Focused on the frets
Junior uses skills to play guitar for school musical
Junior Gabriel Bennett playing his acoustic guitar. Practicing with his band and writing parts for on of their songs.”I really love to just sit down and just play,” said Bennett. “ its a great way to learn and try new things on guitar”.
September 4, 2019
Grooving to the sounds of his Fender Jazzmaster, junior Gabriel Bennett works towards playing guitar for the school play, Amelie on October 13th.
Bennett has played guitar for many years and with his experience from last year where he played guitar for another school play Bring It On he finds his experience with this play much easier. Bennett first began to play guitar seven years ago when he received a guitar for Christmas. After receiving this gift he used video game guitar smith and YouTube videos to teach himself.
Playing guitar in his three bands, Playing gigs at Millard West and pubs to continue to learn. His love for music has helped him explore new genres and techniques to expand and define his skills. Bennett attributed some of his success to musicians who inspired him which including Adam Jones, Eric Clapton, Jack White, Richard Benson and Billy Corgan.
“Guitar has shaped me as the person I am today,” Bennett said. ”I’m more confident in my abilities and my communication with other musicians It’s really a magical experience once we all come together.”
When Bennett was first given the offer to play guitar for Bring It On he refused. But after being convinced by junior Ryan Buchanan and junior Jessie Anthony he decided that would join the musical crew.
“Most guitarist with Gabriel’s level of understanding would be okay but with that time he has put into his practice he has been able to improve a lot,” Anthony said. “With only six years of experience he could run circles around most other guitarists I know.”
With his experience and increased ability Bennett was offered the role for guitarists in the musical for the second year in a row.
“Gabriel has used the skills he has acquired on the guitar well,” orchestra teacher Justin Zeleski said.” He does what every musician needs to be doing and takes as many opportunities as he possibly can.”
With what he has learned from Amelie, Bennett hopes to keep improving and to continue taking any opportunities he can, Working on sharpening and refine his skills. He hopes to write more music and work on composing with his bands after he is finished working on the musical.
