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When “Where Can I Turn for Peace” was selected as this month’s hymn, I knew immediately it was time to go back to the good old Fender Stratocaster – my first real guitar – the guitar I learned to play on.
Why? Because it’s been a source of comfort throughout my life. It’s allowed me to express things that I have a hard time verbalizing. So it just seemed natural to do this hymn on this guitar.
Plus, I wanted to start this hymn out with a lot of notes to represent some sort of chaos (it’s hard to play that fast on an acoustic) and contrast it with the melody being introduced on a minor chord, instead of the major chord so it sounds a little more confused than painful than pretty.
I’m not trying to be flashy. I’m trying to tell you what it feels like when I don’t know where to turn for peace
Tyler Glenn from Neon Trees posted a version of him playing this hymn on his guitar a while back and it hit me on a level that not much can. Ever since then I’ve wanted to try my own take on it and see if I could get as much emotion into it as he did.
Sometimes you don’t need a big fancy orchestra to capture the emotion of a hymn.
Sometimes, you just need a guitar.
I don’t have a lot to say this month. I’m not sure why. Normally I can just ramble on forever. But right now, I’m kind of at a loss for words.
This hymn is just an emotional rollercoaster and I think I’ve ridden it too many times this month and I just need to sit down and put my head between my legs for a while.
BTW, I ended up dropping the last verse simply because this is an instrumental and I didn’t want this go over five minutes. But the last verse is my favorite, just so you know.
Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.
Randall Whitted
Posted at 09:01h, 05 JuneSweet! Very soulful and, I believe, appropriately enhanced. You’ve got some great chops. Love your Fender too, man. Really loved watching this. Thanks for what you’re doing, Ben!
Ben Howington
Posted at 13:35h, 05 JuneThanks Randall! I really appreciate it.
Gunnar Norton
Posted at 23:14h, 09 JulyHey Ben, I just wanted to say thanks. every month i look forward to your videos. While I was on my mission, I often felt overwhelmed and stressed and depressed, when things weren´t going how I expected them too. so in order to cope with the stress and invite the spirit back in, I would listen to your music. I continue to listen to this day. (five months later). I appreciate how you put your heart and soul into the music. So thank you for helping me in ways you probably will never know, and for having an impact on who I am and what I do. Keep up the great work and music, Ben. Never give up.
Austin
Posted at 14:23h, 19 JulyI would love it if you put “I’m Trying to be like Jesus” in the votes this month.
Thanks!
-Austin Hoopes Declo ID