7 minute read
Depot Artspace
Auckland Guitar School with Dylan Kay Anyone can play guitar
Dylan Kay
“I couldn’t possibly play guitar - I’m too old / not talented enough / no-one in my family plays / my hands are too small…”
There are many excuses for not trying, but here’s the good news. In 25-plus years of teaching many hundreds of students, I can count on one hand the people who I genuinely felt couldn’t learn guitar. Of those, one is still having lessons with us seven years later and sounding great!
Don’t you have to start really young?
You can… but you don’t have to. Maybe you’ve always wanted to play but not had the chance – the beauty of choosing to play later in life is that you have more control over your time, and with the right guidance, you can make the most of it!
Surely you need to be really “talented”?
In short, no. There isn’t space here for a long explanation, but I’d recommend reading the book “Bounce” by Matthew Syed which explores the myth of talent through examples in all disciplines, from Tiger Woods to Mozart.
So, what does it take?
In my experience, becoming a good guitar player takes three things: the right guidance and support, commitment, and perseverance. Put simply, with the right teacher and the right attitude it is amazing what you can achieve.
Do I need a teacher?
You might be lucky – you might just happen to find the right content online and choose to go looking for it at the right time, in the right order, and you might by chance practise it all correctly and make good progress. That’s a lot of ifs! In our experience, most people make very slow and patchy progress when trying to teach themselves. Put simply, having a good teacher will help you make faster, more certain progress.
See you next month!
Dylan Kay, Auckland Guitar School, Howick and Takapuna, Auckland "Transform your playing." 09 533 5246 www.aucklandguitarschool.co.nz
Depot Artspace with Amy Saunders Depot Artspace, Devonport
Amy Saunders
The Depot is a creative hub in the heart of Devonport with two gallery spaces, a music studio and workshop and networking areas used for our creative careers and employment programmes.
A lot of people don’t realise that we work with creatives across various stages of their careers and try to help them either find employment or develop a sustainable creative career. Our team are experts in their fields of career support and guidance and their commitment and support of the creatives they work with is something we’re very proud of.
And of course we are also very proud of our volunteer whanau who help keep our doors open and are very special to us. This week we want to introduce local artist and Depot Volunteer, Judy Rogers who is also taking part in our creative careers programme, Wayfind Creative.
Judy: I’m a self-taught artist known for blending of recycled, organic mediums resulting in ‘Steampunk’ creations. I don’t use glue but weld/nail/screw elements in my creations as a way of maintaining a sustainable practice.
I’ve been volunteering at the Depot for 2.5 years and it’s been a huge contributor to my creative confidence as an artist. I love being part of The Depot family and I look forward to being involved in the continual, ever changing exhibitions and giving back to the community as a volunteer each week.
I joined Wayfind Creative in June and already it has been so valuable to me. The workshops have enabled me to connect with other like-minded creatives and have provided me with invaluable information, tools and techniques resulting in the growth of my business already. I’ve genuinely felt quite mind blown and empowered after each session. www.judyrogers.co.nz.
Wayfind Creative is an exciting new programme for creatives who are looking to take control of their careers and create a financially viable, sustainable and deeply rewarding career. Find out more or sign up to Wayfind Creative today www.depotartspace.co.nz/ wayfindcreative/
Judy Rogers.
Depot Galleries are taking submissions for our annual Members Show:depotartspace.co.nz/exhibit-here/ Coming up at Depot Galleries:
Improve the quality of your life in 20 minutes once a week
Want to live longer and better? Do Strength training says Harvard Medical School. Muscle wasting, sarcopenia, is the biggest factor in age related decline, chronic disease and aches and pains. As we age we lose muscle mass, on average about 8-10% per decade. Not to mention years healing from exercise injuries that crop up as we get older. Fit20 has the perfect answer.
After age 35 we see a significant decrease of lean muscle and strength with each year. While this process is natural, it is very undesirable since it has a negative impact on how we feel and how our body functions as a whole. Doing cardiovascular exercise is an inefficient strategy for reversing muscle loss. Strength training reverses muscle decline very effectively and in much less time than most people think.
There is a great deal of misleading information about strength training. First of all, it is not about getting big muscles, it is about applying a measured stimulus via training that results in a revitalizing cascade of effects. These effects go well beyond stronger, more resilient muscles. Smart strength training also improves the function of other body systems, such as your immune system, metabolism, and brain function.
It’s a fact; strong people live longer and healthier lives.
Strength training improves strength and endurance, which is great and important for feeling better. But strength training also works to prevent common diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Furthermore, it has a positive effect on our mood and cognitive ability. It even helps to balance our hormone profiles.
Available time is one element to consider before deciding on an exercise practice. You could also consider your ambition level, what you want to achieve and not to forget safety. For people who want to improve their overall health and fitness, with optimal results in the least amount of time, intelligent strength training is the key.
Fit20 offers a high-intensity training method aimed at helping clients reach their health and fitness goals in just 20 minutes per week. The fit20 training is offered by appointment only and always with the guidance of a personal trainer. They will teach you what you need to know about smart strength training, provide feedback on your posture, breathing, and movement technique. All of these elements are very important. The boutique-style fit20 studios are pleasant, inviting, and comfortably cooled. Clients typically train one-on-one with their trainer, or along with a partner if they choose.
It takes only 20 minutes to do six, highly effective exercises which strengthen all major muscle groups. Clients continue to build their overall strength and fitness with each weekly 20-minute training session – the fit20 concept is based on the research-backed High Intensity Training (HIT) protocol.
The aim of this approach is to bring the body safely to the point where it adapts and becomes stronger, healthier and fitter.
Slow motion exercise, in combination with climate-controlled studios, means that fit20 clients typically do not perspire and have no need to change or shower. The unique fit20 approach is particularly interesting for seniors, busy professionals, and for those who don’t feel at home in traditional gym settings. It’s a very safe way of exercising, so it benefits people with past injuries.
“I do understand when people are a bit sceptical about the 20 minutes, it’s very different from what we have been told for a long time. But the concept is not new, and there has been a lot of research done around the health benefits. I always tell people who are interested to come in for a Free Introduction Training. Then they can experience what we do and how it benefits them”.
“Not only can people lose weight, build strength and tone, but as a former educational psychologist I can tell you that the benefits to your mental wellness and mood are tremendous – for just 20 minutes a week! Why wouldn’t you?”
Catharina Flisijn, Managing Director - Fit20 New Zealand Book your Free introductory training rosedale@fit20.co.nz or 021 02652819
