Let's Talk with Terry Ambrose

Have you ever stumbled across something from your past that made your heart skip a beat? That old photo, a dusty box of childhood treasures, or maybe even a musical instrument tucked away in the corner of the attic? For many of us, the passions we once cherished so much get paused somewhere along life’s winding road. But rediscovering them? Ah, that’s a joy unlike any other.

This is my story of reconnecting with a long-lost love for music, specifically the guitar, after years of neglect. Along the way, I’ve found not just melodies, but fragments of myself I had forgotten. If you’ve had a similar experience of rediscovering an old love, you’ll find plenty to relate to here. And if you haven’t yet, perhaps you’ll be inspired to pick up something long forgotten.

Childhood Musical Pursuits

My love affair with music began early. My first instrument? The accordion. Yes, the accordion. I played it for years, delighting in its quirky sound and how my fingers danced over the keys. But life, as it does, nudged me onto the next chapter when a shiny, new piano arrived at our house.

The piano was supposed to be for my mom. She struggled with it, bless her heart, but I picked it up quickly, to her simultaneous irritation and pride. Before long, I transitioned to the organ, dreaming big. Would I be the next big keyboardist? Would my name flash in neon lights? Well, there were hurdles. First, I wasn’t quite into rock-and-roll yet (a critical oversight for any aspiring band member). Second, our home organ, while large and full-featured, never had the impressive presence of the glorious Hammond B-3s that dominated the stage back then.

And, as with most teenage endeavors, my musical whims took a sharp turn. One day, I decided on the guitar. I practiced diligently, even jamming with a talented coworker. Our dream of forming a band lit a tiny fire in me. But dreams are funny things when you’re young, and the reality of practice didn’t align with the fantasy we’d built up. Unsurprisingly, the band days faded into the background.

Life, as it always does, took over. College, a nine-to-five job, and countless other grown-up obligations slowly but surely nudged my musical pursuits into the background. For more than forty years, that guitar moved with us from state to state, but I seldom played it.

For reasons I can’t entirely explain, I decided to pick up the guitar again. Perhaps it was nostalgia or a yearning to reconnect with the simpler joys of life. This time, though, I decided to explore something entirely new to me – Hawaiian slack key.

Unlike the styles I’d dabbled in during my younger years, slack key is a genre unto itself. Its rich, intricate melodies and emotive resonance are both soothing and challenging. It’s like remembering how to ride a bike but on an entirely new trail. After just a couple of weeks, I think I’m hooked.

Challenges and Hopes

Of course, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Rediscovering an old hobby comes with challenges. When I reconnected with writing, it took years and many thousands of words before I felt like I’d finally put out something good. That book, which was a mystery about a former skip-tracer who became embroiled in a murder investigation, turned out to be Photo Finish.

My fingertips, once calloused and nimble, now ache after a short session. My brain, used to processing emails and spreadsheets, is slowly acquainting itself with slack key tunings and finger patterns. And oh, that sense of rhythm I once had? A bit elusive at the moment.

But here’s the thing about old loves, whether they’re hobbies, books, or even people. They welcome you back with a warmth and familiarity that’s hard to describe. They don’t expect perfection. The guitar doesn’t judge my clunky transitions or the occasional (okay, not so occasional) sharp twang. It just reminds me that there’s joy in the process of getting reacquainted.

What About Your Old Loves?

Now, I turn the question to you. Have you once had something in your life that brought you joy, only to set it aside as time went by? Perhaps it’s waiting for you to pick it back up, whether it’s an instrument, a sport, an art project, or even an old book you’ve been meaning to reread.

It’s not always easy to reconnect with something you once loved. There’s the fear that you won’t be as good as you were. There’s the worry that it’s too late. But if my guitar can be patient with me, maybe your old hobbies will be patient with you too.

I’d love to hear your story. Share in the comments below, and I’ll treat one lucky commenter to a Kindle version of any one of my books.

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