Not what you think, but I need advice.
First some background:
My Dad and I have always bonded over our mutual love of music and creativity. He was part of the Air Force Band during 'Nam and is a classically trained Berkley guy. I struggled to be fifth chair in HS Orchestra and really was only their for a little while. He's always been head and shoulders a better musician than me, due training and experience, but we both liked Hard or Heavy Rock and that's where we had common ground. I would always look forward to holidays, when we could jam together. The best was when he recorded the three of us (me, Dad, and my brother) playing an original tune that we worked on. That was awesome!!
Lately, he took up his studies again, now that my brother and I are out of the house. Which is great; I encouraged him all the way. This past Thanksgiving; however, he told me how he reconnected with some AF Band buddies and, in particular, one of them who loves to play Rock. He told me how this guy bores him and can't keep up with the others and he's not sure he's going to keep playing with him.
I kinda felt like he was talking about me, 'cause subtract 30 years from that guy's age and that's me and my level. I can't keep up with the AF Band guys and between work and stuff, I don't have the time to devote that Dad does. Plus, I just thought that we could have a little fun family thing when my brother and I come home, but Dad just wants to sit and work through his charts and exercises.
I kinda feel like the kid when his Dad refuses to play catch with him anymore because he throws like a girl
(no offense to female ball players, it's just a figure of speech
)
I want Dad to have fun and continue his journey, but damn, I missed the family-time. At the risk of sounding whine-y, isn't the joy of playing music with your kids, still enjoyable even if you're not playing freakin' Jazz standards? Has anyone else experienced this?
