Guitar-Playing Guru

It was yet another lovely day during my college career, and I was walking from my apartment to the bus stop. Trying not to dwell on where my bus was taking me (DIE Intro to Archaeology!) I instead focused on what a Bee-U-tiful day it was outside (and after having spent the last few weeks in never-ending fog, the sun was quite a sight!).

Anywho, as I got closer to the bus stop, I heard the strumming of guitar chords amongst the various car horns and screeching tires. And lo and behold! A guy was leaning back against the bus stop, guitar in hand.

I noticed his very spiffy combination of purple Vans and a blue plaid hat as I walked past him to sit on the bench. And as I waited for my bus to arrive, I listened to the Guitar-Playing Guru just strumming along. It was like my own mini-concert! Even better, a free mini-concert. And this guy was good. Not off tune. Not trying to be Carlos Santana and then promptly messing up all the fancy guitar riffs. Just a simple melody. It was nice.

A while later, a car pulled up to the light by the bus stop. As is typical in a college town, the driver was blasting their music out of the speakers, windows down, for the entire world to hear. And what does the Guitar-Playing Guru do? He started strumming along with the radio station! Just like that! Now I’ve taken a few guitar lessons, and it’s hard enough to learn the songs they assign you with the sheet music in front of you and a few hours of practice. This guy heard a random song on the radio, and started playing along with it like he’d known it by heart for years! A-Mazing.

Another few minutes went by and the bus had yet to appear (no surprise there). But soon the strumming slow downed and the Guitar-Playing Guru packed up his guitar (sad, right?). Assuming my free-concert was over, I reached for my iPod to have something to do. Right before I put in my earphones, I heard something else: a slow sort of whistling, with a few tinkling notes in-between. When I glance over at the Guitar-Playing Guru, he has pulled out another instrument from his backpack full of wonders.

The only way I can describe this instrument is as the “piano-flute”. Type that into Google and something actually comes up! And I included a picture of this mysterical instrument for your viewing pleasure…just ignore the bug-eyed glasses, and focus on what the woman is playing.

This is what the Guitar-Playing Guru pulled out...except his was green (much more trendy). Pretty cool, huh? If anyone out there actually knows what this instrument is, let me know.

Eventually my bus did come, and I had to leave the Guitar-Playing Guru behind. But my day had become considerably brighter. That spontaneous guitar playing made me happy! I could walk into archaeology with a smile…quite a concept! And his easy-going tune still sang through my thoughts hours after.