#i started with uke and then moved to guitar hehe

[icyfox17]

Also, I promised spamadge, so tell me about your guitar! Is it electric or acoustic? What’s your favourite style to play? Do you play fingers style or just chords? If it’s finger style, do you play by reading notes or do you just read tabs? Did you take classes or are you self-taught?

-🌲

I am playing myself some guitar before I sleep so decided I'd reply to this now ehehe

It's acoustic!! And it's my aunt's guitar:) well def mine now but like. She gave it to me when I wanted to learn how to play (now... 2 years ago? Yeeee) and i could've also gotten her electric guitar & amp but it was a bit Too Much and I don't have a lot of room and I wanted to take it one step at a time so I haven't played electric yet.

I definitely prefer playing chords (my sister's the opposite, she hates chords and loves memorizing complicated tabs), but I play both!!

Since I Saw Vienna was my fav song before. Y'know. HELP like literally was my number one song on Spotify ever since I found it in 2020 (3 years in a row) so...🧍 It's still one of my favs to play ngl and is the only finger style song I have memorised though I am currently learning Night We Met by Lord Huron!!

I play reading tabs I know No Music Theory At All

Self taught B)

Well my ex taught me my first song on here (kmd by American poetry club YIPPEEEE) but after that it was all YouTube videos and honestly mainly just looking at tabs. First song I taught myself was Meet Me in the Woods by Lord Huron :D

But yeah I am def not like knowledgeable in anything Technical with music. I'm just here for the vibesss

[karajaynetoday]

oh that list has so many good options but maybe 21 with ash??? happy ending pls because i’m not in an emotional state to handle a sad ending 😂

Hi Gracie! Thank you so much for sending in a request :) I got a little bit carried away with this one, but I hope it’s okay! Let me know what you think! Warning for a little bit of swearing and a LOT of angst (but the happy ending as promised hehe). 

I’m going to take some inspiration from this post from Crystal @kindahoping4forever with relationships headcanons, including the observation that Ash is “so used to taking care of everyone, he doesn’t always recognize when he needs that from someone else or how to accept that help and not feel burdensome by admitting that he needs it. So you’d have to learn how to read his signals and recognize when he’s struggling and you need to step in.”

21. “I…I can’t do this without you.”.  (This is a gender neutral reader insert blurb)

To say that your 2020 had been a bit different to planned was an understatement. You’d been working from home since quarantine first began back in March, having set up a home office in a corner of the guest room at your and Ashton’s house. It was a rough adjustment at first, but by the time August rolled around, you were pretty settled into your routine and had figured out how best to work remotely with your colleagues who were spread in home offices around the city (and across the country and even the world, in some cases).

Ashton, on the other hand, had cabin fever. The album launch had been full of highs (number ones in the UK and Australia!) and lows (thanks Billboard), and the months that followed had been a rollercoaster of Zoom meetings, social media drama, production of a quarantine music video, and rescheduling of the entire No Shame Tour until next year. It’d been years since Ashton had been home for this long, and it was the first time in your relationship that you’d seen each other every single day for six months.

At first it was nice to wake up in each other’s arms, and mosey into the kitchen together to start your days. Ashton was determined to make quarantine as productive as possible, and every day he woke, drank some coffee, then wrote a song. You’d have lunch together, and then he’d lock himself away in his music room and manage to have a demo produced by the time he came to bed around midnight. You were in awe of Ashton’s drive and dedication, but also a little concerned that he was going to burn out soon. The thing about Ashton was that he didn’t like thinking he needed help, or that he couldn’t do something, and more than anything he struggled with accepting help, so you knew that you needed to keep an eye on him for the usual signs that he was getting overwhelmed. Ashton had a big heart, and he’d do anything to help his loved ones, but he hated being a burden on anyone else. 

The first warning sign was on an otherwise normal Thursday morning. Ashton woke up before you, and he wasn’t in the kitchen when you made yourself some coffee and breakfast before your first meeting of the day. As you trekked into your makeshift office, you could hear the reverberation of his drumming coming up through the floor from the basement. Ashton usually did his song-writing on guitar, so drums first thing was a little odd, and you started to wonder if he was drumming more to get his feelings and frustrations out rather than for any musical purposes.

