LOS LUNAS — A new guitar class is being offered at the Fred Luna Multi-Generational Center in Los Lunas needs strumming seniors.
Guitar instructor, Ed O’Toole, of Peralta, is looking for senior guitar players in Valencia County who have a basic understanding and want to achieve a higher level of play.
O’Toole’s class, intermediate acoustic guitar rock/Americana, takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Monday.
“So, from a senior perspective, I think the major thing is the connections you end up with, getting out talking and having a full life, a more varied life,” said O’Toole, “because monotony is not a good thing.”
Playing guitar has numerous benefits for people of all ages, but it is especially advantageous for seniors.
“This is dynamite man; this is what’s going on in my family; this gets me away from that for a while. It reduces my stress and whatnot,” O’Toole said.
The guitar instructor, who has been playing since the age of 14 and previously performed with the Valencia County Community Band, found himself yearning to rekindle his passion for guitar playing in his 60s, especially after the pandemic subsided and activities resumed.
Submitted photo
Ed O’Toole, of Peralta, is offering acoustic guitar classes at the Fred Luna Multi-Generational Center in Los Lunas.
Motivated by his love for music, he enrolled in a guitar class at the Bear Canyon Senior Center in Albuquerque. When the original instructor was unable to continue teaching, O’Toole stepped up and took over leading the class.
He taught classes in Albuquerque for about two years when he decided he wanted to try and teach classes in his home county, so he went to the Fred Luna Multi-Generational Center in Los Lunas to be an instructor there.
O’Toole said he had not received any interest yet; however, he remains optimistic, believing that if he builds it, people will come, much like the movie, “Field of Dreams.”
“I know this much that the guitar market went crazy over Covid, everybody bought guitars and thought they could play or wanted to play and there are tons of guitars in closets and under beds,” said O’Toole. “There may be some of those people who are interested in picking things up.”
O’Toole allows his students to choose three songs they are interested in as the class is primarily focused on rock and Americana music. They have learned songs by such artists as — The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, Hank Williams, Charlie Pride, Bob Dylan and Tim Cook just to name a few.
The class caters to individuals who already possess a foundational understanding of guitar basics. O’Toole said prospective students should be capable of playing basic chords in first and open positions. While proficiency isn’t a prerequisite, they should be familiar with these chords and able to grasp them, even if their execution is not perfect.
If there are enough seniors who have no guitar experience but want to learn, the center will provide O’Toole with additional time and room to have a beginner class.
For those interested in the Intermediate Acoustic Guitar Rock/Americana Class, call or email Ed O’Toole at [email protected] or 505-382-6051. Prospective students are required to bring an acoustic guitar, capo and a music stand.
Jesse Jones lives in Albuquerque with his wife and son. Jesse graduated from of the University of New Mexico twice. This spring, he graduated with a degree in multimedia journalism and, in 2006, he received a bachelor’s degree in university studies with an emphasis in photojournalism. He is a current fellow of the New Mexico Local News Fund.
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April 25, 2024
