Jay and Jono | Fastgrass
Feb. 15th, 2024 08:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsJono mostly comes to terms with the fact that he's into men now. Or: Jay teaches a guitar lesson.
Jay had a slide on his finger as he played, having felt like he was crawling out of his skin since he woke up in the morning. Didn't matter if what he played sounded good as long as the sound was overwhelming and mentally taxing, so he was playing faster and faster bluegrass with the slide as an experiment. The slide made the guitar sound so different, especially at this speed.
He could almost trick himself into thinking someone else was playing with him if he closed his eyes- some playing a mandolin or a fiddle. He was picking his way through "Cumberland Blues", not aware that even in this secluded corner of the mansion he's attracted an audience.
Jono’s grip on his guitar case loosened and he struggled to gain control enough of his hands to tighten his grip. All he could do was watch.
The man in front of him was beautiful, reminding him in some ways of Draper’s The Lament for Icarus. He found himself entranced by the man’s scarlet wings and the fullness in his cheeks. But then the music. The talent, and strength, and dexterity in the man’s fingers…..
Jono tried to set his case down as gently as possible and pulled out his lightwriter. When he could tell that the other man had finished the piece he quickly typed. “You are actually insane to play fastgrass with a slide….. I could listen to you play forever. Holy fuck.”
Insane sounded about right to Jay. He'd been increasingly aware of his missed notes and bungled chords as he played. He may have liked the sound, but he couldn't trick himself into thinking it sounded good. Not at all something he wanted to be someone's first impression of him. Especially, Jay thought as he looked up to the source of the slightly robotic voice, another guitar player. Even if the guy seemed impressed.
It'd be nicer to play with someone else than trying to mimic the sound of it. "You play much?"
“Loads.” Jono confirmed. “Mostly rock. But I’ve tried out a bunch of styles to find my sound.”
He paused, fingers twitching, feeling a bit restless at the idea of playing with someone again. “Seems like you have too.”
"I do country and folk, mostly, and blues but rock ain't that far off from blues and people always ask you to play rock songs once they see y'got an electric guitar." He pronounced guitar like gee-tar. The guitar in his hands was his Daddy's old acoustic guitar though. "I like playin' other stuff though, just not good enough to play it for money, y'know?" He tried to subtly look at Jono's case to guess what style and model was inside.
“Yeah.” Jono agreed easily. “I fronted a band for a long time. I understand.”
He easily noticed Jay looking at his case and typed a quick. “Fender Stratocaster.”
Jay'd figured it might have been from the shape but still, he let out a bit of a whistle. There was a reason the Fender Stratocaster was one of the most popular guitars of all-time and what people thought of when they thought "electric guitar". (And if he's have got it new they cost a pretty penny, even bottom of the line). Then again, apparently this guy was a real life rock band frontman. Jay knew better than anyone that fronting a band din't exactly mean much, but it seemed more impressive that it was a rock band. And this guy must be a real good guitarist to front the band despite the whole voice situation.
And this rock musician had been impressed by him. It felt a little embarrassing, like he was being a braggart.
"I'm Jay," he said, realizing he hadn't caught the other's name.
"Jono." He quickly typed in response. "I'm a bit rusty...haven't....felt up to playing much since the..."
Jono paused, unsure how to fully explain his manifestation and instead chose to gesture to his lower face and upper chest.
Jay let out a little snort of understanding. Yeah, he understood that alright. He hadn't sung a note since before Christmas, even when the twins had begged him to move the phone. "Yeah, understand that."
He moved to take the slide off his finger and lifted his guitar strap over his head. "You wanna try playing acoustic?" He imagined that maybe Jono wasn't ready yet to play his own guitar.
Jono blinked in shock but the gesture was an honest one, and big- you didn’t just hand a string instrument to someone who didn’t know unless you were showing that you trusted them.
“Sure.” He typed. “You could try my electric too if you’d like.”
"If'n I do that, how'm I supposed to show you how to play fastgrass?" Jay asked him. He hadn't thought Jono was that old in the first place with those wide eyes and baby face despite being a rock musician, but hearing that he hadn't played guitar since whatever accident had happened, which he figured had to do with why he was here he readjusted his estimation to be younger- Mel's age maybe. His band had some success when he was that age, so it made sense. Something about the kid had him in older brother mode, wanting to teach him. He handed the guitar to Jono. "Ya know basics of this style?"
"I haven't tried to play it in a few years." Jono typed. "Used to use it as fingering exercises to help with speed....I wasn't very good at it but it was good practice."
