This is why I teach SRV's style
AnthonySix year old Paul is learning how to play SRV’s music. Nearly 20 years after one of the world’s most influential and extraordinarily gifted guitarists left this earth, a 6 year old kid is sitting in his living room, working his way through his songs. Keep in mind that many people think SRV brought the blues back from near-extinction. And now a boy that is nearly half a century younger, is unknowingly keeping Stevie’s memory and music alive by simply learning his music.
I don’t get on my soapbox very much on this site because there’s really no need to preach to the choir. Pretty much everyone who comments here is a SRV fan of some degree. But if I’m to be honest with all of you, there have been times I’ve taken criticism from people as a guitarist for wanting to play like SRV. I’ve been called some names and have at times felt like a bit of a punchline. And this was before I started StevieSnacks.
The other day I got an email from Paul’s father sending me these videos and letting me know that Paul has gotten an ‘unbelievable’ amount from these lessons that he bought with his allowance. Keep in mind that Paul is 6. And he’s saving up to buy guitar lessons.
I can’t even tell you what it feels like to see someone so young playing music that is impossibly over his head, and to be told that my lessons had some small part in helping him get to this point. I could write much, much more about how much I appreciated seeing these videos, but I’ll simply say this.
The reason I’ve spent over a decade learning guitar from SRV and the reason I’ve spent countless hours late at night over the last year creating lessons in the SRV style is simply this.
So a 6 year old can sit on his parents couch and play the music he loves while his Dad proudly watches.
http://www.vimeo.com/3905629 http://www.vimeo.com/3914638
Videos are shown here with the permission of Paul’s father.
6 Year Old Paul Playing Lenny from Anthony Stauffer on Vimeo.