My Musical Journey: I Played Bocchi The Rock!

Hey guys! Ever get completely hooked on a show? Like, totally consumed by it? That's me with Bocchi the Rock!. This anime isn't just a fun watch; it's a deep dive into music, anxiety, and the crazy world of being in a band. And guess what? It inspired me to pick up a guitar and actually try playing the songs! Yeah, you heard that right. I, a total beginner, decided to learn how to play some Bocchi the Rock! tunes. It’s been an incredible journey, full of challenges, laughs, and the pure joy of making music. So, buckle up, because I'm gonna share my experience with you all.

Why Bocchi the Rock! Got Me Hooked

Okay, so first things first: why Bocchi the Rock!? For those of you who haven't seen it (seriously, go watch it!), it’s about a shy high school girl named Hitori Gotou (nicknamed Bocchi), who dreams of being in a band. The show follows her awkward attempts to make friends and her struggles with crippling social anxiety, all while she desperately tries to become a rock star. The music is catchy, the characters are relatable, and the animation style is fantastic. But beyond the surface level, Bocchi the Rock! is about overcoming your fears and chasing your dreams, no matter how daunting they seem. What really got me, though, was the music. The songs are genuinely good – they’re upbeat, energetic, and perfectly capture the feeling of being young and full of passion. Each song in Bocchi the Rock! tells a story and it all just clicked. That's what made me want to play along.

I’ve always loved music. From listening to my favorite bands on the radio to humming along to tunes in the shower, music has always been a big part of my life. But I’d never actually thought about playing an instrument. It always seemed like something other people did. Seeing Bocchi, who is also a beginner, struggle and persevere, made the goal feel attainable. It showed me that even if you're not a natural, with enough practice and determination, you can actually create music. It's truly inspiring. So I made the decision: I was going to learn to play guitar and learn to play some songs from Bocchi the Rock!

The Gear: My Guitar Setup

Alright, let’s talk gear. This is the fun part, right? Well, for me it was. After all, what’s learning guitar without the shiny new equipment? To start, I didn't want to break the bank. I knew I was a beginner and didn't want to invest too much, just in case this whole thing turned out to be a phase. So I went with a classic, and got myself a Squier Stratocaster. It's a fantastic guitar for beginners, because it's affordable, versatile, and looks awesome. The sleek, iconic design just motivates me to play! I also knew I needed an amp, so I paired my guitar with a small practice amp. Nothing fancy, just something to get me started. And, of course, I got some picks, a tuner, and a guitar strap. Nothing too crazy, just the essentials to get going. The point here is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started. You can get good quality gear without having to sell a kidney. It's all about finding what works for you and what gets you excited to play.

One of the best things I did was watch a lot of YouTube videos about guitar setups for beginners. There are tons of great resources out there to help you choose the right gear. After checking out different guitars, amps, and accessories, I went to a local guitar shop and talked to the staff. They helped me pick out a guitar that would suit my needs and budget. It’s definitely a good idea to visit a guitar shop and try out the guitars before buying them. That way you can find one that feels comfortable and sounds good to you.

Learning the Riffs: The Challenges and Triumphs

So, the journey began! I started with the basics: learning chords, scales, and strumming patterns. Let me tell you, it wasn't easy. My fingers were constantly sore, my strumming was out of sync, and I could barely make a clean chord change. It felt like my fingers were refusing to cooperate with my brain. The frustration was real, guys. There were times when I wanted to give up. The most challenging part was coordinating my left hand (fretting) with my right hand (strumming). It took a while to get used to the movement and to make the notes sound clear. Those initial finger pains? Yep, they were brutal. But with a little patience and a lot of practice, things slowly started to click.

I used a mix of online tutorials, apps, and the sheet music to learn the Bocchi the Rock! songs. There are some great resources available online, especially for beginners. There are videos that break down the songs into manageable parts, and you can slow down the tempo so that you can learn at your own pace. I focused on learning the simpler songs first, like the opening theme, and that helped boost my confidence. I also used a metronome to practice my timing, which is super important! It's amazing how much a metronome can help you improve your rhythm. It may not seem like a big deal when you start, but it helps make the playing sound smooth and professional.

Slowly but surely, I started to learn some of the riffs and chords from my favorite songs. The first time I played a full song from Bocchi the Rock!, even with a few mistakes, I felt an amazing sense of accomplishment. It was like, wow, I actually did it! It was an unbelievable feeling! I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty satisfying to play songs from my favorite anime. That moment of being able to play along with the music was the ultimate payoff. The sense of achievement was immense, and it was a huge motivator to keep going. I can assure you that every challenge, every sore finger, and every frustrating moment was worth it.

The Soundtrack of My Progress: My Favorite Bocchi the Rock! Songs

Okay, let's talk about the best part, the music! So far, I've learned a few of the Bocchi the Rock! songs, and each one has its own unique charm. Here are some of my faves, and why I love playing them: