I think my friends all know that I love music. It’s been a huge part of my life since I started singing as a kid, and even more so since I picked up a guitar for the first time my senior year in high school. I’ve had my ups and downs – times where I played almost every day and dry patches of not playing at all for several months, but it’s always been something I go back to and find a lot of fulfillment in.
Right after swearing in as an official volunteer, a small group of volunteers scoured the colonial zone in Santo Domingo looking for music shops and a group discount to buy guitars. We finally found a decent guitar for a decent price and four of us bought guitars for about $60 a pop.
I then preceded to not play it for a full year. Well, not really. I pulled it out a few times, but we were living with a host family and it was just awkward. Dominicans really only like their music and I don’t think they really got my folky singer/songwriter style. Not to mention, I only know songs in English (they did however appreciate my improvised rendition of “My Heart Will Go On” when they asked me repeatedly if I knew the Titanic song).
However, in the past 2 months I’ve developed friendships with some fellow music loving volunteers (Phil, Eli, Andrea…you know who you are) and have found the courage/inspiration to dust off Fulano (the name of my dominican guitar) and start playing again.
So, for your hopefully not too harsh criticism and enjoyment, are a few samples. First is a video of me playing Adele’s “Someone Like You” (thanks, Andrea for showing me this song!).
And here’s a recording of something Eli and I wrote together. We didn’t get to finish it so it’s a bit short, but you’ll get the idea. Eli’s playing the guitar part and I’m singing.
I’d also love ideas of new songs to try and learn, so send me your ideas and/or requests!
Love it!
That was beautiful Kristy, keep it up!