John Hendow

Over the past two months I’ve been putting a lot more time into practicing and transcribing. This has been largely due to my involvement in The Dudley Manlove Quartet where I’m in the very fortunate position of being surrounded by great musicians. So I’ve been working to ensure I’m in getting my parts together for our songs. One of the dividends that is paid by doing this is that my playing is improving in general. Last night I practiced with The 1 Uppers and was covering both of the electric guitar parts; we have a show coming up next weekend and Kris won’t be able to play that night, so I’m doing my best to provide some fraction of his awesomeness. Our rehearsal last night felt great and I think part of my comfort level was directly due to having spent more time lately playing in more styles.

This weekend The Dudley Manlove Quartet will be playing an event and we’ve been asked to perform “The Final Countdown” by Europe (!). It’s one of those songs that I didn’t really pay a lot of attention to back in the 80s and with only a few days’ notice I’m having to transcribe the fairly pyrotechnic guitar solo. The more I challenge myself, it seems the better I feel about the results. I suppose this is hardly a revelation. But it sure feels good when I’m attuned and in the moment. My goal is reach that space on a more regular basis in all that I do.