Reflections on Anger and Music Instruments

Have you ever found yourself in a moment of intense frustration, so much so that you wished to destroy the very instrument that you are trying to master? For many aspiring musicians, the journey to perfection is fraught with trials and tribulations. This article delves into the experiences and lessons learned from such moments, emphasizing the importance of preserving instruments and seeking solutions instead of destructive impulses.

The Journey of Learning a Musical Instrument

It all began with a simple task: replacing a leather protector on my horn. However, as frustration mounted, the thought of throwing it out the window crossed my mind as a temporary solution. Yet, there was a lesson to be learned from this moment—the value of perseverance and the need to revisit approached with a clear mind.

Preserving and Rescuing Instruments

No, I hold my musical instruments dear. In fact, breaking a guitar is something one should never do. Instead, consider drums if you feel the need to release anger through impact. However, my personal experience serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when we neglect an instrument that deserves our care and attention.

I owned a cheap, poorly made classical guitar that I initially hated. The strings were so bad that they were almost square in cross-section, and the fret ends were so sharp they caused me to bleed. The tuners and truss rod were equally disappointing. Despite the frustration, instead of destroying the instrument, I took active steps to improve it. I replaced the tuners, adjusted the truss rod, filed down the fret ends, adjusted the bridge, and installed high-quality strings. The result? My once-hated instrument became merely "really bad," but it was no longer a source of constant irritation.

The Path to Preservation

However, preservation and improvement don’t always mean the instrument will become a joy to play. After extensive modifications, I removed all the frets, filled in the fret slots with wood filler, sanded the board to a dead flat finish, lowered the action at the nut, and installed flatwound strings. The result was a Turkish-style fretless classical guitar that is enjoyable to play, though it still falls short of my ideal sound. But the journey of preservation was more valuable than destruction, and I even plan to install a pickup system for it eventually.

Self-Analysis and Seeking Advice

When faced with the urge to destroy an instrument, it’s essential to step back and analyze the situation. Instruments are indeed inanimate objects, created with time and care by someone else. Honoring their creators by not destroying them is a sign of respect. However, if there is something wrong with the instrument, seek advice from someone knowledgeable who can offer a solution.

Blaming the instrument for your own failings is unproductive. The root of frustration often lies within ourselves, and addressing our own shortcomings is key to finding lasting solutions. In my case, it was the combination of poor quality instruments and my own lack of experience in maintaining and tuning them that led to the frustration.

Conclusion

Next time you find yourself tempted to smash that instrument, take a deep breath and remember the value of care and preservation. Seek advice, improve the instrument, and find ways to reduce frustration. After all, an instrument is more than just a tool—it is a connection to the passion and dedication that goes into creating something beautiful.