The second warning sign was when Ashton didn’t come upstairs for lunch, or respond to your text messages checking in, or even your knocks on the door to his music room. When he did eventually emerge, Ash was slamming doors left and right, and ignored you where you perched at the kitchen counter as he stalked past and out in the backyard (slamming the door behind him for good measure). You knew he was frustrated, but the silent treatment and juvenile door slamming wasn’t going to do anyone any good, so you headed to the backyard to have it out.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Ashton snapped as you stepped outside, before you even said anything.

Rolling your eyes, you moved into his line of sight and sat down on the lounger he was sprawled out on. 

“Yes, because not talking about it is going extremely well for you. And every single door in the house.” You shot back, raising your eyebrows at Ashton as he scoffed at you and crossed his arms. You knew you were pushing his buttons, but he had to get it out somehow. 

“What’s got you so worked up, babe?” You tried again, more gentle this time, reaching out to touch Ashton’s arm softly. He shied away from your touch, and shook his head. 

“Just.. leave it, okay?! Not everything can be solved by a fucking heart-to-heart and you kissing it better, for fuck’s sake!” You were taken aback by Ashton’s venomous tone, and you recoiled your hands at his outburst. 

Tears began to well in your eyes, and you cursed yourself for getting so emotional when all Ashton was was frustrated, and not necessarily at you. Ashton had turned away from you and was facing the wall, so you took a deep breath and stood up.

“Fine. But don’t expect me to always be here if you’re not going to give our relationship, and me, the respect it deserves. You can be mad at the entire fucking world if you want to be, Ashton, but don’t make me the bad guy for wanting to help you.” You tried your best to sound as sharp as Ashton had, but your voice started to crack on the final few words as the tears threatened to spill over. Ash looked up at the change in your tone, but before he could say anything, you headed back inside and upstairs to your shared bedroom. 

You decided a shower would help clear your head and shake off the unsettling feelings and thoughts swirling about your mind. You knew Ashton didn’t mean to hurt you, but he’d still managed it all the same. If you couldn’t confide your problems to each other, or help each other through your respective challenges, how were you supposed to continue to love and grow together? Sure, this year and the current circumstances didn’t help with stuff like this, but if you couldn’t deal with it now, what hope did you have for when quarantine was over and you returned to normal days in the office and Ashton out on the road interstate or in a different country?

You slipped into your pyjamas (one of Ashton’s old band shirts and some shorts), and tucked yourself under the covers. It was only 8pm or so, but you were exhausted and bed seemed like the best option. You’d been lying there for all of ten minutes, willing yourself to sleep, when you heard the bedroom door slowly open and Ashton’s footsteps shuffle in. The bed dipped slightly as he sat down, and you stayed in your position with your eyes closed.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you.” Ash began, his voice quiet and reserved. You cracked one eye open, and you could instantly tell that Ashton had spent the last while working himself up over your argument by the way he was wringing his hands together. Sitting up, you pulled him into an embrace, and for the first time all day, you breathed each other in and felt a sense of calm wash over you.

“I…I can’t do this without you.” Ashton mumbled into your hair, squeezing you tightly. 

“Hey, you won’t ever have to do it without me.” You whispered gently, pulling away and stroking your hand across Ash’s cheek. He smiled sadly, and kissed your hand softly.

“But…” You continued, and Ashton looked you in the eyes slightly sheepishly. “You do have to let me help you sometimes. I know you hate feeling like a burden, but you can’t lecture me about letting you in when I’m struggling and then turn around and shut me out.”

“I know. I’m just too used to being the problem solver, not the problem haver, but I owe it to you, and to us, to work on opening up more. I love you, and I love that you put up with me.” Ashton spoke more clearly, leaning in to give you a soft kiss on the lips, and then began peppering kisses all over your face and neck until you began giggling uncontrollably and pulled him under the covers with you with a shriek of happiness. The next morning, you woke up in each other’s arms, and had breakfast together outside in the sunshine, and things began to feel like you’d be alright, now and forever, as long as you had each other. 

[haninabaninah-learning]

Musical Instruments: Adult Learning Experience

A lot of people we know who play instruments Started learning them at a very early age. Many of those who end up going to music schools learn at age 5 or 6. Mozart composed his first piece at age 5 for goodness sake! I’ve been watching TwoSet Violin and prodigies are just getting younger and younger.

I had a different experience. I started seriously learning instruments in high school.