A lot of his music had focused more on the vocals than on any guitar solos, but they'd started experimenting with more guitar heavy sounds right before the accident. He was a strong player, but the classic 'guitar solo' sound had never really fit with his style- but maybe the band had changed their sound since he left. Wondering if they were still using his songs gave him a funny feeling in his chest that didn't feel safe at all.
"'Less you really got real lucky when God was makin' musicians no one's good at it at first," Jay assured him in a conspiratorial tone. "And anyone tryin' t'tell you otherwise is a liar or just don't know enough t'know the difference between good and bad soundin'."
Jono seemed like he knew the difference.
"You just show me what you know. Or do you wanna do slide?"
It should have been infantilizing, being spoken to like he didn't know how learning music worked like that, but Jay's tone was playful rather than mean, and he looked like a Renaissance painting and...this might be a problem that current Jono can't pass off onto later Jono. Not that being attracted to men was a problem, but he wasn't looking to process that now.
Jono reached out and slowly took the guitar offered to him, draping the strap over his shoulder and taking a moment to steady himself before starting to play, his fingers were a bit clumsy in the style but the notes were sure and his hands were steady. He was clearly used to performing in front of others. He wasn't playing an existing tune, had just picked a key and ran with it, mentally repeating redemption lies a half step in either direction whenever the chords got wonky.
It was evident that Jono was a talented guitarist. He was also a talented guitarist who didn't really know the style at all. "Is it okay if I touch your hand a minute t'show you something?" Jay asked, figuring Jono would be able nod or shake and not need to break out the little machine.
Jono's cheeks went pink but he nodded, clearly deferring to the man who actually knew the genre. He'd never turned down a lesson from an older guitarist before and he wasn't about to start now.
Jay noticed the pink of Jono's cheeks but politely ignored it. "First, ya wanna be more mindful of making sure yer picking," He placed his hand over Jono's and physically adjusted Jono's placement so it would be easier to make sure he wasn't just strumming along. He likes the notes Jono was going for on the fretboard, even if he could be a little more attentive about his finger placement in Jay's opinion, but the real reason it sounded off was because Jono wasn't picking. He moved Jono's hand for him so he went string one, string three, and then bent Jono's middle finger to pick up on string two right after he had moved to three. "One at a time, unless you're using two fingers on different strings. That'll make it sound more like'n what I think you're trying for."
Jay took his hand off Jono's.
If possible Jono's blush went darker when Jay's hand touched his. He didn't say anything, couldn't, but he didn't want to make the other man uncomfortable, especially not when saying anything would reveal that he was also uncomfortable with this realization.
He took Jay's instruction to heart and started at first to finger pick slowly but picked up his tempo as he continued, getting more comfortable with not using a pick. His fingers would hurt after this but it was a welcome pain.
"See?" Jay said encouragingly like Jono was one of his younger siblings or their friends. "Soundin' better already." He looked on with an open sort of happiness for the other, which he almost felt guilty for. But he wasn't gonna ruin the moment for the other by being all caught up. "Y'do that, maybe change the runs a bit, 'nd you're more'n decent soon enough. Granted, don't sound as good on electric." That was Jay's bias coming through though.
Jono nodded, stopping his playing as he pulled out the lightwriter once more. "Different tools for different products. You wouldn't play Loretta Lynn on a Stratocaster."
Oh. Oh no The accents matched. Fuck. Paige's brother's name was Jay. Paige's brother Jay was a musician. This was not good.
Jay had a similar similar realization happening. Loretta Lynn... Weren't Paige's friend with the mixtape named Jono? How many Jono's could there possibly be here? Well. At least that was one worry off his plate, seemed to him like Paigey's little friend was not only a good bit younger than her but also didn't like women, if'n his blushing when Jay just touched his hand meant anything.
"Y'couldn't do The Smiths quite right on that old thing," Jay nodded to his old Martin in Jono's hands just to double check that this was the right Jono.
Jono froze, fear rising up inside of him. This was really really bad. First of all it wasn't even fair that Paige's older brother was a hot musician, but for him to be interrogating Jono? For Paige to have told her older brother about the mixtape? This was bad. What had he done to deserve this? Hadn't Paige said something about one of her brothers being a fighter?
Far too long of a wait later Jono typed. "No....you couldn't."
The frozen expression confirmed it for Jay, this must be Paige's Jono. Jay nodded easily at the other. "Suspect I don't play electric quite right, if'n you're partial to showin' me," he said, looking to the guitar case.
Jono relaxed just slightly in relief. "Yeah, I can do that, let me get it out for you."
