1 Topic by stefanhauk (edited by stefanhauk 2012-05-09 09:23:15)

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Topic: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

In the last couple of months I've had a certain 12 year old student at my school take a lot of attention to my guitar playing and has taken it up and continues to sight me as his inspiration. Like him when I was younger I was a social outcast so whenever he came up to talk to him I gave him the time he needed and spoke to him, gave him someone to talk to. Despite being back and forth from the hospital with depression and other mental health symptoms (which he is fighting to the best of his ability) he is now learning guitar at a rapid rate and I'm doing my best to mentor him. He is now getting a JB Epiphone for his birthday in a months time!! He (like myself) is now also inspired by Joe, who shows you don't have to be the coolest kid in school to kick arse!! Shows what music can do for you and more importantly giving someone time to just talk! Nothing is more rewarding when your music makes this happen smile

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  • Brack
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Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

Well done Stefan, update us as to the kids progress from time to time.

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  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
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Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

Likewise. It's always good to help others when they need it most. Very rare in your age groups though (the difference I mean). Keep it up and keep us posted.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • Registered: 2008-06-16
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Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

thanks Stefan, just love to hear these encounters of the younguns. Only 16 and already you are "paying it forward", a trait no doubt inherited from Joe. Keep rockin my man!

Tres

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

Thanks guys, I'm really enjoying the joy music is giving him, I'm really proud smile

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

You know I already think you're a great young man, but this is the topper. Music heals wink I'm so sad when I hear of somebody so young suffering. I hope he continues to get the help he needs aside from music. It's also impossible to tell you how life changes after school. Time and again I've read bio's from successful people who had bad school experiences. Education matters, but the social aspects can be VERY difficult. Stay true to yourself, do the right thing (as you are doing), and know the World is yours wink     Cathy

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

I think it helps because I was in the same sort of situation, no one showed up fr my 10th birthday because everybody was scared of me!!

A lot of high school kids have no empathy and that makes life hard for some kids.

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 569

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

I was bullied a lot in school and always felt like music was the one thing I could always depend on to have a sense of purpose. You are giving your friend such a special gift by being someone to look up to and introducing him to role models like Joe. You are playing a great part in healing his soul. smile

Mary

LOL-ler-tastic.
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

it's_all_about_apples wrote:

I was bullied a lot in school and always felt like music was the one thing I could always depend on to have a sense of purpose. You are giving your friend such a special gift by being someone to look up to and introducing him to role models like Joe. You are playing a great part in healing his soul. smile

Thank you Mary, just trying to do what's right.

And thank you Cathy smile

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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  • From: Nottingham, England
  • Registered: 2012-04-28
  • Posts: 39

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

I was bullied a bit in school but truth be told if I hadn't I never would have played guitar.

Because of the bullying I used to skive off, sad as that is. In the early days it was just a few lessons, but that soon stretched into whole days then weeks at a time. At first I'd sit at home on the PS2, sad times. Then I saw an Oasis gig and my eyes opened up to music, picked up the guitar and spent all the free time I had practising.

At school I didn't have many friends, I considered myself odd and introverted. Guitar helped me get through it and whilst I only managed to stop truanting in the final year, I came out of school with sub-par grades. Without guitar I would have really struggled, what else would I do during the breaks?

Now I'm very happy to have found a purpose, I'm at a music technology college with loads of friends, and instead of being odd and introverted I'm the opposite. All thanks to guitar, you've helped give this kid a gift Stefan, you should be proud mate.

Keep on rocking.

Check out me own stuff if you like smile

http://soundcloud.com/ampburner

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  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

tom1995w wrote:

I was bullied a bit in school but truth be told if I hadn't I never would have played guitar.

Because of the bullying I used to skive off, sad as that is. In the early days it was just a few lessons, but that soon stretched into whole days then weeks at a time. At first I'd sit at home on the PS2, sad times. Then I saw an Oasis gig and my eyes opened up to music, picked up the guitar and spent all the free time I had practising.

At school I didn't have many friends, I considered myself odd and introverted. Guitar helped me get through it and whilst I only managed to stop truanting in the final year, I came out of school with sub-par grades. Without guitar I would have really struggled, what else would I do during the breaks?

Now I'm very happy to have found a purpose, I'm at a music technology college with loads of friends, and instead of being odd and introverted I'm the opposite. All thanks to guitar, you've helped give this kid a gift Stefan, you should be proud mate.

Keep on rocking.

Thanks man!! Music saved my from a violent destructive cycle, I was just unpredictible and unstable and then guitar just made me happy and improved my quality of life and I didn't need to be angry anymore.... it's the best release and escape there is!

It is what I love more than anything in the world and I'd just love to make it my life because nothing excites me like music does.

You keep on rocking too buddy!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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12 Reply by tom1995w (edited by tom1995w 2012-05-09 19:27:47)

  • From: Nottingham, England
  • Registered: 2012-04-28
  • Posts: 39

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

stefanhauk wrote:
tom1995w wrote:

I was bullied a bit in school but truth be told if I hadn't I never would have played guitar.

Because of the bullying I used to skive off, sad as that is. In the early days it was just a few lessons, but that soon stretched into whole days then weeks at a time. At first I'd sit at home on the PS2, sad times. Then I saw an Oasis gig and my eyes opened up to music, picked up the guitar and spent all the free time I had practising.

