I'm signing up for voice lessons, myself. It m...I'm signing up for voice lessons, myself. It makes no sense to not take advantage of the musical opportunities here.Another Damned Medievalisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05231085915472400163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-48825573635643858152011-01-02T14:53:53.899-05:002011-01-02T14:53:53.899-05:00Sounds as if you've been reading Sat's Tim...Sounds as if you've been reading Sat's Times column by Oliver Sacks. "Neuroplasticity" is a nice buzzword for 2011, at all ages.<br /><br />http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/01/opinion/01sacks.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=oliver%20sacks&st=SearchSteve Mentzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927244468764583378noreply@blogger.com