Jay had a slide on his finger as he played, having felt like he was crawling out of his skin since he woke up in the morning. Didn't matter if what he played sounded good as long as the sound was overwhelming and mentally taxing, so he was playing faster and faster bluegrass with the slide as an experiment. The slide made the guitar sound so different, especially at this speed.
He could almost trick himself into thinking someone else was playing with him if he closed his eyes- some playing a mandolin or a fiddle. He was picking his way through "Cumberland Blues", not aware that even in this secluded corner of the mansion he's attracted an audience.
Jono’s grip on his guitar case loosened and he struggled to gain control enough of his hands to tighten his grip. All he could do was watch.
The man in front of him was beautiful, reminding him in some ways of Draper’s The Lament for Icarus. He found himself entranced by the man’s scarlet wings and the fullness in his cheeks. But then the music. The talent, and strength, and dexterity in the man’s fingers…..
Jono tried to set his case down as gently as possible and pulled out his lightwriter. When he could tell that the other man had finished the piece he quickly typed. “You are actually insane to play fastgrass with a slide….. I could listen to you play forever. Holy fuck.”
Insane sounded about right to Jay. He'd been increasingly aware of his missed notes and bungled chords as he played. He may have liked the sound, but he couldn't trick himself into thinking it sounded good. Not at all something he wanted to be someone's first impression of him. Especially, Jay thought as he looked up to the source of the slightly robotic voice, another guitar player. Even if the guy seemed impressed.
It'd be nicer to play with someone else than trying to mimic the sound of it. "You play much?"
“Loads.” Jono confirmed. “Mostly rock. But I’ve tried out a bunch of styles to find my sound.”
He paused, fingers twitching, feeling a bit restless at the idea of playing with someone again. “Seems like you have too.”
"I do country and folk, mostly, and blues but rock ain't that far off from blues and people always ask you to play rock songs once they see y'got an electric guitar." He pronounced guitar like gee-tar. The guitar in his hands was his Daddy's old acoustic guitar though. "I like playin' other stuff though, just not good enough to play it for money, y'know?" He tried to subtly look at Jono's case to guess what style and model was inside.
“Yeah.” Jono agreed easily. “I fronted a band for a long time. I understand.”
He easily noticed Jay looking at his case and typed a quick. “Fender Stratocaster.”
Jay'd figured it might have been from the shape but still, he let out a bit of a whistle. There was a reason the Fender Stratocaster was one of the most popular guitars of all-time and what people thought of when they thought "electric guitar". (And if he's have got it new they cost a pretty penny, even bottom of the line). Then again, apparently this guy was a real life rock band frontman. Jay knew better than anyone that fronting a band din't exactly mean much, but it seemed more impressive that it was a rock band. And this guy must be a real good guitarist to front the band despite the whole voice situation.
And this rock musician had been impressed by him. It felt a little embarrassing, like he was being a braggart.
"I'm Jay," he said, realizing he hadn't caught the other's name.
"Jono." He quickly typed in response. "I'm a bit rusty...haven't....felt up to playing much since the..."
Jono paused, unsure how to fully explain his manifestation and instead chose to gesture to his lower face and upper chest.
Jay let out a little snort of understanding. Yeah, he understood that alright. He hadn't sung a note since before Christmas, even when the twins had begged him to move the phone. "Yeah, understand that."
He moved to take the slide off his finger and lifted his guitar strap over his head. "You wanna try playing acoustic?" He imagined that maybe Jono wasn't ready yet to play his own guitar.
Jono blinked in shock but the gesture was an honest one, and big- you didn’t just hand a string instrument to someone who didn’t know unless you were showing that you trusted them.
“Sure.” He typed. “You could try my electric too if you’d like.”
"If'n I do that, how'm I supposed to show you how to play fastgrass?" Jay asked him. He hadn't thought Jono was that old in the first place with those wide eyes and baby face despite being a rock musician, but hearing that he hadn't played guitar since whatever accident had happened, which he figured had to do with why he was here he readjusted his estimation to be younger- Mel's age maybe. His band had some success when he was that age, so it made sense. Something about the kid had him in older brother mode, wanting to teach him. He handed the guitar to Jono. "Ya know basics of this style?"
"I haven't tried to play it in a few years." Jono typed. "Used to use it as fingering exercises to help with speed....I wasn't very good at it but it was good practice."
A lot of his music had focused more on the vocals than on any guitar solos, but they'd started experimenting with more guitar heavy sounds right before the accident. He was a strong player, but the classic 'guitar solo' sound had never really fit with his style- but maybe the band had changed their sound since he left. Wondering if they were still using his songs gave him a funny feeling in his chest that didn't feel safe at all.
