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WHEN I first picked up my big brother's acoustic guitar, aged 9, I was completely immersed and utterly intrigued.
After hours of mucking around I hit two strings - low E and G - simultaneously, and then stopped. I'd heard those notes before.
But where?
My brother helped me figure it out. It was Metallica - I had just played Metallica - and from that moment on I was in love.
I played for hours every day: Two hours before school; during recess; during lunch; sometimes during class; after school.
I didn't stop. I didn't want to stop. I was writing riffs in my sleep.
It has stayed with me all my life.
Through years of changing, growing, relationships, friendships, and becoming a responsible adult, music has been the one constant in life that has made me happy.
Being a guitarist has allowed me to channel my happiest, most fulfilling emotions as well as my darkest and saddest moments through my fingers.
It doesn't start with ridiculously loud guitar amps, a chest-destroying bass tone, a wave of air-punching drums or the continuous wash of ear piercing cymbals.
It all starts with an emotion.
Pete Henderson plays with The Jester Complex and was behind the Makin' Space for headspace concert in January, 2013.