Stinging Strings

A sharp, throbbing sensation in swollen, indented fingertips signals pain. But last evening, it also carried contentment.

I sat in my room, guitar on lap, facing my 18-year-old brother, Joe. He held another guitar in his arms. His fingers danced across frets, changing chords and strumming strings. His eyes closed and head swayed. He played Broken by Seether.

God! He makes it look a lot easier than it really is.

Joe’s instrument is trumpet, but he recently taught himself how to play guitar. And now, he’s teaching me.

“This is E flat— I mean E minor,” I said, holding down the fourth and fifth strings on the second fret. “And this is D.” I pressed down the first three strings. Sharp pain pierced my fingers. I squirmed, released the strings, and squeezed my hand shut to ease the pulsating aches.

I played the piano and clarinet, and figured a background in music would help. But I didn’t have to hurt to close woodwind holes or press board keys. I looked down at my fingers frowning and sniffing. One or more lines drew across the tips.

Why can’t calluses grow right away? Why all this suffering? Argh!

“It’s OK,” Joe said. “Just keep practicing, and in a couple of weeks, you’ll have this:”

Joe tapped his fingers on the side of the guitar. “It’s not very attractive, but it makes it a lot easier ‘cause you won’t feel the strings pricking through your skin.” He smiled.

So far, I’ve learned bits and pieces of I will be right here waiting for you by Bryan Adams, the solo in Broken, and the beginning of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. But my target—all time favorite—songs are Iris by Goo Goo Dolls, and Here Without You by 3-Doors Down.

I watched Joe’s pick-less spidery fingers pluck strings effortlessly. I sat back and listened to his playing for a couple more minutes.

Talent defies age. It’s quite nice to look up to someone younger.

I shook my hand, took a deep breath, and pressed more strings. Ignoring the pain, I alternated between chords—until I squirmed again, squeezed my hand, frowned, and sniffed.

I have a long way to go, and a lot of patching up to do for the songs I’m attempting. But with every stab of pain, I know I’m a step closer to getting them right.

“See, music never lets you down,” Joe said. “No matter how little you learn, it feels like you’ve accomplished something.”