"'Less you really got real lucky when God was makin' musicians no one's good at it at first," Jay assured him in a conspiratorial tone. "And anyone tryin' t'tell you otherwise is a liar or just don't know enough t'know the difference between good and bad soundin'."
Jono seemed like he knew the difference.
"You just show me what you know. Or do you wanna do slide?"
It should have been infantilizing, being spoken to like he didn't know how learning music worked like that, but Jay's tone was playful rather than mean, and he looked like a Renaissance painting and...this might be a problem that current Jono can't pass off onto later Jono. Not that being attracted to men was a problem, but he wasn't looking to process that now.
Jono reached out and slowly took the guitar offered to him, draping the strap over his shoulder and taking a moment to steady himself before starting to play, his fingers were a bit clumsy in the style but the notes were sure and his hands were steady. He was clearly used to performing in front of others. He wasn't playing an existing tune, had just picked a key and ran with it, mentally repeating redemption lies a half step in either direction whenever the chords got wonky.
It was evident that Jono was a talented guitarist. He was also a talented guitarist who didn't really know the style at all. "Is it okay if I touch your hand a minute t'show you something?" Jay asked, figuring Jono would be able nod or shake and not need to break out the little machine.
Jono's cheeks went pink but he nodded, clearly deferring to the man who actually knew the genre. He'd never turned down a lesson from an older guitarist before and he wasn't about to start now.
Jay noticed the pink of Jono's cheeks but politely ignored it. "First, ya wanna be more mindful of making sure yer picking," He placed his hand over Jono's and physically adjusted Jono's placement so it would be easier to make sure he wasn't just strumming along. He likes the notes Jono was going for on the fretboard, even if he could be a little more attentive about his finger placement in Jay's opinion, but the real reason it sounded off was because Jono wasn't picking. He moved Jono's hand for him so he went string one, string three, and then bent Jono's middle finger to pick up on string two right after he had moved to three. "One at a time, unless you're using two fingers on different strings. That'll make it sound more like'n what I think you're trying for."
Jay took his hand off Jono's.
If possible Jono's blush went darker when Jay's hand touched his. He didn't say anything, couldn't, but he didn't want to make the other man uncomfortable, especially not when saying anything would reveal that he was also uncomfortable with this realization.
He took Jay's instruction to heart and started at first to finger pick slowly but picked up his tempo as he continued, getting more comfortable with not using a pick. His fingers would hurt after this but it was a welcome pain.
"See?" Jay said encouragingly like Jono was one of his younger siblings or their friends. "Soundin' better already." He looked on with an open sort of happiness for the other, which he almost felt guilty for. But he wasn't gonna ruin the moment for the other by being all caught up. "Y'do that, maybe change the runs a bit, 'nd you're more'n decent soon enough. Granted, don't sound as good on electric." That was Jay's bias coming through though.
Jono nodded, stopping his playing as he pulled out the lightwriter once more. "Different tools for different products. You wouldn't play Loretta Lynn on a Stratocaster."
Oh. Oh no The accents matched. Fuck. Paige's brother's name was Jay. Paige's brother Jay was a musician. This was not good.
Jay had a similar similar realization happening. Loretta Lynn... Weren't Paige's friend with the mixtape named Jono? How many Jono's could there possibly be here? Well. At least that was one worry off his plate, seemed to him like Paigey's little friend was not only a good bit younger than her but also didn't like women, if'n his blushing when Jay just touched his hand meant anything.
"Y'couldn't do The Smiths quite right on that old thing," Jay nodded to his old Martin in Jono's hands just to double check that this was the right Jono.
Jono froze, fear rising up inside of him. This was really really bad. First of all it wasn't even fair that Paige's older brother was a hot musician, but for him to be interrogating Jono? For Paige to have told her older brother about the mixtape? This was bad. What had he done to deserve this? Hadn't Paige said something about one of her brothers being a fighter?
Far too long of a wait later Jono typed. "No....you couldn't."
The frozen expression confirmed it for Jay, this must be Paige's Jono. Jay nodded easily at the other. "Suspect I don't play electric quite right, if'n you're partial to showin' me," he said, looking to the guitar case.
Jono relaxed just slightly in relief. "Yeah, I can do that, let me get it out for you."
no subject
Date: 2024-02-17 03:29 am (UTC)Jay's tone was playful rather than mean, and he looked like a Renaissance painting...
I laughed, since this had definite "this had better not awaken anything within me" vibes.
I loved seeing Jay in his element here, no family and with something he is passionate about.