PIANO

In my younger years, I knew how to play the really easy melodies on the piano (given that we have a piano at home and my dad and grandmother are very good pianists) - Happy Birthday song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars - the kind you teach 4 year olds with only one hand. Then for some reason, maybe during my first years of high school, I found myself trying to learn pieces from our electronic keyboard by following the lighted keys. I first learned Canon in D and Minuet in G. My parents were a bit shocked when they saw that I learned it from the keyboard.

***To be fair, I came from quite a musical family. As I mentioned, my grandmother and father are good pianists. My mother also knows a few classical piano pieces. My father and my brother play the guitar. My sisters sang at a choir. My dad, who is also knowledgeable in music theory, is the worship leader at our local church. Basically, nobody is tone deaf in my family. You can consider our family musical.***

From there, I started going to Youtube for song tutorials. I learned A Thousand Miles and White Houses, both by Vanessa Carlton. I learned a few other pop songs, but I don’t remember them as well as these two. I never liked reading notes, so YouTube was definitely my go-to. (Thank God for YouTube.)

I first formally took lessons (Suzuki Method) the summer before my 3rd year of high school. At first, I was intimidated because two of my classmates were very good sightreaders and they were already very good at our age. But they also became inspirations for me, that soon, I will be able to play as well as them. I loved the piano, so I practiced a lot, even at night. I finished Suzuki Book 1 upto the first 2 or 3 pieces in Book 2 that summer break. But school started again and I just didn’t go back to taking those lessons.

The more I listened to piano pieces, the more I wanted to learn and be an excellent piano player. Sadly, the excitement isn’t constant. My practice and learning jumps are often characterized by energy bursts - intense practice seasons (a few weeks) and a long hiatus (months or years). I always play on and off. But it’s always good to be reminded.

I took piano lessons in the UPCMEP after about 4 years, in the summer after my second year in uni. I was discouraged from continuing though, because my teacher was very harsh and hostile. I was totally scared of her! After graduating from uni (after about 3 years), I practiced on my own again and self-studied the rest of Suzuki Book 2 and the first few pieces of Book 3. I was fired up! I took lessons with UPCMEP again under a different teacher. She’s very kind and I love her! (Ms. Pia) Unfortunately, I had to move to Australia right after finishing the sessions. (I couldn’t even attend my own recital.) I just got back from Australia, after 2 years, and I took lessons from UPCMEP - and again under a different teacher because Ms. Pia is fully booked. She’s also a nice teacher, but I made a lot of mistakes. It felt a little bit stressful because I had other things to do, and I just felt there was a lot of homework. I think my skills weren’t at par with the expectations my teacher had. I couldn’t keep up. I was always tense during my lessons for fear of making more mistakes, which made my mind go even slower. Practice was also not fun (because of the pressure of learning many pieces/ exercises at once.) 

Now, I’m on lockdown and I can’t take the online piano lessons. I tried practicing my piece again with 0 pressure on myself, and I absolutely love it!

I might take piano lessons again, someday, when I can.

Ease of learning: 3/5

Lessons: Idk the local Teacher (Suzuki), UP College of Music Extension Program

Favorite pieces: Sonatina Op. 55 No. 2 (Kuhlau), 214 Intro (Hehe classic I love Rico Blanco)

VIOLIN

I took violin lessons during my first year of working. Aside from violin being a cool instrument that makes pop music sound grand, here is another weird reason for trying to learn violin: I liked playing melodies by ear, but I can't do it with chords. It doesn't work well on the piano, because playing single notes on it sounds very child-like. But it works on the violin. Simple tunes sound really good if you have the skill. I thought if I could get to a good level of violin skills, I could play any song I want and make it sound amazing. It would be a great addition to a band arrangement or something.

I must say - with piano it's easy to sound good as a beginner but it's hard to be an expert. With violin, however, a beginner sounds like crap. I sounded like crap (imo), most especially when I first learned with the group classes. I believe I still do.

Yes, at first I took violin lessons with a class my dad found online. I would not recommend it at all. Form and technique is very important when you are starting to learn violin, and the lack of focus on the student will be of 0 help to you. We played poor-sounding violin renditions of pop songs and Christmas songs for our recital. It's kinda sad. To be fair my classmates were all in high school and below. I was in my fourth year of uni.

After two years, I started working and I picked up the violin again (for some reason.) I started earning money and I can now (kind of) afford violin lessons. I would definitely recommend individual lessons with a teacher for violin (or I guess for learning any sort of classical instrument seriously.) I learned a lot from my teacher who was also very kind and encouraging.