At school I didn't have many friends, I considered myself odd and introverted. Guitar helped me get through it and whilst I only managed to stop truanting in the final year, I came out of school with sub-par grades. Without guitar I would have really struggled, what else would I do during the breaks?

Now I'm very happy to have found a purpose, I'm at a music technology college with loads of friends, and instead of being odd and introverted I'm the opposite. All thanks to guitar, you've helped give this kid a gift Stefan, you should be proud mate.

Keep on rocking.

Thanks man!! Music saved my from a violent destructive cycle, I was just unpredictible and unstable and then guitar just made me happy and improved my quality of life and I didn't need to be angry anymore.... it's the best release and escape there is!

It is what I love more than anything in the world and I'd just love to make it my life because nothing excites me like music does.

You keep on rocking too buddy!!

Yep I agree completely. After a stressful day I love to chill out and play Still Got The Blues or Parisienne Walkways. I get completely lost in it. Guitar is just amazing, then again I love playing bass and piano just as much, as well as singing.

I've checked out your playing mate and it's very impressive, clear that you love it. Keep doing what you love and you'll move forward.

There's something interesting developing in this thread which I thought you might be interested in. A fun little "contest" where a few of us jam over the same backing track and post it up. Should be fun! smile https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=21288

Check out me own stuff if you like smile

http://soundcloud.com/ampburner

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  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

I've had very similar experiences to you guys...I just try to think about all that sh*t when playing ... helps me feel it a lot more ... you know what I mean!?

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • From: Amsterdam
  • Registered: 2007-10-06
  • Posts: 5,249

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

I think we're very fortunate to have youngsters like you lot here, more power to you!!! Your mentoring story is particularly touching, Stefan. You are earning some very good karma by helping this lad the way you are. Bravo, and a doff of my virtual hat! wink

George

RIP Iron Man

Rock On and keep the Faith
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

tom1995w wrote:
stefanhauk wrote:
tom1995w wrote:

I was bullied a bit in school but truth be told if I hadn't I never would have played guitar.

Because of the bullying I used to skive off, sad as that is. In the early days it was just a few lessons, but that soon stretched into whole days then weeks at a time. At first I'd sit at home on the PS2, sad times. Then I saw an Oasis gig and my eyes opened up to music, picked up the guitar and spent all the free time I had practising.

At school I didn't have many friends, I considered myself odd and introverted. Guitar helped me get through it and whilst I only managed to stop truanting in the final year, I came out of school with sub-par grades. Without guitar I would have really struggled, what else would I do during the breaks?

Now I'm very happy to have found a purpose, I'm at a music technology college with loads of friends, and instead of being odd and introverted I'm the opposite. All thanks to guitar, you've helped give this kid a gift Stefan, you should be proud mate.

Keep on rocking.

Thanks man!! Music saved my from a violent destructive cycle, I was just unpredictible and unstable and then guitar just made me happy and improved my quality of life and I didn't need to be angry anymore.... it's the best release and escape there is!

It is what I love more than anything in the world and I'd just love to make it my life because nothing excites me like music does.

You keep on rocking too buddy!!

Yep I agree completely. After a stressful day I love to chill out and play Still Got The Blues or Parisienne Walkways. I get completely lost in it. Guitar is just amazing, then again I love playing bass and piano just as much, as well as singing.

I've checked out your playing mate and it's very impressive, clear that you love it. Keep doing what you love and you'll move forward.

There's something interesting developing in this thread which I thought you might be interested in. A fun little "contest" where a few of us jam over the same backing track and post it up. Should be fun! smile https://forum.jbonamassa.com/viewtopic.php?id=21288

Yeah I've been chatting to Jonny Lowther about it.... will try and submit a 'Thrill Is Gone' cover as soon as I can.... but I'm in my final year of high school and I work 30 hours a week so I'm quite busy\!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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  • From: Nottingham, England
  • Registered: 2012-04-28
  • Posts: 39

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

Jlowther wrote:

I've had very similar experiences to you guys...I just try to think about all that sh*t when playing ... helps me feel it a lot more ... you know what I mean!?

Definitely, put all that anger I felt at the time in to it and I play a lot better smile

Check out me own stuff if you like smile

http://soundcloud.com/ampburner

tom1995w's Website

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

Amsterhammer wrote:

I think we're very fortunate to have youngsters like you lot here, more power to you!!! Your mentoring story is particularly touching, Stefan. You are earning some very good karma by helping this lad the way you are. Bravo, and a doff of my virtual hat! wink

George

Thanks George, I feel like it's something I have to do, I had people help me when I was in a bad place, I can only do the same!!

I know exactly what you mean Jonny, I had a horrible day yesterday but went to rehearsal that night and played one of the best rehearsals I've ever played, any emotion is good ammo!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: What a bit of attention and compassion can do!

Hi All
Sorry to hear of all your trails and tribulations growing up. But I am totally impressed how all of you have found the power of music, the power of how it can touch one's soul, lift you up and drive you to inspire others and have a positive outlook on life. That is the most important lesson and take away. I salute you all keep marching forward and inspire others.
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
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