Maybe I’m a little behind the curve, but I’ve been seeing the term “dad rock” more lately and decided to actually look into it. I thought the term came from a love of classic rock particularly with those of my generation. Then I saw a video from JHS Pedals where Josh uses the term with the man behind Earthquaker devices, Jamie Stillman. Maybe it’s a style thing?
Be inspired
Most of my friends from school were into sports and played either on organized teams or in pickup games. Not me. I am a terrible athlete. Not because I am not strong or lack ability but because I just don’t care. It was never something that interested me.
Now, here I am late in my career still chugging away on my guitar when my athletic friends are having to cut back or even give up playing certain sports (e.g. football) due to injuries. That is not to say that musicians never have injuries. They can suffer carpal tunnel syndrome and have to deal with arthritis but that is more for the professional. Those of us terminally amateur, can still play until the end. Just look at Les Paul! He played into his 90’s!
Dad Rock as inspiration
One of the main reasons I started Just 2 Play Guitar, was to help adults who have always wanted to learn guitar or improve their guitar playing. I have run into many adults who have expressed a wish to play or ask about how I do certain things on my guitar. I’m a dad. Many who have asked me are dads or moms (my wife included). They no longer have the distractions of youth and can be extremely disciplined in their approach. This allows them to learn quickly and chart a course for themselves. Having lived a life starting or growing a family and starting or developing a career matures a person.
Now you can take your life lessons and use that to finally learn to play! My wife and I had lunch with a coworker who discovered that I play and excitedly told me about his love of music. He wished he would have taken up an instrument in his youth. Then he lamented that he could not learn to play this late in life. From there, my wife took over. She explained how I taught her starting in her 40’s and now she doesn’t know why she thought it was difficult. Bam! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Looking ahead
So, what is your excuse? I know the term “dad rock” was a kind of insult but it seems to have garnered some honor somehow. Join the legions of dads and rock on young man! All of my band mates from high school and through my twenties are dads and moms (or at least old enough to be a dad or mom). They all still play or sing. We blabber on and on about the glory days on Facebook pages like our peers in sports. But we have the advantage that we can still take part in our love of music.
Maybe some of us still have our glory days ahead? Bob Dylan, at the tender age of 79, just put out a new album and it went into the top ten. My music may not get there but I can get a few likes on YouTube and play with my local band, The Regeneration Jazz Band.
Come on and join us! We will get together and have a blast jamming for no good reason once this whole virus thing is over…it may be loud, too 😉