Unfortunately, due to many reasons including my demands at work, my tiredness of the commute to the lesson, my innate stingyness (I still found the weekly lessons very expensive, considering my income), my spiritual issues, and my depression, it just became harder and harder for me to attend lessons. A big part of the misfortune here is that I was not being honest with my teacher about my issues, and I feel like I disrespected him along the way. :(

Someday, I would want to pick up my violin again and learn. (Or get a better quality violin, actually.) I will play that vibrato well, and enjoy beautiful songs on this instrument.

Ease of learning: 1/5

Lessons: Individual Teacher

YouTube inspo: TwoSet violin (LOL), Ray Chen, Hilary Hahn (the whole gang)

Favorite piece: I really don’t remember any of my classical pieces cause I wasn’t good enough

UKULELE

Everybody I know who plays ukulele learned it as an adult. It’s very easy to play but it’s very fun-sounding. 

I remember trying to play it many years ago when we got a cheap version, but that time, I just did not put any effort. I was a busy bee and had many other things to do. I was more 100% more interested in learning piano. On top of that, I had not yet discovered the magic of actual YouTube teachers. (I don’t know if there were uke teachers at that time already.) I basically forgot about its existence after a few weeks.

I think it was when we cleaned up that I saw our Ukulele again. At 24 years old, I was going to move to Australia - and I had to bring an instrument! I can’t bring a piano or a guitar because...how. I knew I was gonna go crazy if I can’t play music, especially if there’s nothing to do while I job-hunt. I liked singing and I really wanted to learn an instrument that could accompany my singing. I ordered a quality ukulele and moved. Being jobless in a foreign country with very little money, watching Youtube teachers and practicing was really a good way to spend my time when I’m not busy. I learned reading tabs in the process too.

I have loved the sound of fingerpicked instruments for the longest time, and I was so glad to finally be able to fingerpick songs.I am also proud of being able to “chuck”. It just adds so much dimension to the music. I still have a lot to work on (I am still horrible at strumming patterns because I suck at following beats), but I’d say I’m a fair player.

Ease of learning: 5/5

YouTube Teacher: Cynthia Lin Music

Favorite pieces - I only love fingerpicked songs lol so I love Cynthia Lin: Can’t Help Falling In Love, Here Comes The Sun, Canon in D (Pachelbel - but in key of C, lol, I haven’t finished)

CLASSICAL GUITAR

Here I am, at 26, learning classical guitar and music theory. I’ve always wanted to learn the guitar. As I mentioned, I love the sound of fingerpicked instruments. I love the sound of acoustic covers and the plucked strings. It’s so relaxing and calm.

I tried learning the guitar as a high school student, but I was overcome by my annoyance of the pain on my fingertips when I press on the strings. I was also bad at strumming patterns. (I suck at rhythm.) On top of that, I gave myself an excuse of not being able to reach most chords due to my small hands. I learned the easy chords and strumming, but it really is far from good enough.

Learning the ukulele gave me courage to start learning the guitar again. I really did want to be good at it. Luckily, as I applied for piano lessons, I figured it would be a waste to travel for 2 hours a day only for a 1-hour lesson. I thought it would be a good idea to take guitar lessons as well.

I initially just wanted ordinary guitar lessons, just so I can be forced to learn guitar for my pop songs. Apparently, they mostly (or only) teach classical guitar in UP (kind of obvious though). What a beautiful genre, though. This is my kind of music! I’m also very grateful for my kind and fun teacher- Sir Peter. He’s very encouraging!

Perhaps one of the factors of the success was also the implementation of online classes. It’s not so tiring to attend lessons because of the travel (unlike when I was learning violin). I love classical guitar now, and I’m continuing my lessons. I barely practiced and prepared for my classes before lockdown, but now I really enjoy each practice time I have. More on this on another blog post!

Ease of learning: 3/5

Lessons: UP College of Music Extension Program (Now online lessons)

YouTube additional learning: Brandon Acker, This is Classical Guitar

Favorite piece - (well I’m only starting so I have a very limited list) Andantino in G by Carulli, but I would like to learn Air on G String someday

MUSIC THEORY

I’ve also started to learn Music Theory (albeit still with little effort) during lockdown. From Youtube (of course). I barely finish any song I write. And I love arranging music, but I’m not very good at it. I figure Music Theory will help me a lot in this area.