It was many years ago that I learned how to play a guitar.  My Father who was from Hawaii decided one day that I should learn to play the ukulele so he showed me a little and I had to practice it for an hour each day.  Of course I hated it, but I did reluctantly enjoy playing.  This was a different time from today when Fathers ruled the household with an iron hand, especially Japanese American Fathers.  So my old man just had to say practice and I did; even if he wasn't home I made sure I practiced because there would be hell to pay if he found out I disobeyed.  

When all the homesick Hawaiian guys came over they would play their ukes, guitars and steel guitars, sing Hawaiian songs and talk about "back home".  I got to play along with them and I listened to them "talk stories" about "kid time" in old Hawaii.  Now this was a mixed culture of Asians that were immersed in Hawaiian culture and spoke "Pidgin English"  There were of many different races but mostly Japanese, Chinese and Filipinos.  There were even a couple of  "Haoles" (White folk).  But they were united in their love for and their pining for their home.

Then folk music, rock and the Beatles came out.  And there was a song I really liked, ("What's your Name") so when I was about 15 I picked up my Father's old Gibson, bought a book on guitar chords and I practiced that instead.  I practiced at night when I had to be home.  My Father noticed me with his guitar but he didn't make me go back to his love, the ukulele.  I was worried sick that he would disapprove and punish me for not playing the uke but I just had to learn this song.  It reminded me of someone.

Oh he was an expert player and he played entirely by ear.  He could hear a tune and recreate it playing both the melody and the backing chords together and he couldn't even read music.  I didn't inherit his talent and he probably knew that too, I think that's the reason he left me to play the guitar.  I think the tough old guy also realized I would practice the guitar more because it was an intricate part of the music I loved.  He was a lot smarter that I ever gave him credit for back then.  Funny it was about then that I realized the old ogre might have loved me too.